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2. SET SAIL ON A CRUISE​ Think of a cruise as an all-inclusive floating resort that offers good value for a hassle-free vacation — with activities for all ages, various cabin options to fit

different budgets, a cornucopia of food choices, and entertainment ranging from nightclubs to magic shows. And if you can’t swoosh down a waterslide, play laser tag or scale a rock wall, you

can sign up for a cooking class, visit the library or get a massage.​ Popular cruise destinations include the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and Europe. Some trips cost less than $1,000 a

person, and on certain Norwegian Cruise Line ships, kids travel for free.​Depending on what you’re looking for, some cruise lines, such as Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean, offer

family-friendly ships. Others, like Princess Cruises, Viking Cruises and Virgin Voyages, have adults-only trips.​ Wooten, who specializes in group travel, likes Carnival because its “ships

are geared toward fun ... for all ages,” she says. “There’s entertainment on the cruise, so you don’t have to get off the ship for excursions. A lot of the cruise ships have the teenage

club; some have a Dr. Seuss breakfast.”​ TIP: Before booking, make sure everyone agrees on the cruise type and length, the port where passengers will board the ship, and the cost.​​ 3.

EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS If you’re happy being in nature, consider visiting a national or state park. With more than 400 national sites and nearly 6,800 state parks scattered across the

country, there’s plenty to choose from.​ Parks often provide hiking trails, swimming, picnic areas, camp sites or cabin rentals. Even visitors who don’t hike can find many other low-key

activities — such as ranger-led talks and panoramic viewpoints accessible by walking a few steps from your car — at many parks. National parks, including Crater Lake in Oregon, the Grand

Canyon in Arizona and Yosemite in California, offer iconic lodges with accommodations, cafés and restaurants where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery.​ You might even hit multiple

parks on one trip. In Arizona, for example, there are four other national park sites within three hours of the Grand Canyon. And in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is just 30 miles (about

45 minutes) from Yellowstone National Park. Fees are low, but be sure to plan ahead because some national parks have an entrance reservation system, and summer is their busiest season.​

TIP: Consider buying an $80 annual national parks pass, which is your entrance ticket to 2,000 federal sites. The pass is free for members of the military and their dependents and for fourth

graders. For those 62 and older, an annual pass costs $20, and a lifetime pass is $80.​ 4. HAVE A BALL AT A THEME PARK​ Amusement and theme parks appeal to the kid in all of us — making

them especially popular destinations for family and group travel. ​