Learn how to go on a family vacation during COVID. Get ideas for the best (and safest) trips to take this year.
We all need a break from this worry-filled world right now, not to mention these four walls we’ve been staring at day-after-pandemic-day. Am I right? Though stay-at-home orders have lifted, you might be wondering if a family vacation during COVID is even possible. Good news: Vacations are possible. But some kinds of travel are easier, and feel safer, than others.
We went on a quick family trip this weekend. It was the first official day of summer and Father’s Day weekend. So, we headed up to Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan for an overnighter.
We were surprised that the island was packed – not a good thing anytime, but especially awful with contagious coronavirus. We managed to ditch the crowds and have a fun time anyway.
Along the way, we learned some lessons about traveling in the age of COVID that you should know too.
COVID Vacation Hassles
There are some things that are just a pain to do during a pandemic and others that make you feel vulnerable (too many people, too many people!). Here are my tips to avoid feeling stressed out on your trip:
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or a coronavirus expert. You have to assess your own risk and decide what’s safe for you and your family. These are just what I would choose to do the next time I vacation.
Skip touristy areas
We went to Mackinac Island, which purely exists to entertain tourists. Naively, we thought it would be empty since it just opened for the summer season and coronavirus and all. It was packed! We were back-to-back with people in shops. Everyone had masks on, but still…
So, don’t assume that tourist areas are quiet right now. People are tired of being cooped up and are flocking to any destination that’s remotely outdoorsy.
Most people went on horse-drawn carriage tours and bike rides. We got away from the crowds by walking up a steep hill in the state park and wandering through the back trails. We barely saw anyone. It was beautiful and quiet.
We made our way to one-room blacksmith shop in the woods where my husband and kids forged their own knives (with a two-time contestant from the History Channel’s Forged in Fire show). Then we walked down to the Lake Huron shore, ate fudge (it’s the fudge capitol of the world!) and looked for colored rocks and Petoskey stones.
The key to reclaiming our #StaySafe sanity was getting away from the masses. Pick places and activities that are off-the-beaten path.
Avoid eating out
The biggest pain of traveling during the pandemic is without a doubt eating out. Expect long wait times at restaurants because of reduced capacity limits.
We waited an hour to be seated indoors – it would have been even longer if we wanted patio seating. Fast food wasn’t any better. A pizza place across the street had a line out the door for people wanting to grab slices to go.
On our drive, there wasn’t a problem getting into sandwich shops and fast food places off the highway. But everything is to go. One place had dine-in seats open, but none of their employees were wearing masks which wigged out my tween. So, we ate our sandwiches and chips on the parking lot curb.
Then there’s just the logistical issue of food that doesn’t taste as good when it’s not piping hot. Or it gets soggy by the time you get back to your hotel room, which is what happened with our Chicago hot dogs.
I don’t normally say this and it kind of goes against everything I’m trying to get away from but…I’d rather cook my own meals on pandemic vacations. It would just make things so much easier. So stay in a place where you can buy or bring your own groceries to make meals.
Focus on one destination
You don’t want to fly. So, you’re considering a road trip. I get it. And, I like the idea of hitting the road with my family too. But having to switch hotels and constantly dine out is a pain these days.
It would be better to choose one destination and vacation-in-place (ha!). Settle in. Shop at the farmer’s market, ask locals about their favorite hiking trails or beaches, and find the best sunset view. If you drive there, cool. Just don’t hop from city to city.
Family Trips to Avoid During the Pandemic
If you want the easiest, most stress-free vacation, it’s important to choose the right kind of trip. While I love all kinds of vacations, right now these are on my no-go list:
- All-inclusive resorts
- City vacations
- Cruises
- Guided tours
- Road trips with multiple stops
Four BEST Family Vacations to Take During a Pandemic
I’m 100% for pandemic vacations where you stay in a place where you can make your own meals and do lots of outdoor activities. Look for destinations that have good weather so you can do fun things.
Trip ideas include:
- Hiking, horseback riding, sand sledding and riding ATVs around Zion National Park in Utah.
- Kayaking, swimming in natural pools and spotting a ton of waterfalls like in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
- Sandcastle building, playing in waves, hunting for seashells, fishing, watching dolphins in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
You get the idea. To come up with your own plan, consider these types of vacations that are perfect during this crazy coronavirus time:
Visit family and friends
You know how you’ve been meaning to visit your favorite aunt for years? Now is the time to visit friends and family. If no one is in the high-risk COVID group and y’all feel comfortable sharing cooties.
Offer to buy groceries and make meals. Research some fun, outdoorsy activities nearby. Or just focus on catching up with one another around a backyard bonfire. Bonus points if your loved one has a pool and hot tub!
Go camping
If you love camping, 2020 is your year. Because it seems like the safest way to vacay. You bring all your own food. You spend your entire vacation outside. And you sleep nestled next to your everyday peeps.
Communal bathrooms may still be a problem though. In which case, go rustic (for you glampers, that means you do you business in the woods) or rent an RV.
Rent an RV
You can rent an RV/motorhome and have your transportation, accommodations and kitchen all-in-one. With this type of trip, you could even safely hop from one destination to another. You’re not having to switch hotel rooms and you can feed yourself on the road without having to stop into fast food joints.
Stay in a vacation rental
The ultimate in stress-free vacationing just may be a vacation rental. Sites like HomeAway.com have a ton of options. Rent a place for a week, like a beach cottage or a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. Stock up on groceries once you get there. And consider it your new “summer home.”
With a little planning to avoiding pandemic-related hassles, you can still have an awesome summer vacation.
Happy travels,
P.S. I’ve created itinerary guides to incredible (and outdoorsy) destinations. They make vacation planning a cinch. Get them in my Shop while they’re still on sale!
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