10 Places You Should Skip with Kids & 10 That Are a Perfect Fit for Family Travel
Traveling with children can be an enriching experience, opening their eyes to new cultures, landscapes, and adventures. However, not all destinations are created equal when it comes to family-friendly travel.
While some places offer the perfect blend of excitement and safety for little ones, others might present challenges that could turn a dream vacation into a stressful ordeal. Here are 10 places you should skip with kids and 10 that are a perfect fit for family travel.
Dubai, UAE
While Dubai’s glittering skyline and futuristic attractions may seem appealing, it’s not the best destination for families with young children. The extreme heat, with summer temperatures often exceeding 43°C (109°F), can be unbearable for kids.
Additionally, the city’s focus on luxury and artificial attractions often comes at a premium price, straining family budgets.
New Orleans, Louisiana
The city’s main attractions, like Bourbon Street, are primarily adult-oriented and inappropriate for children. Even during the day, the presence of strip clubs and intoxicated individuals makes areas like Bourbon Street unappealing for families.
The city’s late-night culture and focus on alcohol consumption create an atmosphere that’s not conducive to family-friendly activities, especially in the evening hours.
Monaco
This tiny principality, about half the size of Central Park, focuses primarily on adult pursuits like gambling, luxury shopping, and yachting. The lack of kid-friendly attractions and activities can leave families struggling to find suitable entertainment.
During peak tourist seasons, the main areas become overwhelmingly crowded, which can be stressful for young visitors.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok’s crowded urban landscape and adult-oriented entertainment districts make it a challenging destination for families with young children. If the kids are impatient, they might find the city’s notorious traffic congestion, which loses each driver an average of 64 hours stuck in rush hour traffic each year, unsavory.
On top of this, there is visible poverty in some areas and a lot of street food, which can be dangerous for children with sensitive stomachs.
Aspen, Colorado
While Aspen is renowned for its world-class skiing, it’s not the most suitable destination for families with young children. The resort town’s focus on luxury and high-end clientele can make it unwelcoming and prohibitively expensive for families.
With average daily rates for ski lessons ranging from $150 to $200 per child and lift tickets costing around $180 for adults, a family ski trip can quickly become a significant financial burden. The challenging terrain and cold temperatures may also be too much for very young children to handle.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
With its stunning views, the Amalfi Coast can be a tricky place to travel with young children. It’s too tough to navigate with strollers or tired little legs because the region’s roads are too steep and winding. Many of the towns along the coast were built vertically on cliffs, making constantly climbing inevitable.
There is also a lack of dedicated kid-friendly attractions, so families can struggle to find things to entertain them.
Las Vegas, Nevada
As an adult-themed gambling paradise, Las Vegas is not for fun family vacations. In fact, even family-friendly hotels often require you to walk through smoky casino floors to get to rooms or restaurants.
The summer temperatures in the desert can easily top 100°F ( 38°C), and that heat is dangerous to children.
Brazil
While Brazil boasts beautiful landscapes and a vibrant culture, it poses significant safety concerns for family travelers. The country’s high crime rates, particularly in urban areas, put tourists at risk.
The threat of petty crime, such as pickpocketing and theft, is also high in tourist areas. Furthermore, the country’s ongoing struggle with poverty and inequality can expose children to distressing situations that may be difficult to explain or process.
Haiti
The ongoing political instability and crime rates are very high in Haiti, making it an unsafe place for family travel. With widespread poverty, an absence of basic services, and vulnerability to natural disasters, the country has many challenges.
Further problems are compounded by the lack of state services and family separation, making Haiti an unsafe place to have a family vacation.
Zimbabwe
Destinations in Zimbabwe are risky ones for family vacations because of recent political unrest and deteriorating economic conditions. This has resulted in hyperinflation and widespread poverty, which also means shortages of basic goods.
Politically, the country is unstable, and civil unrest and protests can whip up at any time. On top of that, the country’s healthcare system is even more underfunded and ill-equipped to handle medical emergencies, particularly if you are traveling with children.
Here are 10 places that are a perfect fit for family travel.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo has ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology blending into a fantastic metropolis, and this is why it is sure to be a dream destination for many families. Japan’s modern amenities mingle with the educational joys of the Edo–Tokyo Museum and the magical world of Tokyo Disneyland.
Ueno Park, which contains a zoo and a collection of museums and is one of many parks scattered throughout the city, is the ideal venue for teaching kids to run and play in the midst of an urban environment.
Monterey, California
Nestled along the stunning California coastline, Monterey is a picturesque haven for family adventures. Families can explore the fascinating marine life, bike along the scenic coastal trail, or take a whale-watching tour to spot some of the 27 species of marine mammals found in Monterey Bay.
With its mild climate and abundance of outdoor activities, Monterey provides a refreshing escape for families seeking relaxation and exploration.
Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
Spanning 141 acres, this mega-resort features the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, home to over 50,000 aquatic animals representing 250 species. Families can enjoy Aquaventure, a water park with thrilling slides and river rides, or interact with dolphins at Dolphin Cay.
Magic Guide says that in 2023/24, the Bahamas welcomed over 9.65 million tourists, marking an all-time high for the nation.
Bali, Indonesia
Known as the “Island of the Gods,” Bali is a tropical paradise that caters wonderfully to families. Families can enjoy activities ranging from surfing lessons at Legian Beach to exploring the Monkey Forest in Ubud.
Bali’s unique blend of natural beauty, spiritual atmosphere, and adventure opportunities makes it an ideal destination for families seeking a diverse and enriching vacation.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Vermont
Affectionately known as “America’s Family Resort,” Smugglers’ Notch is a year-round paradise for family vacations. In winter, families can enjoy trails across three interconnected mountains, with 22% of the terrain suitable for beginners.
During summer, the resort transforms into an outdoor playground with eight heated pools, four waterslides, and numerous hiking trails.
Gold Coast, Australia
Stretching along 70 kilometers of pristine coastline, the Gold Coast is a sun-soaked playground for families. Families can enjoy world-class attractions like Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, and Sea World or explore the lush hinterland with its waterfalls and rainforest walks.
The region’s 300 days of sunshine per year and an average temperature of 22°C (72°F) make it an ideal year-round destination for outdoor family adventures.
Fiji
A tropical paradise comprising 333 islands, Fiji is the ultimate family-friendly destination in the South Pacific. Many resorts offer excellent kids’ clubs and nanny services, allowing parents to relax while children engage in cultural activities and water sports.
Families can snorkel in the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system, visit traditional villages, or simply unwind on pristine beaches.
Cancún, Mexico
Situated on the Yucatán Peninsula’s northeastern coast, Cancún is a vibrant destination that seamlessly blends ancient Mayan culture with modern, family-friendly amenities. Families can enjoy activities ranging from swimming with dolphins to exploring ancient ruins like Chichen Itza.
The region’s year-round warm weather, with an average temperature of 27°C (80°F), makes it perfect for beach outings and water sports any time of the year.
Noosa, Australia
With its pristine beaches, lush national parks, and laid-back atmosphere, Noosa offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Families can enjoy activities like surfing lessons at Noosa Main Beach, exploring the Noosa National Park’s coastal walks, or taking a scenic river cruise.
According to Visit Noosa, the area is “bursting with kid-friendly activities to make lifelong holiday memories to treasure.”
Finnish Lapland
Lapland allows children to meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle, and mail letters from Santa’s Post Office. Families can enjoy unique activities like reindeer sledding, husky safaris, and searching for the Northern Lights.
The travel and tourism industry is important for the growth of the Finnish economy, contributing a share of four percent to the GDP, according to Statista.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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