Planning a vacation is a challenge for any family. Even if you’re traveling to a destination you’ve visited before, there’s still plenty to decide. But when you’re choosing a new family vacation spot, figuring out where to go can be the hardest decision to make. To ensure the whole family enjoys the vacation, your destination needs to meet all of your criteria.
Alternatively, you could make your decision easy by choosing an Ocean City, New Jersey, vacation for a holiday that’s family-friendly, enjoyable and suitable to any budget.
But if you want to research your options fully, we’ve put together a handy guide to teach you how to choose a family vacation location.
It’s easy to get carried away planning your dream vacation, whether that’s mimosas by the sea, shopping until you drop or seeing all the local sights. But your family may not share your idea of the perfect vacation, and your favorite activities may not be age-appropriate for everyone. That’s why you also need to think about your family’s needs when deciding on your destination.
Here’s what to consider when booking a family vacation for all ages.
Find out what your family will enjoy! Ask each of them what activities they want to do and what type of vacation they want. Would they prefer a relaxed getaway or an active one? Hot weather or cold? Write down each family member’s wants and note things that everyone agrees on.
You’ll also have to temper their answers with the practical needs of the family. What are the must-haves that will make your family vacation easier to manage? Consider things such as travel time, local transport and dietary restrictions. You’ll probably know off the top of your head exactly what your family will need on vacation!
Whatever activities you plan to do on your vacation, schedule in some downtime too. While a full schedule means you can do lots on your trip, it can become hectic. Give yourselves the chance to relax and allow for unplanned activities.
Decide how much you’re willing to spend on your vacation. Once you have this number and you know your family’s wants and needs, you can create a detailed budget. The overall budget and family wishes will affect the location, length and timeline for the trip.
When making your budget, account for:
If you want your money to go further, take your vacation during off-peak times if possible. You can also search for package holidays or deals for additional savings.
Now that you have nailed down your budget and family requirements, you can decide when you’ll go on vacation. The activities you’ll do and how far you’re willing to travel will massively affect when you go. For example, if you can’t travel to a distant destination, beach vacations may be restricted to your local summer months.
You’ll also need to plan around work schedules, school vacation dates and existing commitments. You don’t need to decide on exact dates, but knowing which ones work will make it easier to choose a family vacation spot.
You have your budget, a clear idea of what you need from your destination and a list of dates that work. Now, you can start looking at destinations.
But with so many family vacation destinations available, knowing where to look is challenging. Here’s a checklist to help you narrow down the locations suited to your criteria and dates:
If any destination ticks all these boxes, put it on your short list. Now, your family has a list of destinations that will meet all of your needs and provide the perfect family vacation.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination for your next unforgettable vacation, Ocean City, New Jersey, could be perfect for you.
Easily accessible, Ocean City is just an hour from Philadelphia, two hours from New York City and two and a half hours from Baltimore. It’s also a short 30-minute drive from Atlantic City International Airport, making it easy to reach for families who live farther away.
Ocean City also offers plenty of fun indoor and outdoor activities, meaning you can enjoy yourself whatever the weather. Some popular family attractions include:
Whatever activities you enjoy, OCNJ has plenty of family-friendly hotels, rentals and guest houses, giving you the freedom to find the ideal accommodation for your family. You’ll also find many establishments serving up a variety of cuisines and tasty treats, making it easy for you to satisfy any craving.
Thanks to this abundance of choice in every aspect of your vacation, Ocean City, NJ, can easily cater to any budget, with plenty to do when you choose to vacation here.
If Ocean City, New Jersey, sounds like it could deliver your perfect family vacation, we’ve made it easy for you to plan your visit. From determining the most efficient ways to get here to finding activities your family can enjoy, everything you need to know is in our handy visitor’s guide.
If you have any other questions about your stay in OCNJ, get in touch today, and we’ll be happy to help.
