Traveling as a family has become more manageable in recent years, thanks to a renewed effort from companies across the industry to make vacationing with kids less of a hassle. Airlines offer special discounts for family travel, while many airports now contain play areas and video arcades. Hotels and resorts have babysitters, extensive kids’ programs and even rooms decorated and furnished especially for bambinos. As any parent can tell you, “kid-friendly” really means “parent-friendly.”

But just because a place advertises itself as kid-friendly doesn't mean it is. Do your due diligence: research the destination, call resorts and restaurants and ask specific questions to make sure your family needs can be met, look for feedback on community sites. Read more tips here.

There are plenty of tools and resources available to parents who want to bring the kids along without losing the meaning of vacation. And although Orlando, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii remain some of the most popular places to go with children in tow (and still find plenty of adult diversions), locales such as Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the Caribbean (with a host of kid-friendly resorts) and Italy are popping up more frequently on family-favorite lists.