Family vacations are more than just a break from routine; they are the threads that weave together cherished childhood memories and strengthen family bonds. While the notion of a “vacation” might evolve with kids in tow, the essence remains: creating joyful experiences together. Exploring new destinations or revisiting beloved spots as a family becomes the cornerstone of lasting memories, not just for the children, but for parents too. These moments, captured in photos and etched in hearts, are invaluable.
For parents seeking a seamless and stress-free getaway, choosing the right resort is paramount. The ideal family resort anticipates your needs, offering spacious accommodations, amenities for all ages, diverse dining options, and engaging kids’ clubs. Focusing on domestic destinations simplifies travel, removing the complexities of passports, currency exchange, and long-haul flights (though Hawaii’s allure is undeniable!). Across America, from the magic of Disney World’s vicinity to serene mountain retreats, incredible resorts await, ready to craft the perfect family vacation.
Top Family-Friendly Resorts Across the USA
Whether you’re actively planning your next family adventure or gathering inspiration for future travels, explore our curated list of the Best Family Resorts In America, recommended by seasoned travel experts and parents alike.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui
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Four Seasons Resorts
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What We Love: The unparalleled service and thoughtful amenities for young guests make this Hawaiian gem a top choice for families with toddlers and babies.
Keep in Mind: Being a sought-after destination, it can be quite busy during school holiday periods.
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea consistently earns accolades as a premier luxury family vacation spot, and for good reason. Recognized as one of the best resorts in Hawaii by Travel + Leisure readers and a World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame honoree, this resort delivers an unforgettable experience. Children can spend their days joyfully moving between pools and the inviting Pacific waves, engaging in tennis lessons, or making friends at the complimentary kids’ program. Immersive cultural experiences, such as torch lighting ceremonies and Hawaiian stargazing stories, offer enriching insights into the local heritage. Parents will appreciate the complimentary provisions for little ones, including pool playpens, beach toys, personalized plush animals, strollers, and baby monitors, lightening the packing load. Simultaneously, parents can indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments and sip refreshing cocktails by the serene adults-only infinity pool, achieving true vacation bliss.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Direct beach access, three swimming pools, complimentary amenities for babies and toddlers (pool playpens, beach toys, in-room necessities), complimentary Kids for All Seasons program, Hawaiian cultural activities.
- Location: Maui, Hawaii
- Starting Rates: $1,500 per night
Montage Laguna Beach
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Montage Laguna Beach
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What We Love: The exceptional kids’ club welcomes children as young as two, making it a fantastic option for families with toddlers.
Keep in Mind: This resort is positioned as one of the more luxurious, and therefore pricier, options on this list.
Montage Laguna Beach, consistently voted among the best resorts in California by Travel + Leisure readers, is a magnet for families seeking a blend of relaxation and recreation. This 262-room property captures the laid-back, coastal charm of Laguna Beach, coupled with outstanding service and a wealth of activities. While the allure of lounging on the beach or relaxing by the saltwater pools is strong, the resort encourages exploration with snorkeling, kayaking in the Pacific, and surfing lessons. The engaging Paintbox children’s program, offering half-day sessions, and the Montage Merit badges, will keep kids entertained and learning (away from screens!). Residential-style villas provide ample space and comfort for families. Baby-friendly amenities are thoughtfully provided, including Bloom crib mattresses and diaper pails, ensuring comfort for the youngest guests.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Direct beach access, three saltwater swimming pools (including a dedicated children’s pool), beachfront accommodations, Paintbox and Paintbox Petite children’s programs, Montage Merit badges, UPPAbaby rental program, teen spa treatments, 24-hour in-room dining.
- Location: Laguna Beach, California
- Starting Rates: $1,100 per night
The Ranch at Rock Creek
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Ranch at Rock Creek
What We Love: The abundance of outdoor activities in breathtaking natural landscapes offers an escape from the everyday.
Keep in Mind: The resort is a 90-minute drive from Missoula International Airport, so factor in travel time.
As Carolyn Addison from Black Tomato, a mother of two and travel expert, describes, “Surrounded by mountains, meadows, and streams, The Ranch at Rock Creek provides families with the opportunity to reconnect with nature and each other, far removed from the distractions of modern life.” This Montana gem offers a wide array of activities, from horseback riding and sporting clays to fly fishing, mountain biking, and even a bowling alley, ensuring something for every family member. Flint’s Forest Rangers Kids Club offers morning and afternoon sessions where children can observe wildlife, learn about cowboy history, mine for sapphires, enjoy pony rides, and participate in geocaching adventures. Luxurious private homes and cabins, conveniently located near the main lodge, along with glamping cabins, are popular choices for families. The ranch also provides baby necessities like car seats, high chairs, cribs, and babysitting services, catering to families of all ages.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Flint’s Forest Rangers Kid’s Club, horseback riding, sapphire mining, swimming pool, bowling alley, private homes and cabins, glamping tents.
