Here are a few destinations that are perfect for family fun — plus tips on how to stay sane in the car, where to stop along the way, and what to do when you reach your destination.
WASHINGTON — Pack the snacks and pick the playlist: With summer just a few weeks away, it’s time to start planning your road trips.
Parenting and travel writer Guiomar Ochoa shares a few destinations that are perfect for family fun — plus tips on how to stay sane in the car, where to stop along the way, and what to do when you reach your destination.
‘Are we there yet?’ Tips for taking road trips with kids
A little bit of planning and preparation can help make your road trip a more peaceful experience. Here are some of Ochoa’s top tips for traveling with kids:
Make sure to download all forms of entertainment — movies, TV shows, music and podcasts — on phones and tablets before you get in the car, in case you run into areas of spotty service.
If your journey requires an overnight stop before you reach your destination, make hotel reservations ahead of time. “Especially in the summertime, it’s important to try to find your halfway point before you leave and make a reservation somewhere because a lot of these hotels and motels book up pretty fast,” Ochoa said.
Be mentally and physically prepared for traffic. “It can be grueling on all of us, so you just need to prepare yourself for that. And you will find traffic, no matter what route you take — especially if you’re traveling on holiday weekends,” she added.
Slurpees? Soft serve? Ochoa said allow for splurges at gas stations and roadside stands along the way. “Sometimes, you all need a break, you all need to stretch your legs, and a little bit of sugar can go a long way as far as getting you to go another (hour or two) in the car.”
Pack lots of snacks for the car trip. Having something to munch on can help break up boredom. Plus, stocking up on your family’s favorite snacks ahead of time will save money at gas stations along the way.
Bring a pack of baby wipes with you. These will come in handy in the car and on stops. (It’s not uncommon for public restrooms to run out of toilet paper or paper towels.)
“And lastly, pack lots of patience because you’ll need it,” Ochoa said.
Ready to hit the road? A few favorite family road trips:
Road trip to Cape May, New JerseyThere are a few different ways to get to Cape May, a charming Victorian beach town at the southern tip of New Jersey and one of the oldest vacation resort destinations in the country.One option is to drive north on Interstate 95 to Wilmington, Delaware, and then southeast to the destination. This drive takes about three and a half hours from the D.C. area.
(AP/Beth J. Harpaz)
AP/Beth J. Harpaz
Road trip to Cape May, New JerseyHowever, travel writer Guiomar Ochoa said a really fun way to get to Cape May is to drive to Lewes, Delaware — a popular beach destination for Washingtonians, just north of Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany — and take the ferry to Cape May. (Stay a few days in Lewes and then a few in Cape May, or make Cape May a day trip during your Lewes vacation.) “This is great, especially if you have transportation-obsessed toddlers,” Ochoa said about the 90-minute ferry ride. “Honestly, kids are occupied the entire time. You can sit outside, you can sit inside, they have TVs, they have food — it’s just a really fun part of the trip and it gives kids an experience.”
(AP Photo Chris Polk)
AP Photo Chris Polk
Road trip to Cape May, New JerseyOnce you get to Cape May, there’s plenty to do. History buffs will find nearly 600 preserved, historic buildings throughout the walkable town; beach bums can access sun and sand with a beach tag ($6 a day for individuals 12 years and older); and trolleys transport visitors around town for free. (The ferry does allow cars if you prefer to have your car with you.) If you plan to spend the night, Ochoa recommends staying at one of the resorts in town or renting an old Victorian house. When hunger hits, head to Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, or try Dellas 5 & 10 — an old-fashioned soda shop. Washington Street Mall is an open pedestrian space filled with retail shops and candy counters, and the Cape May Fireman’s Museum provides a free experience for kids.“You can walk the promenade, you can eat Italian ice, you can relax on the beach — you really step into a vintage place when you go to Cape May,” Ochoa said. “It’s such a nice escape and a completely different experience from Washington.”
