4 Childhood Vacation Spots You Should Revisit | Family Road Trip Ideas

“Wishes” Fireworks Over Cinderella’s Castle, Walt Disney World

We all have fond memories of childhood vacations, whether it was a weekend at a national monument or a trip to see family in another state. But as much fun as those childhood trips were, many destinations aren’t as exciting to visit as an adult. Waterparks and roller coasters lose their appeal as we get older, but there are a few childhood vacation sites that are worth revisiting as an adult. Some are mainly nostalgic, while others have just as much to offer adults as they do kids.

Here are four childhood vacation destinations that are worth a return visit.

1. Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A lot of kids visited Disneyland or Walt Disney World at least once during their childhoods. The theme parks are distinctly aimed at children, but each offers a great time for adults as well. Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla, has spas, golf courses, luxury suites and shows that make it a great vacation no matter how old you are. And while Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., is also aimed at a younger demographic, floating along the Pirates of the Caribbean ride or seeing the fireworks at dusk is an enjoyable way to relive old memories.
2. Myrtle Beach – A popular childhood vacation destination on the East Coast is Myrtle Beach, S.C. Many families in surrounding states make a ritual of visiting the beach every summer, and the best thing about beaches is that anyone can enjoy them. If Myrtle Beach used to be a favorite vacation of yours, go back and check it out; the sand is still as warm and the water is still inviting.
3. Washington, D.C. – Most kids visit Washington, D.C., at some time in their lives, whether it’s a middle school field trip or a family road trip. And while exploring the reconstructed dinosaurs in the Smithsonian Museum as a child is exhilarating, Washington, D.C., is much more enjoyable as an adult. Not only will you get more out of the monuments, museums and historic government buildings than you did when your attention span was shorter, but the downtown area is a place filled with cultural sites. There are excellent restaurants, gorgeous parks and art galleries that make D.C. well worth a return visit.
4. Redwood National Park – Everything seems bigger when you’re a kid, but Redwood National Park is one place where that feeling doesn’t go away when you get older. Head back to California to drive under a hollowed-out trunk, but this time bring your camping gear. Rather than driving through and taking a few pictures like you probably did when you were a kid, pitch a tent in a camping-approved area and enjoy a couple days with the tallest trees in the world.

There are a lot of places that you visited as a kid that are just as fun as an adult. Just remember that if you’re road-tripping to any of these destinations, things like car maintenance and your auto insurance policy should be up to date. If not, have a local mechanic check out your vehicle to make sure it’s road worthy, and go online to quickly compare automobile insurance quotes.

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