must visit places with family

50 Best Family Vacation Ideas on a Budget for 2024

From all-inclusives in the Caribbean to quick getaways in the U.S., there's something for every traveler in your group.

It's not lost on us that travel, like everything else, is getting more expensive, so we focused many of our picks on properties that provide great value. When we feature splurgy spots, rest assured they're worth every penny.

Whether you're looking to chill out at an all-inclusive resort , get active in the great outdoors , check out new attractions at a theme park, hit the beach or cozy up at ski resort , there's a destination or experience here to match every vacation vibe and party size. After all, bringing the grandparents comes with so many benefits, not the least of which is babysitting so you can score some much-needed time for an interruption-free dinner, spa treatment or romantic walk on the beach.

Use this guide to help narrow down your options, and then check out the Good Housekeeping Institute 's tried-and-tested list of essential travel gear and accessories to get ready for your trip. You can also consult our guides on how to choose a family-vacation hotel as well as how to keep all ages entertained . Since the early bird gets the best deal, shore up your spring break and summer vacation plans now.

Mexico and the Caribbean

Spend your days rolling in the waves, relaxing by the pool or enjoying quiet time (thanks to some superior kids' clubs) at these island resorts.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, Mexico

With massive waterparks, daily slimings and Nickelodeon characters galore, the kids have it made at the all-inclusive Nickelodeon Hotels & Resort Riviera Maya, a Good Housekeeping 2024 Family Travel Award Winner. But grown-ups aren’t left out of the fun. Tequila tastings, spa treatments and romantic dinners can be on your agenda thanks to the supervised club for kids ages 4 to 12. And while you probably wouldn’t be booking a SpongeBob-themed room if you didn’t have the kids in tow, the decor is as mod and classy as it can be. All the accommodations are suites that sleep up to five and have two bathrooms. Suites have direct access to a pool from the balcony. (Yes, even on the top floor!)

RELATED: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Is the Best Place to Travel With a Baby and a Sibling

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Winner of a 2024 Family Travel Award, Atlantis is a top choice for families of all ages looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure. Its adrenaline-pumping waterpark features high-speed slides, including a one-of-a-kind tube slide down a Mayan pyramid. Animal encounters, like getting up close to a dolphin, are thrilling in a different way. But on the other side of the massive resort, the beaches are super chill. The gentle water is just perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Supervised clubs for kids, tweens and teens truly wow, so adults can enjoy the casino and a meal at one of the resort's fine-dining restaurants.

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Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic

Movies under the stars, trapeze lessons, windsurfing — with cool activities like these, kids will never want to leave this newish resort in the lush, away-from-it-all part of the island. Supervised clubs for babies through teens keep the good times rolling while you’re at the adults-only Zen pool or doing treetop yoga. (Yes, that’s a thing.) Solar panels, recycling, plastic-free water bottles and other sustainable initiatives are part of the eco-minded resort culture.

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Negril, Jamaica

While this all-inclusive resort and 2024 Family Travel Award-winner caters to all ages, toddlers and preschoolers will be star-struck. Sesame Street characters entertain them with story times, dance parties and even puppet-making! That’s on top of the mini water slides, splash areas and a playground that makes little ones squeal with glee and wears them out, so they’ll hit the sack early.

Private childcare and supervised kids’ clubs (for babies through teens, including those with special needs) are an option when you want a spa treatment, a quiet dinner or just to read a book on the resort's idyllic 7-Mile Beach. All the rooms and suites got a glow-up in 2020, plus there are new villas with butler service (sign us up!)

RELATED: 20 Best Caribbean Resorts for Families to Visit

Fairmont Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

When it comes to baby and kid gear, this luxury resort has you covered. Need a bottle warmer? They got it. How about a step stool for a toddler to reach the sink? Yours for the asking. With these worries aside, you can concentrate on the beauty of the surroundings (the resort is surrounded by a lush mangrove forest) and incredible bucket-list activities, like kids’ carnivals and night kayaking. All the rooms have received a glow-up and there's a sleek new beach club to boot.

Rock House Resort, Turks & Caicos

Your family may never leave the water at this Mediterranean-inspired oasis , which opened in May 2022. In addition to a full kitchen and roomy living room, many of the villa-style accommodations feature a spacious private pool. (Yes way!) And if your crew ever tires of it, fun awaits at the resort’s oceanfront infinity pool and stretch of white sand beach, which is exclusively for resort guests. Just note that while a cliffside setting makes the resort incredibly picturesque, it’s impossible to navigate with a stroller — so bring the tweens, teens and even grandparents if they don’t have trouble climbing stairs.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort

A brand that's popular with families because it offers separate sleeping spaces for kids and adults, Embassy Suites recently opened a location in Aruba. (Pinch us now.) The 330-suite hotel boasts a kids' pool and playground and is just steps away from the iconic Eagle Beach. A breakfast buffet (with made-to-order items) is included in the price, which is already a value. Rooms also feature a kitchenette, so you can stash drinks and snacks and save your budget for the island's many incredible water activities.

New England Cozy

Lakes, lighthouses and hiking trails make New England a great place to visit in almost any season.

Quisisana Resort, Lovell, ME

Kids will get a digital detox at this all-inclusive lakefront resort , but they’ll be too busy playing to miss their devices. Without TV or a Wi-Fi signal in the comfortable, air-conditioned rooms and cabins, they’ll be fully immersed in the slew of included activities — from paddle boating to tennis to sandcastle-building. They might even learn to kayak or catch their first fish.

At night, music fills the resort. Broadway-style shows, held in a new outdoor theater, entertain all generations. There’s something about the fresh air and a choice of lollipops that keeps most kids from getting too wiggly, and the caliber of the performances is at least on par with good community theater.

The three included daily meals — with menu items like lobster rolls and Maine blueberry pie — will leave your crew’s bellies happy and full. And if you do need Wi-Fi occasionally, you can pop in the main lobby for a signal. Shh: The kids will be fine without it.

Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, ME

Open from May to October, this nature-focused retreat provides a refuge from city life. Yoga sessions in the garden, a shed filled with arts and crafts supplies for kids, guided nature walks and outdoor art classes are easy-going yet exciting at the same time. Cottages with fireplaces foster togetherness, and complimentary breakfast arrives at your door every morning so there's no need to rush out for coffee.

Smugglers' Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, VT

Nestled in the Green Mountains, this resort is just as fun in the summer months as it is during prime ski season. Besides eight heated pools (some with waterslides!), the action-packed lineup of family activities has plenty to do whether you’re traveling with a toddler, teen or both. Sing-a-longs, magic shows and scavenger hunts keep little ones entertained while older kids will welcome the chance to take a guided hike, design and launch a water rocket or play glow-in-the-dark volleyball. A GH 2024 Family Travel Awards winner, condos at this property accommodate up to five bedrooms, making it possible for extended family and friends to stay together.

Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club, Brewster, MA

Beach, pool, eat, repeat — that’s how your crew will spend laid-back days at this Cape Cod gem . The private beach has gentle surf and at low tide, kids can spy little sea creatures in the tide pools. When the tide changes, head to the heated outdoor or indoor pools. Outdoor movies are the perfect wind-down to bedtime. And if you can pry the kids out of the water, activities like scavenger hunts, curated by the resort’s new director of fun (for real!) await. Just make sure to stay in the “mansion” section of the resort because that’s the part with private beach access.

Sebasco Harbor Resort, Phippsburg, ME

Kids will never forget sleeping in a lighthouse next to the ocean. The resort’s 1945 lighthouse contains recently renovated guest rooms with amazing views, sea breezes and conveniences like a fridge and microwave. The lighthouse rooms are also near the resort’s iconic oceanfront saltwater pool, which recently got a makeover. A vintage bowling alley, weekly pirate cruise and old-school kids’ club add to the New England charm.

Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge, Stowe, VT

A fantastic value, this new '70s-inspired cozy lodge is perfect for families who want to explore Vermont's Green Mountains. The scenic trails of Cady Hill Forest are just steps away and downtown Stowe is about a 10-minute walk. Two- and three-bedroom cottages at Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge have plenty of space for families and a kitchen to boot. A game room, fire pits for s'mores roasting and a pool make hanging at the lodge a nice respite in between nature activities.

California Dreamin'

Choose your Cali adventure: You can find bustling cityscapes, tranquil trails, stunning beaches and even a fairytale castle.

Los Angeles, CA

Tweens and teens won’t roll their eyes if you suggest a vacay in L.A. — where, trust us, they’ll ask you to eat at In-N-Out-Burger (look cool and say you already had it on the list). Some more must-dos: Visit the Griffith Observatory for the out-of-this-world exhibits and a stellar view of the Hollywood sign, and if you're an outdoorsy family you can hike down from the observatory to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and famous TCL Chinese Theaters .

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures , where anyone 17 and under gets in free, is conveniently located near the classic La Brea Tar Pits and the cool LACMA ( Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Some outdoor shopping at The Grove L.A. and a beach day in Santa Monica with a spin on the iconic wheel at the Santa Monica Pier will get you more well-deserved parent cred. Or, you can take a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood , where, for now, you can find the only Super Nintendo World open in the United States. Stay at The Garland in North Hollywood, a Good Housekeeping 2024 Family Travel Awards winner. It has a swanky trolley that transports guests to and from Universal, as well as other kid perks like dive-in movies and a retro-chic family suite with bunk beds.

San Diego, CA

Can’t decide between heading to the beach or exploring a big city? San Diego has the best of both worlds, with near-perfect weather to boot. Make your home base a beach resort like the Kona Kai San Diego Resort & Spa , San Diego Mission Bay Resort or, if you're bringing a big group, Shore House at Del, a Good Housekeeping 2024 Family Travel Award winner. Intersperse oceanside fun with short drives to the city’s famous zoo and museums in Balboa Park. Plan to spend at least a half day at Liberty Station , a cultural attraction that has many places to eat and shop. New stores and restaurants are open at Seaport Village , which has a classic carousel for kids to ride.

RELATED: The Best Things to Do in San Diego With the Whole Family

Monterey, CA

The number one reason to book a vacation in this coastal town: the aquarium. Yes, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is that good. It levels up the typical touch tank experience by letting little kids crawl through tunnels surrounded by tropical fish displays and use squirt toys to learn how animals stand up to big waves. There’s even a padded zone with eye-level exhibits for toddlers! And the whole family will be wowed by the aquarium’s newish exhibition, "Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean." Some of the creatures in the 21 live exhibit areas are newly discovered and haven’t even been named yet. Mind blown! Stay at the hotel next door, InterContinental The Clement Monterey .

Disneyland Resort and California Adventure, Anaheim, CA

If you're looking for a Disney trip with young kids, Disneyland may have the edge over an Orlando vacay. Here are some reasons why: You can get on more rides without as much walking in California, so that means fewer tired and cranky kids. Summer weather is also usually better in Anaheim than in hot-and-humid Florida. And rides like Radiator Springs Racers, which looks like it’s right out of the movie Cars , are Cali-exclusive. The new Villas at Disneyland Hotel offer options that sleep up to 12 guests plus the decor is whimsical.

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Our United States Bucket List: Best Places, Itineraries, & What Ages to Visit With Kids

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Are you looking for a list of must-see places to add to your family’s United States bucket lis t?

The following article contains our actual United States bucket list of places we’ve seen and are still committed to visiting with our kids before leaving the nest.

It includes the exact ages our kids were and the detailed itineraries that we followed to some of the most notable U.S. vacation spots.

Use these ideas to help customize your very own USA bucket list which will include the U.S. cities, towns, and National Parks you dream of visiting.

Happy travels!

Table of Contents

Inspiration For Our United States Bucket List

With the kids getting older, my husband and I realize the years are dwindling before they will eventually leave the nest.

Likewise, because we realize the amazing benefits of traveling with kids , there are certain places we want to experience as a family.

Consequently, we kicked our family travel goals into high gear once they ditched the diapers, bottles, and naps.

With a glass of wine and an Ipad in hand, we began creating our family’s USA bucket list !

The goal…that we will complete the list before our oldest child turns 18.

To create our bucket list, we considered popular landmarks, theme parks, national parks, and beloved U.S. cities that we’ve daydreamed about visiting.

We want to experience it all.

Next, we decided on a tentative year to visit each destination based on their location as well as the respective ages and maturity of the kids.

When your children are young, customize your family vacation bucket list to include destinations that are close to your hometown.

Our first two bucket list destinations are within driving distance of our hometown and are places that we continue to love to explore to this day.

The remainder of the places that we’ve visited, and have yet to visit, on our USA bucket list are all well-known and what we consider – “must-see” for all.

A Quick Look at Our US Bucket List

Here’s a sneak peek at the places, in order according to the kids being ages 0 – 18, that we’ve visited as a family.

(Keep in mind that we’re from the Midwest – Minnesota, to be exact – so we stuck pretty close to home until the kids were a bit older.)

Read throughout the entire article for all of the associated tips, step-by-step itineraries, and photos of each specific vacation spot – you can plan all of these vacations from this post alone!

• Duluth, Minnesota
• Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• The Black Hills and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
• San Diego, California
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Disney World + Disney Cruise
• Chicago, Illinois
• Glacier National Park, Montana
• Washington D.C.
• Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
• Alaska Cruise – departing from Seattle, Washington
• Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• The Mighty 5 Utah National Parks
• Acadia National Park, Maine
• Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam

Bucket List Family Trips: Accountability

Naturally, time for traveling together as a family is limited due to work, sports, school schedules, and other commitments.

Creating a United States bucket list will help hold you accountable for accomplishing your travel goals despite our busy schedules.

In addition, anticipating future travel motivates us to set aside the appropriate funds to make our travel goals happen.

The following U.S. bucket list is a chronological outline of the fabulous adventures that we have already taken, as well as the ones we have yet to take.

All of the following itineraries and travel tips are ones that we have experienced while being mindful of cost and the conveniences necessary when traveling with kids.

Allow for flexibility and spontaneity in your United States bucket list. When unexpected ideas or invitations to travel come up – similar to our multi-generational family trip to Dreams Playa Mujeres – by all means… go for it!

1. Duluth & Lake Superior (Minnesota)

• Ages: We started visiting Duluth, MN annually when our kids were 6, 4, and 2 years old due to the multitude of things to do with kids in Duluth , as well as its close proximity to our hometown.
• Accommodations: The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza (Awesome pool area and hot breakfast included with your stay.)

Dubbed the “Best Outdoor City in America,” and “The Craft Beer Capital of Minnesota”, Duluth is one of our absolute favorite family travel destinations.

Duluth sits on the north shore of Lake Superior, which is the largest of the 4 Great Lakes of North America.

It is an active port city where families can witness oceangoing ships transporting coal, iron ore, and grain underneath the harbor’s famous lift bridge.

Duluth is well known in the Midwest USA for its great outdoor activities, awesome cultural scene, and delicious dining.

Duluth Family Vacation Itinerary

Save yourself the work of planning from scratch by checking out our 2-day Duluth itinerary that is perfect for families with kids both young and old.

Our must-do recommendations in Duluth, MN include:

• Canal Park and the Aerial Lift Bridge
• Climbing Enger Tower
• Sipping brews at Duluth’s craft breweries
• Visiting the Great Lakes Aquarium
• Riding the North Shore Scenic Railroad
• Exploring the must-see stops on the North Shore Scenic Drive

2. The Wisconsin Dells (Wisconsin)

• Ages: We started visiting the Wisconsin Dells annually when the kids were ages 7, 5, and 3 years old. This is a great place to visit with small children as there are shallow areas and splash pads at every waterpark and attraction.
• Accommodations: Great Wolf Lodge (best for visiting with kids ages 3-10) or The Wilderness Resort (our favorite for school-age kids and teens).

Splash and play to your heart’s content in Wisconsin Dells, the Water Park Capital of the World, our second bucket list family vacation!

After all, the Dells has more configurations of indoor and outdoor waterparks per capita than anywhere else on the planet.

As another popular Midwest USA tourist destination, the Dells has so much more to offer than just its famous water parks, however.

Laidback locals, awe-inspiring natural beauty, and year-round attractions lead many families to return here year after year.

Wisconsin Dells Family Vacation Itinerary

We haven’t yet officially put our Wisconsin Dells itinerary into writing.

You can’t go wrong, however, in simply using your waterpark hotel as a base to then add in other fun area attractions as time permits.

Memories are sure to be made in this epicenter of family fun!

Our must-do recommendations in Wisconsin Dells, WI include:

• Noah’s Ark Waterpark
• This list of the best indoor activities in the Dells (perfect for cold or rainy days!)
• Great Northern Railway train ride
• Explore Witches Gulch
• A Dells boat tour
• Pizza and brews at Moose Jaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co.

3. The Black Hills and Mount Rushmore National Memorial (South Dakota)

• Ages: We had success visiting this famous United States bucket list destination when our 3 kids were 8, 6, and 4 years old. This is a destination that can be enjoyed at any age, however.
• Accommodations: Cambria Hotel Rapid City (Central location with a huge indoor swimming pool and hot tub.)

The Black Hills are a small mountain range in western South Dakota that extends into Wyoming. This is a travel region that is so spread out, yet packed with family travel opportunities.

The Southern Hills is home to Mount Rushmore National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, and Mammoth Springs, the world’s largest mammoth research facility.

Further, attractions in the Northern Hills include Spearfish Canyon, historic Deadwood, and the Sturgis motorcycle rally.

Black Hills Family Vacation Itinerary

Don’t head to this area without an itinerary in mind.

There are literally so many amazing things to do in the Black Hills with kids that you’ll want to go there prepared.

The area’s best landmarks, attractions, and state parks can all be visited during this perfect 4-day Black Hills Itinerary that we made with families in mind.

Our must-do recommendations in Black Hills, SD include:

• The South Dakota Air and Space Museum
• World-famous Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Dinosaur Park and Storybook Island (both free!)
• Driving Needles Highway and experiencing that amazing Custer State Park
• Visiting Cosmos Mystery Park in Keystone, SD.

4. San Diego (California)

• Ages: We visited San Diego when our 3 kids were ages 9, 7, and 5 years old.
• Accommodations: VRBO vacation rental home adjacent to Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas, California.

San Diego is on the coast of the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Southern California.

The city is known for its mild year-round climate, extensive beaches, and a multitude of family-friendly theme parks and activities.

A visit should not be limited to the city alone, however.

Instead, I recommend that you and your family be sure to take excursions to the surrounding communities of Coronado, La Jolla, Encinitas , and Carlsbad.

Each one of these cities has something fun and delightful to offer.

San Diego Family Vacation Itinerary

Be sure to fit in visiting all of the amazing coastal communities (that I mentioned above), by checking out our epic 6-day San Diego itinerary !

Our must-do recommendations in San Diego, CA include:

• SeaWorld San Diego
• San Diego Zoo
• Touring the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
• Spending an afternoon on Coronado Island
• Going to Legoland Hotel and Theme Park (Carlsbad, CA).
• Hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve
• Watching the sea lions in La Jolla Cove

5. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

• Ages : We visited the Grand Canyon with our kids when they were 10, 8, and 6 years old. If you’re wanting to do extensive hiking, I recommend that your kids be a bit older.
• Accommodations: Thunderbird Lodge (Family-focused lodge in an excellent location.)

One of the world’s natural wonders, the iconic Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most famous attractions in the United States.

This giant canyon carved by the copper-colored Colorado River exposes billions of years of history in its layers of colored rock.

Most visitors see the Grand Canyon from the South Rim which is open all year and easily accessed by personal vehicles or shuttles.

On the other hand, the North Rim is less populated by tourists because it is in a more remote location and has a shorter tourism season.

Either way, witnessing the splendor of the Grand Canyon is an absolute must on your family’s United States bucket list.

Grand Canyon Family Vacation Itinerary

Check out this itinerary if you only have 1-Day to visit the Grand Canyon .

Our must-do recommendations at Grand Canyon National Park include:

• Hiking the Bright Angel Trail
• Check out the Hopi House
• Walking the Trail of Time
• Visit the National Geographic Visitor Center
• Ride the free Hermit Road shuttle bus (Red Route)
• Explore nearby Slide Rock State Park and Sedona, Arizona

6. Disney World in Orlando (Florida)

Ages: We visited the Disney theme parks in Orlando, Florida for the first time when our 3 children were 12, 10, and 8 years old.

We’ve also found that there are dozens of awesome things to do in Orlando for adults if you’re visiting there when older.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn, Lake Buena Vista (An amazing and affordable off-site Disney hotel.)

Walt Disney World is the world’s most famous family-friendly destination, which is why it may be of no surprise that it is part of our United States bucket list.

Encompassing 4 major theme parks in 1, Disney is a theme park paradise that appeals to both kids and adults.

Not only is Orlando home to the famous Walt Disney World, but there are tons of things to do in Orlando on Disney non-park days !

Orlando Family Vacation Itinerary

After our visit, we created an amazing, action-packed, 6-day Orlando itinerary that you can customize with the parks and places of your family’s preference.

Our must-do recommendations in Orlando, FL include:

• 1-day at Magic Kingdom
• 1-day at Epcot
• 1-day at Animal Kingdom
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Going to Gatorland
• Spending a day at Discovery Cove
• Riding the ICON Observation Wheel
• Hitting up the thrill rides at Universal Resort’s Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure

7. Sightseeing in Chicago (Illinois)

Ages: We first toured Chicago when our 3 kids were ages 13, 11, and 9 years old.

Accommodations: Embassy Suites Chicago (Downtown River North or Magnificent Mile – both are great and very family-friendly!

The magnificent city of Chicago receives recognition as being the “Best Big City in the U.S.”, as well as the “#1 World’s Best City for Having it All”.

As an avid family traveler, my personal opinion is that it is also one of the most family-friendly big cities that we have ever visited – which is why I recommend going on a family vacation here!

Chicago has a vibrant downtown that is home to amazing architecture that even kids will find fascinating.

Likewise, its vastly preserved green space and play spaces create a welcoming atmosphere for the young and old alike.

Magnificent family-friendly attractions sprinkled throughout Navy Pier and Millennium Park will keep you and your family entertained for hours!

Pack like a pro for your next family vacation! Click the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list that is both customizable and printable!

Chicago Family Vacation Itinerary

Check out our awesome 3-day Chicago itinerary that is perfect for visiting Chicago with kids.

And, be sure to check out our list of the best t hings to do in Chicago in winter if you’re visiting there during the colder months.

Our must-do recommendations in Chicago, IL include:

• Millennium Park (Crown Fountain, the Bean, etc.)
• Spending an afternoon at Navy Pier with the kids
• Going on an Architectural River Cruise
• Eating a Chicago hot dog and other famous Chicago foods
• Visiting 360 Chicago and riding TILT
• Exploring the many things to do in Chicago at night

8. Glacier National Park (Montana)

Ages: We visited Glacier National Park when our 3 kids were ages 14, 12, and 10. These are great ages to go, as they were all able to hike on their own without complaining.

Accommodations: During our family vacation to Montana, we had the opportunity to stay at two amazing properties.

We stayed at both Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana, and The Lodge at Whitefish Lake in Whitefish, Montana. You’ll love reading about them to determine which would be best for you and your family!

Glacier National Park is located in the northern Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana.

