What’s your destination of choice for the family vacation this year? If the last year of travel restrictions has you itching to try something new, we’ve combined our favorite “off the beaten path” family vacation ideas into this list. From coast to coast, we're ready to help you with our picks for the best family vacations in America!

On this list you’ll find a variety of family vacation destinations that may be entirely new to you. For each place, we have listed why it works for families and what activities can make your trip there successful!

1. Midcoast Maine

The Portland Head Lighthouse in Maine, USA at sunrise

Midcoast Maine is the perfect destination for anyone looking to take a family vacation. The region has it all, from excellent food and outdoor activities galore to jaw-dropping scenery that will have you wanting more. And don’t forget about lobster: if you're in Midcoast Maine make sure not pass up an opportunity to enjoy some delicious crustaceans without paying exorbitant prices at home - even if the kids aren't exactly fond of a good shellfish dinner.

2. Estes Park, Colorado

Town of Estes Park reflecting in Lake Estes Colorado USA

Estes Park, Colorado is a great destination for families looking to visit an underrated National Park with small-town charm and big city day trips. Estes Park houses Rocky Mountain National Park which is one of our favorite parks because it’s filled with beautiful hikes to explore wildlife in the area.

3. Moosehead Lake, Maine

Daytime view of the downtown district reflecting on Moosehead Lake

Moosehead Lake is the most popular vacation destination in Maine. In fact, it's so big that it can be seen from outer space. The immense size of Moosehead Lake makes for an amazing experience, but even if you're not keen on lakeside vacations, there are still plenty of other spots to explore during your trip here. You'll find a variety of activities and destinations nearby—from skiing resorts to golf courses or kayaking through evergreen forests with moose (and bears!) roaming past.

4. Folly Beach, South Carolina

Folly beach, Folly Island, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Folly Beach in South Carolina is a friendly beach island just 25 minutes from Charleston that's perfect for families. It has plenty of rental properties and hotels right by the water so you can be based right by everything you’ll need for your beach trip. The ocean is shallow enough for little ones to play in and adults have an astoundingly high-quality variety of food options along with nightlife. There are also numerous activities close by. Whether boating out to an island or biking around town, most travelers agree that it always feels slow, relaxed, and welcoming at Folly Beach.

5. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Pikes peak rises above garden of the Gods on a beautiful day in Colorado

This area is a great place for families to visit with their kids as there are plenty of animal experiences, family-friendly activities, and breathtaking views all around. For those who want an up close experience with some animals in particular - like giraffes! - head over to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo where you can feed them at eye level or go for a walk on foot through Lion Country safari park.

If it’s bridges that draw your interest then I suggest taking the Royal Gorge Bridge Tour which features one of the world’s highest suspension bridges. Not only does this bridge offer stunning vistas but also includes attractions such as live shows with stunt pilots. Plus, Colorado Springs and the surrounding Pikes Peak Region are just 90 minutes from Denver.

6. San Luis Obispo, California

Pacific Ocean, Sea, Morro Bay, California

San Luis Obispo, California is a great place to visit with your family! If you're looking for some outdoor adventures and close proximity between major cities then this might be the perfect location. The Central Coast region provides families an abundance of year-round activities including kayaking at Morro Bay where visitors can see sea lions surfacing nearby or take in their views from atop the state's largest marine protected area on land - Blue Cavern Point State Park. Explore trails and overlooks at Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve,, waterfalls along Big Creek Road off Highway 101, and so much more.

7. Door County, Wisconsin

Aerial drone photography in the Fish Creek Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin on a peaceful day.

Door County, Wisconsin is one of our top picks for a family friendly travel destination and it certainly fits on this “off the beaten path” list. Located just two hours north of Milwaukee, Door County offers something for everyone - from beautiful scenery and a laid back atmosphere to enjoyable year round outdoor activities such as kayaking or biking on the many trails that run alongside streams.

Families will love this area because there are attractions within minutes in either direction! For those planning a trip here, we recommend staying near Fish Creek or Egg Harbor so you can easily access everything the county has to offer without needing your car constantly; both locations have plenty of nearby shops and restaurants too!

8. Southeastern Utah

Chesler Park, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA

Southeastern Utah is home to some of the country's most beautiful and breathtaking scenery. With unmatched landscapes filled with red rocks, canyons, sandstone cliffs and towering rock formations; a trip here will be unforgettable!

Moab is an amazing base for exploring these two incredible National Parks nearby: Arches National Park has over 2,000 arches in it that make up one-quarter of all natural stone bridges on Earth and Canyonlands National Park offers several overlooks into deep canyons as well as awe-inspiring views from its many hiking trails throughout the entire park.

9. Northern California

Manzanita Lake in Autumn, Lassen Volcanic National Park

A road trip down the California coast is a memory that will last a lifetime. The towering redwood trees are absolutely amazing; there's just nothing like them anywhere else in the world. And if your family is into hiking, these giant trees offer the perfect setting for a family excursion.

Northern California is full of lesser known natural wonders too, including Shasta Lake, Trinity, and Lassen National Parks, and the beaches of the northern coast are unlike anything else in the state.

10. Glacier National Park, Montana

Meadows come to life in the areas surrounding Logan Pass inside Glacier National park, Montana USA

While it’s not exactly “unknown”, Glacier National Park is still relatively uncrowded and oh so worth a trip! The park is large and offers an entirely different feel from the West side of the glacier when compared with its East counterpart.

If you’re traveling, make sure to take time out to drive between these two sections via Going-to-the-Sun Road – they even have traffic control so that one car can travel in either direction at any given moment. Glacier Park also has some great nearby towns like Whitefish, Montana which offer families fun activities such as skiing or snowboarding up at their mountain resort and great dining opportunities too.

11. Chattanooga, Tennessee

Drone Aerial of Downtown Chattanooga TN Skyline, Coolidge Park and Market Street Bridge.

The population of Chattanooga, Tennessee is under 200,000 and it's not your average small Southern town. It has plenty to offer nature-loving families this weekend with caving, hang gliding, and rafting - just a few outdoor adventures on the list! After you work up an appetite, head into town for delicious eats from Urban Stack. For more traditional attractions, try Chattanooga Aquarium or Ruby Falls which will be sure to delight guests of all ages.

We also recommend visiting the Hunter Museum of American Art that displays works by regional artists as well as world renowned pieces like John James Audubon’s paintings along with his famous The Birds Of America book in full-color exhibition style

Bonus - Before You Head Out!

Writing this has us all raring to get out and travel and we hope reading it has inspired you too! But before you go, we’ve got a little bonus to help you prepare for your trip. We’ve put together the perfect pre-launch road map to help you plan and prepare for the perfect family vacation.

It’s a list of EVERYTHING (and we mean everything) you need to do before you go and exactly when you need to do it. You don’t have to think about a thing, just follow the steps and you’ll be hitting the skies worry free in no time.
It’s a value-packed planning tool for the traveling family that you can download for free right here.

11 Hidden Gem Destinations for Your Family’s 2021 Trip