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Four children in casual clothes sit and kneel on sandy dunes with a woman in sunglasses. The background shows a coastal landscape with houses in the distance under a clear sky. One child lets sand fall from his hands.

23 Vintage Photos of 1980s Family Vacations

Vintage Photos Travel May 13, 2025 by Patrick Nichols

Last Updated on May 13, 2025 by Colby Droscher

There’s something magical about ’80s family vacations. The grainy film, mismatched outfits, and wide grins frozen in time bring back great memories of long road trips in creaky station wagons, rest stops with vending machine lunches, and the thrill of disposable cameras clicking away at every goofy moment.

Whether it was a beach day with too much sunscreen or a national park detour no one planned for, these snapshots show the messy, wonderful chaos that made ‘80s vacations so unforgettable. Expect questionable fashion, lots of sun glare, and a whole lot of heart. Here are 23 vintage photos of ’80s family vacations.

1. Recreating a vacation photo from the early ’80s

Two photos show the same four women, arm-in-arm, smiling at the camera. The top is from their youth, wearing skirts and blouses; the bottom is a recreation decades later, in similar poses and clothing colors. — macpesce

These friends posed for this photo in the early ’80s at a seaside resort, and recreated the photo in October 2024.

2. An ’80s trip to the Caribbean

A smiling couple in swimsuits sits close together on a towel, leaning against large rocky formations outdoors. The woman wears a striped swimsuit and the man has a mustache and is shirtless, both appearing relaxed and sun-kissed. — chy7784

Scraped-up knees were part of the fun!

3. A family vacation to Italy, 1984

People walk and gather in a sunny square in front of a grand, ornate cathedral with domes and arches. The sky is clear and blue, and outdoor café tables are visible on the left side of the plaza. — ageniminsepiternum

This photo was taken with a Minolta X-700 camera.

4. Spring break, early ’80s

A large group of people, mostly women in swimsuits, pose on outdoor wooden stairs in bright sunlight, smiling and striking energetic poses, with more people gathered on the upper deck above. The scene feels lively and festive. — krazysquirrel

Daytona Beach gets crazy on spring break.

5. A mid-’80s family summer party

A large, joyful group of adults and children pose together outdoors in a grassy area, smiling and laughing. Some people are seated or crouching, while others stand or carry children on their shoulders. Trees appear in the background. — briango

Sometimes all you need is a party out in the country for vacation.

6. Family trip, 1987

Three young children pose and smile in front of a picnic table at a lively outdoor neighborhood gathering, with adults and kids in the background, lawn chairs, tricycles, and umbrellas visible, all under warm sunlight. — msmeowkins

This family met for vacation in Dallas, and they do vacationing right.

7. Early ’80s trip to North Carolina

Four children in colorful jackets and plaid pants sit and kneel on sand dunes near the coast, with one holding sand. The sky is clear and a town is visible in the background under golden evening light. — grapegeek

Sandy pants? No problem at all.

8. A late ’80s family ski trip

Four adults in colorful ski jackets and sunglasses pose on a snowy mountain with skis, smiling. Snow-covered peaks are visible in the background under a clear sky. — socksnstocks

Bring back ’80s ski clothes.

9. Doing vacation right

A woman in sunglasses sits on a beach chair, sipping a drink from a pineapple with straws and fruit garnishes. She is wearing headphones and has wavy hair. Other beachgoers relax on lounge chairs in the background. — lightsabert00thtiger

If you visit somewhere tropical, drinking something from a pineapple or a coconut is a must.

10. Hanging out with some cows in Portugal, early ’80s

ingenue_us

Cows are such gentle giants.

11. Fun in the sun

Two men sit shirtless on sandy beach in front of tall grass. One man with dark hair and sunglasses faces forward with arms resting on knees, while the other blond man looks to the side, holding a blue cup. Sky is partly cloudy. — lorelle1618

These two started a sailing club and are currently stranded on an island.

12. A sibling ski trip, mid-80s

Three people in colorful ski outfits stand on a snowy mountain slope with ski poles, smiling at the camera. Rocky peaks covered in snow and a bright orange ski marker are visible in the background. — 19ps99

Skiing with siblings could be a risky move. You never know if you’re going to get pushed down the mountain.

13. She made a friend

A woman crouches and smiles next to a monkey on a scenic overlook with a city and ocean below, while several people stand at the railing enjoying the view. — chemical-drawer852

That monkey is too busy for a photo.

14. Early ’80s bike trip

A smiling woman stands in front of a red car with two children on the roof rack beside a red bicycle. The kids are playful, and suburban houses are visible in the background. — gdbeav

Mom couldn’t look happier to get the energy out of these two.

15. Family trip to Lake Tahoe, 1982

A large group of people of various ages, including children and adults, pose together outside in front of a white building with red-trimmed windows, smiling and standing close to each other. — steviewonderwoman

Family trips like this create memories that last a lifetime.

16. They rode for miles in the back of the truck like that

A group of people in swimsuits sit in the back of a black Toyota pickup truck parked on a sandy beach, with waves in the background and others walking along the shoreline. — agonda12

Family trip to Daytona Beach, 1986

17. Doing the Christmas card tropical style.

A family of five poses indoors, all wearing sunglasses. The parents sit in front, with three children behind and beside them. The kids wear matching teal shirts with suspenders. Garland decorates the white fireplace in the background. — sappygilmore

When you have the opportunity for a Christmas card photo shoot, you take it.

18. Fishing trips with Dad were next-level

A young boy in a yellow sweater and dark pants sits in a small boat on a lake, holding a fishing rod and wearing sunglasses. The boat is surrounded by water and mountains under a partly cloudy sky. — anynamethatworks

This may be the coolest kid ever to exist. Just munching on an apple with a knife.

19. Hiking in Yukon Territory, early ’80s

A man with a backpack stands on a mountain trail, holding a walking stick, with a black dog sitting beside him. Rolling hills, a lake, and mountains stretch out under a partly cloudy sky in the background. — bnjohn639

Sometimes a dog is the only family you need.

20. Not a helmet in sight

Six people in colorful winter clothing and ski gear pose together on a snowy slope under a clear blue sky. Some are holding ski poles and skis, and bare trees are visible in the background. — edge27ca

Safety was a second thought in the ’80s.

21. Breaking up the road trip with a picnic

A group of people, including adults and children, sit around a table with food and drinks on a sidewalk between parked cars. Trees line the street, and other people walk in the background. It appears to be a casual outdoor meal. — admaiora_

Roadtrips with the family hit different.

22. Family vacation in Rome, 1980

Four children play on a cobblestone street; one leaps over another who is bent down, while a boy watches and a girl in a pink dress sits on the steps nearby. A parked car and storefronts are visible in the background. — admaiora_

Killing time with a game of leapfrog.

23. 80s family picnic

A group of eight adults sit around a table outdoors, enjoying drinks and each other's company. The table is covered with checked tablecloths, and trees and a parked car are visible in the background. — itsidaho

80s picnic vibes are absolutely unmatched.

Want some more vintage ’80s content?

Check out these 35 Vintage Photos of the Late ’80s, or if you want to enter the shopping world of the 1980s, take a look at these 20 Mall Stores From the ’80s and ’90s That You Totally Forgot About. Finally, check out the way things have changed since the ’80s with 45 Photos That Show the Way We Were in the Early ’80s (1980-1983).

Tags: 1980s family

About Author

Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He's also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can't stop talking about.

Whether it's a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.

View all posts by Patrick Nichols

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