10 Best family-friendly beach vacations in the USA

There are lot of choices of family-friendly getaway in United States. Due to its expansive coastline, country has Beautiful beaches and serene resorts to spend some time with your family forgetting routine and daily hustle & bustle. Whether it is quiet sands in Florida or busy shores in California there is something in store to all members of your family.

All these destinations will ensure your family vacation is unforgettable one either you are family and wants to have some form of action or you just want to spend time together as family and have some rest.

10 family vacation beach in the USA

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Outer banks have one of most beautiful East Coast beaches which have been praised because of consistent and manageable beautiful scenery. Another group of North Carolina barrier islands can also relied on to provide excellent summer weather. Consider renting cottage or condo that will give you space and yet not be too distant from beach. To have enough sand to stretch and create sand castles, go to broad beaches and dunes of Nags Head. Or go to Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills where there is easy access to beach and lifeguards are available.

Things to Do:

Outer banks is ideal for families that like broad beaches & adventure holidays. Have fun swimming, beach walks and shelling. Families may be taught to surf, fly kites at beach, explore Wright Brothers National Memorial, climb historic lighthouses or visit sand dunes in Jockey Ridge State Park.

Best Hotels:

• Sanderling Resort - Oceanfront resort with pools, beach access, family friendly.
• Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk - Indoor pool, comfortable rooms and beachfront.
• Beachfront vacation rentals - Perfect when larger family wanting additional space and kitchens.

Best Months to Visit:

Most optimal seasons to visit Outer Banks are May, June - September. These are months with pleasant weather and warm ocean temperatures and fewer crowds than peak summer times.

Destin, Florida

Destin is commonly known as Emerald Coast & it boasts beautiful sugar white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. It is particularly popular among families with small children due to small waves. Gulfarium Marine Adventure park and Henderson Beach State Park have fun outdoor activities. Families have possibilities of dolphin-watching tours. It is also enhanced by fact that it is full of beachfront resorts and restaurants.

Things to Do:

Experience popular emerald green water and white sand beaches of Destin. Families have opportunity to go dolphin watching, take boat tours, do paddleboarding or spend time at Henderson Beach State Park. Children will also enjoy Water and Adventure Park and fishing excursion of Big Kahuna and mini golfing at beach.

Best Hotels:

• Henderson Beach Resort -Luxury family friendly resort, pools and direct beach access.
• Island resort at Fort Walton Beach - Good with beach fun and in house dining.
• Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort - Spacious resort with family amenities and pools.

Best Months to Visit:

Months of April, May, September and October are warm, water is calm and population is not high. Summer (June-August) is family friendly but it is more likely to be crowded and costly.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

This is soft sand Alabama beach destination with low cost accommodations and family oriented events. Due to Gulf Coast location of town, white quartzand teal waters are possible at such popular beaches as expansive shoreline in Gulf state park which also has snack bar, restrooms and showers in pavilion. Better yet, aspiring architects have opportunity to practice their architectural abilities in class using Sand Castle University and action lovers can parasail and nature enthusiasts can seek dolphins in distance. Casual restaurants in Gulf Shores are also significantly child friendly and have exciting atmospheres such as play grounds, bubble machines and arcades.

Things to Do:

Gulf Shores boasts of soft white sand and warm Gulf waters making it ideal for families. Swimming, sandcastle making and beach picnics. Families may participate in dolphin-watching tours, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, scenic trails at Gulf State Park and kayaking and paddleboarding.

Best Hotels:

• Lodge in Gulf State Park -Young family favorite, direct access to beach, nature programs, bike rentals.
• Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Large condos, balconies, pools and family facilities.
• Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach - Cheap accommodation, access to beach and child friendly facilities.

Best Months to Visit:

Months of April-May & September-October are most suitable months to visit Gulf Shores. Weather is not too hot, crowds are also smaller and prices of hotels are more reasonable. Summer is joyful but is more hectic.

