A family reunion is often held at a park, lakefront, farm, or hotel ballroom. Think imaginatively to avoid these pitfalls. A significant celebration may allow family members to visit a bucket-list destination or go off the usual path. Either way, your family will have fun, bond, and build memories.

If you drive, expect hefty gas prices. Airport delays and cancellations can affect flights. Considering these hazards, consider holding your family gathering elsewhere. Several of these sites are all-inclusive, meaning the price covers hotel, meals, activities, and transportation and you can make these predictions today.

What if you Like the Outdoors? 

Visit a national or state park if you enjoy nature. With 400 national sites and 6,800 state parks, there’s enough to see. ​ 

Parks include hiking, swimming, picnicking, camping, and cabin rentals. Many parks provide low-key activities for tourists who don’t climb, such as ranger-led presentations and panoramic overlooks. Crater Lake in Oregon, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and Yosemite in California provide notable lodges, cafés, and restaurants. ​ 

You may visit numerous parks. Four national parks are within three hours of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Grand Teton National Park is 30 miles (45 minutes) from Yellowstone. Some national parks need entry reservations, and summer is their busiest season. 

Take a Trip to a Ranch

Dude ranches are more than hats and horses. Today, they provide fishing, archery, golf, laser tag, zip-lining, petting zoos, e-biking, and spas for everyone. ​ 

You’ll discover ranches in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Arkansas, and Texas. Family reunions are a specialty. Children pay less than $1,000 to $4,100 for a one-week all-inclusive vacation. ​ 

The Dude Ranchers Association allows you to search for ranches nationally by lodging, activities, and special events like a family reunion or wellness week. 5 and under can’t ride horses at Elkhorn Ranch outside Tucson, Arizona, but kids stay free. Lost Valley Ranch in Sedalia, Colorado, features pure mountain air, line dancing, and fly-fishing, but no cellular connection or cabin TVs.

Take a Cruise

A cruise is an all-inclusive floating resort featuring activities for all ages, cabin alternatives to match all budgets, and entertainment from nightclubs to magic shows. If you can’t waterslide, play laser tag, or climb a rock wall, take a cooking class, visit the library, or get a massage. ​ 

Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe are popular cruise destinations. On some Norwegian Cruise Line ships, kids sail free. Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean provide family-friendly cruises. Princess, Viking, and Virgin Voyages offer adult-only cruises.

Take a Trip Abroad

Paris a dream? Or Greek places (or islands)? This may be the moment to visit far-flung family abroad. International travel got easier. The government lifted COVID-19 testing for all entering air passengers, including returning U.S. citizens. Germany, Italy, and Jamaica have eased coronavirus travel restrictions. ​ 

Summer travel is crowded, especially this year with pent-up demand. Rising demand implies increased aircraft, hotel, and auto rental rates, but there are offers. Expedia, Kayak, and Travelocity provide cheap vacation packages. Check Google Flights and Hopper for airfare savings, or negotiate a group pricing with airlines. ​ 

The U.S. dollar is strong relative to other currencies like the euro, so you may receive more for your money abroad. 

​Go to a Theme Park

Amusement parks appeal to the kid in us, making them popular family and group vacation destinations.

Many theme parks provide live music, theater, and healthy food and drink alternatives in addition to roller coasters. Some parks include seating to rest. Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina, has shaded rocking seats and benches. ​ 

Indoor water parks and entertainment centers are great for rainy days. Older individuals can enjoy sprinklers and slow rivers alone or with grandkids. ​ Disney World in Florida charges over $100 a day for every guest. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri are cheaper. Oakland, California’s Children’s Fairyland has $15 admission. ​