Read on, get inspired, and get packing!  

LGBTQ+ parents know that they struggle with many of the same issues as their straight counterparts–getting their kids to eat better, trying to understand new math, and picking where to go for a great family vacation.

They also know that they are not alone. The number of LGBT families in the U.S. is growing rapidly. According to a study by Community Marketing, Inc., between 6% and 29% of LGBTQ Gen-Xers report having a child under the age of 18 living in their home.  The study also found that there is a significant number of LGBT Baby Boomers who have grandchildren.

While there is no easy answer on how to get the kids to like broccoli or how to solve 2 + 2 in fifteen steps, the specific question about where to go for a great family vacation is becoming easier to answer as more destinations across the U.S. are family-friendly, gay-friendly, and LGBT-friendly.  Here are 10 vacation destinations topping the list with that winning combination.

An earlier version of this article first appeared June 1, 2017, which has since been updated. This post may contain affiliate links.

1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Twenty-three miles of stunning beaches is one of the main reasons the Greater Fort Lauderdale area is a top family travel destinations. In addition to the surf and sand, Fort Lauderdale offers many family friendly attractions ranging from the Museum of Discovery & Science to Butterfly World. Visiting LGBT families can take added comfort in knowing that this southern Florida paradise is also home to one of the largest concentrations of same-sex couple households in the U.S.  More tips & resources for your trip:  http://www.sunny.org

Related: See our story Into the Everglades: A Post-Hurricane Airboat Adventure at Sawgrass Recreation Park.

2. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is not just the entertainment capital of the world, it is also an awesome family-friendly destination. A child’s imagination will soar at the sight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center or travel in time inside the spectacular Dinosaur Hall at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. There is also the always fun Universal Studios Hollywood that includes The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

For some LGBT immersing, you can plan some sightseeing with Out & About Tours, which offers walking and driving tours that focus on LA’s LGBTQ history, and visit the nearby city of West Hollywood, which has a large LGBT population and many friendly retail shops and restaurants.  More tips & resources for your trip:  www.discoverlosangeles.com  

Related: See our Los Angeles with Kids – California Family Vacation Guide and also Catalina Island with Kids.

3. New York City, New York

From Broadway shows to world-class museums to famed parks and gardens, New York City is a giant playground for visitors of all ages. In addition to kid-friendly attractions such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Statue of Liberty, a must-see attraction and important learning opportunity is the Stonewall National Monument  located at the historic site of the 1969  Stonewall Uprising that helped spark the modern LGBT civil rights movement in the U.S. 

More tips & resources for your trip: https://www.nycgo.com/

And don’t miss our NYC with Kids – New York Family Vacation Guide and Ten Things to Know Before Taking Your Kids to a Broadway Show.

4. Orlando, Florida

Dubbed the theme park capital of the world, Orlando attracts more than 60 million visitors annually. Disney, which received a perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index that provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices pertinent to LGBT employees and customers, operates five of the city’s top parks.

Needless to say, most if not all of them are on the travel bucket list for most families–including LGBTQ families planning that ultimate theme park vacation. More tips & resources for your trip: https://www.visitorlando.com/

Related: See our story Into the Everglades: A Post-Hurricane Airboat Adventure at Sawgrass Recreation Park and Swamp Buggy: A Tale of Family Adventure in Big Cypress National Preserve

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is a city steeped in American history but there is nothing “old and stodgy” about this amazing gay family-friendly vacation destination. Liberty Bell Center, Please Touch Museum, and The Franklin Institute are all great examples of the city’s fun and interactive attractions.

In addition, the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection) has been very proactive in welcoming LGBT visitors. It was one of the first cities in the world to create a LGBT-inclusive tourism ad campaign. More tips & resources for your trip: www.visitphilly.com

Related: See our Philadelphia with Kids – Pennsylvania Family Vacation Guide

6. Phoenix, Arizona

From hiking the famed Camelback Mountain to exploring the Musical Instrument Museum, the greater Phoenix area offers the opportunity to experience diverse activities in a single destination. And while it might seem cliché for the LGBTQ family to ride in a rainbow-colored hot air balloon … it is strongly recommended.

