Note (October 2026): This guide was written in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO declared on 5 May 2023 that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, so the text below has been updated to describe pandemic-era rules in the past tense.
Good family vacation ideas for a low-crowd, mostly outdoor trip are a boat day or cruise, a whole-home vacation rental such as Airbnb or Vrbo, a road trip by car, and camping in a state or national park. These ideas became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and still suit families who want space, flexibility and lower costs.
Key Takeaways
- The four ideas in this guide (boat, vacation rental, road trip, camping) all keep a family together in its own space with few crowds.
- The WHO ended COVID-19’s status as a public health emergency of international concern on 5 May 2023; the CDC’s core advice is now vaccination, staying home when sick, hygiene and cleaner air, with masks as an optional extra.
- According to the CDC, respiratory illnesses are the most common medical complaint on cruise ships, and more than 90% of gastrointestinal outbreaks with a confirmed cause on ships are norovirus.
- The US National Park System recorded 323,014,305 recreation visits in 2025, so popular parks and campgrounds should be reserved early.
- The US has no single federal recreational boating license; states set their own boater education rules.
When this guide was first written in 2020, it was incredibly difficult to plan a safe, fun adventure for your family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everywhere you went, the possibilities for fun were limited by social distancing and mask regulations. Those blanket rules have since ended, but the same low-crowd, outdoor-first ideas still work well for families who want a calmer, more flexible trip.
Low-Crowd Family Vacation Ideas (First Chosen for Covid-Era Social Distancing)
If you are looking for a next vacation that gives your kids room to move without big crowds, while still being a great time, this list of four ideas will help you choose.
Travel By Boat
A great way to escape day-to-day life without getting on a plane is to travel by boat. Whether you get a pontoon for Labor Day weekend or book an Eastern Caribbean cruise, getting out on the water is a way for the whole family to have fun and forget their worries.
If you want to go all out, you can complete your state’s boater education course (most US states issue a boater education card rather than a license, and there is no single federal recreational boating license) and take your family on a day-long excursion, full of water activities and beautiful new scenery. A cruise can be fun for kids, and can take you to new ports where you can explore the local culture without having to find lodging for the night.
Book an Airbnb
A good idea for a getaway that can be both safe and affordable is to book an Airbnb or Vrbo home for a weekend. You could choose to stay in a nearby city and explore the local cuisine and nightlife, or find a cabin near a national park as a nature retreat.
Hot tubs, king-sized beds, and beautiful views are all possible without having to book an expensive resort, plus the owners will frequently give tips for where to go for food, fun, and more.
Pack your own food or plan to get takeout from restaurants nearby, and bring puzzles and board games in case of rainy days. Whatever you choose, vacationing in another person’s home will give you the benefits of a stay-cation with all the thrills of travel.
Take the Car
With kids, taking a road trip can be the opposite of a vacation, but with a little planning it can be a lot of fun. Make sure to pack a lot of snacks, a great playlist, and some fun family movies, and your kids will soon love their vacation on wheels.
Plan some games to play that will involve everyone, from the oldest to the youngest, and your family will bond in no time. Stop at scenic locations along the way, and take plenty of pictures to make scrapbooks later on. With a little planning, whatever your final destination is, the trip there can become everyone’s favorite part of the journey.
Go Camping
Pitching tents, finding kindling for a fire, and making s’mores are all elements of a wholesome childhood experience. Taking your family camping will help teach your kids valuable life skills, from surviving in nature to being less reliant on technology for entertainment.
Sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sunrise will give you the break you need from civilization, and you’ll be grateful for the shower once you get back home again.
Camping can get boring, especially with children, so make sure to plan hiking excursions and fireside games to keep everyone engaged during your trip.
You can rent a RV, which can help avoid the backaches that can come from sleeping on the ground, or go old-school with tents and sleeping bags. Whatever your camping trip looks like, it’ll be a great learning experience for the whole family, and you can go back again and again.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that you and your family will spend quality time together, making new memories in spite of the circumstances. Your kids will be grateful that you took the time to plan, whether you take them on a luxurious cruise or a bohemian road trip, and they’ll be begging you to go back again in no time.
Is Social Distancing Still Needed on a Family Vacation?
Social distancing is no longer a general requirement for family travel. On 5 May 2023, the World Health Organization’s Director-General determined that COVID-19 is an established and ongoing health issue that no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now lists core prevention strategies for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses (page last updated 10 March 2025): stay up to date with vaccines, practice good hygiene, take steps for cleaner air, and stay home away from others when sick. According to the CDC, masks, physical distance and testing are additional layers that matter most when respiratory viruses are circulating heavily or when someone in the group has risk factors for severe illness. Families with a vulnerable member can still use the low-crowd ideas in this guide for that reason.
