Grandymoons: Top Multigenerational Travel Ideas for Families

Move over honeymoons, it’s time for grandymoons! A grandymoon is a new travel trend that honors grandparents by encouraging family vacations with grandparents, in other words, multigenerational trips where three (or more) generations adventure together. Instead of just parents and kids, you bring Grandpa and Grandma along too. The result? Unforgettable shared experiences spanning ages. In 2025, multigenerational travel is surging in popularity. Let’s explore the top multigenerational travel ideas, from relaxing beach retreats to RV road trips, that make for amazing grandymoon memories.

What is a Grandymoon and Why Do One?

A grandymoon travel experience is all about celebrating the role of grandparents and bonding across generations. It might be a special trip to mark a milestone (grandparents’ anniversary or a retirement), or simply a chance for busy families to reconnect away from daily life.

Grandparents often cherish time with grandkids, and parents appreciate having extra hands (and wisdom) around. For the kids, it’s double the love and stories! In fact, a 2023 family travel survey found over half of parents plan to travel with both their children and their own parents. And interestingly, 54% of grandparents actively organize these trips themselves, showing just how enthusiastic our elders are about hitting the road with family.

The benefits are plenty: grandparents get to see the world through the young ones’ eyes, parents get quality time with their moms and dads, and children create lifelong memories with their grands. It’s also a meaningful way to thank grandparents for their love and support over the years. Plus, practical perk, grandparents can babysit for a date night during vacation, so everyone wins!

Top Multigenerational Travel Ideas:

• National Park Road Trip (with an RV or Van):
  There’s something timeless about piling into an RV or spacious van and exploring nature together. Multigenerational road trips allow flexibility, you set the pace. Parks like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, or Great Smoky Mountains have activities for all ages. Picture the family gathered around a campfire at night, roasting marshmallows while Grandpa tells stories. During the day, gentle hikes or scenic drives let grandparents participate without over-exerting (many national parks have accessible trails and viewpoints). An RV in particular is great for a grandymoon: it provides the comforts of home (important for older travelers) such as your own beds, a small kitchen, and private bathroom. In fact, Go RVing notes that RV travel lets all ages bring what they need and enjoy flexibility and freedom. Grandparents appreciate being able to control temperature and rest when needed, parents enjoy the convenience, and kids love it as a rolling adventure home! Consider a loop like Utah’s “Mighty 5” parks or a California parks tour. Tip: Plan for downtime, perhaps two nights at one campground, so nobody feels rushed. Intergenerational card games or nature photography can be fun filler activities. (Our Campervan Escapes: Trending Nature Hubs article offers more ideas on which parks to visit, making planning easier.)
• All-Inclusive Family Resort or Cruise:
  For a stress-free multigenerational trip, all-inclusive resorts or cruises are a top choice. Think family-friendly cruise lines (like a Caribbean cruise) or resorts like Beaches or Club Med that cater to all ages. These options bundle accommodation, meals, and activities, so there’s minimal planning and decision-making on the go. Grandma can join a morning aqua aerobics class while the teens go snorkeling or join the kids’ club treasure hunt. Grandpa can grab a lounge chair and finally read that novel, while parents try the spa or a scuba lesson. Then the whole crew comes together for dinner and a show in the evening. Cruises in particular often have accessible facilities (elevators, medical staff on board, etc.) which can ease concerns about older family members’ needs. Many ships also have special programs like “grandparent-grandchild” craft workshops or group excursions tailored for mixed ages. The beauty here is everyone can do their thing or mix in smaller groups by interest, and no one has to cook or clean, it’s a true vacation for all generations. Look for family vacation with grandparents packages; some resorts now even offer grandymoon specials knowing this trend is hot.
• Beach House or Cabin Retreat:
  Sometimes, the best multigenerational trip is simply renting a big house in a beautiful location for a long weekend or week. A beach getaway is classic: sun and sand by day, board games and BBQ by night. Renting a beach house gives you a kitchen (grandma might love baking cookies with the grandkids) and common spaces for everyone to hang out, but also bedrooms for private downtime. Alternatively, a lake cabin or mountain chalet can serve the same purpose if your family prefers forests to shore. The key is a homey environment where the itinerary can be loose. Maybe grandpa takes the kids fishing in the morning while parents sleep in, then everyone meets up for a picnic lunch. In the evening, a family talent show or watching old family videos can be heartwarming entertainment. The flexibility of a rental home is great for varying energy levels, if a toddler needs a nap or a grandparent wants an afternoon rest, they can easily do so while others play nearby. Be sure to pick a spot with variety: e.g., a beach town with a boardwalk and aquarium provides options for outings, or a mountain area with both easy nature walks and perhaps a nearby historic town to explore. That way each generation finds something they enjoy.
• Heritage Trip (“Roots” Travel):
  Multigenerational trips are a perfect opportunity to explore family heritage. If your ancestors come from another country or region, consider a “roots” trip together. For example, if your family has Italian heritage, imagine three generations discovering Italy, touring the village where your great-grandparents grew up, visiting the local church or family homestead site, and maybe meeting distant relatives. Grandparents often deeply appreciate this kind of journey, as it connects their grandkids with family history in a tangible way. The kids, on the other hand, gain a new appreciation for where they come from (and probably some funny stories or cultural insights from seeing Grandpa back in his homeland element!). These trips can be incredibly bonding and filled with meaningful moments, like Grandma translating the old language or pointing out childhood landmarks. Just be sure to plan with everyone’s needs in mind: don’t overstuff the schedule, and incorporate some familiar comforts (maybe book a hotel with a pool for the kids or ensure there’s a mix of local cuisine and something for picky eaters). This type of family vacation with grandparents not only entertains but educates and enriches your family narrative.
• City Lights and Culture Trip:
  If your family loves museums, theater, or city buzz, a tailored city vacation can work well, think New York City, Washington D.C., or London for example. These cities offer world-class attractions for all ages: grandparents and parents might love the art museums or historical sites; kids may be wowed by interactive science centers (e.g., the Air & Space Museum in DC) or a Broadway show. Plan a multigenerational-friendly itinerary: perhaps a double-decker bus tour to get an overview without too much walking (many cities have hop-on, hop-off tours that are great for seniors to sightsee comfortably). Include leisurely meals at classic restaurants where everyone can regroup and share impressions. Another idea: split up for a few hours by interest, maybe one parent and grandparent take the older kids to a baseball game while the other parent and remaining grandparent do the zoo with the little ones, then meet for dinner. City travel can be more intense, so build in downtime at a nice hotel (maybe one with a pool or adjoining rooms for convenience). An urban grandymoon is exciting and shows that age doesn’t limit enjoying culture and fun. Pro tip: take lots of photos of the generations together at those iconic spots (Grandma and Junior smiling in Times Square under the neon lights is a keeper!).

