18 Trips to Take Before Your Kids Turn 18

It’s hard to believe we have been traveling as a family for 24 years, and as they say, it happened in the blink of an eye. We now have a teen and a young adult, and we’ve learned quite a bit through the years about which types of trips appeal to which ages. So, if you’re looking for the best places to spend the 18 summers of childhood with your kids, I have some great ideas. These 18 trips to take before your kids turn 18 won’t disappoint!

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What Are the Best Trips to Take Before Your Kids Turn 18?

The best trips to take before your kids turn 18 include a National Park road trip, a Disney theme park stay, a dude ranch, a cruise, a wildlife or safari encounter, a ski vacation, a volunteer trip, and at least one international cultural adventure. The clearest lesson is this: match the destination to your child’s current age and interests, and don’t wait for the perfect moment.

Family Vacations to Take Before Your Kids Turn 18

Places we visited with toddlers or even elementary school-age kids would surely elicit an eye roll from our young adults! Some of the activities we enjoy now during the high school years are certainly not safe enough for a young child. Each stage in our family has had its best trips and even better memories. Here are some suggestions for trips to take before your kids turn 18.

1. Enjoy all the thrills of a theme park

Theme parks might seem like an easy choice for a vacation with kids, but different parks appeal to all ages.

Disney probably should be on everyone’s must-visit list with kids, but many smaller amusement parks around the world are just as fun and exciting.

If you are traveling with younger children, head to a Disney park and stay on property. There are many different price points for Disney hotels, so find one that’s within your budget. This will provide convenience and easy access, which is essential when traveling with toddlers and babies!

Consider the Six Flags theme parks, Universal Resorts (don’t forget Volcano Bay water park in Orlando), Hersheypark, Cedar Point, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Holiday World. All of these have super-fast roller coasters and unique attractions, and offer hours of family fun.

Older children might be looking to push the envelope when it comes to thrill rides and attractions. Before choosing a park, check the height restrictions for rides.

2. Plan a Big City Escape

If you live in the suburbs or out in the country, it might be fun to travel to the nearest big city and try a staycation. Many cities offer unique museums and attractions, fancy hotels, and fabulous restaurants.

Younger kids might enjoy visiting the local parks or simply riding the bus, subway, or taxi. Older children can explore the big city sights, try new restaurants, go shopping, or take a city tour. No matter which city you visit, kids will love exploring somewhere new.

Our favorite big cities in the US have to be: Chicago (because we lived there for 14 years and it’s just awesome), Phoenix (because it’s massive and there’s so much to do in the area), and San Diego (tons to do outdoors and lots of sunshine).

3. Head to a Dude Ranch

If you’ve never been to a dude ranch, believe me, it’s so much more than horseback riding all day long! For years my husband wanted a dude ranch vacation, and for years, I resisted.

A few years ago, we took the kids to Tumbling River Ranch outside Denver, and it made for some of our best travel memories. It left such an impression on our oldest; he even returned to work there one summer during college!

Not only did we have the option of riding horses every day, but we also had a variety of other activities at our disposal. There was fishing, skeet shooting, rock climbing, yoga, square dancing, hiking, and even a masseuse!

Our accommodations were beautiful, and the food was top-notch. I still dream about those meals!

There are dude ranches across the US, and they all offer different lodging and activities.

Start at the Dude Ranchers’ Association website, which will help you find the right dude ranch for your family. Over 100 member ranches host thousands of families each year. Some ranches take children as young as newborns (with designated sitters), and most offer children’s programming.

When we went to Tumbling River, our kids were 11, 13, and 15. They played games with staff, had a rodeo competition, and got up close with other animals on the ranch. It’s a vacation all ages will remember!

4. Visit the National Parks

There are currently 63 National Parks around the US, and each offers a different experience for families. Last year, over 323 million visitors were recorded at the National Parks. The most popular national parks by the number of visitors include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yellowstone, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, and Grand Canyon.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is within one day’s driving distance for 2/3 of the US population. This makes it the easiest to reach and most popular of the parks.

This year there are six National Park Free Days (free entrance for everyone) and free admission for service members and their families. Plus, every 4th grader can get a free pass through Every Kid Outdoors!

Some parks across North America have easier trails for young children, while others might be a challenge. Kids of all ages will love the dunes at White Sands, Indiana Dunes, Death Valley, and Great Sands.

Older kids and teens can appreciate some of the tougher hikes at Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, Yosemite (we think these are the best hikes in Yosemite), and Zion.

If your family loves National Parks, be sure to check out the best national parks for families around the world. And don’t forget that visiting National Parks in winter is the perfect time to avoid the crowds!

5. Try a Safari/Wildlife Encounter

Is a safari on your family travel bucket list? It certainly should be, but if a safari in Tanzania is out of the budget, consider a wildlife encounter closer to home.

Those in the western United States might want to stay at Safari West in Santa Rosa, California, where you can take a safari tour and stay on property.

