Deciding which eight destinations across the globe deserve a spot on TPG’s list of best family vacation destinations to visit this year was no easy task.
We researched new resorts, activities and events and pulled from our own extensive travel experience to find the spots your family will still be talking about years after you return home from your trip.
Related: Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
Of course, we also had to throw in a few of our dream destinations.
Whether your family prefers cities, beaches, theme parks or the great outdoors, you’ll find your perfect family vacation spot on this list.
Orlando
What to do
With four major theme parks in the area, Orlando bills itself as the “theme park capital of the world.” Because those parks are always competing for the top spot in travelers’ hearts (and their wallets), there’s always something new to do.
Disney is nearing the completion of Epcot’s multiyear makeover with the recent opening of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and the debut of an all-new nighttime spectacular called “Luminous The Symphony of Us.”
Related: Why Epcot is now Disney World’s must-do park
In 2024, the focus will shift to Magic Kingdom, with the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The attraction is expected to open in late 2024. Perhaps more important than any new attraction, beginning Jan. 9, 2024, a Disney World visit will feel much like it did before the COVID-19 pandemic. This date marks the end of theme park reservations and 2 p.m. park-hopping restrictions, as well as the return of the Disney Dining Plan.
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At Universal Orlando, 2023 saw the debut of Minion Land and the new Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction. This is just Universal’s first step to introduce more kid-friendly programming. In 2024, Universal Studios Florida will open a land themed to DreamWorks Animation films like “Shrek,” “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda.”
SeaWorld Orlando has been on a regular cadence of adding new attractions every year and 2024 is no different. After opening the Ice Breaker coaster in 2022 and Pipeline: The Surf Coaster in 2023, the marine-themed park will open a family-friendly launch coaster called Penguin Trek in 2024.
The Orlando area is also home to the headwaters of the Everglades, which provides ample opportunities for outdoorsy families to explore the flora and fauna that call the Everglades home. Both Wild Florida and Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures offer airboat tours where you’re almost guaranteed to spot a few alligators. Or, you can take it slow on a kayak tour in one of Get Up and Go Kayaking’s clear kayaks.
Where to stay
The Evermore Orlando Resort will open next door to Disney World on Jan. 1, 2024. The resort will feature a variety of accommodation types, from vacation villas to luxury hotel rooms at Orlando’s first Conrad Hotel, as well as a 20-acre tropical beach complex with an 8-acre lagoon for swimming and water sports.
Room rates at the Conrad Orlando start at around $580 or 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Also near Disney World, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando recently completed property-wide renovations, including transformed guest rooms, new restaurants and dining menus, a reimagined spa and golf club and more. Room rates start at around $560 or 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Oahu, Hawaii
What to do
From swimming in the jewel-toned waters of the Pacific Ocean to hiking through lush green landscapes and experiencing Hawaii’s rich history and time-honored traditions, Oahu has so much to offer families in search of a tropical beach vacation.
You are likely to stay at a resort with beach access, so let’s explore some of Oahu’s top attractions off the beach. If your kids are up for a hike, they’ll be rewarded with picture-perfect views and a peek into Hawaii’s military history on the Diamond Head State Monument. There is a small entry fee of $5 per person (free for Hawaii residents and children ages 3 and under).
About 30 minutes away by car, you can visit Pearl Harbor. Here, you can visit the Pearl Harbor memorials, explore a large collection of aircraft in the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, discover the USS Bowfin Submarine and so much more. Guided tours and individual ticket packages are available.
With six “Jurassic Park” films released in the past 30 years, your kids are likely as big fans of the franchise as you are. At Kualoa Ranch, you can visit some of the real-life filming locations from these films, along with other popular movies like “Kong Skull Island” and “50 First Dates.”
Related: Save money: How you can book flights to Hawaii using points and miles in 2024
Where to stay
If you are a Disney family through and through, there’s no better place to stay than Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. You can spend your days swimming in the pool, snorkeling in the hotel’s private lagoon and playing on the beach or check out the Disney offerings like character meet-and-greets, animation classes or movies under the stars. Kids ages 4-12 can visit Aunty’s Beach House, a kids club included in the cost of your stay.
Room rates start at around $569 per night when booked with cash or from about $336 if booked with rented points from a site like David’s Vacation Club.
Related: 11 best family resorts in Hawaii for a relaxing vacation
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort offers families direct access to Duke Kahanamoku Beach, but also has a smaller, calm lagoon that may be more popular with younger kids. This resort has five outdoor pools — some with waterslides — hula and lei-making lessons, fish feeding and luau feasts with traditional Samoan, Tahitian and Hawaiian dancing every Sunday through Thursday.
