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9 ideal father-son trip ideas you can take this year

Recently updated on July 19th, 2024 at 09:13 am

Close relationships and strong bonds don’t happen by accident – it takes consistent work to build connections. That’s why a father and son trip is one of the best ideas for those wishing to create lasting memories. Whether you’re planning a trip with your wide-eyed young son, or celebrating a milestone with your dad, there’s always an excuse to plan the perfect father and son getaway. 

If you’re looking for ideas for your next father-and-son trip, we’ve rounded up 9 perfect vacations with something for every interest and age group.

Connect while exploring US National Parks

Bison in Yellowstone National Park

Imagine you and your son standing in awe beneath towering sequoia trees at Yosemite National Park, or gazing out at the breathtaking panorama of the Grand Canyon’s colorful layers. There’s nothing quite like connecting with one another on a father-son getaway into some of America’s top national parks.

Bond over a shared love of nature as you explore protected reserves, search for wildlife, and disconnect from everyday life. For an unforgettable father-son trip immersed in nature, Trafalgar’s National Park Wonders explores the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower National Monument and Crazy Horse.

Take a European city escape

Visiting Paris is one of the best father son trip ideas

Explore bucket-list sights, visit world-class museums, and savor fantastic local cuisine on a father-son European city trip. For those interested in history and art, there’s nothing better than exploring a European capital. Imagine strolling alongside the Seine in Paris, marveling at the architectural wonders of Rome, or soaking up the lively atmosphere of London’s bustling streets. 

Build a deeper bond while learning about different cultures – and finding out who is better at foreign languages! For a father and son getaway packed with cultural immersion, lock in the Paris Explorer trip and spend a week in the City of Lights, ticking off the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, along with hidden gems and charming neighborhoods.

Join a wildlife safari in Africa

A safari trip to Africa promises plenty of long-lasting memories. Back home you’ll be telling the rest of the family stories about how you spotted a majestic lion in the savanna, or witnessed a huge herd of elephants roaming the grasslands. A father and son getaway to the heart of Africa will be filled with wildlife encounters and stunning natural beauty. 

The Essence of South Africa is one of the best trips you can take to experience the continent together. You’ll safari through Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves. Here you’ll see a diverse range of animals in their natural habitat, and hopefully tick off all of the “Big Five”.

Cruise around Music City together

Neon signs advertising country music bars and barbecue restaurants on Broadway, Nashville at dusk during Trafalgar tours.

Some father-son duos connect over a love for nature, and others over music. If you come from a musical or creative family, then visiting the deep south might be one of the best father and son trip ideas. Get your toes tappin’ when you visit the heart and soul of country music, Nashville. Here legendary recording studios, like the Grand Ole Opry, churn out chart-topping hits, and in town you could catch a live performance at a honky-tonk bar together.

If you join Trafalgar’s Tastes and Sounds of the South trip you’ll also delve into Nashville’s rich musical heritage with visits to museums and historic landmarks, and cut a lap of the American south, discovering jazz, home cookin’ and a whole lot of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Memphis, Natchez and New Orleans too.

Explore battlefields and historical sites

9 hidden gems to uncover in your tour of Washington DC

If your dad is obsessed with war history, or your son is curious about history, there’s no better way to bond than on a history-focused trip that explores the greatest battlefields where stories are etched in stone and cast as monuments. Why not make your father-son trip one that’s both educational and inspiring?

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Exploring the famous battlefields of Gettysburg, where you can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your son and ponder the sacrifices made during the American Civil War on Trafalgar’s Historic Highlights trip. On this well-rounded journey you’ll delve into the heart of American history with visits to Washington D.C.’s monuments and memorials, and visit to a “haunted tavern”. 

Unlock the magic of Italy

Forget video games and TikTok – make this summer all about gladiators and gondolas instead. Italy is always a good idea, but exploring the halls of Baroque churches or admiring Renaissance artworks might not capture the attention of your young son. Instead, capture their interests and make memories with an action-packed Italian escapade. 

Trafalgar’s Gladiators, Gondolas and Gold, especially designed for families, takes the young and young at heart back in time. Explore the mighty Colosseum in Rome, where gladiatorial battles once roared, glide across the canals of Venice in a gondola, and visit a Tuscan count’s estate. Ditch the screens, embrace the adventure – and make summer memories whie exploring Italy.

Dig into the roots of your ancestors

traveller in the Scottish Highlands

Bond with your son as you retrace the roots of your heritage. Many people have deep family history connected to Scotland or Ireland, where mass migration scattered Anglo genes across the globe. Go back through your family tree with a journey to the British isles. 

Turn the pilgrimage into an adventure, reveling in the romance and history of the Scottish Highlands, and exploring the vibrant streets of Glasgow. Before or after your Best of Scotland tour you could take time to visit local cemeteries, or dig up records with the help of a librarian and build a greater picture of your ancestry.

Enter the Wild West together

A cowboy riding a horse in a field with mountains in the background during family holidays.

Is your son captivated by cowboys and tales of the Wild West? Spark his imagination and deepen your bond with a father-son adventure on the family-focused Wild West, Cowboys and Buffalos trip. 

This itinerary is designed especially for families with younger kids, so you’ll explore iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park, plus do fun activities designed for their age. You’ll make lasting memories while spotting a real bison herd, or while exploring a local working ranch with the farmer himself.

Sail the Adriatic Sea in Croatia

A beautiful bay in Croatia, with pale blue water and a boat gently sailing away on calm waters

Celebrate a special milestone – like your dad’s 70th birthday – by cruising across the Adriatic Sea. The beautiful landscapes, fresh seafood, and endless sunshine of Croatia should be on everyone’s bucket list, so reconnect with your dad on the Pearls of the Adriatic trip. 

You’ll spend nine sun-kissed days zipping between a handful of idyllic islands along the Dalmatian Coast. On the journey beetween Dubrovnik and Split you’ll see Roman ruins and the remnants of Venetian riches, discover the untouched paradise of Vis Island, and Dive Into Culture discovering the rich heritage of oyster farming in Ston. This is a father-son getaway that enables meaningful conversations as you sail, and crafts shared experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trail.

GO SAILING: Pearls of the Adriatic

Add your father and son trip ideas below in the comments…

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