- Location: Philipsburg, Montana
- Starting Rates: $2,300 per night (all-inclusive for two guests; additional nightly charge for guests age six and over)
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
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What We Love: This luxury resort offers complimentary shuttle service to Disney theme parks, combining luxury with Disney magic.
Keep in Mind: Expect to pay a premium compared to many other resorts in the Disney area.
For many families, a Disney World vacation is a dream come true. Elevate that dream by staying at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, a past World’s Best Awards winner. After exhilarating days at the parks, this five-star resort provides the perfect blend of relaxation and continued fun. Family highlights include a five-acre water park featuring slides and a lazy river, and delightful character breakfasts with Goofy and friends. While children are happily engaged at the complimentary Kids For All Seasons supervised camp, parents can unwind by the adult-only pool, enjoy a round of golf on the 18-hole course, or indulge in spa treatments. The spacious and luxurious rooms ensure families have ample space to relax and recharge. Elizabeth Rhodes, T+L special projects editor, recommends Capa for its rooftop Michelin-starred dining and spectacular views of the nightly Disney fireworks.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Spacious rooms with private terraces, five-acre water park, complimentary Kids for All Seasons program, tennis courts, 18-hole golf course, adult-only pool, kids under five eat free at select restaurants, breakfast with Goofy, complimentary transportation to Disney parks.
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Starting Rates: $1,295 per night
Turtle Bay Resort
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Turtle Bay Resort
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What We Love: The extensive on-site activities, including 12 miles of scenic hiking trails, offer endless exploration.
Keep in Mind: Dining can be pricey, although kids’ menus are available to help manage costs.
Turtle Bay Resort, recognized as one of the best hotels in Hawaii for families, is a pristine paradise located on O‘ahu’s North Shore. This sprawling property boasts seven beautiful beaches, three main swimming pools (including a kids’ pool with exciting water slides), nine restaurants, stables, and a 468-acre working farm. Known for its impressive array of activities, guests can choose from snorkeling with sea turtles, learning to surf with professionals, hula lessons, and pony rides. One recent guest highlighted Kariel’s Mermaid Academy as a particular favorite for her daughters. Every room offers ocean views, and most include a lanai or balcony, perfect for enjoying the scenery while little ones nap. For families seeking extra privacy and luxury, the 42 ocean bungalows located steps from the beach are an exceptional option.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Ocean-view rooms, three swimming pools, seven beaches, stables, championship Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, 468-acre farm, hula and ukulele lessons, beach cruisers.
- Location: O‘ahu, Hawaii
- Starting Rates: $700 per night
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
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Marriott
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What We Love: The unbeatable beachfront location on Vanderbilt Beach is a major draw for families.
Keep in Mind: Hurricane season in Florida requires attention to weather forecasts during certain times of the year.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, a long-standing favorite for family vacations, has recently undergone a $100-million renovation, further enhancing its appeal for guests of all ages. Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford describes the refreshed resort as having “a relaxed country club” atmosphere, complete with a game lawn, engaging kid-centric activities like stuffed animal making, and a delightful made-to-order guacamole cart. Water sports and beachside cabanas add to the beachfront experience. New air-conditioned poolside bungalows offer a perfect retreat for afternoon naps or a break from the sun, equipped with flat-screen TVs for entertainment. Rooms with balconies and ocean views provide stunning vistas. For an elevated experience, booking accommodations in the new Vanderbilt Tower grants access to exclusive food and beverage options, and a kid’s play area within the largest club lounge in North America.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: All rooms feature balconies and ocean views, watersports, poolside bungalows, beach cabanas, club lounge access, Ritz Kids programming, complimentary shuttle service to The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.
- Location: Naples, Florida
- Starting Rates: $699 per night
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection
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Auberge Resorts Collection
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What We Love: The vast open spaces allow children to explore and roam freely in a safe and natural environment.
Keep in Mind: The activity offerings might be more appealing to families with older children and teenagers.
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, a recurring winner in the World’s Best Awards, offers a memorable experience for families seeking adventure and natural beauty. While one travel writer initially visited solo, she envisioned returning with her son, observing children happily participating in nature scavenger hunts, swimming, and enjoying meals outdoors. The spacious and contemporary Earth Suites provide families with stylish and comfortable accommodations. Outdoor fire pits are perfect for cozy s’mores evenings. Animal lovers will be thrilled by the 30,000-square-foot indoor equestrian center and horse rescue sanctuary. Activities like e-biking and axe throwing cater to older adventurers. Gracie’s Farm offers a unique opportunity for kids to learn about organic agriculture, making it both educational and engaging.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Hiking, fly fishing, clay shooting, heli-skiing, organic farm, 30,000-square-foot indoor equestrian center, Saving Gracie horse rescue sanctuary, farm-to-table restaurant, nature-inspired spa, on-site High West Whiskey distillery.