Rates at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort start at around $250 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Arizona
What to do
Families who want to enjoy Arizona’s natural beauty and year-round warm weather have a lot of new options to choose from in 2024 when it comes to places to stay and play.
In addition to timeless landmarks like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Camelback Mountain, President Biden recently designated one million acres of land near the Grand Canyon as the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, ensuring the land, which is home to several native tribes, remains protected. In addition, Chiricahua National Monument in Willcox, Arizona, may soon be Arizona’s newest National Park.
Related: What to pack and where to stay: TPG’s ultimate Grand Canyon family vacation guide
Slated to open sometime in 2024, Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale, Arizona, will feature attractions based on favorite toys like Hot Wheels, Barbie and more. There will be an entire land themed to “Thomas & Friends,” two thrilling Hot Wheels roller coasters and a life-size Barbie Beach House with a rooftop bar and restaurant.
Where to stay
The Mattel Adventure Park mentioned above will be located at the also-soon-to-open Vai Resort. Vai will be the state’s largest resort, with more than 1,100 rooms and suites, a world-class concert venue and a 6-acre swimming complex with a sandy beach.
In other recent opening news, the 141-room Global Ambassador Hotel opened on Dec. 6 at the crossroads of Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Phoenix. This luxury property has a world-class spa and fitness center, select guest rooms with views of Camelback Mountain and a climate-controlled pool. Room rates start at around $560 per night, and it will also be part of Chase’s Luxury Resort & Hotel Collection and Mr & Mrs Smith, beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
What to do
The Guanacaste province of Costa Rica is a destination where eco-conscious families can combine lazy days on the beach with outdoor adventures in the region’s lush, tropical rainforest.
Related: 6 adventurous activities in Costa Rica for families
Playa Tamarindo — along with nearby beaches Playa Grande and Playa Langosta — is well-known for its surf-ready waves, even if you have little (or no) experience on a surfboard. A number of local surf shops offer surfing lessons or boogie board rentals if you aren’t quite ready to brave the waves while standing.
If you can pull yourself away from the surf (and you should), there are ample opportunities to experience the jungles of Costa Rica.
Related: Epic wildlife and sustainable luxury define travel to Costa Rica in 2024
You’ll need to travel a decent way inland, so the easiest option is to book a half-day or full-day tour that leaves from Guanacaste. Spend a day in the treetops of Monteverde’s Cloud Forest, see some of Costa Rica’s breathtakingly blue waterfalls or visit Arenal Volcano National Park.
If you book through Viator, you can get up to 10% cash back through the Rakuten shopping portal or earn miles through the Delta SkyMiles or AAdvantage portals.
Related: Frontier Airlines’ unlimited all-you-can-fly pass now valid for kids, includes $200 flight credit
Where to stay
If you are looking for an all-inclusive option, check out The Westin Reserva Conchal on Playa Conchal. The resort has a dedicated section for families that is close to the pool, beach, restaurants and the included kids club. Family suites have bunk beds, a sofa bed and a queen bed so everyone can sleep comfortably. All-inclusive rates at The Westin Reserva Conchal start at $425 or 73,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, based on double occupancy.
Related: The 13 best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica for beach visits or hiking trips
The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is another family-friendly option located on the shores of Playa Mansita, just a short drive from the town of Tamarindo. You can spend your days soaking in the large oceanfront pool, playing in the sand or exploring the shopping and dining in town. The JW Adventure Kids Club is open to kids ages 4-12 and offers supervised activities and a playground. Room rates start at around $617 or 36,800 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Disney’s Lighthouse Point, Bahamas
While not a traditional destination you can drive or fly to and stay overnight, Disney Cruise Line’s newest private island deserves a spot on this list. Beginning in June of 2024, select Disney Cruise Line itineraries will include a stop at Lighthouse Point. The inaugural sailing will be a seven-night sailing on the Disney Fantasy that stops at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, but all other sailings that visit the new island will be on board the Disney Magic.
Related: Port alert: These 2 cruise lines are building new private destinations in the Bahamas
Lighthouse Point was thoughtfully planned and built to incorporate environmental and cultural awareness into its design and amenities. Disney partnered with local artists to create murals, sculptures and other elements of the island and also plans to offer programming in the island’s Arts and Cultural Pavilion that honors Bahamian traditions and shore excursions developed in partnership with local tour operators.
