This big city suburb is one of the hottest destinations for families right now
This big city suburb is one of the hottest destinations for families right now
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The Bucket List Family gives five tips for traveling with kids
The Bucket List Family sold everything to travel around the world. Here are their tips for traveling with children.
Cary, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, is a popular family-friendly destination.
The area offers numerous attractions, including Downtown Cary Park, Marbles Kids Museum, and several botanical gardens.
Families can also visit the Museum of Life and Science and the historic Pullen Park.
Raleigh, North Carolina, is having a moment right now – one that puts families at the forefront and continues to earn the city national clout, including a spot on our list of the best U.S. destinations to vacation with kids.
The city's central location on the east coast, about halfway between Florida and New York, makes for enjoyable road trips and quick flights. Ease of accessibility continues once you arrive, too, with the most sought-after suburbs and attractions all seemingly within a 15-minute drive. That's the number we kept hearing on a recent trip to Cary, whenever we asked a local how much time it'd take to reach a place we wanted to visit. And it was true.
SAND SEEKERS: 10 best family beaches in North Carolina
Less than a 15-minute drive from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Cary is a thriving district for families, abuzz with one of the coolest parks I've ever seen and an easily walkable downtown sprinkled with charming buildings and trendy eateries. Cary is the hot spot when it comes to Raleigh attractions for family fun, and its diverse range of offerings has something for every age.
What to do
▶ Downtown Cary Park: Seven acres of lush, green space are dedicated to Downtown Cary Park. You'll find sprawling woodland-themed playgrounds that are modern and thoughtfully designed, with sections for different age groups. There are also slides, rock walls, and other kid-friendly obstacles built into a hillside. A skywalk trail meanders over a lake and alongside a fragrant botanical garden. Other spaces built into the natural surroundings include a pavilion that hosts occasional events, a great lawn, and water fountains.
▶ Marbles Kids Museum: My kiddos, aged four and two, would have spent all day at Marbles Kids Museum if we let them. Themed exhibits make way for learning, playing, and discovering. They include Imagifab for little inventors, with a section for building blocks of all shapes and sizes, as well as an interactive drawing room that brings kids' creations to life on a big screen; Moneypalooza, where a playground and series of activity stations spiritedly showcase the importance of healthy spending; and an indoor-outdoor section centered around the process of growing plants, fruits, and veggies.
▶ Botanical Gardens: One of my favorite places to take my kids, wherever we travel, is a botanical garden. They are nature's playgrounds, inspiring imaginative play and exploration. There are several botanical gardens around 'The Triangle,' a nickname for Raleigh and its neighboring university cities, and they're free to enjoy. Raleigh's JC Raulston Arboretum and the North Carolina Botanical Garden a little further out are our favorites. Both offer ample grounds for families to wander as well as dedicated kids' spaces.
▶ Museum of Life and Science: Nature continues to set the stage for learning at this unique science museum spread out across 84 acres. Kids can dig for fossils on the Dinosaur Trail, get up close and personal with North Carolina wildlife, soak up the scenery on an old-time train ride, ignite their sense of wonder at the mist field, and more. Two acres are dedicated to Hideaway Woods, where you'll find treehouses (including some designed for the littlest visitors), a wading stream, and nature-inspired play spaces.
▶ Pullen Park: At this quintessential amusement park, families will find enough activities to keep kids entertained for hours. Pullen Park's storied past is also part of its allure. Established in 1887, this 66.4-acre swath comprising Raleigh attractions for family fun is not only North Carolina's first public park, but also the U.S.'s fifth-oldest amusement park and 16th oldest in the world. Historic features include its carousel, built in 1911, and the Pullen Park Caboose, an authentic train car from the Norfolk Southern Railway. Families can also enjoy rides on a mini vintage-style train, pedal boating, and various playgrounds.
Where to stay
The Mayton
Nestled next to Downtown Cary Park, The Mayton spoils guests with easy accessibility to the city's thriving recreational, dining, and entertainment scenes. Forty-four distinctly designed rooms and suites cater to families with above-average square footage, and pack-and-plays are available upon request. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant with a spacious outdoor terrace treats kids to dedicated menus. Service all around feels very 'small town' and personal, and the property is fully tapped into the local culture.
The Mayton's Downtown Cary Park Movie Night package creates the perfect outing for families to enjoy the park's nighttime movie series. Complete with a cozy picnic blanket, and cookies and popcorn curated from local businesses, the package offers the perfect way to enjoy films like 'Moana 2' and 'Shrek' under the stars. Other perks of the package include a $15 breakfast credit per person, per night, as well as discounted pricing.