Not only is Glacier National Park home to active glaciers, but it’s also comprised of stunning valleys, towering mountain tops, cascading waterfalls, colorful wildflowers, and majestic wildlife sightings.

In our opinion, it is the most beautiful place that we have ever been to – and we recommend adding it to your USA bucket list as well!

Glacier National Park Itinerary

Our 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary includes the best scenery, family-friendly hikes, glaciers, and must-see stops to help you plan the perfect visit.

Our must-do recommendations when visiting Glacier National Park include:

• Explore the 23 best stops on Going-to-the-Sun Road (Glacier’s world-famous scenic drive)
• Hike Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Lake Trail, and Hidden Lake Overlook
• Go whitewater rafting in Glacier National Park
• Enjoy the best things to do in Whitefish, Montana including swimming in a huge glacial lake
• Visit St. Mary Lake and take a Rising Sun Boat Tour
• Go horseback riding in Many Glacier

9. Washington D.C.

Ages: I visited Washington D.C. on a solo trip with my 15-year-old son. This was a fantastic age for him to visit and we both learned a ton!

Accommodations: Residence Inn by Marriott at Washington, DC National Mall . A 5-minute walk to the National Mall, indoor pool, kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and microwaves, complimentary evening reception, and complimentary buffet breakfast.

A family trip to Washington D.C. is a US bucket list destination for many American families – including ours!

The District of Columbia (in between the U.S. states of Maryland and Virginia) was set aside as the nation’s capital so that the federal government would not be located in any single state.

National symbols such as the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House are accessible to visitors, along with dozens of other tourist attractions, which include world-class museums and important monuments.

With so many amazing opportunities for exploration, it’s important to understand the general layout and to know what there is to do there  before  your arrival.

Washington DC Itinerary with Kids

The main tourist area of Washington DC is enormous, requires a lot of walking, and definitely requires taking into consideration the individual ages and interests of your family members.

It is absolutely essential to consult our Washington DC family vacation itinerary for spending 1 – 7 days in the nation’s capital to help you prepare for this iconic family trip.

In addition, we’ve written about the BEST things to do in Washington D.C. with kids , as well as things to do in Washington D.C. in winter .

Our must-do recommendations in Washington D.C. include:

• Get reservations for a U.S. Capitol Building tour
• Spend time at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
• Photograph The U.S. White House
• Take an evening walk around Washington D.C.’s monuments and memorials
• Go to the National Museum of American History (and other free Smithsonian Museums)
• Attend a performance at The John. F. Kennedy Center

10. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

Ages: We visited Rocky Mountain National Park when our 3 kids were ages 15, 13, and 11.

You could also go when your kids are a bit younger as there are several easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and other popular attractions geared toward small children enjoy.

Accommodations: The Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park, CO

I highly recommend staying in the nearby town of Estes Park, Colorado when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.

There are 5 entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park that are within 5 miles of Estes Park, making it the ultimate gateway city.

We love it so much that we’ve written an entire 7-day Estes Park itinerary to use when visiting there!

This includes all of the best things to do in Estes Park , as well as summarizes our amazing adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park!

Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary

You definitely do not want to visit Rocky Mountain National Park without a plan.

With heavy crowds and with so many areas of the park to explore, it’s important to have a good idea of how to get around, where to park, etc.

We write about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park and include our 1-day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary here.

Our must-do recommendations in Estes Park, CO include:

• Horseback riding at Sombrero Stables
• Whitewater rafting
• Mustang Mountain Coaster
• Visit Downtown Estes Park and do the Riverwalk
• Explore Rocky Mountain National Park
• Hike Bear Lake Loop
• Drive Train Ridege Road

11. Alaska Cruise (departing from Seattle)

Ages: We went on our first Alaska Cruise when the kids were ages 16, 14, and 12.

Accommodations: Before leaving for our cruise and boarding the ship, we stayed at  Seattle Marriott Waterfront  and spent 1-day exploring Seattle with this itinerary.

We also used this guide to determine what to see and do at Pike Place Market .

We HIGHLY recommend staying at Seattle Marriott Waterfront before a cruise, as it is located directly across the street from the cruise terminal.

It is as simple as waking up and walking across the street to board the big, beautiful cruise ship!

Alaska Cruise Itinerary

Here’s where you can read about every detail of our 7-Day Alaska Cruise aboard the Norwegian Encore and get our honest review on the experience.

As you can imagine, going on an Alaska Cruise is a big undertaking and is quite expensive.

For that reason, I strongly recommend checking out our must-know Alaska Cruise tips before going, as well as being knowledgeable about what to wear on an Alaska Cruise .

This is a family vacation you won’t want to miss!

Future United States Bucket List Destinations

We have yet to explore the following destinations that we have on our United States bucket list.

Once we do, we will edit this article to include our crafted itineraries and lists of must-do attractions. (Follow us on our social to stay in touch!)

Check out the remaining places that we are looking forward to visiting as a family before the kids leave the nest.

• Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) – June 2024, coming soon!
• The Mighty 5 Utah National Parks – June 2025
• Acadia National Park – Maine
• Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam (Nevada)

Have you done any of these bucket list family trips before? What are your family must-do recommendations? I’d love to hear about what’s on your family vacation bucket list! Jen

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

If you enjoyed our USA bucket list as well as our Bucket List Family Trips , click here for our best family travel tips:

• Top 10 No-Fail Family Road Trip Tips
• 16 Tips for Effortless Flying with Kids
• The Ultimate Guide for International Travel with Kids
• Family Vacation Packing Tips: How to Pack Like A Pro
• Road Trip Food List: Mess-Free Meals and Snacks

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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18 Comments

We’ve visited Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park several times with our kids since moving to CO a few years ago – highly recommend both! We grew up on the East coast and have been excited to explore the west now that we’re out here. We’re driving to Seattle this week! Don’t know much about the gems in the Midwest, so your post has been so helpful.

Thanks so much for reading Maria! I am so happy to hear that you are looking forward to exploring the Midwest USA! Feel free to reach out if you need additional tips 🙂

Great bucket list! We’re Canadian and haven’t travelled as much as I would like in the U.S. so I was surprised that I have actually done 8 of the trips on your list!! You will love the Alaskan cruise – it was one of our favourite trips. We were supposed to cruise Alaska for a second time this summer but it was cancelled because of COVID. And we love New York City – such an amazing city!!

Thanks Lisa! We had an Alaskan cruise booked on Norwegian that was cancelled due to COVID too! I am sure hoping to cruise again soon!

What a great article! I don’t think we’ve done ANY of these with the kids yet. Our USA experience is pretty limited with them at this point. We have focused a lot on international. But I will keep this list handy when we explore the States! Thanks for putting this together 🙂

Thank you so much Linzey! Yes, some definite ‘musts’! I’m curious what your favorite family vacation has been? 🙂

This is such a great US bucket list for families! We’ve never been to some of the national parks- they’re definitely on our list!

Thank you!! We are so excited for Glacier National Park in just a few weeks! I’ll let you know how it goes 🙂

This is a great list! We have done 4 of them so far. We definitely need to visit more National Parks. I kick myself for not getting to more while we lived out west.

We have a 4th grader this year, so we are using the free 4th grader National Park Pass! Check it out if you don’t know about it – free admission to all US National Parks!

Love all of the National Parks on this list!

For sure! I love exposing the kids to history and beauty all in one!

The national parks are a big on for us! One day we will all get there!

I think every family bucket list should include a few National Parks, right?

This is a fantastic list. I bet it wouldn’t take you long to double it though!

I know! The Utah National Parks are a big one that I am currently missing on the list! I need to find a time to fit them in 🙂

So many amazing places to see! I’m really hoping to take my daughter to some US National Parks soon so this is so useful

Have fun! National Parks are definitely memory makers!

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22 Best Family Travel Destinations Worldwide (Vacation Inspiration)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: April 23, 2024

Looking for some family travel inspiration ? This guide features some of the all-time favorite family vacation destinations by families that live and breathe travel. This list includes family-friendly vacation spots from all over the world.

We are always looking for nice destinations to visit with family. In this quest for new ideas for family travel destinations, I decided to reach out to other traveling families and ask them to share their all-time favorite, best family travel destinations worldwide.

I received a variety of responses covering an amazing variety of family-friendly destinations from all over the world. From winter holidays in the Arctic to desolate beaches in the Pacific, from city breaks to ski resorts – there is something in here for everyone.

I’m happy to say that some of the world’s most well-traveled families have helped with this article. These are one by one families that have seen a lot of the world and they share their absolute favorite places to travel with family that they keep on going back to .

With their help, this guide to the world’s best family travel destinations was born. In this post, you’ll find some great family trip ideas and plenty of inspiration for family vacations for many years to come.

Read about the travel bloggers’ favorite family travel destinations and scroll all the way down to the bottom to find out our personal favorite as well!

Featured image by Eric Stoen from Travel Babbo

Some of the best family travel destinations worldwide:

1. Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Recommended by Caz and Craig from YTravelBlog.

One of our favorite destinations for families is the Port Douglas Daintree region in Tropical North Queensland .

Port Douglas has the largest reef system and the oldest rainforest in the world to explore. What more can you ask for? Our girls loved snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, zip-lining over the canopy of the Daintree Rainforest, playing on stunning beaches, searching for wild crocodiles on riverboat cruises, and enjoying delicious exotic ice cream made from the rainforest fruits.

It’s a relaxed and beautiful tropical destination with plenty for all members of the family to love.

TIP: You can also easily visit Daintree as a day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas. You can find the best selection of organized tours here .

Here you can find everything you possibly may want to know about visiting the Daintree Rainforest .

READ ALSO: Australia with Kids

Recommended by Kevin and Christina from Wandering Wagars.

There are few places in the world that offer the opportunity for a family adventure like Iceland .

Where else can you spot Blue Whales from a schooner, swim in ice-cold glacier water while continents tear themselves apart around you, and feel the roar of Europe’s largest waterfall, all within a few hours drive of each other. If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. You can even lookup the Prime Minister in the phone book.

Icelandic people understand the unique needs of children and families. It’s rare to find a restaurant that doesn’t have an area set aside for children to play.

Furthermore, Iceland is really easy to visit on your own. In summer, you can drive the entire Ring Road , or just focus on the South Coast attractions – there’s plenty to see and do, also with kids. If you don’t feel like driving in Iceland in winter , you can just stay in Reykjavik and make a couple of day trips.

You can read more about Kevin and Christina’s family trip to Iceland on their blog.

Our experience: We have been to Iceland multiple times and in all seasons and indeed, it’s a great place for a more adventurous family trip! On our blog, you can find a huge selection of Iceland destination guides, itineraries, and practical tips. Check our Iceland travel guide for the complete overview.

LEARN MORE: Top Places to See in Iceland

3. Bali, Indonesia

Recommended by Eric from Travel Babbo.

Bali has become one of our favorite family travel destinations the past couple of years. There’s a perfect mix of beaches and culture, and there’s always something to do, from attending festivals (which seem to take place all the time) to visiting water parks to hiking through rice fields.

The weather is warm year-round, although the rainy season (November through March) is exactly what it sounds like. The food is excellent and inexpensive. My 10-year-old’s favorite restaurant in the world is Cuca, near Jimbaran Beach.

Bali’s hotels are amazing, and virtually all welcome kids. We’ve stayed at hotels on the beach, but also in villas with private plunge pools overlooking river valleys and villas surrounded by rice fields. We always try to do activities through our hotels, like fish feeding, anti-gravity yoga, rice planting, ceramics, and local walks. We’re never ready to check out.

Even though there are more tourists every year, Bali never feels touristy. Ubud retains a really cool, artsy vibe. Plus there’s a monkey forest there – what kid doesn’t want to be surrounded by monkeys?

You can find more tips for visiting Bali with kids on Eric’s blog.

4. Costa Rica

Recommended by various families, including us.

Costa Rica is one of the most recommended family travel destinations in the Americas. It has all the ingredients for a perfect family-friendly travel experience: tropical climate, beaches, rainforests, lots of sightseeing possibilities, fun adventurous activities, and a big variety of wildlife.

No matter what kind of a family travel experience you’re looking for, Costa Rica makes it all possible.

Looking for a relaxing family vacation at a beautiful resort? Head to one of the many coastal destinations.

Looking for an adventure and action-filled vacation with teens? Check out the La Fortuna – Arenal area , aka the adventure capital of Costa Rica.

Want to see wildlife? Visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park !

Or plan a road trip and see the best that Costa Rica has to offer, and add some relaxing pool/beach time to make it fun for the whole family.

The good thing about Costa Rica is that it’s an extremely family-friendly destination. And – if you’re coming from the USA, you won’t have to cross too many time zones. It’s also a place that you can visit the whole year round (a tropical rain shower is always possible, however).

Here you can find a sample 2-week Costa Rica itinerary that covers some of the best places, gives you plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, get to know the culture, try some fun activities such as zip-lining or wild water rafting, and also plan some relaxing time by the pool or at the beach.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

5. Crete, Greece

Recommended by Paul from A Luxury Travel Blog.

The Greek island of Crete is somewhere we’ve frequently holidayed as a family. Crete has everything we could possibly want – a lovely climate, pure relaxation, great beaches, excellent food, and a beautifully slow way of life. There are some superb hotels on the island too!

We’ve often been drawn to a small fishing town Elounda which has some excellent luxury accommodation and plenty to see and do.

If you are looking for a family-friendly destination in southern Europe, a place that has is all, then you can’t go wrong with the Greek Islands and especially Crete!

Check Paul’s blog for all things luxury travel .

6. Whitefish, Montana, USA

Recommended by Nicole – The Passport Kids.

If you are thinking about experiencing what a winter wonderland would be like, our recommendation is the Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort in Montana, USA. The resort offers many family-friendly amenities and activities including daycare and kids ski & ride school directly on the resort.

Enjoy some outdoor winter fun with snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing or sledding; then cozy up by the fire with some hot chocolate.

The resort and city of Whitefish offer a small-town American feel where life slows down for a while but still offers a great selection of hotels, restaurants and shopping.

Check Nicole’s blog for more information about Whitefish ski resort .

7. Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA

Recommended by Karen from Family Travels on a Budget.

Gulf Shores, Alabama is perfect for families because it’s got all the beach without all the crowds!

We love Gulf Shores for its white sand, seashells, sunsets, and seafood. But what makes it special is the space — wide beaches and smaller crowds mean we have more space to unwind.

Gulf Shores is more than a beach, though. We also enjoy hiking and biking the trails at Gulf State Park, catamaran day trips, paddle boarding and sunset dinners at local restaurants. It’s our home away from home — at the beach!

Read more about Alabama Beaches here.

8. Cape Town, South Africa

Recommended by Keri from Baby Globetrotters (and one of our personal favorites too).

Everything about Cape Town is simply breathtaking! Nestled beneath the unmistakable Table Mountain, many start their South African adventure at the lively V&A Waterfront.

Near to the city, you will find the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and Tree Canopy Walkway, the Table Mountain Cable Car or why not take a ferry and tour around the now infamous Robben Island?

Heading further out of Cape Town for a couple of days is a must – head to where the oceans meet at the Cape of Good Hope, visit the Penguins at Boulders Beach and spot the seals at Hout Bay.

Next head east to the Stellenbosch wine region – so many family-friendly wine farms it’s hard to choose where to start. Finish off your Cape Town adventure with a simply breathtaking sunset over the Atlantic Ocean from Signal Hill or Camps Bay.

Find out more about Cape Town family vacation on the Baby Globetrotters blog.

Our experience: We completely agree with Keri – Cape Town and the whole of South Africa is amazing with kids and one of our own personal favorite places in the world. Here you can find more tips for visiting South Africa with young kids and here you can find a sample itinerary for the best of South Africa .

LEARN MORE: Best Places To See in South Africa

Recommended by several families, including us.

If you are looking for a truly unique family vacation destination, then definitely consider Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It’s such a special place (and totally different from anything else on this list), but it has so much to offer for families!

From beaches to deserts, impressive skyscrapers, and sensational attractions for the whole family, there’s so much to see and do in Dubai that you can easily fill several family vacations here and never get bored.

Visit the world’s highest building, ride a camel in the desert, spend time at one of the many theme parks, or go swimming at some of the world’s most impressive water parks… These are just a few of the amazing things to do in Dubai with kids !

And while visiting a destination like this with the whole family can quickly get quite expensive, there are quite a few really nice free and cheap things to do in Dubai as well.

Furthermore, Dubai enjoys warm weather the whole year round (albeit a bit too hot in the summer months), and it’s a perfect family vacation destination for off-season travel as well.

What we also love about Dubai is that it’s extremely multicultural, and kids can get in touch with different traditions. We were pleasantly surprised by the food in Dubai as well! With so many cuisines and middle-eastern touches, the food is absolutely delicious. It’s also another great way to introduce your children to different cultures.

Here you can find more information and fun facts about Dubai , read more about the best tours in Dubai , and also find out how expensive Dubai is .

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Dubai

10. Cambodia

Recommended by Alanna from The Travelling Hams.

Most people don’t think of Cambodia as a family-friendly destination, but we wholeheartedly disagree! The country is full of stunning nature and some of the most beautiful temple ruins in the world.

Our toddlers loved exploring the ruins as much as we did! For our kids, the ruins were the ultimate playground. Each equipped with crumbling stairs to climb, plenty of rocks and leaves to play with, and even some wildlife to watch. It’s a great way to challenge their senses and it gives you a chance to enjoy them yourself – a double bonus!

Cambodians are some of the friendliest people in Southeast Asia. They love to stop you and chat about your children and give friendly pats and pinches. For those with really young ones- they even help to watch your children while you get a few mouthfuls of food in!

11. Rovaniemi, Finland

Recommended by Erin – Travel with Bender.

If you ask our kids out of the 67 countries they have been to in their 6 years of life, which was their favorite, they would unanimously agree – Finland . More specifically Rovaniemi to the North of Helsinki. Why? So many reasons!

First, it’s where the real Santa lives. When you send a letter to Santa it goes here. You can see all the pigeon holes from around the world with letters to Santa. You can even post your own! You can spend an evening with the elves in the forest, decorating trees, baking cookies, and learning Santa secrets.

In addition, when you are not visiting Santa, you can spend days doing all kinds of fun winter outdoor activities. Ride husky sleds through a winter wonderland, take a reindeer sleigh through the forest, opt for a snowmobile safari that also visits reindeer and huskies, or go snow tubing down giant hills and through ice caves.

Top that with snowmobiles to capture a glimpse of the Northern Lights and a hot dinner of reindeer meat and what could be more perfect?!

Here you can read more about winter holiday in Roveniemi Finland .

12. Portugal

Recommended by Alex – My Life Long Holiday.

Central Portugal has been a family favorite for us since my parents emigrated there a few years back. The area has such a laid-back vibe, great food, culture, and beautiful scenery.

For adventurous families, there are activities like cycling, hiking, and kayaking. But my kids equally like exploring little old villages up in the mountains which haven’t changed for ages, so long as there’s ice cream at the end of it!

The Portuguese love children and you’re welcomed wherever you go with genuine smiles and warm hospitality. Add to this the warm sunshine and you have the formula for a relaxing, easy holiday.

Check Alex’s blog for more inspiration for a trip to Portugal.

Our experience: Inspired by Alex’s suggestion, we decided to visit Portugal with kids . And we were hooked – it’s one of the most beautiful and family-friendly travel destinations in Europe! In fact, we loved it so much that we went back to Portugal and the Portuguese islands several times.

Nowadays, we go to Portugal a few times a year and the whole family loves it. Here you can read about one of our absolute favorite destinations – Algarve with kids . And here, you can find an overview of our Portugal travel tips .

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Portugal

13. Philadelphia, USA

Recommended by Eileen – FamiliesGo!

Philadelphia is close enough to home that it has been a frequent day trip for us. Now that we travel with a child we have begun to stay for a night or two, which has given us a new appreciation for all that this city has to offer for families.

Federal Hall is a must-see on your first visit (the Declaration of Independence was signed here). The city also has a lot of family-friendly museums.

Please Touch Museum will be a hit with younger kids, while school-going children will appreciate the Franklin Institute and the sprawling Museum of Art.

Philadelphia is also known as a great city for eating out. I recommend Federal Donuts near Rittenhouse Square, Hawthorne’s near South Street and Reading Terminal. Great city break for families.

Here you can read more about Philadelphia with kids .

LEARN MORE: How to See the Best of Philadelphia in One Day

14. The Canadian Rockies

Recommended by Melissa – Parenthood and Passports.

As a family who wants to see as much of the world as possible, it’s rare for us to visit the same destination twice. But there is one place we return time and time again: The Canadian Rockies .

The Canadian Rockies are one of the most naturally beautiful wonders on earth. The mountains have a rugged, majestic appeal. Nestled between them are glacial lakes that shimmer a vibrant shade of blue.

Banff National Park, located in the heart of the Rockies is one of the most family-friendly places we’ve ever visited. The establishments are very accommodating to children, and the area is great to explore with kids.

Banff is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll find everything from easy hikes to backcountry camping and winter mountain sports. We love exploring outdoors and hope to instill that same passion in our daughter. I can’t think of a better place to do so.

Read more about visiting Banff here.

15. Cook Islands

Recommended by Karilyn – No Back Home.

One of our favorite family destinations is the Cook Islands in the South Pacific . For West Coast travelers it’s a short overnight flight with only a 3 hour time change.

The largest and main island, Rarotonga, is actually quite small with a ring road only 29 miles long! You will be welcomed to the island by beautiful white beaches with excellent snorkeling in calm lagoons and lush green mountains as your backdrop.

With plenty of adventure activities from hiking to buggy driving to kayaking to private islands, your family will have the time of their life in this island paradise!

Read more about the family-friendly Cook Islands here.

16. Glacier National Park, USA

Recommended by Craig and Bryanna – Crazy Family Adventure.

Glacier National Park is one of the most visited National Parks in the USA and for a good reason. It’s also an amazing family travel destination! The views are out of this world, hiking is amazing, and there are so many fun activities for the whole family!

We really enjoyed driving the scary yet breathtaking beautiful Going to the Sun Road. You can see glaciers, waterfalls, and stunning mountains. There is also so much wildlife and you may even see a mountain goat, bighorn sheep, or a bear! We really enjoyed hiking to Hidden Lake, on the Trail of Cedars, and Apakuni Falls.

Each hike has something to offer from being able to step into the frigid cold glacier water, to seeing amazing waterfalls, or a lake surrounded by mountains. Everywhere you turn in Glacier National Park you are met with a view more beautiful than the last!

Read more about visiting Glacier NP .

LEARN MORE: Glacier National Park itinerary suggestions

17. Big Island, Hawaii, USA

Recommended by Bethany – Flashpacker Family.

Our family’s new favorite destination is the Big Island of Hawaii . Hawaii is such a special place but the Big Island really takes the cake. You can do everything here!

You can swim with turtles , stay in beautiful resorts, enjoy a luau, go whale watching and snorkeling, hike to waterfalls, visit a volcano, and even sail in a submarine.

The Big Island is great for families because it’s easy to rent a car, drive around and enjoy something new every day. There’s no excuse to be bored on the Big Island!

