Non-Traditional Family Vacation Ideas

Plan an adventure you’ll never forget with these non-traditional vacation ideas. 
Non-Traditional Family Vacation Ideas

When most people think of a family vacation, overcrowded theme parks, busy historical monuments or packed beach resorts often come to mind. With an RV rental, you can beat the crowds, avoid the traditional hotspots and create a one-of-a-kind family adventure. Here are a few non-traditional family vacation ideas for your next RV road trip. 

Bring on the Fishing!

Picture this: The sound of water lapping on the shore. The crackle of fresh fish roasting over the fire. Your family’s shouts of triumph as they reel in their latest catch. Sounds pretty idyllic, doesn’t it?

Fishing trips are the ultimate family bonding experience and make for a memorable annual vacation idea. Before you head out, set your family up for success by researching the body of water ahead of time. That way, you’ll know the best kind of bait and gear to pick up for the fish in that area. Keep in mind that a lot of popular fishing destinations will have gear you can rent onsite, but it’s always helpful to check in advance. 

New to fishing? In addition to your fishing gear, we recommend bringing:

  • Camping chairs
  • Water- and sweat-proof sunscreen
  • Polarized sunglasses ¬– they remove glare from the water (your eyes will thank you!)
  • A waterproof camera for documenting everyone’s catch of the day
  • Lots of snacks – fishing is easy work, but it can create quite the appetite
  • Fishing license

rv-rental_non-traditional-family-vacations_2.jpgImage Credit: Instagram User @HuntHikeHook

I Spy with My Little Eye

Shake up your next family vacation by turning it into a scavenger hunt. Sit down with your family and come up with a list of objects, foods, wildlife and attractions specific to your destination. For example, if you’re venturing to a beachy hotspot, you could include objects like:

  • Starfish 
  • Seagulls 
  • Surfers 
  • Sand dollars

Create a cross-country scavenger hunt in your Cruise America RV rental by compiling a list of staple sights, iconic signs, unique landscapes or rare food creations found along your route. Have the kids take photos of their findings and create a travel scrapbook at the end of your trip to create a fun memory book. 

Families can also use online tools like Urban Adventure Quest to generate interactive tours of your destination and complete challenges to unravel secrets about the particular place. 

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Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Embark on an astronomy adventure and plan a stargazing tour for this year’s family vacation. There are plenty of stargazing destinations located across North America that offer breathtaking sights and pristine stargazing conditions. Check out our ultimate stargazing calendar to see which months offer the best sights so you can get the most out of your stargazing experience.

In addition to your normal camping gear, be sure to add the following to your stargazing packing list:

  • Warmer clothes, extra socks and maybe a blanket or two for chilly night temps
  • A telescope 
  • A stargazing map (or app on your phone)
  • Camping chairs to save your backside from sitting on the ground for too long
  • Flashlights with fresh batteries, so you don’t get lost in the dark

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Have other non-traditional family vacation ideas? Share with us by using the tag #BeThereNow on social!

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A traditional motorhome with the self-contained features you expect. This economical family unit is a traditional favorite for those who want the walk-through convenience of a motorhome.

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Our compact plus unit is a fully self-contained RV. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. The compact RV is the ideal unit for two adults of any age and a dinette folding to an extra bed allows for a child. With 6.5 foot/2 meter ceilings and walk through convenience even tall campers can enjoy the compact plus RV.

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Our compact unit is a fully self-contained RV. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. The compact RV is the ideal unit for two adults of any age and a dinette folding to an extra bed allows for a child. With 6.5 foot/2 meter ceilings and walk through convenience even tall campers can enjoy the compact RV.

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