Tips for Smooth Multigenerational Travel

Planning a trip with ages 5 to 75 (or more!) requires some special considerations:

• Pace and Flexibility: Plan a slower pace than you might for a young family alone. Expect to make more bathroom stops, snack breaks, and allow extra time to get from place to place. And that’s okay! The journey is part of the experience. Build in free time, maybe every afternoon from 2-5pm is “relax or nap” time back at the hotel or rental house. That downtime can be crucial for grandparents (and honestly for parents and kids too) to recharge.
• Involve Everyone in Planning: A great way to get buy-in and excitement is to let each person, young or old, pick an activity or destination for the trip. Maybe Grandpa chooses a historical site, Dad picks a hiking trail, 8-year-old Alice chooses a theme park or ice cream shop to visit, etc. When everyone sees something of their interest on the itinerary, it feels more like their vacation too. Plus, planning together is half the fun, grandparents might enjoy sharing travel brochures with the grandkids or looking up YouTube videos of the places you’ll go.
• Special Needs and Comforts: Be mindful of any mobility issues or medical needs(State parks are expanding their services for guest with disabilities). If Grandma uses a walker, ensure your accommodation is accessible (ground floor room, elevator, minimal stairs). If a family member has dietary restrictions, an all-inclusive might be easier, or if traveling independently, look up restaurants in advance that can accommodate everyone’s needs. It’s also wise to carry a basic first-aid kit and enough of everyone’s prescription medications (always pack meds in carry-on during flights). Another tip: purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies for seniors, it adds peace of mind.
• Capture the Memories: These trips are precious. Assign one of the tech-savvy kids to be trip photographer or make a travel blog to share daily updates with the rest of the family back home. Consider scheduling a professional family photo at a scenic spot during the trip, that framed multigenerational portrait will be a treasure. Grandparents might also bring along old photos or mementos to show the kids during downtime, sharing stories that enrich the experience. Multigenerational travel is as much about strengthening family bonds as seeing sights, so embrace those storytelling moments.

The Grandymoon Mindset

Multigenerational trips, or grandymoons, remind us why we travel in the first place, to create memories with those we love. When three generations travel together, the memories span childhood to golden years, and become part of your family’s legacy. Yes, there may be minor challenges (kids get cranky, elders tire out, parents play mediator), but the magic far outweighs those moments. A grandparent seeing the ocean through a grandchild’s eyes for the first time, or a child hearing about how things were “back in my day” as you drive through scenic countryside, these are irreplaceable experiences.

In an age where families are often spread out across different cities or glued to individual screens, a grandymoon is a chance to unplug and truly connect. You’ll come home with inside jokes, perhaps a new appreciation for each generation’s strengths, and a scrapbook (or camera roll) full of smiles.

So gather the troops, young, old, and in between, and plan that multigenerational getaway. Whether it’s an adventurous national park expedition, a laid-back beach week, or a cultural city tour, family vacations with grandparents will likely end up being among the most cherished trips you ever take. Safe travels on your grandymoon, and cherish every generation of the journey!