Phoenix and the surrounding cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa, are all LGBT-welcoming, with non-discrimination policies and some openly LGBT officials. More tips & resources for your trip: https://www.visitphoenix.com/

7. Provincetown, Massachusetts

Located on the Northern tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is most famous for two things. First and most obvious: it’s the location of the Mayflower’s landing in 1620.

But second? Provincetown is a long-time leading LGBTQ-friendly summer vacation destination. During the height of the summer season, more than half the city’s visitors are members of the LGBTQ community including many families.

The annual Provincetown Family Week identifies as “the largest annual gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified parents and their families in the world.” More tips & resources for your trip to this LGBTQ-friendly vacation spot: http://www.provincetowntourismoffice.org/

Related: See our Cape Cod with Kids, The Berkshires with Kids, and Boston with Kids Massachusetts Family Vacation Guides.

8. San Diego, California                      

In addition to 70 miles of beautiful beaches and nearly always pleasant weather, San Diego is home to world-class family attractions including the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, and Balboa Park.

October is an especially good time to visit for the annual Kids Free promotion. For the entire month, child admission to bay cruises, theme parks, museums, and other activities are free with paid adult. Plus, restaurants offer special Kids Free deals and hotels offer special amenities to children 12 and under.

As a testament to its LGBTQ friendliness, San Diego Pride is the largest civic event in the city. More tips & resources for your trip: http://www.sandiego.org

Don’t miss our Family Travel 411 Carlsbad with Kids and Catalina Island with Kids California Family Vacation Guides.

9. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is a city overflowing with iconic family-friendly attractions including Golden Gate Park, Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception, and Aquarium of the Bay . Of course, no trip to San Francisco is complete without a ride on a cable car.

The Castro District is the city’s traditional LGBT neighborhood and filled with family-friendly restaurants and retail shops. It is here you will also find the SF LGBT Center. More tips & resources for your trip: www.sftravel.com

Don’t miss our recommendations in the Family Travel 411 San Francisco with Kids – California Family Vacation Guide.

10. Washington, D.C.

Monuments and memorials and museums…oh my! A family trip to Washington, D.C. can appeal to many interests including science, history, and art. Better still, nearly all of the major museums in the city have LGBT-related items.

Among others, look for artwork by Andy Warhol at the National Gallery of Art and information on the persecution of homosexuals during WWII at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. More tips & resources for your trip: www.washington.org  

Related: See our Washington, D.C. with Kids Family Vacation Guide.

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The post The Ten Best LGBTQ+ Family Vacation Destinations appeared first on Family Travel 411.

Most visitors flock to Quebec City during the summer and winter months when many annual events are held. Two of the most popular are Les Grands Fuex Loto-Quebec, a multiple day fireworks festival held in August,  and Carnaval De Quebec, a large-scale winter carnival held in January.

Whether you plan to visit in the high seasons or low, here are my top quatre (4) recommended activities along with un (1) great place to eat and un (1) great place to stay while visiting Quebec City with kids.

Activity 1: Take a Step Back in Time in the Old City

Chateau Frontenac in Old Quebec

It’s a big deal to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the Historic District of Old Quebec has that honor. Dating back to the early 17^th century, Old Quebec is still surrounded by its original fortified city walls. Within those historic ramparts are winding streets lined with artisan shops, cafes, and many must-see attractions including the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec, the Citadelle of Quebece , and Château Frontenac.

Horse hooves clopping on historic cobblestone streets are commonly heard across the old city, and one of the most memorable and kid-friendly ways to tour Old Quebec is via a horse-drawn carriage or tramway tour operated by Calèches Québec.

