Sorry, Angelina, but you’re not the only globetrotting mama in town. From day trips to one-tank trips to glam camping getaways, our mom editors share their favorite summer vacation photos and give you the inside scoop on family-friendly destinations worth traveling to with your brood.
Who: Fitness Editor Helaine with her family of 5, ages 12, 10 and 6.
Where: Paws Up Resort and Tours of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park
Accommodations: Luxe-camping at Montana’s Paws Up resort includes “tents” with modern bathrooms and a camping butler who caters to your every whim (evening s’mores anyone?). Guests are served “haute-grill” cuisine out at the dining pavilion.
Family-Friendly Faves: Pony and horseback riding, ATVing down the Snake River, cattlewrangling and the hot springs at Yellowstone National Park. (insider tip: most activities are good for ages 10 and up, make sure to book early!)
Who: Marketing Manager Wendy and her 3 and 5 year olds.
Where: Venice Beach, California
Accommodations: A beachfront condo.
Family-Friendly Faves: Renting bikes with attached trailers for rides up and down the coast-stopping at all the amazing playgrounds along the way. Playing in the sand. The carnival pier in Santa Monica with every ride and game a kid could want and a fun day trip to the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena which had amazing interactive exhibits like a simulated body of water the kids can climb through and explore.
Who: Dining Editor Carla with her kids ages 2, 4 and 7.
Where: Jersey Shore
Accommodations: A house by the beach in Mantaloking, NJ.
Family-Friendly Faves: The rides, games and minigolf on Jenkinsons Boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant, the clean and fun aquarium also at Jenkinsons, plus, family-friendly dining at the Labrador Lounge in Normandy Beach.
Who: Editor In Chief, Jennifer with her 6 and 9 year olds.
Where: Southern Maine
Accommodations: Inn By the Sea in Cape Elizabeth; a pet-friendly, family friendly, coastal resort on the beach, near all the fun sea-side towns and right outside of Portland.
Family-Friendly Faves:Tubing on Long Lake, lobster fishing on a real lobster boat and eating the day’s catch for dinner, visiting York Beach’s Goldenrod Candy Store and watching salt water taffy being made (then tasting it). Plus, dining at James Beard recognized Earth Restaurant in Kennebunkport, and blueberry picking on the way home.
