What Is Skip-Gen Travel? A Refreshing New Trend Breathing New Life into Family Vacations Away

Chances are you’ve heard the term skip-gen travel popping up more often these days in travel blogs or mid-conversations with friends, but what exactly is a skip-gen vacation? Simply put, it’s when grandparents take their grandchildren away on a grandparent-led adventure while the parents stay at home. 

Today, skip-generation trips fit into a larger trend of intergenerational travel, where families actively embrace bringing grandparents along, fueling a resurgence of the forgotten era of family getaways. In doing so, vacations today focus less on ticking a destination off a list and instead opting to spend more meaningful time together as a family to create longer-lasting memories together. 

Why Skip-Gen Travel Is Booming 

Undoubtedly, the popularity of grandparents traveling with grandchildren stems from the fact that it offers something different to everyone involved. Whether it’s escaping to the coast or visiting some of America’s weirdest museums, grandparents get more precious one-on-one time with their grandkids, and the children’s experiences are enhanced by their grandparents’ own unique insights and perspectives. 

Skip-gen vacations are also superb at strengthening a grandparent-grandchild relationship as each comes away from the experience full of shared stories, funny memories, and a hint of adventure along the way. Plus, from a parent’s standpoint, it offers them a rare chance to enjoy a moment of peace and step back from the whirlwind of everyday life at home. 

Standout Benefits of Skip-Generation Trips 

One of the best things about skip-generation trips is just how naturally they create opportunities for shared experiences that benefit both grandparents and grandchildren alike. Whether it’s on a weekend trip hiking a nature trail, sharing ice cream on the beach, or uncovering the historical tales while visiting one of these top 5 state capitals – ultimately skip-gen adventures become the treasured stories that will be remembered for years to come. 

Skip-gen travel can also give grandparents a new sense of adventure and purpose, either by showing grandchildren places they love to visit or offering the thrill of discovering a place they’ve never seen before, but with a fresh, intergenerational mindset. Grandchildren also often return from skip-generational vacations with a newfound curiosity, not usually invoked on a more traditional family getaway. 

Best Destinations for Skip-Gen Holidays 

The key to every successful skip-gen vacation is picking out the right destination to visit, as this absolutely makes all the difference. For instance, grandparents with younger grandkids might prefer to head for Orlando or San Diego for a fun-filled theme park experience, whereas those of you who share a keen sense for adventure and a love of the great outdoors, then Colorado is a top US skip-gen vacation destination to head for. 

Partaking in a joint interest or trying something new that appeals to both parties is the secret to planning an intergenerational trip away with the grandchildren. In addition to this, skip-gen getaways can also include covertly integrating trips to historical sites, zoos, and museums, which act as an engaging and educational experience for the grandkids, but an insightful day out for the grownups too.  

Tips for Planning a Skip-Gen Trip 

Perhaps the most important factor when planning a skip-gen experience is to remember to be flexible and keep it simple. If you’re looking for travel ideas for grandparents and grandkids, always try to shortlist a range of active outings, alongside a more sedate venture like a bus tour or a river cruise to account for people getting tired – and always have a backup plan.  

Finally, another critical element to consider is to always plan your day around meal times, as no grandparent wants a ‘hangry’ grandchild on a skip-gen adventure. To do this, break your planned activities into segments that include a set time for lunch or dinner, so everyone has a chance to rest and recharge before the next escapade.  

Skip-Gen Travel with Best Western Hotel & Resorts 

Here at Best Western Hotel & Resorts®, we know firsthand that having the right place to stay with all the best activities on your doorstep can turn a good skip-gen vacation into a great one. That’s why so many grandparents choose Best Western to look after their families on their intergenerational excursions away from home. 

Whether it’s sinking into a comfy bed for a cozy night’s sleep every night or simply capitalizing on the convenience of our more than 2,000 hotels across North America – wherever you go, you can trust Best Western to look after you and your family. Not only that, with our exclusive rates, award-winning Best Western Rewards® program, and AARP Member Discounts, your skip-skip-generation getaway doesn’t just have to be inspiring; it can also be budget-friendly too.