Showing Up the Grandkids: 5 Thrill-Seeking Skip-Gen North American Escapes

No matter what your grandkids might say, you may be a grandparent, but that doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy the rush of getting the adrenaline flowing every now and then.  

With this in mind, and in light of the growing popularity of skip-gen vacations where grandparents take their grandchildren away, we’ve created a shortlist of the most inspiring cross-generational getaways to show them you’re never too old to have fun. So harness that famous fearless spirit as we uncover five thrill-seeking North American destinations for an epic family vacation you’ll never forget. 

Hit the Slopes Together In Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado 

If you’re looking for a destination that is powerful enough to stop your grandchildren mid-sentence, then the vast dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is the spot for you. Here, our first top adrenaline-fuelled adventure benefits not just from the magnificent scenic views, but also the opportunity to sandboard the towering dunes and race the kids to the bottom.  

This fun-filled activity is ideal if you love skiing and snowboarding, as you simply rent your sandboards or sand sleds from the awesome team at Great Dunes Oasis Store and then let gravity and your skills do all the talking. With the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range as the perfect backdrop in the distance, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a superb skip-gen vacation to demonstrate to your grandkids you can still compete with the best of them. 

Enjoy several days out on the slopes around the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and treat yourself to a relaxing stay every night at the Best Western Rambler in nearby Walsenburg, Colorado. 

Jump on the Scariest Rides at Cedar Point Theme Park in Ohio 

It’s a well-known fact that grandchildren love the thrill of riding a scary rollercoaster, and what better way to show them who is boss than tackling them all at Cedar Point in Ohio. With more than sixty-seven attractions to choose from, there’s plenty of rides to match your grandkids’ confidence levels, making Cedar Point ideal for grandparents who love to get the adrenaline going.  

With Lake Erie shimmering in the distance, if you’re a true daredevil, you should try out the gigantic Millennium Force ride or the Siren’s Curse, North America’s tallest, longest, and fastest tilt roller coaster. Then, finally, once you’ve outdone your grandkids and they just want a rest, you can all head to Cedar Creek for a care-free, relaxing float along Cedar Point’s lazy river water ride. 

Make the most of your time away with your grandkids on a fun-fueled few days out to Cedar Point and ensure you all get a great night’s sleep every night, staying across the bay at the Best Western Port Clinton, Ohio.  

Mount Up and Explore the Natural Wonders of Banff National Park, Alberta, in Canada

Next on our shortlist of adventure-themed destinations that make for a great multi-generational vacation away is the world-renowned beauty spot of Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Imagine whisking your grandkids away to be surrounded by endless, gorgeous mountain views, crystal-clear lakes, and freshwater streams so that you can all enjoy the great outdoors together.  

That being said, for us, the best way to truly soak in the scenery is on a family horseback ride through the jaw-dropping landscapes of Banff National Park itself. Here, we highly recommend joining the fabulous team at Banff Trail Riders for a bucket-list-worthy horseback ride along forested trails and the free-flowing creeks found within one of the most picturesque locations on earth.   

Action-packed skip-gen vacations don’t get much more rewarding than a trip to Banff National Park, so get a cozy night’s sleep every night when you stay at the Best Western Plus Banff International Lodge in Banff, Alberta. 

Catch A Wave and Share a Laugh at Huntington Beach in California 

Our next top skip-gen adventure getaway will see you and the grandchildren heading to the sunny Californian surfing paradise of Huntington Beach to catch a few of its legendary waves. Whether you’ve surfed before or you and your grandkids are new to the sport, Huntington Beach can cater to every possible skill level – young and old alike. 

For surfing newbies and those traveling with small children, if you want to feel the rush of catching your very first wave, then head to the pro instructors at Learn To Surf, who, with over 30 years of experience, will have you up and running in no time. However, if you and your grandkids are experienced surfers already, then what better way to spend your multi-generational vacation away than surfing the Pacific swells together in Surf City USA? 

Maximize your exciting multi-generational retreat away to enjoy the sun, sea, and surf at Huntington Beach in California by booking your accommodation at the Best Western Surf City. 

Paddle the Pristine Waterways Together Around Naples In Florida

You simply can’t beat a skip-gen adventure vacation surrounded by lush tropical scenery teeming with an abundance of vibrant wildlife, so where better to end our shortlist of the best US destinations than to head to the city of Naples in the Sunshine State? With its fantastic array of watery settings, from the crystal-clear turquoise shallows along its white sandy beaches to the fascinating mangrove tunnels of the Everglades National Park, Naples is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime getaway you can all enjoy together.   

Popular across every age group demographic, here you can opt to kayak through Rookery Bay and meet its resident dolphins or spot the exotic birds and underwater manatees found in the region’s mangrove tunnels on the fringes of the Everglades. To do this, with an extensive range of tours, we certainly recommend meeting with the brilliant crew at Adventure Paddle Tours to experience some of the most unique kayaking tours around that you and your grandchildren will remember forever. 

Enhance your multi-generational escape away with the grandkids by booking your stay at the Best Western Naples Plaza Hotel in Naples, Florida.