Anna Maria Island

It is easy going island off Gulf Coast of Florida that its families will visit when they want relaxing beach vacation. Island has colorful cottages, free trolley and three historic towns which give Anna Maria Island Old Florida feel which makes families adopt simplicity.

Things to Do:

Anna Maria Island is ideal vacation location when family wants to spend time on beach, in quiet and impressive place. Spend your days in peaceful waters of Gulf, gathering sea shells and building sand castles.

Best Hotels:

• Beach Place Guesthouses - Family friendly rooms only few steps to the beach.
• Anna Maria Island Beach Rentals - Good family and prefers vacation houses with kitchens.
• Waterline Villas & Marina - Premium location with large suites and resort facilities.

Best Months to Visit:

Best time to visit Anna Maria Island is in April - May or September- October. Weather is pleasant and crowds are not as high as in peak season and accommodation costs are more affordable compared to peak season.

Hawaii - Big Island

Big Island has some of best beaches in Hawaii although it is not as heavily visited as Maui or Oahu. In Kona, La'aloa (White Sands Beach Park) is good place to wade in water, surf and boogie board or in Hilo, to enjoy lagoons and coves of Carlsmith Beach Park. In meantime, individuals who wish to tread on one of the volcanic black sand beaches of island, can visit Punaluu Ka'U coast which is easily accessible, has picnic ground as well as an opportunity to observe sea turtles. As post-beach activity, families may enjoy hiking tour or driving tour in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Things to do:

Families may also relax in good beaches such as Waikiki Beach (Oahu) & Kaanapali Beach (Maui), snorkel in shallow lagoons, watch sea turtles and have whale-watching tours.

Best Hotels:

• Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa (Oahu) - This is among top resorts in family with kids clubs, pools and Disney fairy tale activities.
• Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa - Beachfront resort, pools, wildlife and family programs.
• Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort – Huge resort having various pools, lagoon and beachfront facility.

Best Months to Visit:

Most suitable time of the year to visit Hawaii with families is April-June and September- October.

Hilton Head

Island of Hilton Head is ideal for relaxing families. Cool humidity (this South Carolina area is notorious with its sticky summers) at stretches of sand such as Driessen Beach Park and Coligny Beach Park which is always popular place to visit. To escape sand, go on walk or go on bikes around Harbour Town and up tower of the red and white-striped lighthouse. There are also golf courses, tennis courts and hiking options providing your family with lot of opportunities to spend time actively during vacation.

Things to do:

Families can have fun swimming, constructing sand castles and resting at Coligny Beach Park. There is also riding on picturesque routes on bikes, kayaking on salt marshes which makes the island ideal.

Best Hotels:

• The Sea Pines Resort - It has access to beaches, family activities, bicycle trails, and natural experiences.
• Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort: Spacious rooms, variety of pool and direct beach access.
• Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island - Family-friendly resort offering kid programs and beachfront.

Best Months to Visit:

Hilton Head Island is better visited during April -June and during September. It is not as hot and beaches are not crowded as much as they are during peak seasons and hotel rates are generally cheaper.

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is stretch of 7 miles along coast of Southern California which is abundant in swimmable waters, plenty of sea life, and beachfront accommodation. Main Beach is rated as one of the finest family spots with a variety of facilities including sports courts and playground. However, should Main Beach be too busy, drive a little further along the coast to Diver’s Cove and Fisherman that of Cove and have a wonderful snorkeling experience and a more relaxing environment. To get away with the sand, also available are several family-friendly whale and dolphin watching tours which leave Dana Wharf.

Things To Do:

Visit Main Beach Park where children can play on sand and also look at tide pools. Families can also have picnics on beach and stroll along Laguna Beach Coastal Trail.

Best Hotels:

• Surf and Sand Resort Laguna Beach - Beachfront family friendly resort.
• Hyatt Regency Laguna Beach - Spacious rooms, pools and easy beach access.
• Laguna Beach House - Family friendly and budget-friendly.

Best Months to Visit:

Months of May-September are most ideal time to visit Laguna Beach because it is warm, there is sunshine and ocean conditions are perfect. Early fall and late spring are terrific in escaping high summer crowds.

