Adventure Awaits: How Your Family Can Choose Your Next Destination

Step 1: Brainstorming Your Dream Destinations (No Filters!)

Start with Question 1 and make as big of a list as you can. No idea is off the table, and absolutely no one gets to criticize any suggestions! Remember, you’re not making a decision yet, just gathering possibilities. Some of our favorite trips have been the ones we didn’t necessarily set out to take!

1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Step 2: Prioritizing Your Possibilities – The Reality Check

Now that you have a fantastic list, it’s time to start narrowing it down. The following questions will help you prioritize your destinations. It’s still good to keep an open mind here; sometimes what you think is a barrier (even cost!) might not be as difficult to overcome as you imagine. Deals pop up, or perhaps those credit card miles can be leveraged with an awesome transfer partner!

However, when traveling with your family, there are definitely some practical considerations.

2. How long do we have to travel? When you have more time, you usually have greater flexibility in your destination choice. Dreaming of an Australian adventure? From where we live, it’s a two-day flight! If we only have a long weekend, Australia probably won’t work for this trip. Similarly, while you might long for a day at the beach, do you enjoy the beach enough to comfortably spend an entire week there?
3. Are our travel dates flexible? This is a huge factor for affordability. When our kids were in preschool, we had much more flexibility as we didn’t have to worry about school breaks. This allowed us to travel during off-peak times, which significantly reduced costs. For example, starting your trip on Labor Day instead of before reduces costs immensely. Even with the kids in school now, sometimes shifting your trip by just a day or two can make a big difference in travel expenses.
4. Do we have the required documents (passports, visas), or enough time to get them? If you don’t have a passport yet and are even thinking about traveling internationally (even just to Canada or the Caribbean!), go get your passport! U.S. Passports are valid for ten years for adults and five for kids. Getting them all at the same time can also help you remember when they expire. Routine passport processing times in the U.S. typically range from 4-6 weeks, but we’ve experienced everything from a couple of weeks to much longer. For the most current information, always check the official source: https://travel.state.gov/.
5. Who in the family is going? Are you planning an adults-only trip? Bringing the kids? Grandparents joining? Or perhaps other family and friends? Any of these options can make for a great trip, but some destinations or accommodations are better suited for specific group sizes or ages (e.g., adults-only resorts, age restrictions for young children). It’s important to consider your travel party before finalizing a destination.
6. Does this location offer something everyone wants to do? It’s crucial to consider age-appropriateness and interest. For example, our trip to New York City with our kids (then 8 and 6) highlighted this perfectly. The boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and exploring the island were huge hits. Yet, our subsequent visit to Ellis Island, while historically rich, overwhelmed our youngest with its extensive reading, and even our older child who loves museums quickly lost interest. Just remember to sprinkle in kid-friendly breaks like children’s museums, aquariums, or parks.
7. Is the location genuinely kid-friendly? This goes beyond just having things to do. Consider stroller accessibility, family bathrooms, kid-friendly dining options, and safety for little ones.
8. How will we get there? Do we have a preference for flying, driving, or another form of transportation? Your preferred mode of transport can heavily influence your destination options, especially when factoring in travel time and cost.
9. Will the location have what we need, or will we need to bring extra items (e.g., beach chairs, cribs)? Some destinations or accommodations are better equipped for families (think resorts with cribs available or rentals with beach gear). When we went on a cruise with our oldest when he was one, I wish I had known they had diapers on the boat! Planning ahead saves luggage space and hassle!
10. Do we care about a time difference, and if so, how much of a time difference matters? Jet lag can be particularly challenging with young children. Consider how much time adjustment your family can comfortably handle, especially for shorter trips.
11. What offers or loyalty benefits do we have available to us? Think about airline miles, hotel points, credit card perks, or special discounts that could make certain destinations more accessible or affordable.