Guest Post: Underrated and unique vacation destinations {for families!}

Since we have a little one now, it's definitely going to change how and where we vacation! We do LOVE the beach though, so it's important to us that we find a family-friendly destination.

Meet Christina Johnson. She works remotely for Elliman Prudential in the New York City Apartments and Rentals market.  She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and her career. Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects.

When Christina approached me about doing a guest post on the blog, it didn't take me long to say yes! Obviously finding a family-friendly vacation destination is important now. Not only that, I can totally relate to wanting to use your journalism degree although your career is not in the field. Her article definitely gives me some ideas - and I hope you get them, too!\

Oh, and if you have any great locations to add to this list, please let me know!

Long lines at tourist attractions, overbooked hotels, and a lack of family-friendly activities can make vacationing at some of the really popular places less fun than it should be. But there are a number of places that you can vacation that don't get quite the amount of busy tourist activity as some of the more popular places. Located in the United States and around the world, these cities offer more than just hotels, movie theaters, and restaurants. They offer a wide variety of activities that adults and children can appreciate.

Amelia Island in Florida is not as well known as areas such as Orlando, Miami, or Key West, but that does not mean it has nothing to offer vacationers. Visitors can have a short stay at a bed and breakfast, hotel, or resort. They can also have an extended stay at a rental condo or house, or go camping in one of the local campsites. Beaches offer opportunities for swimming, horseback riding, hiking, or collecting seashells. Companies such as EoMotion Segway Tours provide off-road adventures on segways through Fort George Island State Park. Visitors can also take Segway, bicycle, or kayak tours through the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort Nature Center. Guided tours showcase birds, turtles, crabs, night creatures, and plant life.

While Houston, Texas is one of the largest cities in the country, it is not always considered a hot spot for vacationers. But it offers a wide variety of activities for families. The Galleria shopping mall has luxury stores, restaurants, cafes, an arcade, and a year-round ice skating rink. NASA and Space Center Houston have tours and interactive exhibits for adults and children. Visitors can see hundreds of animals at the Houston Zoo or have an educational and fun experience at the Houston Museum of Science and History. The Houston Children's Museum was created specifically for children, with interactive exhibits, guest speakers, art classes, and film events. For visitors arriving in the city during certain times of the year, there are large events to attend such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the National Dog Show.

For those families that wish to travel on an international scale, there are cities throughout Europe that have activities both parents and children will enjoy. Munich, Germany is home to amusement parks, marionette theaters, museums, and castles. Beer halls are often kid-friendly, offering special menus especially for the under age set. The Munich Toy Museum has a wide collection of historical toys from both Europe and America, including dolls, plush bears, and trains. Tierpark Hellabrun, the Munich Zoo, cover almost 90 acres and includes over 5,000 animal inhabitants situated in simulated natural habitats. There are also pony and camel rides, a petting zoo, and a seasonal penguin parade.

Also home to castles and other historic activities, Edingburgh, Scotland is home to gardens, museums, and countryside day trips. Tours can be taken through Edingburgh Castle, one of the most iconic fortresses in the country. Day trips can be taken through guided tour groups to areas such as Loch Ness, home of the fabled Loch Ness Monster. Families can also explorer the Museum of Childhood, a multi-level exhibition with collections of toys, clothing, games, craft items, and other objects that showcase the many aspects of childhood.


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