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What are the Best Places for Family Vacations? contents
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A happy family vacationing at the beach by the waves with kids resting on their parents' shoulders.

What are the Best Places for Family Vacations?

Published December 11, 2024
4 min read
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Key points about: the best places for family vacations

  1. There are many great spots for a family vacation in the United States.

  2. You may want to try hiking or visiting a national park if your family enjoys nature or beaches if you prefer the seaside.

  3. A travel credit card can help you save money on your next family vacation.

Are you thinking about planning your next family vacation and don't know where to start? From the East Coast to the West Coast, there are plenty of places to travel to in the United States that the entire family can enjoy. Plus, when you travel with your credit card, you can enjoy your vacation and potentially save some cash too. Here are some of the best family vacation spots for the whole family to enjoy:

Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If your family likes the great outdoors, North Carolina stands out as a must-see destination. From its majestic mountains to the relaxing shores of its lakes, North Carolina draws adventure-seekers of all ages.

 

While there, you may want to visit the Smoky Mountains National Park. This national park offers hiking trails leading through picturesque landscapes and provides breath-taking views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Your family can enjoy picnics in the middle of nature or view wildlife while bicycling. Bring along your travel credit card to buy snacks, blankets, and food storage items. If you have a Discover it® Miles travel credit card, you can earn 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

Get up-close to nature at the San Diego zoo

San Diego, with its beautiful weather and beaches, stands out as one of the most popular family destinations in the United States. This California city offers the perfect mix of coastal relaxation and natural adventures that the whole family can enjoy.  

 

Take a trip with the family to the San Diego Zoo, a must-see for visitors of all ages. The zoo is home to a wide variety of animal species from all over the world and offers an opportunity for learning and fun for the whole family.

With a Discover travel credit card, you earn 1.5x Miles on every purchase, at home or away.

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The beaches of San Diego are equally attractive. La Jolla, with its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun. Here families can take long walks along the coast, picnic, or snorkel. And if you’re up for adventure and willing to learn a new sport, according to SanDiego.gov, La Jolla hosts novice scuba classes.

Enjoy fun and sun at Newport Beach

For families looking for a beach vacation, Santa Monica and Newport Beach may be your best bet. These coastal spots offer a unique atmosphere, with iconic beaches, busy piers, and waterfront restaurants providing the perfect mix of relaxation and fun. In Santa Monica, families can stroll on the famous Santa Monica Pier where they can enjoy street performances, carnival games, and food stalls. 

 

On the other side, Newport Beach welcomes families with a feeling of adventure. Here, families can rent bicycles and ride around the famous Balboa Fun Zone, a carnival-like area along the beach. With shops, restaurants, and sailboat rides, there's activities for the whole family to enjoy.

 

Food, entertainment, and souvenirs can quickly become costly when you're buying for the entire family. But with a credit card, you can potentially save for your next trip with the Miles that you earn.

Did you know?

With a Discover it® Miles travel credit card, you can turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.1

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See a butterfly conservatory in Key West

Key West, located in sunny Florida, is perfect for families seeking a tropical experience. Key West is probably most famous for its diving and snorkeling, and offers an ideal spot to relax for those seeking sun. From boat trips to fishing and snorkeling, there is always something new to explore.

 

But the wonders of Key West are not limited to its water activities. The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a must-see. Here, you can explore a variety of different butterfly species and exotic flora. Purchase tickets, food, souvenirs, and more with your credit card knowing that you automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

Save on your family vacation with a credit card

A family vacation can be a time to create lasting memories. With careful planning and wise use of your credit card, you can make your travel experience even more enjoyable and convenient. Learn more about how a travel credit card can help you and your family save on your next trip.

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  1. Redeem Miles: Starting at 1 Mile, you can redeem your Miles as a credit to your account to pay for all or part of your bill, for cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account, or for a credit for Travel Purchases made on your statement within the last 180 days. Each Mile is equal to $0.01. Miles cannot be redeemed directly with a specific airline carrier. Travel Purchases include airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, travel agents, online travel sites, commuter transportation, restaurants and gas stations. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible.

    Even if a travel purchase on your statement appears to fit in a Travel Purchase category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in a Travel Purchase category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not be eligible for credit redemption if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.