One of our kids’ all-time favorite experiences was bathing elephants in French Lick, Indiana. Yep, we got out the big old scrub brushes and bathed them! My kids still talk about it to this day.

Wildlife encounters that need to be on your list of trips to take before your kids turn 18 include the following: snorkeling with fish (Hawaii is a good option), taking a cruise of the Galapagos Islands to see countless exotic animals, or swimming with the manatees in Florida.

Another idea would be a whale-watching excursion. We’ve seen whales in the wild in New Brunswick, Costa Rica, La Paz, and Puerto Vallarta, and each time it happens, it takes our breath away. No matter which animal encounter you choose, kids are sure to love it!

6. Take a beach vacation

A beach vacation is something every age group can enjoy. Whether you visit US beaches or beaches overseas, know that there is something to be said for the time spent relaxing.

Beaches offer an escape and a chance to simply be with family. Put away the devices, slather on the sunscreen, and head out for a day of sandcastle building and splashing in the waves.

7. Rent an RV and Hit the Road

This is one excursion I have not been brave enough to tackle, but my kids are insisting we need to try it this summer. From what I hear, it’s the best time for families, whether you have teens or young kids!

RV road trips have increased in popularity in the last few years, but there are still some things you need to know before renting an RV. A lot of planning goes into renting an RV, including learning how to maneuver the vehicle, which roads to take, and finding places to stay.

However, traveling by RV saves the cost of a hotel; you don’t have to eat out at restaurants, and there’s space for everyone to hang out together at night. It might just be the best way to travel, and kids of all ages can enjoy it.

8. Go on a Cruise

We’ve been on several cruises as a family, and each time we were pleasantly surprised!

Disney cruise ships tend to have everything you could want as a parent. There are kids’ clubs, a movie theater, pool parties, character meet-and-greets, and even fireworks. It’s hard to beat that!

Royal Caribbean is another great option with teens, as there are endless amounts of entertainment on board.

Other cruise companies have similar offerings, including a kids club, a variety of restaurants, and entertainment. You can find all-inclusive beach resort packages that are perfect for families and whale-watching cruises your teen will love.

If you’re looking for a low-effort trip, a cruise can be a great option. You only have to unpack once, and someone else is doing the driving (or steering in this case)!

Other cruises we’ve enjoyed include an UnCruise Alaska Adventure (don’t miss our other recommendations for the best cruises in Alaska), AmaWaterways Rhine River Cruise, and a Windstar Iceland Cruise.

9. Find Your Roots

My family knows I have an unhealthy addiction to genealogy. When I’m not working, ancestry research through Ancestry.com takes up a lot of my time. Heritage travel, or ancestry travel, is traveling to your ancestors’ homeland.

We’ve been fortunate to travel to Puerto Rico to see where my dad grew up. We also took an ancestral tour in Scotland to learn more about the Maxwell family roots.

You don’t have to travel overseas to show your kids where they come from. Consider planning a trip to your hometown and showing your kids where you lived, went to school, and used to hang out.

Older kids will probably appreciate this more, but all ages can have fun seeing where their parents grew up and listening to stories about their childhood.

10. Experience a Group Tour

Let me start by saying, group tours aren’t for everyone. However, they might be a good idea when you’re visiting an unfamiliar destination or want someone else to do the planning. (These are some of our favorite tour groups for families).

We took a trip to Morocco with National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures, and we loved exploring with local tour guides. It was nice to experience things we would have never planned on our own, and we ate at all the best restaurants!

We also took a trip with Adventures by Disney to Costa Rica, which allowed us to see a lot of Costa Rica in a short amount of time.

The Disney tour guides taught us so much about the country, and we had amazing adventures: whitewater rafting, zip lining, and seeking out local animals like sloths.

11. Hit the slopes for a Ski Vacation

When our kids were little, we compared the cost of a ski vacation (complete with ski school, accommodations, and airfare) to the cost of a trip to Italy. And guess what? Italy was cheaper, so that’s the option we took.

After that trip, we decided it would be best to teach our kids to ski in the Midwest, and once they didn’t need ski school, it would be time to travel out west to ski.

A ski vacation doesn’t mean you have to ski the entire time. Many ski towns offer dog sledding, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and even ice skating. The good news is your kids will be exhausted after a day on the slopes and should sleep soundly.

As your kids get older and their skills improve, it’s fun to partner up or let them go off on their own while parents relax at the lodge. I call that a win-win for everyone.

Here are some of our favorite ski resorts in Europe for families and places to ski in the US for all ages.

12. Help Out on a Volunteer Vacation 

This is probably best suited for older children, but it doesn’t mean younger ones can’t be included. A volunteer vacation involves spending part of your vacation helping others in need.

Many churches offer summer service trips for their youth groups, and some offer family trips; you just need to do your research to find the right one.

Check out these organizations for ways to do good on your next vacation. A great place to start is Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Florida. Here, families can volunteer to work shifts at the village so critically ill children and their families can make unforgettable vacation memories.

