Travel was cheaper and easier back in the 1970s, and if you grew up in the middle class, there were a handful of family vacations that everybody kept on standby. Whether it was a trip to the beach, a hiking retreat, or another family classic, these photos should transport you back to the days of family vacations in the ’70s.
Hot pokers all around
How do you turn the kids’ attitudes about being stuck in the woods around? Give ’em some hot stick weapons, of course! That’ll spark ’em up.
My father and his friends at Manhattan Beach
The coordination it takes to get a shot of six people lined up evenly like this is impressive. There’s no chance my idiot friends and I would be able to pull that off.
My friend’s family at the beach in the ’70s
This feels like a normal photo until you think about it too long. The angle of the photo combined with the caption sort of lead me to believe this person just saw their friend’s family from afar and took a photo. This has major paparazzi vibes.
Getting ready for the road trip
This station wagon is STOCKED. How long are we going on the road, folks?
My dad in the ‘70s
Shoes and socks at the beach is not a vibe I can comprehend, but this person’s dad has cool sunglasses and a Coor’s heavy, which help to offset that. Take off your shoes, dude. Live a little.
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For some unknown reason no one in my family could work a Kodak Instamatic
Nearly captured the moment. Damn Instamatics.
My mom at the Boise, Idaho, Holiday Inn in the early ’70s
Fun fact: This is the most excited anybody has ever looked to be in Idaho.
Camping in the ’70s
Don’t want to rent a hotel for the trip? No need? Pack up the camper, and hit the road.
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Welcome to Hawaii
No leis for mom and dad? At least mom has the right idea with the dress, but c’mon dad. We’re in Hawaii. Let’s get into it.
My parents and me at Disney World, 1976
Disney parks are classic middle-class vacations, especially since Disney didn’t roll out local discounts until the ’90s. Ah, to pay ’70s prices at a Disney park.
Summer time and the living is easy
The caption says it all; kick your shoes off. Relax. It’s summertime, my friends.
Chesapeake Bay beaches
Camping in the Chesapeake Bay has always been popular, and for a middle class vacation for the whole family, it costs exactly the right amount.
My uncle when his parents moved out
Not all vacations have to break the budget. In fact, not all vacations have to make you leave the house. Sometimes some empty halls, a good chair, and a TV is all you need.
My dad and his friends on Miami Beach getting preached at by “Holy Joe”
You kidding me, Holy Joe? Don’t you have anything better to do than yell at these dudes trying to relax at the beach? Holy Joe should have popped his holy shoes off, because he’s walking home with sand in his toes.
My dad on his travels
Good job to your dad on this one. This is the kind of picture I wish I had, and I’d be willing to bet a lot of people who don’t have one agree.
The family on vacation around 1975 in North Carolina
This family needs to teach me how to properly shop for pants. They see what I do not.
Family hiking/camping trip
Hiking and camping are classic cheap vacations, but when you combine them, it almost feels like survival training.
A day at the beach in Iran
These people should have all been models. Good-looking family, right here.
