The Best Beaches for Families in 2016

Family Vacation Critic releases its annual list of the best beaches for families

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Mar 30, 2016, 05:30 ET

EWING, N.J., March 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Vacation Critic, TripAdvisor's family travel site, has released its annual list of the Best Beaches for Families – naming the best beaches in the nation, specifically for families traveling with kids of all ages.

South Padre Island - Photo Credit: South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau

"Choosing an ideal beach for families can be quite difficult," explained Lissa Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic. "Families are looking for beaches that are not only safe and clean, but also those that offer a level of convenience that meet the needs of those traveling with various age groups. Nearby accommodations, restaurants and attractions – as well as cost – all add to a beach's appeal for families. This list of winners was hand-picked by our team of editors to highlight not only large, well-known beaches, but also some of the smaller hidden gems worth a visit."

This year's list of winning beaches includes:

Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Outer Banks, NC
Insider Tip: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open all summer for both daytime and a few nighttime climbs to the public – in the evening, families can climb with flashlights to get a prime view of the Milky Way.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore – Empire, MI
Insider Tip: Pick up a free Junior Ranger Book, including fun activities for children to complete – once finished, kids will receive a Junior Ranger badge and certificate.

South Padre Island – South Padre, TX
Insider Tip: Families can work with local sea turtle rescue, Sea Turtle, Inc., on dozens of scheduled releases during the summer months, to watch as tiny sea turtles enter the ocean for the first time.

The Wildwoods – Wildwood, NJ
Insider Tip: Access to the beaches in The Wildwoods is completely free – no beach tags are required – and there is a special Wildwoods Dog Beach, for any families planning to bring Fido along on vacation.

Captiva Beach – Captiva Island, FL
Insider Tip: The Captiva Kayak Company offers boat rentals and kayak expeditions into local waterways to explore Captiva's beaches and bayous.

La Jolla Cove – San Diego, CA
Insider Tip: La Jolla Concerts by the Sea are offered every Sunday afternoon during the summer, and provide fun for all ages with a wide range of music to enjoy.

Misquamicut State Beach – Westerly, RI
Insider Tip: Water Wiz of Westerly is a water park with three slides, located right on the beach – get there early for discounts.

Million Dollar Beach – Lake George, NY
Insider Tip: Nearby Lake George Village offers fireworks over the lake every Thursday from July 4 through August.

Clinch Beach – Traverse City, MI
Insider Tip: Nearby Clinch Park Marina offers kayak, paddleboard and bicycle rentals to ride on the paved TART Trail, which runs above the beach.

Golden Gardens Park – Seattle, WA
Insider Tip: The nearby – and free – Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks), offer views of boats and kayaks crossing the channel, as well as a botanical garden and fish ladder.

For more information, visit Family Vacation Critic's full list of the 10 Best Beaches for Families in 2016. For photos of the winning beaches, click here.

About Family Vacation Critic
Family Vacation Critic^® is a comprehensive online travel resource for families that offers reviews of family hotels, resort and destinations. The site features vacation ideas, family travel tips and an online forum for family travelers. Family Vacation Critic is published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl, www.besttables.com and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, and www.virtualtourist.com.