Family-Friendly Vacation Destinations

Want to take a fun-filled trip with your family? Of course. Have a hard-to-please teenager or rambunctious three-year-old? Uh-huh. Well, you're in luck. Destinations across the country and around the world are finding more innovative and affordable ways to entertain and educate both children and parents. With thousands of possible destinations, it's important to think about a common interest among your family members, whether that interest is sports, museums or theme parks. From that starting point, research which locations are most flexible in catering to your family's particular needs, instead of settling for one-size-fits all types of packages. Customizing can help you make sure you get more bang for your buck.

Take It Outdoors

Experience the rapids in West Virginia while white water rafting on the New River Gorge National River. Opt for a mild ride paddling an inflatable duck with the younger children, or go for a combination package that includes rock climbing, horseback riding and fishing for a jam-packed day of fun.

Follow Your Sweet Tooth

It's all about the chocolate. Make your way down Cocoa Avenue or Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and tour the world's largest chocolate factory. Kids of all ages will love Chocolate World, which features a slew of fun and educational rides. Of course, you even get a free chocolate bar at the end to boot.

Visit an Aquarium

Explore marine life along the central coast of California at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, home to more than 35,000 animals and plants, including one of the world's largest jellyfish galleries. Special kids' adventures include surface scuba diving with the staff in the Great Tide Pool and Morning Rounds where visitors can go behind the scenes before the Aquarium opens and feed some of the animals.

Life Is a Beach

Located along the Atlantic coastline, Ocean Beach, New Jersey, is tailored to a family crowd, especially because it is a dry town. No alcohol is sold anywhere within the city limits. Enjoy strolling the boardwalk on the north side of town, or go for a swim and relax on the warm sands on the less crowded south side.

Just Cruising

Want to take Grandma and Grandpa on vacation? Princess Cruises caters to multi-generational families who vacation together. Choose from a plethora of programs for all age groups, from arts and crafts activities for the young to clinics focusing on how to improve your golf swing for the young at heart. Also, check out the kids-only dinners and the Sanctuary, a sun deck for adults-only relaxation.

On the Road Again

Get a good taste of real Americana by taking the classic road trip along Historic Route 66, which stretches from Los Angeles to Chicago. Make frequent stops along hot spots like Las Vegas, where you can casino hop or see a show. Or you can veer off near Amarillo, Texas, and marvel at the 10 vintage Caddies half buried at the Cadillac Ranch.

Off the Beaten Path

In between the usual tourist sites, try something different. Visit a ghost town in Montana's Gold Country, located between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Here you can ride horseback with the kids, practice your roping skills, and visit abandoned gold camps where storied legends of forlorn pioneers will make you want to huddle close at night.

Volunteer Together

If you want your family to have the traveling abroad experience, try a family volunteer excursion and help others in need. Cross-Cultural Solutions organizes family volunteer trips to countries such as Costa Rica, Peru and Thailand. The trips start at different times during the year and include food, lodging and transportation. Insight Abroad is a one-week program where you can work with local people on a group project while learning about the culture.