Linen & Luggage
35 PACKING LISTS

US and Canada family vacation packing list

Domestic trips are where overpacking happens most. These lists keep it tight, from Nantucket summers to Yellowstone shoulder season.

Kristina's notes

  1. National parks swing 30 degrees in a day, so layers matter more than outfits.
  2. Coastal New England evenings run cool even in July.
  3. If you're driving, a trunk organizer saves every stop.

Choose your destination

Dune fence and sea oats at Fort Clinch on Amelia Island, FloridaUSA & Canada

Amelia Island, Florida

Wide quiet beaches, a historic port town, and wild horse day trips.

Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Boston skyline across the harbor on a clear dayUSA & Canada

Boston

The Freedom Trail, Swan Boats, harbor islands, and fall color.

Best May–Jun & Sep–Oct
Chatham Lighthouse on Cape Cod under a blue skyUSA & Canada

Cape Cod

Tidal flats, whale watches, and classic New England summers.

Best Jun–Sep
Bixby Creek Bridge spanning the rugged Big Sur coastline on a sunny dayUSA & Canada

Carmel & Big Sur

Fairy-tale cottages, cool beaches, and the coast road south.

Best Sep–Oct
Pastel historic houses of Rainbow Row in Charleston, South CarolinaUSA & Canada

Charleston & Kiawah Island

Historic Southern city days paired with wide, quiet island beaches.

Best Apr–May & Oct
Chicago skyline across Lake MichiganUSA & Canada

Chicago

Lakefront parks, river cruises, deep-dish, and world-class museums.

Best Jun–Sep
Lake Josephine framed by peaks in Glacier National Park, MontanaUSA & Canada

Glacier National Park

Going-to-the-Sun Road, turquoise lakes, and mountain goats.

Best Jul–Sep
Sundown over the layered cliffs of Grand Canyon National ParkUSA & Canada

Grand Canyon

Sunrise rim walks, ranger talks, and condors over the canyon.

Best Apr–May & Sep–Oct
Layered ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains at sunsetUSA & Canada

Great Smoky Mountains

Waterfall hikes, cabin stays, and Blackberry Farm in the foothills.

Best Apr–Jun, Oct
Red-and-white Harbour Town Lighthouse on Hilton Head IslandUSA & Canada

Hilton Head Island

Bike-friendly beaches, dolphins, and easy Lowcountry days.

Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
The Snake River winding below the Grand Tetons in WyomingUSA & Canada

Jackson Hole & Yellowstone

Bison, geysers, and Teton views in summer.

Best Jun–Sep
Green Adirondack mountains and a lake under a bright blue skyUSA & Canada

Lake Placid & Adirondacks

Olympic history, canoe lakes, and cozy lodges in the woods.

Best Jul–early Oct
Boats moored in the harbor at Bar Harbor, MaineUSA & Canada

Maine: Acadia & Bar Harbor

Rocky shoreline hikes, tide pools, carriage roads, and lobster.

Best Jun–Oct
Aerial view of Old Quebec City and the Château FrontenacUSA & Canada

Montreal & Quebec City

French cafés, cobblestone lanes, and a real winter carnival.

Best Jun–Sep
Brant Point Lighthouse on Nantucket at sunriseUSA & Canada

Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard

Bike paths, gray-shingled towns, and lazy New England beach days.

Best Jun–Sep
Vineyard rows on a sunny Northern California hillsideUSA & Canada

Napa & Sonoma

Vineyard picnics, pool days, and farm-to-table dinners.

Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Sunset over the Gulf at Naples Pier, FloridaUSA & Canada

Naples & Sanibel, Florida

Gulf sunsets, calm water, and world-class shelling.

Best Feb–May
Nashville skyline over the Cumberland River at sunsetUSA & Canada

Nashville

Live music, cowboy boots, hot chicken, and Southern hospitality.

Best Apr–May & Sep–Oct
Wrought-iron balconies on a quiet French Quarter street, New OrleansUSA & Canada

New Orleans

Beignets, streetcars, jazz, and family-friendly Carnival parades.

Best Feb–May & Oct–Nov
The Manhattan skyline across the Hudson River at golden hourUSA & Canada

New York City

Museums, Broadway, Central Park, and pizza on every corner.

Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Dec
Bodie Island Lighthouse at golden hour on the Outer Banks, North CarolinaUSA & Canada

Outer Banks

Big dunes, wild horses, and beach-house weeks with the whole family.

Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Sunrise over the water at Palm Beach, FloridaUSA & Canada

Palm Beach, Florida

Polished beach days, Worth Avenue strolls, and warm winter sun.

Best Dec–Apr
Mid-century home among palms and desert mountains in Palm SpringsUSA & Canada

Palm Springs

Mid-century style, pool days, and desert mountains.

Best Oct–Apr
Golden light over La Jolla Cove, San DiegoUSA & Canada

San Diego & La Jolla

Sea lions, tide pools, and sunny beach days year round.

Best Apr–May, Sep–Nov
Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay on a clear dayUSA & Canada

San Francisco

Cable cars, the Golden Gate, sea lions, and summer fog.

Best Sep–Oct
Santa Barbara's coastline with the Santa Ynez Mountains behindUSA & Canada

Santa Barbara & Montecito

Mountain-meets-ocean views, harbor days, and a relaxed coastal pace.

Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Live oaks shading one of Savannah's historic squares, GeorgiaUSA & Canada

Savannah

Oak-shaded squares, Spanish moss, ghost tours, and Tybee beach days.

Best Mar–May & Oct–Nov
Red rock buttes of Sedona, Arizona, from Schnebly Hill RoadUSA & Canada

Scottsdale & Sedona

Resort pools, red rock trails, and big desert sunsets.

Best Feb–Apr & Oct–Nov
Historic Christ Church among live oaks on St. Simons Island, GeorgiaUSA & Canada

Sea Island & St. Simons

Wide Georgia beaches, bike rides, and Southern resort charm.

Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Aerial view of the forested San Juan Islands with Mount Baker on the horizonUSA & Canada

Seattle & the San Juans

Pike Place, ferry rides, and orcas in the islands.

Best Jun–Sep
Sand dunes and beach fence in Southampton, Long IslandUSA & Canada

The Hamptons

Ocean beaches, farm stands, and long summer evenings out east.

Best Jun–Sep
Sunlight streaming over a canyon overlook in Zion National Park, UtahUSA & Canada

Utah National Parks

Zion, Bryce, and Arches: canyons, hoodoos, and stone arches.

Best Apr–May & Sep–Oct
Vancouver skyline across the water from the Stanley Park SeawallUSA & Canada

Vancouver & Victoria

Seawall bike rides, ferry crossings, and whale watching.

Best Jun–Sep
The Lincoln Memorial at sunset on the National Mall, Washington, DCUSA & Canada

Washington, DC

Free museums, monuments at night, and American history up close.

Best Mar–May & Sep–Oct
Snow-dusted granite cliffs and a waterfall above Yosemite ValleyUSA & Canada

Yosemite

Granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and waterfalls at full spring roar.

Best May–Jun & Sep
Questions families ask

USA & Canada packing, answered

What should a family pack for a USA & Canada trip?

National parks swing 30 degrees in a day, so layers matter more than outfits. Coastal New England evenings run cool even in July. If you're driving, a trunk organizer saves every stop.

How do I get a list for my exact trip?

Pick your destination below, then choose your month and your kids' ages. The list adjusts to the weather and what's happening that time of year.

let's stay in touch

New destination lists, seasonal tips, and the gear we're loving.

Want the whole trip handled?

I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.

As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.

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