Three Picks for a Great Family-Friendly Summer Vacation

Photo: Halfpoint/Shutterstock

Planning a family vacation can be tricky. From finding a destination that everyone can agree on and choosing dates that work with the adults’ time off as well as school schedules, to researching travel and hotel options, planning things to see and do while you’re there, making reservations, deciding what to pack, and more—there’s a lot to consider.

But we can help! All of our vacation Experiences are curated by an amazing team of people who love to travel and love to make traveling easier for our members. We not only offer a variety of trips to choose from, we also handle the accommodation bookings and reservations for you, transportation to and from the airports, special trip inclusions, activity suggestions, and more.

To help you get started with your summer vacation plans, here are three fantastic Manifest getaways—beach, lake, and national park—that we think the whole family would enjoy, along with a few highlights and packing tips for each.

Photo courtesy of Sage Lodge

The Great American Safari in Yellowstone National Park

Connect with the great outdoors and beautiful landscape of Montana’s Paradise Valley and Yellowstone National Park with a unique vacation adventure that’s perfect for families and couples alike.

For this Great American Safari trip, you’ll have three full days exploring the remote corners of Yellowstone with one of the park’s most experienced and sought-after private guides, while staying at the luxurious 4-star Sage Lodge.

Highlights:

• Epic guided photo safari adventure in Yellowstone National Park

• Miles of hiking and biking trails

• Private on-site fishing pond at the resort

• Resort activities and amenities for both kids and adults

• Spacious guest rooms for relaxing at the end of the day

• Breakfast, lunch, and snacks included on park days

• Casual and upscale onsite dining options

What to Pack:

• Casual, outdoor attire plus walking/hiking shoes

• Adult swimsuits for the hot tub and sauna

• A light sweater or long sleeve shirt in case it’s cooler at night

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and bug-spray

• Resort casual clothes for dining at the resort’s upscale restaurant

• Prescription and OTC medications that you use regularly

• Small first aid kit (with Band-Aids, ointment, and aloe for sunburns)

• Hand sanitizer, masks, and disinfecting wipes (in case they’re needed)

• Your favorite toiletries, hair products, lotions, etc.

• Electronic devices, cords, phone chargers, and camera

• Books, pen and paper, playing cards, games, etc. to keep kids entertained in the evening or while traveling

Photo: Fort Lauderdale Beach/Unsplash

Classic Beach Getaway to Fort Lauderdale, Florida

If you’re looking for the quintessential Florida beach getaway, Fort Lauderdale is the perfect choice. Located on the southeastern coast of Florida, just 30 miles north of Miami, it’s a premiere family-friendly vacation destination.

There are 24 miles of warm-sand beaches here, with an expansive shoreline and beautiful blue-green ocean—making it perfect for lazy days on the beach. There’s also an impressive downtown area with galleries, boutique shops, and dining options, as well as miles of inland waterways and plenty of attractions that invite you to get out and see the sights. Best of all, with fantastic weather 300+ days each year, there’s rarely a bad time to visit.

Highlights:

• Miles of beautiful beaches, perfect for playing or relaxing

• Home to museums, zoo, butterfly world, parks, and other kid-friendly places

• Golfing, day spas, a great shopping and art district, and more for the adults

• Water taxis and gondola rides through the city’s inland waterways

• An excellent variety of restaurants to choose from

What to Pack:

• Swimsuits, water shoes, and comfortable beach clothes

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, beach toys (especially for younger kids)

• Good walking shoes if you plan to sightsee

• Casual clothes for sightseeing and resort casual options for more upscale restaurants

• Prescription and OTC medications that you use regularly

• Small first aid kit (with Band-Aids, ointment, and aloe for sunburns)

• Hand sanitizer, masks, and disinfecting wipes (in case they’re needed)

• Your favorite toiletries, hair products, lotions, etc.

• Electronic devices, cords, phone chargers, and camera

• Books, pen and paper, playing cards, games, etc. to keep kids entertained in the evening and while traveling

Photo: Ryan Conine/Shutterstock

Relax and Play on Beautiful Lake Travis, Texas

It’s been said that any day on the lake is a good day, and that’s especially true if you’re talking about the uniquely beautiful Lake Travis, located in the laid-back Texas Hill Country just northwest of Austin.

With its stunning, crystal-clear blue water—thanks to a limestone lake bottom—and massive size, this “Crown Jewel” of the central Texas Highland lakes is perfect for boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and even scuba diving. But Lake Travis is more than just a body of water. 

Because of its 270 miles of shoreline and pockets of wooded space located within close proximity to downtown Austin, it’s also home to upscale resort communities, hiking trails, restaurants, and live music venues, making it one of the state’s most popular vacation destinations.

Highlights:

• Miles of shoreline perfect for relaxing or playing

• Year-round water sports, including kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, and wake boarding

• Three on-site swimming pools at the resort

• Resort activities and amenities for both kids and adults

• Golfing, day spas, and great shopping and entertainment options for the adults

• Hiking and biking trails, ziplining, parks and more

• A short drive from downtown Austin, Texas

• An excellent variety of restaurants to choose from

What to Pack:

• Swimsuits, water shoes, and comfortable clothes

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and bug-spray

• Beach toys (for younger kids)

• Good walking or hiking shoes if you plan to sightsee

• Resort casual clothes options if you plan to dine in the more upscale restaurants

• Prescription and OTC medications that you use regularly

• Small first aid kit (with Band-Aids, ointment, and aloe for sunburns)

• Hand sanitizer, masks, and disinfecting wipes (in case they’re needed)

• Your favorite toiletries, hair products, lotions, etc.

• Electronic devices, cords, phone chargers, and camera

• Books, pen and paper, playing cards, games, etc. to keep kids entertained in the evening and while traveling

If you’re ready to book any of these trips—or if you have another destination in mindcontact us today. Our team is always ready to assist you with your trips in any way we can!