How Do the Four Family Vacation Ideas Compare?
| Idea | Best for | Main booking step | Health or safety point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat day or cruise | Families who want water activities and new ports without changing hotels | Rent a boat locally or book a cruise itinerary | Check your state’s boater education rules; on cruises, wash hands often and report illness to the ship’s medical center (CDC) |
| Vacation rental (Airbnb, Vrbo) | Families who want a kitchen, separate bedrooms and their own space | Book a whole home through a rental platform | Read the listing’s rules, cancellation policy and safety equipment details before paying |
| Road trip by car | Families who want full control of timing and stops | Plan the route, overnight stops and breaks | Schedule regular rest stops and share driving where possible |
| Camping or RV trip | Families who want nature, low cost and outdoor skills | Reserve a campsite (many federal sites use Recreation.gov) | Check the park’s own website for fire rules, wildlife guidance and closures |
What Should Families Know Before Booking a Cruise?
A cruise keeps lodging and meals in one place, but close quarters raise the risk of shared illness. According to the CDC Yellow Book chapter on cruise ship travel (dated 23 April 2025), respiratory illnesses are the most common medical complaint on cruise ships, and more than 90% of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks with a confirmed cause on cruise ships are due to norovirus.
The CDC’s advice for cruise passengers includes:
- Wash hands often with soap and water.
- Report any illness to the ship’s medical center promptly.
- Get recommended vaccinations before the trip.
- Consider medical evacuation insurance.
- Follow safe food and water precautions when visiting ports.
Children who are prone to motion sickness may need extra preparation; see these tips to avoid seasickness. Before buying cover, it is also worth reading about travel insurance add-ons you may not need.
Do You Need a License to Drive a Boat in the US?
The United States has no single federal recreational boating license. Each state sets its own rules, which usually depend on the operator’s age, the type of vessel and the engine power. Most states issue a boater education card or safety certificate after a safety course rather than a license.
The US Coast Guard’s boating safety site points boaters to state requirements and to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) directory of state boating agencies. Check the rules of the state where you will boat before renting a pontoon or powerboat.
Why Choose a Vacation Rental for a Family Trip?
Vrbo, the rental platform the original text mentions alongside Airbnb, began in 1995 as Vacation Rentals by Owner and shortened its name to Vrbo in March 2019. It is owned by Expedia Group, which bought its former parent company HomeAway in a deal that closed in early 2016.
A whole-home rental gives a family a kitchen, a shared living space and separate bedrooms, which can lower food costs on longer stays. For more on the trade-offs, read these reasons to book a vacation rental instead of a hotel, and pack a few options from this board games guide for rainy evenings.
How to Plan a National Park Camping Trip
The US National Park Service manages 433 units covering more than 85 million acres, of which 63 carry the title of national park. According to the National Park Service, the system recorded 323,014,305 recreation visits and 13,016,577 overnight stays in 2025, the newest full year available, a 2.7% decrease from 2024.
In 2025 the most visited site was the Blue Ridge Parkway (16,533,753 visits), and the most visited national park was Great Smoky Mountains National Park (11,527,939 visits). Busy parks fill up, so plan ahead:
- Pick a park and read its official website for camping rules, closures and seasonal conditions.
- Reserve a campsite early; the National Park Service notes that many campgrounds require reservations through Recreation.gov.
- Decide between tents and an RV. If you choose an RV, this list of useful things to take while traveling by RV helps with packing.
- Plan short hikes and campfire games that suit the youngest family member.
- Pack for weather changes and bring enough water and food for the first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good family vacation idea with few crowds?
A camping trip, a road trip by car or a whole-home vacation rental all keep a family in its own space with few crowds. These ideas became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic because they allowed natural distancing, and they still suit families who prefer calmer trips.
Is COVID-19 still a public health emergency?
No. The World Health Organization declared on 5 May 2023 that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, while describing it as an established and ongoing health issue.
Are cruises safe for families?
Cruises can work well for families, but illness spreads easily on ships. The CDC says respiratory illnesses are the most common medical complaint on cruise ships and norovirus causes more than 90% of confirmed gastrointestinal outbreaks, so frequent handwashing and prompt reporting of illness matter.
Do I need a boating license to rent a pontoon?
It depends on the state. There is no single federal recreational boating license in the US; many states require a boater education card for some operators based on age, vessel type or engine power. Check the rules of the state where you will boat.
How busy are US national parks?
The US National Park System recorded 323,014,305 recreation visits in 2025, according to the National Park Service. Great Smoky Mountains was the most visited national park, with 11,527,939 visits.
1 Comment
Vacationing is great all the time, not just during corona. 🙂