1. Lake George, New York
Back in the ’70s, Lake George was a family vacation hotspot. People would pack up their station wagons, load the kids in the back, and head to the Adirondacks for a week of lakeside fun. The motels lining the main strip were buzzing with summer tourists, each boasting swimming pools, game rooms, and neon signs that lit up the night sky. Mini golf courses and arcades seemed to be everywhere, offering cheap thrills between boat rides and ice cream stops.
Campgrounds were also a huge draw, with families roasting marshmallows and sharing ghost stories under the stars. The water itself was the biggest attraction, whether you were swimming, waterskiing, or taking a cruise on the iconic steamboat Minne-Ha-Ha. Today, while the area is still around, it doesn’t have the same national attention it once did. For many, it’s a nostalgic reminder of the classic American family road trip.
2. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World” today, Wisconsin Dells actually had its heyday in the ’70s with a totally different kind of vibe. Families flocked there not for giant indoor slides, but for quirky attractions like Tommy Bartlett’s Water Ski Show, Duck boat tours, and cheesy roadside motels. Billboards along the highway would advertise magic shows, wax museums, and reptile farms, tempting road-weary parents into pulling over.
The Dells were all about family fun, with a little kitsch sprinkled in. You’d see kids clutching souvenir tomahawks from Native-themed gift shops or begging for another round at Storybook Gardens. While the Dells evolved into a massive waterpark empire later on, the simpler, campier version from the ’70s is what many still remember most fondly. It was the perfect mix of adventure and small-town charm.
3. Rock City, Georgia
Perched on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Rock City was a must-see roadside attraction in the ’70s. The billboards promising “See Rock City” dotted highways across the South, turning it into a family pilgrimage spot. Visitors would wander through narrow rock passages, past gnome statues, and over the swinging bridge that always seemed a little scarier than it should have been.
The real selling point was the “Seven States” view from the lookout point. Parents swore you could see as far as Kentucky or North Carolina, while kids were just excited about the fudge shop near the exit. Rock City was kitsch in the best way, and while it still exists, it’s no longer the road trip staple it once was. For ’70s families, it was one of those “check it off the list” spots that felt magical at the time.
4. Catskills, New York
The Catskills were once the vacation spot for East Coast families in the ’70s. Resorts like Grossinger’s and Kutsher’s offered all-inclusive getaways with pools, entertainment, and endless buffets. The area became so iconic that it even inspired Dirty Dancing. Guests would check in for a week and spend their time taking dance lessons, golfing, or lounging poolside with cocktails.
Stand-up comedians also cut their teeth here, with the Catskills being a testing ground for many future stars. Families loved the routine of spending summer vacations at the same resort, year after year, making lifelong friendships. Today, most of those grand resorts are abandoned or demolished, but in the ’70s, they were the height of middle-class luxury. It was the kind of trip you’d plan a year in advance and talk about for months afterward.
5. Cypress Gardens, Florida
Before Disney and Universal dominated Florida vacations, Cypress Gardens was the state’s shining star. Known as the “Water Ski Capital of the World,” it offered dazzling live shows where performers built human pyramids while speeding across the water. The botanical gardens were also a draw, with women dressed as Southern belles strolling through the grounds for photos.
Families would buy postcards and Super 8 film reels of the shows to bring back home, proving they had experienced the Florida sunshine. It was equal parts kitsch and elegance, with the manicured gardens making you feel like you’d stepped into a postcard. While the park eventually closed and was later absorbed into LEGOLAND, in the ’70s it was a vacation must. People still look back at it as the heart of Florida tourism before the theme park boom.
6. Palm Springs, California
In the ’70s, Palm Springs was glamorous but surprisingly approachable. Families would drive in from Los Angeles to lounge by turquoise motel pools framed by palm trees and desert mountains. The city was dotted with mid-century motels offering tiki bars, shuffleboard courts, and cheap steak dinners.
Even if you weren’t part of Hollywood’s elite, you could still catch a glimpse of the lifestyle while sipping Shirley Temples at poolside bars. The desert heat added an exotic flair, making every dip in the pool feel like an indulgence. Palm Springs still has plenty of life today, but its retro charm from the ’70s is what many remember most fondly. It was laid-back luxury without the pretension.
7. Black Hills, South Dakota
In the ’70s, the Black Hills were one of those road trip destinations everyone seemed to talk about. Families would stop at Mount Rushmore, but the real fun was in the surrounding attractions. From Wall Drug’s endless billboards to the kitschy Reptile Gardens, there was always something to see.
Kids loved panning for gold at tourist mines or posing for photos with cowboys in Deadwood. The region was filled with roadside oddities, making the trip feel like one big adventure. While people still visit today, the old-school charm of the ’70s trips is hard to replicate. Back then, it was about the joy of discovery and piling into a camper van for the ride.
