10 Father-Son Trip Ideas for Building Lifelong Bonds

One of the fringe benefits of having an only child is that it makes one-on-one travel time simple. Just as my son and I started our tradition of annual mother-son trips when he was in grade school, he and my husband have always made father-son trips a priority too. Spending dedicated time together without the distractions of daily life helps you connect in a wonderful way and make memories you’ll talk about for years — there are stories and exploits that still come up at our dinner table now and then (some of which I didn’t learn about until long after the fact, ahem).

Father-son trips don’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful; sometimes all you need is a full tank of gas, a playlist you can both agree on and a willingness to have the occasional ice cream cone for breakfast. The perfect destination and itinerary will be unique to you and your family, but here are 10 ideas to start with, from weekend getaways to once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Top Father-Son Trip Ideas Around the World

Chicago

Sports capital, arts mecca, foodie playground, architectural marvel … Chicago can be whatever you want it to be. The Windy City delivers an unbeatable father-son experience through its combination of urban adventure, big-ticket sightseeing, lively neighborhoods and cultural cool. Chicago’s relatively compact downtown area makes it easy to fit multiple experiences into each day, from architecture-themed boat tours along the Chicago River (fun even for younger kids) to catching a Cubs or White Sox game at ballparks that have witnessed generations of baseball history. For die-hard football and baseball fans, Soldier Field and Wrigley Field offer behind-the-scenes tours that take you inside the press box, dugout, locker rooms, stadium control room and other areas that are usually off limits.

Take a spin on the Ferris wheel at the Navy Pier, channel your inner Bueller at the Art Institute of Chicago and stop by Millennium Park to see your reflection in the famous mirrored Cloud Gate sculpture (a.k.a. “The Bean”). The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the natural history collections at the Field Museum and the aquatic life at Shedd Aquarium are perennial family favorites, along with panoramic views from the observation decks at Willis Tower and the John Hancock Building. For music lovers, there’s always a full calendar of festivals (including Lollapalooza) and concerts at mega-venues like the United Center plus smaller ones like the Salt Shed. When you get peckish, the culinary scene is one of the best in the country — deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, ethnic cuisine of every variety you can imagine, and fine dining icons like Alinea are just the tip of the tantalizing iceberg.

Munich, Germany

My guys both agree that Munich is one of the best father-son trips they’ve ever taken. It’s large enough for a wide variety of experiences yet small enough to feel manageable, and the Bavarian spirit of gemütlichkeit (genial good cheer) is infectious. Start in the Old Town, perhaps with a climb up the 306 steps of St. Peter’s Church for views over the central Marienplatz square and its Gothic town hall. You’ll have fun sampling your way through the stalls at the Viktualienmarkt, a sprawling open-air food market that also has a fantastic biergarten onsite. Put together a picnic as you browse, then sit down to enjoy it with a stein of German lager for the adults and lemonade or apfelsaft (apple juice) for kids.

The English Garden, Munich’s largest green space, offers walking trails, playgrounds, soccer pitches and cycling paths. Don’t miss the famous surfing spot on the Eisbach River, a one-of-a-kind urban adventure that’s a blast to watch. At the Deutsches Museum, comprehensive science and technology exhibits offer hours of hands-on exploration, and a bit farther afield lies BMW Welt and Museum, which takes you on a fascinating journey through the history of this luxury auto brand. Munich also serves as an easy jumping-off point for day trips to the Alps, and my family’s favorite is the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain peak, reachable by cogwheel train and cable car from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Since the mountain straddles the border with Austria, there’s even a spot where you can walk from one country to the other (no passport stamps, though).

Patagonia

Spanning the southern ends of Argentina and Chile, this raw and remote region strips away modern distractions, allowing dads and sons to focus entirely on each other and the awe-inspiring natural world around them. Adventure junkies, take note — the list of high-octane thrills in Patagonia is a mile long, ranging from ice climbing, glacier trekking and whitewater rafting to backcountry skiing and kayaking amid the ocean fjords. Avid hikers can tackle the W Circuit in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, a challenging 50- to 55-mile trek named for the letter like which it’s shaped. As it zigzags through forests, rivers, plains and mountains, the trail brings you up close with some of Patagonia’s most jawdropping scenery, such as Base of the Towers (sharp peaks reflected in a glacial lake below) and Grey Glacier (part of the enormous Southern Patagonian Ice Field).

There’s also a less extreme side of Patagonia that lures travelers who want to enjoy its dramatic landscape without quite so much adrenaline. The region is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife, including penguins, pumas, whales, condors and guanacos (cousins of llamas), and boat tours, gentle hikes, canoeing and fly-fishing offer just enough adventure to keep kids engaged. Guided horseback rides through Patagonian valleys and plains let you soak in the scenery at a relaxed pace. For true cultural immersion, spend a night or two at an estancia (working cattle ranch), where you can watch the gauchos in action and join in activities such as sheep shearing.

