TPG’s 10 top family vacation destinations for 2023

Deciding which 10 locations throughout the globe deserve a spot on TPG’s record of top vacation spots for families to go to this yr was no straightforward activity.

We pulled from our personal intensive journey expertise, researched new resorts and actions and compiled information from journey websites like Priceline and Vrbo to seek out the spots your loved ones will nonetheless be speaking about years after you come residence out of your journey.

After all, we needed to throw in a couple of of our dream locations, too.

Whether or not your loved ones prefers cities, beaches, theme parks or the nice open air, you’ll discover your excellent household trip on this record.

With 4 main theme parks within the space, Orlando payments itself because the “theme park capital of the world.” As a result of these parks are at all times competing for the highest spot in vacationers’ hearts (and their wallets), there’s at all times one thing new to do.

2022 was an enormous yr for Orlando’s theme parks, and 2023 seems to be to be simply as thrilling. In early 2022, Disney opened Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster at Epcot and the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser two-night resort expertise that features a go to to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

In December 2022, Universal Orlando modified the escape room recreation with the opening of Common’s Nice Film Escape. The attraction has two totally different experiences, one themed to “Jurassic World” and one themed to “Again to the Future.”

SeaWorld Orlando opened its first launch coaster, Ice Breaker, and the close by city of Winter Haven, Florida, opened a wholly new park themed to Peppa Pig.

Orlando’s theme parks aren’t slowing down in 2023. This spring, Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando are scheduled to open new curler coasters.

At Disney World, Tron Lightcycle Run will come to The Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland space and at SeaWorld, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster will give company the expertise of standing as much as “surf” alongside the tracks. Journey of Water — Impressed by Moana, a walkthrough attraction coming to Epcot, can be scheduled to open late in 2023.

Associated: Why Epcot is now Disney World’s must-do park

The Orlando space can be residence to the headwaters of the Everglades, which gives ample alternatives for outdoorsy households to discover the natural world that decision the Everglades residence.

Each Wild Florida and Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures provide airboat excursions the place you are virtually assured to identify a couple of alligators. Or, you possibly can take it sluggish on a kayak tour in one in every of Get Up and Go Kayaking’s clear kayaks.

get there

Orlando International Airport (MCO) serves as a spotlight metropolis for Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit Airways, making fast, budget-friendly home flights straightforward to seek out.

For those who’re staying at a resort in or round Walt Disney World, you should use the Mears Connect or Sunshine Flyer airport shuttles to achieve your resort. You can too hire a automobile or ebook a personal switch through Uber or Lyft.

The place to remain

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort opened its new Swan Reserve tower in 2021 and the close by JW Marriott Bonnet Creek resort (which opened in 2020) just lately unveiled new household suites with bunk beds, chalkboards and sound machines for youths.

Searching for a central location between Disney World and Common Orlando? The JW Marriott at Grande Lake Orlando just lately underwent a multi-million greenback renovation, together with the addition of household suites with bunk beds, an expanded water park with a waterslide tower, lazy river and full-service cabanas and new eating venues.

All the above-mentioned accommodations take part within the Marriott Bonvoy program and you may ebook commonplace rooms from 40,000 to 60,000 factors per evening.

A couple of miles down the highway from Disney, Common just lately opened its first two Worth accommodations, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Dockside Inn & Suites and Surfside Inn & Suites. Each have commonplace rooms that begin at lower than $100 per evening, in addition to spacious two-bedroom household suites.

Dubai is commonly considered a scorching spot for the wealthy and well-known. Nevertheless, its inclination towards over-the-top experiences like snowboarding indoors and snorkeling on the planet’s deepest swimming pool additionally makes it a becoming playground for households.

Dubai is residence to quite a few theme parks and so they aren’t simply worldwide variations of parks you possibly can go to within the U.S. IMG Worlds of Adventure, for instance, is an indoor theme park with sights primarily based on characters from Marvel, Cartoon Community and extra.

Related: Dubai was just named the ‘most popular destination’ — here’s where to stay on points

Dubai Parks and Resorts is a sprawling theme park advanced with a Legoland theme park and water park, in addition to parks devoted to Bollywood and blockbuster movies like “Ghostbusters,” “The Smurfs” and “Resort Transylvania.”