This big city suburb is one of the hottest destinations for families right now originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
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USA Today
13-05-2025
- USA Today
This big city suburb is one of the hottest destinations for families right now
This big city suburb is one of the hottest destinations for families right now Show Caption Hide Caption The Bucket List Family gives five tips for traveling with kids The Bucket List Family sold everything to travel around the world. Here are their tips for traveling with children. Cary, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, is a popular family-friendly destination. The area offers numerous attractions, including Downtown Cary Park, Marbles Kids Museum, and several botanical gardens. Families can also visit the Museum of Life and Science and the historic Pullen Park. Raleigh, North Carolina, is having a moment right now – one that puts families at the forefront and continues to earn the city national clout, including a spot on our list of the best U.S. destinations to vacation with kids. The city's central location on the east coast, about halfway between Florida and New York, makes for enjoyable road trips and quick flights. Ease of accessibility continues once you arrive, too, with the most sought-after suburbs and attractions all seemingly within a 15-minute drive. That's the number we kept hearing on a recent trip to Cary, whenever we asked a local how much time it'd take to reach a place we wanted to visit. And it was true. SAND SEEKERS: 10 best family beaches in North Carolina Less than a 15-minute drive from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Cary is a thriving district for families, abuzz with one of the coolest parks I've ever seen and an easily walkable downtown sprinkled with charming buildings and trendy eateries. Cary is the hot spot when it comes to Raleigh attractions for family fun, and its diverse range of offerings has something for every age. What to do ▶ Downtown Cary Park: Seven acres of lush, green space are dedicated to Downtown Cary Park. You'll find sprawling woodland-themed playgrounds that are modern and thoughtfully designed, with sections for different age groups. There are also slides, rock walls, and other kid-friendly obstacles built into a hillside. A skywalk trail meanders over a lake and alongside a fragrant botanical garden. Other spaces built into the natural surroundings include a pavilion that hosts occasional events, a great lawn, and water fountains. ▶ Marbles Kids Museum: My kiddos, aged four and two, would have spent all day at Marbles Kids Museum if we let them. Themed exhibits make way for learning, playing, and discovering. They include Imagifab for little inventors, with a section for building blocks of all shapes and sizes, as well as an interactive drawing room that brings kids' creations to life on a big screen; Moneypalooza, where a playground and series of activity stations spiritedly showcase the importance of healthy spending; and an indoor-outdoor section centered around the process of growing plants, fruits, and veggies. ▶ Botanical Gardens: One of my favorite places to take my kids, wherever we travel, is a botanical garden. They are nature's playgrounds, inspiring imaginative play and exploration. There are several botanical gardens around 'The Triangle,' a nickname for Raleigh and its neighboring university cities, and they're free to enjoy. Raleigh's JC Raulston Arboretum and the North Carolina Botanical Garden a little further out are our favorites. Both offer ample grounds for families to wander as well as dedicated kids' spaces. ▶ Museum of Life and Science: Nature continues to set the stage for learning at this unique science museum spread out across 84 acres. Kids can dig for fossils on the Dinosaur Trail, get up close and personal with North Carolina wildlife, soak up the scenery on an old-time train ride, ignite their sense of wonder at the mist field, and more. Two acres are dedicated to Hideaway Woods, where you'll find treehouses (including some designed for the littlest visitors), a wading stream, and nature-inspired play spaces. ▶ Pullen Park: At this quintessential amusement park, families will find enough activities to keep kids entertained for hours. Pullen Park's storied past is also part of its allure. Established in 1887, this 66.4-acre swath comprising Raleigh attractions for family fun is not only North Carolina's first public park, but also the U.S.'s fifth-oldest amusement park and 16th oldest in the world. Historic features include its carousel, built in 1911, and the Pullen Park Caboose, an authentic train car from the Norfolk Southern Railway. Families can also enjoy rides on a mini vintage-style train, pedal boating, and various playgrounds. Where to stay The Mayton Nestled next to Downtown Cary Park, The Mayton spoils guests with easy accessibility to the city's thriving recreational, dining, and entertainment scenes. Forty-four distinctly designed rooms and suites cater to families with above-average square footage, and pack-and-plays are available upon request. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant with a spacious outdoor terrace treats kids to dedicated menus. Service all around feels very 'small town' and personal, and the property is fully tapped into the local culture. The Mayton's Downtown Cary Park Movie Night package creates the perfect outing for families to enjoy the park's nighttime movie series. Complete with a cozy picnic blanket, and cookies and popcorn curated from local businesses, the package offers the perfect way to enjoy films like 'Moana 2' and 'Shrek' under the stars. Other perks of the package include a $15 breakfast credit per person, per night, as well as discounted pricing. This big city suburb is one of the hottest destinations for families right now originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