Normandy, France

Omaha Beach. Sainte-Mère-Église. Pointe du Hoc. Have I caught your attention, WWII buffs? Normandy has witnessed some of the most pivotal moments in modern European history, and the echoes of its wartime past can inspire a meaningful dialogue about courage and sacrifice. Walking the D-Day beaches, touring museums such as the Caen Memorial Museum and visiting the Normandy American Cemetery all foster somber but important conversations that have a long-lasting impact. It helps to enlist a private guide who knows how to share the story in a way that resonates with kids — our Ciao Bambino Travel Advisors can pair you with a vetted expert suited to your son’s age.

If your interest tends toward an earlier era, string together a trail of sites from the region’s medieval days and the Norman Conquest. Besides just being a joy to wander, the town of Bayeux is home to the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century hand-stitched banner that illustrates the saga of William the Conqueror claiming the English throne. (Note, the museum that houses it is closed for renovations until October 2027; the tapestry will be on display at the British Museum in London from September 2026 until July 2027.) Mont Saint-Michel offers an equally awe-inspiring perspective, with its medieval abbey perched high on a tidal island. When you need a break from the history lessons, hike the chalk cliffs of Étretat, bike through the rural Pays d’Auge or take a stroll through Monet’s gardens at Giverny.

Fiji

Seeking a South Pacific escape? Push Fiji to the top of your list. This archipelago lives up to its postcard image: crystal-blue waves, white sand beaches and an entire universe of colorful undersea creatures. Conditions are good all year round for snorkeling among the vibrant reefs, which teem with parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish, soft corals, giant clams, seahorses and countless others. Sea turtles, manta rays and reef sharks frequent the waters too, and with luck, you may spot whales and spinner dolphins. Fiji is excellent for game fishing and spearfishing charters, scuba diving — especially at the Great Astrolabe Reef off the island of Kavadu — and surfing. The powerful reef breaks that make this area such a draw are too intense for beginners; you’ll find gentler waves and surf schools scattered around the islands if you’re just starting out.

Ocean adventures get most of the attention, but Fiji’s interior is equally worth exploring, with lush, wildlife-rich rainforests to hike through, rivers to raft or float down, and hidden waterfalls for a refreshing dip. Take a hike up the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, which hold traces of the Lapita people who were the first to settle Fiji. Cultural activities might include joining a traditional kava ceremony (a social ritual involving a mildly relaxing drink made from the kava root); enjoying a lovo dinner, in which meats and vegetables are slow-cooked in an underground oven; and visiting some of the villages to stroll through the colorful markets and engage with the locals — Fijians’ friendliness and hospitality are second to none.

Montana

They don’t call Montana “Big Sky Country” for nothing. As you drive across the state’s vast plains and mountain valleys, that cloud-flecked stretch of blue overhead feels boundless, dwarfing everything beneath it; at night, the stars seem to stretch into infinity. Schedules and screens are easily forgotten in the face of such pure beauty and abundant outdoor adventure, whether that means saddling up at a dude ranch, powder turns on the slopes or a hiking expedition under the watchful gaze of bighorn sheep in Glacier National Park.

Fishing here is legendary, especially fly-fishing, and rivers such as the Blackfoot, Gallatin and Flathead teem with trout and other species. One of the most breathtaking spots to cast a line is the Bitterroot Valley near the Idaho border (both the scenery and the fishing feature prominently in the 1992 film A River Runs Through It). Montana is also horse country, and there are plenty of upscale ranches where you can unplug and live out your cowboy dreams for a little while — the CB Advisor team can help you choose the one that best fits your needs. In addition to cattle drives, trail rides and chuckwagon feasts, the full slate of ranch activities might include archery, laser tag, kayaking, mountain biking, rappelling, pickleball and ATV riding, just for starters. And while Big Sky Resort in southwestern Montana is known chiefly for its first-rate skiing and snowboarding, it’s an active family paradise any time of year, not to mention just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park.

Mexico City

From food fanatics to budding archaeologists to urban explorers, Mexico City ticks the boxes for dads and sons with shared interests of all kinds. Get a feel for the city’s cultural heart at the Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución, to be precise), a square that sits atop the former ceremonial plaza of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. Today it’s a lively gathering place surrounded by landmarks that include the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Art Deco-style Palace of Fine Arts and the Templo Mayor Museum, which displays the ruins of the main temple from the Aztec days. Want an extra dose of history? Head to the National Museum of Anthropology for fascinating exhibits on Mexico’s pre-Hispanic peoples; among its most celebrated treasures is the Stone of the Sun, a 24-ton basalt carving with the sun god Tonatiuh at its center. It’s also worth the side trip north of the city proper to see the awe-inspiring pyramids of Teotihuacán, an ancient city that predates the Aztecs.

