Recommended by: Amanda House

 

We love to stay beachside, at Westwinds or one of the other condo buildings right on the Gulf.  The beautiful beach has the best white sand and clear emerald water.  We also love all the resort activities for kids at Baytown Wharf – high ropes, playground, zipline, etc.  It is our absolute favorite summer beach vacation spot to go with our friends and their families. 

 

Note: The SanDestin resort complex is huge, with many subdivisions/buildings within the resort.  I recommend looking at a map to see what works best for you.  Staying at the Grand complex on the bayside is great with smaller kids.  We love staying on the beachside now.  You can book rooms/units through the resort website or on VRBO. 

 

 

Recommended by: Katherine O’Kelley

There is so much to do, or nothing to do. Nothing is more relaxing than lake time.  You can swim, boat, kayak, fish, tube, float, hike, and have a campfire all in the same day!  It's an easy and accessible vacation spot with lots of activities surrounded by some gorgeous natural scenery.  If you want to venture beyond the lake, there are tons of state parks, whitewater rafting, historical sites, and even the charming cities of Greenville, SC, or Highlands, NC, within an hour's drive.

Note: Renting a house on the lake is your best bet to take advantage of all the lake has to offer.  There are plenty of boat rentals if you don't want to bring your own.  If you're out on the water, stop by Party Cove, where everyone parks the boat and enjoys a party atmosphere right beside a waterfall.  You can also stop at one of the lakeside restaurants for a bite or a drink.  Don't miss the hiking and many waterfalls in the area, they're spectacular.  Plan for at least a week to enjoy this great spot.  Spring to Fall is a great time to visit, but you'll be able to enjoy the lake the most between May and September. 

Recommended by: Gina Ferrara

We love St. Pete for the beaches and boating, and downtown has museums, theatre, fun restaurants, and shops. The city maintains its parks and trails, which makes it ideal for biking or playing pickleball and tennis in the early morning or late afternoon.

Note: It's HOT, so make sure you have water and sunscreen. Book your favorite restaurants in advance because they get busy. And make sure to set aside some time to visit downtown St. Pete's art scene, which includes several museums and street art.

 

Recommended by: Brooke von Fricken

We really love to do a getaway to Amelia Island! We love staying at the Ritz because it’s very kid-friendly and is a gorgeous beach resort. There are plenty of kids' activities and the kids' club! Perks of staying at the resort mean we don’t need to bring or set up our own chairs and umbrellas! The kids love playing in the pool, the splash pad, and on the beach. The restaurants are great, too! 

 

Note: They may book up, so reserve in advance.

 

Recommended by Kim Miles

St. Mary's is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island.  We love the pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches, and the marshes.   It’s a perfect place for hiking, biking, and swimming too.  Wild horses roam freely on the island, with a rich history there.

 

Note: There is no bridge to the island; you must take the Cumberland Ferry from St. Marys.

 

Recommended by Gus Cancellieri

 

The Hawks Cay resort was so fun! You can paddleboard in the private lagoon area, they have a great pool, there are delicious restaurants nearby, and we went snorkeling, which was very cool. The hotel was really nice, too. Also, nearby is a Sea Turtle Hospital, which was fun to visit.

 

Note: Hawks Cay is in Marathon, so if you plan to visit Key West, you’ll want to book separate accommodations as it’s pretty far.  Also, we were surprised that no Key Lime Pie was as tasty as the Blue Highway Key Lime tart.

 

Recommended by The Fulda Boys

 

We love the large pool, the lazy river, and the water slide for kids. They have a poolside bar and food, bikes to use, a gorgeous beach with service like food and towels, and the views from the hotel room were really nice.

 

Note: It gets very busy so book early to get a spot.

Recommended by Alex and Paul Fulda

What we love most about Yosemite is that feeling when you first drive in – it’s just massive and beautiful and kind of humbling.  We love the hikes – there’s always something amazing to see, whether it’s waterfalls, views, or wildlife. Glacier Point at night is my favorite. Lying there looking up at the stars is seriously unforgettable.  It just feels like a whole other world.

 

Note: Plan the trip in advance and book early.

 

Recommended by Sherri Cousins 

My family lives in Glynn County, Georgia, and when I visit them, I like to go to the beach on Jekyll Island.  It’s quiet, not crowded, and the sand dunes are beautiful.  It’s not touristy like St. Simons Island can be (St. Simons is also fun, I grew up there).  Jekyll Island is owned by the state as a state park.  Lots of local seafood, which is delicious, especially the wild GA caught shrimp!  There is a lot of history there, too.

 

Recommended by Jaclyn Dorsey

Our favorite summer spot is Venice Beach, FL. We have visited every summer since I was a child. Venice’s beaches are stunning, with clear blue waters and soft, white sand—ideal for shark tooth hunting! The area also offers numerous sandbars, perfect for boating, fishing, relaxing, and floating in the sun.

In addition to being known as the Shark Tooth Capital, Venice Beach offers a dog-friendly beach park, vibrant downtown art shows, and a variety of charming cafés and boutique shops. While it was once primarily recognized as a retirement/snowbird destination, the area has grown significantly and now features a healthy blend of retirees and young families.