Once you aren’t driving curler coasters, you possibly can lounge like a VIP on the Sole Mio Beach Club on Kite Seaside, discover a tropical indoor rainforest at The Green Planet and store on the Dubai Mall, one of many largest malls on the planet.

get there

Emirates Airlines is your finest guess for fast(ish) flights, with nonstop flights from main U.S. cities like New York, Dallas and Chicago. Emirates can be among the finest airways for flying with youngsters. It provides complimentary strollers that will help you get by means of the airport with ease, specialty meals and travel-themed exercise packs for youths.

Preserve your eyes open for offers and also you might be able to discover flights for beneath $600 spherical journey on airways like Lufthansa, Swiss and United from main U.S. cities, together with New York and Miami.

The place to remain

Opened in April 2022, the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is a five-star boutique resort overlooking the Arabian Gulf. All 318 visitor rooms and suites provide personal balconies with unobstructed ocean views. A household of 4 can count on to pay a minimal of round $600 per evening. Marriott Bonvoy factors redemption for greater than two company per room will not be an possibility.

Associated: How to get to (and stay in) Dubai using points and miles

Situated on Dubai’s artifical Palm Island, Atlantis, The Palm is one other of town’s upscale lodging designed with a bevy of family-friendly actions and rooms beginning at round $500 per evening. Of these, the Aquaventure water park and the Misplaced Chambers Aquarium ought to high your record. In March 2023, Atlantis, The Royal will be a part of Dubai’s Palm Island lineup with luxurious lodging beginning at round $900 per evening.

Kauai, Hawaii

What to do

Quieter and extra laid again than different fashionable Hawaiian islands like Oahu and Maui, Kauai appears like a distant, tropical paradise. Households can play on the seashore, traverse the coastal climbing trails and get a style of genuine Hawaiian tradition.

In terms of seashores, Hanalei Bay, on Kauai’s north aspect, has breathtaking mountain views and beginner-friendly waves if you wish to get away the boogie board or surfboard.

You can too discover the island through horseback, helicopter or boat, hike the family-friendly Kuilau Trail and attend a luau and pig roast at Smith Family Garden.

get there

American Airways typically has economic system flights to Kauai’s Lihue Airport (LIH) for lower than $700 per individual from main cities, however one of the best ways to journey to Hawaii is on Hawaiian Airways.

Its first-class cabin is outfitted with lie-flat seats so you possibly can relaxation up whereas en path to Hawaii; you’ll spend a minimal of round $2,000 per individual from cities on the West Coast or between 40,000 and 130,000 factors when redeeming Hawaiian Airways miles.

Associated: Best ways to redeem points and miles on Hawaiian Airlines

The place to remain

The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort is our high choose for family-friendly facilities you possibly can solely discover in Hawaii.

The resort hosts a twice-weekly luau with a torch-lighting ceremony, hula dances and a conventional Hawaiian feast. It additionally provides a bundle that enables households to borrow bikes for a trip alongside the resort’s oceanfront bike path, full with a gourmand picnic. Charges begin round $400 per evening.

The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas close to Hanalei Bay has 4 swimming pools, together with a kids’s splash space, youngsters membership and lodging ranging in dimension from a studio to 2 bedrooms.

Pricing begins at round $300 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening. Awards availability is scarce, however you possibly can ebook by means of the Amex Travel Portal beginning at round 70,000 Membership Rewards factors per evening.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

What to do

For those who go to Punta Cana, you’re prone to keep in an all-inclusive resort the place each exercise, expertise and meal is true at your fingertips. Nevertheless, there’s quite a bit to see if you happen to enterprise past your resort.

You may swim with dolphins or snorkel with sharks and stingrays at Dolphin Island Park or commune with nature on the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park & Reserve. At Bavaro Adventure Park, go zip lining, swim in a cenote, float alongside a lazy river and extra.

get there

Punta Cana Worldwide Airport (PUJ) is the biggest airport within the Dominican Republic, providing many nonstop each day flights from main U.S. cities on airways like Spirit, American, Delta and United. You may discover the very best costs — sometimes under $300 — from southern cities like Orlando, Atlanta and Miami.

