A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Sep. 12, 2024
Kids grow up in a blink, so there's no time like the present to visit these bucket list destinations around the country and experience adventures they'll remember forever.
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We’ve all been there before. We get bitten by the travel bug but hit a wall when it comes to thinking of family vacation ideas. There’s so much to see in the United States, after all; how are you supposed to choose one place to take the kids?
We’ve got you covered. Here are the top places around the U.S. to tour with kids of all ages, from tots to teens. You could stay in a nice hotel during your mini vacation, or opt for an all-inclusive family resort near your destination. Either way, your family will have fun exploring the country and making memories along the way.
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Why visit: The seat of the U.S. government is a perfect place to start exploring American with your family.
What to do: Be awed by the towering Lincoln and Washington Memorials. Stop in any Smithsonian Institution that catches your kid’s fancy, from American History to Space Exploration to Native American to African American to Art—they’re all free. Plan ahead and you’ll be able to visit the White House and Congress too. Round out a visit with a trip to the stellar zoo and then up to Adam’s Morgan neighborhood to sample a cornucopia of international cuisines.
With an ideal location right at the start of kid-friendly Georgetown, and just a few blocks from a convenient Metro stop, the Four Seasons D.C. ticks all the boxes for a perfect family hotel. Among the draws of the homey-feeling property are a pool with plenty of water toys and kids’ menus and a swoon-worthy brunch at Seasons restaurant (including an entire room of desserts!). Plus, kids under 3 eat free. There’s also a lending library of books and games for kids, plus sporting equipment to borrow. For an extra-memorable overnight, the hotel will even send up a glow-in-the-dark tent for in-room camping. If you plan on going around the holidays, make sure you read up on these holiday travel tips.
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Why visit: Be awed by the bustle and bright lights of The Big Apple.
What to do: Watch Times Square glow with neon lights; then celebrate the return of live Broadway performances with family-friendly tickets to shows such as Lion King and Aladdin, or for tweens/teens, Six and Come From Away. Zoom to the top of the Empire State Building to celebrate the iconic tower’s 90th birthday and check out the new interactive exhibits as well as the movie-worthy views. Then head uptown to see the dinosaurs at The Museum of Natural History; be sure to leave time for people-watching in Central Park. Other highlights include the moving tribute to the fallen towers at the World Trade Center Memorial, the full-size planes kept on a real warship at The Intrepid, and eating your way around the world in foods halls such as Chelsea Market and in neighborhoods such as Chinatown and Little Italy. New York City is also a great place to visit around Christmas if you’re looking for a holiday getaway.
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Why visit: Straddling the U.S. and Canada, these rushing waters at the oldest state park in the country are sure to give families a thrill.
What to do: Take the Maid of the Mist boat to feel the spray on your face from one of the world’s most incredible waterfalls, and then don raincoats to explore under the falls in the Cave of the Winds where you’ll really witness the pounding waters up close. If you visit in the fall, you’ll also see gorgeous fall foliage.
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Why visit: Walk in the footsteps of our founding fathers.
What to do: Head to Independence National Historic Park, called “America’s Most Historic Square Mile,” to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, along with the Betsy Ross House, Benjamin Franklin Museum, and National Constitution Center. Older kids will love the walk-through heart at Franklin Science Institute, younger kids the hands-on Please Touch Museum. Everyone will want to try the frozen treats at Franklin Fountain, a vintage-style ice cream parlor. It’s also a great historical place to visit for the 4th of July.
At the Four Seasons Philadelphia, it feels like you’re on the way to visit Willy Wonka as the glass elevator soars past the surrounding buildings and into the clouds. Occupying the top 12 floors of the 1,120-foot-high Comcast Center, you’ll be at the pinnacle of not only the tallest building in Philadelphia, but also the highest hotel in the U.S. That’s not the only noteworthy highlight of this hotel just off Logan Square (just a few blocks from The Franklin Institute). The infinity pool with a skyline view is worth a trip alone—it feels like you’re swimming on the wings of a plane. In the modern rooms, parents can order up a toddler bed along with kid friendly amenities such as “Minion”-branded coloring books, snacks, and balloons.
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Why visit: Take in spectacular ocean scenery along Maine’s coast.
What to do: Head to the northeast for serious hiking and miles of family-friendly biking on the preserved carriage roads at this New England national park. Stay in Bar Harbor for great ice cream, whale watching, kayaking with sea lions, and “lob-stah” pulled right from the chilly Atlantic Ocean. While you’re here, feel free to take a coastal road trip and see what the New England coast has to offer.
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Why visit: To follow the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
What to do: Follow the red brick road to make history come alive for families along the Freedom Trail that runs through one of the most historic cities in the United States. Follow Paul Revere’s famous route, see where the Boston Tea Party took place, and visit the big ships in the harbor. Then take a stroll through the grassy Boston Commons and rent a scenic swan boat. Stop at Harvard yard for some inspirational moments in the ivy or take in a baseball game at Fenway Park for some spirited fan antics. To spend the night in history, book at room at the Langham Boston, which started its life in 1865 as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Beantown is also a great spot for a weekend fall getaway.
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Why visit: Get a kick in your step at the home of country music.
What to do: Start your Music City visit with a stop at the Ryman Auditorium to explore the origins of the music form and even step on the stage where The Grand Old Opry started (then head to its new home for a fabulous all-ages show). A highlight of the Country Music Hall of Fame is the Taylor Swift Education Center where kids can learn to strum a ukulele or create a take-home art project. Be sure to indulge in some meat-and-three or Nashville Fried Chicken spots, and take in some of the live music at the surprisingly family-friendly Honky Tonks (during the day that is) up and down Broadway. Stay at kid-pleasing Kimpton Aertson hotel which has pool that spans the entire rooftop. If you want to book your flight soon, here’s when you should buy plane tickets.
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Why visit: The capitol of Texas is a favorite for its mix of history, food, and family fun.
What to do: Every trip to funky Austin should include some time out on Lady Bird Lake—you can rent everything from kayaks to donut boats to explore the shores here, but one can’t-miss family-friendly option is a sunset pontoon boat tour. The inexpensive evening excursion offers great views of the city skyline and waterside wildlife. Come sunset, the real excitement starts: The chance to spot millions (yes, millions!) of Mexican free-tailed bats—the largest urban bat colony in North America—as they fly out from under the Congress Street Bridge. Less batty fun can be found by swimming in the refreshing waters of Barton Springs, exploring the state capitol, and visiting the University of Texas, where you’ll find the surprisingly kid-friendly LBJ Library. And of course, it wouldn’t be Austin without some decadent grub—try Terry Black’s for wood-smoked barbecue, Gus’ for fried chicken, and Amy’s for creamy ice cream and gooey hot fudge.
The Kimpton Van Zandt has an ideal location adjacent to Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail (the hotel even has Micro Kickboard Scooter for kids to borrow) and the hip food and music offerings of Rainey Street. The Van Zandt has a fabulous outdoor pool deck with plenty of lounge chairs and food and beverage service; spacious rooms with a list of room amenities you can dial up, including a record player and classic albums; complimentary happy hour every evening in the cool, music-themed lobby; and free coffee for hotel guests every morning at Café 605, where you’ll also find pastries and breakfast items to purchase for the kids. Geraldine’s, the hotel’s family-style farm-to-table restaurant on the fourth floor, serves dinner as well as brunch, with live music on the weekends. Extra bonus: The hotel is pet friendly, so you can bring Fido along. If you’re looking for other destinations to bring your pup, check out these fun dog-friendly beaches.
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Why visit: Make your family smile at The Happiest Place on Earth.
What to do: Walt Disney World is the most visited theme park in the world for a reason, and riding Space Mountain and meeting Mickey are great family bonding moments. Harry Potter fans will want to make a beeline to Universal Orlando to experience a real-life Hogsmeade, complete with butter beer. Round out the fun with an educational (but still entertaining) side trip to the Space Coast and Kennedy Space Center to see rockets, meet an astronaut, and learn about the grand adventures in space.
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Why visit: Immerse yourself in Colonial history.
What to do: At this living history museum, your kids can help churn butter, practice farming, discover how kids entertained themselves in the 18th century (before handheld electronics), and learn just how much work it was to live in Colonial times. After they’ve soaked up the history lessons, bring them back to modern fun at Busch Gardens amusement park.
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Why Visit: Step into Civil Rights history in the place called “The City Too Busy to Hate.”
What to do: In the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site, you can visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, where both Dr. King and his father preached, the peaceful preacher’s home, and other neighborhood landmarks, on a self-guided tour. Be sure to stop in at downtown’s Center for Civil and Human Rights to explain to your kids about preserving human dignity for all people, before heading to adjoining kids-favorites such as the Atlanta Aquarium (the largest in the country) and the World of Coca Cola. By the way: Here’s how to much to tip housekeeping at your hotel.
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Why visit: There’s big western fun and history to be had in Mile High City.
What to do: Find out how the west was won at the interactive and fabulously informative History Colorado Museum, watch coins roll off the presses at the U.S. Mint, and catch a Denver Broncos football game or Rockies baseball game with views of the soaring Rocky Mountains from mile-high stadiums. Also here, great hiking and super cool concerts at scenic Red Rocks Amphitheater. Stay in the city’s historic Brown Palace, a hotel that’s hosted everyone from The Beatles to Queen Elizabeth.
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Why visit: For outdoor adventures at the top of the Continental Divide.
What to do: Soaring mountains rising up over 12,000 feet, stunning scenery, free roaming wildlife, and endless opportunities for adventures are all family draws at this national park. Base yourself in Estes Park, called the Gateway to the Rockies; here you can pursue activities such as driving down the harrowing pin curves Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the country (daring families can bike down, too), horseback riding, and fly-fishing. Stay at the YMCA of the Rockies, 850 acres nestled against the park, offering cabins, lodges, stables, and guided family nature hikes. Here are the best national park road trips to take year-round.
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Why visit: To be dazzled by the 277 miles of deep canyons.
What to do: Although you can view the immense depths from viewing points on the North and South rims, to fully appreciate the enormity of the natural wonder, consider hiking or taking a mule ride down to Phantom Ranch, or rafting down the Colorado River for sky-staggering views. Or let someone else do the driving, or flying, by taking the Grand Canyon Railway (one of the most scenic train rides in America) or a helicopter tour for totally new views of one the earth’s oldest wonders. Here’s what to know if you’re thinking of getting a National Park Pass.
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Why visit: The Paris of the Prairie offers outstanding culture and arts in the Midwest.
What to do: Highlights of the Windy City for families include the Art Institute, Navy Pier, and the Museum of Science and Industry (with a replica coal mine and real German U-boat from WWII), not to mention deep dish pizza. Take a river cruise for expansive views of the city’s architectural highlights; be sure to take in a Chicago Cubs game to get into the home team spirit.
It’s hard to beat the Pendry Chicago for both location and history in the Windy City, which occupies the completely reimagined 1920s-era Carbide & Carbon Building, an iconic Art Deco landmark situated right along the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue. On the ground floor, there’s a sprawling lobby area that includes a pool table game room as well as street-side Venteaux Café, the kind of all-day dining spot that perfectly caters to families, with everything from French pastries to made-to-order breakfasts and sandwiches (plus amazing people-watching), in addition to a full-service restaurant. Rooms are especially spacious, and some have river views, too. Tip: Corner, one-bedroom suites have two full bathrooms plus plenty of space for the kids to spread out and play. Flying soon? Here are some rules to keep in mind.
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Why visit: Experience unique Cajun and Creole culture found only here.
What to do: Its nickname, The Big Easy, says it all when it comes to carefree days for families. Take in some live jazz at Preservation Jazz Hall, spot alligators on a bayou tour, and indulge in hot, powdered sugar-covered beignets any hour of the day at Café du Monde. Visit during Jazz Fest in the spring, when the whole city grooves to big name performers such as Aaron Neville or for Mardi Gras (we recommend watching from the family-friendly Garden District).
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Why visit: Big city culture combined with small town charm.
What to do: The City of Bridges is home to as many cultural highlights than there are days of the week, including The Andy Warhol Museum; three big Carnegie-sponsored centers for Science Center, Natural History, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh; the Pittsburgh Zoo; and the Heinz History Center. Double up on swashbuckling fun with a Pirate Cruise on the famous 3 Rivers and take in a Pirates baseball game.
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Why visit: To rock and roll-ercoaster!
What to do: Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Green Day, Madonna—if they rock, they roll here at Cleveland’s super cool Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After you rock out, get ready to roll at Cedar Point, known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World.
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Why visit: Southern charm, stately homes, and Colonial history.
What to do: Take a horse and buggy ride over the cobblestones of the impeccably preserved historic town, rent bikes to explore the riverfront and the green waterfront parks and refreshing fountains; then visit Charles Town Landing Historic Park, the first permanent home for settlers in the Carolinas, where a unique “natural forest” zoo houses animals from black bear to bison to bobcats that were indigenous to the area in the 17th century.
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Why visit: Visit these two adjacent natural wonders together to see the best of what national parks can offer.
What to do: In Yellowstone, you have the flash of world-famous Old Faithful geyser and the colorful Mammoth Hot Springs, which draw huge numbers of visitors, and for good reason. The Grand Tetons, by contrast, offer massive acres of solitude, with quiet waterfalls, lakes, streams, and greenery. Stay in Jackson Hole, where you can also plan a winter “learn to ski” getaway.
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Why visit: To take a trolley car up the hilliest city in the country and visit a bridge so big it’s a national park.
What to do: Hop a trolley down to Fisherman’s Wharf to watch the sea lions, then rent a bike to coast along the Pacific to Golden Gate Bridge National Park, or ride a ferry to the most famous prison in the country, Alcatraz, or to the “Ellis Island of the West,” Angel Island. Then rent a car to cruise the scenic Pacific Coast Highway and “forest bathe” among the towering Redwoods of the neighboring Muir Woods forest. Or you can leave the driving to someone else and sign up for Adventures by Disney’s long weekend in San Fran. Don’t miss these other California road trips.
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Why visit: Experience Hollywood glamour and sunshine-filled beaches.
What to do: Base yourself in Santa Monica and then rent a bike to explore, and people-watch, along the golden coast, including funky Venice Beach. Head up into the Hollywood Hills to watch a live performance at the Hollywood Bowl, see the stars from the Griffith Observatory, or view art highlights at the Getty Center. Then take the kids to old-school Hollywood stars at the Walk of Fame and then cool new thrills at Universal Studios.
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Why go: To walk through a Dr. Seuss book in real life.
What to do: At Joshua Tree, the desert cactus closely resembles the tufted “Trufula Trees” in The Lorax (needless to say, there are multiple lessons to be gleaned here about protecting the environment). The otherworldly desert landscape makes a trip to the park especially mesmerizing. Take a break from the heat with a trip up the Rotating Aerial Tramway, the longest in the world, to the top of San Jancinto Mountain, where you’ll often be able to have a snowball fight the same day you wore shorts in the desert heat.
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Why visit: See animals galore at one of the biggest zoos in the world.
What to do: Start a visit to this beautiful seaside city at Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo, where lush habitats hold rare polar bears, pandas, koalas, jaguars, and leopards, just to name a few of the hundreds of species here. Balboa Park is also where families will find the Fleet Science Center and San Diego Natural Science Museum. Just north of San Diego, you’ll find building fun at Legoland. Base yourself on charming Coronado Island for access to the wide beaches, fun dining options, and the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Southern California’s beaches are a favorite foodie road trip.
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Why go: To feel tiny next to towering Sequoias.
What to do: Famous for its plunging waterfalls and massive granite walls, this unparalleled park, which is almost the same size as Rhode Island, features recently reopened Mariposa Grove, where you can hike through sky-tickling Giant Sequoias. Bring the dog, too, this is a pet-friendly national park, especially the beautiful Wawona Meadow Loop trail. If you like traveling with your pooch, check out the country’s most pet-friendly hotels.
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Why go: Marvel at larger-than-life faces from history.
What to do: Your kids might not know what to make of the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents etched into granite in the middle of the South Dakota wilderness, but we’re sure they won’t forget the images of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and South Dakota native Theodore Roosevelt rising out of a mountain in front of them. Nearby is a monument to Native American chief Crazy Horse, which comes alive with lasers and lights after the sun goes down. Both sites boast informative museums and exhibits that frame the attractions and should be part of your visit. In 2019, Reader’s Digest voted Rapid City, South Dakota, one of the nicest places in America.
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Why visit: To experience an epic road-trip filled with stunning views.
What to do: These three Utah-based National Parks include some of the most impressive scenery in the country, and you can see it all on one (long) Utah road trip. At Arches, you’ll be greeted by more than 2,000 towering sandstone arches, all naturally created by the ancient earth’s freezing and heating cycles. At Bryce Canyon be awed by the towering red pinnacles and unique geological formations and dazzling colors. At Zion, spot Peregrine falcon, bald eagles, and California condors plus other wildlife as you explore the massive sandstone cliffs, spring-fed pools and waterfalls, and deep river canyon.
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Why visit: To see the world from on high on a Space Needle in the sky.
What to do: Zip up to the spaceship-like Space Needle for a rotating restaurant in the sky and views all the way to Mt. Rainier (which you can visit if you’re up for a 2- to 3-hour car ride, and then a steep hike or drive). Then head down to sea level and the waterfront where you’ll find fish swimming in the Seattle Aquarium, flying through the air at Pike Place Market, the Great Wheel to fly you into the sky, and a ferry to float you to the San Juan Islands for whale watching tours (you may even spot an Orca!). Before you go, check out our guide to planning a Great Northern road trip.
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Why visit: An island paradise is something your family will remember for decades to come.
What to do: Snorkel in the turquoise waters to witness a world of colorful fish and coral and play on the golden beaches; then dive in to some of the most interesting attractions in the U.S. On Maui, drive into one of the country’s most unique national parks, Haleakala, The House of the Sun, a dormant volcano with views on a clear day for nearly 100 miles. On the Big Island, you can actually see the fiery red glow active volcano if your timing is right at Volcanoes National Park. And on Oahu, pay your respects to the seamen who lost their lives at the watery Pearl Harbor Memorial. If you’re heading to Hawaii, here are the best all-inclusive resorts to check out.
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Why visit: Whales, and polar bears, and glaciers….oh my!
What to do: Take your family to our iciest state and witness frozen wonders such as the blue ice of the Mendenhall Glacier and incredible wildlife such as schools of Beluga whales bubble feeding, not to mention authentic Native American culture in towns such as Sitka. The easiest way to see the rugged state is with a family-friendly cruise, such as Princess Cruise Lines. See why Anchorage earned a spot as a finalist as a Nicest Place in America in 2020.
