In a travel survey conducted by HomeAway and FamilyFun magazine, it’s been revealed that kids have a lot of influence on family vacations. No less than 87 percent of parents say their kids play some role in vacation planning, with 13 percent revealing their kids actually make the final call on where to go. And like grown-ups, kids love to get away from it all: 43 percent of kids would choose a vacation over a physical gift. Inspired by our tiny travel dictators, we’ve searched the globe for the destinations kids go nuts over.
For starters, check out this luxury treehouse in Asheville, North Carolina. Crafted by the DIY network’s Treehouse Guys, it’s every kid’s dream! Tucked into a hillside in Reems Creek Valley, it features a large deck (with outdoor shower) and sleeps four. Local activities include river tubing, gallery viewing, zip-lining and hiking. ($463 per night)
Costa Rican airplane home
What aviation-obsessed kid wouldn’t love staying in an actual airplane? Recognized by Travel and Leisure, HGTV and Animal Planet as one of the most fantastic experiences in the jungles of Costa Rica, this two-bed, two-bath home has been repurposed from a 727 airplane. Perched among the trees of Manuel Antonio, this famous rental provides both ocean and jungle views — and you’ll probably get to know your monkey and sloth neighbors. Amenities include pool access, housekeeping and more. ($287 average per night)
Weeki Wachee
This world-famous mermaid attraction offers glimpses of “mermaids” swimming in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Located along Florida’s Nature Coast, this is one unique destination. In addition to the mermaid shows, the park offers junior mermaid camp, river boat cruises and Buccaneer Bay water park (admission included with park tickets). Weeki Wachee fills to capacity most summer days, so get there early.
Where to stay when you’re mermaid watching? Camp at just five minutes from Mermaid City. The family-friendly park boasts dinosaur and seahorse sculptures, and canoes and kayaks are available to take out on the pond. (Under $30 per day)
Disney’s Grand Californian
A trip to Disneyland is a classic family vacation, and if you want to go Disney magic all the way, choose from one of three resorts on-site. Of the three, the Grand Californian is the most luxurious, and it’s closest to the parks, with immediate access to California Adventure. And naturally, it’s child-friendly. The craftsmen-style hotel features bunk beds for kids (with sleeping bags available), character dining at Storyteller’s Café and an arcade. The pools have been recently renovated, and a full-scale hotel renovation will be completed this fall. For tips on exploring the surrounding city, check out visitanaheim.com. ($417 per night)
Atlantis
You may have heard of Bahamian resort Atlantis for its grand scale and amazing aquatic experiences. The resort’s new tower The Coral will debut this summer with family-friendly offerings such as a swim-up ice pop bar and a gelateria in the lobby. Atlantis features the world’s largest marine habitat, the 141-acre Aquaventure with dolphins and sharks among its tenants. Pools and waterslides abound, including the Mayan Temple’s Leap of Faith slide. And for adults, there’s an ocean-front golf course and a casino. (From $209 per night)
Mall of America
Shopping, anyone? Walk right over the giant Mall of America via skyway from the Radisson Blu Mall of America, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Kids receive a Blu Passport to facilitate exploration. The hotel also offers a Family Fun with Marty the Moose ticket package, which includes admission to Mall of America’s indoor theme park Nickelodeon Universe, the Sea Life Aquarium or the FlyOver America flight simulation attraction plus SkyDeck game cards and a kids’ tent. After a day of sightseeing and browsing the shops, take a dip in the hotel’s indoor saline pool. (From $161 per night)
Little Harvest Caye
Rent your own private island and head to the warm waters of Southern Belize. Fans of Despicable Me will feel like they’re in their own Minion paradise. It’s just you and the on-site staff (in detached housing) on this 1.5-acre luxury compound known as Little Harvest Caye. But the island features five suites, so you can come with friends. Included are a pool, kayak, paddle boards, Wi-Fi and a boat and driver. Fully solar-powered and off-grid, LHC is also eco-friendly. ($1,643 average per night)
Castle of Lisheen
Book this real-life castle and begin your royal vacation. The Castle of Lisheen is a historically accurate restoration in Tipperary County boasting nine bedrooms and eight baths. The owners have set up a custom touring itinerary for little princes and princesses, showcasing some of Ireland’s most popular cultural locations: the Cliffs of Moher, Kilkenny Medieval City, the Rock of Cashel and the historic town of Cobh (which has an award-winning Titanic experience). ($1,086 average per night)
