"There’s a special kind of magic in revisiting the past—not just in our memories, but in the places that helped shape them. Certain places can transport us back to a simpler time, whether it’s a childhood vacation spot, the school field trip you’ve never forgotten about, or just somewhere that makes you feel like a kid again. What I wouldn’t give to experience the excitement of going on a school field trip again, with matching shirts and a sack lunch handy, or go back to the time when Disneyland was the most magical place on Earth, and a gift shop could bring tears of joy to my eyes. Luckily, those carefree feelings don’t have to stay in the past.
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In a world that moves faster every day, nostalgic travel offers something rare: the chance to slow down, reconnect, and relive the simple joys of another era. These were the trips where you fought over the backseat, ate your weight in gas station snacks, and made unforgettable memories that shaped who you are. From thrilling theme parks to laid-back summer camp vibes, here are some nostalgic vacation ideas that aren’t just about getting away—they’re about going back and being one with your inner child.
1. Orlando, Florida
Whether you were a Disney kid, a Nickelodeon superfan, or just there for the hotel pool and free breakfast (looking at you, older brothers), Orlando was—and still is—the unofficial capital of family vacations. What better way to channel that nostalgia than with a trip to one of Orlando’s many theme parks?
Universal Studios is basically a time capsule of our favorite shows and movies of all time—whether it’s older productions like The Simpsons and E.T. or newer ones like Harry Potter and the Marvel universe. Explore the picture-perfect Wizarding World of Harry Potter (it literally feels like you’ve just stepped into the movie) while sipping on a butterbeer or pumpkin juice. For a serious thrill, ride a roller coaster or two (Revenge of the Mummy and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster are two fan favorites), and make sure to take pictures with every character you see dressed up.
2. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., is the perfect place to embrace adult field trip vibes. As a kid, you might not have fully grasped the workings of the government, but you definitely understood the magic of seeing enormous dinosaur skeletons up close and the adrenaline rush of almost touching the Declaration of Independence. Visit the Smithsonian museums (there are a whopping 17 in D.C.) and explore the countless exhibits, and plan a stop at some of the national monuments, like the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial. Keep the field trip theme going with dinner at a throwback restaurant like Hard Rock Café. The food may be mid, but the experience will be unforgettable.
3. Coney Island, New York
Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or the best corn dog in Brooklyn, Coney Island delivers old-school summer in its purest, grimiest, most glittering form. Start with a ride on the Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster that’s been around since 1927. It’s rickety, fast, and almost guaranteed to make your back hurt in the most nostalgic way possible. Follow it up with some bumper cars, neon-lit rides, and games that haven’t changed much in decades. No Coney Island visit is complete without a greasy masterpiece from Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, where the fries are crinkle-cut, the root beer is cold, and the calorie count is not your problem today. Slap on some SPF 50, grab a frozen lemonade, and let yourself be a kid again.
4. Houston, Texas
If you were a bit of a science geek back in school, reinvigorate all those nerdy feelings with a trip to Houston, where you can visit the Space Center and Burke Baker Planetarium. Touching moon rocks and sitting in a space shuttle mock-up? Yep, it’s still awesome. Explore the planetarium and relive your childhood dream of being an astronaut, minus the years of school and training. Finish up the trip with a stop at Cidercade, an arcade bar with over 275 retro games. We’re talking Mortal Kombat, Ms. Pac-Man, and that dancing game you were too shy to try in middle school. Except now, there’s hard cider.
5. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is a mecca for Midwest nostalgia. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in water slides, mini golf, weird museums, and greasy food without a care in the world. Start your retro pilgrimage at Noah’s Ark, a waterpark so iconic it basically raised half the Midwest. Next stop? The Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, where you can wander through the exhibits featuring unique art and oddities like shrunken heads and two-headed goats. Leave plenty of time to explore all the kitschy souvenir shops while snacking on some saltwater taffy or fudge. To finish off strong, play a round of mini golf at Pirate’s Cove or walk through the Wizard Quest interactive adventure (I still have my wand to this day).
