Family Vacation Ideas: US Holidays with a Theme

By: David

Themed holiday vacations are a fun idea to plan for your family. One of our most memorable vacations was our “Cowboy and Indian" vacation. We took our sons through the West, stopping at tourist sites along the way. We stopped at Dodge City to explore the cowboy side of life, and then made our way to Southern Colorado to explore the ancient ruins of the cliff dwelling Pueblo Indians. It is hard to choose only four family fun options, but I chose those I thought my grandchildren would enjoy the most.

Of course, the first to come to mind is a Disney-themed holiday vacation. Who can resist the thought of being in Florida during the cold days of winter and enjoying the sites and sounds of Disney World? This is a favourite of children and adults alike. The sheer number of attractions will make it hard to decide which to visit first. You have the Magic Kingdom , Epcot Center , Universal Studios, MGM studios and even the Disney cruise liner. The ship has all the Disney characters on board, so this will be a delight for any Disney fan. Disney World is not the only attraction in the area; the Kennedy Space Center is also nearby. Inside Disney World, you can stay in a hotel that has a monorail train to take you to all the attractions.

Are you thinking of a winter holiday vacation in sunny Southern California ? You will find many attractions and they are easily worked in around your available time. The San Diego Zoo is a popular attraction with adults and children as well as Sea World. LegoLand is also found in the San Diego area and is a big hit with the little ones. If you're looking for theme parks, go north just up the road to the Anaheim and Los Angeles area. There you will find Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain , Universal Studio, and California Adventure Theme Park . After taking in what sites and attractions you wanted to see, take a day or two to just relax and soak up the sun on the many beautiful beaches on the coast of Southern California . Drive a little further north up the coast and visit historic San Simeon and the beautiful city of Carmel . Take a tour around the area on the 17-mile drive in Monterey California and stop for a moment just to see the beauty of Pebble Beach Golf Course. There is something for everyone in the sunny state of California .

One of the best themed family vacations we had was our historical trip to the East Coast. We wanted our sons to be immersed in the colorful history of our Country. We had some fun times, stopping in Hershey Pennsylvania . We visited Hershey Town and stood amazed at the light poles in the shape of candy kisses. We visited historic sites in Virginia , including George Washington's home. In Virginia , southern hospitality shines through. It is always a pleasure to visit. Washington D.C saw us picnicking in the park, going up the Washington Monument , visiting all the Presidential Memorials, and even touring the White House. Being a history buff and full of patriotism, the highlight of my son's trip was our visit to the sacred land of Arlington Cemetery . The Smithsonian is an experience that no one should miss. There are so many different buildings and sections in the buildings that it was difficult to cover them all in the limited time we had. It will be a memorable family vacation and can instil in your child, a real love and patriotism for their country.

National Parks and Monuments is another wonderful themed vacation the whole family will enjoy. Those “must see" attractions could include Yellowstone National Park to see Old Faithful go off, or a trip to the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that everyone should see at least once in his or her lifetime.

Family Vacations
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