(AP/Beth J. Harpaz)
AP/Beth J. Harpaz
Road trip to the Florida KeysIf you’re looking to get away for about a week or so and don’t mind a long drive, Ochoa favors a trip to the Florida Keys. With a journey this long (it’s about a 17-hour drive from the D.C. area to Key Largo), it’s best to have some planned pit stops along the way. A favorite among many who travel the I-95 corridor is South of the Border, a kitschy Mexican-themed destination that straddles the border between North and South Carolina. Take a photo with the kids and stretch the legs while browsing the shops.
(AP Images)
AP Images
Road trip to the Florida KeysAnother great stop you can use as a halfway point is St. Simons Island, a beautiful little island off the coast of Georgia. “It’s only about 10 miles from I-95, so you’re not veering too much from the I-95 corridor, and it’s really a picturesque seaside resort town with family-friendly beaches and tons of outdoor activities,” said Ochoa, who recommends the beachfront King and Prince Resort for families. When you get back in your car the next day, make a point to stop at the Florida Welcome Center, where you can grab a cup of complementary fresh-squeezed orange or grapefruit juice and a handful of travel brochures.
(AP Images)
AP Images
Road trip to the Florida Keys“Let the kids get a couple of brochures — even if they can’t read, they can see the pictures and it might kill a little bit of time in the car,” said Ochoa, who also advises spending a night in Miami on the way to the Keys. “Let the kids enjoy the Latin flare of Miami. You really feel almost like you’re in a different country there, and let the family experience that. Let them have the Cuban food, let them relax by the beach,” she said. When you wake up the next morning, it’s only about an hour to Key Largo, and the drive is relaxing and scenic.
(AP/Alan Diaz)
AP/Alan Diaz
Road trip to the Florida KeysOne thing not to be missed while in Key Largo is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — the first undersea park in the U.S. Ochoa suggests taking a glass-bottom boat ride to get the snorkeling experience without getting in the water. “You can actually see the coral reef underneath. You can have a picnic there, you can do a little hiking if you want,” she said. Morada Bay on Islamorada is another can’t-miss spot in the Florida Keys. This family-friendly retreat has Adirondack chairs everywhere, a beach cafe and a memorable sunset.
(AP Images)
AP Images
Road trip to New HampshireIf you have business in New York or Boston, bring the family along and squeeze in a post-meeting adventure. Ochoa points to New Hampshire, where you’ll find mountains, beaches, lakes and more. “This is the place where you want to be outdoors — campfires, stargazing, that sort of thing,” she said, adding that the state’s cooler climate is comfortable, compared to D.C.’s summer heat and humidity.
(AP/Holly Ramer)
AP/Holly Ramer
Road trip to New HampshireIf you’re traveling with young kids, swing by Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire. In North Conway, take the family on an evening moose safari. Train enthusiasts will love the state’s Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, which winds around Lake Winnipesaukee. There’s also the Mount Washington Cog Railway, which takes riders to the top of the 6,000-foot mountain.Near Hanover, New Hampshire, Ochoa recommends Lake Sunapee, where you can rent boats and equipment and take in the views. “They have crystal clear waters and pine trees that surround it, so it’s just a very peaceful, nice area,” she said.
(AP/Jim Cole)
AP/Jim Cole
Road trip to New HampshireFor accommodations, Ochoa praises the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa. She said it has large rooms and lots of hands-on activities to keep kids entertained, including daily farming experiences.“They have pony rides, you can swim, they have a private movie theater so you can even see a movie at night if you’re really tired, they have a campfire with the kids, so this is like your quintessential family resort, which is really nice,” she said. In the Mount Washington area, Ochoa suggests the Omni Mount Washington Resort, which is great for year-round travel, since there is skiing in the winter. “It’s not a big state, you can cover a lot of land in a pretty short period of time,” she said.
(AP/Robert F. Bukaty)