People have quite different expectations when planning a trip Unique Family Vacations USA with children than when going alone, with friends, or on a romantic retreat. Almost any place can be family-friendly; it just takes extra preparation and planning, which comes with the territory for anyone who has ever traveled with a little child.
Fortunately, it will take you a little to locate one of these locations. These 20 US family vacation spots range from large cities to national parks with camping or glamping options.
Family Friendly Vacations in US
New York City, New York
With its museums, Broadway productions, and countless dining options, New York City is a never-ending source of entertainment for families. Younger customers are drawn in by stores like FAO Schwarz and Dylan’s Candy Bar. The Hudson River Greenway and Central Park are excellent places for the child to get some exercise. In addition, Arlo Soho and the Freehand provide bunk rooms, which is guaranteed to win you favor with the kids.
Jackson, Wyoming
As children get a little older, they need to look for areas with lots of space for exploration. Jackson most definitely meets that description, offering two national parks, three ski resorts, and a plethora of outdoor activities, such as hiking and zorbing (literally, sliding downhill inside a translucent sphere). Additionally, stocking up on souvenirs with a Western motif is a fantastic idea at the shops.
San Diego, California
San Diego, a city bathed in sunlight and known for its surf, seems like a fantasy. What daring child wouldn’t want to enroll in a surf school? If you would rather stay on dry land, there is enough to do in the way of dining, shopping, and visiting the San Diego Zoo. The best best family resorts in us for families are the Fairmont Grand Del Mar and the Hotel del Coronado Curio Collection by Hilton.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
While there are kid-friendly attractions in many big cities, Philadelphia has the best. Little ones will adore Legoland Discovery Center and Sesame Place. The interactive exhibits at The Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum always seem to continue. Not to mention the Adventure Aquarium and the Philadelphia Zoo. Thanks to apartment hotels like Roost Rittenhouse, you won’t have to fit everyone into one little room.
Orlando, Florida
A list of the top family vacation spots in the United States wouldn’t be complete without a mention of “The Happiest Place On Earth.” Orlando has several fantastic hotels, like the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, JW Marriott Orlando, and Grande Lakes, with large rooms and lazy rivers. Other popular amusement parks in the area include Walt Disney World and Universal.
Park City, Utah
Any time of year is an excellent time to bring the family to Park City. Hiking, mountain biking, and using the town lift are all best done during the warmer months. The weekly Park Silly Sunday Market offers crafts, face painting, and snacks that kids will love. When winter arrives, snowboarding and skiing take center stage. The Main Street postcard vibe will enthrall visitors of all ages that a sprinkling of snow brings.
Cape May, New Jersey
A longtime family favorite, Cape May is a Jersey Shore town with sandy beaches, year-round activity, and good times. It has charming Victorian residences that resemble enormous dollhouses, a historic lighthouse with stripes, and Congress Hall, a hotel that is a dream come true for families and children alike. Additionally, there’s the Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian-only retail center with many stores and eateries.
Chicago, Illinois
There are plenty of family-friendly attractions in the Windy City. The fantastic playgrounds and climbing wall in Maggie Daley Park, the animal-filled Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Centennial Wheel will have kids giddy with delight. If the weather becomes too cold to spend more time outside, visit the Shedd Aquarium or the Chicago Children’s Museum indoors.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells, one of the top lake locations in the Badger State, excels in family-friendly activities. Noah’s Ark Waterpark is the best spot for rides and games in the summer. In addition to 91 different holes, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf features a playground and picnic area. Take the kids to Mirror Lake State Park and let them explore independently, under supervision.
Sedona, Arizona
Even the most confident teenagers can’t help but smile when they see Sedona’s gorgeous scenery. It’s also quite Instagrammable. A shared experience is promised when hiking among the red rocks. Fay Canyon and Sugarloaf Loop are relatively easy routes if you need some inspiration. Is there another thrilling way to take in the beauty without having to foot it? Tours in pink jeeps.
Washington, D.C.
For children (and parents), a journey to Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, offers the chance to witness democracy and see historical sites that vividly depict the past—returning to the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, a family-friendly hotel with connecting rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a canine ambassador named Georgie, after logging many steps between the several monuments, museums, parks, and botanic gardens.
Maui, Hawaii
A family beach vacation is usually an excellent idea, especially if you can curl up with a good book while your kids make sandcastles and splash around in the surf together. Maui’s golden sand, crystal-clear ocean, and swinging palms evoke a sense of tropical enchantment. With its numerous pools, kid-friendly best places for family vacation in usa activities, and babysitter facilities, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea welcomes visitors of all ages.
Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic, a 19th-century whaling colony in Connecticut, is a charming coastal New England town that’s fun to explore with the kids. Visit the Mystic Aquarium to witness beluga whales and make a beeline for Mystic Seaport, the most significant naval museum in the United States. After that, stop by Mystic Pizza for a pie. The pizza will taste great even if the kids are too young to recall the 1988 movie.
Branson, Missouri
Branson is frequently referred to as Missouri’s mecca of family entertainment. With dozens of concerts, it is also formally known as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World. Get tickets for the Stampede and Abba tribute show, Thank You for the Music, with Dolly Parton. With any luck, you’ll also have time to see some local artists. There is no possibility that parents or children will be bored in this tiny but powerful Midwest town for even a moment.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is an excellent place for a family vacation because of its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, countless outdoor activities, and picturesque sights. Is it seeking to entice children away from their iPads and toward nature? Take them on a ride on the aerial cable car that connects downtown to the slopeside amusement park Ober Gatlinburg, or take them to the 400-foot panoramic observation deck.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, the entry point to Acadia National Park, draws tourists who love the great outdoors, especially families eager to exchange screen time for the fresh air, mountainous scenery, and hiking paths. Make reservations for a kayaking tour or whale-watching cruise to divert the kids. And purchase a couple extra hours of good behavior at the village’s numerous stores and restaurants. The Shore Path is very picturesque and conveniently accessible.
Niagara Falls, New York
The town of Niagara Falls, New York, is well-known for the magnificent natural wonder and sheer force of Niagara Falls. Families can enjoy exhilarating, wet rides on the Maid of the Mist, breathtaking views from the Prospect Point Observation Tower, guided tours of the Cave of the Winds, and hiking through the Niagara Gorge. Bonus: A passport is not required.
Truckee, California
Truckee, tucked away in the High Sierra foothills, is the ideal starting point for a family trip to Lake Tahoe. Travelers can stay within a short drive of hiking and boating while taking in all the Old West charm of the downtown stores, eateries, and lively events. It’s time to hit the slopes at Northstar California Resort as the temperature lowers and the snow starts to fall.
Yellowstone National Park
Are you taking your family to Yellowstone National Park? Youngsters can join the junior ranger program and get an official honor badge. The prerequisites are outlined in activity booklets (which you may buy at one of the tourist centers). These books include attending a real-life ranger talk and going on a trek. As if viewing Old Faithful needed to be more exciting, it’s a terrific way to get the youngest park visitors enthusiastic.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Families can enjoy most of Williamsburg’s noteworthy attractions, essentially one enormous outdoor living museum. By showing the kids pictures of Great Wolf Lodge’s 80,000-square-foot indoor water park, you could easily convince them to go on vacation. If you think they still need persuading, offer them a scoop from Bubba’s Ice Cream Shack to sweeten the bargain.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
When spending time with loved ones on the Outer Banks, it’s hard not to have a great time. Planning a fantastic family vacation to the barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina is straightforward. This is due to the abundance of kid-friendly attractions in the area, which include water parks, mini golf with a pirate theme, surfing, parasailing, and spacious cabin rentals that don’t require roommates.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
With its beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, opportunities to see animals, and delicious Lowcountry food, Hilton Head Island provides everything needed for a fantastic family holiday. If the kids are into sports camps or other supervised recreation programs, then by all means, enroll them in those and hit the links. Afterward, get back together for a dolphin watch, interactive children’s museum visit, pirate cruise, or zodiac ride.