Traveling with kids has very different demands than a girls’ trip, a romantic getaway, or a solo trip. Indeed, virtually any destination can be family-friendly, but some areas may require extra planning and preparation. Others offer an abundance of kid-centric activities, including parks, playgrounds, zoos, interactive museums, aquariums, riverside walks, and hotels that cater to guests of all ages.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel far to find these family-friendly vacation spots. From big cities to small towns and the best national parks for camping and glamping trips, here are 22 of America’s best.
new york city
Ferran Leito/Getty Images
New York City offers museums, Broadway shows, and all kinds of restaurants to keep families entertained. Stores like FAO Schwartz and Dylan’s Candy His Bar lure little shoppers with sweets and toys. Central Park and the Hudson River Greenway are great places for little ones to let off some energy. Additionally, Arlo Soho Hotel and Freehand Hotel have rooms with bunk beds, which are sure to please the kids.
jackson, wyoming
Wolfgang Köhler/Getty Images
As your kids get a little older, you may want to look for a vacation spot with plenty of room to roam. With access to both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, as well as three ski resorts (Jackson Hole, Snow King, and Grand Targhee), there are endless things to do in Jackson. The Western-themed shops in the town square are also a great place to buy souvenirs.
san diego
Yin Yang/Getty Images
The sunny city of San Diego is a dream come true with its beautiful beaches and legendary waves. What adventurous kid wouldn’t want to take surfing lessons? Travelers who prefer to stay on land will find plenty to do, including shopping, dining, and the San Diego Zoo. The upscale and expansive Fairmont Grand del Mar, Hotel del Coronado, and Curio Collection by Hilton are great choices for family-friendly accommodations.
Philadelphia
John Lovett/Getty Images
Many big cities have attractions for kids, but Philadelphia takes things to the next level. Kids will love Sesame Place and Legoland Discovery Center. Interactive exhibits at the Franklin Institute and Please Touch Museum will keep kids entertained. The Philadelphia Zoo and Adventure Aquarium is also home to many animals that you can learn about. With an apartment hotel like Roost Rittenhouse, you don’t have to cram everyone into a small room.
Orlando, Florida
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
No list of the best family vacation destinations in the United States would be complete without mentioning “The Happiest Place on Earth.” In addition to famous theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida, Orlando is home to some great hotels like Four Seasons Resort Orlando and JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, both of which boast spacious rooms and lazy rivers. is.
Park City, Utah
Scott Markewitz/Getty Images
Park City is great for families in any season. Warm months are great for hiking, mountain biking and riding the Town Lift. Kids will love the crafts, face painting and food at the weekly Park Silly Sunday Market. In winter, skiing and snowboarding are the talk of the town, and a dusting of snow on Main Street makes it a postcard-perfect destination for visitors of all ages.
Cape May, New Jersey
Aiming Tan/Getty Images
Cape May, a Jersey Shore town with sandy beaches, year-round excitement, and a healthy dose of fun, is a perennial family favorite. With its beautiful Victorian mansion, historic lighthouse and Houses of Parliament, it’s a dream for kids and parents alike. There is also a pedestrian shopping area called Washington Street Mall with many shops and restaurants.
Chicago
Jumping Rocks/Getty Images
Family-friendly attractions in the Windy City include the playground and climbing wall at Maggie Daley Park, the 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Centennial Wheel. If it’s too cold to spend time outside, go indoors to the Children’s Museum of Chicago or the Shedd Aquarium.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Chicago Tribune/Getty Images
One of the Badger State’s premier lake destinations, Wisconsin Dells offers plenty of family fun. During the summer months, Noah’s Ark Waterpark is great for rides and games. Pirates Cove Adventure Golf has five courses and 91 holes where you can practice your putting, as well as a playground and picnic area. After a day of swimming or golf, let the kids out into nature for free-range (but supervised) exploration at Mirror Lake State Park.
Sedona, Arizona
Wolfgang Köhler/Getty Images
Sedona’s breathtaking beauty is enough to bring a smile out of even the crustiest teenager. And it’s super Instagrammable. Hiking among the red rocks can be a bonding experience. If you need a little inspiration, the Fay Canyon and Sugar Loaf loop is considered a relatively easy trail. Another refreshing way to soak up the scenery without taking your breath away? pink jeep tour.
Washington DC
Don Mason/Getty Images
A trip to the nation’s capital provides an opportunity to witness democracy in action and visit landmarks that bring history to life for children (and parents). After countless walks among countless monuments, museums, parks, and botanical gardens, relax at the Fairmont Washington DC Georgetown, a family-friendly hotel with connecting rooms, an indoor pool, and a canine ambassador named Georgie. .
Maui
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Maui is the perfect place to build sandcastles, splash in the waves, and read a fun book with your kids. The island exudes tropical charm with golden sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and swaying palm trees. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea caters to guests of all ages with multiple pools, children’s programs, and babysitting services.
mystic, connecticut
Dennis Tangney Jr./Getty Images
This 19th-century whaling village is full of New England coastal charm and is the perfect place to explore with kids. Be sure to visit the Mystic Seaport Museum, one of the most famous maritime museums in the United States. See beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium. Then enjoy a pie at Mystic Pizza. Even if your little ones don’t remember her adaptation of the 1988 film, they’ll still find the pizza delicious.
Branson, Missouri
Jeremy Mason McGraw/Getty Images
Many call Branson the family fun capital of Missouri. It’s also officially the live entertainment capital of the world, hosting dozens of shows. Get tickets to Dolly Parton’s Stampede and Abba tribute “Thank You for the Music.” If you’re lucky, you’ll even have time to bring in some local performers. Kids (or parents) are rarely bored for a moment in this small but mighty Midwestern town.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
SeanPavone Photo/Getty Images
Close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, endless outdoor recreation, and scenic attractions, Gatlinburg ranks among the top destinations for family vacations. Want to get your kids off their iPads and get them interested in the natural world? Take them to the 407-foot-tall panoramic observation deck, aka the Space Needle in Gatlinburg, or visit the slopeside amusement park Downtown from Over his Mountain. Take a ride on the aerial cable car that takes you to the top.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Peter Unger/Getty Images
The gateway to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor attracts outdoorsy families who want to trade screen time for fresh air, hiking trails, and beach time surrounded by mountains. Book a whale watching cruise or rent a kayak to distract the kids and spend a few hours doing good deeds at one of the village’s many shops and eateries. Walking along the Shore Path is an easy, accessible and scenic walk.
niagara falls, new york
Peter Unger/Getty Images
Best known for its majestic natural wonders and the sheer force of Niagara Falls, this New York City offers families a thrilling soaking trip aboard the Maid of the Mist and spectacular views from the Prospect Point Observation Tower. , offers guided tours of the cave. You can blow in the wind or hike into the Niagara Gorge. Bonus: You don’t need a passport.
Truckee, California
Vernon Wiley/Getty Images
Located in the foothills of the High Sierra Nevada Mountains, Truckee is the perfect base for family vacations in the Lake Tahoe area. Travelers can enjoy the charm of the Old West, including downtown shops, restaurants, and festival events, while staying within a short drive of hiking and boating. When the temperatures drop and the snow falls, hit the slopes at Northstar California Resort.
yellowstone national park
Littleting/Pradhana Jalsriboonchai/Getty Images
Heading to Yellowstone National Park with your family? Kids can become junior rangers and earn their official status with a badge of honor. An activity booklet (available for purchase at the visitor center) outlines the requirements for participation, including participation in ranger-led programs and hiking. This is a great way to get young children excited about visiting the park. As if seeing Old Faithful’s majestic figure wasn’t fascinating enough.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Greg Meland/Getty Images
Most of Williamsburg’s notable attractions (basically one giant outdoor living museum) are family-friendly. Perhaps just showing them pictures of the horse drawn carriages and his 55,000 square foot indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge will get the kids to agree to the trip. If you still need convincing, sweeten the deal by promising the scoop from Bubba’s Ice Cream Shack.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Oldman/Getty Images
Planning a grand family vacation to a barrier island off the coast of North Carolina is a no-brainer. That’s because the area is full of kid-friendly amenities, from water parks and pirate-themed mini golf to surfing, parasailing, and spacious cabin rentals that don’t require room sharing. If you have kids who are interested in planes and aviation, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Devil Hills, where Wilbur and Orville made the world’s first successful controlled flight. In case you need another reason, the Outer Banks is one of the most affordable vacation destinations in the United States.
hilton head island, south carolina
Rashid Dhanaun/Getty Images
Hilton Head Island has everything you need for an unforgettable family vacation: Atlantic beaches, wildlife viewing, and Lowcountry cuisine. Consider enrolling your kids in a supervised recreation program or sports camp (if that’s something they’re interested in, of course), then follow the links. Then regroup for a pirate cruise, a Zodiac ride, a visit to one of the interactive children’s museums, or dolphin watching.