8. Niagara Falls, New York/Canada
During the ’70s, Niagara Falls was a honeymooner’s paradise and a family getaway rolled into one. Parents would pack everyone into the car to watch the roaring falls, donning those iconic yellow rain ponchos for the Maid of the Mist boat ride. The neon-lit motels on both sides of the border gave the area a carnival-like vibe at night.
Tourist traps like wax museums and haunted houses made it even more appealing to kids. Souvenir stands sold everything from snow globes to viewfinder reels of the falls. Today, Niagara is still visited, but in the ’70s, it had a unique kitsch factor that made it magical. It felt like a bucket-list destination for the average family.
9. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
For families in the ’70s, Colonial Williamsburg wasn’t just a history lesson, it was a full vacation experience. Kids loved walking through the cobblestone streets where costumed actors pretended to be blacksmiths or shopkeepers from the 1700s. Parents appreciated that it felt both educational and fun.
The horse-drawn carriages and live reenactments made history come alive in a way schoolbooks never could. Families would often combine it with trips to nearby Busch Gardens, making for a well-rounded getaway. Today, Williamsburg is still open, but it doesn’t carry the same national vacation hype it once did. Back then, it was a destination families bragged about after summer break.
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach was a thriving vacation hub in the ’70s. Families crowded the boardwalk for saltwater taffy, seafood shacks, and arcade games. The motels offered simple but comfortable rooms, many just steps away from the sand.
Beach bands often played live music at night, giving the boardwalk a party-like atmosphere. Kids loved the carnival rides, while parents enjoyed sipping cocktails in oceanfront lounges. Though still popular today, in the ’70s Virginia Beach had a reputation as the East Coast beach destination. It was a place where summer felt endless.
11. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Nestled at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg in the ’70s had a mix of natural beauty and touristy fun. Families would hike trails by day, then wander into town for pancake houses and souvenir shops. Ober Gatlinburg’s ski resort added year-round excitement with its aerial tramway.
The town was dotted with quirky attractions, from wax museums to hillbilly-themed gift shops. Mini golf and saltwater taffy stores were everywhere, making it a kid’s dream vacation. While Gatlinburg is still a busy tourist town, the low-key family vibe of the ’70s is what made it special. It felt like a mountain getaway with a touch of carnival spirit.
12. Ocean City, Maryland
In the ’70s, Ocean City was all about the boardwalk. Families would spend days on the beach, then head to the arcades, funnel cake stands, and amusement rides at night. The boardwalk buzzed with a mix of fried food smells, flashing lights, and the sounds of carnival barkers.
Hotels were simple, often family-owned, and right on the sand. You’d hear the jingling of skee-ball machines well into the night. Ocean City was a place where kids ran free and parents could relax knowing everyone was having fun. Today, it’s still lively, but the vintage version of Ocean City holds a lot of nostalgia.
13. Hot Springs, Arkansas
In the ’70s, Hot Springs was a quirky mix of natural wonder and retro entertainment. Families would visit the historic bathhouses, even if kids were more interested in the arcade-style attractions nearby. The town’s neon-lit streets felt like something out of another era.
There were wax museums, magic shows, and even alligator farms competing for attention. Parents liked the affordable hotels, while kids loved the novelty of it all. The natural springs gave the town a sense of history, while the tourist traps made it feel like a carnival. Today, it’s quieter, but in the ’70s it was a road trip highlight.
14. Lake Havasu, Arizona
Lake Havasu became famous in the ’70s for one quirky reason—the London Bridge. The actual bridge was dismantled in England and rebuilt in Arizona, turning the lake into a tourist sensation. Families came to see the bridge but stayed for the boating, swimming, and desert scenery.
Vacationers would rent houseboats, water ski, and relax in the desert sun. Souvenir shops sold London-themed trinkets, making kids feel like they were part of something exotic. The lake became a trendy stop for both families and spring breakers. While it’s still known today, the hype around the London Bridge made it extra special back then.
15. Mackinac Island, Michigan
In the ’70s, Mackinac Island felt like stepping into a time machine. With no cars allowed, families rode bikes or took horse-drawn carriages around the island. The Victorian hotels and fudge shops gave it an old-world charm that felt both quaint and magical.
Kids loved riding ferries across Lake Huron and stocking up on bags of fudge to take home. Parents enjoyed the slower pace, far removed from the hustle of everyday life. The island’s mix of natural beauty and historic charm made it a unique getaway. Today, it’s still beloved, but in the ’70s, it felt like a hidden treasure families couldn’t wait to revisit.
