Your love for travel doesn’t (and shouldn’t!) have to stop just because you have kids and now have a family to take care of. There are family-friendly resorts all over the country that specialize in catering to families and offering activities and amenities that adults and kids of all ages can enjoy. Every state you travel to has family destinations that take the hassles and guesswork out of taking vacations with kids. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly resorts in the United States.
Hawks Cay Resort – The Keys, Florida
One of the best hotels in the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay Resort is a perfect place to plan a vacation with kids and teens because of the club offerings here. For kids ages five to 12, there is a program that offers full day camps with extended hours as early as 7am and as late as 10pm. Kids will spend their days swimming, snorkeling, playing sports, and making tie-dye shirts. The resort can arrange for childcare for kids under five as well. For teens, there are opportunities to kayak, kiteboard, snorkel, and hang out in the game room. There are various room and suite options available for families, as well as onsite restaurants, a marina, pools, and an onsite spa for tired parents.
Kelleys Island Venture Resort – Kelleys Island, Ohio
Kelleys Island Venture Resort is an all-suite hotel that offers lots of room for families to spread out and is within walking distance of the ferries and downtown. It’s the only resort hotel on Kelleys Island and offers a children’s playground, large game field, pool, and upper-level suites with additional loft spaces. The rooms here have mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeepots, and flat-screen TVs to help you feel right at home with your little ones. Come here for a Lake Erie getaway in the summer, and either bike around the island or rent a golf cart to get around.
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa – Palm Springs, California
This top Palm Springs hotel is a top pick among families because of the fun Splashtopia area with its 425-foot lazy river and 100-foot waterslides. This is a family-friendly waterpark with a bar and grill onsite. With chic guest rooms and suites, it’s also a pet-friendly hotel that has 23 tennis courts, in-room dining, a 24-hour fitness center, and a European spa. Families can request a pack-and-play for the room to accommodate little ones. Select suites even have pool tables!
Tyler Place Family Resort – Swanton, Vermont
The Tyler Place Family Resort has been offering all inclusive family vacations in New England since 1933. It has dedicated counselors to run children’s and teen’s programs that vary by age and include fun activities like rock climbing, lawn games, paddle boarding, swimming in the lake and pools, and doing scavenger hunts. There are organized campfires and cookouts, a golf driving range, disc golf course, mini-golf, paddle boats, and arts and craft activities. Infant and toddler programs are available to take care of little ones while adults enjoy their own water sports, wellness offerings, tours, and nightlife activities.
The Woodlands Resort – Woodlands, Texas
You can also plan a vacation at the family-friendly Woodlands Resort, which has a waterpark, lazy river, spa, 36 holes of golf, and 500 acres of natural surroundings. Families love the daily scheduled activities, kayaking, bike rides, and days at the pool. Dive-in movies, s’mores by the fire pit and bingo nights are also fun parts of staying here. There are spacious guest rooms and suites at the Woodlands Resorts and rooms that are pet-friendly so you can bring your pup along and treat him/her to the hotel’s exclusive pampered pup package.
Enchantment Resort – Sedona, Arizona
To stay among the epic red rocks of Sedona with your family, book a room at the Enchantment Resort. The resort has a Camp Coyote kids’ program for children ages four to 12 that includes nature walks, scavenger hunts, pottery making, and other fun activities. Full-day, half-day, and evening kids’ camp options are available. Meanwhile, teens and adults will love the guided hiking and biking experiences, golf, tennis, and local tours. There is a spa onsite, as well as dining options and pet-friendly rooms with a Tails & Trails program that includes pampered pet amenities.
Omni Los Angeles at California Plaza – Los Angeles, California
Omni Los Angeles at California Plaza caters to the needs of families and one that helps you experience Los Angeles in style. The 17-story hotel is in downtown L.A. and has a heated lap pool, fitness center, two restaurants, and modern guest rooms and suites. Childcare is available upon request, and you can get complimentary luxury sedan shuttle service within a three-mile radius. The family pet (up to 25 pounds in weight) can come along to this hotel. The hotel can provide families with rollaway beds and hypo-allergenic rooms if requested.
Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and Convention Center – Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri is always a favorite family destination, and this resort is a great choice to bring your kids to. There’s a marina here where you can rent a boat, go fishing, and ride a wave runner. It’s also 10 minutes from the entertainment district and has a 14,000-square-foot spa with 10 treatment rooms and a wide range of treatments. Bring the family dog up to 25 pounds along for a $50 fee. Nearby experiences that families love include Silver Dollar City, the Showboat Branson Belle, Table Rock Lake, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and the many live Branson shows.
Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island, Michigan
Located on Mackinac Island, the Grand Hotel is a family-friendly resort that has “family added value days” in July and August and is great for special occasions. There are cozy guest rooms here, and children ages nine and under stay here for free. Youth ages 10 to 17 stay at a discounted rate. The hotel offers afternoon and dinner children’s programs for guests. Some fun activities to do here are golf, tennis, swimming, lawn games, biking, horseback riding, and carriage tours.
