My Favorite Summer Vacations as a Kid

Summertime brings up a lot of great memories for me. My parents would always take my younger brother and me on vacation in the summer. We also spent hours and hours at the little league park, and when I got older, you could find me at country concerts. Today I’m getting nostalgic remembering my favorite summer vacations as a kid. 🥰

Siesta Key, Sarasota, and Disney World

My family’s favorite place to vacation in the summer was (and still is!) Sarasota, Florida. Siesta Key beach is consistently ranked among the top beaches in America.

My brother and I would spend the days building sandcastles on the pristine white sand beach, body surfing in the ocean, and swimming in the pool.

One of the coolest memories was playing out on the sand bar and having a pod of dolphins swim right in front of us. I also loved renting boats and getting to see manatees in the gulf.

During our first vacation there, it was my golden birthday, and we made the trip to Disney World. The most fun my family ever had at Disney though was when we were much older and went for my brother’s high school graduation. It was such a special trip and one we will never forget.

Fast forward a few years (ok, a little more than a few). After graduating from Purdue University with my nursing degree, I fulfilled a dream of mine: moving to Florida and working in Sarasota as a registered nurse. 

We have some family in the Sarasota area, but imagine my shock when I met my husband and learned he and his family also frequented there. Crazy to think how life comes full circle!

To this day, Sarasota continues to be a favorite destination every year; although now my husband and I try and go in the middle of winter. My, how times change as we get older! 🤣

Camping

Part of me can’t believe this is even on my list. I am not an outdoorsy, roughing it sort of person. Mostly because I get eaten alive by mosquitos, and I enjoy the luxuries of life–like running water.

My grandparents took the grandkids camping several times to Jellystone National Park, and they actually lived to tell about it. God bless them.

Niagara Falls

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Truthfully, I don’t remember a whole lot about this vacation besides seeing the falls and my first experience with border security. My brother and I would have been quite young, so this was our first trip into Canada. (Back then you didn’t even need a passport!)

I’ll never forget the border agent asking my brother and me if these were our parents we were traveling with. It never occurred to me until many years later the significance of that question.

In another twist of fate, my husband’s first job out of college ended up being in the Niagara Falls, Canada area. So I made many trips there to visit him while I was living in Florida.

Savannah, Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee

When my brother and I were older, my parents (and by that I really mean my mom) planned a cool vacation to historic Savannah. Although I am sure at the time I didn’t appreciate it as much as I would now, Savannah is a place I would love to go back and visit.

On the drive back home, our parents surprised us with a stay in the amazing OpryLand Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. It is such a spectacular hotel, it’s hard to put it into words. I also want to go back here and spend days just getting lost in the hotel…and searching for Keith Urban. 😉

Silver Beach, Lake Michigan

When I was younger, my great uncle lived in Saint Joseph, Michigan on Silver Beach. Less than an hour drive from our house, we spent many weekends and holidays here. A favorite was the Venetian Festival every July (which has since been cancelled).

It was also here that we learned of Princess Diana’s death over Labor Day weekend in 1997. Even as a young child, I’ll never forget the impact she had on the entire world.

Copper Harbor

I was 2 years old the first time I traveled to Copper Harbor in the upper peninsula of Michigan. (So obviously I don’t remember too much of that trip.) But this was a place very special to my grandparents and my mom and aunt.

When I was 3 ½ years old, my grandpa passed away unexpectedly. One of his hobbies was building model trains and large displays with villages, which filled my grandparents’ entire basement. Even though I was very young, I can still remember the look and smell of it.

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In 2014, some of my family and close family friends made a trip to Copper Harbor, where part of grandpa’s train now resides in a museum. I was overcome with emotion as I recognized some pieces and noticed the distinct smell that I can still remember like it was yesterday.

(Side note, another one of my grandpa’s hobbies was all natural, organic, homegrown vegetables–something that was way ahead of his time.)

Mackinac Island

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Mackinac Island takes you back in time! Several family trips have been made here, including one in which my aunt and uncle renewed their wedding vows.

Summer Concerts

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When you grow up in the midwest, you look forward to days with no snow and warm weather. In high school and college, one of my favorite summer pastimes was attending outdoor concerts. (One year I even worked at a local summer theater production with my Aunt Lisa.)

I love country music, so country concerts were frequented. I saw Kenny Chesney annually, and every summer, Indianapolis boasted a massive, all-day collaboration concert with at least 10 popular country artists of the time. The last year I went was with my husband, before our last semester in college.

Racing

I can’t talk about my summers without mentioning this! My dad has worked in the drag racing industry for over 35 years, so I grew up with racing in my blood. 

The most fun I ever had was with my best friend at the huge Labor Day race in Indianapolis. My dad arranged VIP access wherever we wanted to go, and the racers treated us like family, making sure we were fed and could cool off in their motorhomes.

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Ahh, the memories 🥰

I love reminiscing and thinking back to all of the wonderful memories from childhood and fun summer vacations. I’m truly blessed to have incredible experiences with amazing people. ❤️

My love of travel has now turned into a full-fledged addiction, so I’m grateful that my husband has the same passion!

The current pandemic has ruined so many people’s plans and cancelled countless vacations and trips. I feel ya! Take this time to reflect back on past vacations and favorite destinations. Look at old photos and focus on the good times. (You can also take this time to plan the next vacay. 😉 )

What was your favorite vacation as a kid? Share your memories! 🥰