49 Best Family Vacation Ideas on a Budget for 2023
From all-inclusives in the Caribbean to quick getaways in the U.S., there's something for every traveler in your group.
If you're itching to organize a big family trip in the year ahead, behold our heavily researched, expert-vetted list of the best family vacation destinations to visit now, many of which are winners of Good Housekeeping's 2023 Family Travel Awards. These kid-friendly locations used downtime at the beginning of the pandemic to rethink, renovate or both. Many properties upgraded their pools, some refreshed guest rooms and others revamped their activities and amenities. A few were even built from scratch in an eco-conscious way.
Whether you're looking to chill out at an all-inclusive resort, get active in the great outdoors, check out new attractions at a theme park, hit the beach or cozy up in a cabin, there's a destination or experience here to match every mood. And, since intergenerational travel remains more popular than ever, we've also included options that will please everyone in your crew, from the youngest traveler to the oldest.
One thing to note: With the COVID-19 pandemic still an ongoing concern, travel activities and offerings are ever-changing. It's smart, especially when you're traveling with kids, to verify with your resort or destination that everything you want to do is open and available before booking your trip. But once you've confirmed your plans, be sure to check out the Good Housekeeping Institute's tried-and-tested list of essential travel gear and accessories to get ready for your trip. Bon voyage!
Mexico and the Caribbean
Spend your days rolling in the waves, relaxing by the pool or enjoying some quiet time (thanks to some superior kids' clubs) at these island resorts.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Sure, the kids have it made at these sister all-inclusive resorts — both with massive waterparks, daily slimings and Nickelodeon characters galore. But grown-ups aren’t left out of the fun. Tequila tastings, spa treatments and romantic dinners can be on your agenda thanks to the supervised club for kids ages 4 to 12. And while you probably wouldn’t be booking a SpongeBob-themed room if you didn’t have the kids in tow, the decor is as mod and classy as it can be.
All the accommodations are suites that sleep up to five and have two bathrooms. In the Riviera Maya location, all suites have direct access to a pool from the balcony. (Yes, even on the top floor!) All-inclusive rates that are part of the brand's Summer of SpongeBob promotion start at $193 per person per night.
EXPLORE RIVIERA MAYA EXPLORE PUNTA CANA
RELATED: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Is the Best Place to Travel With a Baby and a Sibling
Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
One of the most talked-about resorts in the Caribbean and the Bahamas, Atlantis is a top choice for families of all ages looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure. This luxurious resort, a Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Award winner, features three beaches and 14 pools where parents and kids can spend the day relaxing in the sun. There's also a casino for adults and a variety of restaurants on the property to make dining easier.
But what really makes Atlantis stand out is its extravagant 141-acre Aquaventure park, featuring limitless water activities like high-speed slides and the Bahama’s longest river where you can go white water rafting. The resort is also home to a stunning aquarium, where guests can observe more than 50,000 animals and exotic sea creatures in their habitat. For those seeking even more adventure in this Bahamian paradise, you can book fun activities like swimming or kayaking with dolphins at Dolphin Cay, playing with sea lions, snorkeling and more. Rates start at $500 per night.
Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda (Dominican Republic)
Movies under the stars, trapeze lessons, windsurfing — with cool activities like these, kids will never want to leave this newish resort in the lush, away-from-it-all part of the island. Supervised clubs for babies through teens keep the good times rolling while you’re at the adults-only Zen pool or doing treetop yoga. (Yes, that’s a thing.) Solar panels, recycling, plastic-free water bottles and other sustainable initiatives are part of the eco-minded resort culture. All-inclusive rates start at $173 per person per night, $77 per night for each child ages 4 to 11.
Beaches Negril Resort & Spa (Negril, Jamaica)
While this all-inclusive resort on the island’s idyllic 7-Mile Beach genuinely caters to all ages, toddlers and preschoolers will be star-struck. Sesame Street characters entertain them with story times, dance parties and even puppet-making! That’s on top of the mini water slides, splash areas and a playground that makes little ones squeal with glee and wears them out, so they’ll hit the sack early.
Private childcare and supervised kids’ clubs (for babies through teens, including those with special needs) are an option when you want a spa treatment, a quiet dinner or just to read a book on the beach. All the rooms and suites got a glow-up in 2020, so they’re thoughtfully designed for families. All-inclusive rates start at $356 per person per night for adults and $68 per night for each child ages 2 to 15.
