4 Family Vacation Ideas for Summer

Now that school’s out, families are planning to hit the road or take flight for their summer vacation. Still looking for travel inspiration? We’ve rounded up some vacay ideas—from history heavy yet still fun destinations to an international jaunt. So whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teenagers, here are summer family vacation ideas to book today.

And don’t forget to bring along those furry family members too! At all Club Quarters Hotels, dogs stay at no extra charge, plus they get their own pet-friendly amenities, including self-heating pet beds, food and water bowls, and placemats.

History Comes to Life

School might be out for the summer, but you can still inject some teaching moments into your vacation without it being boring. Bring the past to life for your kids by visiting cities like Washington, D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia, which are packed with historical sites and family-friendly attractions. 

Only two blocks from the White House and close to monuments and museums, our Club Quarters Hotel in D.C. serves as a perfect launch pad for exploring with your crew.

And in Boston, the Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the must-do Freedom Trail are steps from our Club Quarters Hotel in Boston. You can also gather up the family to learn about the city’s history during Harborfest, which includes activities such as sailboat rides, art exhibitions, boat tours of the harbor, live entertainment, and colonial reenactments. Of course, it doesn’t have to be all about the founding fathers. Add fun in the sun with a quick trip to nearby Cape Cod for some beach time.

At The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, visitors can explore hands-on science exhibits and experiences, attend live science programs, and watch a show in the Fels Planetarium. While at the Philadelphia Zoo, there are scavenger hunts, rope courses, and carousel rides, as well as the animal experiences. You can also head out on the Delaware River, which borders the city. Here, you can rent a kayak, go tubing, fish, or simply relax along the shore.

Something for Everyone

If you’re traveling with teenagers or college-bound kids, consider heading to a city like London. A tourist-friendly, manageable destination, London provides a good mix of history, entertainment, tasty eats, and culture. 

Depending on your family’s interests, book a stay at our centrally located property in London City that’s close to major attractions including the London Bridge and the Tower of London, or make your home base Club Quarters Hotel, Covent Garden Holborn. An ideal spot for culture vultures, it’s within walking distance to Sir John Soane’s Museum, the Royal Opera House, and the Theatre District.

Big City Culture

Be sure to pack your sunglasses for the bright lights of a big city like Chicago and New York. Known for its vast campus of museums that includes the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Field Museum, Chicago offers plenty of activities for the whole family, including the popular Immersive Van Gogh exhibition. Club Quarters Hotel, Wacker at Michigan is situated near Grant Park, theaters, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Willis Tower, making it a prime spot for exploring.

And with four Club Quarters Hotels in NYC, all located near major attractions, including Times Square—ideal for catching a Broadway show or two—and One World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, you and your family can explore the Big Apple with ease. Take a bike ride around Central Park, head to Coney Island for a day filled with hot dogs and carnival rides, or catch a game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx or Citifield in Queens.

For the Little Ones

Traveling with young kids might seem more like a job than a vacation, but it doesn’t have to be all work and no play while you’re away. Consider visiting cities like Chicago that offer green spaces such as Millennium Park where kids can splash around in the Crown Fountain (a water feature/video installation that you have to see to believe),or join in on a fun activity offered for free on the big lawn.

You could also head to Sesame Place, located about outside Philadelphia. It features water attractions like The Count’s Splash Castle, Big Bird’s Rambling River, and the Teeny Tiny Tidal Wave pool, plus themed rides, all designed around the children’s show’s fuzzy characters.

Ready to plan your next family vacation? Book a stay at a Club Quarters Hotel this summer to create memories that will last a lifetime.