15 Awesome Father Son Vacations That He Won’t Forget

Written by zerickson89 in Outdoor Activities,Travel

Going on a father son vacation is a great way to build a stronger bond with your son. When you spend one on one time with your son it will create a memory that your son will never forget. By leaving the rest of the family behind, your son feel extra important and loved.

Your son’s age and interests will help to determine the type of vacation you should go on. I’ve put together a list of awesome father son vacations that the two of you will be talking about for years to come. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline pumping adventure, or to kick back on the beach, I’ve got it and everything in between.

1. Oahu, HI

There are many awesome islands to visit in Hawaii. My top pick for a father and son trip would be Oahu. I spent a summer working on Oahu and Kauai after high school. Oahu is known as more of the partying island and Kauai is known as the retirement island. If you looking for adventure and fun then Oahu is the place for you.

There is snorkeling, surfing, deep sea fishing, cliff jumping, shark diving, hiking, skydiving, and even a submarine. If you want more laid back sightseeing, then there is beautiful sites at every turn. The Pineapple Plantation, Pearl Harbor Memorial, Battleship Missouri tour, and the Polynesian culture center are just a few you could visit. You won’t run out of things to do on this trip. Make sure you don’t over do it and spend some time taking it all in with your son.

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Meant 2 Dad Top Activity Picks

  • Waimea Bay: Here you can swim, sit on the beach, jump of the 25ft. Waimea Rock into the ocean, or snorkel. Jumping off of the rock is a ton of fun. If you don’t want to jump it is entertaining to watch others take the plunge.
  • Waimea Water Fall Hike: 3.5 Mile hike to some beautiful water falls
  • Zip-line Tour from Climb Works
  • Surfing on the North Shore with Uncle Bryan at surfnorthshore.com
  • Turtle Canyon Snorkel Sail
  • Submarine experience with Atlantis Adventures
  • Learn about Polynesian culture and eat amazing food at the Polynesian Culture Center

2. Homer, Alaska

If your looking to live on the wild side then look no further than Alaska. I have never been to Alaska, but dream of taking my son there one day. I know multiple people that went to Alaska on a fishing trip and years later they continue to go back every year. Alaska offers huge beauty with expansive landscapes, glaciers, wildlife, and monstrous fish.

For your father son vacation you should check out the Halibut fishing Capital of the World, Homer, Alaska. Here you will be able to go deep sea fishing for monster halibut, salmon, and rock fish. Halibut here can range from 25 lbs to upwards of 400 lbs.

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3. Washington D.C.

What could be more patriotic than taking your son to our nations capital? Washington D.C. is a awesome destination for your father son vacation. The city is packed full of museums and historic landmarks that your son won’t forget. One of the great parts about visiting Washington D.C. is that most of the museums are free to enter.

Meant 2 Dad Top Activity Picks

  • Lincoln Memorial
  • The White House and the Washington Monument
  • Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
  • United State Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
  • Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • World War II Memorial
  • Washington National Cathedral
  • U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress

These activities are just the tip of the iceberg. All of the above activities are free admission. There are numerous other museums and monuments that you can go through that have free admission as well. You won’t run out of things to do on this trip.

4. Moab, UT

Moab is one of the top adventure towns in the world. It has everything including hiking, mountain biking, 4X4 trails, dirt biking, ATV, white water rafting, and beautiful stone arches. If you and your son want some thrill then this is the place for you.

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5. Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg is the best of both worlds for the thrill seekers and history buffs. Here you will be able to step back in time to early America at Colonial Williamsburg. You can also trace the story of early America by visiting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and finishing up at Yorktown. Williamsburg is also home to Busch Gardens, which is hands down one of the best amusement parks I have ever been too.

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6. West Yellowstone, MT

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most amazing places in the world. When John Coltera, member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, told people about Yellowstone no one believed that it was true. The geological features alone make the trip worth it. Although my favorite part about the park is seeing all the wildlife. West Yellowstone is the town located right at the West entrance to Yellowstone. Here you will be able to stay and eat while you enjoy your days in the park. The town features souvenir shops, I Max theater, and even a Grizzly Discovery Center.