TIP: If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, don’t miss Maui – one of the most beautiful islands. Here you can find Maui itinerary suggestions and here you can read about the very best Maui activities . It’s a wonderful destination for families as well!

18. Florence, Italy

Recommended by Scarlet – Family Focus Blog.

Our favorite family travel destination so far has been Florence in Italy . And yes, it’s a city, but Florence is wonderful for families because there is so much to do and see both indoors and outdoors!

It is a great city to walk around in and explore and make memories that will last a lifetime. The whole family will enjoy the delicious Italian food, culture, and attractions.

In addition, Florence is located in the heart of Tuscany region with the beautiful rolling hill landscapes, charming little towns, and the most friendly locals that absolutely adore children!

More tips for a family trip to Italy .

Our experience: It’s not a secret that Italy is one of our absolute favorite countries in the world and we have visited with and without kids countless times. Tuscany is indeed a wonderful region for a family vacation and Florence is the most beautiful of the Tuscan towns . Rent a villa or look for a nice hotel with a pool, and you can have the best family trip ever – a perfect combination of sightseeing and a relaxing vacation.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Florence & Tuscany Itinerary

19. Hamilton, New Zealand

Recommended by Nadine – Le Long Weekend.

Our favorite family travel destination is Hamilton in New Zealand . Hamilton is New Zealand’s best-kept secret when it comes to family holidays.

Our favorite activities include the Waikato Museum with its dedicated kid’s discovery areas; the Zoo where cheeky Kaka land on your shoulder in the walk-through aviary; and the themed Hamilton gardens which will transport you into a new civilization at every turn!

But what really sets Hamilton apart are the many ‘destination playgrounds’. These amazing parks have the usual fun fixtures, water features, in-ground trampolines, and multi-story playhouses. Great for keeping the little ones busy while you enjoy coffee from a nearby cafe!

Read more about Hamilton, New Zealand on Nadine’s travel blog.

20. Florida Keys, USA

Recommended by Carrie Anne – Everything Mom .

When thinking about traveling to Florida with the kids the first place to pop into your mind is probably Orlando. Perfect if you’re looking for thrill rides, but the Florida Keys can offer families the chance to experience the more natural side of the state, specifically Marathon .

Take in a little history exploring the oldest home in the Florida Keys outside of Key West as well as remnants of the Flagler Railroad that connected all of the Florida Keys.

Kids, especially those too young to enjoy more adventurous water pursuits, will love a nature scavenger hunt, swimming with fish, or meeting rescued birds at the Wild Bird Sanctuary. You can even enjoy lunch under a large tiki hut restaurant just off of the scenic Seven Mile Highway.

Marathon also makes a great family destination due to how close it is to the other islands such as Key West and Islamorada. This amazing place proves that your Florida family vacation adventure doesn’t have to include any roller coasters.

21. Dordogne, France

Recommended by Kirsten – Kids are a Trip.

The Dordogne region in France is one of our favorite places to explore as a family. With beautiful castles, rivers for canoeing, and medieval towns for exploring, it is the perfect place to get away from everything and spend some quality time with your kids.

We especially enjoyed the bucolic landscape and the friendliness of the locals and found there was plenty to do for families.

If you want to learn more, please read Kirstin’s post about her family visit to Dordogne .

22. Swiss Mountains

Our personal recommendation.

This list wouldn’t be complete without me sharing at least one of our personal favorite family destinations as well. And if I have to choose just one, it has to be Switzerland!

Switzerland in general, and the Swiss mountains , in particular, has been one of our favorite travel destinations for years. We just love the Swiss Alps!

We try to go to Switzerland at least twice a year: skiing in winter and hiking in summer , and every time we don’t want to leave. Kids have asked several times if we could just move to Switzerland…

Charming mountain villages and small towns have such an amazing atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. Add to that stunning landscapes, great food, and a huge variety of things to see and do for families with children, and you cannot go wrong planning a family trip to Switzerland.

TIP: Some of our favorite places include the Lucerne area , Zermatt , Mt Titlis , Grindelwald , Jungfraujoch , and Schynige Platte , to mention just a few.

Here you can read more about some of our favorite places in Switzerland .

LEARN MORE: Perfect Switzerland Itinerary for First Trip

So, this is a small selection of great vacation destinations for families. I hope you found some inspiration for your next family vacation!

What’s your favorite family destination? Let us know – leave a comment below!

READ ALSO: Best Travel Gear for Kids – family traveler’s favorites.

TIP: For more family travel ideas, please check our guides to the best spring break destinations in the USA and the best spring break destinations in Europe .

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Saturday 13th of January 2024

Thank you for this list. I will be using it to plan our upcoming family vacations.

Monday 15th of January 2024

Glad to help, Jay. Happy travels!

Chitra Gupta

Friday 23rd of June 2023

Hi, we are a family of 4, kids aged 19 and 14 and have been to switzerland, dubai, milan, honkong, paris, istanbul already. We are unable to decide our next travel destination for November. What would you suggest?

Saturday 24th of June 2023

Hi Chitra, that's a tough choice indeed. Purely season-wise, I'd look into Southern Hemisphere for November I suppose. South Africa is amazing for a family trip and Namibia as well. Also Thailand could be a great option or Australia if you have more time. There are so many options. It also depends on where you live and how much time you have. We have quite some articles about the destinations mentioned above on our website, you can use the search button for some inspiration. Good luck!

world nomad

Friday 19th of May 2023

What an amazing article Wish I could go to all these places Your suggestion for sightseeing that is not tropical for August around the world? Cities and sightseeing is the focus

Monday 22nd of May 2023

There are many places that are not too warm in August. UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, also pretty much anywhere in Poland or Baltic States. If you are looking for destinations around the world, consider South Africa or Namibia (more nature), and certain parts of Australia (also cities). There are plenty of options. :) Good luck!

Tuesday 25th of April 2023

Beautiful locations, please share more.

Ha ha, I could easily add a few dozen other places to this list. There are so many amazing destinations all over the world, and more places are family-friendly than people tend to think. Our personal favorite countries to visit with kids are Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland. Happy travels!

Thursday 3rd of March 2022

Hi Jurga, thanks for all the suggestions. It's not easy to decide where to go next. We are a family of 4, kids age 8 and 11, and were thinking of Costa Rica, but are also considering Iceland. Thoughts?

Monday 7th of March 2022

Iceland vs. Costa Rica? They are so different... CR is warm, tropical, with beaches and pools, lots of fun outdoor activities, wildlife, and it's rather cheap compared to Iceland. Iceland is amazing but in a very different way - incredible vast landscapes, the most beautiful waterfalls, glaciers, great hot springs and geothermal pools to swim in... But - depending on when you travel - it can be really cold and - in winter - also dark. Even in summer, you'll usually need sweaters, jackets, etc. Iceland is also much more expensive... I think you should do a bit more research and see what interests you the most, or let it depend on the season - Iceland in summer and Costa Rica in winter. But if it's your first family trip, I honestly think that the entire family, and especially the kids will enjoy Costa Rica more, even if just for the weather. But after you do that trip, definitely do Iceland next - it's one of a kind!

• 19 Must See Attractions In...

The Top Things to Do in Moscow

As a vibrant capital and Europe’s largest city, Moscow is a powerful mix of history and edginess, full of world-famous sites. Russia ’s capital was just a small town when it was first recorded 800 years ago, but there is enough here today to keep you busy for months. Here’s the ultimate first-timer’s list of things to do in Moscow, from exploring the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral to getting a cable car from Sparrow Hills or skating in Gorky Park.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

The heart of Russia’s capital, Red Square is surrounded by striking sites including the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum, and is where so much of the country’s history has unfolded. What was once a humble market square has become known as the place where rebels have been executed, protests staged and military strength put on show throughout Russia’s tumultuous history.

However long you’re visiting Moscow for, you must set aside some time to soak up the archetypal image of Russia’s capital with the glistening rainbow roofs of St Basil’s Cathedral. The onion-shaped domes were designed to make the building look like flames on a bonfire. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it so beautiful he ordered that the architect be blinded so they would never surpass this creation.

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The love-it-or-hate-it of Russia attractions, Lenin’s Mausoleum houses a glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of the legendary Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. First opened to the public in August 1924, the Mausoleum attracts around 2.5m visitors a year, who presumably don’t mind queueing and going through a thorough search to enter Lenin’s presence.

Moscow Kremlin

The biggest active fortress in Europe , Moscow’s Kremlin offers a week’s worth of attractions on its own. Once you get behind the 2,235m (7,332ft) of walls, there are five squares to wander around, various buildings to explore, 20 towers to learn the names of, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see.

State Historical Museum

An attraction in its own right, the State Historical Museum, founded in 1872 by Ivan Zabelin and Aleksey Uvarov, was once the principal medicine store, also containing antiquaries owned by the royal family. It now houses an impressive collection, which includes relics of prehistoric tribes that once inhabited the territory of present-day Russia, the country’s largest coin collection, as well as 6th-century manuscripts and artworks collected by the Romanov dynasty, among other treasures.

Russia’s main department store, GUM’s stunning interior houses a variety of high-end boutiques. Built between 1890 and 1893 and known as the Upper Trading Rows until the 1920s, the legendary store is now home to over 100 boutiques selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your list of what to do in Moscow, the GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries.

Arbat Street

An elegant, pedestrianised street right in the historic city centre, Arbat is one of Moscow’s most touristy spots. With lots of cafes and restaurants , live music performers and caricaturists, as well as souvenir shops and tattoo parlours, monuments and a theatre, Arbat draws crowds of visitors every day.

Tretyakov Gallery

Built between 1900 and 1905, Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. Designed by Viktor Vasnetsov, the gallery is home to one of the largest collections of Russian art in the world. Here you can see icons including Rublev’s Trinity, and pre-revolutionary masterpieces such as Girl With Peaches by Valentin Serov, Demon by Mikhail Vrubel and The Rooks Have Come Back by Alexei Savrasov.

Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

The largest foreign art museum in Moscow comprises three branches housing a collection of incredible works by masters of ancient civilisations, the Italian Renaissance and the Dutch Golden Age. The main building contains masterpieces by Botticelli, Tiepolo, Veronese and Rembrandt, some of which had never been displayed before. The Gallery of European and American Art, located next door, stores an incredible collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park offers entertainment for every taste: outdoor dancing sessions, yoga and fitness classes all summer, as well as beach volleyball and ping-pong, rollerblading, skateboarding and cycling opportunities, along with Segway and boat rentals. In winter, half the park turns into one of the city’s biggest ice skating rinks. The park is also home to an open-air movie theatre and one of the less obvious places to visit in Moscow for art lovers, the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art.

Sparrow Hills

If you take a walk from Gorky Park along the Moscow river embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbour, here you can take a closer look at the tallest of the seven Stalinist skyscrapers (the Moscow State University), admire the view from the observation deck or get a cable car ride.

Bolshoi Theatre

Opened in 1856, the legendary Bolshoi Theatre is one of the pest places in Moscow for an evening of entertainment. It’s the home of Bolshoi Ballet and the Bolshoi Opera – among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world. Alongside the classics, the theatre also stages contemporary works by young international composers and choreographers. The theatre’s imperial decor was restored in a six-year refurbishment that finished in 2011.

VDNKh All-Russian Exhibition Centre

The enormous VDNKh contains about 400 buildings and is said to cover an area bigger than Monaco. The centre started out as the all-Soviet agricultural exhibition in 1935, and now serves as an open-air museum of Soviet architecture. With the iconic fountain at its entrance, the park complex is home to a number of museums, shopping pavilions, multiple eateries , a massive oceanarium, a zip-line, a horse-riding rink and a Russian space shuttle. In winter a skating rink opens – the largest in Europe.

Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

The former summer residence of Empress Catherine the Great was commissioned in 1775, and succumbed to deterioration during the Soviet era. The whole of Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve has been fundamentally renovated since the 1980s to look even brighter than the original. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything: from handmade items to Soviet antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces, where you can hide from the city buzz.

Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time. Now it’s still the best observation deck with a glass floor and 360 degree views. So be sure to book one of the hourly tours; the speedy elevators will take you 337m (1,105ft) in no time.

Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city centre will take you to Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Medieval Moscow looked like. Here you’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow and a favourite estate of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

Novodevichy Convent

Founded in 1524, the Novodevichy Convent is a place steeped in history. Behind the walls that once served as a fortress, there are four cathedrals with a fascinating icon collection and a venerable cemetery. Back in the day it was common for women from noble families to retire in monasteries, and the Novodevichy Convent had some notable residents such as Princess Sophia and Eudoxia Lopukhina, both related to Peter the Great (and imprisoned by him). The former was his half-sister who claimed the throne; the latter was his first wife, who stood in the way of his marriage to Catherine I.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

One of Russia’s most visited cathedrals, Christ the Saviour is a truly remarkable site. The grandiose cathedral was built in the 1990s where a 19th-century church of the same name stood before it was demolished in 1931 by the Soviet authorities. Designed to look like its predecessor, the modern building also contains the icon Christ Not Painted by Hand by Sorokin, which survived the demolition of the original cathedral. The cathedral was the site of feminist punk collective Pussy Riot’s 2012 protest that led to the imprisonment of several members.

Moscow City

Home to Europe’s tallest office building, Moscow City, also referred to as Moscow International Business Centre, is one Russia’s most ambitious engineering projects of recent years. With its various high-rises, the business district is where you should come for great crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

Izmailovsky Market

For those on a budget, ditch window shopping at the exclusive GUM and take a foray into the bustling world of Izmailovsky, Russia’s best flea market. Delve into the bargains, rifle through the artisan crafts, admire the local handiwork and be tempted by the silky smooth traditional fur hats. Expect walls of matryoshka dolls, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and glittering hand-crafted jewellery. Head up to one of Izmailovsky market’s cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

See & Do

Top 7 historical places around moscow only locals know about.

How To Spend a Summer Day in Moscow, Russia

A Weekend in Moscow with Curator Catherine Borissoff

Guides & Tips

How to make the most of 24 hours in moscow in winter.

The Best Clubs in Moscow, Russia, for Partygoers

Film & TV

‘killing eve’ – konstantin’s world.

The Best Shopping Malls in Moscow

The 7 Best Day Trips From Moscow

Restaurants

The best restaurants in moscow.

The 7th Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art

The Best Restaurants in Moscow's Tverskaya

Stay Curious: Experience Moscow From Your Living Room

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Things to Do in Moscow, Russia - Moscow Attractions

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From theme parks to national parks, we found 40 vacation spots the whole family will love

Remember what a typical day in your childhood looked like? Probably not, but we bet you can vividly recall a family trip that blew your young mind. While many of us are contemplating our big travel plans for the next year, now might be an excellent time to let those long-dreamt-about family vacation ideas come to fruition.

If you want your child or teenager to experience the same magic on vacation , take them to any of these family vacation destinations. From glaciers to beachfronts , dinosaurs to Disney characters, there's something here for everyone — even the kid that's hard to please.

Theme parks and activity centers | Beaches | Outdoorsy adventures | Major cities | Historical outings

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Best family-friendly vacation spots of 2024

Shop today favorites:, aspen snowmass, colorado, cedar point amusement park, cooperstown, new york, denver, colorado, disney world.

• Florida's Space Coast

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Jackson hole, wyoming, miami beach, florida, niagara falls, new york, plimoth plantation, massachusetts, san diego zoo, sesame place.

• The Strong National Museum of Play

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Waikiki Beach

Theme parks and activity centers

" Cedar Point has gorgeous views of the Lake Erie shore, especially from the top of some of the best roller coasters around. There’s also a water park that’s fun for everyone." — Laura Millar, an NBC Page at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 6-18

Why go? It’s the roller coaster capital of the world with more than 10 miles of track!

What to do: Ride the Blue Streak — a historic wooden roller coaster dating back to 1964. Or, opt for more modern thrills like the Millennium Force (rated one of the best steel coasters around), suspension coasters (your feet dangle from the floorless Raptor) and — new for 2024 — Top Thrill 2, the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch strata coaster. Younger kids will find fun at Snoopy’s Space Race and the Kite Eating Tree.

Where to stay: Cedar Point’s Hotel Breakers , located on Lake Erie beach, offers early entry into the park. Five miles inland, Great Wolf Lodge has an indoor water park.

More info: CedarPoint.com

"Of all the places to take kids, Disney probably requires the most amount of planning. The two biggest things that helped make the trip enjoyable for us was using a free (!) Disney concierge planner — they have intimate knowledge of everything from restaurants to lesser-known gems hiding in the park, like a great place to sit to watch fireworks — and designating someone in the group to become a pro at understanding and executing the Fast Pass, Lightning Lane-type offerings. Disney World is massive; we took it slow to prevent meltdowns, and even baked in days to just recover at the hotel in between park visits." — Rebecca Brown , a deals editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 2-14

Why go? You’ll never forget the first time your princess-loving child catches their first glimpse of the real Ariel or Belle or watches fireworks explode over Cinderella’s Castle. Disney is fun for parents, too!

What to do: Check the Magic Kingdom classics off your list first, then head over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom . At Disney Springs , experience the Vintage Amphicar and Aerophile.

Where to stay: Good times at Disney’s properties — including Disney’s Beach Club Villas — are always a given, or try the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld for rooms at half the price.

More info: DisneyWorld.Disney.go.com

Florida’s Space Coast

"If your kid is into space and planets, this corner of Florida is a must-visit. There are several cities that compiles Florida’s Space Coast , including Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, but Cocoa Beach is probably my favorite. They have the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, where locals meet to watch the spaceship launches and the Kennedy Center is also nearby. It’s a wonderful place for all ages and kids will definitely enjoy the space tours, the beach and the sightseeing." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 5-15

Why go? Where else do you get to be an astronaut for a day?

What to do: You can feel what it’s like to rocket into the stratosphere on the Shuttle Launch Experience flight simulator . Take mission control tours, have lunch with an astronaut and even train with one in a family Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) program.

Where to stay: Both the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral and the waterfront Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach have pools and breakfast. The Radisson Resort at the Port isn’t oceanfront, but there’s a pool with a built-in playground!

More info: VisitSpaceCoast.com

Legoland, New York

Best for ages: 2-12

Why go? Kids (and kids-at-heart) won’t be able to resist the colorful attractions and hands-on exhibitions, all revolving around the iconic playset series.

What to do: Play all day! The theme park destination is currently open for their festive Holiday Bricktacular through Dec. 31, but their newest — and wettest — attraction, the Water Playground , allowing kids to splash, slide, build and get doused with a gigantic 318-gallon water bucket, is well worth another trip. The park has also become a Certified Autism Center , partnering with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to train employees and providing low-sensory guidance and accommodations to children with cognitive disabilities.

Where to stay: The park’s namesake resort — Legoland Hotel — extends the family fun everyone is having, from offering nightly entertainment to crafting the perfect build in the Creative Workshop. For something a little more low-key and affordable, Sleep Inn & Suites Monroe provides free breakfast every morning and is in close proximity to sites like Bear Mountain and Woodbury Commons .

More info: legoland.com/new-york

"The San Diego Zoo ended up being much bigger than I’d imagined. One thing we did that really stood out to me was making a lunch reservation ahead of time. We sat outside near a waterfall and honestly it felt like a vacation in it of itself. It was great to have a place to plop down and just recharge." — Rebecca Brown , a deals editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 1-11

Why go? It’s one of the world’s best zoos — and one of the few places in the U.S. to see the world’s smallest bear.

What to do: Don’t miss Elephant Odyssey and Northern Frontier to see polar bears and arctic foxes. Also noteworthy is the Africa Rocks exhibit (baboons, leopards, blue-eyed lemurs, etc.).

Where to stay: In October, “Kids Free San Diego” features dozens of hotel deals. Year-round, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa has great water sports rentals and Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is practically next door to The New Children’s Museum .

More info: SanDiegoZooWildlifeAlliance.com

"I grew up going to Sesame Place about once every summer and have fond memories of lounging on the lazy river! I have two young nephews now who had a blast on a day trip there last year." — Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil , a senior editor of partnerships at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 2-5

Why go? The world’s best park for toddlers and preschoolers is scaled to young fans of Elmo and the gang.

What to do: Spend your time on water attractions like The Count’s Splash Castle, Big Bird’s Rambling River and Bert & Ernie’s Splashy Shores during the summer. Then dry off and do the rest: Take a dizzying ride in Flying Cookie Jars, ride Flyin’ Fish and Peek-A-Bug (in Elmo’s World) and explore Sesame Neighborhood via Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Rollercoaster. Plus, new for 2024: the imaginative and interactive 123 Playground!

Where to stay: The pet-friendly Red Roof Inn Philadelphia Oxford Valley is affordable, or get a little more space at Langhorne’s top-rated hotel, SpringHill Suites Philadelphia Langhorne .

More info: SesamePlace.com

The Strong National Museum of Play, New York

" This place is a kid’s (and adult’s) paradise. You and the family can spend all day here and still not scratch the service. From the Barbie exhibit to the slew of nostalgic pinball games, guests will be in their glory. There is even a mini Wegmans where kids can (pretend) shop and play cashier!" — Allie Wise , a Rochester, New York native and an associate editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 4-12

Why go? It’s devoted to every kid’s favorite thing to do!

What to do: Celebrate superheroes at the museum’s American Comic Book Heroes exhibit or walk through the world’s largest pop-up book in Reading Adventureland. Visit the Toy Halls of Fame and play your way through the history of video games at eGameRevolution.

Where to stay: Book a room at the Hyatt Regency Rochester , which is a five-minute drive or short walk to the museum. Other family-favorite hotels include the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester , which features a large indoor pool, and the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester University & Medical Center which is connected to the College Town shopping complex.

More info: MuseumOfPlay.org

"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has rides and experiences that’ll satisfy everyone in the family. Enjoy thrill rides like 'The Forbidden Journey' or relax with a butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. Being there really makes you feel immersed in the world of Harry Potter. I’ll never forget buying a wand at Ollivanders!" — Laura Millar, an NBC Page at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-13

Why go? Your Potter lovers will go Hog(warts) wild to see Hogsmeade and Hogwarts recreated in amazing detail.

What to do: Get there first thing in the morning. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey first: Muggles meet Dumbledore, join a Quidditch match and encounter a Whomping Willow. Next, conquer the ultra-fast Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure coaster and the tamer Flight of the Hippogriff; then go wand shopping at Ollivanders (if you’re lucky, the wand will choose you).

Where to stay: On-site properties like Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel offer guests free Universal Express Unlimited passes to skip lines. Or, for about half, you can stay at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes — the kids’ club has a 500-acre scavenger hunt.

More info: UniversalOrlando.com

Wisconsin Dells

Why go? It’s the water park capital of the world, year-round!

What to do: Get a day pass for Noah’s Ark Water Park (America’s largest) and race down the Raja, which ends in the mouth of a king cobra. Or book one of the wet and wild resorts, like the African-themed Kalahari (the Sahara Sidewinders looping slides literally drop you through the roof) or Mt. Olympus (the Lost City of Atlantis water fortress has slides, geysers and monster dump buckets). Afterwards, kids won’t get enough of the robust (and cheesy) offerings at Macs .

Where to stay: In addition to the resorts with indoor water parks, there are quieter options like Black Hawk Motel , Wingate by Wyndham and Hilton Garden Inn .