The place to remain

Two all-new family-friendly resorts will grace the seashores of Punta Cana in 2023.

Dreams Flora Resort & Spa is slated to open in February 2023 with 4 glowing swimming pools (together with a youngsters’ pool), a full-service spa, eight eating places and 520 visitor rooms with personal balconies or terraces.

As a part of Hyatt’s AMR Collection, you possibly can ebook your keep utilizing money or World of Hyatt factors. All-inclusive pricing for a household of 4 begins at round $500 per evening.

Additionally new to Punta Cana, Falcon’s Resort by Melia launched an all-inclusive “resortainment” expertise with entry to an on-site theme park included within the value of your keep.

This all-suite resort additionally has a water park, a number of swimming pools, seashore actions, limitless eating and extra. A keep right here begins at round $371 per evening for a household of 4.

Different space all-inclusive resorts geared towards households embody Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana, Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana.

Paradise Island is lower than a half-mile from Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. Related to Nassau by a bridge, Paradise Island is dominated by two large family-friendly resorts — Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Mar.

With so many facilities at these two resorts, you’ll discover a lot to maintain you busy while you aren’t lounging within the solar. Each resorts have on-site water parks (together with a waterslide that travels by means of a shark tank at Atlantis) and youngsters golf equipment.

At Baha Mar, you possibly can go to a marine wildlife sanctuary and at Atlantis, you possibly can swim with dolphins. You don’t want to remain on the resort to ebook these encounters or to go to the respective water parks.

get there

Attending to Nassau’s Lynden Pindling Worldwide Airport (NAS) from most main U.S. airports is straightforward (and fast if flying from the East Coast). American Airways provides nonstop flights from cities together with Charlotte, Miami and Philadelphia that you could ebook with money or British Airways Avios.

Related: The best ways to fly to the Bahamas with points and miles

Jet Blue, Delta and United have widespread availability in different U.S. markets, however be ready for layovers as a result of nonstop flights may be onerous to come back by. Some flights from Los Angeles to Nassau have as much as a 12-hour layover earlier than taking off for the Bahamas.

The place to remain

Each Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Mar are made up of a number of accommodations — six at Atlantis and three at Baha Mar.

Of the Atlantis accommodations, The Coral, The Royal and The Cove are bookable by means of Marriott utilizing money or Marriott Bonvoy factors beginning round $300 or 50,000 factors for a household of 4 (plus a each day resort price and an additional visitor price for the third or fourth visitor over the age of 12).

Related: Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas is getting a multimillion-dollar renovation

Baha Mar boasts a Grand Hyatt, Rosewood and SLS. Of those, the SLS Baha Mar is mostly the least costly and participates in Accor Hotel’s loyalty program. Nevertheless, the Grand Hyatt is the highest possibility for vacationers with Hyatt’s elite standing. Money costs begin round $400 or 17,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening (plus a each day resort price of $59) for a household of 4.

The higher query could also be, “What isn’t there to do?” There’s extra to do within the Big Apple than you would ever accomplish in one trip (and even if you happen to moved there completely), and many guests wish to take a chew. Resort searches are up practically 350% from final yr, in accordance with Priceline.

After all, there are the must-dos like visiting the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Occasions Sq. and the Empire State Constructing — however there are different sights households gained’t wish to miss.

Little Island is a floating public park with household actions and play areas the place you possibly can spend a leisurely afternoon. At John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport’s TWA Resort, households can curler skate on the Roll-A-Rama, an outside curler skating rink on the outdated TWA tarmac. Within the winter months, it generally doubles as an ice skating rink.

get there

Although New York Metropolis has three main airports (if you happen to rely Newark, which is technically in New Jersey), La Guardia Airport (LGA) is the closest in proximity to Manhattan. Additionally it is a hub for American and Delta airways with nonstop flights from many main U.S. cities, together with Chicago and Orlando, typically for beneath $300 per individual.

The place to remain

You’ll love the Loews Regency on Park Avenue as a result of Loews loves households. By means of its Loews Loves Households program, youngsters beneath age 18 keep free of charge. The resort may present cribs, child bathtub facilities, board video games, artwork provides and online game consoles (for mortgage solely — sorry, youngsters).

