More than a third of Americans who are planning to travel this year plan to do so with their children, according to a recent AAA survey. That means they will take a vacation of 50 miles or more away from home with two or more immediate family members in a trend that shows Americans are continuing to prioritize traveling as a family.
While most family travelers (70 percent) are planning to take one or two vacations, and a significant number (28 percent) say they are planning to take three or more vacations. That particular number, according to AAA, is 13 percentage points higher than in 2016.
Types of trips include the traditional family road trip (79 percent) and visits to national parks (51 percent) and theme parks (40 percent). However, trips to international destinations (33 percent), going on guided or escorted tours (22 percent) and ocean cruises (20 percent) are also popular with family travelers.
Ten percent more families than in 2016 are expected to take road trips this year, despite the fact that average gas prices are 52 cents higher than they were last year at this time.
American families who plan to take a guided or escorted tour is expected to increase seven percent over last year.
Where should these families go? Family Vacation Critic has weighed in with some thoughts after ranking the best cities in the U.S. for family travel.
A list of the best cities for families in 2017 includes:
Washington, D.C.
Best for Infants and Toddlers: National Zoo
Best for Little Kids: National Museum of Natural History
Best for Big Kids: Monuments by Moonlight
Best for Tweens and Teens: Newseum
Boston, MA
Best for Infants and Toddlers: Boston Public Garden
Best for Little Kids: New England Aquarium
Best for Big Kids: Freedom Trail
Best for Tweens and Teens: Fenway Park
Seattle, WA
Best for Infants and Toddlers: Pacific Science Center
Best for Little Kids: Ride the Ducks of Seattle
Best for Big Kids: Theo Chocolate Factory Tours
Best for Tweens and Teens: Museum of Pop Culture
Las Vegas, NV
Best for Infants and Toddlers: Fountains of Bellagio
Best for Little Kids: Discovery Children’s Museum
Best for Big Kids: Adventuredome Theme Park
Best for Tweens and Teens: Stratosphere
San Antonio, TX
Best for Infants & Toddlers: The DoSeum
Best for Little Kids: Natural Bridge Caverns
Best for Big Kids: Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Best for Tweens and Teens: Pearl Brewery District
Tallahassee, FL
Best for Infants and Toddlers: Cascades Park
Best for Little Kids: Tallahassee Museum
Best for Big Kids: Mission San Luis de Apalachee
Best for Tweens and Teens: Harry Smith Outdoors Kayak Tours
San Diego, CA
Best for Infants and Toddlers: La Jolla Cove
Best for Little Kids: San Diego Zoo
Best for Big Kids: Balboa Park
Best for Tweens and Teens: California Surf Museum
New York City, NY
Best for Infants & Toddlers: Central Park Zoo
Best for Little Kids: American Museum of Natural History
Best for Big Kids: Luna Park at Coney Island
Best for Tweens and Teens: New York TV and Movie Tour
Nashville, TN
Best for Infants and Toddlers: Adventure Science Center
Best for Little Kids: General Jackson Showboat
Best for Big Kids: Grand Ole Opry
Best for Tweens and Teens: Historic RCA Studio B
Chicago, IL
Best for Infants and Toddlers: Lincoln Park Zoo
Best for Little Kids: Navy Pier
Best for Big Kids: Skydeck Chicago
Best for Tweens and Teens: Second City
Author: Lark Gould
Lark Gould has been a travel industry journalist for more than 30 years. She shares her insight on cruise travel, air travel, hotels, resorts, popular activities, attractions and destinations to assist travel advisors and travelers with the current news and information they need to travel well.
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