More info: WisDells.com

Beach vacations

"I grew up in Miami for 20 years and going to the beach every weekend was a ritual. There are many family-friendly spots including 17th street and Collins avenue, or you can stroll around Lincoln Road Mall and stop for a coffee break. The Botanical Garden is also a nice escape from the party scene, and if you want a more bohemian experience, take your family to Nikki Beach during lunch time. The food at this restaurant is exquisite (try the pistachio affogato dessert if it’s still on their menu) and the beach is just a few steps away." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-12

Why go? Although it’s often associated with a party crowd or retirees, Miami Beach also has plenty of kid-friendly activities.

What to do: Miami Beach has the most tropical beaches in the continental United States. As you drive to Miami Beach from Miami, you hit must-see attractions like Wynwood Walls and the Pérez Art Museum Miami . Indoors, the Miami Children’s Museum shares an island with Jungle Island .

Where to stay: At the north end of the island, Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour has the best kids’ beach club. At the south end, Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach has direct beach access and sits between two public parks.

More info: MiamiandBeaches.com

Best for ages: 12-17

Why go? Hailed as “the next Costa Rica,” this Central American country is enjoying a transformation.

What to do: Fly into Managua , and from there, head to the Spanish colonial town of Granada on the shores of Lake Nicaragua — the 19th largest lake in the world and home to two island volcanoes you can hike. In Cerro Negro near Leon, kids can sandboard (basically snowboard) down the volcanic ash sides. End your trip at One Love Surf School in the Pacific coastal town of San Juan Del Sur or head to the Caribbean side to explore the Corn Islands.

Where to stay: With its private beach, private farm and resident monkeys and sloth, there’s no place on earth quite like Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge . At Jicaro Island Ecolodge Granada , you feel like you have the island to yourself — until the birds wake you up in the morning.

More info: VisitNicaragua.us

Riviera Maya, Mexico

More info: NPS.gov/glac

Best for ages: 4-14

Why go? Snorkel in freshwater cenotes (natural pools), swim with manatees and climb ancient Mayan ruins all before the sun sets.

What to do: Fly into Cancun and then head to Playa del Carmen, the perfect launching point for all of Quintana Roo’s adventures. Float the underwater river at Xcaret Eco Theme Park and stay late for the musical show, “Xcaret Mexico Espectacular.” Then, taxi or bus to Dolphin Discovery in Puertos Aventuras where the kids can splash and play with dolphins, manatees and even sea lions! Finally, explore the clifftop ruins in Tulum. Further inland, take a day trip to Chichen Itza . For beach time, check out Aloha Paddle Club’s water sport rentals in Playa del Carmen or take the ferry to nearby Cozumel.

Where to stay: Outside of town, Barcelo has everything from its impressive all-inclusive Barceló Maya Tropical (five family-friendly hotels in one, plus an adults-only one for a parents’ weekend away) to its more intimate Allegro Playacar where babysitting is always available. In Cozumel, Allegro Cozumel has a pirate-themed water park on site.

More info: VisitMexico.com

Best for ages: 10-18

Why go? This Caribbean Island has the world’s only “drive-in” volcano.

What to do: Rent a car and head for the crater! After hiking around La Soufriere Volcano ’s hot springs, let the kids throw mud at each other in a mud bath. (You can relax in the mineral waters beneath a waterfall.)

Where to stay: Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia has a kids’ activity program and a tween-driven mani-pedi spa. Bay Gardens also ranks well for its activity-loaded water park and beach access.

More info: StLucia.org

Virginia Beach

Best for ages: 5-17

Why go? It’s got beaches, boardwalks, American history and a military aviation museum.

What to do: First, take a ride in an open cockpit biplane at the Military Aviation Museum . Then, hit the beach and Neptune’s Park where the kids could compete in a sandcastle building contest if your timing is right. Finally, drive to Fredericksburg to walk in the footsteps of our first president at his boyhood home, Ferry Farm .

Where to stay: The top-rated hotel choice is the oceanfront Hyatt Place , which is within walking distance of boardwalk attractions. Barclay Towers Resort Hotel is a bit farther, but every room is a suite.

More info: VisitVirginiaBeach.com

Waikiki Beach

" Waikiki Beach looks exactly like how you would imagine Hawaii to be! On the beach, you can rent surfboards and try out surfing for a few hours. Waikiki is actually perfect for learning how to surf since the water is pretty shallow for what feels like ages. You look out into the water and surfers are everywhere trying to catch the perfect wave. The neighborhood is incredibly walkable with stores, hotels and shops dotting the entire road. Pick a direction to walk and I guarantee you’ll stumble upon the classic ABC convenience stores filled with everything from snacks to souveniers and even spam musubi! Major bonus is that Waikiki is under 30 minutes from the hotel, making it convenient to get to." — Anita Chomenko, a social media video producer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 11-16

Why go? Thanks to warm, shallow and relatively calm waters, there’s no better place to take your first surf lesson.

What to do: Sign up for a lesson at one of the Star Beach Boys stands , located on the sand in front of the statue of Duke Kahanamoku. (This Hawaiian hero is considered the father of modern surfing.) Or try one of the local surf schools, like Big Wave Dave and Surfer Girl Academy . While on Oahu, visit the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites including the USS Arizona Memorial .

Where to stay: With its airport transportation, on-site pool and free breakfast, Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach could not be more convenient. Further inland, the Oasis Hotel offers boutique vibes.

More info: GoHawaii.com/Islands/Oahu

Outdoorsy adventures

An alaskan cruise.

Best for ages: 9-16

Why go? Besides heli-tours, cruising is the closest you can get to Alaska’s calving glaciers.

What to do: Crystal Cruises , the first cruise company to complete the entire Northwest Passage, has several options. For example, its Glacier & Gold Cruise visits the Inside Passage where it parallels the tallest coastal mountains in the world. On port days, kids can learn about the historic Gold Rush in the frontier town of Skagway or go dogsledding or take a floatplane to fish in a remote inlet.

Where to stay: Book a stateroom on the luxurious, all-inclusive Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony . If you extend your trip and check out Denali National Park where you can see Mt. McKinley, consider Aurora Denali Lodge .

More info: TravelAlaska.com

"I just went on a trip to Aspen and it’s no secret it’s a huge ski town, however, it’s also kid friendly! If you’re looking for a family ski trip, Buttermilk Mountain offers group or individual ski lessons, and Panda Peak is so cute. The kids can hold little stuffed animals on the ski lift! I was tempted to ask for one on my first run down on the bunny slopes." — Shannon Garlin , an associate commerce editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 4-18

Why go? Between its four different mountains, Aspen Snowmass has something for all skiers and snowboarders.

What to do: First, check out the resort’s daily child-friendly programming and packages . Then, drop the 2-4-year-olds at The Treehouse Kids Adventure Center for their lessons and then head to Camp Aspen with the older kids and preteens. In the afternoon, meet up to ski together, go tubing or take a free naturalist tour. End the day with schnitzel and burgers on the mountain or family dogsledding and dinner at a remote cabin.

Where to stay: If you don’t want to rent a car, stay at Stonebridge Inn , a Destination by Hyatt Hotel where everything Snowmass-related is within walking distance. Or reserve a room at the town’s only ski-in, ski-out property, The Little Nell . Sometimes you can get two complimentary ski passes for each night you stay!

More info: AspenSnowmass.com

Canada’s Rockies by Rail

Best for ages: 8-15

Why go? If your kids haven’t outgrown their fascination with trains, you’ll be parent of the year in their eyes.

What to do: Book Fresh Tracks Canada’s Vancouver to Toronto train trip. It’s an 11-day itinerary stretching across the Canadian Rockies. Begin in Vancouver on a drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Then, travel by rail across the country, watching the glaciers turn into cowboy country, wheat fields and finally, the city of Toronto. Older kids will demand extra time to see the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame and get their hearts rate up at the Stingray Experience at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada .

Where to stay: Spend all 14 nights in a Prestige cabin on VIA Rail’s flagship transcontinental train, The Canadian. If you just want to explore Western Canada, Rocky Mountaineer makes a great home away from home.

More info: CanadianTrainVacations.com

Colorado Springs

Best for ages: 7-13

Why go? Nestled at the base of America’s peak, this town showcases Colorado for kids.

What to do: Watch athletes train for upcoming events at the Olympic Training Center . Then, hand-feed the giraffes at the country’s only mountain-top zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo . Older kids can hike to the summit of Pikes Peak — the mountain that inspired the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” — and cross North America’s highest suspension bridge at The Royal Gorge. Finally, explore the geological wonders of Garden of the Gods .

Where to stay: Ride mules up to your cabin or fire tower accommodations at Cloud Camp , part of The Broadmoor Resort . Down in Colorado Springs, the Great Wolf Lodge boasts the state’s first indoor water park.

More info: VisitCOS.com

Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

Best for ages: 5-11

Why go? This state park just 75 miles southwest of Dallas boasts some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.

What to do: In addition to walking in the humongous footprints left in the Paluxy River, take a covered wagon tour, mountain bike the trails, borrow a fishing pole from the park’s Tackle Loaner Program and visit the museums in downtown Glen Rose , the Dinosaur Capital of Texas.

Where to stay: Pitch your tent or park your RV at Dinosaur Valley State Park, or consider Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn & Suites .

More info: Texas.gov

" Volcanoes is not the easiest to get to, but the views are worth the journey! Located on the island of Kona, you could truly spend days exploring this national park. You can drive to overlooks, explore flat pathways, hike down into a crater, explore lava tubes and maybe even see an active volcano! If you’re prioritizing the park, you should stay on the eastern side of the island. You can drive from the west but it is more of a trek. Either way, you should also make a stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop, the southernmost bakery in the United States for sweet breads!" — Anita Chomenko, a social media video producer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages : 11-16

Why go? Two massive volcanoes are here, including Kilauea — one of the world’s most active. Trails take you past smoking steam vents, black lava rock and enormous craters.

What to do? Stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center to pick up maps, check current conditions and learn how the volcano came to be. Ask if rangers are leading walks or set out on your own hike. The Earthquake Trail (Waldron Ledge) is an easy hike with great views of the Kilauea Caldera. Don’t miss the Thurston Lava Tube, an underground tunnel where the hot stuff once flowed. (Drive there, then hike in, through a mossy fern forest.) Return to the park at night to see the gorgeous glow from the Halema’uma’u Crater.

Where to stay: For a dramatic crater view from your room, stay across the street from the Visitor Center at the Volcano House . If you don’t mind staying 29 miles outside of the park and want to be closer to town, one of Hilo’s top properties is SCP Hilo Hotel .

More info: NPS.gov/havo

Glacier National Park, Montana

Best for ages: 8-18

Why go? Thanks to climate change, North America’s few remaining glaciers are disappearing.

What to do: Hike! The Going-to-the-Sun Road — one of the most scenic in the world — is also fun to bike, but it's best ridden early or late in the season when car traffic is minimal. The open-top Glacier Park Red Bus Tours (open seasonally) allow kids to see wildlife from a safe distance. To get out on the glacial lakes, rent canoes or kayaks or book a boat tour with Glacier Park Boat Co .

Where to stay: Spend a few nights in a cabin at the no-frills Apgar Village Lodge . Then, splurge at the luxurious, all-inclusive and dog-friendly The Resort at Paws Up located on the edge of the scenic Flathead National Forest.

Grand Canyon National Park

Best for ages : 8-13

Why go? This great gorge is 277 miles long and 6,000 feet deep in some spots, with rocks that are millions of years old.

What to do: Don’t just stand there! Bike along the South Rim (rent from Bright Angel at the visitor center) or hike into the canyon on free ranger-led tours. To explore by mule with Xanterra , reserve at least a year in advance.

Where to stay: The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is only one mile from the popular South Rim entrance. At the bottom of the canyon, check into a cabin at the historic Phantom Ranch .

More info: NPS.gov/grca

" Jackson, Wyoming is for the outdoorsy kid who loves skiing, snowboarding or simply building a snowman. I’ve only visited during winter time and is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been. They have the National Elk Refuge and is an iconic place to take pics and watch wildlife up and close. My favorite activity was riding on a fat bike and just enjoying the scenic views with the Teton Mountain Range as the backdrop." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 6-16

Why go? Jackson Hole is home to Grand Teton National Park and a world-class ski resort.

What to do: Jackson Hole boasts more outdoor activities than there are hours in the day. You can raft the scenic Snake River , tube down the runs at Snow King Resort or explore the magical ice castle and ice skate in Teton Village .

Where to stay: Hotel Terra Jackson Hole and Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa are within walking distance of the chairlifts. Both properties have ski packages in the winter and national park packages in the summer.

More info: VisitJacksonHole.com

" Niagara Falls is breathtaking, especially the first time you see it. The backdrop offers unbeatable photo opportunities for the whole family, too." — Laura Millar, an NBC Page at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 5-12

Why go? Six million cubic feet of water thunders over the massive falls every minute.

What to do: Bring your passport so you can view them from the Canadian and American sides; to visit both, cross Rainbow Bridge. Kids who aren’t afraid of heights will love the view from Skylon Tower .

Where to stay: The most exciting option is the Sheraton Fallsview with its family suites complete with bunk beds! Its Reef Beach Club has a shark tank and a coral reef lagoon, and is attached to the Rainforest Café .

More info: Niagara-USA.com ; NiagaraFallsTourism.com

Pacific Coast Highway Drive

Why go? Curvy Highway 1 winds along California’s craggy coastal cliffs, high above the ocean.

What to do: Take it slow and make lots of stops — whether you conquer the whole thing (about four days) or just tackle small portions. Kids will be wowed by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk (ride the wooden coaster!); Monterey (go kayaking and see the Aquarium ); Carmel’s Pt. Lobos State Natural Reserve (otters, seal lions and whales hang here); Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (great hiking and camping); Hearst Castle , in San Simeon, and the elephant seals on the beach just north.

Where to stay: The pet-friendly boutique Laurel Inn is in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood. In Southern California, stay within walking distance of Disneyland at the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim , which has a waterpark and rooms with bunk beds.

More info: CentralCoast-Tourism.com

Redwood National & State Parks

Why go? The California parks are home to the tallest, most majestic trees on earth.

What to do: Stroll through the mile-long Lady Bird Johnson Grove, a mossy jungle of sky-high sequoias — some of them 2,000 years old (kids can crawl through the hollow ones). See if Roosevelt elk are grazing in Elk Meadow, then pick up the path to Trillium Falls. On coastal trails, take guided tide pool walks. You may spot whales from December through April.

Where to stay: The Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn is located right off of Redwood Highway and includes breakfast. View Crest Lodge has cozy cottages for less than $200 per night.

More info: NPS.gov/redw

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Why go? You’ll never see sand dunes like these! Some are nearly 500 feet high, with views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands from the top.

What to do: Climb the dunes, of course! Run (or roll) down these majestic sand mountains. Cool off with a swim at Esch Road Beach where the pristine Lake Michigan water is brisk but refreshing. There’s great kayaking and tubing on the warmer Platte River (gear up with Riverside Canoe Trips ). Or, sign the kids up for a freshwater surf lesson from Sleeping Bear Surf .

Where to stay: Duneswood Resort is a short walk to the Dune Climb, and they rent bikes, buggies and strollers. If you’re based in Traverse City , stay at Great Wolf Lodge for its indoor water park.

More info: NPS.gov/slbe

The Black Hills, South Dakota

Best for kids ages: 5-15

Why go? Mount Rushmore ! Plus, these mountains and badlands are some of the most underrated destinations in the country.

What to do: The kids will love the hands-on American history lessons offered at Mount Rushmore. (Stay for the evening flag ceremony during the summer.) There’s also buffalo to be seen, ghost towns to be explored and the world’s largest collection of reptiles .

Where to stay: Stay at the KOA camping resorts in Rapid City , Mount Rushmore or Badlands/White River . Or, find modern rooms at the Hampton Inn Deadwood at Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort .

More info: TravelSouthDakota.com

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Best for ages: 6-12

Why go? North Dakota just may be the most underrated and understated state!

What to do: Sleep under the stars in the national park named for Theodore Roosevelt , who once lived here. These dramatic badlands are home to the Painted Canyon; see who can spot the most bison or elk. Prairie dog barking is audible and just outside of the park is Medora , a town where horses are still a form of transportation.

Where to stay: Lodging is pretty limited, but it’s got character! The Rough Riders Hotel in Medora has a pool and a two-story rock fireplace. Badlands Hotel , also in Medora, is further from downtown but the rooms are slightly bigger and it’s only two blocks from Medora Children’s Park.

More info: NDTourism.com

Yellowstone National Park

Why go? It’s America’s very first national park and has the highest concentration of geysers in the world!

What to do: See Old Faithful , which shoots steam sky-high every 90 minutes, and then move on to the other geysers, stinky mud pots and multicolored hot springs within walking distance. Bison, elk, bears, wolves and Bighorn sheep all hang out here. In winter (when it’s easiest to spot wildlife), take the kids on their first snowcoach tour . In summer, fly high at Yellowstone Aerial Adventures .

Where to stay: The Summit at Big Sky puts you just outside the park. A more rustic option is Chico Hot Springs .

More info : NPS.gov/yell

Yosemite National Park

Why go? This national park is a scenic superstar: Think thundering waterfalls in spring and early summer and seriously steep granite cliffs.

What to do: Get your bearings on the free park shuttle around Yosemite Valley — home to famous sights like the Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls; hopping on and off as you please. Set aside a half day to hike the Mist Trail alongside majestic Vernal Falls, climbing 600 granite steps to the top. (Pack a waterproof poncho!) Raft the rivers around the area with Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions .

Where to stay: The charming mountain town of Mammoth Lakes makes a great home base, or check out the highly-rated Juniper Springs Resort or The Village Lodge . Both properties have a pool!

More info: TravelYosemite.com

Major cities

" Denver is definitely for the adventure-friendly family. There’s so much to see and explore in this city, and the food is A plus. Denver Biscuit Co. is my go-to spot when I visit for juicy biscuits smothered in gravy. Also, you can make it a half day of outdoor activities and take a drive through Guanella Pass — one of the most scenic byways in United States." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-16

Why go? The Mile High City has tons of experiences for the 48-inches-and-under crowd.

What to do: One of Denver’s top attraction is the Denver Zoo . It’s more than 100 years old! At the Children’s Museum of Denver , younger kids can experiment in a test kitchen, cool off in an outdoor splash zone and dance in a room of bubbles. Older kids will appreciate the exhibits and the Phipps IMAX 3D Theater at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science . When they get tired, ride in the free open-air Denver Trolley.

Where to stay: The Limelight Hotel is in the heart of downtown (and a stone’s throw from Union Station). The Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center is just one block from the 16th Street pedestrian mall and has an indoor pool.

More info: Denver.org

Millennium Park, Chicago

Why go? It's an amazing green gathering place.

What to do: Strike a pose in the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture (affectionately known as The Bean). Splash around in the animated Crown Fountain, which literally makes faces at you. Join one of the free activities (family yoga, anyone?) on the big lawn or rent bikes from Bike and Roll Chicago or Divvy Bikes Millennium Park to ride to nearby Navy Pier .

Where to stay: Both the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel and the Swissotel Chicago on the Riverwalk are within three blocks of Millennium Park.

More info: ChooseChicago.com

New Orleans’ French Quarter

Best for ages: 3-17

Why go? The Mardi Gras spirit lasts all year long in this family-friendly city.

What to do: There’s lots of free PG-rated fun in Jackson Square , where magicians, jugglers, mimes and jazz bands make the street their stage. Grab an outside table at Café du Monde , famous for its sugar-covered beignets . A stroll along the Mississippi River leads to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Butterfly Insectarium . Hop the St. Charles streetcar to the lovely Garden District and the Audubon Zoo where kids can feed giraffes.

Where to stay: The Homewood Suites by Hilton in the heart of the French Quarter has free buffet breakfast. The pet-friendly Quarter House rents suites with fully equipped kitchens.

More info: NewOrleansOnline.com

Tenerife, Spain

Why go? This Canary Island is home to Europe’s No. 1 water park, its most visited national park and world-class beaches featuring sand imported from the Sahara!

What to do: Head to Siam Park , voted the best water park in Europe. Ride the water slide that travels through a shark tank or relax at the world’s biggest wave pool. Drive a rental car across the island to paddle board, kayak and snorkel with Teno Activo at Los Gigantes . Also check out Loro Parque and visit the volcano in Teide National Park .

Where to stay: In between Siam Park and the beach, Iberostar Selection Anthelia has a free breakfast buffet and a kids club. Or, rent a poolside apartment from Apartamentos Casablanca .

More info: WebTenerife.com

Historical outings

Buckingham palace.

Why go? When you tell kids a real king lives here, their ears will perk up!

What to do? Start monitoring flights months in advance and consider European airlines. (Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air often has round-trip, nonstop London flights from several major U.S. cities for less than $500.) On your first full morning in London, check out the Changing of the Guard where the soldiers march out in their trademark red coats and fuzzy black hats. It starts at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. on Sundays) but get there at least a half-hour early so the little ones can see. If the royal flag is flying, the King is in residence. St. James Park is a stone’s throw away and has a lovely playground.

Where to stay: Located opposite the Royal Mews, The Rubens at The Palace could be to London what the Plaza Hotel was for Eloise. The Resident Victoria is just steps from Buckingham Palace.

More info: Royal.uk

"If you’re a baseball family, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown is a can’t miss destination. The Hall of Fame is interactive, informative, and perfect for the young all-star in your family to dream big about making their mark in the MLB. As the little sister in the family I got dragged to too many baseball games to count, but this museum remains one of my favorite family trips to date." — Kate McCarthy , the senior social media editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-17

Why go? It’s home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum .

What to do: Practice those swings at Barnyard Swing Miniature Golf . Climb aboard the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad or cruise Otsego Lake on the Glimmerglass Queen .

Where to stay: Stay on the water at Lake ‘N Pines Motel where guests have an outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a video arcade room. Downtown, The Railroad Inn has lofts that comfortably sleep families of six.

More info: ThisIsCooperstown.com

The National Mall

Why go? If there’s ever a place to instill a sense of American pride in your young one, it’s here.

What to do: In spring during the famous Cherry Blossom festival, The National Mall is where most of the action and colors are. Hit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History , the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History . There are also several art museums — ideal for older kids — and the International Spy Museum .

Where to stay: With a No. 2 ranking on TripAdvisor, The River Inn near Foggy Bottom metro station is a great affordable option. Closer to the National Mall, you a comfortable room at Sofitel Washington, D.C.

More info: Washington.org

“As a Massachusetts native, Plimoth Plantation was a hot field trip destination during my school years, and for good reason. The outdoor recreation of a 17th-century village makes kids (and adults) feel like they’re stepping back into time. The best part is that there are actors who fully stay in character like it’s the year 1627, so while there are plenty of moments to learn about what life was like then, kids will also get a kick out of asking them questions about modern life and seeing the confusion on the actor’s faces.” — Kate McCarthy , the senior social media editor at Shop TODAY

Why go? It’s like stepping back in time to the 17th century, when the pilgrims arrived here from England.

