Travel season officially kicks off this weekend and Airbnb just announced the top travel trends for the summer. Unsurprisingly, the outdoors are big and family travel is up, but cities are also starting to make moves again.
So where exactly are families flocking to this summer? Keep reading to find out!
The data showed a huge increase in rural travel, up from less than 10% in 2015 to 28% in the U.S. in 2021 (even higher in Canada at 43%). Bookings in the U.S. favor spots near national parks, state parks and sandy beaches. The top destinations for summer 2021:
Whitefish Mountain, MT (near Glacier National Park)
Northern Wisconsin (near Lake Superior and Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest)
Hilton Head Island, SC
Black Hills, SD (near Black Hills National Forest and Mount Rushmore)
Miramar Beach, FL
Park County, MT
Michigan Upper Peninsula (Great Lakes, Hiawatha National Forest)
Acadia National Park
After a year of isolation, families are traveling together again. Airbnb found that family travel is up from 27% of nights booked in summer 2019 to 31% in 2021. Again, rural destinations are big this year with families, making up 42% of the nights booked. And about 95% of bookings are entire homes, compared to 80% in summer 2019. The company defines family travel as any reservation that includes an infant or a child, so the numbers could be even higher than that.
Long-term stays are popular in cities this summer and the top three Airbnb long-term stay destinations in the U.S. are all cities: New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. The company is working to make travel easier than ever, with flexible destinations, matching and dates all new to the platform, as well as a slew of other upgrades.
Wherever you’re traveling this summer, it’s a safe bet that you’ll have to work a little harder to beat the crowds. But the payoff is worth it with beautiful destinations anywhere you could imagine!
Summer just got a little more magical! Disney recently announced that the Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort’s original hotel, will reopen on July 2 with limited capacity. Better yet, you can make your room reservations now!
The resort made good use of the closure, updating the upholstery and fabrics throughout the guest rooms, lobbies and meeting rooms. You’ll find a new fireworks pattern in the carpet and graphic elements featuring different park landmarks in the hallways. And there’s plenty of old favorites to choose from: waterslides, spa whirlpools, a pool bar and multiple delicious restaurants.
Best of all, the Disneyland Hotel is located only steps from the park and Disney California Adventure Park. You’ll want to make your theme park reservations online in advance for anyone ages three and up in your family. You can use your hotel confirmation number to see the latest availability for the parks, but you must make a separate reservation to each park you want to visit. Face coverings are required for all guests ages two and older throughout the resort.
The Fantasy Tower is the first part of the resort to reopen and it includes a variety of standard and deluxe rooms to choose from. Look for hidden Mickeys throughout the building, as well as Disney themed decorations in every room. Make dreams come true and book your stay today!
L.O.L. Surprise! is coming to a stage near you. If you’re ready for some in-person entertainment, the beloved brand is taking its fierce, fab characters on a nationwide concert tour—with dozens of dates announced! New tour dates have been added in big destinations like Washington D.C. and Boston and due to a scheduling shift, some of the previous dates have been rescheduled or removed.
Lady Diva, Royal Bee, Neonlicious, Swag and other faves are hitting the road for the L.O.L. Surprise! Live-Calling All B’B.’s concert experience. With awesomely amazing visuals, the L.O.L. Dance crew and plenty of music, this interactive show is a can’t-miss for your young fan.
