Get Ready for the Newest Travel Trend: Gramping

Image: PHOTO: The latest emerging travel trend is "Gramping" (Courtesy Marriott)
Image: PHOTO: The latest emerging travel trend is "Gramping" (Courtesy Marriott)
Mia Taylor
by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Wed May 1, 2019

Multi-generational travel has been a growing segment for several years now, which means it can hardly be considered an emerging trend anymore.

However, there is a new take on this trend, that Marriott and other travel industry insiders say is something relatively new.

As families continue to find new ways to create experiences and memories together, multi-generational travel has morphed to include "skip-gen" travel, also known as "gramping."

Need a translation? Don't worry, you're not alone.

Skip-gen and gramping getaways are focused on grandparents bonding with their grandchildren sans parents.

In other words, parents, feel free to stay home. Or go ahead and book your own getaway, because grandma and grandpa are taking the kiddos on vacay.

According to Boomer Magazine, spoiling the grandkids has come a long way and grandparents are now taking grandkids on epic skip-gen trips in the United States and abroad.

The proliferation of this type of travel has emerged as the baby boomer generation moves into retirement and is looking for ways to combine family and exploring the world. Often such trips are planned to mark certain milestones for the grandchildren, grandparents or the family.

Picking the right kind of vacation for playful kids and baby boomers, however, can sometimes be challenging, says Marriott. But it doesn't have to be.

The hotel giant has just issued its top recommendations for "gramping" experience across the Americas, identifying destinations it says offer just the right mix of attractions for grandparents and grandchildren.

New York, New York

Warm weather, new openings and major events make the Big Apple an ideal place for skip-gen travelers to spend a summer weekend.

New this summer, the Statue of Liberty Museum opens in May and the final section of the High Line elevated park opens in June.

New York Marriott Downtown is located in Lower Manhattan, close to the waterfront, with cool summer breezes and most of its guest rooms have views of the harbor and city. It's walking distance to multiple attractions including Battery Park, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, several museums and the new shops and restaurants of Brookfield Place.

Take a quick subway or yellow taxi uptown to see a Broadway show, explore Central Park and check out the Empire State Building, there are activities for all ages.

Boston, MA

Whether exploring Boston's Freedom Trail on the red brick path throughout the city, taking a famous Duck Tour on land and sea, or enjoying a baseball game at Fenway Park (and don't forget the Fenway Frank!) this iconic New England city is great for grandparents and grandchildren.

Nestled in Boston's scenic Seaport District, Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel is walking distance to the Boston Children's Museum, The Institute of Contemporary Art, and The Greenway which has seven water features, public art, a carousel, and summer concerts and movies.

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta offers endless activities and attractions throughout the city. Highlights include touring CNN studios, observing marine life at the Georgia Aquarium, and exploring the Fountain of Rings in Centennial Olympic Park. Giant twin pandas can be seen at the Atlanta Zoo and those familiar with Winnie-the-Pooh will want to explore the exhibit at the High Museum of Art.

The Aloft Atlanta Downtown is in walking distance of many of these activities.

Seattle, WA

With ideal weather, seasonal festivals and outdoor activities aplenty, it's no wonder that Seattle shimmers in the summer.

The city's celebrated attractions include the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57. There's also no shortage of gorgeous views here, among them the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, Lake Union, and Cascade mountain range.

Younger grandkids won't want to miss Sesame Street's Muppets, which will be visiting Seattle in July, while teenagers may want to check out Google's new campus in the South Lake Union neighborhood.

The Westin Seattle offers easy access to many of the city's top attractions.

Washington, D.C.

Located in the breathtaking waterfront destination of National Harbor, Maryland, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, has added complimentary, resort-only activities designed for all ages to enjoy.

Active guests can experience nightly laser light shows, Silent Disco Parties, and a nature-loving scavenger hunt. More low-key activities include movies in its 19-story garden atrium, a "Campfire and S'more" experience, live music and more.

Vancouver, BC

What's unique about this Canadian city is how quickly you can go from hiking or boating to watching an outdoor movie in a park or exploring a pop-up market.

No matter how energetic or active the group, there's truly something for all interests, including restaurants for the family foodie.

With Western Canada's mountaintops as its backdrop, JW Marriott Parq Vancouver is anchored in the middle of it all. In between the stylish neighborhoods of Gastown and Yaletown, the hotel is at the epicenter of downtown Vancouver's dynamic entertainment district, Parq Vancouver.

Lima, Peru

The trend of skip-gen trips is attributed to baby boomers who may be retired and have more time to take a far-flung trip with their grandchildren and Lima is a great option for these types of vacations.

Popular attractions for all ages include Kennedy Park, the Indigenous Market and LarcoMar.

Located along the Malecón de la Reserva, offering stunning ocean views of Miraflores, AC Hotel Lima Miraflores is located just a short walk from Lima's most popular sites.


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Mia Taylor

Mia Taylor

Senior Editor

Mia Taylor is an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience. Most recently she worked as a staff writer for America's largest digital publisher DotdashMeredith, where she contributed stories on a daily basis to four of the company's most iconic brands - Parents,Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Health. Her work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, The Boston Globe, The San Diego UnionTribune, Westways Magazine, Fortune, and more.

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