- Location: Wanship, Utah
- Starting Rates: $1,299 per night
Montage Deer Valley
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Montage Deer Valley
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What We Love: Spacious accommodations are particularly appealing, especially with more affordable rates during the off-season.
Keep in Mind: Some amenities and activities are not available during the off-season, so check availability beforehand.
Park City, a favored shoulder season destination, is home to Montage Deer Valley, a luxury mountain resort ideal for families. This 2023 World’s Best Awards winner offers diverse activities such as archery lessons and snow tubing, a pub with arcade games and a bowling alley, a dedicated kids club, and direct access to hiking trails and ski slopes. One family’s toddler especially enjoyed interacting with the resort’s canine ambassador and the delightful in-suite camping setup. With both indoor and outdoor pools, swimming is possible year-round, and adults will appreciate the tranquil 35,000-square-foot spa. Compass Sports simplifies outdoor adventures with gear rentals and lift tickets. Nightly s’mores around the fire pit provide a perfect sweet ending to the day.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Mountain-view rooms and suites, ski-in/ski-out access, indoor and outdoor pools, six dining options, Paintbox children’s program, Montage Merit badges, UPPAbaby rental program, Compass Sports.
- Location: Park City, Utah
- Starting Rates: $450 per night
Ojai Valley Inn
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Ojai Valley Inn
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What We Love: Unique and engaging programming, including personalized golf and tennis lessons, sets this resort apart.
Keep in Mind: Camp Oak starts at age four, and many activities incur additional costs.
During a stay at Ojai Valley Inn, even though a young child was too young for Camp Oaks, the offerings—arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and science experiments—are clearly designed to delight children aged 4 to 12 during day and weekend night sessions. Observing children enjoying the Pixie Pool and delicious-looking kid-friendly meals highlighted the family-focused atmosphere. The artist cottage and apothecary host daily craft hours for soap making, terrariums, tie-dye, and more. Horseback riding, tennis clinics, in-room game night baskets, s’mores, and family events like face painting and balloon twisting provide ample opportunities for family bonding. Adults can also retreat to the adults-only pool, spa, and championship golf course for relaxation.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Family pool, adults-only pool, golf course, kid’s camp, mountain-view rooms with fireplaces, tubs, and terraces, spa, artist cottage and apothecary.
- Location: Ojai, California
- Starting Rates: $709 per night
C Lazy U Ranch
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C Lazy U Ranch
What We Love: This 8,500-acre ranch offers a truly immersive outdoor experience with a wealth of activities.
Keep in Mind: The ranch is located a 2-hour and 15-minute drive from Denver International Airport.
Saddle up for a Wild West family adventure at C Lazy U Ranch, an all-inclusive, four-season dude ranch nestled in the Colorado Rockies. Recognized as one of the favorite resorts in Colorado by Travel + Leisure readers in 2023, this ranch promises an action-packed vacation appealing to both city dwellers and seasoned cowboys. Guests can partake in horseback riding, cattle drives, archery, axe throwing, fly fishing, mountain biking, and ziplining. For relaxation, the creekside spa offers massages and hot tub soaks. The exceptional kids and teens program introduces youngsters to ranch life through age-appropriate, supervised activities. Evenings bring families together for campfire stories before retreating to cozy cabins for a restful night’s sleep.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Cabins with wood-burning fireplaces, C.O. Bigelow bath products, horseback riding, cattle pushing, archery.
- Location: Granby, Colorado
- Starting Rates: $392 per night
The Resort at Paws Up
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The Resort at Paws Up
What We Love: The resort boasts an extensive range of activities and includes convenient round-trip airport transfers.
Keep in Mind: A deposit is required at the time of booking.
Looking for a guaranteed way to get kids off their screens? A trip to The Resort at Paws Up is the answer. This luxury family-friendly retreat, a World’s Best Awards honoree located on a working cattle ranch in Montana’s Blackfoot Valley, prioritizes outdoor recreation over screen time. Over 35,000 acres of Montana wilderness serve as the backdrop for endless adventures. Families can explore 100 miles of trails, fly fish in the river, ride go-carts, learn horsemanship, and participate in mosaic workshops. The Kids Corps of Discovery offers half-day and full-day sessions for children ages 3 to 12, including swimming, painting, geocaching, and more. This provides parents with ample time to relax at the spa or engage in adult-focused wilderness activities. Vacation homes and luxury glamping tents (available mid-May through mid-October) offer ideal accommodations for families seeking immersion in nature without sacrificing comfort.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: 70+ activities, 100 miles of trails, meals included, Lexus SUV access for home accommodation guests, round trip airport transfers.