A small section of Old Quebec known as Lower Town sits along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. It is separated from Upper Town by a steep cliff.  There are a few streets and a staircase connecting the two sections; however, you can score some major kid-points by taking them on the Funicular, a cool rail car system that travels 200 feet up and down the cliff at a 45-degree angle. Find out more: www.quebecregion.com

Tip: Just a short walk from the Lower Town section of Old Quebec is the Museum of Civilization. Its “Encounter with the First Nations” exhibition is especially kid-friendly.

Activity 2: Shop at Benjo

Benjo is one sure-to-please stop for those visiting Quebec City with kids.

Kids get to go through their own Little People’s V.I.P. entrance when visiting Benjo, a 25,000 square-foot toy store located in downtown Quebec. Behind the door there are 20 different departments including a huge amount of children’s books, a broad selection of board games, and stuffed animals of all sizes.

There is also children’s clothing and a massive wall of candies. If the kids get hungry while visiting Benjo they can grab a bite to eat at the store’s restaurant that also includes an ice cream parlor. Find out more: www.benjo.ca

Tip: On Saturdays and Sundays, children and adults can take a ride around the store on a colorful electric train.

Activity 3: Explore the Aquarium du Québec

Entertaining antics at the Aquarium du Quebec.

Just a 15- to 20-minute drive from downtown Quebec City, Aquarium du Québec is home to more than 10,000 marine mammals, fish, invertebrates and amphibians.

Top draws include a magnificent jellyfish exhibit, multiple walruses and seals, and a lovable polar bear. And don’t miss the glass tunnel under a nearly 100,000 gallon salt water tank filled with sea life and touch pools with sting rays, star fish, sea urchins, and more.

During the summer months kids stay cool in a water park and explore an aerial trail made with nets, catwalks, gangplanks, and vines. Find out more: www.sepaq.com

Tip: Call ahead or ask the staff upon arriving for the schedule of feeding times, which are some of the best opportunities to see various animals being most active.

Activity 4: Be Wowed by Montmorency Falls

Montmorency Falls, Quebec

At nearly 300 feet high, the Montmorency Falls are way taller – by 98 feet to be exact – than Niagara Falls.  They can be found just 7.5 miles from the heart of Quebec City and can be explored in a variety of ways.

First, observe the falls from the platform at the bottom. Then climb a winding cliffside staircase or ride the cable car to view them from the top. A breathtaking bridge crosses over them awaiting your agile feet. For the adventurous kid and kid-at-heart, a zipline travels nearly 1,000 feet across the top front of the falls. What’s more, you’ll find three via ferrata hiking trails on the rock wall adjacent to the falls. Find out more: www.sepaq.com

Tip: Before heading to the Montomorency Falls, stop by the Old Port Market and prepare a picnic lunch from among the dozens of local vendors.

1 Great Place to Stay in Quebec City with Kids: Hotel PUR

An indoor pool in the evenings is a great bonus for anyone visiting Quebec City with kids.

Hotel PUR is in the perfect location for exploring Quebec City.  It sits in the Saint-Roch District, just blocks from Old Quebec near shopping boutiques (including Benjo) and restaurants.

The modern design hotel has nearly 250 spacious rooms including many that connect. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows framing nice views of the city. There are also 47-inch LCD TVs and multiple USB and electrical outlets to keep gadgets and techies powered up.

Beyond the comfortable rooms, the hotel features a large indoor heated pool, spacious fitness center, and a lobby lounge with a pool table and fireplace. Table is the hotel’s restaurant and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Find out more: www.hotelpur.com

1 Great Place to Eat in Quebec City with Kids: Café du Monde

Outdoor dining at Cafe du Monde, Quebec City

Café du Monde serves excellent classic French and seafood dishes. But for kids it also offers a fun vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant is located along the St. Lawrence River River, next to the cruise terminal in the Old Port. This makes its outdoor dining terrace an especially good option when the weather is nice.

However, seating inside is also nice. Enjoy large windows with views of the rivers and large open kitchen where kids can watch their meals prepared.  A special menu is available for children 10 years old and younger.  And no visit here is complete without a slice of delicious sugar pie for dessert. Find out more: www.lecafedumonde.com

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The post Quebec City with Kids – Canada Family Vacation Guide appeared first on Family Travel 411.