USA Today
10-05-2025
- USA Today
These 12 family beach resorts go way beyond sandcastles and sunscreen
These 12 family beach resorts go way beyond sandcastles and sunscreen Show Caption Hide Caption The Bucket List Family gives five tips for traveling with kids The Bucket List Family sold everything to travel around the world. Here are their tips for traveling with children. Packing up the kids and heading to the beach is one of the most popular family vacation ideas in the U.S. for a good reason. Whether you're into splashing in the surf, building (and destroying) elaborate sandcastles, or just lounging in the sun with a few beach essentials on hand, family beach vacations can be a relaxing reset for the whole family. But relaxing isn't all you can do at the best U.S. beach resorts. In fact, the country's most kid-friendly beach hotels offer everything from soothing spa treatments and oceanfront restaurants to cool kids clubs, over-the-top pools, and more water sports options than you can shake a pool noodle at. 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Kiawah Island Golf Resort Kiawah Island, South Carolina What makes Kiawah Island Golf Resort one of the best beach resorts in the U.S. for families? Start with the scenic setting on a South Carolina barrier island that's only about 20 miles from historic Charleston. Then move on to the three lodging options available: the 255-room, much-lauded The Sanctuary oceanfront hotel and spa; the 500 resort villas and private homes available as vacation rentals; and The Cottages at The Ocean Course, consisting of four two-story, four-bedroom spaces ideally situated for golfers interested in playing the resort's five championship courses designed by famed golf course architects. Amenities and recreational opportunities here include a tennis center, luxe spa, three pool complexes, bike and paddleboard rentals, and all kinds of activities for kids and teens. Later in 2025, the resort will open a new activity center at Night Heron Park with a new nature center, eight bowling lanes, an old-school arcade, a family-friendly pub, and two golf simulators. It all adds up to a special spot for both beach vacations and golf vacations. 8. Mauna Kea Resort Big Island, Hawaii Whether you choose to stay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, or one of Mauna Kea Residences's luxury vacation rentals, you'll have access to all that the picturesque Mauna Kea Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer. That includes three pools (including two kid-friendly pools), two golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, and seven dining options. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel sits along the white-sand Kauna'oa Bay, and The Westin fronts a stretch of family-friendly Hapuna Beach. Both offer complimentary beach activities like snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and daily outrigger canoe experiences. 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Kids ages five to 10 can head to the resort's Camp Ridley for nature walks, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts, giving parents time for a yoga session or beach-inspired treatment at the spa. The resort has multiple dining options and a convenient location for exploring local sites like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. And a recent renovation of all guest rooms and suites has not only amped up their beachy style but also added features like nightlights under bathroom counters and mirrors and multiple USB outlets that will definitely come in handy if you're traveling with teenagers. 11. The Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach, Oregon Overlooking a gorgeous stretch of Oregon's famed Cannon Beach, the 45-room Ocean Lodge is one of the best beach resorts in the U.S. for cozy comforts and nostalgic charm. Douglas fir beams and a two-story wood-burning river-rock fireplace set the scene in the lobby, where guests can find coffee and a cookie jar filled with fresh baked cookies throughout the day. No two guest rooms are exactly alike at this Oregon beach resort, but they all have mini-refrigerators, microwaves, and gas fireplaces, and some feature decks and patios for enjoying ocean views. Select rooms are also pet-friendly, and the lodge offers a dog wash on the front lawn for rinsing off after a day at the beach. The grownups can partake in the daily evening wine reception or get a nightcap delivered to their room, while everyone in the family is free to enjoy the hotel's collection of games, books, and movies during a stay. 12. The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel Gulf Shores, Alabama Part of the Hilton brand, The Lodge at Gulf State Park is an environmentally friendly family beach resort designed for get-away-from-it-all, nature-filled escapes. 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Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
USA Today
09-04-2025
- USA Today
The most exciting new guided adventure tours for 2025
