Pack Your Bags: RDU’s nonstop flights make summer getaways a breeze

story by SUSANNA KLINGENBERG

When wanderlust strikes, Triangle families have a not-so-secret weapon waiting just off I-40: Raleigh-Durham International Airport. In recent years, RDU’s roster of nonstop flights have quietly transformed the way we travel. No more bleary-eyed dashes through connecting airports. No negotiating snacks in Terminal C of somewhere you never meant to be. Just a direct line from Raleigh to adventure.

Here are four nonstop destinations to consider, each offering its own brand of family-friendly magic.

Boston, Massachusetts

Flight time: ~ 2 hours

Boston in summer feels like a film set, in the best way. For such a legendary city, though, it’s decidedly unfussy. The city’s walkability is a gift to families, with its most famous places clustered in a few easy-to-navigate neighborhoods.

Start by following the iconic red-brick line of the Freedom Trail, which guides you past graveyards and meetinghouses, through stories of revolution and rebellion. Finish at the Boston Tea Party Museum, where kids can throw tea into the harbor and reenact the start of the American Revolution. Then shift gears at the Boston Children’s Museum, a sleeves-up, hands-on counterpoint to the morning’s heady imagining. “It’s a delightful complement to the city’s rich historical landscape,” says Jo-Anne Baxter, the museum’s senior director of public relations.

If you have an extra day to explore, wade into the wonders of the New England Aquarium for up-close views of penguins and sea turtles and the chance to take a whale-watching cruise from the harbor. Don’t forget to grab a lobster roll! Finally, turn down the pace a notch and ride the classic pedal-powered Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden (don’t miss the “Make Way for Ducklings” statue) or cool off at the Boston Common Frog Pond.

It’s also prime people-watching territory, always a thrill in bustling international hubs like Boston. Close out the day in North End, the city’s oldest residential neighborhood, where a paper-wrapped cannoli tastes like a reward for all the miles you covered.

Madison, Wisconsin

Flight time: ~2 hours, 15 minutes

Boston may be a buzzy adventure, but Madison is a big exhale. Tucked between two sparkling lakes, Wisconsin’s capital offers plenty of green spaces, easy-to-navigate streets, and memorable experiences that don’t require a three-day strategy. In other words, it has the rare balance we parents are always seeking in a family vacation.

“Madison is one of those rare places where a family vacation feels both fun and easy,” says Sarah Warner of Destination Madison. “It’s welcoming, walkable, and full of experiences that are genuinely loved cross-generationally.”

Start a day in Madison at the free Henry Vilas Zoo, where red pandas play, lions doze, and kids can move at their own pace. Right outside the zoo, slip into the easygoing pace of the locals at Lake Wingra. There, you can rent a paddle boat, kayak, or standup paddleboard, swim at the beach, or stretch out in the grass with a picnic. End the day at Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ Bolz Conservatory for a stroller-friendly tour of a mini-rainforest and plentiful children’s programming.

If you have another day, head downtown to Madison Children’s Museum with its charming rooftop chickens and art studios for creative mess-making. If you’re there on a Saturday or a Wednesday, don’t miss a treat that locals take for granted: Capitol Square hosts one of the country’s largest producer-only farmers markets. “There are so many Wisconsin-grown

“There are so many Wisconsin-grown snacks, from carrot sticks to cheese curds, and meat sticks to cookies made with locally grown grains,” says Dare County Farmers’ Market Manager Jamie Bugel. “Everyone in the family can enjoy just sitting on the lawn watching the crowds pass by.” Throw in the backdrop of the stately Capitol Dome and the tunes of a local brass band, and it’s a memorable way to take in the heart of the city.

Montreal, Quebec

Flight time: ~2 hours, 30 minutes

Montreal might not appreciate being compared to training wheels, but for families who eventually want to travel internationally, that’s exactly what it is. This taste of French Canada offers a gentle but immersive way to step outside your comfort zone without a long-haul flight. Kids will love hearing French spoken all around them, handling the colorful foreign currency, and eating the irresistible croissants around every corner.

Start your adventure on the city’s enormous Ferris wheel, La Grande Roue de Montreal, to get sweeping skyline views and a sense of perspective for the adventure ahead. Then head to Old Montreal, where cobblestone streets lead to the Old Port (Vieux-Port) on the St. Lawrence River. It’s a lively, playful corner of the city, with juggling street performers and tons of charm. Grab a crepe from a street cart and find a vantage point where you can take in all the fun. Finally, plan to stop by the unlikely oasis of Clock Tower Beach, where you can dig in the sand, lounge under umbrellas, and run out the wiggles—a necessary part of the itinerary, as any seasoned family traveler knows.

When you’re ready to head inside, the Montreal Biodome—part of Espace pour la vie, the city’s natural science museum complex—immerses visitors in ecosystems ranging from rainforests to the polar world. “Kids don’t just observe animals here—they remember the sound of penguins splashing, the feel of the humid rainforest air, and the thrill of spotting free-flying birds or our very discreet sloths overhead,” says Communications Coordinator Anne Bourgoin. “These are the experiences that spark curiosity long after their visit.” Afterward, grab a snack at the stroller-friendly Les Quartiers du Canal, which is ideal for lingering and people watching. If you’re feeling brave, rent a paddleboat and venture out on the water, family style.

Finally, don’t miss Montreal’s street markets—Jean-Talon and Atwater—for a kid-friendly sensory experience and local treats with a European feel.

San Francisco, California

Flight time: ~ 6 hours

The wow factor of San Francisco starts when you’re still in the air and spot the city’s rolling hills, glittering bay, and iconic bridges. It looks like a picture book, and true to form, it’s a city for big imaginations!

Start your visit with memorable modes of transport, which is always a hit with both kids and kids at heart. Hang on tight for a cable car ride (the clanging bells alone are worth the trip!), then take your crew on a ferry ride to Alcatraz Island. They offer kid-friendly, non-scary tours where you can explore the old prison cells and hear stories of daring escapes. Be sure to bundle up for the ferry ride over, even in summer.

If you have time (and transport) for an excursion 30 minutes outside the city, don’t miss Muir Woods National Monument. Towering redwood trees— some nearly 1,000 years old!—feel entirely otherworldly, and even young kids sense the awe that fills the ancient forest. Hands-on exhibits and knowledgeable rangers bring the forest’s history to life, but reserve a parking spot ahead of time—visitors are limited to preserve the reverent atmosphere.

Back downtown, the Aquarium of the Bay offers hands-on fun with touch pools, gliding rays, and walk-through tunnels full of shimmering fish. Grab a Mission-style burrito (a San Francisco specialty) or a loaf of local sourdough, then head to Golden Gate Park for a picnic and some outdoor adventure.

“Whether you’re exploring the park’s beautiful gardens, catching a free live music show at the Bandshell, strolling along JFK Promenade, spotting the bison, or renting a rowboat on Blue Heron Lake, there’s truly something here for everyone,” says Daniel Montes, communications manager for the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. There’s enough in the park to fill several days (it’s larger than New York City’s Central Park!), so plan ahead and make the most of San Francisco’s legendary urban playground.