Rooms begin round $575 per evening for a household of 4.

The Peninsula is conveniently positioned close to Central Park, Rockefeller Heart and Broadway’s famed theaters on Fifth Avenue in Midtown.

Rooms that sleep 4 begin at round $995 per evening. For a further $200 per evening, you possibly can add on the resort’s Camp Peninsula bundle, which features a youngsters’ tent arrange in your room, a gown and slipper for the youthful company, a resort scavenger hunt and a s’mores welcome amenity.

With the Sonoran Desert to the south and the San Francisco Peaks mountain vary to the north, you possibly can expertise the complete vary of Arizona’s topography in and round Flagstaff. From there, it is solely a couple of 90-minute drive to the Grand Canyon, however there are different scenic pure wonders which might be even nearer.

Associated: What to pack and where to stay: TPG’s ultimate Grand Canyon family vacation guide

Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, the best-preserved meteorite affect web site on earth, is lower than 40 miles away in Winslow, Arizona. You may enterprise underground to discover lava tubes at Lava River Cave or uncover wonders of the evening sky that will not be seen in your hometown at Lowell Observatory, each inside Flagstaff’s metropolis limits.

Williams, Arizona, is just about 40 minutes from Flagstaff and appears a lot the identical because it did when it was a well-liked cease alongside the historic Route 66. Among the many diners and present outlets, you will additionally discover a zip line, an alpine coaster, a wildlife park and a historic train that makes each day journeys forwards and backwards to the Grand Canyon.

get there

Flagstaff does have a small airport, nevertheless it’s far more economical to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and hire a automobile for the scenic two-hour drive into Flagstaff.

PHX is an American Airways hub and serves as a spotlight metropolis for Southwest Airways. Each have ample each day nonstop flights to Phoenix, typically for lower than $300. Denver-based low-cost provider Frontier Airways just lately added 10 new nonstop routes, together with Baltimore-Washington Worldwide Airport (BWI), Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA) and Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA).

The place to remain

If you wish to be inside strolling distance of downtown Flagstaff’s eating places and breweries, the Residence Inn Flagstaff has apartment-like suites and a complimentary each day breakfast beginning at round $150 or 43,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.

Searching for a keep that harkens to the heyday of Route 66? The just lately renovated High Country Motor Lodge can be near downtown and has a retro really feel with fashionable facilities beginning at round $119 per evening.

Ride a roller coaster on the New York-New York Resort and On line casino, observe live flamingos on the Flamingo Las Vegas Resort & On line casino and marvel on the daily fountain shows on the Bellagio Resort & On line casino.

For those who enterprise off the strip to the Downtown Container Park on historic Fremont Road, youngsters can soar down a 33-foot-tall slide, traverse bridges and climb round an interactive play system on the Treehouse. There are additionally spots inside the park for eating and buying.

Associated: Why families are (again) betting on a trip to Las Vegas

Area15, an immersive retail, eating and leisure advanced simply off the Strip, is residence to Meow Wolf’s 52,000-square-foot Omega Mart set up, an “extraordinary grocery store that bursts into surreal worlds and sudden landscapes,” in accordance with the attraction’s web site.

get there

Las Vegas’ McCarran Worldwide Airport (LAS) is only some miles away from the Las Vegas Strip and you will find wide-open nonstop availability on Southwest, American, Delta and United Airways from most main U.S. cities, typically for lower than $200.

Associated: Getting to Las Vegas on points and miles

For those who go for an extremely low-cost provider like Breeze Airways, yow will discover one-way flights for as little as $29.

The place to remain

It just about goes with out saying that each Las Vegas resort caters to adults. Nevertheless, some even have options like massive pool complexes and arcades that make them enjoyable for youths, too. Circus Circus has an indoor Adventuredome amusement park with rides, arcade video games and carnival video games. Rooms begin at round $25 per evening (plus a resort price of practically $40 per evening).

For outside leisure, Mandalay Bay has an 11-acre pool advanced with a wave pool and a lazy river. Commonplace rooms at Mandalay Bay begin at $199 or from 17,000 to 23,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening, relying on the dates of your go to.