What to do: Get a look at Plymouth Rock, where colonists first set foot on American soil. You won’t believe how tiny it is. Costumed actors recreate what it was like on the crossing and in the settlement. Learn about Native American cooking, crafts and culture at the Wampanoag Homesite. Visit the nearby Plimoth Grist Mill where you can see how they grind corn and even buy it to take home!

Where to stay: Pilgrim Sands on Long Beach has a waterfront view of Warren Cove. In colder months, consider the Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth , which has a great indoor pool.

More info: Plimoth.org

99 Places to Take Your Family in the United States

UPDATED FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Here are 99 must-see places around the United States to take your family on vacation. We cover everything from the action and adventure you'll find ballooning over the Arizona desert and trudging through the Alaskan tundra to historic spots like Puerto Rico's coastal fortress and California's Gold Rush Country.

So pack your bags, strap the kids into the car, and let's hit the road!

It's hard to explain the feeling you get in the old-growth forests of California 's Redwood National and State Parks. Everything seems big, misty, and primeval—flowering bushes cover the ground, 10-foot-tall ferns line the creeks, and the smells are rich and musty. You half expect to turn the corner and see a dinosaur.

Only 200 miles by road from often-overrun Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks still feel like untrammeled wilderness. High-altitude hiking and backpacking are what these parks are all about; some 700 miles of trails traverse this terrain of snowcapped Sierra Nevada peaks (including Mount Whitney , which at 14,494 ft. is the highest point in the lower 48 states), high-country lakes, and alpine meadows. For families, though, there's one main attraction: the largest groves of giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada.

More than 2,000 imposing natural stone arches punctuate this sandstone plateau, almost as if it were one gigantic pop-up book. These are natural formations, the result of cycles of freezing and thawing rain and snow that continually dissolve the "glue" that holds together the sand grains of the stone, chipping away at them bit by bit over time. And yet, knowing the scientific process doesn't detract from the marvel of it, a seemingly endless variety of shapes and delicate colors, as if some giant sculptor were deliberately trying to make each arch more fantastic than the one before.

Postcards just don't do justice to this classic American panorama—a majestic 277-mile-long canyon of the Colorado River. Gaze into the depths from the rim and you'll see striated bands of multicolored rock, a living history of geologic periods unfolding at your feet. Descend and you'll pass through no fewer than four distinct climate zones, as if you began your day in Mexico and ended it in Alaska.

Before you leave home, be sure to show the kids the scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind where Richard Dreyfuss starts sculpting Devils Tower out of mashed potatoes. The film's director, Steven Spielberg, sure picked the right landing pad for his alien spaceship to make contact with earthlings—there is definitely something otherworldly about this stark monolith rising out of the Wyoming pines and prairies.

A better name for the Petrified Forest might be the Petrified Pile of Logs, with its fossilized hunks of ancient trees scattered like kindling across the arid scrubby landscape. But these richly colored petrifactions are plenty impressive close up, and the other half of the park, the Painted Desert (pictured), more than lives up to its name, in glowing pastel beauty.

Pearl Harbor is a site that inspires reflection on war and peace and our place in the global community. You can still see the sunken deck of the 608-foot battleship USS Arizona, which went down in a swift 9 minutes, killing 1,177 of its men—more than half the total casualties that tragic day. Oil still oozes up from the engine room to stain the harbor's calm blue water. Inside the white rectangular memorial that spans the hull of the ship, the names of the dead are carved in stone. 

At Santa Monica State Beach , off the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California, it's ridiculously easy to fulfill visions of a classic beach escape involving soft sand, warm temps, and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. What's not to like?

Give your kids a rock-and-roll history lesson with a visit to Memphis , Tennessee. Stopping by  Graceland —the world's greatest Elvis shrine—is a no-brainer. But don't forget to cover the predominantly African American styles, including gospel, soul, and blues, that flowered in this Mississippi River town, too. Start on Beale Street , where in the early 20th century W. C. Handy pioneered the sound that would change music forever. 

You'll find a vast array of species at this San Diego institution, including such rarities as the Buerger's tree kangaroos of New Guinea, long-billed kiwis from New Zealand, Przewalski's horses from Mongolia, lowland gorillas from Africa, and giant tortoises from the Galapagos. All creatures dwell in naturalistic surroundings. 

This smartly packaged attraction dedicated to all things espionage is entertaining as well as educational. There's a little science here, a little history there, and lots of geography.

This speck of paradise in the U.S. Virgin Islands is a great place to introduce kids to the underwater marvels you can see while snorkeling. The rest of your crew can lounge on the white sands at idyllic spots such as  Cinnamon Bay or Trunk Bay (pictured).

Leave the car behind and do Nantucket by bike. The pedaling is easy, and the island's small scale makes you feel you're really getting somewhere, especially when you hit the bluffs and get that Atlantic panorama. Picnic benches and water fountains are conveniently provided at strategic points along all the paths, which you'll appreciate if you're towing young ones in a bike trailer.

Save Williamsburg until your kids are old enough to make sense of the place's history. The capital of Virginia during much of the Colonial period and an important location in the American Revolution, Williamsburg today draws visitors with its living-history museum where carefully preserved buildings are enlivened by the presence of costumed reenactors bringing the past to life.

In addition to using images, videos, and artifacts to document the roots of rock music and celebrate legends such as Chuck Berry, the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix, this high-profile shrine gives visitors a chance to make their own noise. Take a guitar lesson, jam in a makeshift garage, scream your head off while surrounded by footage of classic concerts, and otherwise rock on. 

Puerto Rico's two smaller islands, Vieques and Culebra, have some of the most beautiful real estate in the Caribbean. It's hard to pick a favorite, but we'll go with Vieques for its quiet beaches, nature preserves inhabited by wild horses, and magical bioluminescent bay.  

Biscayne National Park is one of the least-crowded sites managed by the National Park Service, probably because the main attractions are kind of difficult to reach. It's not a question of being remote—the park is within day-trip distance of Miami —but more about being hidden from view. Aboveground, you'll see only a strip of mangrove shoreline and 44 barrier islands, most of them just dots off of South Florida's east coast. But beneath the surface lies the world's third-longest coral reef, an aquatic universe pulsing with multicolored life.

Every first-time visitor to Yellowstone National Park wants to see Old Faithful , the world-famous geyser that erupts about every 90 minutes. But that sight only scratches the surface of Yellowstone, an expanse of wilderness covering not just geothermal features but also canyons, forests, rivers, and habitats for bison, bears, wolves, and more. 

For many years of the 19th century, whale oil was an important commodity (not to mention whalebone for ladies' corsets), and towns all along the New England coast prospered from the whaling industry. That's the sliver of history preserved at this open-air village museum in Mystic , Connecticut. From the Seaport's re-created waterfront, gaze out across the wide estuary of the Mystic River and feel the lure of the open sea.

Truth can be stranger than fiction, and no theme-park attraction could be any stranger than this actual house in San Jose , an hour's drive south of San Francisco. Walking through this quirky mansion, set in acres of meticulous gardens, you'll be astonished at its weird mix of luxury, good taste, and kooky touches such as a second-story "Door to Nowhere."

The name Kitty Hawk is forever associated with Orville and Wilbur Wright. According to textbooks, that's where the brotherly duo from Dayton, Ohio, achieved the world's first sustained, controlled, heavier-than-air powered flight. (You need all those adjectives to distinguish the Wrights' flight from a mere glider or hot air balloon ride.) But actually the Wrights didn't take off from the town of Kitty Hawk, but from a nearby 90-foot-high dune in what is now called Kill Devil Hills , where the Wright Brothers National Memorial stands today.

Hot air ballooning is extremely popular in the Southwest—Albuquerque's annual balloon festival every October is the country's largest—and there are plenty of operators vying for your business. Beautiful as all these desert landscapes are, the one that's most thrilling to soar over is the red-rock country around Sedona , Arizona, with its wind-sculpted buttes and outcroppings thrusting up from the desert scrub, the rock glowing as if on fire.

After decades, the active lava flow at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park  on the Big Island may have stopped oozing, which means less dramatic pics on your social media accounts. But, on the bright side, visitors can now hike trails that give up-close views of the altered landscape and reach areas that were formerly closed off. 

Everybody knows that  Plymouth  is where a band of English pilgrims set up a settlement after arriving on the Mayflower  in December 1620. What you won't know until you visit Plymouth for yourself is how small everything was, from the perilously tiny Mayflower to the landing point at Plymouth Rock. For a taste of life in these parts during the 1620s, wander the re-created Plimoth Plantation , stopping for historical demonstrations and to step into homes constructed with close attention to period detail.

You've almost certainly seen photos of Niagara Falls , that stupendous curve of cascading water that lies between the United States and Canada. It's one of those places, however, that postcards can never quite capture. To stand on a viewing platform and see the size, to hear the thunder of falling water, to feel the mist spritzing your face and the earth shaking under your feet, is another thing altogether.

"I always invented to obtain money to go on inventing," Thomas Edison once said. The romantic notion of a genius tinkering alone at night over a breakthrough invention? That wasn't Edison. Yes, he was a gifted chemist and visionary, but he was also a shrewd businessman who amassed a fortune. Touring the Edison Laboratory Complex provides a fascinating look at one of the most efficient research-and-development operations in history.

The oldest public park in the United States, leafy Boston Common slopes confidently down from the prim mansions of Beacon Hill to the skyscrapers of downtown, overlooked by the gold dome of the State House . In colonial days, the common was at various times a public cow pasture, gallows site, and British army encampment; today you'll find picnickers, Frisbee and softball games, kite flyers, and busking musicians. The Frog Pond   (pictured) makes a pleasant spot to splash around in the summer and skate in the winter.

Having won the World Series several times in the 21st century, the Boston Red Sox may have lost their status as one of baseball's most beloved underdogs, but you won't hear any members of Red Sox Nation complaining. Sure, the Yankees, their perennial American League East rivals down in New York City, have a higher payroll and more world titles. None of that matters to dedicated Red Sox supporters, and their numbers are legion. Sit among them in the stands of this historic ballpark and you'll definitely remember that the word "fan" comes from "fanatic."

The snowcapped summit of Mauna Kea —the world's tallest mountain if measured from its base on the ocean floor—is the best place on earth for astronomical observation. It's not just the height, it's also the peak's location near the equator, where clear, pollution-free skies give way to pitch-black nights undisturbed by urban light. That's why Mauna Kea is home to a number of world-class telescopes. But even with the naked eye, the stargazing from here is fantastic.

Although this part of Los Angeles may not feel as glamorous as you were probably expecting, there are still silver screen–related attractions. Those include the literally star-studded Walk of Fame and  TCL Chinese Theatre , where numerous film icons have set their signatures and hand- and footprints in cement out front. 

Nashville is synonymous with music, specifically the brand of country played on the Grand Ole Opry radio show, broadcast from the city since 1927. To perform on the Grand Ole Opry is to officially make it in country music, and thus Nashville is a town buzzing with music-biz execs, state-of-the-art studios, and happening clubs, with a surprising amount of jazz and rock going down as well. Nashville is easy to love. Even if you're not a country devotee, it only takes a couple hours to get hooked on the city's twangy energy.

The icon to end all icons, New York City 's awe-inspiring Statue of Liberty is recognizable around the world as the symbol of American freedom. What's more, this is the city's greatest two-for-one deal: The same ferryboat takes you to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration , where the kids can learn some of the stories of the millions who came to the U.S. in search of opportunity. 

As thrilling a sight as this beautiful brown-hued East River bridge is from afar, with its Gothic-style towers and lacy mesh of cables, the view from the bridge is even more thrilling. A pedestrian walkway goes all the way across. One mile long, it should take half an hour to traverse—except you'll be tempted to stop more than once to ooh and ahh at the vision of Manhattan's skyscrapers thrusting upward, with the great harbor and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge beyond.

The echoing, marble-clad Great Hall tells you as you enter that this is a Serious Art Museum. But don't let that put you off—New York City's top tourist attraction can be a lot of fun for children, even toddlers. Make a beeline for the areas kids really love: Arms and Armor , Egyptian Art (don't miss the glorious mummies), Musical Instruments , the Costume Institute , and the European and American furniture rooms. 

Youngsters are bound to be bowled over by this mighty bridge spanning the Pacific Ocean where it meets San Francisco Bay. In all lights, the bridge has a magical quality—brightening at dawn, glowing at sunset, glittering at night, or blazing proudly through the city's trademark fog. Bicycle across in the morning and have lunch in Sausalito on the other side. 

El Morro commands the rocky point at the entrance to San Juan Bay in Old San Juan , the Caribbean's biggest historic district. A sweep of smooth green lawn—perfect for kite flying—sets the staunch old fort apart from the historic town it was built to protect. Beyond the ramparts lies one of the most dramatic views in the Caribbean.

Your children have heard about saving the rainforest for years—isn't it about time they set foot in one? Give up a day at the beach in San Juan to drive west to the El Yunque National Forest . Hike through the lush forest to reach waterfalls and natural swimming pools.

Spaceflight has lost so much of its novelty that it can be hard for youngsters to comprehend how exciting it once was to watch a mighty booster rocket blast off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Recapture the magic by heading to the Space Coast and looking at NASA uniforms, spacecraft, and other artifacts. 

When you think about it, the Everglades ecosystem is bizarre: a drawling grassy river that's rarely more than knee-deep but spreads some 40 miles wide, harboring an exotic population of alligators, manatees, hawksbill turtles, water moccasins, coral snakes, panthers, armadillos, muskrats, opossums, river otters, herons, egrets, the roseate spoonbill, and the big black anhinga bird. There's nothing like the Everglades anywhere else—all the more reason to preserve the area from ever-encroaching real estate development. 

Rarely do state highway numbers have historical significance, but California State Highway 49 does. Winding through the hills east of Sacramento, Hwy. 49 is the main road through a string of Wild West towns (such as Columbia, pictured) that sprang up overnight in the California Gold Rush of 1849. As if frozen in time, Main Streets here still have raised wooden sidewalks, buildings with double porches, saloons, and Victorian storefronts. Touring the Gold Country, the kids will feel like they've been transplanted to a movie western (hundreds of which have been shot here) or to a time when the promise of an easy fortune lured thousands of adventurers to risk their all in a raw new territory.

This world-class aquarium is huge, with more than 350,000 marine animals and plants on display. The million-gallon Open Sea exhibit contains yellowfin tuna, large green sea turtles, barracuda, sharks, giant ocean sunfish, and schools of bonito. Another stunner: the three-story Kelp Forest with its stunning view of leopard sharks.

This little train has been puffing along the Animas River since 1882, traveling its 45-mile route from Durango through the mountains and San Juan National Forest to the town of Silverton and back. When it was first built, Silverton was, as its name suggests, a silver-mining town, and the train's business was to bring precious ore back down to the railroad hub of Durango. 

When most of us think of the American West, this is what clicks into our mental View-Masters: a vast, flat sagebrush plain with huge sandstone spires thrusting to the sky like the fingers of ancient Mother Earth clutching for the heavens. Ever since movie director John Ford first started shooting westerns here in the 1930s, this landscape has felt familiar to millions who have never set foot here. We've all seen it on the big screen, but oh, what a difference to see it in real life.

Native Americans always knew there was a giant cave system snaking around under the porous limestone reef of the Guadalupe Mountains. But white settlers only stumbled upon the caves in the 1890s. Some 100 chambers lie within today's park, an underground world of pale limestone, where every fantastic shape imaginable has been sculpted by natural forces. Visitors can spot frozen waterfalls, strands of pearls, miniature castles, and draperies of stone. 

For nearly 5,000 years, people have made their homes in this spectacular pair of narrow sandstone canyons in remote northeastern Arizona . The Navajo people are the most recent guardians of the land; the Ancestral Puebloans left their mark too, in the giant rock amphitheaters where they created caves, dwelling rooms, and ceremonial kivas. To explore the canyons is to see centuries unfold.

Mount Rushmore was the passion of Gutzon Borglum, a Danish-American sculptor who was hired by South Dakota to make a memorial to draw visitors to the Black Hills . Borglum chose this peak because it was hard granite, reached the tallest elevation in the area, and faced southeast and would therefore catch good daytime light. He also picked which presidents to portray. Teddy Roosevelt made the cut because he'd lived in South Dakota and was a conservationist (and because Borglum had already done a bust of T.R. for the U.S. Capitol).

The story begins with a volcanic explosion so fearsome—scientists estimate it was 42 times as powerful as the Mount St. Helens eruption of 1980—that a phenomenally deep crater was left behind. In time, that hole filled with water to become America's deepest lake. But this version of events doesn't prepare you for the sight of Crater Lake 's intense sapphire blue and the forested cliffs encircling (and reflected in) the spring-fed waters.

The opening salvos of the American Revolution were fired in the villages of Lexington and Concord , Massachusetts, on April 19, 1775. No need to memorize the date—you'll hear it everywhere when you visit Minute Man National Historical Park , which tells the story of the war's beginnings with a diorama, uniforms, and weapons amid some striking New England scenery. 

At 2,350 miles, the Mississippi River is the third-longest river in the world. But in American lore, there's more to this waterway than length. As it surges north to south down the middle of America, the Mississippi gives this continent a heartbeat that is essentially, uniquely ours. To ride its majestic brown waters is to feel connected to West and East and North and South all at once.

Cropping out of the Straits of Mackinac, which separate the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan at their closest point, this summer resort island is a Victorian period piece of white frame houses and trim gardens. Since Mackinac is car-free, you have three options for getting around the island: on foot, by horse-drawn carriage, or on a bike. Pedaling happily along the limestone cliffs overlooking the straits, you may wonder why the automobile was ever invented in the first place.

On that classic coast-to-coast drive across the USA, the scenery gets spread out once you hit the Great Plains—there's just so much distance between towns. That's the appeal of the Corn Palace, sitting right off South Dakota 's long east-west stretch of I-90. You have to get off the road somewhere, and when you do, it might as well be to snap photos of a mock-Moorish castle covered with murals made out of corn.

During the most famous battle of the Civil War, thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers clashed on this vast battleground for three sultry July days in 1863. As Abraham Lincoln said in the speech he delivered here, the land has been consecrated by blood—over 50,000 deaths—and an almost eerie atmosphere still hangs over the rolling countryside, now peppered with war monuments.

In Martin Luther King, Jr.'s hometown of Atlanta , the 10-block area around Auburn Avenue is one of the city's most-visited sites, encompassing the civil rights leader's boyhood home and the Baptist church where he, his father, and his grandfather were all ministers. While other civil rights sites may illuminate the issues of that tumultuous era better, this is the place where you'll really get a feeling for this complex, gifted man who dared to change history.

Many tourists don't realize that Boston has not one but two history walks  stringing together important sites in the city's past. In addition to the Revolutionary War–focused Freedom Trail , you can also take to the Black Heritage Trail, which celebrates Boston's antislavery movement. The latter path runs 1.6 miles through Beacon Hill , the center of the free black community in the years leading up to the Civil War. 

Pictured: Robert Gould Shaw  and the 54th Regiment Memorial

Hidden in a tangle of forest on the Big Island 's Kohala Coast , a shelf of pahoehoe lava rock the size of a football field overlooks the vast Pacific. Here, early Hawaiian artists carved a panoply of arresting figures, some 3,000 strong.

In the summer, families still flock to Coney Island for the beach, hot dogs, street performers, and carnival attractions, including the famous Cyclone roller coaster. Thrill rides may have advanced technologically since then, but this wooden classic, built in 1927, continues to draw crowds. 

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia pays homage to one of the city's native sons—and the quirkiest of the U.S. Founders. At the core of this museum is the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial , which has a 30-ton statue of its namesake and an evocative hands-on gallery on Franklin's inventions and the scientists he inspired. While the place looks all stately and neoclassical on the outside, it wouldn't reflect the spirit of Franklin if it didn't have a fascinating clutter of exhibits that simply encourage kids to explore. 

Visiting San Antonio without going to the Alamo is like visiting London and not seeing Big Ben. Set smack in the heart of downtown San Antonio, the historic mission looks downright dinky amid skyscrapers and traffic. But the whole point of the Alamo is that it was such a tiny fort. The Texan volunteers never had a ghost of a chance of escaping the Mexican army's siege. And still they fought to the death.

Crossing the U.S.-Canada border is generally a routine experience, but not if you sail across on a high-speed catamaran from Seattle to Victoria , British Columbia. The trip takes only 3 hours—just enough time for the kids to roam around the boat, get a bite to eat, and stare out the windows at the gorgeous northwest coast.

The Air and Space Museum is pretty much the star player on the Smithsonian team, at least as far as kids are concerned. Among the historic aircraft dangling from the ceiling: the Wright brothers' 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the Enola Gay bomber that devastated Hiroshima, and the Friendship 7 capsule that took John Glenn into space.

Beautiful Daytona Beach runs for 23 miles along a skinny peninsula divided from the north Florida mainland by the Halifax River. In the early 1900s, when "horseless carriages" were still a novelty, automobile enthusiasts discovered that Daytona Beach's uniquely hard-packed white sand made the perfect drag strip. A century later, the town's speedway has every right to call itself the "World Center of Racing."

Every summer, boatloads of tourists crowd onto luxury cruise ships to be pampered on their way through Alaska. But that's not our idea of a rugged wilderness experience—not when you can still travel in comfort on the swift, well-outfitted ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway System, with the option of planning your own itinerary to suit your family's interests.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's lifelong home, Springwood, was a modest farmhouse when FDR's father built it. The president expanded the Hyde Park home in an eclectic Dutch colonial style, giving it an imposing redbrick porticoed facade. He entertained Winston Churchill, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, and many other dignitaries here.

Even the very youngest dinosaur lovers —and aren't preschoolers the biggest dinosaur fans there are?—can interpret the fossil record left in stone at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas . The huge footprints in the rocks are so unmistakable, it's easy to picture prehistoric theropods and sauropods stomping around here 110 million years ago.

Driving the part of the Lincoln trail that covers Abraham Lincoln's early years will allow your kids to discover the backwoods boy behind the great president. The first stop is Hodgenville , Kentucky, where a neoclassical memorial encloses a replica of the tiny log cabin where Lincoln was born. Other sites along the way: Mary Todd Lincoln's childhood home in Lexington and the Lincoln Legacy Museum in Springfield .

Legend has it that Kentucky bluegrass is the best for raising Thoroughbred racehorses. That must have something to do with why America's premier equestrian race, the Kentucky Derby, is held in Louisville , not far from the state's splendid horse farms.

Fort Worth sure does put the "cow" in "cowboy." When this town boomed in the 1890s, it was because the Southwest's biggest livestock market was located here. Millions of cattle—as well as horses, mules, hogs, and sheep—were shipped to Fort Worth along the Chisholm Trail. That's how the city got the nickname Cowtown. The Stockyards district is where Fort Worth's Old West heritage burns brightest. Brick walkways lead to historic buildings now used for restaurants, shops, and live entertainment. 

For the ultimate family bonding adventure, nothing quite equals a hike along the Appalachian Trail . But you don't have to trudge the whole 2,200 miles from Maine to Georgia. Take on a segment of the trail instead. We recommend the stretch that slices through New England's White Mountain National Forest . The nonprofit Appalachian Mountain Club  operates a network of huts where you can bed down along the way. 