Door Knob Alarm by Travelon

The Travelon Door Knob Alarm packs a lot of peace of mind for the traveling family (including those with explorative little ones who may be a naptime “flight risk”!).

As many families move away from traditional big brand hotels for option such as Airbnb and similar vacation rental services, they need to recognize that one of the amenities they might be giving up is security. There is a major incentive for hotels to keep their guests and their guests’ property safe . That’s why there are cameras, security guards, and timed door locks, things you will likely not find at Joe Schmoe’s rental.  This is where Travelon’s Door Knob Alarm becomes invaluable. It vibrates and alarms with a high-pitched noise when attached to a door that is touched or opened. Unlike similar devices on the market, Travelon’s alarm includes a small flexible band to help secure the alarm regardless of the style of door handle.

Where to find it: Visit Travelon’s website to learn more about the Travelon Door Knob Alarm.

e-Motion Kids Collection by Heys

Express yourself–and save your parents a checked bag fee with Heys’ rolling kids carry-on, hard-sided suitcases.

There was a time when kids luggage was more a novelty item – something that helped little ones feel just like their moms and dads but lacked any real usefulness. However, as parents seek to avoid escalating checked baggage fees, there is a good reason to take advantage of available free carry on options  Welcome high quality kids luggage. Manufactures are now making kids luggage of the same quality as their adult counterparts – but with good kid appeal. Hence, Heys’ new e-Motion Kids Collection that showcases various emoji faces. It will be available in May and join the luggage company’s other kid-friendly themes, such as Barbie, Marvel, and Despicable Me.

Where to find it: Click here to see Heys’ many kid-friendly luggage options available on Amazon (e-Motion emoji series available May 2017).

Noir Herringbone Classic by Bark n Bag

The Bark n Bag for easy travel with the four-legged member of the family.

Pets are part of many families and the desire to include them when traveling is strong. Research finds that 60 percent or more of pet owners have traveled with their pet. Bark n Bag has been around for more than a decade designing carriers with innovative design. The new Noir Herringbone Classic is a clear combination of its learning. Available in two sizes, the carrier has a lightweight herringbone nylon shell with fur-friendly mesh on three sides for ventilation. There are also adjustable shoulder straps for carrying, additional straps to help secure it to a car’s seat belts, and a machine washable quilted interior pad. When not in use, it folds completely flat for easy storage.

Where to find it: See more photos of the Noir Herringbone Classic and other Bark n Bag carriers on Amazon.

USB Charger by SKROSS

Limited outlets are no longer a problem. Charge a family’s worth of devices from one outlet with help from SKROSS.

All those electronic devices—from smart phones to portable gaming systems—that keep us connected and entertained while traveling need to be powered up. Unfortunately, the hunt for available outlets to charge multiple devices at an airport or other location while traveling can become a scavenger hunt for many families. SKROSS’s new USB chargers are perfect for charging multiple items using just one outlet. They offer chargers to accommodate specific countries (US, UK, and Euro) as well as a charger that can be adapted to work in nearly every country.

Where to find it: See all of the USB chargers by SKROSS on Amazon.

Neck Pillows from Critter Piller

Creature comforts for little travelers with the Critter Piller.

Neck pillows can be great for helping travelers get restful sleep while traveling.  And while there is a huge market for adult-sized neck pillows, options for children—especially smaller children—are more limited.  Critter Piller makes kids the priority with its animal-shaped neck pillows. The Feather-soft microfiber filling (made from recycled materials like water bottles) shapes nicely to little necks.  Recently named the best neck pillow brand for kids by Travel + Leisure, Critter Piller introduced a bunch of new animals to its collection for 2017 and now offers more than two-dozen different designs.

Where to find it: See all of the available designs on Amazon.

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The post Great New Gadgets and Gear for the Traveling Family appeared first on Family Travel 411.