2021 Travel Restrictions: Socially Distant Vacation Ideas for Families

Many families are looking to find alternatives to their normal pre-pandemic cruises and vacations. With more people being vaccinated and online schooling still in session in many states and cities, now could be the perfect time to get creative with a vacation. Here are some helpful socially distant travel ideas for families.

If your family is like a lot of families, chances are you've never taken the time to fully explore all your home state has to offer. Rent a house somewhere you've never been to, and take the kids on a short road trip. Traveling in your home state will help you reconnect with the state while also giving you peace of mind; because, unlike a cross-country road trip, you'll be making fewer stops and will eliminate the need for overnight stops, too. Once you've reached your destination, spend time in the local nature and taking in the scenery. If you're from Wisconsin, try heading up to the beautiful Door County. If you're from one side of Florida, find a small town on the other side. If you live in southern California, why not head up north and explore a bit? Adventure doesn't have to be far away; it just has to be different.

National parks are one of the best socially distant vacation destinations. While some may not be open due to winter weather, there are a lot of national parks that are currently open in warmer states, like Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park. While there, treat your kids to an incredible vacation full of physical activity, exploring nature and discovering the local wildlife. Many parks have campgrounds, cabins and even resort-worthy lodges to stay in. Glacier National Park, for example, has Lake MacDonald Lodge and Many Glacier Hotel. A cabin will be the best option to make your headquarters. Visit US Park Lodging to scope out options for your national park exploration.

It's easy to think of traveling to the big city for adventure: from San Francisco or Seattle to New York or Boston, the big cities typically draw millions of visitors each year who come for the awesome food, beautiful scenery, incredible landmarks and more. However, they're not the best places for social distancing. Opt instead for staying in a smaller town. American small towns are known for their charm and history of resilience, and many, like Gatlinburg, Tennessee, are perfect headquarters for an outdoor adventure.

With spring break coming around the corner, more people are going to be interested in flocking to the beach for a quick getaway. Instead of following the herd, opt instead for the lakes. While it may not be the warmest destination depending on where the lake you choose to visit is located, it's sure to be a fun, nature-filled escape. If it's warm enough to swim, you can spend quality time with your family fishing, splashing, waterskiing and more. At the end of each evening, sit on the pier and watch the sun set and the stars rise. If it's still a bit chilly, opt instead for a boat ride across the lake and some fishing; maybe get in a nature walk or two along the lakefront. Some of the best lakes in the country are Lake Tahoe, Lake Michigan and the Great Salt Lake, though there are many more beautiful, smaller lakes in almost every state.

Instead of Panama City or Miami, why not try Gulf Shores, Alabama? For those who need to feel that sand between their toes, it's important to research the lesser-known beaches available to travel to. Rent a condo in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida or a house near Gulf State Park for a spectacular and more secluded beach escape. The trick is to think outside the box here when it comes to finding a secluded beach.

The more bathroom breaks and hotels you stay in for the duration of your road trip could potentially risk exposure to COVID-19. The way to avoid such necessities? Rent an RV! RVs are great for families who'd like to stick close together and avoid staying in hotels or eating out in restaurants. Plus, you can literally stay wherever there's an RV park, directly on the beach or deep inside a beautiful forest.

All-inclusive resorts are currently operating at limited capacity, which means you have plenty of space to social distance. Depending on the resort you choose, they might have private villas or bungalows you can stay in, too. The larger the property you choose, the more spread out all of its guests will be, which will give you and your family space to spread out and have some fun. Many all-inclusive properties are now offering COVID-19 testing in places like Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean for free or at a reduced cost to comply with CDC guidelines.

Ever wonder what skiing in Aspen, Colorado or another ski destination would be like? Skip the resorts and opt instead for a cabin rental, then hit the slopes! Kids will love to go tubing, sledding and learn the ropes of snowboarding or skiing. Then you can relax by the fireplace in your private retreat, sipping hot cocoa and enjoying the last few weeks of winter. Many states have had record snowfall this winter, so it won't be hard to find a town or city that offers ski hills.