Fairmont Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen, Mexico)
When it comes to baby and kid gear, this luxury resort has you covered. Need a bottle warmer? They got it. How about a step stool for a toddler to reach the sink? Yours for the asking. With these worries aside, you can concentrate on the beauty of the surroundings (the resort is surrounded by a lush mangrove forest) and incredible bucket-list activities, like kids’ carnivals and night kayaking. Half of the 400 guest rooms are already renovated, and the rest will be complete by the end of the year. Rates start at $361 per night.
Rock House Resort (Turks & Caicos)
Your family may never leave the water at this Mediterranean-inspired oasis, which opened in May 2022. In addition to a full kitchen and roomy living room, many of the villa-style accommodations feature a spacious private pool. (No way! Yes way!) And if your crew ever tires of it, fun awaits at the resort’s oceanfront infinity pool and stretch of white-sand beach, which is exclusive for resort guests. Just note that while a cliffside setting makes the resort incredibly picturesque, it’s impossible to navigate with a stroller — so bring the tweens, teens and even grandparents if they don’t have trouble climbing stairs. Rates start at $655 per night.
New England Cozy
Lakes, lighthouses and hiking trails make New England a great place to visit in almost any season.
Quisisana Resort (Lovell, Maine)
Kids will get a digital detox at this all-inclusive lakefront resort, but they’ll be too busy playing to miss their devices. Without TV or a Wi-Fi signal in the comfortable, air-conditioned rooms and cabins, they’ll be fully immersed in the slew of included activities — from paddle boating to tennis to sandcastle-building. They might even learn to kayak or catch their first fish.
At night, music fills the resort. Broadway-style shows, held in a new outdoor theater, entertain all generations. There’s something about the fresh air and a choice of lollipops that keeps most kids from getting too wiggly and the caliber of the performances is at least on par with good community theater.
The three included daily meals — with menu items like lobster rolls and Maine blueberry pie — will leave your crew’s bellies happy and full. And if you do need Wi-Fi occasionally, you can pop in the main lobby for some signal. Shh: The kids will be fine without it. All-inclusive rates start at $470 per night.
Hidden Pond (Kennebunkport, Maine)
Escape the daily hustle and bustle at this New England refuge and GH 2023 Family Travel Award winner nestled among the wilderness in Maine. During the summer months, you can soak in some sun at one of the two pools or enjoy a swim in the ocean at Hidden Pond’s sister property, Tides Beach Club.
Guided nature walks, golfing, deep-sea fishing and biking trips are just some of the daily outdoor activities to participate in throughout your stay, while evenings can be spent by the campfire roasting marshmallows, eating gooey s’mores and stargazing. If you’re bringing the little ones, they’re in for a treat with a new activity every day, like tie-dyeing t-shirts, outdoor art classes and a marine science camp where they can learn about the ocean.
Also, don’t forget to check out Kennebunkport, a quaint New England town just 10 minutes away that’s known for its clam shacks and fresh lobster, galleries and beaches. If you’re eager to venture even further out and discover Maine’s natural beauty, consider organizing a sailing trip for the family or a whale-watching excursion. But if you'd rather cozy up by the fireplace in your gorgeous cottage, we won’t judge! Rates start at $600 per night.
Smugglers' Notch Resort (Jeffersonville, Vermont)
Nestled in the Green Mountains, this resort is just as fun in the summer months as it is during prime ski season. Besides eight heated pools (some with waterslides!), the action-packed lineup of family activities has plenty to do whether you’re traveling with a toddler, teen or both. Sing-a-longs, magic shows and scavenger hunts keep little ones entertained while older kids will welcome the chance to take a guided hike, design and launch a water rocket or play glow-in-the-dark volleyball. A GH 2023 Family Travel Awards winner, condos at this property accommodate up to five bedrooms, making it possible for extended family and friends to stay together. Rates start at $174 per night.
Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club (Brewster, MA)
Beach, pool, eat, repeat — that’s how your crew will spend laid-back days at this Cape Cod gem. The private beach has gentle surf and at low tide, kids can spy little sea creatures in the tide pools. When the tide changes, head to the heated outdoor or indoor pools. Outdoor movies are the perfect wind-down to bedtime. And if you can pry the kids out of the water, activities like scavenger hunts, curated by the resort’s new director of fun (for real!) await. Just make sure to stay in the “mansion” section of the resort because that’s the part with private beach access. Rates start at $279 per night.
Sebasco Harbor Resort (Phippsburg, Maine)
Kids will never forget sleeping in a lighthouse next to the ocean. The resort’s 1945 lighthouse contains recently renovated guest rooms with amazing views, sea breezes and conveniences like a fridge and microwave. The lighthouse rooms are also near the resort’s iconic oceanfront saltwater pool, which got a makeover this year. A vintage bowling alley, weekly pirate cruise and old-school kids’ club add to the New England charm. Rates start at $299 per night.