YMCA Rockies
Outdoorsy kids will love the YMCA of the Rockies. It’s like family camping in a national park, but with tons of activities, a dining hall and cabins. The 800-plus-acre camp features classic camp activities: archery lessons, a ropes course, fishing, horseback riding and swimming. When you’re not on the move, kick back and enjoy the beautiful mountain view — and the passing elk. Stay in 2- to 3-bedroom cabins or lodge rooms. (From $139 per night)
Hyatt Maui
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa was actually named World’s Top Hotel for Stargazing — perfect for aspiring astronauts. The hotel offers a rooftop astronomy program featuring The Edge, one of Hawaii’s best recreational telescopes. Kids can make traditional Lauhala bracelets, take a wildlife walk, participate in a feeding of the warm-weather African Black-Footed Penguin or attend a “Drums of the Pacific” Lu’au. Camp Hyatt is available for daytime activities, and the rooms are kid-friendly. (From $433 per night)
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Those with a sweet tooth will love staying at Hershey Lodge, the famous chocolate company’s family-friendly resort. (Their other lodging options include Hershey Hotel and Hershey Lodge Camping Resort). The main attraction in Hershey is Hersheypark, the chocolate-themed amusement park that features 70 rides and attractions. Hershey’s Chocolate World is also popular with the kiddos. Take a chocolate factory tour and make your own candy bar! (From $349 per night)
If the kids get sugared out, take a 40-minute trip to visit Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After touring an Amish farm or riding in a horse and buggy in Amish Country, kids can take a train ride on America’s oldest short-line railroad or visit theme park Dutch Wonderland. For more kid-friendly activities, visit lancasterpa.com.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The top magical destination for kids in the HomeAway survey? Hogwarts. While the fantastical school only exists in J.K. Rowling’s book series, muggles can visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s located in the Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort, as is the Hard Rock Hotel. Guests of the rock ‘n’ roll-themed resort can access the park an hour before it opens to the public, a great perk. The hotel offers a 12,000-square-foot pool, kids’ suites (with a separate bedroom for the children), supervised child care at Camp Lil’ Rock and daily activities. (From $447 per night)
El Conquistador
Family-friendly El Conquistador Resort will wow little ones with its expansive Coqui Water Park, arcade and kids’ spa (yes, a spa for children!). El Conquistador is on its own 100-acre private island, Palomino Island. Travel to this Waldorf Astoria Resort via a luxury catamaran and start adventuring: scuba diving, jet skiing, paddleboarding, horseback riding and more await you. Tiny swashbucklers will appreciate visiting mini sandbar Palominito, featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. No passports? No problem. Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S. (From $199 per night)
Tanque Verde Ranch
Go wild for the Old West on this luxe Arizona dude ranch. Tanque Verde Ranch is situated among 60,000 desert acres in the Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest in Tucson. Baby buckaroos will love the Daily Kids Club (for ages 4 to 12), which features horseback riding lessons, crafts, games and nature center visits. Rates include accommodations in salas, casitas or haciendas and three daily meals (think cowboy fireside and blueberry pancakes). Guests also enjoy hikes, yoga, mountain biking and fishing. (From $500 per night)
Nickelodeon Hotels
Parents will soak up the Dominican Republic’s beautiful Uvero Alto beach, spa and dining while kids frolic with Nickelodeon characters like Dora, SpongeBob and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Nickelodeon Resort Punta Cana. Everyone will love Aqua Nick, the expansive, imaginative water park. You can even stay in SpongeBob’s pineapple house during a vacation that’s both silly and sophisticated. As a bonus, the Gourmet Inclusive Experience includes use of baby gear. No need to haul strollers, monitors or bottle warmers! They even provide baby bathrobes. (Average cost for a family of four is $710 per night)
Elephant Watch Camp
If your kids love the zoo, this eco-luxury wildlife experience is the ultimate vacation. Stay in one of six bush tents in Samburu National Reserve, which has one of the largest elephant populations in Kenya. Elephant Watch Camp is just a short drive to the Save The Elephants charity and research station where kids can see conservation efforts in action. Encounters with elephants and monkeys will thrill the entire family. (From $610 a night)
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