When summer hits, it’s difficult not to start thinking about a beach getaway. Not only can you relax in the sun, but the sandy beaches are particularly ideal for families with children. Of course, there are a few factors to consider while selecting the ideal beach destination for you and your family. Are there any inexpensive accommodations? Kid-friendly activities? Rainy-day alternatives?
The list goes on. With that in mind, we sought out experts for recommendations on the best family-friendly beach destinations that would likely meet all (or most) of your needs. Continue reading to find out where they propose you arrange your trip.
1. Key Biscayne, Florida.
Wolf’s list also includes Key Biscayne, which is located outside of Miami. Crandon Park Beach, located in the green neighborhood, is “kid-friendly” and slightly less busy than Magic City, according to Wolf.
Wolf adds that the beach itself is a well-known site for TV advertisements and magazine photoshoots, and if you want to give your kids that cultural experience, plan a day to explore Miami.
“When you’re done at the beach, take in all that Miami has to offer, with its marriage of Latin culture and language in one of America’s most unique cities,” she tells me.
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2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Head south from Kure Beach and you’ll arrive at a more well-known destination: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
“This would not qualify as a hidden gem, but I firmly believe Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a great family beach destination,” says Samantha Linnett, travel planner and blogger for Discover with Sam. “I grew up accompanying my parents on our annual family vacations, and we’ve gone a few times as a family since my sister and I became adults. It’s ideal because it offers so much for all members of the family.”
Linnett says the beach is great, and the experience varies depending on where you camp. Enjoy a quieter atmosphere on the north side or brave the heavier people to the south near the boardwalk. Even if you want to avoid the crowds, the 1.2-mile Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade are worth visiting with your family.
“There are all kinds of beach-town shops and activities along the boardwalk, including one of my favorites, the SkyWheel,” Linnett told me. “There is plenty of entertainment for the entire family, from nightly performances and an amazing aquarium to mini-golf and escape rooms. “I highly recommend The Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show for a fun, family-friendly night out that will impress both parents and children.”
If you’re on a tight budget this summer, Linnett recommends this destination.
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3. Brighton Beach, New York
According to Noël Wolf, a Babbel Live instructor and cultural expert, Brighton Beach offers not just a handy retreat but also the opportunity to immerse yourself and your children in a completely different culture and language.
“Family vacations can be taxing, especially if you’re constantly searching for activities for kids, but some of that can be curbed by vacationing in a spot that is both naturally and culturally rich,” according to Wolf. “Exposing children to other cultures and particularly other languages can bolster their cognitive development, creativity, and cultural understanding—even while on vacation.”
Believe it or not, Brighton Beach can do precisely that without requiring you to pull out your family’s passports.
“Nicknamed Little Odessa due to its population of Russian speakers, Brighton is visited by countless families each year looking to spend time in New York while also experiencing the coast,” Wolf elaborates. “With the legendary Coney Island just a 15-minute walk away, Brighton combines Russian culture and New York sensibility.”
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4. Hilton Head Island, SC
If you’ve previously visited Myrtle Beach and are looking for another South Carolina vacation, look no further than Hilton Head Island.
Dani Morin, a mom and content developer, thinks Hilton Head is a family-friendly destination for a variety of reasons. In a TikTok video from June 2023, she emphasizes the cleanliness of the town and beaches. Morin goes on to point out that Hilton Head “lives up to the kid-friendly hype” because of the numerous parks and themed activities.
And if your primary goal is to spend time at the beach with your family, you will not be disappointed.
Morin recommends visiting Skull Creek Dockside for dinner and letting the kids play on the on-site playground.
“There is so much to do on this island,” she exclaims. “I will be coming back to Hilton Head.”
5. Kure Beach, North Carolina.
A family-friendly alternative awaits you in North Carolina. According to Melissa Ferguson, the author and TikToker behind @ourfriendlyfarmhouse, Kure Beach, North Carolina, is a perfect trip.
“This beach with fairly inexpensive beachfront options had the most beautiful blue-green water and great waves for boogie boarding and adventuring, but it also had everything else,” Ferguson writes in text overlaying a TikTok video from February 2023.
According to Ferguson, the seaside town has extra features such as an aquarium, wetlands for fishing and hiking, Civil War historical bicycling lanes, weekly carnivals, and fireworks. You can also take a ferry to Wilmington, where important movies and television shows such as Safe Haven, A Walk to Remember, and Dawson’s Creek were filmed.
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6. San Diego, Calif.
Travel to the West Coast and discover San Diego, where there will be plenty of entertainment for the entire family.
“With its miles of golden beaches lining the coast, surf breaks that cater to both beginner and more experienced surfers, and a plethora of delicious food options, San Diego is easily one of the best family-friendly beach destinations,” says Kristin Lee, travel expert and owner of the travel blog Global Travel Escapades. “Whether you’re traveling with little ones or adults, this beach town offers something for everyone in the family.”
She keeps going: “For example, two crowd-favorite beaches include Mission Beach with its bustling boardwalk, and La Jolla Shores with its calm waters, perfect for families with young children.”
It’s another location that has enough to offer in the event of adverse weather, and no vacation is complete without a visit to the San Diego Zoo!
7. Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia, is another must-see trip for your family. Lauren, the mom behind the TikTok account @classicalcreativechaos, describes this area as “a one-of-a-kind family-friendly beach getaway.”
“From wild ponies to pristine beaches, there’s something for everyone,” Lauren writes in the caption of a video from June 2023, noting that she has been visiting Chincoteague every year for the past 12 years.
“It’s one of our family’s favorite destinations. “It’s never crowded, safe, and simply beautiful,” she explains.
Lauren recommends renting golf carts or bikes to explore the island, as well as going crabbing. When it comes to sweet delights, she recommends Sandy Pony Donuts and Mister Whippy.
The famous Chincoteague Ponies she describes are officially on Assateague Island, but you and the kids will want to see them. While you must view these wild horses from a distance, there are other options, including a boat, bus, or car.
8. Cape May, NJ
The list of family-friendly beach spots concludes with a tiny nook near the southernmost tip of the Jersey Shore.
“The idyllic Cape May area in New Jersey is a family-friendly beach that’s only about 90 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia,” explains Amber Haggerty, travel writer of Amber Everywhere, to Best Life. “With beautiful, sandy beaches, adorable little shops, and boutiques in town, there’s more than enough activities to fill up an itinerary.”
Aside from “the usual beach activities,” try taking the kids to Cape May County Park and Zoo. You can also follow Haggerty’s advice and climb to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse or go bird-watching at Cape May Point State Park. At Cape May Point, every history fan, young or old, will want to photograph the rusted shipwreck S.S. Atlantus.