Meant 2 Dad Top Activity Picks

  • Grand Prismatic Spring
  • Old Faithful Geyser
  • Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
  • Upper Geyser Basin
  • Yellowstone Lake
  • Guided Fishing Trip with Arricks Fly Shop
  • Wildlife Viewing in Yellowstone- Best to go in the Spring or Fall. Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs – Great for Bugling Elk in the Fall. Tip- As you drive look for spots where professional photographers are grouped up. Bring a good pair of binoculars and a spotting scope. Also if you get an attachment for your spotting scope frome phone skope you can take sweet pictures right through the spotting scope.
  • Grizzly Discovery Center

7. Outer Banks, NC

Enjoy the beauty of the barrier islands that make up outer banks. Here you will find relaxation and excitement. You can lay out on the beach and soak up the sun or you can fly through the sky with Kitty Hawk Kites. You can also stand at the place where the Wright Brothers first took flight. This is truly an amazing spot to visit with your son.

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8. Jackson Hole, WY

Enjoy the old west in Jackson Hole. There is fun to be had in Jackson Hole year round. In the summer you can visit Grand Teton National Park, whitewater rafting on the famous Snake River, Fly Fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, covered wagon cookouts, and even an alpine slide. In the winter you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snow machine tours, snow tubing, dog sled tours, elk refuge sleigh rides, and snow coach tours.

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9. Orlando, FL

If your son loves theme parks, or is young enough that the magic of Disney is still real, then Orlando is the place for you. With Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Legoland you will have plenty of attractions to keep you busy. I went to Disney World when I was eight years old and I still have many fond memories of being there with my family. If theme parks aren’t your thing Orlando still has a lot to offer with places like the Kennedy Space Center.

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10. Lincoln City, OR

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The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places to visit. The mixture of lush green evergreen trees, pristine beaches, and waves crashing into massive rock structures is truly amazing. The Oregon Coast offers so many activities and is a great place to sit back and relax. Lincoln City is my favorite area to stay. It is in the middle of where all the action is and is home to Jay’s Fish and Chips which is the best hole in the wall fish joint on the West coast.

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11. New York, NY

Traveling to the Big Apple with your son would be the ultimate city experience. There is so much to see and do that you will never be able to see it all in one trip. My advice would be to plan the trip really well before you go so you can make the most of your time. One thing to be careful of is not cramming to much into one day. You don’t want to burn out your son. Make sure its not go go go the whole time. This way you will have some time to relax and take in the beauty this city has to offer.

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12. Anaheim, CA

If your son is a fan of Disney then a great place to go on your father son vacation is Anaheim, California. The main attraction in Anaheim is Disneyland Park. There you will be able to bring the magic of Disney alive for your son. Although Disneyland is great, that is not the only thing to see around Anaheim. See below for our recommended activities during your stay in Anaheim.

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13. Nashville, TN

If your son is a fan of Country Music, then take him to Music City. One of the top attractions in Nashville is going down Broadway and listening to music in the bars and honky tonks. The best part about this is that the admission is free so you can go from bar to bar listening to great up and coming country artists. If you prefer more laid back atmosphere then check out the Bluebird Cafe. In Nashville there are also a lot of historical sites you can visit as well. This city is a lot of fun and would make a great vacation for you and your son.

Meant 2 Dad Top Activity Picks

  • Broadway- If you want to jam to a lot of country music this is the place for you. Check out Legends Corner. The atmosphere there is not to loud, but lively at the same time. The perfect spot to sit back and enjoy some bands.
  • The Grand Ole Opry – This was the radio show that put Nashville on the map as the Country Music Capital of the World back in the 1920’s. You can still go to concerts here as well. Book a ticket to a concert and you should definitely take a guided backstage tour.
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Johnny Cash Museum – Take some time to tour through the life of The Man in Black. The Johnny Cash museum houses the largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia that includes films, handwritten notes, letters written by Cash, and over 25 legendary costumes from The Man in Black’s career. Check out the Johnny Cash museums website here.
  • Belle Meade Plantation Guided Mansion Tour– The Belle Meade Plantation was constructed in 1853 in a Greek Revival style. In the center of the plantation is the mansion. One of the craziest things about this place is the columns on the mansion are still visibly covered with holes from the Civil War.
  • Ryman Auditorium- This is the place where Johnny Cash and June Carter met. Take a tour and check out a show on your trip. Here is a link to the Ryman Auditoriums website.
  • General Jackson Showboat Lunch
  • Taste of Nashville Walking Food Tour
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

14. Boston, MA

If you want to experience so many American history and sports places at the same time, then Boston is the place for you. This city is slam packed with historical sites as well as some top professional teams. Whether you go to watch a sporting event, or just take a tour of the stadiums, its worth the trip.

