Authenticity Is What Really Matters On Family Vacations

The Route 66 Centennial is this year, as is America’s 250^th July 4 birthday featuring Mount Rushmore fireworks on July 3, tall ships on the Hudson River, a “Freedom Plane” touring the country with founding-era documents, and special exhibits in Washington DC and across the country.

Nearly half of those surveyed for Kampgrounds of America’s new 2026 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report opined that roadside attractions and diners appeal more than major tourist sites. KOA includes more than 500 campgrounds in North America that offer cabins as well as RV sites.

More than 40 per cent of campers surveyed for the KOA report indicate they will take a heritage or Americana-focused trip with a third planning longer camping trips—up 25 per cent.

At the same time, data from the RVshare 2026 Travel Trend Report. Indicates that rather than chasing bucket-list destinations, Americans are redefining what a “vacation” means, favoring flexibility, comfort, value, and meaningful experiences. A striking 87% of travelers are more likely to choose RV lodging for a national park trip over traditional hotels, underscoring RVing’s appeal for comfort, convenience, and cost-effective outdoor access.

I totally get it. Who wants to be shoulder-to-shoulder, whether in Yellowstone waiting for Old Faithful to erupt or gawking at Mount Rushmore? And who doesn’t love a good diner—the giant pancakes! Burgers! Milkshakes!

Route 66 options include Lou Mitchell’s, just a block away from the “Begin Route 66” sign in downtown Chicago famous for their breakfasts and free boxes of Milk Duds for kids, and the terrific retro 66 Diner in Albuquerque known for their Tex-Mex specialties and dozens of milkshake flavors.

Camping certainly is having a moment. The KOA report notes there are over 2 million new campers while eight out of 10 parents surveyed say they feel more present and less distracted with their children while camping. Forty-four per cent say camping is more relaxing than other vacations.

We should note that camping these days doesn’t necessarily mean pitching a tent. Why should you when you can be comfy in an RV, stay in a platform tent already set up with king-size bed and private bathroom or a cabin with a fully equipped kitchen. (I interviewed dozens of camping families for my Kid’s Guide to Camping written with help from KOA.) I have even stayed at one luxurious glamping destination, Paws Up in Montana. where we had a butler and our tent featured a bathtub. Stay in a custom Airstream at AutoCamp l in California, North Carolina or Cape Cod, a Conestoga wagon an Utah or a Yurt in Vermont’s Green Mountains, or book a treehouse with Airbnb. among the options. Stay near a National Park at an Under Canvas location.

You’ll often find pools with water slides, dog parks, and more. Yes, kids can roam safely making new friends—as you will with your campsite neighbors.

The Route 66 Centennial national kick off is scheduled for April 30-May 3 in Springfield, MO. Known as the “Mother Road” and “Main Street of America” Route 66, established in 1926, was a 2,448-mile eight state highway from downtown Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA that was key for commerce and those migrating west during the infamous Dust Bowl and World War II.

Today, of course, you can drive across the country a lot quicker but it won’t be as much fun with neon signs, historic motels ( how about a motel with rooms shaped like a tipi at a Wigwam Motel in Arizona or California or the Western-themed El Rancho Hotel in Gallup NM, that once was popular with Hollywood stars including John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart.

Take your pick of quirky roadside attractions with more than 250 stops listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (CruiseAmerica.com has a post with the most popular attractions.)

Kids of course know Route 66 from the Cars movies, the Disney+ animated Cars series, Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. At Disney World, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort features a Cars-themed courtyard and Piston Peak National Park, a new Cars-themed area in Magic Kingdon’s Frontierland in Orlando is under construction.

Cars on the Route in Galena KS is a restored 1930s gas station, now a souvenir and snack shop, that features a tow truck that is said to have inspired Mater, the tow truck character from Cars.

Cross the mile-long Chain of the Rocks bridge in St. Louis across the Mississippi with its unique 30-degree turn. A must-see stop is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis that commemorates America’s expansion West. Don’t miss Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, open since 1929 and known for their “concrete” shakes so thick they are served upside down.

Stop at the Milk Bottle Grocery in Oklahoma City famous for the giant milk bottle on the roof. (The idea was the bottle would draw attention of drivers to the store on Route 66.) The Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK, is said to be one of Route 66’ most photographed attractions. Also, in Oklahoma you’ll find the Route 66 Museum with vintage vehicles and recreated retro storefronts. And the roadsigns won’t let you forget to stop at the famous Wall Drug in Wall SD.

One of the most famous Route 66 sites is the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX with 10 Cadillacs partially buried in the desert, visitors having spray painted designs on the cars.

Got a can of spray paint? You can add your own design.

Maybe campers are right. That sounds like a lot more fun than a big, crowded tourist attraction.