California Dreamin'
Choose your California adventure: You can find bustling cityscapes, tranquil trails, beautiful beaches and even a fairytale castle.
Los Angeles
Tweens and teens won’t roll their eyes if you suggest a vacay in L.A. — where, trust us, they’ll ask you to eat at In-N-Out-Burger (look cool and say you already had it on the list). Some more must-dos: Visit the Griffith Observatory for the out-of-this-world exhibits and a stellar view of the Hollywood sign, and if you're an outdoorsy family you can hike down from the observatory to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and famous TCL Chinese Theaters. The newish Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where anyone 17 and under gets in free, is convenienly located near the classic La Brea Tar Pits and the cool LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Some outdoor shopping at The Grove L.A. and a beach day in Santa Monica with a spin on the iconic wheel at the Santa Monica Pier will get you more well-deserved parent cred. Or, you can take a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, where, for now, you can find the only Super Nintendo World open in the United States. After a day of sightseeing, the new Thompson Hollywood hotel exudes a laid-back California chic vibe — don’t be surprised if your teen wants to make TikToks from the rooftop pool. Rates start at $289 per night.
San Diego
Can’t decide between heading to the beach or exploring a big city? San Diego has the best of both worlds, with near-perfect weather to boot. Make your home base a beach resort like the Loews Coronado Bay. It’s a short walk or resort shuttle ride to Silver Strand Beach — the spot is named for the silvery oyster shells that cover the beach and dune. Intersperse ocean side fun with short drives to the city’s famous zoo and cultural attractions. New this year: The San Diego Zoo’s Wildlife Explorers Base Camp has four nature play areas, the highly anticipated Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park wows superhero fans and a newly opened Sesame Place entertains toddlers. Rates start at $250 per night.
RELATED: The Best Things to Do in San Diego With the Whole Family
Monterey
The No. 1 reason to book a vacation in this coastal town: the aquarium. Yes, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is that good. It levels up the typical touch tank experience by letting little kids crawl through tunnels surrounded by tropical fish displays and use squirt toys to learn how animals stand up to big waves. There’s even a padded zone with eye-level exhibits for toddlers! And the whole family will be wowed by the aquarium’s newest exhibition, "Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean." Some of the creatures in the 21 live exhibit areas are newly discovered and haven’t even been named yet. Mind blown! Stay at the hotel next door, InterContinental The Clement Monterey. Rates start at $343 per night.
Disneyland Resort and California Adventure (Anaheim, California)
If you're looking for a Disney trip with young kids, Disneyland may have the edge over an Orlando vacay. Here are some reasons why it's a winner of the Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Awards: You can get on more rides without as much walking in California, so that means fewer tired and cranky kids. Summer weather is also usually better in Anaheim than hot-and-humid Florida. And rides like Radiator Springs Racers, which looks like it’s right out of the movie Cars, are a Cali-exclusive. If you're coming with little ones in a stroller or don't want to deal with transportation, consider staying at the new Westin Anaheim, which is just a quick walk to the parks. Rates start at $330 per night.
Redwoods National and State Parks (Crescent City, California)
The fairytale-like setting and beginner trails at Redwoods National and State Parks make this a great spot for hiking and getting some fresh air. For instance, you can hop on the stroller-friendly Prairie Creek/Foothills Trail Loop where kids will be in awe of giant Redwoods and a babbling creek. Junior Ranger programs, for children ages 7 to 12, take place from mid-May to mid-September. If you don’t want to camp, stay at the nearby Hotel Arcata. On Saturday mornings, Arcata hosts the oldest farmers’ market in California. Rates start at $185 per night.
Cavallo Point (Sausalito, California)
Nothing says California Dreaming like waking up to views of the Golden Gate Bridge from your hotel room! Located on the San Francisco Bay, this Good Housekeeping 2023 Travel Award winner is both family and pet friendly. In addition to spacious contemporary and historic rooms, it hosts a variety of activities for all styles, including hiking, biking and exploring Golden Gate National Park. Guests can visit Rodeo Beach, take a history tour of Fort Baker or simply spend the day playing bocce ball on the lawn. And once you’ve checked out all the local attractions in the Bay Area and have hopped on a ferry to explore San Francisco, you can take a class at the Cavallo Point Cooking School, a top-rated culinary school in the country. Kids will love visiting the Bay Area Discovery Museum, Slide Ranch and the Exploratorium. Rates start at $400 per night.
Karen Cicero is a seasoned journalist who specializes in food, travel, home and new product coverage; she has visited almost every state — look out, Alaska, she's coming for you next! A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, she lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
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