photo courtesy of MGA Entertainment
Here’s the full tour schedule, which kicks off in Spring 2022:
March 5 Thousand Oaks, CA Bank of America Performing Arts Center
March 6 Anaheim, CA City National Grove of Anaheim
March 9 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Federal Theatre
March 11 San Jose, CA San Jose Civic
March 12 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre
March 13 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
March 16 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
March 17 Ralston, NE Ralston Arena
March 18 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre
March 19 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater
March 20 Saint Louis, MO Fox Theatre – St. Louis
March 22 Knoxville, TN The Tennessee Theatre
March 23 Charleston, WV Clay Center for Arts & Sciences
March 24 Chattanooga, TN Tivoli Theatre
March 25 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
March 26 Lima, OH Veterans Memorial Civic Center
March 27 Richmond, VA Carpenter Theatre
March 29 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
March 30 Warren, OH Packard Music Hall
March 31 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
April 1 Greensburg, PA The Palace Theatre
April 2 Rockford, IL Coronado Performing Arts Center
April 3 Rosemont, IL Rosemont Theatre
April 5 Rochester, NY Kodak Center for the Arts
April 6 Wilkes Barre, PA F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
April 7 Staten Island, NY St. George Theatre
April 8 Brookville, NY The Tilles Center at LIU Post
April 9 Albany, NY Palace Theatre
April 10 Boston, MA Emerson Colonial Theatre
April 12 Syracuse, NY Oncenter – John H. Mulroy Civic Center – Crouse-Hinds Theatre
April 13 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
April 14 Lancaster, PA American Music Theatre
April 15 Wallingford, CT Oakdale Theatre
April 16 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Center for the Arts
April 19 Mobile, AL Mobile Civic Center
April 20 Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center
April 22 Louiville, KY The Louisville Palace Theater
April 23 Charlotte, NC Belk Theater At North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
April 24 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
April 27 Birmingham, AL BJCC Concert Hall
April 28 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center
April 30 Fort Lauderdale, FL Broward Center for the Performing Arts
May 2 Melbourne, FL King Center for the Performing Arts
May 3 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre
May 4 Orlando, FL Walt Disney Theatre
May 5 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
May 6 Atlanta, GA The Fox Theatre
May 7 Columbia, SC Township Auditorium
May 8 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
May 10 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre
May 11 Midland, TX Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
May 12 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
May 13 Grand Prairie, TX Texas Trust CU Theatre
Tickets and VIP packages are on sale now for shows that were rescheduled and tickets for the newly added shows go on sale to the general public starting Friday, October 8. Since Citi is the official presale credit card of the tour, Citi cardmembers have access to purchase presale tickets for the new shows beginning October 5 at 10 a.m. local time. Visit Citi or the LOL Surprise Live site for all the details!
Get ready to make your reservation for this summer, because the Avengers will finally assemble at their new home on Jun. 4, 2021! The new land is located within the Disney California Adventure theme park and will welcome guests to live out their superhero dreams.
Ken Potrock, president, Disneyland Resort shares “We are so excited to soon welcome our guests to Avengers Campus, our first land dedicated to Super Heroes. Here, our cast members will unite to help guests of all ages find their super powers and create special memories.”
Avengers Campus will unite “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” and inspire guests to join them. Park goers will be able to sling webs with Spider-Man, taste-test food and drinks and shop exciting new merchandise.
Head to Disneyland News to see even more details and learn about the new reservation system the California resorts will be implementing to ensure safe visits for all.
After a long year of closure, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are finally reopening. The resorts announced they would both welcome guests beginning Apr. 30, with limited capacity.
Guests will need to adjust to some big changes, including a new reservation system and enhanced safety measures, but the magic has definitely returned. Keep reading to get all the details before you book your trip.
photo: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
Due to California regulations, theme park capacity will be significantly limited. In response, Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that requires all guests to have a reservation beforehand.
To get in, you’ll need both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date. These reservations will be limited and for now, only for California residents. There will be more detailed info available on the new system in the coming weeks.
photo: Disneyland Resort
Once in the park, you’ll be able to experience all the attractions and food you love––with a few changes. For now, experiences like parades that draw large crowds will return at a later time. Avengers Campus will open later this year and Disney highly recommends using the Disneyland app for mobile ordering of food and drinks.
Not only will the amusement parks open their gates wide, but the Hotels of Disneyland Resort will also be welcoming park-goers starting Apr. 29, with a phased reopening starting with Disney’s Grand Californians Hotel & Spa. Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will plan to reopen May 2 and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.
If you are staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, make sure you still make those theme park reservations! A hotel stay does not guarantee a park reservation and hotel capacity will be limited.
Stay up to date with all the news leading up to the big reopening of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure at the Disney Parks Blog.
Fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of Disney’s latest animated film, Raya and the Last Dragon, and starting today, Feb. 5th, for the first time, Disney+ is offering pre-orders for Premiere Access, and Fandango has theater tickets for reservation as well. Keep reading to find out more.