The Eastern Shore region of Maryland and Virginia is a tranquil, wind-ruffled spot full of wildlife refuges and weather-beaten charm. You can drive right onto Virginia's Chincoteague Island , home to an old fishing village that was settled by the English in the late 1600s. From there, take another causeway to Assateague , which was settled by wild horses at about the same time.

At the other end of South Dakota's I-90 corridor from the Corn Palace (see above), Wall Drug is a one-of-a-kind phenomenon—a wayside stop that just kept growing and growing. It all began in the Depression, when nearby Mount Rushmore was still under scaffolding, years away from attracting travelers to this middle-of-nowhere burg. Desperate for business, Wall Drug's owners put up signs on the highway advertising free ice water to thirsty travelers. Motorists poured in. Restaurants, souvenir shops, and kid-friendly games were eventually added. The water is still free. 

Even kids who haven't read Louisa May Alcott's 1868 classic novel Little Women  will probably know the story from its many film and stage adaptations. The story of the book's author is even more powerful when you consider that she was one of the first American women to earn a living as a writer. You can feel her presence in every room of Orchard House , her childhood home. 

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown sets the gold standard for sports museums. Opened in 1939, the facility has been around long enough to amass an unparalleled collection of memorabilia. You don't have to be a statistic-spouting baseball fanatic to feel moved by this homage to America's pastime.

Numerous historic sites throughout Alabama pay tribute to the brave men and women who have fought for civil rights for African Americans. Among noteworthy stops for teaching your children about this world-changing struggle: the Edmund Pettus Bridge   (pictured)   where demonstrators were beaten during the Selma-to-Montgomery march of 1965; Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church —still standing despite a 1963 bombing; and, in the state capital, the Rosa Parks Museum  honoring the woman who initiated the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott.

It was once the biggest city north of Mexico, with somewhere around 20,000 residents—farmers, hunters, craftsmen, traders, priests—at its peak in A.D. 1100–1200. Archaeologists have named the people who lived here the Mississippians, but we don't know what they called themselves, because they left no writings behind. All that remains are these mysterious earthen mounds, situated just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Who were these people and what was their world like? The answers are hauntingly elusive.

From Notre Dame Stadium, you can see a 132-foot-high mosaic of Jesus on the side wall of the campus library. The mural was shrewdly placed so that Christ, with upraised hands, is centered right over the north goal post. Touchdown Jesus is a fitting sight at this Catholic university that's still one of the best places to experience the all-American ritual of a college football game in the fall. 

Subscribing to the bigger-is-better philosophy, this retail behemoth in suburban Minnesota could hold seven Yankee Stadiums or 258 Statues of Liberty. Walk one circuit around a level of stores and you've clocked nearly a mile. There are hundreds of shops stacked on brightly lit levels around a central glass atrium—not to mention movie screens, a food court, sit-down restaurants, a Nickelodeon-themed indoor amusement park, a mini golf course, and a whole lot more.

When you roll into this laid-back river town about 130 miles up the scenic Mississippi River from St. Louis, you may get a nagging feeling that you've been here before. Well, you have—if you've read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  Every scene in that book was based on affectionate memories of the town where a boy named Samuel Clemens grew up, long before he became Mark Twain. In addition to touring the boyhood home of the author and other buildings associated with the real-life models for Huckleberry Finn, Becky Thatcher, and other characters, you can visit an interactive museum displaying artifacts from Twain's life and classic scenes from his books. 

U.S. 93, which runs between Las Vegas and Kingman, Arizona, lays its ribbon of concrete right across one of the great engineering wonders of the world. Built between 1931 and 1936, this gigantic Depression-era project redrew the map of America. If it hadn't been for Hoover Dam , Arizona and California would never have had enough electricity and water to sustain their subsequent population booms. The dam also created the largest artificial lake in the United States—120-mile-long Lake Mead .

The self-proclaimed "roller coaster capital of the world" is a must for thrill seekers. Set along Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo, Cedar Point has been in operation since the 19th century. But there's nothing old-timey about the park's innovative, standard-setting, often record-breaking roller coasters. This is where to find the very latest in loop-de-loops.

The old French explorers who paddled across North America in the 1600s seeking fur-trapping riches probably would have used sea kayaks instead of canoes if they'd only known. A boat with a closed cockpit is exactly what you want in order to venture onto the cold, often rough waters of Lake Superior , the largest freshwater lake in the world. The cliffs, beaches, and historic lighthouses of the Apostle Islands make up the scenic backdrop for paddling excursions undertaken by modern-day adventurers. 

Chicago 's beloved Art Institute houses one of the country's most impressive collections of paintings, sculptures, and other works. The stone-faced farm couple of Grant Wood's American Gothic , the lonely diners of Edward Hopper's Nighthawks , and the pointillist park-goers of Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte draw the biggest crowds. Kids might have the most fun gazing at the Thorne rooms, a group of elaborately decorated dollhouse-size miniatures.

There's no question that the Chicago Cubs play in one of baseball's all-time classic venues— Wrigley Field . Though the park's surroundings have changed a lot in recent years, as long as there's ivy on the outfield walls Wrigley will feel like old-fashioned baseball all the way.

The word library in the name may make the kids wince. After all, who wants to stay cooped up with musty old books on vacation? Actually, even if you wanted to flip through the rare items in Henry E. Huntington's book collection you couldn't; they're just that rare. You can, however, look at—but not touch—a rotating selection of 150 or so priceless objects, including a Gutenberg Bible and a first edition of Audubon's Birds of America . Also worth gazing at is Huntington's top-notch art collection, which lives in a stately Italianate mansion on a 207-acre hilltop estate adorned with elaborate gardens.

An odorous swamp of gooey asphalt oozes to the earth's surface in the middle of Los Angeles . No, it's not a low-budget horror-movie set—it's the La Brea Tar Pits , a bizarre primal pool on Museum Row where hot tar has been seeping to the surface from a subterranean oil field for more than 40,000 years. In Hancock Park , you can walk right up to the slick black pool of oily water, inhaling its acrid scent and watching bubbles of methane gas bloop to the steamy surface.

Who could fail to dig this white stucco complex with its three bronze domes, slung into the south side of Mount Hollywood with a killer panorama of Los Angeles spread out below? In the daytime, the lawn of the observatory is a prime viewing location for the famous Hollywood sign. On warm nights, with the lights twinkling below, the Griffith Observatory 's wide terrace is one of the most romantic places in L.A. Be sure to head inside the observatory to do a little stargazing while you're up there.

How many children have fallen in love with dinosaurs in the echoing galleries of this world-class New York City museum? When you enter the magnificent rotunda at the top of the Central Park West steps, a rearing skeleton of a mommy dinosaur protecting her baby from a small, fierce predator clues you in that the dazzling interactive fourth-floor dinosaur halls are the perennial star attraction at this storied institution. 

New York City's 265-acre Bronx Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals, from Siberian tigers and snow lions to the beloved denizens of the Congo Gorilla Forest and the Butterfly Garden . As befits the flagship zoo of the Wildlife Conservation Society, exhibits here are extremely humane, in large environments—outdoors if possible—re-creating the species' native habitats.

It's no exaggeration to call Philadelphia 's central core the most historic square mile in America, the very place where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution of the United States hammered out. The look is tidy—steepled red-brick buildings with neat white porticos—yet what happened here was momentous. After visiting sites such as Independence Hall and national symbols like the Liberty Bell , head to the nearby Museum of the American Revolution to put everything, including the experiences of groups left out of the nation's founding, in context.

What do you do with the most notorious criminals in the federal prison system? In 1934, at the height of the gangster era, the government had a brainstorm: Wall them up in a converted military fort on an island in San Francisco Bay surrounded by frigid waters and treacherous currents. Thus was the Alcatraz Island federal penitentiary born, a maximum-security prison whose infamous inmates included Al Capone, "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert Stroud (the Birdman). Closed as a prison in 1963, the spooky fortress can be seen today with the aid of a fascinating audio tour narrated by former inmates. 

This sprawling museum dedicated to science, technology, and the arts fills every bit of floor space with inventive activity stations and displays that just cry out for youngsters to press, jiggle, squeeze, fiddle, poke, and manipulate to their heart's content. Visitors from toddlers to teens will be absorbed, and they might not even realize they're learning.

Among the stately white stone palaces lining the National Mall, this Smithsonian branch really stands out. A burnt sand–colored exterior of kasota limestone wraps around undulating walls, echoing the pueblos and hogans of the Southwest tribes. Inside, a huge rotunda lobby is filled with celestial references, from the equinoxes and solstices mapped on the floor to the sky visible in the oculus dome, 120 feet overhead. The size of the collection—hundreds of thousands of artifacts and images—and the breadth of traditions covered can be overwhelming, so the best way to see the museum is on a guided tour.  

Driving around Newport , you can't help but gawk at the turn-of-the-20th-century mansions—Italianate palazzi, Tudor-style manors, and faux French châteaus, all set in elegant formal landscaping behind imposing gates or walls to keep out the hoi polloi (i.e., you). It's incredible to imagine the sort of wealth that built these homes, and even more incredible to realize that these places were just summer houses. Their owners called them "cottages." Pictured above: The Breakers mansion

Dating back to 1907, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California's oldest amusement park. Its strip of rides—including the historic Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the Looff Carousel —stand amid carnival games, shops, and restaurants along  Santa Cruz 's lovely mile-long public beach. The whole scene harks back to an era of innocent seaside fun.

Tour the huge hilltop estate of William Randolph Hearst to get a feel for the publishing magnate's staggering ambition. Built from 1919 to 1947 by architect Julia Morgan, the palatial residence contains 400-year-old Spanish and Italian ceilings, 500-year-old mantels, 16th-century Florentine bedsteads, Renaissance paintings, Flemish tapestries, and innumerable other European treasures compulsively collected by Hearst. 

Alaska's Denali National Park is a pristine, 6-million-acre wilderness centered on the tallest mountain in North America. This remote and dramatic landscape encompassing tundra and evergreen forests makes an unforgettable setting for epic hikes, bike tours, and opportunities to see wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. 

Best known for its large Amish community, Lancaster County in southern Pennsylvania is a bucolic region of rolling hills, winding creeks, neatly cultivated farms, and covered bridges. Come here to sample the slowed-down simple life of horse-and-buggy rides, markets selling handcrafted quilts, and kid-friendly railroad attractions left over from the area's industrial past. 

Most folks visiting Yosemite National Park don't seem to realize there's more to the place than Yosemite Valley, where crowds of cars and RVs inch along the roads while their passengers stare at the 3,000-foot-high glacier-carved granite walls and the cascades that drop down them. Yes, you should see the awesome 7,549-foot-high sheer rock face called El Capitan , and you should pull off the road to take the easy half-mile trails to view Bridalveil Fall or Lower Yosemite Falls . But don't stop there—go up into the high country to explore the wilderness without the crowds.

Maine's Mount Desert Island is home to the spectacular Acadia National Park, a glacier-carved mound of rugged cliffs, restless ocean, and quiet woods. The island is surrounded by small bays and nearly knifed in half by the narrow, 7-mile-long Somes Sound . For a greatest-hits tour, take the 20-mile Park Loop Road   that starts near the Hulls Cove Visitor Center . The drive   follows the rocky coast past picturesque coves, looping back inland along Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake with a detour to Cadillac Mountain .

Pictured above: Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Talk about Rocky Mountain high—most of Rocky Mountain National Park is at an altitude of at least 8,000 feet. In the thin air, you'll see ponderosa pines, gnarled alpine tundra, heathery slopes, bare granite, dizzying views, and herds of elk. The Continental Divide cuts through the middle of this compact park; you can drive over it on Trail Ridge Road , a 48-mile stretch of mountaintop views.

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• Best Family Vacations

The 50 Best Family Vacations in America

Jan 10, 2021

See recent posts by Amanda Norcross

If you’re feeling stir-crazy, let this list of the best vacations in each state be your inspiration. And, some of them may be in your back yard! These are the 50 best family vacations in America. Keep in mind that COVID-19 restrictions vary by state, and be sure to follow all quarantine rules and travel restrictions when crossing state lines. Note that some amenities/attractions mentioned here may be closed or have limited hours due to the pandemic, so always confirm operating hours before visiting.

1. Gulf Shores, Alabama

Beautiful beaches and vacation rentals galore— that’s what makes Gulf Shores an ideal vacation destination for families. If you can peel the kids from the sand, make a trip to historic Fort Morgan, and when everyone gets hungry, head to LuLu’s. There’s a guaranteed wait at the restaurant, but that’s half the fun considering this local institution offers a giant sandbox and even ziplining!

Recommended Hotel: The Beach Club

2. Denali National Park, Alaska

If Denali National Park isn’t on your family’s travel bucket list, add it now. You can cruise to the famous park— Disney, Carnival and other major cruise lines make the trek —or try a scenic train ride from Anchorage or Fairbanks. Be sure to visit the Husky Homestead to learn about Alaskan dog sledding, and even hold the resident pups!

Recommended Hotel: Denali Bluffs Hotel

3. Sedona, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is worthy of a visit—don’t get us wrong—but Sedona is equally beautiful and far less crowded. Take the kids on a Pink Jeep Tour of the Red Rocks , and be sure to look for Snoopy Rock, a rock that closely resembles Snoopy lying on his back! Afterward, head to Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill for dinner with a view, or catch the sunset at Sedona Airport Overlook.

Recommended Hotel: Sky Rock Inn of Sedona

4. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

While you can’t actually soak in the famous springs that drew people to this area in the 1700’s, you can certainly touch them. Beware they reach temps of 142 degrees Fahrenheit, though! Other activities in Hot Springs National Park include hiking, biking and picnicking.

Recommended Hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs

5. La Jolla, California

La Jolla , just outside of San Diego , is the California you’ve dreamed of visiting with your children—beautiful beaches, swaying palm trees and a pack of sea lions creates the perfect backdrop for your family vacation. The area has ties to a certain author named Dr. Seuss , too. The late writer’s Truffala tree in The Lorax was inspired by the trees in La Jolla, in fact! Bonus: La Jolla is close to Coronado and Carlsbad .

Recommended Hotel: La Valencia Hotel

6. Colorado Springs, Colorado

You don’t have to be a family of skiers to enjoy Colorado , especially in Colorado Springs . Located 1.5 hours from Denver , this area offers outdoor adventures galore, wildlife sightings and even a castle (Glen Eyrie). Not to be missed is a drive through Garden of the Gods Park, and a ride on Pikes Peak Cog Railway, located in nearby Manitou Springs. It is the highest cog railway in the world! Note: Pikes Peak Cog Railway is closed until 2021. 

Recommended Hotel: Cheyenne Mountain Resort

7. Mystic, Connecticut

Visit Mystic Seaport to see what a 19th century shipbuilding village would have looked like, complete with a ship provisioner and pub. Every building has been restored to look like it did hundreds of years ago. Boat rides out of the seaport are available, too. Of course, no visit to Mystic is complete without a slice at Mystic Pizza, which inspired the movie with the same name starring Julia Roberts.

Recommended Hotel: Taber Inne & Suites

8. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 

Rehoboth Beach is the quintessential beach vacation for families, with a beautiful stretch of sand and surf, and a boardwalk with old-school amusements and delicious eats at family-owned Funland.

Recommended Hotel: The Bellmoor Inn & Spa

9. Key West, Florida

You can’t get any closer to the Caribbean than this. In fact, Key West is where the Southernmost Point in the U.S. is located. Stop by the landmark for a family photo, then stroll the historic streets lined with pastel-colored homes. Be sure to spend an evening at Mallory Square, and don’t miss Blue Heaven for breakfast (or the area’s famous key lime pie).

Recommended Hotel: Southernmost on the Beach

10. St. Simons Island, Georgia

The unspoiled beaches of St. Simons Island beg families to dig their toes in the sand—and do little else. But if you want to explore, rent bikes, go fishing, visit St. Simons Lighthouse or head to nearby Savannah .

Recommended Hotel: King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort

11. Oahu, Hawaii 

It’s hard to pick just one destination in Hawaii —but with world-class beaches like Waikiki Beach and the history of Pearl Harbor, it’s hard not to visit this storied island. Other highlights include tours and Dole Whips at the Dole Plantation, and eco and movie tours at Kualoa Ranch, where Jurassic Park was filmed. Of course, no visit to Oahu is complete without a visit to the North Shore, a surfer’s paradise.

Recommended Hotel: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

12. Silverwood, Idaho

Silverwood is home to the largest amusement park in the Pacific Northwest, with rides for all ages. It’s also close to Couer d’Alene , another town worth exploring.

Recommended Hotel: La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Sandpoint

13. Chicago, Illinois 

Chicago has it all, from beautiful views at Skydeck Chicago (Willis Tower) to delicious eats in Greektown. Of course, you can’t miss “The Bean” and Navy Pier. Chicago also has a beach along Lake Michigan!

Recommended Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

14. Santa Claus, Indiana

Yes, that’s the name of the town! Santa Claus, Indiana, is home to one of the most lovable amusement parks in the South: Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, a family-owned amusement park that’s especially fun for young kids. Other themed attractions in town include the Santa Claus Museum and Village.

Recommended Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Jasper

15. Lake Okoboji, Iowa 

Lake Okoboji, Iowa , is a popular summertime retreat for families in the Midwest, with beaches, lake swimming, water sports, and nearby Arnolds Park Amusement Park (a small, family-owned amusement park on the water) among the offerings. Don’t miss The Barefoot Bar at Okoboji, where you can sit outside and enjoy casual eats and music while the kids play on an inflatable slide in the water.

Recommended Hotel: Bridges Bay Resort

16. Overland Park, Kansas

The second largest city in Kansas, Overland Park is a mecca for all things outdoor adventure. Among the highlights are the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead and Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

Recommended Hotel: Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center

17. Louisville, Kentucky

Home of the Kentucky Derby, families will enjoy a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville —whether they’re attending the annual event or not. Have baseball fans in the fam? Be sure to check out the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, too! It’s home to the “Big Bat,” the largest baseball bat in the world (and an exact replica of Babe Ruth’s 34-inch Louisville Slugger ).

Recommended Hotel: Hyatt Regency Louisville

18. New Orleans, Louisiana

Think New Orleans isn’t kid-friendly? Think again! Family-friendly highlights include the Louisiana Children’s Museum, Carousel Gardens (a mini-amusement park), Story Land and even a kid-friendly tour of the French Quarter (French QuarTour Kids). No trip is complete without beignets and a face full of powder at Cafe du Monde, and a dinner cruise aboard the Steamboat Nachez.

Recommended Hotel: The Roosevelt New Orleans

19. Acadia National Park, Maine

Two words: Cadillac Mountain. Drive your way to the top of Acadia National Park for breathtaking views your family won’t soon forget. On your way back down, stop at Pink Sand Beach before heading into downtown Bar Harbor for dinner and a stroll for ice cream.

Recommended Hotel: Bar Harbor Grand Hotel

20. Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland, is a fantastic family vacation destination. Find a hotel on the beach or rent a house for your extended family to share. Be sure to check out Jolly Roger Amusement Park on the Ocean City Boardwalk (one of the best in the U.S.) , and plan a day trip to nearby Assateague Island National Seashore to see the wild horses roam.

Recommended Hotel: Francis Scott Key Resort

21. Cape Cod, Massachusetts 

There’s nothing like a summer on Cape Cod , with its lovely beaches, delicious seafood restaurants and charming villages. While there, take a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and/or Nantucket .

Recommended Hotel: Sea Crest Beach Hotel

22. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Climb the towering dunes, relax on the beach and explore the the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore . You can camp at the park, or stay in nearby Traverse City , the “Cherry Capital of the World” and another place worth exploring with kids.

Recommended Hotel: Harbor Lights Resort and Marina

23. Bloomington, Minnesota 

Bloomington, Minnesota, is home to the Mall of America, which houses Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor amusement park! MOA also has a SEA LIFE Aquarium, Crayola Experience and simulated FlyOver America ride.

Recommended Hotel: Radisson Bloomington by Mall of America

24. Biloxi, Mississippi

In Biloxi , relax on the beach and climb the area’s namesake lighthouse. Try a Biloxi Shrimping Trip, too—an interactive experience in which the whole family will learn how to shrimp like pros! There’s also a fun Mardi Gras museum in town.

Recommended Hotel: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Biloxi

25. Branson, Missouri 

Branson, Missouri , is as family-friendly as family-friendly gets. Enjoy classic family fun in the great outdoors, from hiking and biking in Table Rock State Park to kayaking on Lake Taneycomo. Plan to spend some time at Silver Dollar City, too, with offers rides, attractions, shows, and food for families of all ages and interests. It’s especially festive at Christmastime!

Recommended Hotel: Big Cedar Lodge

26. Glacier National Park, Montana 

Hop on a red Jammer (the most authentic way to get around Glacier National Park ) to experience the park’s most iconic route: Going-to-the-Sun-Road. The narrow, winding road offers lookout points with stunning vistas, and actually crosses the Continental Divide (at Logan Pass)! Other highlights inside the park include playing on the beach at Lake McDonald and hiking at Hidden Lake. Outside of the park, you’ll enjoy the town of Whitefish, where there’s great restaurants, breweries, distilleries, shops, hotels and a ski resort, Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Recommended Hotel: Kandahar Lodge 

27. Omaha, Nebraska 

The Henry Doorly Zoo, alone, makes Omaha a must-visit city for families. Other attractions include the Omaha Children’s Museum and Fun-Plex, a small amusement park—both of which are geared toward tiny tykes.

Recommended Hotel: Residence Inn Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area

28. Las Vegas, Nevada

There’s plenty for families in  Las Vegas , from kid-friendly shows to family-friendly hotels . There’s also a wealth of free activities, including the famous Bellagio Fountains water and light shows . Of course, a day trip to the Grand Canyon is a must, and for Instagram-worthy photos, check out Seven Magic Mountains.

Recommended Hotel: Venetian Resort Hotel Casino

29. North Conway, New Hampshire 

Take the kids to Story Land amusement park, go kayaking on the Saco River, and whatever you do, don’t miss a ride aboard the Mountain Washington Cog Railway for views of the famous Mount Washington Valley. Bonus: There are some pretty cool hotels in North Conway , too, including Adventure Suites , which features themed guestrooms .

Recommended Hotel: Red Jacket Mountain View Resort

30. Long Beach Island, New Jersey

The Jersey Shore offers a wealth of family-friendly beaches , each with their own distinct character. But when it comes to families, Long Beach Island  (LBI) reigns supreme with families. The beach is clean, calm and hardly ever feels crowded, and a small amusement park (Fantasy Island) and water park (Thundering Surf Waterpark) are at the ready come summertime.

Recommended Hotel: Hotel LBI

31. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe offers a diverse array of offerings that particularly appeal to budding artists, including Meow Wolf, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. You can also ski at nearby Taos Ski Valley, or visit White Sand Dunes National Park, designated a national park in 2019.

Recommended Hotel: Residence Inn Santa Fe

32. Rochester, New York

It’s tough to choose a favorite destination in New York, where iconic destinations include the Catskills , Cooperstown ,  Lake Placid  and of course, New York City . But we especially love Rochester for families. Located in the Finger Lakes, Rochester is home to the award-winning Strong Museum of Play (known to have the world’s largest collection of toys!). It’s also home to a very important part of women’s history: the National Susan. B Anthony Museum and House, as well as the Mount Hope Cemetery, where the late activist was laid to rest. If you like skiing, check out Bristol Mountain. Fun Fact: New York has more ski resorts than any other U.S. state!