Back in town, explore the Museo Frida Kahlo (La Casa Azul), located in the artist’s former cottage, or head to the colorful Xochimilco Canals, where you can board a painted trajinera boat for a leisurely ride amid musicians and vendors selling drinks and snacks (it’s essentially a floating party). The local cuisine is not to be missed — get your fill of street food in vibrant neighborhoods like Coyoacán, or better yet, learn to make traditional dishes like chiles en nogada, fresh corn tortillas and tres leches cake at a cooking class in a private home. No matter what’s on the menu, don’t leave town without sampling the hot churros at El Moro, a Mexico City staple since the 1930s.

Scotland

For a smallish country, Scotland is stuffed with an impressive variety of historic highlights, cultural venues, natural riches and quirky attractions (the Kelpies come to mind). If it’s your first trip there, start in Edinburgh, a grande dame whose moody streets wind through centuries of the past en route to the imposing namesake castle. It pairs well with younger, brasher Glasgow for a dual city break — spend a little time in the capital to see the medieval Old Town and admire the views from Arthur’s Seat, and then take the hourlong train ride for a few days of gallery-hopping, live music and Art Nouveau architecture in Glasgow.

Golf and Scotland go hand in hand, so if you like to bond over bunkers and birdies, you’ll be spoiled for choice. You can’t go wrong with any of the seven courses at St. Andrews Links, but the most iconic is the Old Course; founded more than 600 years ago, it’s among the highest-ranked (and most atmospheric) public courses in the world. Although the celebrated Royal Troon, south of Glasgow on the Firth of Clyde, is a private club, non-members can book tee times on certain days of the week. Harry Potter fans will delight in visiting filming locations like the Glenfinnan Viaduct, where from April to October you can board the Jacobite Steam Train that stands in for the Hogwarts Express. Or delve deeper into the Scottish Highlands via the West Highland Way, one of Europe’s great rambles. The 96-mile trek starts just north of Glasgow and passes beloved landmarks like Glencoe, Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor. For dads with adult sons, Scotland’s whisky distilleries offer a chance to relax and catch up over exceptional aged single malts — they’re scattered across the country, so you’re sure to find one within striking distance.

Tanzania

The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro … just hearing the names of Tanzania‘s most spectacular destinations kindles the siren song of excitement and romance. Whether you’ve been to Africa already or this is your intro, Tanzania is a fabulous option for a family-friendly safari as the tourism infrastructure is sound, luxury lodges are plentiful and the Big Five (lion, rhino, leopard, elephant and Cape buffalo) roam the terrain freely. When you’re not on game drives, you can visit Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites; take a hot air balloon ride over the plains; or learn about local cultural traditions at a tribal village. If your schedule allows, consider pairing your safari with a Kilimanjaro expedition. CB Advisor Kiki Humes recently planned this for a dad and teen son, and the payoff was more than worth the physical challenges like altitude and finicky weather. Standing side by side on Uhuru Peak at nearly 20,000 feet, watching the sunrise from the “Roof of Africa,” is a moment that few ever experience and a memory you’ll treasure for life.

Alternatively, the beaches of Zanzibar are perfect for chilling out post-safari — this low-key gem just off the coast of Dar es Salaam has soft white sand, aquamarine water and a distinctive local flavor thanks to its Arab, Persian and African heritage. Wander the narrow lanes of UNESCO-listed Stone Town, snorkel among brilliant coral reefs or embark on a sail aboard a traditional wooden dhow. Music fans, take note: This is also where Freddie Mercury spent his early childhood years, and a small museum pays tribute to the larger-than-life Queen frontman.

U.S. Southwest Road Trip

Father-son road trips are a time-honored tradition, and I can’t think of a better place than the Southwest to hit the highway. Not only does this region capture the allure of the open road with its vast landscapes and endless vistas, but the potential itineraries are legion depending on what lights you up. Arizona alone is packed with possibilities: watching baseball greats at the MLB spring training Cactus League in Phoenix, whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon, stargazing and epic red rock hikes in Sedona, exploring the badlands of the Painted Desert. In Utah, work your way through the Mighty 5 national parks and the sandstone buttes and spires that tower over the desert in Monument Valley (stoke excitement by downloading one of the many movies filmed there, like Forrest Gump or the John Wayne classic Stagecoach, to watch together).

Dig into Indigenous history and Pueblo culture in Colorado‘s Mesa Verde National Park, where the ancient cliff dwellings offer a window into how the Anasazi managed to thrive amid this less-than-hospitable terrain. Throughout New Mexico, immerse yourselves in the blend of Native American and Spanish heritage — visit Taos Pueblo, browse the art markets in Santa Fe and eat your fill of green chile cheeseburgers and biscochitos, or addictive little anise-flavored cookies. Go sand sledding at White Sands National Park and venture underground at Carlsbad Caverns to see the limestone chambers and watch thousands of bats take flight at dusk (it’s a super-cool spectacle even if one or both of you are skittish about bats). And a road trip isn’t a road trip without a kitschy roadside attraction or two, so consider detouring to spots like London Bridge in Arizona — yes, the actual bridge brought over from the U.K. — or the International UFO Museum in New Mexico.

Relevant Links: 

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Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.