The Best Vacation Deals For The Family

The gift of travel, especially now, could be the perfect way to spend time with the ones you love this summer. To celebrate Father’s Day, many hotels are developing special packages for dad and the whole family to enjoy. Instead of a present you can wrap, these travel-focused gift ideas could be an ideal way to surprise dad this summer. From escape rooms to helicopter rides, your next vacation might just be bigger and better than before if you choose one of these creative options.

World’s largest and tallest escape room at Hilton Orlando

This conundrum experience is a fun way to challenge your kids’ minds. Hilton Orlando has the world’s largest and tallest escape room experience with a special package via Escape at Hilton Orlando. To enjoy between now and the end of the year, it includes overnight accommodations, an exclusive case file with instructions, clues and mission assistance notes. Guests can earn and redeem Hilton Honors points for a visit as well as take advantage of elite status perks during their stay.

Adopt an animal for marine research

Make your vacations educational at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota with its summer family package. It includes a private beach walk safari in partnership with a local, marine research non-profit plus aquarium tickets. You can even adopt your own animal through Mote’s Adopt an Animal Program by making a donation and then receiving updates and news about how it’s doing throughout the year. Among the animals you can adopt are manatees, alligators, sea turtles and even seahorses. The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota is part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program allowing guests to earn and redeem points during their stay.

Grand Wailea Father’s Day Package

The whole family can help dad celebrate his big day at Grand Wailea in Maui. The package includes a Hawaiian cultural experience like kukui nut bracelet weaving plus an outrigger tour along the coastline. So that fathers can teach their kids the importance of giving back, the resort is also giving guests a ride to a nearby Hawai’i Land Trust Volunteer Day for an educational and charitable experience. To reward themselves later, the package includes a visit to Wailea Golf and then a massage in the spa. The resort is a Waldorf-Astoria property giving guests the chance to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points during their stay.

Coconut husking, ukulele lessons, and cocktail classes at Hyatt Regency Maui

Similar to its Mother’s Day package, this Maui resort is preparing some dad-friendly activities for Father’s Day. If you missed it this spring, now is your chance to go. During a three-night stay in the Presidential or Palace Suite, guests can learn to play the ukulele, husk fresh coconuts or practice their bartending skills making new cocktails. Families can enjoy a private table at the resort’s famed luau with their own fire knife lesson designed for kids as well as an all-day tent rental with lawn games and other beachside activities. There’s also a NASA astronomer-led astronomy tour that showcases 80 of the 88 constellations in the sky as well as the ability to earn World of Hyatt points for this $20,000 package (good for six people for three nights in a suite).

Glamping for families in Houston

Another Hilton Honors-participating property, The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, near Houston, has a family-friendly activity this summer. The glamping package includes accommodations, a sleeping bag and tent, a s’mores kit, flashlight, and toys and puzzles to keep everyone entertained. Dads can celebrate their special day with the whole family while earning plenty of Hilton Honors points.

“Home Alone”-themed package at The Plaza Hotel

Between June 12 and 26, The Plaza Hotel is offering a “Don’t Leave Dad Home Alone package,” which includes overnight accommodations and a limo ride around New York City to visit filming locations from the movie like the Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. The self-guided tour, including a box of pizza for the ride, is a great way to explore the city before returning to the hotel to enjoy an in-room ice cream sundae (just like the famous scene in the movie) with 16 scoops and all of the colorful toppings you can imagine. Guests booking this package (rates start at $1,677 per night) can earn Accor All Live Limitless points during their stay to redeem for discounts during future stays at Accor hotels.

Summer of Sponge Bob at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts

Between now and Sept. 7 (reservations must be made by Aug. 30), the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana Nickelodeon properties are offering up to 40% off and $400 in resort credit. This could represent some mega savings for families. SpongeBob-themed programming is part of the experience including themed events, special menus and SpongeBob episode viewing parties. Other activities include trivia contests, scavenger hunts, Pajama Jam character breakfasts, arts and crafts get-togethers and beach parties. Don’t miss Nick Live! Poolside – SpongeBob Edition with pop-up live performances and DJ shows.

Family fun at LEGOLAND New York Resort

In New York’s Hudson Valley, LEGOLAND New York has a new water park and plenty of family-friendly activities. Starting at $177 per person, this vacation package includes an overnight stay with separate areas for kids to sleep, two day passes with guaranteed admission to LEGOLAND, free breakfast, free parking and a scavenger hunt with a prize at the end. Kids will also be greeted with a special welcome gift. Guest rooms have different themes like pirates and LEGO NINJAGO themes. They come with Google Nest Hubs that can send them on in-room scavenger hunts or even reading kids a bedtime story so that parents can relax after a day of fun with the family.

Explore the Rocky Mountains by train

The Final Call Promotion from Rocky Mountaineer is offering $150 off per person between now and October for its numerous train itineraries. Before now and the end of August, you can save as much as $800 off a 2023 train journey for two. The two and three-rail day journeys include onboard food, drinks and sightseeing talks plus hotel accommodations en route. It’s a family-friendly way to explore popular American destinations, including national parks, without having to worry about driving.

Learn to sail in New York City

There’s a new partnership between the Equinox Hotel and Hudson River Community Sailing that’s just in time for Father’s Day. The special hotel package includes a two-hour, private sailing lesson, a food and beverage credit at the hotel, and two nights at the hotel. It’s a great experience for families. Hudson River Community Sailing is a non-profit organization that works to help underserved youth with leadership skills and academic success through sailing experiences. Be sure to allow two weeks’ notice with the hotel if you want to book this vacation package.

Be a wilderness ranger for a week

EcoTraining’s camps in southern Africa are offering a special package for parents and kids that allow young visitors to become wilderness rangers for the day. Dads and their kids can enjoy bonding time by using a specialist guide to embark on game drives and walks in the bush. The “Dads and Lads” experience is available in the Pridelands Conservancy, Greater Kruger, Selati Game Reserve or Karongwe Game Reserve for a minimum of two nights starting at around $226 per person per night including meals and most drinks.

Fly over the Panama Canal

The Santa Maria Stopover package at The Santa Maria, A Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort in Panama includes an exciting experience for all ages. In addition to three nights in an executive suite, guests are treated to a helicopter flight over the Panama Canal and Pearl Islands followed by a gourmet Champagne lunch. Starting at $1,350 per night, the package also includes airport transfers, daily breakfast for two and the opportunity to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. The package is available through Dec. 20 and works well with Copa Airlines’ own stopover promotion that allows travelers to stay extra nights in the airline’s Panama City hub at no added cost.