Top 11+ Everyday Family Vacation Behaviors from the ’70s Now Banned or Frowned Upon

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Family vacations in the 1970s had a charm defined by fewer rules, more freedom, and often a lot of risk. Parents didn’t overthink logistics, and safety protocols were minimal at best. From tossing kids into the backseat without seat belts to feeding wild animals at national parks, many now-questionable practices were simply normal back then. Fast forward to today, and these behaviors are either banned outright or heavily frowned upon due to safety, legal, and ethical concerns. Here's what wouldn't fly on modern family trips.

Riding Without Seat Belts

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

In the ’70s, piling into the family car without seat belts was the norm. Children often sat on laps or laid down in the backseat for naps. Some vehicles didn’t even have seat belts installed in the back. Today, strict seat belt laws apply in nearly every state, and children must use age-appropriate car seats. Safety awareness and accident statistics have made unbuckled road trips a relic of the past and a ticket-worthy offense in modern times.

Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

It was once common for young children to sit in the front seat next to a parent, sometimes even standing while the car moved. Modern laws now prohibit this in most cases, requiring children under a certain age or weight to ride in the back for safety. Airbags, which weren’t common in the ’70s, pose serious risks to small passengers. Today’s vehicles and regulations prioritize child protection over convenience.

Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Lighting up a cigarette mid-flight or in a hotel room wasn’t just accepted, it was expected. Smoking sections were standard on planes, and hotels often provided ashtrays in every room. Today, indoor smoking is banned on all U.S. flights and in most hotel chains, driven by public health campaigns and smoke-free laws. Travelers today are used to smoke-free environments, and violations can come with heavy fines or eviction.

Leaving Kids Alone in the Car

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Running into a store while the kids waited in the car was once seen as a normal parenting shortcut. Now, it’s often considered neglect or even criminal in some states. Rising awareness of heatstroke, abductions, and other dangers has made this practice highly controversial. Modern family travel now requires careful supervision, especially in hot weather or unfamiliar locations.

Bringing Pets Without Restrictions

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

In the past, bringing the family dog along often meant tossing them in the backseat or letting them run loose at a campground. Rules and expectations were looser all around. Now, airlines, hotels, and even national parks have strict pet policies in place. Leash laws, documentation, and pet-friendly designations are essential today. Unregulated pet travel is no longer acceptable or safe.

Drinking While Driving

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

It may sound shocking today, but in the ’70s, it wasn’t unusual for adults to sip a beer while behind the wheel, especially in rural areas. Open container laws didn’t exist in many places, and cultural attitudes toward drinking and driving were far more relaxed. Today, strict DUI laws and public campaigns have made this behavior both illegal and socially unacceptable.

Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Hitchhiking was once seen as an adventurous and economical way to get around, especially for young travelers or families on a budget. Today, the practice is largely discouraged due to safety concerns and a rise in violent crime stories. Most parents wouldn’t dream of letting their kids stick out a thumb on the roadside, and many jurisdictions have outlawed it altogether.

No Sunscreen or Safety Gear

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Tanning was in, sunscreen was optional, and helmets were practically nonexistent. Kids biked, swam, and skated with little more than a pair of sneakers and a sense of adventure. Today’s parents are more safety-conscious, with SPF, floatation devices, and helmets considered essential gear for any outdoor activity. Long-term health awareness has replaced carefree play.

Feeding Wildlife at Parks

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Throwing bread to ducks, sharing snacks with squirrels, or even offering food to bears was once a way to “connect with nature.” Now, it's considered harmful and dangerous. Feeding wildlife disrupts ecosystems, makes animals dependent on humans, and can lead to aggressive behavior. Park rangers today post clear warnings, and violators can be fined for interacting with animals.

Playing Loud Music at Campsites

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Back then, blasting music from a boombox around the campfire was a fun group activity. Today, it's more likely to get you a warning or fine from park officials. Campgrounds now prioritize quiet hours and respect for fellow campers. Most travelers today value tranquility and natural sounds over loud gatherings. Noise regulations are strictly enforced at many family-friendly parks.

Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Riding Without Seat Belts, Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat, Smoking on Planes and in Hotel Rooms, Leaving Kids Alone in the Car, Bringing Pets Without Restrictions, Drinking While Driving, Hitchhiking for Cheap Travel, No Sunscreen or Safety Gear, Feeding Wildlife at Parks, Playing Loud Music at Campsites, Leaving Trash at Picnic Spots

Leaving behind paper plates, soda cans, or snack wrappers after a picnic was all too common in the ’70s. Today’s emphasis on sustainability and “Leave No Trace” ethics means this is not only frowned upon but also punishable in many parks and public spaces. Recycling bins, trash pick-up stations, and eco-awareness have changed the way families treat natural areas during vacations.

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