Tanque Verde Ranch - Tucson, Arizona
A top Western dude ranch for families, Tanque Verde Ranch is surrounded by soaring mountains and a cactus-filled desert bordering Saguaro National Park East. It offers the opportunity to enjoy lots of active pursuits, including hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, and then come back and relax at the spa. There’s a daily kids program, a kids day camp, and an outdoor pool to make a splash in, as well as kid-friendly outdoor pursuits such as fishing, archery, tennis, and pickleball. When it’s time to recharge, you can pick from a variety of lodging options with scenic desert and mountain views. Parents can look forward to a pampering massage or fabulous skin renewal treatment utilizing all organic ingredients at the spa.
Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa – Savannah, Georgia
You can also plan a fun family trip to Savannah with your family and stay at this Westin resort for a fun experience. It’s located in the historic river district and has a spa, tennis courts, golf course, and luxury rooms and suites for guests. There’s a great pool with a poolside bar and grill here, 24-hour room service, and other dining options. Upgraded room options are available that offer extra space, kitchenettes, enhanced amenities, and a premium balcony.
Great Wolf Lodge – Kansas City, Kansas
Kids love staying at Great Wolf Lodges, and there’s a wonderful one for families in Kansas City. This resort offers an onsite waterpark with multiple slides and play areas that cater to various ages of children. Other kid-friendly activities offered here include character appearances, pajama parties, story time, and live shows. There are multiple dining options onsite and family suites that have full-size sleeper sofas, as well as kid cabin suites with bunk beds.
Hammock Beach Resort – Palm Coast, Florida
Hammock Beach Resort offers golf, a spa, and plenty of amenities to make your family vacation a success. It has a kids’ program for guests ages four to 12 that includes pool activities, scavenger hunts, and beach games. Both morning and evening programs are offered. There’s a 91,000-square-foot water park here with a water flume and lazy river. Other activities include tennis, a marina, and s’mores roasting at the fire pit. For adults, there’s a full-service spa onsite with 10 treatment rooms and a salon.
Vista Verde Guest Ranch – Clark, Colorado
For a dude ranch experience in Colorado, stay with your family at the Vista Verde Guest Ranch. It’s north of Steamboat Springs and has an engaging kids’ program that provides safe adventure experiences for your kids while you explore the mountains on your own. In the summer, come here for horseback riding, cookouts, and barn dances. Winter family vacations here are perfect for sledding, snowshoeing, hot chocolate, and hot tubs. The resort offers all-inclusive rates and is best for kids ages six and older.
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa – Cedar Creek, Texas
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa is a family-friendly resort near Austin and on 405 acres of beautiful land along the Colorado River. Bring your kids here to go kayaking, horseback riding, or float on the lazy river. It offers a Camp Hyatt children’s program to keep little ones entertained. With a collection of cozy rooms, there are both adults-only and family-friendly pools here, a gym, water park, video arcade, playground, tennis courts, and yard games. Other perks families appreciate are the nightly s’mores service and daily complimentary activities planned.
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa – Phoenix, Arizona
Another great destination in Arizona for families is the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa with its own amazing waterpark. It’s an all-suite resort with spacious suites and multiple dining venues. For adults, there’s golf and a spa onsite. Meanwhile, the whole family will love the seven-acre waterpark with its huge slides, wave pool, and 25-person hot tub. The athletic club offers over 30 fitness classes weekly, offers personal training, and can also arrange outdoor adventure experiences for hiking and biking with your family.
Treasure Island Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada
Treasure Island is one of the many family-friendly resorts in Las Vegas and a fun place to bring your kids. Various room options are available to accommodate your group when you want to be in the middle of the action along the Strip. Mystère by Cirque du Soleil performances take place right onsite at the hotel and feature high-energy acrobatics shows that are inspiring and impressive. Children under 12 are eligible for discounts on standard ticket prices. All ages are also welcome to the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. educational and interactive exhibit at TI.
Camelback Lodge and Indoor Water Park – Tannersville, Pennsylvania
To stay with your family in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania, Camelback Resort is an excellent choice. This is a waterpark resort that has spacious guest suites with one, two, and three bedrooms. Some rooms have kitchens and fireplaces. There’s a 170,000-square-foot family entertainment center, lots of waterslides, a luxury spa, and slopes nearby for winter snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding. Indoor cabana rentals are available to keep your family comfortable, while the resort also offers daily activities to keep everyone entertained with things like decorating doughnuts and movie nights.
Sandpiper Bay Resort – Port St. Lucie, Florida
The Sandpiper Bay Resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida is an all-inclusive family resort that’s an ideal destination for water sports. Childcare is available for little travelers starting from four months. The resort offers golf, a spa, three outdoor pools, and is between Miami and Orlando. Other perks are the top-rated coaches at the sports academy and the adult-exclusive infinity pool with its own bar for parents to relax and unwind.
French Lick Springs Hotel – French Lick, Indiana
French Lick Springs Hotel is part of the French Lick Resort and has many family-friendly activities to offer. These include bowling, hiking, biking, swimming, and golf. There are family-friendly guest rooms and suites, while the hotel offers kids’ activities, pet-friendly rooms, a playground, indoor and outdoor pools, and riding stables. There’s also an activity center with rental equipment available, a bowling alley, arcade, 24-hour fitness center, and walking and jogging trails here. KidsFest is the kids’ club with drop-off services for travelers ages six to 12. There’s also a KidsPlus Pass option that includes special perks and VIP treatment.
