Four Destinations You Haven't Thought Of For Your Next Family Reunion
Family reunions make for a unique kind of trip. Lots of people to accommodate, lots of logistics to consider, lots of bonding to be had, lots of potential chaos to evade. Family reunions are more about the journey — your family will be your family no matter where you take them, after all. But, that said...don’t underestimate the value of a good destination.
A good destination is conducive to big groups; it offers a little something for everyone; it’s hard not to love; it gives you the best possible chance to have the best possible time with your family. That’s the kind of destination you want for the family reunion you deserve.
Here are four gems throughout the U.S. that you may not have considered yet, but totally should.
A RANCH IN MONTANA
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Montana is one of the most spectacular places in the country, and it doesn’t get quite enough credit. Okay, maybe it’s gotten a little more credit since people started binging Yellowstone, but still not quite enough. The whole state is full of placid lakes, gushing rivers, snow-capped peaks, and of course wide-open plains brimming with wildlife and covered by big, big sky.
Head to one of Montana’s beautiful ranches for a nature-filled, peaceful yet adventurous experience. Already primed for reunion accommodations with sprawling cabins, lodges, and barns, many ranches are all-inclusive. They offer an array of activities from horseback riding to water sports to fishing to kids programs. When you’re not having fun at the ranch, you can visit Glacier National Park, go hiking or white water rafting, or grab a beer in a nearby charming western town.
resort options
The Ranch at Rock Creek • Flathead Lake Lodge • Paws Up
AN OCEANSIDE RESORT IN MAINE
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Maine is kind of all the way up there minding its own business, and we tend to forget it’s even a state. But it has so much to offer: a rocky and unique coastline with picturesque lighthouses. Cities and neighborhoods bustling with culture and history. Gorgeous foliage. Lobster!
There are plenty of family-friendly resorts to choose from throughout Maine, all amazing properties overlooking the sea. Enjoy classic resort activities during the day like swimming, tennis, or golf, followed by lobster bakes and smores at night — with anything from crabbing trips to museums to snowshoeing in between.
resort options
Cliff House • Samoset Resort • Spruce Point Inn
A BEACH HOUSE AT THE JERSEY SHORE
source: Carly Weaver
Okay, the Jersey Shore gets a bad rap (thanks, Snooki). But that’s all the more reason why it’s a great destination. So much of New Jersey’s coastline consists of quaint, charming family beach towns that you might not know about — all of which lend themselves to a perfectly pleasant, small-town-feel beach getaway. And who doesn’t love the beach?
Stay in a beautiful home in one of the more family-friendly towns like Cape May, Stone Harbor, or Avalon. Swim in the warm Atlantic Ocean on the clean, quiet beaches, hit the boardwalk for fun and games, go fishing or boating in the bay, watch the sunset from your deck, walk into town for fresh seafood or delicious ice cream. There’s no shortage of beach activities, outdoor sports, parks, shops, and good eats for the whole family to enjoy.
house rentals
A RESORT HOTEL IN ARIZONA
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Yes, it’s a hot destination...but it’s also a HOT destination! Arizona's unique geography makes for an amazing vacation setting, from Grand Canyon to evergreen forests to cactus-filled desert. It’s rich in history, abundant in outdoor adventures, and home to some of the country's best spas and health-focused resorts.
With package options at many of Arizona’s hotels and resorts, it’s the perfect place to combine ease and luxury. Whether you stay in Sedona, Scottsdale, or Tuscon, there’s so much to do in the Arizona sunshine: pools and hot springs, hikes and nature trails, golf and tennis, spas, and yoga. Something for everyone, all from the comfort of a luxurious and spread-out resort.
resort options
Enchantment Resort • The Phoenician • Hacienda Del Sol
by Carly Weaver
Carly, a New-Jersey-native-turned-Los-Angeles-local, has worked in digital marketing for the past decade doing everything from copywriting to creative production to brand strategy. But she’s always had three great loves: food, travel, and writing. That’s where Ogden Pacific comes in.
All-time favorite travel story? That time she slept in a drawer in a Florence hospital. All-time favorite meal? Well, as a decidedly unemotional person she’s been moved to tears by a single bite of food more than once...so let’s not even go there right now. All-time favorite destinations? The Jersey Shore for Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream and pure nostalgia. The British Virgin Islands for endless crystal clear seas and some of the nicest people on earth. Montana for that clean, crisp, mountain air and $2 Moose Drools enjoyed over dive bar shuffleboard. And Italy for literally...every...single...thing. Including that bite of burrata she cried over.
She’s here to help inform you, guide you, entertain you, and inspire you to find your next all-time favorite trip. (And also to help make sure you don’t end up in a drawer while you’re there.)