So, before booking your next family beach trip in the United States, make sure you research the destination or choose from these kid-friendly beach vacations.
Top 10 Kid-Friendly Beach Vacations in the United States
There are plenty of kid-friendly beach vacation options with THIRDHOME!
1. Assateague Island, Maryland
This sliver of oceanside paradise extends from Southern Delaware, through Maryland and all the way to Northern Virginia. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll be focusing on the Maryland segment of Assateague Island National Seashore near Ocean City. The wild horses that roam the island are one of the main attractions for visitors. The horses are technically wild but are effectively tame. Just don’t feed them! Your kids will love swimming in the Atlantic, exploring Ocean City and taking pictures with the locals.
2. Clearwater Beach, Florida
Florida’s Gulf west-facing coast is filled with splendid beaches, many of which are great for kid-friendly beach vacations. But few Floridian beaches offer Clearwater’s level of kid-friendliness and number of activities. Clearwater has been voted “Best Beach Town in Florida” a number of times due to its cleanliness, safe and shallow waters, walkability and surrounding activities. City workers rake the sand every morning and local law enforcement patrol the beaches every day, leaving a safe and fine talcum powder-like grain behind for eager families to relax on. Your kids will love swimming in the crystal clear surf. They don’t call it “Clearwater” for nothing!
3. Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
A longtime, Cape Cod favorite, Coast Guard Beach is the perfect Northeastern family getaway. You’ll find rolling dunes, marshlands and big waves at Coast Guard Beach. If you look close enough, you might also catch a sea lion swimming offshore. The beach also has historical significance. 65 days out from Plymouth, the Mayflower made its first landfall in the New World at Coast Guard Beach. If you’re a family that loves history, you won’t find a lack of it in Cape Cod.
4. Corolla Beach, North Carolina
The Outer Banks of North Carolina have always been a family-favorite beach destination. The long stretch of communities, that make up the Outer Banks, all have something different to offer. The town of Corolla, where Corolla Beach is located, is known for its seclusion and wealth of shopping and dining options. Take your family to the Center for Wildlife Education, the Kitty Hawk First Flight Museum or observe the majestic beauty of Corolla’s Wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs that roam the shores. The beach itself is immaculately kept and less populated than other parts of the Outer Banks, making Corrola Beach the perfect destination for kid-friendly beach vacations.
5. Gulf State Park, Alabama
Alabama’s Gulf Shores boasts 3.5 miles of unspoiled white sand beaches. With that much space, it’s very easy to find a quiet secluded spot for your family. Plus, the Orange Beach area has plenty to offer children of all ages. The Wharf, one of Orange Beach’s busiest spots, offers unique shopping, entertainment and dining for your family. Gulf Shores is also home to the country’s largest artificial reef program, making it a wonderful destination for charter fishing. This area is very popular for kid-friendly beach vacations.
6. Hanalei Bay Beach, Hawaii
This nearly 3-mile long horseshoe beach is located on the northern coast of Kauai Island, amidst a picturesque mountain backdrop. Hanalei Bay is a well-kept secret and hasn’t been widely commercialized for tourists, making for a secluded old-school Hawaiian feel. You won’t find any large crowds or loud music in this turquoise blue gem. The intensity of the waves also changes depending on your location on the beach. The far-side, near the pier, offers weak waves for beginners. The closer you move to the middle, the larger the waves get. This beach is perfect for children learning how to surf or boogie board.
7. Hilton Head, South Carolina
The southern region of Hilton Head, near Coligny Beach, is the best beachfront for a quality day with the family. Although the popularity of Hilton Head might make this beach more crowded than others on this list, it’s easy to see why families flock back to Coligny Beach every year. The number of shopping and dining amenities in the area makes it so convenient! The beach also has fine white sand that is hard-packed for comfortable sitting and sunbathing. Shallow waters with flat sandy bottoms also make the beach safe for first-time swimmers.
8. Kailua Beach Park, Hawaii
This 2.5 miles beach on Oahu gives Hanalei Bay a run for its money. Located only 30 minutes from Honolulu, Kailua Beach is one of the most easily accessible beaches in Hawaii. The water is a clear turquoise blue like Hanalei Bay and the sand is equally as inviting. But calm waters and additional park amenities make this beach stand out. Beach showers, bathrooms, grills, kayak rentals, lifeguards and volleyball courts are available to visitors. This beach usually features a kid-friendly beach crowd and should be perfect for a family-friendly Hawaii holiday.
9. Kiawah Beachwalker Park
Just southwest of Charleston and two hours up the coast from Hilton Head is Kiawah Beachwalker Park. This well-kept park sits on the west end of Kiawah Island and includes a number of park amenities including drink vendors, picnic areas, restrooms and dressing areas. A cooperative of county commissions all pitch in to make sure that Kiawah Beachwalker Park is as clean as possible for visitors. A gentle surf and a large number of accumulated tide pools make Kiawah Beachwalker Park a perfect place for first-time swimmers. If you value solitude, beautiful sunsets, and miles of uninterrupted beachfront, Kiawah Island might be the place for you!
