Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Family Travel Awards: Top Picks for Families

Creating memories with loved ones on vacation can be some of the most rewarding times for any family. But the challenge of choosing the right destination, activities, and even the right gear is real. That’s why Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Family Travel Awards have become a gold standard for families, offering carefully vetted recommendations designed to suit every type of traveler, from thrill-seekers and beach lovers to city explorers. This comprehensive guide highlights the top winners across categories, from action-packed activities and thoughtfully chosen destinations to tried-and-tested essential travel gear and services. Dive in for this year’s most trusted family vacation inspiration.

How Good Housekeeping Selects Award Winners

The rigorous selection process for the Family Travel Awards ensures each recommendation is backed by research, real-world testing, and family-focused evaluation:

• Hundreds of submissions—from luggage and booking platforms to hotels, cities, resorts, and more—are reviewed.
• Expert judges and reviewers, including the Good Housekeeping Institute staff and travel professionals, oversee every stage.
• More than 85 families participate as testers, evaluating destinations and products across a standardized checklist.
• Evaluation covers a range of criteria: dining, cleanliness, activity offerings, staff quality, WiFi reliability, value, and overall vibe.
• Hands-on experiences and candid family insights inform the final choices, ensuring recommendations for all ages and interests.

Meet the Experts

• Karen Cicero
• Lexie Sachs (Executive Director, Strategy & Operations)
• Emma Seymour (Associate Product Analyst)
• Numerous additional industry professionals and family testers

Travel Gear: Essentials for Stress-Free Adventures

Packing the right gear can make or break a family trip. The 2025 awarded gear items are selected to streamline travel, maximize comfort, and enhance organization—so your vacation feels more like a getaway and less like a logistical challenge.

• Family Luggage: Suitcases and duffels offering smart organization, durability for frequent use, and easy handles for kids and adults.
• Packing Cubes: Sets that help families separate clothing and essentials, maximizing suitcase space and staying organized throughout the trip.
• Travel Strollers: Lightweight, compact folding strollers that maneuver through airports and narrow streets with ease yet support a comfortable nap for tired toddlers.
• Kid-Friendly Headphones and Tablets: Durable electronics for screen time on planes or road trips, equipped with volume limiting and sturdy cases.
• Refillable Water Bottles and Snack Containers: Leak-proof options that are easy to clean and minimize single-use plastics on your journeys.

Services & Transportation: Making Travel Seamless

Getting from point A to point B can be half the adventure with the right support. These 2025 Family Travel Award winners help families book and navigate the world effortlessly:

• Online Booking Platforms: Sites and apps offering competitive rates, flexible change options, and intuitive search filters for family needs.
• Airport Lounges: Family-friendly lounges with play areas, quiet zones, and ample food and beverage choices to make layovers less stressful.
• Car Rental Services: Providers that offer easy pickup, flexible return, and a range of child seat options.
• Travel Insurance Options: Plans tailored for families, including robust medical coverage and solution-oriented customer support.

Beach Destinations: Sun, Sand & Surf for All Ages

From classic coastlines to off-the-beaten-path gems, the Beach Destinations category recognizes spots where families will find stunning scenery, abundant activities, and hassle-free amenities. Whether you prefer all-inclusive resorts or local town adventures, these picks guarantee memorable sand-and-sea fun.

Top Picks by Subcategory

Each destination was judged for family-friendly beaches, the quality and diversity of local cuisines, kid-oriented activities, and the availability of relaxing amenities for parents. Whether it’s the warm waters of Florida or family adventures in Turkey, these spots are as varied as today’s traveling families.

City Vacations: Urban Exploration for Every Interest

If your family prefers world-class museums, bustling food scenes, and easy access to cultural events, these cities promise discovery around every corner. The 2025 winners highlight:

• Salt Lake City, Utah: Recognized for its family-friendly museums, outdoor access, and welcoming atmosphere.
• Victoria, British Columbia: European-inspired charm with lush parks, boat rides, and hands-on science centers.
• San Antonio, Texas: Historic sites, riverwalk adventures, and a rich cultural heritage for all generations.
• Orlando, Florida: Beyond the theme parks, the city is bursting with interactive exhibits, gardens, and culinary experiences.
• Montreal & Quebec City, Canada: Blending old-world elegance and North American convenience, perfect for families seeking an international vibe without crossing oceans.