Associated: 18 things to know before staying at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas

Tamarindo is a fun-filled city within the province of Guanacaste the place households can mix lazy days on the seashore with outside adventures in Costa Rica’s lush, tropical rainforest.

Related: 6 adventurous activities in Costa Rica for families

Playa Tamarindo — together with close by seashores Playa Grande and Playa Langosta – is well-known for its surf-ready waves, even you probably have little (or no) expertise on a surfboard. There are a variety of native surf outlets providing browsing classes or boogie board leases if you happen to aren’t fairly able to courageous the waves whereas standing.

For those who can pull your self away from the surf (and you need to), there are ample alternatives to expertise the jungles of Costa Rica.

You’ll must journey an honest manner inland, so the simplest possibility is to ebook a half-day or full-day tour that leaves from Guanacaste. Spend a day within the treetops of Monteverde’s Cloud Forest, see a few of Costa Rica’s breathtakingly blue waterfalls or go to Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park.

For those who ebook by means of Viator, you possibly can stand up to 10% money again by means of the Rakuten shopping portal or earn miles by means of the Delta Skymiles or AAdvantage portals.

get there

The closest airport to Tamarindo is Libera’s Daniel Oduber Worldwide Airport (LIR). Tamarindo is just an hour’s drive from the airport, with taxis, automobile leases and shuttle buses that may switch from the airport to your resort.

American Airways flights from midwest cities like Indianapolis and Chicago usually run a minimum of $600 per individual. Nevertheless, yow will discover flights for half that value on Frontier Airways if you happen to’re keen to spend upwards of 18 hours attending to your vacation spot.

Associated: Frontier Airlines’ unlimited all-you-can-fly pass now valid for kids, includes $200 flight credit

The place to remain

Costs on the Wyndham Tamarindo begin at round $200 or 15,000 Wyndham Rewards factors per evening and the resort has the identical laid-back, tropical vibes because the seashore proper outdoors your balcony. Rooms can accommodate two adults and a toddler as much as 4 years outdated and a rollaway may be added for youngsters as much as 12 (for a $20 price per evening).

The Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort ideas the size towards luxurious with its beachfront location, scrumptious eating, gardened grounds and gorgeous pool. Rooms that sleep 4 begin at round $230 per evening, and breakfast is included within the room price.

Punta Mita, Mexico

What to do

If your loved ones is available in the market for secluded luxurious, Punta Mita, Mexico, will quickly be your new favourite trip spot.

This personal group is residence to multimillion-dollar residential properties and the luxurious 4 Seasons and St. Regis resorts for guests who wish to expertise this upscale seashore paradise.

You may actually spend your days enjoying on the seashore. Nevertheless, you too can spice issues up at Punta Mita Ocean Sports which provides browsing classes, bike leases, whale watching and extra. The close by Isla Marietas Nationwide Park gives alternatives for whale watching, climbing, boating and snorkeling, that are best to ebook through an area tour group.

get there

The closest airport to Pinta Mita is Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz Worldwide Airport (PVR). From there, it’s lower than an hour’s drive to Punta Mita.

Airways like Aeromexico, American, Delta and United typically have flight deals to Puerto Vallarta for lower than $300 from main U.S. airports in case your dates are versatile.

The place to remain

The St. Regis Punta Mita is a lavish but unstuffy beachfront resort with inviting swimming pools, a sprawling stretch of white sand seashore, a youngsters membership, household cooking courses, bike excursions, paddle boarding and extra.

Room charges for a household of 4 begin at slightly below $1,500 or 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening. If reserving with factors, examine with the resort first to make sure you can add company to the room after reserving as a result of Marriott’s web site solely exhibits award redemption charges for 2 company per room.

Related: Battle of the 5-star hotels: Watch us compare 2 luxury beach hotels in Mexico

The Four Seasons Punta Mita is positioned a couple of miles north of St. Regis however equally has a rugged beachfront location, a number of swimming pools, oceanfront rooms and three distinctive eating places. The 4 Seasons additionally caters to households with its lazy river, youngsters membership and facilities like specialty youngsters eating menus and robes. Commonplace casitas begin round $1,000 per evening.