Walt Disney Studios
Raya and the Last Dragon is a sweeping saga that takes you into the fantasy world of Kumandra, where dragons and humans lived alongside each other. When evil forces arise, the dragons sacrifice themselves to save humanity. Now, it’s 500 years later, and when evil rises again, lone warrior Raya tracks down the last legendary dragon in hopes of restoring the broken land and its people. Will finding the dragon do the job, or does it take teamwork and trust as well? Featuring an A-list lineup including Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, this highly anticipated movie will be released on Mar. 5th.
There are two ways you can get to the front of the line for Raya and the Last Dragon. If you’re a subscriber to Disney+, for $29.99, you can get Premier Access and watch the movie as often as you like. Get premiere access here. You can also purchase tickets for in-theater viewing on Fandango.
Wondering what it will be like to visit Santa at Macy’s in 2020? Different, of course! To keep everyone safe and healthy this year, the annual tradition of Macy’s Santaland in NYC is going online, with “Macy’s Santaland at Home.” Read on for info how Macy’s has reimagined the Santaland experience for this season, and when you can make a virtual visit! (P.S. If you really want an in-person visit with Santa, you can do it safely, here!)
Macy’s Santaland, 2020 Edition
The Basics
Macy's
Yes, like everyone else, Santa's online now. While it's not ideal, this year's workaround does have its advantages. For starters: it's free!
Visits with Santa will run November 27 to December 24.
You do not need a reservation for this brand new, interactive and personalized on-demand virtual experience.
The online experience will take kids on a virtual journey through Macy’s Santaland at Herald Square in New York City. Kids will be able to meet the Elves, engage with different areas of the magical space and play fun games along the way.
They'll eventually meet St. Nick himself. When children arrive at Santa’s house, he will interact with them through a whimsical, open-ended pre-recorded conversation that will allow kids to express themselves. (He does respond, thanks to high tech magic.) Finally, kids end the visit by taking an interactive selfie with Santa Claus.
Note to Grown-ups: A Santa Like Me
iStock
Another positive aspect of virtual Santa visits? Diversity!
Before kids begin their journey through Macy’s virtual Santaland, adults will be asked to choose a Santa from diverse options.
Walt Disney World fans rejoice! As the phased reopening of the resort continues guests will be happy to know that the Park Hopper option will be returning in the new year. According to the Disney Blog, starting Jan. 1, 2021, guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with a few modifications.
Guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit and enter that park first prior to visiting another. Currently a park reservation is not required after the first park, however reservation requirements are subject to change.
The resort will set specific Park Hopper hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper hours will begin at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park. The ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations.
These modifications are designed to help the resort to continue managing attendance in a way that fosters physical distancing. Additionally, other enhanced health and safety measures remain in effect. Face coverings are required for all guests ages two and up.
If you have any questions, visit the Know Before You Go page on DisneyWorld.com, call the Disney Reservation Center, contact your travel professional or reach out to planDisney to get helpful tips and information on your upcoming Disney vacation.
A family hike is the perfect way to explore your neighborhood and visit a different part of Boston. Our friends at AllTrails gave us their 10 favorite stroller hikes for families and we know you’ll love them. From hikes that take you along the Charles River to hikes with epic views of the Boston skyline, there’s something for every family on this list. Bonus: most of these trails are paved so they’re great options for little ones learning to ride their bikes.
1. Deer Island Trail
Zachary Bethel/AllTrails
Deer Island Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Winthrop, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This path is paved with very little change in elevation. The path offers stunning views of the ocean, of Winthrop, and of the nearby islands.
Distance: 2.7 miles Difficulty: Easy
2. Boston Harbor and Castle Island
Amanda Marty/AllTrails
Boston Harbor and Castle Island is a 2.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Boston, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, bird watching, and sea kayaking and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
This is a very beautiful area just south of Boston. You will walk around an enclosed bay past a beach, a WWII memorial and then to one of the country's most famous forts which was built to defend the city of Boston. The lawn around the fort is also perfect for a picnic lunch. Keep your eye out for planes overhead (close overhead) from Logan airport as well as kiteboarders zooming around in the bay.
Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy
3. Charles River Pathway Short Loop
Alana Westwater/AllTrails
Charles River Pathway Short Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Boston, Massachusetts that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, bird watching, and road biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This leisurely ride takes you to some of Boston's wonderful waterways, following the beautiful and historic Charles River on both the Boston and Cambridge sides as you make your way towards Boston Harbor. This tour is an excellent introduction to the paved bike paths and includes some of the best views of the city. This area is great for children and inexperienced riders.
Distance: 3.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
4.Charles River Sourthwest Corridor Trail
Aram Kaysarian/AllTrails
Charles River Southwest Corridor Trail is a lightly trafficked loop trail located near Allston, Massachusetts that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Easy
5. Mary O'Malley Park Loop
Sergio Saade/AllTrails
Mary O'Malley Park Loop is a loop trail located near Chelsea, Massachusetts that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and nature trips. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
6. Jamaica Pond and Victorian Jamaica Plain
Rachel Lan Luo/AllTrails
Jamaica Pond and Victorian Jamaica Plain is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boston, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Distance: 3.2 miles Difficulty: Easy
7. Fresh Pond Reservation Loop Trail
Jin Lui/AllTrails
Fresh Pond Reservation Loop Trail is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Belmont, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
This is a nice paved walk around the 155-acre Fresh Pond Reservoir. There is one main path around the pond with options for short side trails. There are three main entrances at Alewife Brook, The Cambridge Water Works, and Glacken Field but you need to be a Cambridge resident to park here.
Distance: 2.5 miles Difficulty: Easy
8. Minuteman Bikeway Trail
Edson Ferdandes/AllTrails
Minuteman Bikeway Trail is a heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Arlington, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
This is a former right-of-way rail trail. It extends from Bedford, MA to Cambridge, MA. You will pass by Sly Pond and other historical parks and monuments on the way. It is all a paved, gentle path and very popular.
Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Easy
9. East Boundary and Stony Brook Path Loop
Brian Corr/AllTrails
East Boundary and Stony Brook Path Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Hyde Park, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Distance: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Easy
10. Upper Charles River Reservation Boardwalk
Alex Proctor/AllTrails
Upper Charles River Reservation Boardwalk is a moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Wellesley, Massachusetts that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. This is a peaceful paved path that is mostly shaded along the Charles River.
AllTrails helps connect us to the outdoors and makes getting outside easier and more accessible. Home to the largest collection of hand-curated trail guides, with AllTrails you can search for and navigate trails, parks, and green spaces, or use filters to find your next favorite trail.
Did you know that this year Golden Gate Park celebrates its 150th anniversary? We are so excited to have things opening up in GGP so that we can finally celebrate what a treasure this 1,000+ acre park is to the Bay Area. The observation wheel is finally opening up, the museums are ready for visitors and there are tons of things to do with the kids in Golden Gate Park!
The SkyStar Observation Wheel Is FINALLY Open!
SkyStar
If you've visited Golden Gate Park this summer, you've likely seen the building of the massive SkyStar Observation Wheel on the lawn near the Conservatory of Flowers. This Ferris wheel was brought to GGP as part of the 150th anniversary celebration and is finally opening on October 21.
Standing 150 feet in the Music Concourse, the state-of-the-art SkyStar Observation Wheel features 36 enclosed temperature-controlled gondolas, boasting unparalleled views from downtown San Francisco to the Pacific Ocean. Health and safety modifications to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be maintained including thorough sanitizing of all gondolas between each use; a limit of one household per gondola; social distancing in queues; onsite handwashing; and temperature testing for staff.
Tickets are $18/adults and $12/seniors (65+) and kids 12 and under. A VIP ride experience in a specially designed gondola, offering a longer ride and more amenities, is available at $50/person. The real benefit of the VIP ticket is that you don't have to wait in the check-in line.
Pro tip: The observation wheel lights up at night so plan an early evening adventure. That way you'll avoid roasting in the gondola when the sun is beating down, and you'll get to see the lights.
