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Planning a Family Vacation This Summer? Consider the Pros and Cons of These Top Destinations

If you're still in the early planning stages of your next family vacation, here are some things to consider about these top family destination spots.

Family taking a walk on country trail path.

Black Hills

For a genuinely Midwest-style vacation, check into what the Black Hills in South Dakota offers. The first place many families head is the Mount Rushmore National Monument. Engraved with the faces of presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt, the monument provides an educational experience without your kids even realizing it. For a set fee per vehicle, you can enter the park as often as you like over the next year.

Wall Drug, on the way to Mount Rushmore, offers stores, games, attractions, and restaurants for tired families traveling by car. Located in the tiny town of Wall, South Dakota, this store and various businesses around it attract two million visitors yearly.

Disneyland or Disney World

For Disney-loving families, the question usually isn't whether to travel to a Disney park but which one. The considerations below can help you decide.

  • Attractions and Size: Disney World covers 43 square miles compared to 500 acres for Disneyland, which means that Disneyland can be the better choice if you only have a few days of vacation available. Disneyland includes Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Disney World is home to Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot Center, and Magic Kingdom. Keep this in mind as you consider your family's interests and timeline.
  • Cost: Do some research ahead of time so you know what to expect for total costs. The price of tickets varies based on the day of the week and several other factors.
  • Location: Disneyland is in Anaheim, California, while Disney World is in Orlando, Florida. To get to Disneyland by plane, you need to decide if you prefer going through the main airport or a smaller one closer to each park. It would be best to prepare your family to be outdoors in hot weather, as California and Florida have average temperatures over 90 degrees in the summer.

Yellowstone National Park

U.S. News & World Report named Yellowstone the #1 Family Vacation Destination in 2021. The park stretches for 2.2 million acres and into parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, with Wyoming containing approximately 90 percent of Yellowstone's borders.

July and August are the busiest times to visit Yellowstone, a national park that attracts more than four million visitors yearly. U.S. News & World Report chose Yellowstone as a family-friendly destination due to its awe-inspiring natural wonders, including geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and fountains.

At Yellowstone, your children can see wild animals like elk, bears, and buffalo from a safe distance and participate in educational programs by park rangers. You can pay just $35 for a 7-day pass to Yellowstone, making it one of the most economical family vacations.

Consider Travel Insurance

No matter your destination, travel insurance can provide you with valuable peace of mind if something goes wrong or you can't complete your trip.


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