Global Volunteers has opportunities around the world for families to volunteer on vacation. Projects range from teaching English to housing assistance so families can choose the trip that best fits what they are looking for in a volunteering vacation.

13. Learn about Another Culture

Depending on where you live, it might be quite easy to experience another culture. When we lived in Chicago, we enjoyed the vibrant neighborhoods throughout the city that retain ties to their homeland.

In Chinatown, our kids could practice their Mandarin skills. Greektown has the National Hellenic Museum, which features everything from Greek history to immigrant stories. Pilsen has the National Museum of Mexican Art and many traditional shops and restaurants.

If you want to try an international destination where families can experience a new culture, there are endless options. Our favorites include Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. If your child is studying a language in school, it would be perfect to try a destination where they can practice their acquired skills!

14. Head out on an Adventure Vacation 

In our house, every day is an adventure, but some destinations lend themselves to being outdoors all the time. Children can learn new skills and see things from unique perspectives.

Our family has always enjoyed state and national parks. The perfect place to start is one of the newest US National Parks, West Virginia’s New River Gorge. Here, families can try whitewater rafting, paddle boarding, and hiking through some spectacular scenery.

Another adventure vacation idea is Costa Rica, which offers everything from zip lining and whitewater rafting to swimming in hot springs. There are also beaches, snorkeling, and whale watching. A trip to Costa Rica offers enough adventure to last a lifetime!

15. Visit a Historical Destination

As a former educator, historic sites have always been one of my favorite places to visit. My kids, however, would probably disagree. If you’re planning to visit a destination with kid-friendly museums, consider your audience.

Young children usually do not have the patience or appetite for large amounts of reading, and older teens will feign boredom. I think the sweet spot for a historical vacation is ages 9-13, but it’s different for every child.

When looking for museums and historical landmarks, ones with hands-on, interactive exhibits are the most engaging for this age group.

Whether you are traveling in the United States, Europe, or elsewhere, there’s always an opportunity to learn about the local history. So, start by exploring your own backyard.

Ask other families, try online research, or ask at the local library. These places can all provide helpful information about historical places and events that have taken place locally.

Those wanting to learn about US history should consider Washington, D.C., Boston, San Antonio, Gettysburg, Memphis, St. Augustine, New York, Williamsburg, New Orleans, and Philadelphia. Each of these cities has played a significant role in making the US what it is today.

16. Immerse Yourself in a Farm Stay

Farm stays are becoming more popular as people look for experiences away from the crowds. Harvest Hosts will pair RV users with over 1500 properties where they can park their RV and stay at a local farm.

Farm stays in Europe are quite popular, and we loved our stay at Fattoria Corzano e Paterno where the kids could play with the farm animals and learn about the cheese they produced. We all loved the opportunity to stay on a farm in Tuscany and see everything that went into its operation.

17. Make Time for that Bucket List Trip

It seems these days everyone has a travel bucket list that is a mile long. We have one. If your family budget allows, consider asking your kids where they want to go on vacation. A bucket list trip doesn’t have to break the bank, and the kids might surprise you with their choices.

18. Take a Road Trip to Look at Colleges

We are in the thick of college visits and have made several road trips to check out potential schools for my seniors.

We have been able to connect with current students or locals at each school we visited, which has truly enhanced the experience.

When you are ready to explore colleges with your child, consider making these one-on-one trips if possible. I have learned so much about each of my sons through this process and enjoyed the quality time together.

College might not be the plan for everyone, so if your child is looking elsewhere after graduation, consider booking a trip with them to a destination of their choice. I guarantee it will be worth it.

We might only have eighteen summers with our kids before they fly from the nest, but there will surely be more adventures. Over the years, we have been blessed to take these trips before our kids turn 18, and we hope you have the opportunity for some of the same experiences.

Best Trips by Age: A Quick-Reference Guide

Not every trip works for every age, and that’s half the puzzle of family travel planning. Here’s a rough framework based on 24 years of doing this.

• Ages 2-5 (toddlers and preschoolers): Disney parks (stay on property for convenience), beach vacations, and big-city stays with wide sidewalks and easy transit. Keep it short, keep it simple, and build in afternoon nap time.
• Ages 6-10 (elementary): National Parks with easy-to-moderate trails, dude ranches with children’s programming, farm stays, and cultural neighborhood explorations in a nearby city. This is the golden age for curiosity; they’ll ask questions all day long.
• Ages 11-13 (tweens): Historical destinations with hands-on exhibits, wildlife and safari encounters, group tours, and cruise vacations with a kids’ club. The sweet spot for history is right here: engaged enough to care, not yet too cool to show it.
• Ages 14-17 (teens): Adventure vacations (whitewater rafting, zip lining, backcountry hiking), ski trips, volunteer vacations, ancestry travel, and college road trips. Teens want ownership of the itinerary, so let them pick one destination per trip.