6. Anaheim, California
Ah yes, the holy grail of childhood vacation ideas: Disneyland. Whether you were raised on Disney’s animated classics or are more into Star Wars, a visit to Disneyland is like stepping into your childhood movie collection. Start your retro journey on Peter Pan’s Flight, which looks exactly like it did decades ago (still magical, still a 70-minute wait). Then head over to Mickey’s Toontown, the neon-soaked land that literally looks like a ‘90s cartoon exploded. Don’t forget to ride “it’s a small world”—yes, it probably will still give you that slightly terrified feeling, but you’ll enjoy it nonetheless. Eat a giant turkey leg in one hand and a Mickey-shaped ice cream bar in the other, and, of course, don’t miss the fireworks over the castle at night.
7. Lake Placid, New York
Tucked in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is the kind of place where time slows down and every day feels like adult summer camp. With an itinerary full of picturesque hikes, kayak rides on the lake, and nights spent around the campfire, you’ll feel like you’re right back at camp, trying to impress the counselor you had a crush on (and still fighting vicious mosquitoes). Leave plenty of time to visit the Olympic venues in Lake Placid, which hosted the Winter Games in both 1932 and 1980. You can see the rink where the famous “Miracle on Ice” game took place and stare in awe at the giant ski jump towers. Or, strap on your hiking boots and explore Mount Jo or take on Cascade Mountain. Leave your phone back at your lodging so you can soak up the natural beauty distraction-free.
8. Route 66
Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 isn’t just a highway—it’s a living scrapbook of neon signs, oversized dinosaurs, and questionable motels. And when it comes to nostalgia, nothing hits quite like a classic American road trip that smells like fast food wrappers and sunscreen. Along the way, stop at the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma (it’s huge, iconic, and slightly unsettling) or Cadillac Ranch in Texas, an art installation of spray-painted cars that are partially buried in the dirt. To break up your drive, stay at the Wigwam Motel in Arizona and sleep in a concrete teepee like your childhood road trip dreams intended. While driving the entire route would likely take a couple of weeks, feel free to pick the stretch that’s closest to you and make the most of it.
9. Atlanta, Georgia
The Georgia Aquarium is the perfect place to rediscover that school field trip sense of wonder—but bigger and better. Visit Cold Water Quest for the penguins, because even as an adult, it’s still impossible to get over their cuteness. There’s a tunnel that lets you crawl through their enclosure and pop up in a clear dome for an up-close look (core memory unlocked). Make a reservation for the dolphin show because, no, you’re not too old to love it. If you sit in the splash zone, just admit it: You wanted to get wet. And of course, no aquarium trip would be complete without something from the gift shop (one giant dolphin plushie for me, please).
10. Mackinac Island, Michigan
Enjoy a peaceful trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan, where the fudge is always fresh and the main street looks like a movie set. It’s the perfect nostalgic getaway: no screens, no stress, and no cars—seriously, none. Just horses, carriages, bikes, and a lot of horse poop. Mackinac Island is one of those rare places where you can escape your fast-paced, digital-driven life, making it the perfect place to reconnect with nature and your inner child. Whether you’re staying at the Grand Hotel or a cozy B&B, prepare for floral wallpaper, creaky floors, and waking up to the sound of horse hooves. Leave space in your itinerary for the trek to Arch Rock and a visit to the Butterfly House (they’re a lot less creepy now than when I was a kid… right?).
11. Omaha, Nebraska
Some of my favorite field trips as a child involved visits to the zoo, where I could spend all day watching animals up close. If you need a quick day trip idea from the Midwest, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha is well worth a visit. It’s home to more than 17,000 animals of nearly 1,000 different species and is widely recognized as the largest zoo in the United States. Spanning over 160 acres, you could spend whole days here and still feel like you haven’t seen everything. To really tap into the nostalgia, don’t forget to pack a bag filled with sunscreen, a brown-bag lunch, and a disposable camera.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.