Where To Travel With Your Kids In 2016

The holidays are here, which means the New Year is just around the corner. Families across the nation will soon be turning their attention towards their vacation plans for 2016. Will they stay local? Maybe take a road trip around the country? How about a flight across the sea to discover their ancestral roots? There are so many cities, states and countries to choose from, and although it’s hard to go wrong no matter where you roam, we have a few destinations you might not want to miss in the new year.

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Washington, D.C.

Did you hear? The National Zoo has a new baby panda. 2016 is the year to finally meet baby Bei Bei. His big brother Bao Bao regularly makes the local news with his antics in the snow and fun in his outdoor play space. You better believe the nation will be watching as Bei Bei begins to discover the world around him too. Although Bei Bei will stay away from the crowds with his mom for a bit longer, the public will get a peek of this new little guy in the new year. Even if you aren’t into giant pandas and their babies, Washington, D.C. is full of history and adventures for the whole family no matter what you are interested in. You won’t be disappointed whether you want to see the famous cherry blossoms, visit the Air and Space Museum, or just catching a glimpse of our government in action.

Utah

Salt Lake City isn’t the only thing you will find in Utah, in fact, that is just a mere glimpse of what this state has to offer. Utah is home to Arches, Bryce and Zion National Parks, and there are too many gorgeous state parks to even mention. You can also hit four states at once at Four Corners Monument, where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona converge. The biggest news out of the state came over the summer when Vail Resorts announced that Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort were now one resort, making it the largest ski resort in the country. You better believe the 2016 ski season will be one epic ride.

Missouri

The Royals just put Kansas City back on the map after they took home the World Series trophy this year. It had been 30 years since their last win in 1985, so you can just image the party the city hosted. Baseball might have put this city back to the top of everyone’s mind, but Missouri is so much more than baseball. Home to Hallmark, the Nelson-Atkins Museum and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, there is plenty for a family to do in Kansas City alone, but St. Louis doesn’t like to be left out. The St. Louis Zoo, Missouri Botanical Garden and the Gateway Arch keep kids entertained while mom and dad take in the sights. The biggest thing you don’t want to miss when headed to this Midwest state is the BBQ though. Go on a food tour or create your own to find the best around.

Scotland

Grab your rain gear and head to Edinburgh to kick off your Scottish adventure. Stay in town for a few days, but what this country is really known for (besides haggis) is its natural beauty. Hike to waterfalls, through moors and show your kids there is more to vacation than just visiting animated characters. Putt around the greens of St. Andrews, go on a hunt for Nessie at Loch Ness or run away with the fairies on the Isle of Skye. No matter where you go in this proud land, you will find friendly locals, wild adventures and make memories with your kids that they will always cherish. Just don’t forget your plastic swords. We hear there are dragons up in those hills.

Canada

The dollar is up, which means Canada is once again the perfect place to drive or fly to this year to save a little cash. The Canadian dollar has been up for the past few years; making it a little pricier to visit our neighbors to the north, but this drop now means you can take your kids to discover the wild side of this friendly nation. Hike around Lake Louise to capture the photos you have seen flooding Instagram lately. Reenact scenes from your favorite Anne of Green Gables books on Prince Edward Island. Marvel at the beauty of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, which is gorgeous in the spring and summer, and puts on one of the best holiday light displays in North America, or at least we think they do. If you don’t mind the cold, the Quebec Ice Festival brings the humble snowman to a whole new level in January and February each year. Pick a city or a territory and find out why we love our northern neighbors so much.

What is on your 2016 travel list?

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.