- Location: Greenough, Montana
- Starting Rates: $2,265 per night for two adults and two children
The Cloister at Sea Island
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The Cloister at Sea Island
What We Love: A wealth of activities cater to both children and adults, whether together or independently; Camp Cloister welcomes children from age three.
Keep in Mind: Located an hour’s drive from Jacksonville International Airport, car rental might be necessary for convenient access.
The Cloister at Sea Island, consistently ranked among T+L readers’ favorite resorts in the South, is a quintessential grand dame of family resorts. Guest rooms, suites, and residences feature comfortable amenities such as wood furnishings, deep-soaking tubs perfect for bathing children, and Mediterranean-style arched windows. Travel expert Carolyn Addison notes, “From tennis to crabbing, the 50-acre property provides an array of activities tailored to all members of the family.” Nature enthusiasts can enjoy falconry, hawk walks, and visits to the nature center. For relaxation, the beach club awaits. Addison also highlights the Kids Nights Out program, offering parents a child-free evening. Family bingo nights and paint parties promise shared laughter and lasting memories. Another travel expert, Elizabeth Rhodes, praised horseback riding on the beach and the family pool as highlights of a recent trip.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: One-, two-, and three-bedroom accommodations, Molton Brown toiletries, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, beach club, bike rentals, family paint parties, Kids Nights Out program.
- Location: Sea Island, Georgia
- Starting Rates: $600 per night
Big Cedar Lodge
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Big Cedar Lodge
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What We Love: This resort offers exceptional value with a wide range of both indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family.
Keep in Mind: With so much to do, it can sometimes feel a bit like a bustling amusement park.
Big Cedar Lodge, a lakeside resort and repeat World’s Best Awards winner in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, is unparalleled in family fun potential. Enjoy the outdoors by renting a boat, fishing, swimming, playing mini-golf, or relaxing for movies on the lawn. Fun Mountain, a 30,000-square-foot entertainment zone, elevates indoor excitement with underwater-themed bowling, rock climbing, a ropes course, arcade games, go-karts, and laser tag. Waterfront cottages, log cabins, spacious suites, and glamping tents accommodate families of all sizes, making it ideal for extended family reunions.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Entertainment zone with underwater-themed bowling, rock climbing, ropes course, arcade games, go-karts, laser tag; mini golf; glamping site.
- Location: Ridgedale, Missouri
- Starting Rates: $369 per night
Chatham Bars Inn
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Chatham Bars Inn
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What We Love: This beachfront hotel is conveniently located within a short walk of Chatham’s charming Main Street.
Keep in Mind: Many amenities are seasonal, so plan accordingly based on your travel dates.
Travel expert Carolyn Addison fondly recalls childhood trips to Cape Cod and recommends Chatham Bars Inn as a cherished oceanfront resort in the quaint town of Chatham. She reminisces about enjoying sunrises with her children from the oceanfront veranda. The inn features a private sandy beach perfect for relaxation, sandcastle building, and swimming. Amenities include a zero-entry pool with cabanas, a kiddie pool, tennis clinics for all ages, and summer kids’ programming. The on-site dock and boat fleet facilitate family excursions like whale watching, sailing, fishing, and lobstering. Authentic clambakes add to the nostalgic New England atmosphere.
The Details:
- Standout Amenities: Private beach, zero-entry pool with cabanas, kiddie pool, on-site dock with boat fleet, tennis clinics, complimentary supervised Kids Crew with interactive programs.
- Location: Chatham, Massachusetts
- Starting Rates: $650 per night
Know Before You Go
Define Your Ideal Family Vacation Style
The United States offers a vast and diverse landscape, from Colorado’s mountains to Hawaii’s beaches, leading to a wide array of family vacation styles. Consider what best suits your family: relaxation by the pool, adventure in the mountains, or the excitement of theme parks?
Travel Time and Logistics Matter
Traveling with children requires careful planning, especially concerning long journeys and multiple connections. Minimize stress by considering flight durations, layovers, and time zone differences. Also, think about ground transportation at your destination – will you need a rental car, is public transport accessible, or does the resort offer airport shuttles?
Set a Realistic Budget
Luxury family resorts offer exceptional experiences, but come with a higher price tag. Numerous more affordable options are available. Consider traveling during the off-season, outside of peak periods like summer and winter holidays, to potentially save on costs.
How We Curated This List of Family Resorts
This list is compiled by Lindsay Cohn, a travel journalist and mother of two, drawing upon personal experiences, thorough research, and insights from Travel + Leisure editors and industry professionals, all of whom are parents. Many of these resorts have also been recognized by Travel + Leisure readers in the World’s Best Awards, further validating their excellence.