Earlier this spring, five new baby bison joined the GGP herd and you can check them out via the park's two webcams. The bison webcams offer a rare opportunity to observe the all-female herd as five longtime residents—Betsy, Bailey, Bellatrix, Buttercup, and Bambi—get to know their five young roommates, 1-year-olds acquired in March in honor of Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary. Among the youngsters is Sesqui, a bison named for the park’s sesquicentennial who sports an ear tag number of 150. Bison gear is available at the Welcome Center and you can find free Bison activities here.
As a part of San Francisco's Slow Streets program, Golden Gate Park has become virtually car-free from one end of the park to the other, from Stanyan Street at the east end of the park, to Ocean Beach and the Great Highway at the west end. That means you can walk, ride your bikes, roller skate or run right on the street! Families with kids aged 12 and up can also book a Segway tour through the park.
With San Francisco's playgrounds recently reopening to the public, families are thrilled that they can once again take advantage of GGP's Koret Children's Quarter. The mother of all playgrounds, on a Saturday mid-morning this is not for the faint-of-heart. It’s big, there’s a ton to do and it’s busy. (The din of children squealing with delight almost drowns out the drums of Hippie Hill). Try out the cement slides—one of the few remnants of the vintage playground that once stood here (bring scrap cardboard). The playground also includes one of the tallest climbing structures in the park circuit, a water feature and sand that mix together for a messily awesome good time and a carousel! Restrooms are just past the carousel.
Visit California Academy of Sciences
Kate Loweth
Advanced reservations are required when you visit the Cal Academy as they are limited to 25% building capacity to ensure social distancing. They are opening for members Oct. 13-22 and thereafter for non-members. Find their COVID-19 protocols here.
See What's on View at the de Young
de Young Museum
The de Young museum is now open for visitors with timed tickets available via online reservation. You'll definitely want to check out the Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving exhibit while you are there. It's on exhibit through February and your timed ticket to the exhibit also gets you access to the permanent galleries. In celebration of the de Young museum’s 125th anniversary, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are hosting The de Young Open, a juried community art exhibition of submissions by artists who live in the nine Bay Area counties. Artworks by over 750 Bay Area artists will be on view in a unique wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling presentation and you can check them out with your general admission.
Tickets to the de Young include free same-day admission to the Legion of Honor. Kids 12 and under are free but still need to have a timed entry ticket. Through Dec. 2021, frontline and essential workers will get free admission. Every Saturday the de Young offers free general admission to all residents of the nine Bay Area counties with a timed reservation required. Note: the deYoungsters Studio and the observation deck are currently closed. Find their COVID-19 protocolshere.
Visit the San Francisco Zoo
Marianne Hale
Kids of all ages will be thrilled to hear that the SF Zoo is back open for visitors! The Little Puffer Railroad has recently reopened (with a max of 18 riders) and you'll definitely want to book your tickets for this year's Sloth-oween, a brand-new Halloween festival at the zoo. Dress in your costumes and enjoy a self-guided walk around the zoo to find our five sloth-themed haunted houses, including “Franken-sloth’s Fort,” where you will learn some creepy facts about sloths.
Cruise through the Conservatory of Flowers
WolfmanSF via Wikimedia Commons
The Conservatory of Flowers has reopened at 25% capacity and we are thrilled we can visit again! It will continue to be free every first Tuesday of the month. Face coverings are required at all times and visitors must follow a one-way path through the conservatory. Find their COVID-19 protocols here.
Stop and Smell the Flowers at the San Francisco Botanical Garden
The SF Botanical Garden has reopened and on-site enrichment activities are starting. Bean Sprout Family Days are back and you must make a reservation for this in advance. The Garden continues to be free on the second Tuesday of every month, from 7:30-9 a.m. daily and at all times for San Francisco residents. Find their COVID-19 protocolshere.
COMING IN DECEMBER: Visit "Entwined" in Golden Gate Park
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department
An art installation coming to Golden Gate Park will transform Peacock Meadow into an enchanted forest of otherworldly shapes and ever-changing light. “Entwined,” by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, will honor Golden Gate Park’s 150th Anniversary. Dec. 1-Feb. 28.