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Tasmania Multi-Adventure Backroads Another new market for Backroads, the company's "Tasmania Multi-Adventure Tour" spans eight days of walking, hiking, biking, and kayaking through Australia's pristine Tasmanian landscape, where you might even encounter unique wildlife like wombats and wallabies. As with its Baltics cycling trip, this brand-new Backroads tour is designed to accommodate a range of fitness levels. It also includes accommodations at premiere hotels, most meals, and the use of high-quality equipment for all activities. Prices start at $7,499 per person, with departures beginning in November. Backroads review: Active tours for many different fitness levels 3. Summits of the Transylvanian Alps Exodus Travels Designed for active travelers aged 16 and above, Exodus Travels' brand-new "Summits of the Transylvanian Alps' is an eight-day guided trekking adventure through Romania's Carpathian Mountains. There you'll explore scenic trails, summit multiple peaks—including La Om, the highest point in Piatra Craiului National Park—and spend two nights in remote mountain cabins, immersing yourself in the region's natural beauty. You'll also experience Romanian hospitality at the family-run Villa Hermani. The $1,725 per person price includes accommodations, all breakfasts, six packed lunches, and seven dinners. Arrival and departure transfers are also provided. Daily treks range from five to 12 hours, covering distances between five to 11 miles on low-altitude terrain with some steep ascents. For those interested in exploring the Carpathian Mountains further, Exodus Travels also offers tours such as "Carpathian Walking & Bears" and "Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe." 4. Pakistan: Hike the Karakoram Mountains G Adventures Big news for adventure seekers: G Adventures is heading to Pakistan in 2025! 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The small group setting limits tour size to an average of 15-18 participants, providing a new level of personalized attention to the iconic company's traditional group tour format. A great example is the 11-day "Majestic Japan" tour, which begins in Tokyo before continuing on to Nagoya (via bullet train), Kyoto, and Miyajima Island (via ferry). This is on the softer side of "adventure," with highlights focusing on visits to several UNESCO gems and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The package price starts at $5,449 per person and includes accommodations in centrally located hotels, daily breakfasts, several lunches and dinners, guided sightseeing tours, and all transportation within Japan, including bullet train journeys. 8. Bali Island Hopping Contiki An eight-day adventure designed for travelers aged 18 to 35, Contiki's "Bali Island Hopping" tour explores some of Bali's most picturesque beaches, towns, and turquoise waters, meeting what the company describes as a new-for-2025 surge in demand for Bali vacations. The journey begins in Seminyak, where you can enjoy welcome drinks at the renowned Potato Head Beach Club. Subsequent days include a traditional Balinese cooking class, opportunities for whitewater rafting, and exploration of the Gili Islands, offering activities such as cycling or snorkeling. The tour starts at $1,225 per person and includes seven breakfasts, one lunch, eight nights in hotels, and transportation throughout the trip. The group size is capped at 30 participants. Expert Trip Managers and local guides accompany you along the way to ensure things run smoothly. For those seeking a longer adventure, Contiki also offers the "Indonesia Island Hopping" tour, a 13-day journey that extends beyond Bali to include destinations like Komodo National Park. 9. Best of the Pacific Northwest Trafalgar Group tour specialist Trafalgar's new-for-2025 "Best of the Pacific Northwest" includes visits to iconic sites such as Seattle's Pike Place Market, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Portland's International Rose Test Garden, and San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf over a span of eight days. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate scenic drives through Bandon State Natural Area, Redwood National and State Parks, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and the famed Avenue of the Giants. Priced from $3,495 per person, the package includes seven nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, one lunch, and three dinners. Unique activities include wine tasting at Terra Vina Wines Vineyard in the Willamette Valley and a visit to TMK Creamery, aligning with Trafalgar's 'MAKE TRAVEL MATTER' initiative. For those interested in exploring similar regions, Trafalgar also offers the "Scenic Seattle, Portland & the Oregon Coast" tour, which delves into the natural beauty and cultural highlights of the Pacific Northwest. 10. Central Europe: Prague, Salzburg & Vienna Adventures by Disney With a completely reimagined itinerary for 2025, Adventures by Disney's immersive eight-day, seven-night "Central Europe: Prague, Salzburg & Vienna" takes in historic landmarks such as Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral as well as the Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave (the world's largest) and a private dinner at Europe's oldest restaurant, dating back to the year 803 CE. Additional highlights include a falconry demonstration at the 900-year-old Hohenwerfen Castle and a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Traunsee. Adventures by Disney is an upscale tour brand that largely (but not exclusively) caters to families. This guided tour starts at $6,999 per adult based on double occupancy and includes accommodations in centrally located hotels, daily breakfast, select lunches and dinners, guided tours, and cultural experiences. Disney-trained Adventure Guides lead the way with the brand's signature friendliness and expertise. Adventures by Disney review: Disney's tour company brings storytelling to life through travel The best new guided adventure tours for 2025 originally appeared on More from TourScoop: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. 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