PARENTS magazine recently announced the top 20 U.S. getaways for families in this year’s Family Travel Awards. Selected by a panel of judges including editors and experts in the field, the 2021 winners offer safe, affordable, and fun outdoor experiences for all ages. Providing trip-planning inspiration for when the time is right,
“With many families starting to think about and plan their first trips in quite some time, we know that health and well-being is top-of-mind,” said PARENTS Editor in Chief Julia Edelstein. “This year’s list features destinations that bring families close to nature, offer lots of adventure, and above all else, provide a safe environment for the entire family.”
After nominating more than 150 places within the U.S. that offer a variety of outdoor activities, space to socially distance, and enhanced safety protocols for COVID-19, PARENTS editors and family travel experts voted on the nominations to determine the 20 winners, placing a priority on safety, value, and kid-friendly attractions in their selection criteria.
The full list of 2021 winners can be found below:
ADVENTURE RESORTS
Best All-Inclusive Resort: Quisisana Resort, Center Lovell, Maine
Best Multigenerational Resort: Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key, Florida
Best Resort for Decompressing: Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg, Virginia
Best Resort for Kids of All Ages: Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville, Vermont
Best Resort for the Whole Family: Nemacolin, Farmington, Pennsylvania
BEACH TOWNS
Best Beach Town on the East Coast: Cape May, New Jersey
Best Beach Town on the Gulf Coast: Seaside, Florida
Best Beach Town on a Lake: Grand Haven, Michigan
Best Beach Town on the West Coast: Laguna Beach, California
Best Island: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
CAMPING TRIPS
Best Beachfront Camping: Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina
Best Cabins: West Glacier KOA Resort, Montana
Best Creative Camping: Zion Wildflower Resort, Virgin, Utah
Best Glamping Tents: Sandy Pines Campground, Kennebunkport, Maine
Best Treehouse Stays: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Golden Valley, North Carolina
NATIONAL PARKS
Best Adventure: White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Best for Family Hikes: Redwood National and State Parks, California
Best for Science in Action: Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Best for Spying Animals: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Best for Water Fun: Olympic National Park, Washington
In addition to naming the Family Travel Award winners, PARENTS also spotlights standout new and newly re-opening theme parks and resorts to put on your bucket list, including:
- Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaii
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Orlando
- LEGOLAND New York Resort, Goshen
- Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, Mexico
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia
- Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay, Chula Vista, California
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Universal Orlando Resort
- Under Canvas’ new properties in Lake Powell–Grand Staircase, in Big Water, Utah; and Acadia National Park, in Surry, Maine
SOURCE: Meredith Corporation