Recommended Hotel: Woodcliff Hotel and Spa 

33. Outer Banks, North Carolina

For families, nothing beats a vacation in the  Outer Banks , where you’ll find some of the best beaches in North Carolina . Here, it’s all about relaxing—whether you spend the day at your vacation rental pool, relax on the beach, or both. Other highlights include Jockey Ridge State Park (bring a kite !), Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, H2OBX water park, and Duck Donuts.

Recommended Hotel: Sanderling Resort 

34. Fargo, North Dakota

The largest city in North Dakota, Fargo offers everything from museums to outdoor excursions, plus a downtown area (it’s a college town, after all), with shopping and dining. It’s great for a weekend escape with the kids.

Recommended Hotel: BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelly Inn & Suites

35. Sandusky, Ohio

Cedar Point—otherwise known as “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World”—is located in Sandusky, Ohio . So are a wealth of water parks, including Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari. It’s a must for any family, plain and simple. If you have time, cross over to the Lake Erie Islands for more adventures.

Recommended Hotel: Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky

36. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Catch a game at ONEOK Field, go ballistic at—Go Ballistic (an activity center)—and even visit the “Center of the Universe” in Tulsa . Tulsa—the second largest city in Oklahoma—also features a wealth of outdoor parks and venues, including the epic Gathering Place. Opened in 2018, the free-admission Gathering Place spans more than 100 acres and features a five-acre playground, water play areas, green spaces, trails and more.

Recommended Hotel: DoubleTree at Warren Place

37. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Rent a car or bring your own to take in the scenery of the Columbia River Gorge outside of Portland, Oregon . Make the trek to Mount Hood, stop at Multnomah Falls, and/or follow the “Fruit Loop,” a trail that will take you to the area’s fruit farms and vineyards. In the summer, windsurfing is fun to watch (or try!) in Hood River.

Recommended Hotel: BEST WESTERN PLUS Hood River Inn

38. Hershey, Pennsylvania

The “Sweetest Place on Earth” calls for a family trip to experience Hersheypark, The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and more. The other bonus of visiting Hershey ? You’re close to Lancaster and Gettysburg for more adventures.

Recommended Hotel: Hershey Lodge

39. Newport, Rhode Island 

Newport, Rhode Island, is perfect for a weekend getaway with kids, especially in the fall. Stroll the historic downtown area, take a ghost tour and attend one of the town’s many festivals, including the annual Newport Seafood Fest in October.

Recommended Hotel: Newport Beach Hotel & Suites

40. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Another classic beach destination, Myrtle Beach has a fantastic boardwalk with rides and amusements that include a giant Ferris wheel. The area offers a wealth of affordable hotels with pools and full-on water parks, too.

Recommended Hotel: Dunes Village Resort

41. Black Hills, South Dakota

Visit the Badlands and Black Hills  of South Dakota to see wildlife up close; a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour through Custer State Park is a must! Also be sure to check out the town of Deadwood for an authentic Wild West experience .

Recommended Hotel: The Lodge at Deadwood

42. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Dollywood is just one of the many things you can do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with kids. Other highlights include the Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show, The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, and WonderWorks Pigeon Forge. We highly recommended a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park , just 20 minutes away. It’s the most visited national park in the U.S.

Recommended Hotel: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort

43. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio ‘s RiverWalk beckons families to stroll the shops and restaurants that line it. Don’t miss the guacamole at Boudros (and be sure to make a reservation)! You can also take a boat ride along the canal, visit the Alamo and check out the trendy Pearl District.

Recommended Hotel: Omni La Mansion del Rio

44. Zion National Park, Utah 

One of several national parks in Utah, Zion National Park is a favorite for families, with plenty of kid-friendly hiking trails (Watchman Trail, Riverside Walk, and Par’us Trail, to name a few), wildlife sightings (tarantulas!) and scenic drives (Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive).  

Recommended Hotel: Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort

45. Swanton, Vermont

Why Swanton, Vermont, you ask? Because it’s home to Tyler Place Family Resort, one of the best all-inclusive family resorts in the U.S . Located on Lake Champlain , the resort offers countless activities for guests of all ages, from water play for infants to spa treatments for adults. Unique to the resort is separate dining for kids and adults, allowing kids to get out with the camp counselors as early as they like while parents enjoy a quiet meal alone. (Family dining is also an option). 

Recommended Hotel: Tyler Place Family Resort 

46. Williamsburg, Virginia

Unique to Williamsburg, Virginia , is Colonial Williamsburg , a living history playground with attractions, museums and events that bring the 1700s to present day. Your kids will be awed by the reenactments and demonstrations— performed by actors in period dress—at the shoemaker, wigmaker, and even the Public Gaol, where prisoners once lived (and died). Bonus: Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located nearby. 

Recommended Hotel: Kingsmill Resort & Spa 

47. Seattle, Washington

Seattle has a little bit of everything—museums, farmers’ markets (we’re looking at you, Pike Place), festivals, hip neighborhoods and even beaches along Puget Sound. Of course, a visit to the Space Needle should be tops on your list, too, for views of Mount Rainier National Park in the distance.

Recommended Hotel: Silver Cloud Hotel – Seattle Broadway

48. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry is an outdoor lover’s dream, with ample opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, ziplining and more. Rent a cabin in the woods to make it a true getaway, or stay at a budget motel for savings. Bonus: Harpers Ferry is close to Frederick, Maryland, another quaint town.

Recommended Hotel: Quality Inn Harpers Ferry

49. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 

Wisconsin Dells is the “ Water Park Capital of the World ,” with more than a dozen water park resorts on offer (many of them offering both indoor and outdoor water fun). If you can manage to pull the kids from the pools, head to downtown Wisconsin Dells for shopping and dining, or take a boat tour through the Dells!

Recommended Hotel: Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells

50. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park lives up to every bit of hype you’ve heard. One of the best national parks for kids, Yellowstone features otherworldly landscapes, wildlife sightings galore, geysers and our favorite, the gurgling painted pots. Encourage the kids to get involved in Yellowstone’s Junior Ranger Program (offered at all national parks). It’s a great way to explore the park, famous for its Old Faithful Geyer that erupts often.

Recommended Hotel:   Canyon Lodge & Cabins

Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission.

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21 Life-changing Trips Everyone Should Experience at Least Once

From African safaris to must-visit cities, these once-in-a-lifetime trips will make you want to plan your next great adventure.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

What's next on your travel list? With so many places worth traveling to, it can be hard to narrow down your top spots to visit.

Sometimes, it's the famous attractions, delicious food, and stunning hotels that draw us to a certain destination, and other times, it's the bragging rights that come with checking off every continent, country, or state. Whatever your motivation, we've rounded up 21 incredible trips, complete with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and iconic sights you won't find anywhere else in the world.

So, what makes a trip truly life-changing? That answer varies from traveler to traveler, but one thing is for sure: From African safaris to classic road trips, this list will make you want to plan your next great adventure.

Deciding between the historic cities of Rome, Venice, Naples, and Florence for the top destination to visit feels impossible, so the entire country of Italy deserves a spot on your list. Start in the Eternal City and head north through the rolling hills of Tuscany to visit Florence, followed by Milan or Venice, or go south to the beaches of the beautiful Amalfi Coast and Sicily.

New York, New York

Visiting the Statue of Liberty , standing at the top of the Empire State Building, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge: These are just a few of the things you can only do in New York City. Whether you dream of visiting all the places you've seen on screen, catching a Broadway show, or eating your way through the city's diverse neighborhoods, there's no doubt that NYC deserves a spot on your list.

Tokyo, Japan

Old and new come together in Japan's bustling capital city. Historic temples and shrines, busy shopping districts, delicious food, and some of the world's best theme parks and attractions — whatever your interests, there's something for you in Tokyo.

Paris, France

From watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle and viewing famous works of art at world-renowned museums to eating delicious French pastries, there are innumerable reasons that Paris deserves a spot on your list. Of course, other dreamy French destinations like Mont-Saint-Michel, Chamonix, and the Riviera are well worth a visit, too.

Busy medinas, intricate architecture, and a unique combination of cultural influences make Morocco unlike anywhere else on the planet. Whether you're traveling to bustling Marrakesh, pretty coastal cities, or remote desert towns (or hopefully, all three), a trip to Morocco is bound to be one to remember.

Monica Farber/Travel + Leisure

From the whitewashed homes of Santorini to the Ios party scene to the relaxing atmosphere of Milos, there's a perfect Greek Island for every type of traveler. Island hopping gives you the chance to experience more of what the country has to offer, but plan to spend a couple of days in Athens at the beginning and/or end of your trip.

T+L Backpack Quiz

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Machu Picchu

Seeing the historic ruins of the Incan Empire set among the breathtaking Andes at Machu Picchu is an undeniably life-changing experience. The stunning citadel ruins of Machu Picchu are worth the journey — and for some travelers, that trip, often taken by train or on foot as a multi-day trek , is a big part of the experience. Editor’s note: Machu Picchu is currently closed due to civil unrest in Peru. Visit the  official website  for the latest news and reopening details.

African Safari

Seeing majestic animals like lions, elephants, and rhinos in the wild is a dream best accomplished with an African safari . South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya are among the most popular safari destinations — and in each of those countries, you'll find incredible lodges and tour operators who can help you spot these creatures in their natural habitat.

Whether you dream of cruising down the famed Nile River, seeing the Pyramids of Giza, or visiting the ancient Valley of the Kings, Egypt's historic wonders make the destination completely unique (and worthy of a spot on your travel list).

Unlike many of the action-packed trips on this list, the Maldives is synonymous with relaxation, luxury, and romance. A stay in an overwater bungalow set atop turquoise blue waters is the ultimate getaway that's worth the long-haul flight and oftentimes pricey accommodations.

Antarctica Cruise

Hoping to visit all seven continents? Cross Antarctica off your list with a cruise. Several major cruise lines have journeys to Antarctica, offering incredible views of the ice and wildlife from the comfort and safety of a ship. Travelers typically fly in and out of Buenos Aires en route to Ushuaia (where most cruises depart from); we recommend spending a few days in the fascinating Argentine city before your expedition.

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Dubbed one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a can't-miss for many wildlife lovers. Of course, Australia's gorgeous coastline, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and fuzzy creatures like kangaroos and koalas are also reasons to head to the destination. Fly into Sydney and spend a few days there before heading out to explore more of this expansive country teeming with natural beauty.

Galapagos Islands

Incredible and diverse plant and animal species make the Galapagos Islands another must-visit for nature-loving travelers. This stunning archipelago off the coast of Ecuador is best explored by cruise, so you can take in as many breathtaking landscapes and animals as possible during your trip.

Like the other countries on this list, India has countless destinations worth exploring, but one of the most famous attractions that travelers dream of seeing for themselves is the Taj Mahal. This 17th-century white marble mausoleum has drawn visitors to Agra for years. Luxury travelers might consider a train trip aboard the Maharajas' Express (with a stop at the Taj Mahal) as the ultimate experience. Travelers planning to visit the Taj Mahal or take the luxurious train ride will want to fly into Delhi, India's capital territory.

Petra, Jordan

The stunning ancient city of Petra is made up of several impressive structures carved into sandstone rock faces, including the famous Al-Khazneh. The city dates back thousands of years, making this UNESCO World Heritage site a must-visit for history buffs.

Passing through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal, the Himalayas are home to some of the world's highest peaks — and that means breathtaking mountain views, too. For adventurous and active travelers, climbing Mount Everest (or at least trekking to Everest Base Camp) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

American National Park Road Trip

The classic American road trip is a mainstay on many travelers' lists — and for good reason. The country's incredible national parks , including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, are best explored on road trips with stops at charming small towns and kitschy roadside attractions.

Great Wall of China

Stretching across China for thousands of miles, with sections dating back nearly 2,000 years, the Great Wall is regarded as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visitors can hike along parts of the wall — some areas are located within driving distance of Beijing, so it's a perfect day trip from the city.

Easter Island

The hundreds of monolithic moai statues have drawn curious visitors to Easter Island for years. This remote Polynesian island is worth the lengthy trip for travelers hoping to see these impressive human figures, while also soaking in some incredible coastal views.

Northern Lights Trip

Catching a glimpse of the elusive northern lights is possible in several destinations close to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Iceland, Canada, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. All of these places have incredible viewpoints (and even hotels where you can see the phenomenon from your bed ), in addition to great, wintry scenery. (The lights are best viewed from late fall through early spring.)

Thailand and Vietnam

A trip through Southeast Asia is a must for any traveler, especially foodies who love street eats. While you could spend weeks in each of these countries, Thailand and Vietnam can easily be paired for an exciting trip packed with lush scenery, cultural experiences, and delicious food. Have a little extra time to spare? Add Cambodia to the mix and include a visit to expansive Angkor Wat.

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15 fun summer family vacation ideas at home and abroad

My family loves to keep a list of summer family vacation ideas to inspire us for future trips. Over the last few years, we’ve been fortunate enough to visit more than 40 countries and hundreds of cities around the world.

Over time, we’ve learned what each family member looks for in a vacation, which has helped us plan more enjoyable trips. So, whether you’re looking to plan a relaxing, thrilling, culturally rich, or educational summer family vacation ideas, here are my top recommendations based on trips that my own family has loved.

15 of the best summer family vacation ideas

This list includes a mix of family-friendly US destinations and a few international must-visit places that are all easy enough to reach from a major airport.

1. Martha’s Vineyard, MA

When I first visited Martha’s Vineyard with my family, I was nervous that my kids might run out of things to do. I couldn’t have been more wrong. By the end of our summer vacation there, they didn’t want to leave. This charming island is about an hour from Boston and offers a slower, carefree pace of life, with plenty of beaches, towns, and restaurants to choose from. My family caught dozens of fish on a half-day guided fishing boat trip, ate delicious New England lobster rolls, admired the view from the iconic “Jaws bridge”, and strolled through the historic streets of Edgartown . If you’re looking to plan a trip away from a big city, Martha’s Vineyard is a no-brainer.

2. New York, NY

The Big Apple is one of the best family vacation spots and has something for everyone. You can watch world-class performances while taking in a Broadway show, or admire the iconic New York City skyline from an observation deck (my top pick is SUMMIT One). You can set up a family picnic in Central Park, or get a dose of culture by visiting a world-class museum or art gallery. There’s also a great zoo and aquarium , which my kids love, as well as the Statue of Liberty. When we visited, each family member got to pick one activity, and at the end of our vacation, everyone left happy and satisfied. The list of things to do may feel a little overwhelming, but a visit to NYC is always worthwhile.

3. Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Santa Rosa Beach is situated on the Gulf Coast of the Florida panhandle and is home to a beautiful stretch of idyllic beaches and charming towns across Highway 30A. Instead of the hustle and bustle of Miami , this area features calmer vibes, where you can rent bikes and golf carts to hop around the multiple towns. Seaside is a must-visit for its grassy central space and food trucks based out of Airstream trailers, while Rosemary Beach takes inspiration from European villages for its charming aesthetic. But don’t stress about deciding which towns along the 30A to go for, because all of them have access to the crystal clear aqua hues of its Gulf water, one of the main draws in this beautiful area.

4. Las Vegas, NV

Mainly known for its adult-oriented activities, Las Vegas has been steadily increasing its family-friendly offerings over recent years. This makes it a particularly good destination for multi-generational family vacations. Many Vegas hotels now have kid-friendly activities, like the Big Apple Coaster at New York New York, or the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur . There are also dozens of live shows to catch, but if you’re looking for something a little different, check out the Omega Mart, an immersive experience produced by the creative and surreal minds at Meow Wolf . End each day with a stroll along Las Vegas Boulevard as the hundreds of neon displays on the Strip light up the desert sky.

5. Washington, D.C.

In the summer months, Washington, D.C. offers a perfect blend of historic outdoor monuments and a seemingly endless supply of museums to pique your kids’ interest. My children loved the International Spy Museum, which offered several immersive experiences, and they even got to play out an interactive storyline where they assumed undercover roles and completed a spy mission. After a full day exploring the city, you can take a load off in a variety of restaurants along The Wharf – we particularly enjoyed the burgers at Lucky Buns . If you’re lucky, you might even be able to spot the President flying back to the White House on the Marine One helicopter from there.

6. Asheville, NC

If you’re bored of visiting the beach every summer, why not opt for some picturesque hills instead? Asheville is a wonderful city to explore and serves as a great starting point for the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway drive towards the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The downtown area is very walkable and is home to several microbreweries, many of which have kid-friendly activities like lawn games, board games and play structures. You can also explore the historic Biltmore Estate and wander its lush gardens. Families with younger children will enjoy the WNC Nature Center , which is home to more than 60 species native to the region.

7. San Diego, CA

I grew up in San Diego and love to return in the summer not only for its great weather but also for the varied selection of family-friendly activities. To start, theme parks like SeaWorld , Belmont Park , LEGOLAND , and Sesame Place are perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages. If you want to incorporate some learning activities into your vacation, head to Balboa Park and choose from 18 different museums (my favorite is the Fleet Science Center ). If all that exploration has left you hungry, don’t miss what I consider to be the best tacos in the world at Tacos El Gordo .

8. San Antonio, TX

San Antonio is a fantastic city to visit for those looking for a more budget-friendly family vacation, and despite being a big city it still has plenty of small-town charm. From taking a stroll along the famous River Walk to browsing the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico, Market Square , San Antonio has an almost limitless number of sightseeing activities to enjoy. The city is also home to one of our kids’ favorite museums, the DoSeum . The DoSeum is filled with interactive exhibits that will ignite your kids’ imagination while providing plenty of learning opportunities to keep their minds sharp.

9. Chicago, IL

I was pleasantly surprised by the range of family-friendly activities that Chicago has to offer. If you go, you’ll want to start off at the Navy Pier , which hosts the Chicago Childrens’ Museum , as well as various amusement rides like the Wave Swinger and the Centennial Wheel . My family also really enjoyed taking a riverboat architecture tour, where we learned about Chicago’s rich architectural history and how the city has led the way in many urban planning and design efforts across the last few centuries. Millennium Park also offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, from gazing at the Cloud Gate (informally known as “the bean”) to catching a live music show at Jay Pritzker Pavilion .

10. Colorado Springs, CO

2024 is an Olympic year, so there’s no better time to visit Olympic City, USA. Colorado Springs should be near the top of the list for family summer vacation ideas on a budget. Start your trip at the US Olympic Museum , where the whole family can be inspired by stories of Team USA’s sporting triumphs on the global stage. For those who love exploring unchartered territory, the Cave of the Winds provides hourly tours of its deep caverns along with thrill rides which include the Terror-dactyl, which drops and swings you from the side of a gorge into a canyon below and back.

11. Honolulu, HI

There’s a certain magic to Hawaii that’s hard to explain, but you can definitely feel it when you’re there. The island of Oahu is a fantastic destination for a fun family vacation. One of my kids’ fondest memories from our previous trip there was when they visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation , where they got to explore a pineapple garden maze and learn about how the fruit is cultivated while riding the Pineapple Express train tour. When you’re not busy frolicking on Waikiki Beach , you can also experience traditional Hawaiian cuisine at Germaine’s Luau , or learn more about the Pacific islands at the Children’s Discovery Center .

12. Reykjavik, Iceland

For outdoor adventure enthusiasts, Icelan d is a paradise packed with breathtaking glaciers, majestic waterfalls, rejuvenating hot springs, and idyllic vistas throughout the country. Simply put, it is one of my most recommended family vacation ideas within 6 hours of many major US airports. In the summer months, you can expect around 20 hours of sunlight and moderately warm to cool temperatures, making it the best time of the year to visit. However, due to the length of some hikes or age restrictions for certain activities (like hiking on a glacier), an Iceland vacation is more suitable for families with older children or teenagers.

13. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Mexico is a fantastic destination for fun family vacations, and Playa del Carmen (close to Cancun ) stands out for its rich Mayan cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and outdoor adventure parks like Xcaret . In one week, you can come face to face with varied marine life at some of North America’s best snorkeling locations, zip line for over a minute above the trees, and tour one of the Seven Wonders of the World (the Mayan city of Chichen Itza ). If you’re looking for a more relaxing vacation, you can’t go wrong with an all-inclusive resort like the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo , where you can lounge on the beach while the kids are entertained at their excellent kids’ club.

14. Paris, France

If your family is intent on flying to Europe for the summer , Paris is a great destination to choose. Aside from visiting classic tourist attractions like the Louvre , Eiffel Tower , and Arc de Triomphe , the family will uncover unexpected adventures while wandering around the historic streets or people-watching from an outdoor cafe. The Palace of Versailles is also great for making unforgettable memories, as you discover thousands of artworks and admire the opulent gardens and grounds. Finally, if the family misses a taste of home, Disneyland Paris provides hours of entertainment and thrilling rides with Mickey and his friends.

15. La Fortuna, Costa Rica

When it comes to tropical countries, Costa Rica is hard to beat. In particular, La Fortuna is known for its proximity to the Arenal volcano, which provides a beautiful backdrop for the adventures found nearby. If you’re planning a visit, I recommend staying at one of my favorite hotels in the world, The Springs Resort . This resort runs the Club Rio Adventure Center, where the whole family can go kayaking, tubing, and horseback riding. Afterward, relax in one of the many hot springs on the resort, which are maintained at different temperature levels. Ultimately, La Fortuna is a great place to come and create unforgettable memories for the whole family.

More summer family vacation ideas

There are too many kid-friendly destinations to choose from when it comes to planning a fantastic summer family vacation. However, one tip that works well for our family is to involve each family member in the planning process.

That way, you’ll get a good understanding of what matters most to each of them. While there may have to be compromises made, at least it reduces the possibility of certain family members feeling surprised or underwhelmed by a particular destination.

If you’d like more summer travel inspiration , here are some other places that are great to visit in June , July , and August .

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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50 u.s. attractions to cross off your bucket list.

Your road map to hidden gems, cherished natural wonders and iconic monuments across America.

(Getty Images) |

Tick off these life-changing places and landmarks.

It's time to pack your bags and discover beautiful and awe-inspiring places across the country. From lesser-known national parks with alpine lakes or desert scenery to postcard-worthy natural wonders such as Carmel-by-the-Sea's craggy seaside cliffs and Sedona's crimson rock formations, America's landscapes are nothing if not enchanting. And the beauty of America is its vast diversity – from small mountain towns rich with captivating natural wonders to urban metropolises with world-renowned museums, monuments and cultural scenes. Here are 50 one-of-a-kind attractions to satisfy your wanderlust.

The French Quarter: New Orleans

With its infusion of cultural influences, rich heritage and iconic Jazz venues, New Orleans' French Quarter is a must for any worldly traveler. You can admire subtle French details, including lovely courtyard gardens and iron balcony fixtures, along with world-renowned landmarks, such as the Cabildo and William Faulkner House. Plus, you can join the fray on Bourbon Street, or for a more upscale experience, savor a cocktail at Carousel Bar & Lounge in the Hotel Monteleone, a famous 25-seat bar that's hosted Ernest Hemingway and Faulkner, among other literary luminaries. Another must-do: Watching jazz legends perform at much-loved venues, including Preservation Hall and the Spotted Cat Music Club, located nearby in the hip Faubourg Marigny neighborhood.

