6 Great Memorial Day Getaways with Kids

Traveling with toddlers - child in summer dress and hat

Can you really call a trip with your kids a “vacation” or a “getaway”? There’s a good chance you’re still waking up at 5:45 every morning, carrying a bag full of diapers and random stuffies everywhere you go, and comforting at least one crying child several times a day. Trust us, we've been there.


Even so, we all need to get out of the house now and again. And that change of scenery can be good for us and our kids, especially if there's something for everyone in the family.


So what makes a great Memorial Day weekend  destination for a family? Somewhere that is easy to get to, is easy to get around (either with your car or public transportation), and has lots of activities for kids of every age.  Every place that we've chosen also boasts incredible natural beauty.


Don't forget to pack extra stuffies, wipes, and all of the personal necessities that you would usually pack in your handbag in your Huhu diaper backpack.  Help your kids effortlessly look and feel their best in Paper Cape organic cotton daywear.


Check out our favorite destinations and start planning your family's Memorial weekend getaway...

The capital building is hauntingly beautiful at night in Washington DC

Washington, D.C. 


Think our capital city is only home to warring politicians? Think again. 


Washington D.C. is filled with monuments, parks, and museums (many of them free) that can entertain kids of any age. Whether your kids are into dinosaurs, vehicles, art, space, or fashion, there’s a museum for them. In fact, you definitely can’t  get to all of D.C. 's museums in a long weekend. 


Don’t get overwhelmed, though. Most kids would be delighted to check out the National Children’s Museum, the International Spy Museum, and Smithsonian’s National Zoo — arguably the most popular zoo in the country. 

Plus, the city is super walkable with easy-to-navigate public transportation. May is a great time to visit before summer heat and humidity descend.

Marathon Island has a Sea Turtle Hospitals that families can visit
Marathon Island boasts white sand beaches and palm trees

Marathon Island, Florida


If you’re craving a beach vacation where you’re almost guaranteed blue skies and water warm enough to swim in during the early part of summer, then Marathon Island in the Florida Keys is your go-to spot. 


Like all the Florida Keys, it has gorgeous beaches that’ll offer plenty of time for relaxation, building sand castles, and splashing in the water. 


But Marathon Island also boasts some pretty incredible wildlife activities. At the non-profit Dolphin Research Center, you can watch dolphins and sea lions splashing around in their natural habitat. For an experience your kids will never forget, you can also purchase the immersive package — where you swim and interact with the dolphins. 


Marathon Island is also home to The Turtle Hospital, a rehabilitation center for turtles where visitors can take a guided tour that ends with an opportunity to feed the resident sea turtles. 

the grand canyon is spectacularly beautiful and there are tons of activities for all age groups.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona


If you’d like to spend some time in the natural splendor of Arizona before it’s 115 degrees out, late May is a good option. 


The Grand Canyon on its own is spectacular and sure to inspire awe in your kids — plus, the surrounding areas have plenty of other kid-friendly activities. 


Getting lodging (even camping) within the park can take some early planning, but there are lots of hotels outside the park and in neighboring areas. Many families with younger kids prefer to do the canyon itself as a day trip since little ones might not have as much stamina for long hikes or interest in the history.


So what else can you do with your time in the area? Bearizonia, a drive-through wildlife park, is always a hit. Williams, Arizona on Route 66 is a blast from the past and especially appeals to any kid who loves the Cars movies. And Meteor Crater, where a 150-feet wide meteorite hit the earth more than 50,000 years ago, will wow even the grown-ups. 

Balboa Park has 17 different museums - something for everyone.
LEGOLand will amaze kids (and adults) of all ages.

San Diego, California


In many ways, San Diego feels like it was built for a family vacation. For starters, they have Balboa Park, where you can choose from 17 different museums. You could visit a science center, a children’s museum, and a natural history museum all in one spot. 


And then there are the beaches, the double decker bus tours, and the sea lion sightings. Speaking of, if you have animal-loving kids, you can head to the San Diego ZooSan Diego Zoo Safari Park, and SeaWorld San Diego


And of course, you can’t miss LEGOLand California. You’re less than an hour’s drive away. 

Breckenridge, Colorado in the summer is a beautiful outdoor recreation vacation spot.

Breckenridge, Colorado


Don’t forget about traditional winter vacation spots, like the ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado. You can often find lower rates on lodging, and there’s plenty to do.


For families who love outdoor adventures, Breckenridge is the perfect destination. The area has gorgeous hiking and biking trails for every skill level. If you’re into water sports, you can go white water rafting, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Swim in a heated pool surrounded by a stunning mountain view.  


And if you’re greeted with a rainy day, there are indoor activities as well. The Mountain Top Explorium is a children’s museum with exhibits for every age, from tots to teens. You could also go summer dog sledding, ice skating, or enjoy a guided tour of a gold mine

dreamy tree swing on the beach in Punta Cana
White sand beaches, palm trees, and parasailing in Punta Cana

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic


For families looking to go further afield, Punta Cana is a popular destination. Look at a picture, and you won’t have to wonder why.


 The clear water and white-sand beaches are what dreams are made of. Plus, many of the resorts in Punta Cana have water parks, so you have the opportunity to be your child’s absolute favorite person. 


Once your kids have had enough of lounging on the beach and playing in the sand, you can take a glass-bottom boat tour, go zip-lining, or visit ChocoMuseo to see chocolate being made. If your kids are a little older, you can even take a workshop to make a chocolate bar yourselves. 


There’s also a forest reserve with lagoons and a petting zoo, as well as several places to see and interact with local marine life like dolphins and sea lions.  


Happy Daydreaming :)


P.S. Our favorite Paper Cape organic cotton picks for this type of trip...

 

 

We hope that you had as much fun daydreaming about potential getaways as we did while researching this article.  Even if family travel feels more like a "trip" than a vacation, do yourself a favor and plan a spectacular trip.

Meng Li

Author Meng is a Mom of 2 and Entrepreneur (and guest blogger :)). She recently started her own company Huhu (meethuhu.com), and is creating a diaper backpack that is stylish, functional and made to last. Meng is happiest when her kids are awake and she can spend quality time with them and also happiest when they are asleep and she can binge watch prestige television.





Also in Paper Cape Blog

5 Questions with Artist Sally King Mcbride
5 Questions with Artist Sally King Mcbride

We sat down with NY based artist Sally King Mcbride for a behind the scenes look at how she developed the Nautical Print for our pajamas.  It's a peak into Sally's many roles as artist, entrepreneur at The Letter Nest, and mom to two boys.

View full article →

Size Guide

SIGN UP

Sign up to receive a code for 15% off of your first purchase and to hear about product launches and Paper Cape news.