5 City Destinations No One Considers for a Family Vacation

Planning a family vacation is easy for some people. They simply choose one destination and return there every single year. Now, if your family loves to get out and explore while seeing new destinations, you would need to come up with a better plan. Your plan may need to include choosing popular vacation destinations and then going down the list until you have checked them all off. But if you do that, you are bound to skip over some of the most amazing destinations in the country! I have discovered five city destinations that most people never even consider when they are planning their vacations. And let me tell you, these cities would really share their love with you if you simply gave them a chance.

5 City Destinations No One Considers for a Family Vacation

1. Hood River, Oregon

Hood River is only an hour from Portland. Yet very few people choose to add this to their vacation travel bucket list. This city is right on the Columbia River. Therefore, you know time out on the water is going to be included in your vacation plans. A few of the more popular family activities in this city include kayaking, hiking, kite surfing, and mountain biking. And if you want an adult activity, there are numerous breweries and wineries to visit. Imagine spending the day out in nature, making memories with your kids, and then relaxing with a new drink every evening!

2. Buffalo, New York 

The city of Buffalo is directly on the shoreline of Lake Erie. This may not be good news in the winter, thanks to all the lake effect snow. But spending the summer months in the city will have you out on the lake, whether swimming, paddleboarding, or fishing from a boat. History lovers will want to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. And future architects will want to spend quite a bit of time at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House. And don’t forget to eat some of the infamous buffalo chicken wings during your vacation to this city destination!

3. Appleton, Wisconsin

There are so many things to do in Wisconsin. And yet, so many people choose to vacation in the larger cities instead of areas like Appleton. This charming city has everything you want for a vacation away from home. Lazy days can be spent wandering through the downtown streets or grabbing ingredients at the Farmer’s Market. If your family loves to eat out, then the restaurants along the Fox River will be calling your name. During your family vacation in Appleton, you must take one of the sunset cruises along the river. It is an excellent ending to any day.

4. Las Cruces, New Mexico

The cultural scene in the city destination of Las Cruces is amazing. The options are endless when it comes to history, science, and art museums. Add in the multiple art galleries and you may feel like you have found your new home. And if the outdoors is more your family’s style, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails in this area of New Mexico. I recommend beginning at the Dripping Springs Natural Area before heading over to the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument.

5. Peoria, Illinois

Another cultural destination that is left off vacation travel bucket lists is Peoria, Illinois. This large city sits directly on the Illinois River. This city may be close to Chicago, but it’s vibe couldn’t be more different. Your family can wander through the city streets. But your kids may prefer to spend their time with the bison, cougars, and bears at the Wildlife Prairie Park. Other places of interest include the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Luthy Botanical Garden.

These are five city destinations no one really considers when planning a family vacation. If you are looking to visit somewhere new to make memories with your family, I recommend considering these destinations. Or use them as a guideline to find another underrated city for your next vacation.

So, are you ready to plan a family vacation in one of these city destinations?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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