Meant 2 Dad Top Activity Picks

  • Fenway Park Tour – Take a tour of the oldest ballpark in Major League history.
  • Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum – This awesome floating museum is made up of restored tea ships full of interactive displays and actors reading to play the part and answer questions.
  • Sightseeing Bus Tour – Experience all of Boston’s top historical attractions in a one day guided bus tour. Some of the stops include Cambridge Common, the Lexington Battle Green and the Battle Road Trail
  • North End Boston Secret Food Tour – Try Bostons amazing food. On this tour you’ll sample seafood, italian dishes, and more. Along the trip you will also learn about the history of the area.
  • Catch a Game – Boston has plenty of great sports teams that you can go watch on your visit.
  • Skywalk Observatory- This observatory is situation in Prudential Tower and offers a sweeping 360 degree view of the city.
  • Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop
  • Boston Harborwalk
  • Duck Boat Sightseeing Tour– Hop into an amphibious vehicle to experience the city by land and by sea.

15. Idaho

I saved the best destination for last. Idaho is my home state and I love it here. If you are an outdoors enthusiast then this is the place for you. I could just pick one spot in the State so instead I’m going to give you different options based on what your interested in doing. One of the best parts about Idaho is all of the public land. Over 60% of Idaho is public land that belongs to all U.S. citizens.

Meant 2 Dad Top Activity Picks

  • Backpacking Trip through the Sawtooth Mountain Range – I recommend the Alice to Toxaway Lake loop, or if your in for a longer hike then one of the best backpacking trips I’ve ever done is from Alice Lake to Redfish lake. It’s a little more than 50 miles to complete this hike. If you’re interested in a shorter hike then go to Redfish lake and take the ferry across the lake. From there you can hike to the Cramer Lakes. There is a little waterfall between Middle and Lower Cramer Lake that you can jump off of. But be aware that these are alpine lakes and the water is super cold.
  • Backpacking Trip in the White Cloud Mountain Range – The Sawtooths have become increasingly popular over the years and rightly so for their beauty. However, if you want to hike in an amazing area that is less trafficked then check out the Boulder Chain Lakes or the Big Boulder Chain Lakes. I love the Big Boulder Chain Lakes and on this hike you will be able to hike to the highest elevation lake in Idaho Lonesome lake. Tin Cup lake is part of the Boulder Chain Lakes and it is stocked with Golden Trout.
  • Fish the Snake River and Henry’s Fork – If you are into fly fishing, then spend a few days fishing the South Fork of the Snake and Henry’s Fork. Here is a link to some fishing guides that can help you out.
  • Soak in Natural Hot Springs – Idaho is home to the most useable natural hot springs in America with about 130. Here is a link to Idaho Hot Springs where you will find information on hot springs across the state.
  • Ghost Town Tours – Idaho has many Ghost Towns for you to tour around. A ghost town is an old mining town that everyone left due to the mines being shut down for one reason or another. Some towns to check out are Custer Historic Mining Town, Silver City Historical Area, Wallace Area, and Bayhorse Ghost Town.
  • ATV Riding – With over 60% of Idaho being public land there are some epic ATV trails for you to ride on. Any one of the trips you pick an ATV trail will be close by. Plan on renting some ATVs and spending a day or two riding the trails. Here is a link to all of the ATV trails in Idaho.
  • Rafting the Salmon River – This is a multi day guided tour of the Grand Canyon of the Salmon River. Rafting is a ton of fun and an experience you and your son will never forget.
  • Hell’s Canyon White-Water Rafting Trip – This is a guided 3 day rafting trip through Hell’s Canyon. Including with this guided trip is hiking, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and white water rafting on Class III-IV rapids on the Snake River.


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