Lighthouse Point will have a family beach with a water play area for kids and an adults-only beach with a dedicated bar and dining area. Cabanas are available to rent in both sections. Guests can also play volleyball, borrow bikes and water sports equipment or explore nature trails.
Paradise Coast, Florida
What to do
Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades comprise Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast, an area where you can experience the full breadth of what Florida has to offer. In Naples and Marco Island, you can enjoy five-star accommodations and pristine beaches; in the Everglades, you can immerse yourself in the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.
At Everglades National Park, you can view wildlife including alligators, birds, otters and more, on one of the park’s many hiking trails or on a guided tram, kayak or airboat tour.
Related: TPG’s favorite national parks: A month-by-month guide
Families will also enjoy the educational fun at Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (especially if you are in need of a rainy day activity) and the wet and wild excitement of Naples’ Sun-N-Fun Lagoon. If you aren’t staying directly on the beach (or just want to hop around and explore), Vanderbilt Beach is a popular spot for swimming, shelling and watersports that’s also close to shopping and dining. If you travel about 20 miles north of Naples to Lovers State Park, you can swim in more seclusion than the popular in-town beaches or soak up the dog days of summer with your canine companion at Dog Beach Park.
Where to stay
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples reopened in July of 2023 after an extensive transformation. The hotel added three new dining outlets, newly designed guest rooms and a redesigned pool area with four pools, luxury cabanas and immersive water features. What hasn’t changed are Ritz-Carlton’s extraordinary guest service and the breathtaking ocean views.
Room rates start at around $783 or 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Beginning in October 2024, families can visit the newest location in the Great Wolf Lodge water park resort family. Guest suites in this 500-room resort are designed with families in mind. Standard family suites have two queen beds and a sleeper sofa, but we recommend opting for one of the themed suites with a queen bed for parents and a separate bunk bed area for kids. Admission to the resort’s 100,000-square-foot indoor water park is included in your stay. Room rates start at around $200 per night.
Paris
What to do
Regardless of when you visit the City of Light, you’ll be greeted with endless museums, historical landmarks and sprawling green spaces to discover. There is one very special reason to visit in 2024 that may dominate your time in Paris, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those lucky enough to be there in person.
The 2024 Summer Olympics are being held in France from July 26-Aug. 11, and the opening ceremonies will kick off along the Seine in Paris. Some events will require you to travel outside of the city, but some are taking place right in the heart of Paris. You can watch beach volleyball near the Eiffel Tower, fencing and Taekwondo at the Grand Palais and tennis at the 95-year-old Roland-Garros Stadium.
While you’re in town, you can get to Disneyland Paris by bus or train in under an hour. If you prefer to spend more than one day at Disneyland Paris, you can stay in one of the park’s eight themed hotels, including the recently reimagined five-star Disneyland Hotel.
Where to stay
Securing hotel reservations in Paris during the Olympics could almost be a Games event in itself. Your best option is likely going to be an official Olympics travel package, which includes a hotel stay and tickets to one or more events.
Related: The best hotels in Paris
Indianapolis
What to do
All eyes will be on the sky in Indianapolis this spring. On April 8, 2024, millions of Americans will be in the path of a rare total solar eclipse, though only a handful of major cities will be along the path of totality with up to four minutes of dark skies.
Indianapolis is one such city along the so-called path of totality, and they are planning a full weekend of fun, including educational films and lectures, games, live entertainment and more between April 5–8, 2024. The best viewing spots will be at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and White River State Park, but events are being held all over town.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Zoo are also getting in on the action. These also happen to be two of the best attractions for families visiting Indianapolis any time of year. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis recently renovated its interactive dinosaur exhibit, and the Indianapolis Zoo has rides and attractions in addition to animal habitats.
Where to stay
The JW Marriott Indianapolis is located within walking distance of White River State Park. Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of downtown so you can enjoy the city skyline when you aren’t looking up at the sky. Rates start at around $150 or 31,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Families can sleep in a converted 1920s Pullman train car at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station for a unique stay. Traditional rooms are also available, along with an indoor pool, two restaurants and nods to the property’s former life as the country’s first Union Station. Room rates start at around $170 or 22,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Bottom line
At TPG, we are on a never-ending quest to provide travelers with vacation experiences that fit their budget, family size and travel style. Families have endless vacation destinations to choose from, and we’ve compiled the best of the best to help you create your dream getaway.
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