Notably, some award-winning city hotels were not in the same cities as the top vacation picks, underlining the diversity and breadth of family travel tastes and experiences in North America and beyond.

Action-Packed Activities: Adventures for the Whole Family

For families craving excitement and memorable bonding experiences, 2025’s top action activities include both resort-based fun and destination-specific adventures:

• Pickleball, Archery, and Mini-Golf: At properties like YMCA of the Rockies, these multi-generational activities keep everyone engaged.
• Rock Climbing & Aerial Challenge Courses: Safe, supervised, and perfect for adrenaline-seeking kids and parents alike.
• Guided Nature Hikes, Waterfall Treks, and Tubing: Especially prominent at Snow Mountain Ranch and similar wilderness resorts, with options like dog-sledding and tree-cutting events in winter.
• Indoor Water Parks & Roller Skating: Iconic properties such as The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando offer year-round aquatic fun.

Resort Highlights

• YMCA of the Rockies (Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch): Classic Colorado retreats emphasizing outdoor adventure, unplugged living (most accommodations without TVs), and community events.
• The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando: An all-suite resort with multiple pools, on-site water park, and proximity to Orlando’s attractions.
• Sun Princess Cruise (Princess Cruises): Recognized for blending next-level ship amenities (multi-room family suites, adventure zones, global dining, multi-generational programming) with the magic of at-sea travel.

Resorts & Lodging: Unplugged Retreats to Luxurious Escapes

Whether your family prefers sprawling multi-bedroom cabins or a luxury cruise suite, these award-winning resorts deliver:

• Cabins and Yurts: YMCA of the Rockies’ offerings allow large families to reconnect, with pet-friendly options, spacious porches, and full kitchens.
• All-Inclusive Mega Cruises: The Sun Princess (Princess Cruises) was singled out for its blend of innovation, entertainment, and community experiences at sea.
• All-Suite Family Resorts: The Grove Resort & Water Park in Orlando has large-scale suites, a signature water park, and full kitchen amenities.
• Campgrounds and Yurt Villages: For those seeking nature-centric stays, summer campgrounds and yurt living combine adventure with affordability.

These properties were praised for balancing privacy and togetherness, offering common areas for reunions, and—uniquely—embracing digital detox with limited in-room screens.

Planning Tips for Memorable Family Vacations

Experts and family testers shared essential tips to help streamline vacation planning and boost every generation’s enjoyment:

• Look for destinations with inclusive on-site activities—saving time and money by minimizing the need to book separately.
• Choose accommodations with flexible spaces like multi-room suites, cabins with porches, or lodges with community seating; this ensures space for both alone time and group gatherings.
• Prioritize resorts and destinations known for excellent staff support, child-friendly amenities, and high cleanliness ratings.
• Incorporate a mix of action-packed activities and downtime, giving kids freedom to explore and adults moments of relaxation.
• Travel with gear that supports your family’s habits: water bottles, lightweight strollers, headphones, and snacks help smooth every moment from takeoff to campfire.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How does Good Housekeeping select its Family Travel Award winners?

A: Awards are determined through a comprehensive process: hundreds of nominations are evaluated by travel experts and families, with each destination, activity, and product rigorously tested for criteria such as value, convenience, and family-friendliness.

Q: What makes an activity or destination family-friendly?

A: Family-friendly spots cater to different age groups, provide engaging activities, offer reliable kid amenities, and make safety and convenience a top priority for all generations.

Q: Are there budget-friendly options among the award winners?

A: Yes, the awards emphasize value for money, spotlighting destinations and resorts—like YMCA of the Rockies with its affordable lodging and included activities—that offer outstanding family vacations without breaking the bank.

Q: Where can I find the full list of award winners and details?

A: The comprehensive guide and full winner lists are published on Good Housekeeping’s official site, under their 2025 Family Travel Awards section.

Q: How can I ensure a stress-free family vacation?

A: Early planning, prioritizing flexibility, choosing destinations rich in on-site activities, and traveling with the right gear all help reduce travel stress and maximize enjoyment for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Whether you crave a classic beach escape, adventure-filled mountain retreat, or a cutting-edge resort experience, Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Family Travel Awards point the way toward trips the whole family will treasure. With expert-vetted choices and practical planning advice, families can embark on journeys knowing their destinations, gear, and activities have been tested and approved by real families just like theirs.