10. Menemsha Beach, Martha’s Vineyard
Named Travel + Leisure‘s Best Sunset in Massachusetts, Menemsha Beach is a must-visit for anyone staying in Martha’s Vineyard. This small secluded beach has a sleepy New England feel and is close to some of the island’s best seafood vendors. The calm surf and amenities provided at Menemsha Harbor make this beach very popular with parents of young children. The beach faces the Vineyard Sound rather than the Atlantic Ocean, making it a calmer experience than other beaches on Elizabeth Island.
11. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Once Known as the “Nation’s Summer Capital,” Rehoboth Beach was once known as a beach getaway for Washington D.C. locals. It has now grown into the largest beach resort town in Delaware. This small Victorian-style beach town knows how to cater to families. Throughout the summer, the city puts on a number of recreational activities for families including arts & crafts days, children’s entertainment at the bandstand and ocean education activities. If you want an all-American boardwalk, salt water taffy, small-town style holiday, Rehoboth Beach might be the destination for you.
The changing of the leaves from verdant green to warm autumn tones has been drawing tourists to the United States for decades. As the trees stop their process of photosynthesis their chlorophyll begins to break down, and orange replaces chartreuse, ochre gold creeps over light jade, while cadmium red swallows pine green. Tourists delight in the crisp air, the smell of tart apples and the crunch of leaves beneath their boots. THIRDHOME has three properties that are perfect for exploring these fall charms.
DISCOVER THIRDHOME’s PREMIER LEAF-PEEPING PROPERTIES
Lake Morey Masterpiece is one of the finest lakefront properties in the Upper Valley of Vermont. With four bedrooms and plenty of patio space, this house is the perfect fall getaway. There’s nothing quite like sailing a Sunfish across Lake Morey while watching the colors of fall reflect in the passing water.
Book this property for October today.
Welcome to fall foliage central. Just 20 minutes away from famous Bar Harbor and right next to Acadia National Park, this Maine property is the perfect place to witness the transformation of the trees. You’ll also have the chance to experience Maine’s delectable seafood, venture to the Cranberry Islands and explore all of the natural wonders found on Mt. Desert Island. This 5-bedroom house can accommodate 9 people.
Book this property for September or October today.
Hop on down to the Blue Ridge Mountains and explore the heavily wooded Lake Keowee. This rustic retreat can accommodate up to 20 people comfortably and is perfect for large groups or families. View the transformation of North Carolina’s fall foliage from the vantage point of Lake Keowee, one of North America’s purest lakes. There are plenty of outdoor recreation and watersports options to choose from: canoeing, hiking, waterfall exploration and fishing to name a few. Check out some of the property’s awe inspiring vistas in the video below.
Book this property for September or October today.
What are THIRDHOME members saying about their luxury home exchange trips (to Botswana and North Carolina) this week?
Santhata Camp | North Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana
Sitting snug against the borders of Zimbabwe and South Africa is the North Tuli Game Reserve, which is home to Santhata Camp. Up to 14 guests can stay at the camp while discovering the lost mystery of the Mapungubwe civilization, South Africa’s first kingdom. This Golden Kingdom, named for the precious metals found during the area’s excavation, reigned from the 11th to 13th Century. The Pitsani Wildlife Reserve is in the northern section of North Tuli, giving visitors the opportunity to spot free-roaming elephants, cats and 350 species of bird. A ranger is even on hand to take you on two game drives a day at no extra cost. You can have dinner looking over the Limpopo river or miles out into the bush if desired. This Savannah adventure is great for small groups and families seeking an otherworldly thrill.
THIRDHOME member Debe says, “Our family will always remember what an exciting, unusual, beautiful and educational adventure we enjoyed. Staying at Santhata Camp was the REAL DEAL…0ur family learned so much and had the TRIP OF A LIFETIME !” click here to read more of Debe’s review.
Debe’s daughter, Amber, is an art teacher when she’s not traveling the world. She brought art supplies for the local primary school (these kinds of supplies are in short supply) but would like to do more to support their students. If you are interested in learning more about the school experience in Botswana and supporting Amber’s cause you can visit Amber’s blog here.
Below are some pictures from their trip.
Loggerhead Lady | Bald Head Island, North Carolina
“I’m on turtle time now,” visitors say as the ferry lands on the island retreat of Bald Head, North Carolina. The colloquialism has a few different meanings, the first directly referring to the inordinate amount of turtles that nest on the island. The second meaning refers to the deceleration felt by visitors as soon as they land. There are almost no cars on Bald Head, only golf carts that move at a sluggish pace across wooden boardwalks under the gaze of Old Baldy Lighthouse. At Loggerhead Lady, you will officially be on “turtle time”, sauntering down long stretches of coast, or chipping away at the nearby golf greens. With room for 8 guests, this property is the ultimate stress reliever.
THIRDHOME member Jesse says, “This is our second family trip to Loggerhead Lady and it won’t be our last…every time I walk off the ferry it seems my heart rate drops a few beats per minute! I would recommend this spot to any family that wants to get away from the hustle and bustle!” click here to read more of Jesse’s review.
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Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME