Last-Minute Summer Getaways the Whole Family Will Love

The summer months are quickly dwindling, so if you want to take a family vacation, it's essentially now or never. However, sometimes that is easier said than done. After all, you have work, family responsibilities, and you've probably already been to the store at least once to begin your back-to-school shopping. But worry not. If you want to create one last memory this season, then there are plenty of summer getaways that you can enjoy without a ton of planning. 

From visiting a nearby national monument or checking out an amusement park to going to a big city with endless entertainment options, there’s a lot you can still do. Whether your kid's school starts a little later or you want to sneak in a quick vacation to celebrate the first week of school, here is a list of exciting summer getaways you can enjoy without much planning.

National Parks

One of the easiest summer getaways to enjoy without a lot of extra planning is a camping trip or a visit to a national park. If you plan to spend a few days there, you can easily pick up a tent, sleeping bag, and other camping supplies at a camping store, like Dick’s Sporting Goods, and they don’t cost that much.

Or, you can skip all that and rent a recreational vehicle for the weekend. These vehicles are quite spacious and easy to drive. There are many national parks around the country, so odds are that there is one within driving distance that you can head to at the last minute. Here are some of our recommendations:

Glacier National Park

If you live near Montana, check out Glacier National Park, which is gorgeous all year long. You don’t have to do a lot of planning when it comes to which part to visit because it’s all picturesque. When you’re done taking in the scenery, you and the kids can hit the lake and go kayaking, swimming, or walk the trails. Along the way, you have the chance to see amazing wildlife, from bears to wild moose.

Badlands National Park

For something completely different, visit Badlands National Park, which is beautiful in its own special way. It’s located in South Dakota, and you can walk amongst prairies and take pictures of fascinating rocks. There are many unique animals here, such as roaming herds of bison. Plus, it’s only about 90 minutes from Mount Rushmore, so you can have a very exciting trip without much driving or advanced planning.

Grand Teton National Park

Just a stone’s throw from Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park is another fantastic location where you can hike, enjoy a boat ride in glacial lakes, and more. This is another place where you may get the chance to see elk, bears, moose, and other wild animals. There are many amazing nooks and crannies to explore for last-minute fun.

Yellowstone National Park

Since you're in the area anyway, head over to Yellowstone National Park. After all, that's where you'll see the unique geyser features and the diverse landscapes that make national parks famous. There are many great hiking opportunities at Yellowstone, and handrails throughout, so your kids can stay safe. This is the kind of park that you may keep coming back to year after year.

Amusement Parks

An amusement park is another one of the last-minute summer getaways that your family can enjoy without much thought. If you have the money in the budget, you can drive to a nearby amusement park or fly to a nearby state. You can make last-minute hotel reservations or just make it a day trip. Either way, you’re guaranteed to have a lot of fun. If you can only choose from one park, consider one of these:

LEGOLAND

There's one thing that most kids of all ages can agree on, and it's that LEGOs are awesome, so why not take a last-minute trip to the park that celebrates the famous building blocks? You and the kids can make things out of LEGO, see huge structures made out of LEGO, and even eat at LEGO-themed restaurants. The parks even have a DUPLO section for toddlers, so there's something for everyone. 

Disney World or Disney Land

If summer is quickly winding down, but you have a lot of money in the budget, then a last-minute trip to Disney World or Disney Land may be just what the doctor ordered. Of course, this place is famous for rides, fun characters, shows, great food, and more. You don’t need to do a lot of planning in advance since you’ll never run out of things to do. Buy your tickets online, head to the park, and stay the night if you want. Either way, your family is almost guaranteed to have a blast.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Another great place where you're sure to have a blast is Universal Studios Hollywood. This place has a lot in common with Disney, but it's for a fraction of the price. My family went there recently, and there were almost no lines for any of the attractions, so it took a lot of the headache out of the excursion. There are great rides, food, and plenty of characters to take pictures with along the way.

Six Flags Amusement Parks

If you're looking for a new city to visit, but you don't want to come up with a complex plan, then consider visiting a town that has a Six Flags amusement park. Currently, there are 27 different Six Flags theme parks throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including resort properties and water parks, so there's a lot to choose from. All of the parks are a ton of fun, and they aren't overly expensive, so you can spend a couple of days at each one. When in doubt, throw a dart at a map and it will probably land near a Six Flags that's perfect for your getaway.

Big Cities

When summer is almost over and you're desperate to find the best last-minute getaways, consider one of the awesome large cities in the country. With so much to do in a big city, you can take the guesswork out of creating an itinerary and just go explore. Here are some of the cities and areas that we recommend for families. They are safe and offer a lot of fun.

St. Louis

One of the big cities that I plan to see with my family during one of my summer getaways is St. Louis. There just seems to be so much to do there. There are aquariums, the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, a botanical garden, a Museum of Illusions, and more. Additionally, you can view the iconic St. Louis Arch. That's another fun idea that doesn't take a lot of planning. Make it a goal to visit each of the major landmarks around the country!

San Diego

Take the guesswork out of deciding what to do by going to a city with fun on every corner, as is the case with San Diego. You have the incredible San Diego Zoo, endless museums, nearby amusement parks, and more. Plus, if you’re visiting during the warmer months, you can head straight to the beach. In addition to the chance to swim and soak in the sun, you can go to local areas like La Jolla and see wild sea lions lying out on the sand.

Wisconsin Dells

If you live in the Midwest, then jump on the bandwagon and head to Wisconsin Dells, where there's always something fun to enjoy. The town has fun amusement parks, wildlife expeditions, arcades, go-kart rides, and, of course, the ducks, which are trucks that drive on the road and turn into boats on the water. Most of the attractions in Wisconsin Dells are very affordable, so you'll have a ton of fun without spending a fortune.

Boston

If you're on the East Coast, take a last-minute trip to Boston, MA. You may not realize it, but there's a lot here for kids, including some of the best and oldest public parks in the country. The city is also loaded with museums, from the Museum of Science to Boston's Children's Museum. There's also a ton of history to uncover here, with reenactments of the Boston Tea Party and more. When all else fails, there's also the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. All in all, Boston is one of the best last-minute summer getaways.

Miami

Finally, we conclude our list of amazing summer getaways with Miami, Florida. There's a lot of fun to be had during the day in Miami. When you're not having fun for free on the beach, you could all go to the various science and kid-focused museums in the area. Plus, you can get around on the many trolleys in the area, so you don't have to worry about paying for transportation or parking. From there, you can also take a road trip to the lovely Florida Keys for more adventure!

The image featured at the top of this post is ©PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com