2025 Family Vacation Trends & Ideas: U.S. Destinations

The biggest news for 2025 comes from Universal Orlando Resort’s massive expansion. As Travel + Leisure reports, “It’s been almost 25 years since a major theme park from Disney or Universal has opened in the United States, but that changes in 2025.” The new Universal Epic Universe will be “a state-of-the-art park with five new lands featuring classic monsters, Nintendo, Harry Potter, and more innovative new experiences.” Mark your calendars for May 2025, when this new park is scheduled to open.

Beach lovers have exciting options in 2025. Travel + Leisure suggests Sanibel Island, which they note “has made a remarkable comeback since Hurricane Ian 2 years ago.”

Longboat Key Florida is on Forbes Top List. They say unless you are a local, you might not know about this tranquil barrier island off the coast of Sarasota. Visitors will discover 12 miles of soft white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and nature preserves. I can attest to this… as a resident of Sarasota now, I’m a huge fan of the town, and our beaches like Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key are some of the best I’ve ever been to.

Forbes also details the opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, the only hotel from the brand to debut in the U.S. in 2024 and the largest development on the island in 50 years. The beachfront hotel features a half dozen restaurants, a 500,000-gallon lagoon for snorkelers with 40 rays and 2,800 local reef fish, and a 20,000-square-foot spa. I visited the property in December and spent time at the spa. It’s amazing and one of the best spas I’ve been to in the world!

For something different, Fodor’s recommends exploring “Michigan’s Beach Towns,” noting that “Along Lake Michigan’s shoreline and Grand Traverse Bay, in the state’s Northern Lower Peninsula, you’ll find Norman Rockwell-esque Main Streets, and a skyline sprinkled with sailboats.”

Parents Magazine‘s 2024 Family Travel Awards highlights several outstanding properties perfect for family adventures in 2025. They specifically recommend Tenaya at Yosemite in California, describing it as “conveniently located near the south gate of Yosemite National Park, a ‘grand family resort with kid-friendly programming.'” For adventures in the Pacific Northwest, they suggest Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon, which they commend as “excellent for outdoor activities.”

Asheville, North Carolina, is on Forbes Places to Travel List. While the city continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, most of downtown Asheville is open for business, including shops, restaurants, and galleries. Its most famous attraction, the 8,000-acre, castle-like Biltmore Estate, and its Four-Star Inn are welcoming visitors.

A natural destination gaining attention this year is Florida’s Space Coast, where Condé Nast Traveler highlights: “Space travel will hit a historic milestone as NASA aims to send humans around the moon for the first time in five decades.” They recommend planning your trip “from late spring into fall, which is the peak time for both sea-turtle nesting and bioluminescence in this east coast area of Florida. NASA is currently targeting September 2025 for the Artemis II launch.”

Alaska takes center stage in 2025 with two significant centennial celebrations. Condé Nast Traveler highlights “the 100th anniversary of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race” (though they note this occurs in the very cold month of March) and the “unrelentingly beautiful Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve,” which is also turning 100. Travel + Leisure specifically recommends Anchorage as a gateway to Alaska’s natural wonders, suggesting that summer is the best season for family visits. It’s a huge state with lots to do, so be sure to do your research and plan accordingly. We have some tools to help.

For families seeking other natural wonders, there are our wonderful National Parks.

On Fodor’s 2025 list is Badlands National Park in South Dakota. While it “might not be the country’s most popular national park,” they note it’s “definitely one of its most awe-inspiring. Encompassing 244,000 acres, the park is home to bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and badgers.” What makes 2025 particularly special is that the park is “working to become an International Dark Sky Park, of which there are only 89 in the United States.”

If you plan to visit the parks this year, here are a few helpful tips…

• In 2025, many parks will maintain timed reservation systems that require advance planning. Reservations can be made here.
• If you plan to visit multiple parks throughout the year, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass ($80).
• Fourth graders can receive a free pass for the year. They can also bring their family and friends along for free with this pass.
• Almost every Park has a Junior Ranger program. Kids can earn an official Junior Ranger badge or patch by completing activities or participating in a ranger-led activity. At the Visitors Center, they get a badge, passport, and materials to explore the Park. It’s a great way for the whole family to learn and enjoy themselves.

The National Park Service has six fee-free days throughout 2025:

• January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 19: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 27: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

We have more National Park resources to help you with your planning.

When traveling in the U.S. starting May 7th, a Real ID will be required for domestic travel. The Department of Homeland Security has a helpful map to check on your state’s ID.

Be sure to check out the other 2025 Family Vacation episodes in this series, which include International destinations, the Caribbean and Mexico, and Cruising.