Amelia Island

Northeast of Florida, this barrier island is place providing ample room to stretch out on the sand 13 miles to be precise. The Main Beach of the island is rightfully referred to as the Family Zone and it has facilities that will be enjoyed by the entire crew with mini-golf, skate park and an oceanfront restaurant. To play off the beach, nature enthusiasts may go to Egans Creek Greenway - property of over 300 acre under protection but inhabited by alligators, snakes as well as numerous birds or go to stores within downtown Fernandina Beach. On Amelia Island, few family-friendly resorts have thrilling kids' facilities and activities.

Things To Do:

Spend lazy days on beach, swimming in soft waters and strolling along beach. Families can do horseride on beach, visit Fort Clinch State Park, bike over scenic trails or take dolphin-watching tour.

Best Hotels:

• Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa - One of best family options that has more than one pool, children programs and beach access.
• Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island - Family resort, lakefront with beach recreation.
• Residence Inn Amelia Island - Low end price with suites and full kitchen.

Best Months to Visit:

Most favorable months to visit Amelia Island are March - May or September - October.

Cape May, New Jersey

During school vacations and on holiday Cape May beaches are almost completely packed to brim by New Jersey residents and out-of-towners with almost 3 miles of sand that are family-friendly. During surfing, you and your small ones will be able to connect in Kayaking or walking through promenade. Through Sunset Beach, families can seek Cape May diamonds (quartz pebbles) or attend the sunset ceremony every night.

Things To Do:

Experience clean and serene beaches where one can swim as well as build sand castles. Historic trolley tours, whale and dolphin watching, Cape May Lighthouse and local nature centers are all possibilities and can be used by families.

Best Hotels:

• Congress Hall - Beachfront, historic, family-friendly hotel.
• Grand Hotel, Cape May - Offers indoor and Outdoor Pools, Kids.
• La Mer Beachfront Resort - Large suites with kitchen and ocean view.

Best Months to Visit:

Months of June -August are most appropriate months to enjoy Cape May in terms of beach weather and family. Also, great at end of May and beginning of September, when number of crowds is smaller and weather is pleasant.

Maui

Although price may make any family vacation an obstacle, it may pose an enormous obstacle when the vacation entails going to Maui. Nevertheless, there are some really good kid friendly beaches in this picturesque Hawaiian Island. The southwest side of the island has some kid-friendly spots where families come to visit such as Wailea beach and the 3 beaches of Kama-ole Beach Park, where the sunny beach and still waters are swimmable by small children. Then, replace the sand with the rainforests and mountains at Haleakalana National Park with an informative, but never-to-be-forgotten visit to one of the biggest dormant volcanic islands in the world.

Things To Do:

Kaanapali Beach and Wailea Beach are good places where families can relax, Molokini Crater where they can take snorkeling tours and take easy walks along coast. Children enjoy seeing sea turtles, going on glass-bottom boat tours and attending traditional Hawaiian luaus.

Best Hotels:

• Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa - Family-friendly resort pools, wildlife, beachfront.The Westin Maui Resort and Spa - Large rooms, water slides, and activities for children.
• Wailea Beach Resort, Marriott - Ideal for families seeking relaxing beach experience.

Best Months to Visit:

Most favorable seasons to tour Maui are April-June, and September-October. This is the time of the year when the weather is very friendly, the number of people has decreased, and the hotel rates are lower than during the peak summer and holiday season.

Conclusion

United States has some amazing selection of family friendly beaches such as serene sands of Gulf Coast of Florida, scenic coast of California and tropical beauty of Hawaii. Every place on this list will be something special, adventure, relaxation, nature or just spending good time together by ocean.Your family is action oriented and they love spending their vacations at water parks and boardwalks or you are more chilled out family that likes spending their holidays in the nature either walking around sunset or building sandcastles either way, these destinations have everything you need to have lifetime experience. When there is adequate selection of activities, comfortable family friendliness and appropriate time of year to visit the beach, it becomes very easy and stress free to plan your beach vacation.