There’s two types of parents: those who like to travel with their kids and those who don’t.
We get it, sometimes you just need a break and in those cases, booking an adults-only all-inclusive vacation is definitely the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re looking for some family time away from home, there are plenty of options for you to include the entire clan.
While there are some obvious family-friendly vacation destinations like Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Atlantis in the Bahamas that will surely have a plethora of activities and accommodations for all ages — if you’re looking to avoid tourist traps and less crowds, you’ve come to the right place.
The New York Post spoke with two travel experts about the best vacation spots for families in 2023, that offer child-friendly benefits, without the animated characters walking around and colorful roller coasters.
“Opting for a well-known family vacation spot often provides a comforting guarantee of child-friendly amenities and experiences. It’s like walking into a familiar café in a foreign city; there’s comfort in knowing what to expect,” Susan Zurbin-Hothersall, Travel Advisor at Travel Edge Network told the New York Post. “However, with the right mix of curiosity and planning, the whole world can be your family-friendly oyster. Don’t box yourselves in — think beyond the obvious.”
In an effort to help you and your family become citizens of the world, we rounded up eight of the best “out of the box” destinations, according to the pros. From New York City (we couldn’t resist) to Costa Rica, there’s a vacation for all types of families on our list.
“[Family travel] is about building bridges between generations, creating shared memories, and growing together. Whether it’s the awe of seeing a centuries-old monument or the joy of jumping over ocean waves, these shared moments become threads in the fabric of your family’s history,” Zurbin-Hothersall said.
1. New York City, United States
While we may be biased, Manhattan really