A family vacation is one of the best ways to make wonderful memories that your entire family will cherish for a lifetime. But traveling with kids is also known for having its own unique challenges. Simply choosing Hocking Hills as your destination is the first step toward the perfect family getaway. Here is our guide to making your family vacation one to remember.
Involve Your Kids in the Planning Process
The best family vacations are about one thing: spending quality time with family. Hocking Hills is full of amazing experiences the whole family will enjoy, from hiking the trails in Hocking Hills State Park to soaring through the treetops on a zipline canopy tour, to hitting the links at Hocking Hills Golf Club (lessons available à la carte). The best activities will be those you do together, so check out our list of what to do in Hocking Hills and let everyone pick an activity or two.
Prepare for Getting There and Back
Often, the biggest challenge of traveling with kids is getting there and getting back. If you will be driving a long distance to reach Hocking Hills, plan for the trip in advance. Pack car games and other amusements, and allow plenty of time for stops. Your vacation will be much more fun and relaxing if you don’t arrive already harried.
Pick Accommodations to Suit the Whole Family
Forget the hotel and instead book a rental cabin in Hocking Hills. Not only are they less expensive than hotels, but they have much more space and more amenities, not to mention much better scenery. Although being together is the goal, that doesn’t mean being in close quarters every minute of every day. In a cabin, the adults can have some quiet time in the hot tub while the kids play in the game room. We have a variety of cabins suitable for groups of up to 10 or even more, and some are pet friendly, so you really can bring the whole family with you.
Plan Kid-Friendly Meals
In a cabin with a full kitchen, the family can prepare delicious meals together, but it’s vacation so you’ll want to go out at least a couple of times. Hocking Hills has some great family restaurants, like Urban Grille, where adults can enjoy filet mignon or fresh crab cakes, while kids can choose from a variety of options for under $5.
Be Flexible
Finally, the Family Travel Network recommends that you “leave the expectations at home.” Parents often have very high expectations of the wonderful memories they will create on family vacations, and frankly sometimes things—like weather and travel delays—interfere. The best way to guarantee those wonderful memories is to be flexible and understand that though the plans you made may be fun, the most important thing is spending time together, which sometimes means all pitching in to change a tire on the side of the road. How you deal with inconveniences, both large and small, will go a long way toward setting the tone for your vacation.
Have a wonderful vacation. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Hocking Hills.
