By Maria Correa
Traveling with the children we love has become a trend for PANKs - or, Professional Aunt No Kids, the term Savvy Auntie founder Melanie Notkin dubbed for the 23 million American women who have a special bond with nieces and nephews by relation and by choice. The Savvy Auntie and Weber Shandwick 2012 national joint-study “The Power of the PANK” found that 51 percent of PANKs travel, or would like to travel, with the children in their life. And in 2013, Euromonitor International reported that the PANK is the top global travel trend to watch.
And so with summer vacation season right around the corner, planning an “Auntventure” with kids includes finding the right destinations and experiences that are fun and inspiring. But where to go?
Thankfully, Family Fun magazine has published its annual Travel Awards list in its April issue, helping Savvy Aunties like you (and parents, too, of course) find the best family-friendly destination spots, including animal attractions, science museums, state parks, and more. The winners were chosen by families from across the country.
Kim Loughnane of Family Fun shared with us why their awards list should be helpful to the traveling PANK: “Deciding where to travel with kids can often be a daunting task. Aunts, nieces, and nephews are family, and our Travel Awards highlight destinations where all families and family members can venture to for fun and memories. Regardless of the family dynamic, our awards categories, including animal attractions, tourist towns, and science museums have something to offer for everyone!”
Below is the full list of winners. Which one(s) are you putting on your Savvy Auntie travel wish list?
Animal Attractions
1. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, NE
2. Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO
3. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
4. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
5. San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
6. Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge, VA
7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL
8. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH
9. Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa Bay, FL
10. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, SC
State Parks
1. Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island, MI
2. Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH
3. Ludington State Park, Ludington, MI
4. Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls, NY
5. Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, SC
6. Slide Rock State Park, Sedona, AZ
7. Red Rock State Park, Sedona, AZ
8. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, FL
9. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, MI
10. Assateague State Park, Berlin, MD
Science Museums
1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC
3. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
4. Cincinnati Museum Center/Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati, OH
5. Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Columbus, OH
6. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Titusville, FL
7. Michigan Science Center, Detroit, MI
8. Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL
9. Saint Louis Science Center, St. Louis, MO
10. American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Top Ten Overall
1. Sanibel, FL
2. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
3. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC
4. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, NE
5. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
6. Gatlinburg, TN
7. Savannah, GA
8. St. Augustine, FL
9. Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island, MI
10. Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO
Photo Wavebreak Media Ltd
Published: March 24, 2015