Vacations for Multigenerational Families: 6 Ideas for Domestic & International Travel

It’s rare that the whole family gathers for a vacation.

Usually, families reunite during the holidays to spend quality time together. But it’s relatively rare that the stars align for a trip during summer vacation or spring break. Schedules conflict, especially as grandchildren grow older.

That means every opportunity for multigenerational families to travel together must be seized and treasured.

But that doesn’t mean its a simple job.

After all, planning a trip that meets the interests of grandchildren, adults, and grandparents is a difficult task. That’s doubly true when the family is large and the group’s interests aren’t precisely aligned.

So how can you find a vacation that meets everyone’s needs? Is there a one-size-fits-all option?

Actually, there might be. If you’re on the hunt for vacation ideas that offer something to all generations, then start out with the trips below. I’ve split them based on whether you’ll be traveling domestically or internationally.

Domestic: beachside resorts

You guessed it—resorts are a popular choice for families because of the sheer number of amenities on offer. Excellent resorts can be found around the country, but I suggest focusing on beachside options.

The beach adds another layer of entertainment—one that unanimously appeals to children, adults, and grandparents. It also serves as a place for a bit of downtime. Pools tend to be noisy, but beaches can provide a little bit of much-needed chill.

Domestic: glamp in the great outdoors

Resort stays might not be a great fit for smaller families that want to stay agile. If you’ve got an adventurous crew, then hit the great outdoors for your next vacation.

I suggest looking at glamping sites versus traditional camping sites.

First, it’ll save you the hassle of bringing all your own equipment. Second, it’ll let you focus more on spending quality time with your family and out in nature—not jerry-rigging the tents with a tarp cover in case of nightly showers.

Domestic: visit an amusement park

While Disney World and Disneyland are usually high on the priority list during family vacations, don’t be afraid to target more affordable and accessible alternatives.

These amusement parks offer all the excitement of a Disney location while letting you save thousands. They’re also easier to get to in most cases.

Six Flags, for example, has locations all around the US—letting you tack on a day of riding rollercoasters to another trip. A place like Dollywood, for example, is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, putting visitors in proximity to national parks like Mount Mitchell and Shenandoah. 

International: cruises

Theoretically, all you need to do is get everyone on the boat—and then you’re ready to set sail, literally.

For particularly rowdy and large families, there’s no better option. After all, the modern cruise ship has every single amenity that a large-scale resort would.

Cruises are particularly helpful for international trips. They let you get off the boat to quickly explore new lands—not struggle with a multi-week itinerary that involves foreign languages and currencies. In other words, it’s all about the ease of planning.

International: all-inclusive resorts

I prefer cruises to resorts for international and multigenerational travel because you don’t need to worry about transportation—but it does limit the number of adventures you can go on.

If you’re traveling with a smaller and more agile family, then an all-inclusive resort is a great idea. All the minutiae are taken care of, including mealtime.

And while most resorts also offer plenty in the way of entertainment, you’ll have the option to wander off the grounds. That might be to take a day trip to another site or to play a game of golf with the guys. Regardless, you can stay more dynamic than if you were on a cruise.

International: themed tours

Themed tours are great for intergenerational families that have specific interests.

Usually, these are created by travel agencies or are offered by tour companies—and even cruise lines. They dive into the nitty-gritty of specific interests, from historical sites to outdoor adventuring. These types of trips usually cost thousands to plan, especially for larger groups.

However, it can take a load off in terms of planning stress. By opting for a themed tour, you’ll be handing the reins over to a trained professional who will plan flights, tours, transportation, and more.