9 Family Travel Trends We’re Loving

There’s a thrilling future in store for family travelers. And we couldn’t be more excited about what this will mean for your adventuring crew. These trends will inspire you to start planning now, whether you’re interested in exploring RV travel, reuniting with grandparents for a multigen vacation, or diving into bucket-list plans.

Want to see what we mean? Check out the family travel trends we’re loving.

1. Savor Second-City Travel

If there’s one thing that 2020 has shown us, it’s time to get away from crowds. What’s the best way to do this? By swapping the touristy experiences in places like the Caribbean and Paris for less-frequented destinations. In other words, it’s time to give second cities a shot.

You can visit many low-key, low-crowd destinations that provide you with the same vibe as the most popular destinations. Yet, you’ll avoid masses of people and have better, more authentic travel experiences. Instead of Barcelona, Spain, consider Porto, Portugal. On a visit to Brazil, visit Porto Seguro instead of Rio de Janeiro, or opt for Nikko over Kyoto, Japan.

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2. Memory-Making Multi-Gen Travel

Getting together as families went on the backburner in 2020. But we’re finally approaching a time when it’s okay for everyone to see each other once more. So, why not optimize your time together with a multi-gen vacation?

Your kids will adore being showered with attention by parents and grandparents alike while you all reconnect and catch up. “Gramping” adventures also come with unique opportunities because of the nature of traveling with three generations. For example, you can squeeze in some much-needed “adulting” time while your parents or in-laws hang out with the kids.

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3. Take to the Treehouse

Retreating to cozy cabins marks another family travel trend that’s hopping this year. But do you know what we like even more? Escaping from it all in a spacious treehouse. An innovative and eclectic travel trend, it makes for unforgettable memories. Whether you choose to channel Swiss Family Robinson or Tarzan, there are plenty of treehouses you can rent for a one-of-a-kind family getaway.

You’ll find a vast selection of treehouse rental options across the United States. These unique accommodations come with panoramic views and modern amenities. Yet, you’ll still enjoy a cozy, organic experience shrouded in the majesty of forested lands.

4. Ready, Set, Road Trip!

Road trips have become a celebrated part of family time in the US, and with good reason. There are so many amazing destinations to explore in the lower 48. What’s more, heading out on the pavement ribbon checks all the right boxes for those who wish to forego plane travel and stick closer to home. Some families opt to stay in Airbnb rentals to minimize exposure to crowds, while others stick to luxury resorts and dude ranches.

Where might a road trip take you and the kids? How about savoring Southwest sights from Flagstaff, Arizona, to Moab, Utah? Or maybe you long for laidback Southern charms against the backdrop of the scenic Smokies from Nashville, Tennessee, to Asheville, North Carolina? These are but two of the many fabulous highway and scenic byway excursions awaiting you and your kids.

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5. Build Bucket-List Dreams

Over the past decade, globetrotting proved easier than ever before. It felt as if the Earth had folded in upon itself as borders became thinly veiled boundaries. No matter which of the four corners of the Earth you visited, you could easily find Wi-Fi, check your email, and pull cash out of an ATM. But a year-long pandemic has underscored why we must never take travel for granted.

Now we acknowledge that our ability to move about freely and fluidly can evaporate in an instant. So, when we get the a-okay to travel, it’s more important than ever to jump on the opportunity! In the meantime, there’s no better time to throw yourself into bucket-list travel planning. A genuinely amazing bucket-list vacation requires careful planning over one or more years. Now’s the perfect time to get started. Check out these eight bucket-list family vacation ideas and start planning for a bright, wonderful future.

6. Fantastic Family Glamping

Are you fascinated by outdoor family vacations but don’t relish the idea of renting and driving an RV? Do you prize the smell of a campfire but hate schlepping expensive, heavy gear around? Then, family glamping vacations are for you. You’ll find plenty of excellent glamping experiences available nationally and internationally, letting you split the difference between rugged adventures and luxury accommodations.

In Peru, give Sacred Valley glamping a try, enveloped in the mystical beauty of the Andes. Or head to Patagonia for the ultimate Argentine wilderness experience. If you’d like to stick closer to home, give a glamping experience along the stunning Pacific Coast a try at Ventana Big Sur. Or head to the Resort at Paws Up located at an authentic working ranch in the breathtaking mountains of Montana. There’s no better spot for a multigenerational family vacation, which also means you can leave your parents with the kids for a night as you head out on an adults-only glamping experience.

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7. Amazing RV Adventures Await

Recreational vehicles have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, and we don’t see this trend fizzling out anytime soon. Find out what all the commotion’s about by renting an RV and heading out on the road. Book early because RV vacation rentals remain in high demand.

Whether you’re trailblazing through Zion and Bryce or going wild in Yellowstone, RVing represents the perfect juxtaposition between getting back to nature and enjoying the conveniences of home. And unlike road trips, where you must pop in and out of various accommodations, heading out in an RV lets you explore the best of family camping, complete with s’mores-making and storytelling sessions around the campfire.

8. Satisfying Private or Small-Group Guided Tours

Dreaming of future family vacations is a genuine pleasure. But the planning that goes into bringing a fantastic trip to life? That’s not nearly as fun. That’s why it makes sense to keep it simple by letting a small-group tour company handle your vacation planning and execution.

More families than ever before are turning to a reliable, experienced travel company to navigate the changing face of voyaging. Not only can they bring your vacation fantasies to life, but they can also provide you with one-of-a-kind experiences you won’t get on a DIY vacation. To maximize your experience, work with a company that focuses on sustainable, immersive travel experiences that give back to local communities.

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9. Get Off the Grid

There are so many incredible ways to go off-the-grid with your family, whether you choose to visit a remote island or head out on a trekking excursion. Why not give off-the-grid fruit farming a try in Hawaii? Or try ice trekking and kayaking in El Calafate, Patagonia?

When you work with a skilled travel professional, you’ll gain access to secluded accommodations where your family can unplug, reconnect with nature, and savor every moment at a slower pace. Incredible options include off-grid safari camps in Botswana and remote expeditions into the heart of the Russian wilderness in Kamchatka. Closer to home, consider a digital detox at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami or an Alaskan cruise with UnCruise Adventures into America’s last frontier.

© Alexander Shalamov | Dreamstime.com

Family Travel Trends

Which of these family travel trends do you want to try first? From glamping to treehouse adventures, small-group tours to off-the-grid destinations, you can’t go wrong with one of these fun family adventures.

Just remember to take precautions like purchasing travel insurance and vetting lodgings for hygiene standards. You should also stay up-to-date on the latest travel restrictions into and out of the United States.

Ready to start planning? We’re here to help you bring your family travel dreams to life. Let’s chat about where you’d like to go this year and beyond. Start here.