Top Vacation Types for Families with Babies

Welcoming a new baby transforms your life completely. Observing their peaceful slumber becomes more thrilling than the latest binge-worthy series, and you snap countless photos of them daily, surpassing your vacation snapshots.

Traveling with an infant is entirely feasible! You'll need to secure the right gear, understand the ins and outs of flying with a baby, and select destinations that are particularly accommodating to young travelers.

We've compiled the four best types of vacations suitable for families with babies, highlighting our favorite destinations in each category and advising on essential packing. Whether your little one thrives in urban environments or is more suited for sandy beaches, here are TPG's top recommendations for traveling with your baby.

All-inclusive resorts

Choosing a baby-friendly all-inclusive resort means you can relax without worrying about cash, finding activities to keep your little one engaged, or figuring out where to eat—all your meals and entertainment are covered in your vacation package.

Many of these resorts even offer cribs, strollers, and bottle warmers for your use during your stay, allowing you to pack lightly and prioritize your baby over extra luggage.

Besides being right on the beach (because what baby doesn’t enjoy tasting sand?), all-inclusive resorts feature kids clubs, splash pads, and playgrounds to keep your baby happily entertained until it’s time to go home.

Recommended Destinations

Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is the only U.S. location of this well-known all-inclusive resort chain. For an additional fee, child care is available for babies aged 4 to 23 months at the Baby Club Med daycare, and you can request a baby welcome kit that includes a stroller, bathtub, bottle warmer, changing table, and Pack 'n Play.

If you're seeking a luxury resort that's also baby-friendly, Mexico's Finest Playa Mujeres exceeds expectations. Along with standard baby equipment like a monitor and high chair, the resort provides a selection of natural homemade purees for infants. Families can use the kids club facilities with babies aged 0 to 2 to play with toys or enjoy the kiddie pool, but parents must supervise at all times. Child care is available only for children aged 3 and older.

What to Pack

Since the American Academy of Pediatrics advises keeping babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight, it's essential to bring items that shield them from the sun. While most resorts provide beach chairs and umbrellas, consider adding some baby-specific beach gear to your packing list, such as a pop-up shade tent (perfect for nap time), a full-body swimsuit with SPF protection, and a hat (though they might not keep it on).

Family-Friendly Hotels

While most hotels may not prioritize accommodating families with infants, a few select ones have made it their mission to provide child care services, welcome kits with baby essentials, and spacious rooms that ensure a quiet environment for babies, allowing parents to enjoy some peace and quiet as well.

Top Destinations

Located just two blocks from Central Park in New York City, Loews Regency New York offers the Loews Loves Families program across several locations, providing families with guides to local activities and dining. Amenities include baby bathtubs, cribs, baby-proofing items, and even stuffed animals. The hotel features 58 spacious suites, some equipped with kitchenettes, ensuring the comfort and privacy needed when traveling with an infant.

Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, situated 32 miles south of Cancun, boasts an excellent complimentary kids club known as Kimbo Kids Club, which was previously only for children aged 4 and above. Now with the addition of Kimbo Baby, which caters to kids aged 3 months to 4 years, parents can enjoy some time for themselves while their little ones are cared for by the resort's trained staff. Rooms with terrace plunge pools provide a perfect shaded area for you and your baby to splash around together.

Packing Essentials

City hotels can be particularly noisy, which is far from ideal when you're managing an overtired baby. Consider bringing a white noise machine to help mask the sounds (pro tip: position it closer to the source of the noise rather than right next to your baby). If you plan to enjoy the hotel pool or beach, don't forget to pack a baby flotation device, many of which come with removable canopies for added shade.

Theme park

While your baby won't meet the height requirements for their first roller coaster for quite some time, there’s still lots of fun to be had at a theme park. Plus, if you decide to take turns on the rides, your little one will remain blissfully unaware.

Jokes aside, theme parks offer many advantages for babies. The vibrant colors and sounds can keep them entertained for longer than you'd expect (though if your baby is sensitive to loud noises, packing some noise-canceling headphones might be a good idea).

Additionally, everyone anticipates that theme parks will be bustling with children. If your baby has a meltdown or decides to launch your popcorn bucket at an unsuspecting guest, you’ll be surrounded by fellow parents who have likely faced similar situations and will likely shrug it off.

Where to go

It would be an oversight to exclude Walt Disney World from a list of baby-friendly destinations. Even if you’ve visited countless times, witnessing the magic through your baby's eyes for the first time (at least when they’re awake) is truly special. For added convenience, consider staying at one of Disney's on-site hotels. They provide free transportation to and from the parks, and many feature baby pools or splash pads as well. To capture those unforgettable first-visit moments, you can have an artist create a hand-cut silhouette portrait of your baby at Magic Kingdom or Disney Springs, or stop by the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs for a family portrait.

Your baby may not yet have the coordination to stack Lego bricks, but that doesn’t mean they’re too young for Legoland California Resort. The park features over a dozen attractions with no height restrictions, including sand pits for digging up dinosaur bones, a Duplo-themed interactive play area, a scenic Coast Cruise boat ride, and the Legoland Express train. Plus, there's a handy baby care center in the park where you can feed and change your little one in a cool, comfortable space. An on-site hotel makes it easy to return to your room for naps or outfit changes when needed.

What to bring

With numerous theme parks located on the West Coast and in Central Florida, temperatures can get quite warm. Be sure to pack a stroller fan that clips on, sun-protective clothing, and some cute baby sunglasses.

Mountain retreat

What better way to stimulate a baby's growing senses than by immersing them in nature? They can inhale the fresh mountain air, feel the texture of leaves and pinecones (and likely taste them, too), listen to the melodies of chirping birds, and soak in the beauty of the great outdoors.

As babies explore their surroundings, parents can take a break from the daily grind in a serene and calming environment. Extra points if you secure accommodations spacious enough to invite the grandparents for some built-in babysitting.

Where to go

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, located in Teton Village, Wyoming, is a luxurious mountain lodge just under 30 minutes from Grand Teton National Park. The rooms are warm and inviting, complete with a fireplace and a balcony offering stunning mountain views. Residence-style accommodations can host up to five bedrooms, perfect for family gatherings. While you're there, enjoy a swim in the heated outdoor pool, take a ride on the aerial tram to the summit of Rendezvous Peak, and during winter, embark on a charming horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy landscape.

Hyatt Place Keystone in Keystone, Colorado, serves as an excellent launchpad for your mountain escapades, whether those involve exploring the outdoors or simply relaxing by the hot tub (or close by if you're on baby duty) while soaking in the stunning views. Your stay includes breakfast and coffee — the ultimate morning boost for parents everywhere. Choose a suite instead of a standard room to enjoy a separate sleeping area where you can lay the baby down while you enjoy each other's company (or, more likely, the TV).

What to bring

If you plan to visit in winter, remember to pack essential items to keep your baby cozy. There's hardly anything cuter than a baby bundled in a snowsuit, but most aren't safe for car seats. Instead, consider using a car seat or stroller cover that keeps your little one warm without the added bulk.

Bottom line

Traveling with a newborn can be daunting, but with the right destination and essentials in hand, it can become a chance to relax, rejuvenate, and connect with your little one — all while crafting unforgettable memories together.