Tahoe Rim Trail: Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

Navigating the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail isn't for the faint of heart, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime bike ride, says Alex Howard, managing editor of travel publisher Lonely Planet. It's a painful trek up the challenging ridges of the Lake Tahoe Basin, but visitors are granted sweeping vistas of the area's dramatic cliffs and emerald waters, not to mention the imposing Sierra Nevada in the backdrop. A personal favorite mountain biking experience for Howard, the rim trail is a must-do for globetrotters in search of spellbinding scenery. Don't forget to stop and look at the sublime high-altitude Nevada desert views facing east and the lake to the west. Not into mountain biking? Embrace the alpine scenery on a hike or horseback ride.

Pike Place Market, Seattle

The iconic neon sign and lively, jampacked stalls brimming with fresh fish, produce and colorful flowers are just a few key recognizable characteristics of this well-known market. Discerning foodies and avid globetrotters flock here to check out the area's coffee institutions (including the first Starbucks location), unique bakeries and butchery shops and Emerald City gems – from vinyl records to local crafts, ranging from kitchenware to pottery to jewelry. After perusing the stands, grab picnic supplies from Beecher's Handmade Cheese or Le Panier patisserie for a meal along the downtown waterfront with views of Puget Sound, or for a more leisurely affair check out Café Campagne, a French bistro. You can also opt for a food-themed tour, if you'd rather make your way around the market with a pro.

Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney World, Buena Vista, Florida

Dazzling fireworks shows. Character meet-and-greets. Whizzing around on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Climbing into the Swiss Family Treehouse. Magic Kingdom is the place for embracing Disney's pixie-dusted charms. When you're not spinning around classic rides, you can check out elaborate parades, book a memorable meal at Cinderella's Royal Table or even snap photos with beloved characters like Ariel and Tinker Bell at top sights throughout the park. Best of all, with your FastPasses (or FastPass+ if you're staying at a Walt Disney World-affiliated hotel), you can reduce your wait times at top Magic Kingdom attractions.

Badlands National Park: South Dakota

With ochre-tinted buttes, graceful spires and fossil-rich landscapes, Badlands National Park, in southwest South Dakota, entrances visitors with its ethereal vistas. "Everyone heads to Yellowstone or Kauai, [Hawaii], but the Dakota Badlands inspire in their own way," says Amy Alipio, senior editor at National Geographic Traveler. "Whether at Badlands National Park, in South Dakota, or Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in North Dakota, these places capture the wide open spaces America is known for, enlivened by geologic formations that can be as colorfully striped as a Scottish tartan," she explains. Soak in the scenery along the two-lane state Highway 240 Badlands Loop Road, off Interstate 90, which snakes past dramatic ridges, spires and prairies. If you would rather hike, the Notch Trail offers staggering vantage points from a ledge peering over the White River Valley.

Fenway Park: Boston

An American icon, Fenway Park has attracted Major League Baseball fanatics since its opening in 1912. Like other historical landmarks in Beantown (hat tip: check out the cluster of legendary attractions sprinkled across the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail), Fenway Park boasts an intriguing and long-standing legacy and unique architectural structures. The 37-foot-high wall (or the Green Monster, as the locals call it), is a standout. Among other heavy-hitters, David Ortiz, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams all played here, and you can retrace their steps easily thanks to the park's well-preserved dugout. For a baseball – and history – lesson, consider taking an affordable $20 Fenway tour on a non-game day. Or, take in a game at the beloved ballpark, and you may even be convinced the infamous 1919 "Curse of the Bambino" – when the team sold Ruth to the rival New York Yankees – is finally over.

Powell's City of Books: Portland, Oregon

Bookworms flock to this 68,000-square-foot institution for good reason. One of the largest independent bookstores on the globe, Powell's not only supplies rare and first-edition copies of prized novels, but it also hosts a variety of distinguished authors for regular readings. The literary powerhouse even features separate rooms catering to different bibliophiles' interests, like the Rare Book Room. Once you've perused Powell's well-stocked shelves to pick up a novel, cookbook or other gem, grab a coffee or a bite from one of the nearby street food vendors at the Alder Street Food Cart Pod or get a sample of Portland's distinguished craft brew scene at BridgePort Brewpub.

(Getty Images | Image Source)

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Florida

The epic 113-mile drive along U.S. Route 1 (also known as the Overseas Highway), through the Florida Keys is a must-do for beach and nature lovers. And this park – located at mile marker 102.5 – is a can't-miss stop for those looking to take in a dizzying display of coral and tropical fish. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the park boasts the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. Take your pick from scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing and glass-bottom boat tours, among other outdoor pursuits. Once you've checked out the park's offshore reefs and mangroves, then venture to other famous attractions in the Keys, like Seven Mile Bridge.

Millennium Park: Chicago

Chicago, with its beautifully designed museums and architectural gems, has long lured culture vultures with an eye for art. "Chicago is like an open-air candy store for architecture buffs," Alipio says. A great way to get a fresh perspective of the Windy City's glass-and-steel grandeur is on an architecture cruise. "The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers a bunch of tours, including a cruise along the Chicago River, that show off the city's striking skyscrapers and historic buildings," Alipio adds. But no trip to Chi-Town is complete without snapping a photo at The Bean or exploring the fascinating art and architecture across Millennium Park 's nearly 25-acre green space, including the Lurie Garden and the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Golden Gate Bridge: San Francisco

When you picture the City by the Bay, images of this iconic suspension bridge, which connects Marin County and San Francisco, likely come to mind. As Alipio puts it: "The instantly recognizable Golden Gate Bridge is not only beautiful, but also frames an ocean of travel possibilities just beyond." The bridge, which was built during the Great Depression, boasts an art deco exterior with its red-orange towers looming over the bay. Capture picture-perfect photos from Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point or Point Bonita Lighthouse. Other idyllic spots for shutterbugs include Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Promenade. After soaking in the scenery, make your way to the tourist-heavy Fisherman's Wharf to take in the lively atmosphere of Pier 39.

The Big Duck: Long Island, New York

"The U.S. is full of oversized roadside kitsch that's just fun to Instagram, like the towering pistachio nut in Alamogordo, New Mexico, or the giant cowboy boots in San Antonio, Texas," Alipio says. Her favorite is the Big Duck located on Long Island. "It’s a beloved duck-shaped building that has become an unofficial gateway to the blue-chip Hamptons," she explains. Recognized on the list of National Register of Historic Places, the snow-white duck is 20 feet high and is decked with unique accents, like eyes filled with Model-T Ford tail lights. Rising over Reeves Bay in Flanders on Long Island, the Big Duck also boasts a holiday light display in winter.

Griffith Park: Los Angeles

Stretching across 4,210 acres, Griffith Park offers an ideal perch for soaking in the LA basin and urban sprawl from its location on Mount Hollywood. Outdoorsy types will appreciate its diverse horseback riding and hiking trails – including a trail to the Hollywood Sign – and culture vultures will love the Griffith Observatory, which offers amazing views. "La La Land" lovers should make their way to the planetarium for Hollywood-worthy backdrops, then visit Cathy's Corner near Mt. Hollywood Drive to retrace the steps of Mia and Sebastian's enchanting dance sequence to "A Lovely Night." After taking in cinematic views, make your way to the on-site LA Zoo.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: North Carolina and Tennessee

Stretching across North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts outdoorsy types with its sublime mountain scenery and beautiful old-growth forests. But a major draw in this prized national park is the synchronous natural fire display, Alipio says. In late May or early June, you can witness 19 different types of fireflies flashing in harmony with bright bursts of color against the dark night sky at the Elkmont Campground. The spectacle occurs as the insects attract prospective mates with their flashing hues in unison. The only catch: Because of the event's popularity, there's a lottery system. If you miss the event, you can still enjoy wildlife-watching and recreational activities such as horseback riding and white-water rafting.

The North Rim: The Grand Canyon, Arizona

Nothing captures the grandeur or natural splendor of the country's prized national parks quite like the Grand Canyon, with its staggering buttes, rust-colored rock formations and dramatic gorges. However, with 5 million visitors each year, you'll need to be selective about how you spend your time at the park. The North Rim offers particularly photogenic areas, including Marble Canyon and Bright Angel Point, along with fewer tourist crowds than the tourist-heavy South Rim. For the best vantage points, make your way to Cape Royal Trail, where you'll find Angels Window, an impressive natural arch that yields mesmerizing angles of the Colorado River.

Red Rocks State Park: Sedona, Arizona

Sedona attracts nature lovers with its desert landscapes, surreal red rocks and enchanting vortexes, places where the earth's energy is reportedly amplified and wellness-seekers can find spiritual awareness and healing. This sprawling 286-acre preserve is an ideal place to observe Sedona's famous red buttes and sweeping vistas along colorful trails. A few highlights include Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock off state Route 179. Trek along the park's 5-mile collection of trails to take in a mosaic of red rock and desert vistas in Oak Creek Canyon. For a unique perspective, join an expert-guided full-moon hike to gaze at the park's bright spires and distinct formations casting a fiery glow as the sun drops and the moon rises. Alternatively, bike, raft or take a hot air balloon ride to marvel at the scenery.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, California

To reach this rugged coastal reserve, you'll visit charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, an oceanside village with boutique shops and low-key cafes that's tucked between Monterey and Pebble Beach. Once you arrive at the reserve, you'll be surrounded by striking rock formations and inviting trails peering over the dramatic cliffs. Wildlife lovers can also catch sight of sea lions, otters and dolphins, among other fascinating species. Tackle Cypress Grove Trail to gaze over wind-swept cypresses. Afterward, continue south along the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur, for spine-tingling bends along craggy cliffs that yield breathtaking coastal vistas.

The Tidal Basin: Washington, District of Columbia

Our nation's capital has no shortage of marbled memorials and monuments. Standout attractions, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, are conveniently located along the 2-mile-long Tidal Basin . From the Tidal Basin, you'll also want to make your way to the National Mall to check out the reflecting pool, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, particularly in early spring, when a canopy of pink cherry blossoms blanket the Tidal Basin, Alipio says.

South Beach: Miami Beach, Florida

It's hard to resist the eye-catching art deco architecture along Ocean Drive in South Beach. Neon lights, buzzy clubs and a sea of pastel hues make the iconic boulevard instantly recognizable. After admiring the 1930s-inspired buildings, enjoy quintessential South Beach experiences, including sunbathing (and people-watching) along the 10-mile palm-fringed South Beach or joining the late-night revelry at vibrant VIP clubs and lounges. If you're not a night owl, check out the open-air Lincoln Road Mall or head to the Art Deco Welcome Center and Museum to take a self-guided tour (or tag along on a walking tour) to brush up on the area's famous architecture.

Central Park: New York City

When you need a break from admiring Manhattan's gleaming skyscrapers, world-class museums and vibrant neighborhoods – or you simply need a respite from the concrete jungle's frenetic energy – follow city-dwellers to Gotham's favorite green space. Occupying 843 acres, Central Park offers activities for all visitors, whether you want to stroll past lovely fountains, gardens and sculptures, row a boat or even ice skate. A few can't-miss spots include Strawberry Fields, an area dedicated to legendary singer-songwriter John Lennon, the Shakespeare Garden, which features unique flora and fauna such as cowslip, primrose and lark's heel and famous quotes for the playwright, and the Wollman Rink, which transforms into a skating rink come winter.

Las Vegas Strip: Las Vegas

America's Playground lures high rollers with its glitzy hotels, neon-lit fountains and nonstop entertainment, and the best place to soak in Sin City's frenetic sights and sounds is along the Strip. With a mini Eiffel Tower, a nightly fountain light show, a sphinx and a replica Venetian canal – among other eye-catching sights – there are plenty of points of interests to catch your attention. The best way to experience the 5-mile-long boulevard is on foot. Consider checking out the action at night, when the glowing skyline offers a stark contrast to the dessert backdrop and you can head to The Mirage to catch a memorable "volcano" smoke, fire and lava spectacle, beginning nightly at 8 p.m.

Niagara Falls: New York and Ontario, Canada

If you're in search of an amazing natural phenomenon, you can't skip visiting Niagara Falls, Howard says. Yes, the area is filled with tourist kitsch, but with water plummeting at 41 miles per hour, viewing the misty falls is an inspiring experience, he adds. While some of the best vantage points are on the Canadian side of the border, a great way to take in the three falls – Bridal Veil, American and Horseshoe – in all their glory is on a Maid of the Mist boat tour. Visiting Niagara Falls State Park (on the U.S. side) is also a must. Check out the Cave of the Winds or the Niagara Falls Observation Tower for wind-swept vistas.

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area: Colorado

For sublime scenery (and picture-perfect perches for capturing the Colorado Rockies' imposing peaks), Maroon Bells is the place to go. The arresting high-altitude nature reserve offers a variety of hiking trails, including the 26-mile Four Pass Loop, which winds past alpine lakes and ascends over four mountain passes. Appealing to wildlife lovers and avid hikers alike, Maroon Bells' two peaks ascend over 14,000 feet and offer some of the most beautiful vantage points in all of Colorado. Best of all, the area is within easy reach of Aspen, making it a must for any visitor

Balboa Park: San Diego

This sprawling 1,200-acre park is a destination unto itself with the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, 17 museums and a wealth of fountains, gardens and performances year-round. The star attraction here is the San Diego Zoo, where visitors can catch sight of more than 3,700 endangered animals, from a giant panda to penguins to koala bears. A hallmark of this laid-back Southern California city, the zoo is recognized as one of the world's best. You could devote an entire day to admiring the zoo's fascinating creatures or checking out the safari park in Escondido – home to gorillas, zebras and elephants – but if you need a break, check out the art on display at the Spanish Village Art Center or make your way to the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Grand Prismatic Spring: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

With its kaleidoscope of colors – from vibrant aquamarine shades to bright orange, crimson and yellow hues – this natural wonder in the Midway Geyser Basin is one of the world's most stunning geological features. The brilliant spectacle of color is formed from pigmented bacteria that thrive in the mineral-rich spring water. For unparalleled views, stroll along the Grand Loop. And don't ignore the other must-see attractions in the Lower Geyser, including Old Faithful and Excelsior Geyser.

Times Square: New York City

Sure, Times Square packs sensory overload with flashing neon lights, honking horns, swarms of tourists and a frenzy of activity at all hours of the day, but it also captures the brash, colorful spirit of New York City and is a must for any first-time city visitor. Street performers and bright billboards jockey for your attention. Even if you can't grab tickets to a Broadway show, you're sure to be entertained in this consumerism mecca. For a one-of-a-kind experience, plan a New Year's Eve trip to watch the glittering ball drop into a sea of confetti. And if you're craving a little more Zen, join a Solstice in Times Square event in June, when yogis the world over practice together.

Bryce Canyon Amphitheater: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Otherworldly rust-colored hoodoo rock formations are on full display at this popular national park. Embark on the Rim Trail for jaw-dropping views of the amphitheater. Postcard-worthy angles of the intricate spires can be found at Inspiration, Bryce, Sunrise and Sunset viewpoints. Other worthwhile treks include the Navajo Loop and the Queens Garden Trail, which also offer captivating views of the spiky, pinnacled formations. Arrive early or late in the day to beat the crowds and catch the dizzying array of gold, orange and crimson hues in beautiful natural lighting. Beyond the amphitheater, you can explore of the park's splendors with a ranger-led program, a moonlit guided stroll and even seasonal telescope stargazing.

Going-to-the-Sun Road: Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park is renowned for its spectacular alpine scenery, magnificent glaciers and dizzying collection of natural features, from lush forests to cascading waterfalls. There's no denying the park's natural beauty as you cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass to embark on the scenic 52-mile drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Though the road is closed in winter, when the snowcapped landscape makes for difficult driving conditions, in summer and fall, you can embrace the emerald alpine lakes below and take breaks at must-see spots like Wild Goose Island Lookout for the perfect photo op.

Na Pali Coast: Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai's coral reefs, craggy cliffs and rugged trails attract those with an eye for beauty and a zest for adrenaline-infused adventures. There's no better way to take in Kauai's natural charms than along its most iconic coastline. Along the 17-mile Na Pali Coast, you can zigzag past waterfalls, beaches and lush emerald cliffs. For a sense of the shoreline's jagged ridges and imposing 3,000-foot peaks and deep valleys, admire the coastline from below by kayak from Haena Beach Park. Or, if you're feeling more intrepid, hike along the Kalalau Trail, an arduous 11-mile journey with challenging uphill inclines and rugged terrain that yields breathtaking coastal views.

Garden of the Gods: Colorado Springs, Colorado

An assortment of spiraling red sandstone rock formations that are nearly 300 million years old, the 1,367-acre Garden of the Gods is a sight to behold. The jagged outline of Pikes Peaks looms dramatically in the distance of these rust-colored monoliths, which have been sculpted to form ethereal-looking structures and given names that reflect their distinctive shapes, such as the Kissing Camels and the Three Graces. One of the most renowned pillars is Balanced Rock, which as it's name suggests, is a monumental rock with a jagged frame that's artfully stayed in place over time. Check out the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center to learn about the mysterious rocks and join a guided nature walk.

Historic District: Charleston, South Carolina

With its Spanish moss, historic architecture, coastal scenery and graceful antebellum mansions, Charleston oozes Southern charm. And there's no better place to get a sense of the city's surroundings than the historic district, where gas lamp-lined streets, cobblestone corners, horse-drawn carriage rides and storied buildings reflect a variety of architectural periods, from art deco to Italianate. Take some time to explore can't-miss museums, galleries and boutiques. Then, visit Charleston City Market for a sweetgrass basket – a must-have souvenir – before checking into one of the upscale and iconic hotels in the area, including Wentworth Mansion and Planters Inn.

(John Elk II | Getty Images)

Canyon Road: Santa Fe, New Mexico

A must-see for any art lover, Canyon Road brims with contemporary art treasures across more than 100 galleries. Yet there's even more to soak in here, with traditional adobe architecture and authentic Native American crafts, jewelry and galleries showcasing pieces in all mediums and styles – from photography to woodcuts and sculptures. And with its picturesque setting, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising in the backdrop, the half-mile-long stretch is unlike any other. Breaks from admiring the area's beautiful art and cultural gems can include shopping, unwinding in the lovely gardens near El Zaguan, checking out local bookstores or grabbing a bite at a renowned spot like Geronimo Restaurant.

El Capitan, Yosemite National Park

El Capitan – the imposing 3,000-foot granite rock etched into the Yosemite Valley – is a prized and bucket list-worthy national park attraction, Alipio says. Located across from Bridalveil Fall, the iconic cliff can be seen across the Yosemite Valley. When you're not admiring the smooth face of El Capitan (or catching sight of daring climbers and mountaineers scaling the surface), check out more spectacular natural attractions, such as Half Dome, Glacier Points and the John Muir Trail.

Grand Teton National Park: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Experience Grand Teton's spectacular mountain scenery, punctuated by rugged trails, snow-covered peaks and reflective alpine lakes on a trip to remember. Whether you want to mountain climb, cross-country ski, bike, boat or horseback ride, there's an outdoor activity calling your name. You can also join ranger-guided hikes or enjoy wildlife-viewing, with fascinating species, such as bison, moose and coyotes along the way. Prime lookout points can be found in the Jenny Lake District. Strap on a pair of hiking boots, and join a guide on the Inspiration Point Hike for lovely vistas.

Forsyth Park: Savannah, Georgia

For the nature or history lover, Savannah beckons with its Spanish moss-covered gardens, historic homes and antebellum architecture. And the top place on your itinerary should be the 30-acre Forsyth Park, which hosts popular events like the Savannah Jazz Festival and displays noteworthy sculptures and memorials, along with the world-renowned Forsyth Park fountain. After checking out the park's memorials, which include sites commemorating the Spanish-American War, and admiring the 300-year-old Candler Oak Tree, check out other historic attractions, such as the Bonaventure Cemetery and the Mercer Williams House, known for its role in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Smithsonian Institution Museums: Washington, District of Columbia

Aside from high-profile politicians and iconic memorials, the nation's capital is chock-full of cultural and artistic treasures, including the Smithsonian's collection of 19 museums. With free entry, it's hard to resist the district's standout cultural and educational institutions, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn Museum. Whether you want to attend lectures, performances or tours, there's plenty of ways to experience Washington's beloved museums. Kids can even fulfill a "Night at the Museum" fantasy – complete with an IMAX film feature, crafts projects and sleeping bags – during the "Smithsonian Sleepovers" series at select D.C. museums in the summertime.

Hidden Valley: Joshua Tree National Park, California

With jaw-dropping desert scenery, prickly Joshua trees and distinct boulder rock formations, Joshua Tree National Park mesmerizes visitors with its eye-catching landscapes. With two unique desert ecosystems – the Colorado and the Mojave – the park offers varied scenes, from Joshua trees framed by giant boulders and candy-colored desert sunsets in Hidden Valley to the cholla cactus- and ocotillo-filled Cholla Cactus Garden. Beyond the Hidden Valley, another must-see area is Keys View, where you can take in sweeping vistas of Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault and the Santa Rosa Mountains, granting picture-perfect photo ops.

Road to Hana: Maui, Hawaii

Gazing at the magnificent waterfalls, craggy cliffs and black-sand coastline along the 52-mile Road to Hana is practically a rite of passage when visiting Maui. With hair-raising turns and spellbinding lookouts, you'll want to carve out plenty of stops and spring for a four-wheel-drive car. Highlights include the 25-acre Garden of Eden Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which you might remember as a setting backdrop in Jurassic Park, and Waianapanapa State Park, where distinct natural attractions such as sea caves and black-tinted beaches abound. Start your journey in Kahului and finish in the town of Hana, a remote area with few visitors and lush landscapes filled with tropical greenery and breadfruit trees.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre: Morrison, Colorado

Sandstone cliffs, rugged hiking trails and ochre-hued buttes are just a few draws of Red Rocks Park, situated roughly 16 miles west of downtown Denver. Another top enticement is the open-air, high-altitude amphitheater, which offers a striking setting and excellent acoustics. A variety of acclaimed bands have performed in the 6,450-foot venue, including U2 and the Beatles. Plan a visit to Red Rocks to catch a show to remember and stick around for the area's fascinating geological attractions and scenery along the Trading Post Trail, a 1.4-mile route that passes by valleys, a meadow and unique rock formations.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: New York City

With world-renowned galleries, museums and art and theater enclaves, the city that never sleeps is an art lover's playground. And there's no better place to get your culture fix than the Met. Peruse galleries brimming with masterpieces of legends such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Goya, Cézanne and Degas. The first floor's impressive collection showcases an eclectic range of pieces, from ancient Egyptian art to Greek and Roman works. While you won't be able to take in all of its splendor and extensive collections in one day, carve out time to explore must-visit highlights, like the Temple of Dendur.

The Narrows: Zion National Park, Utah

If your perfect bucket-list includes hitting scenic hiking trails, it's hard to rival the otherworldly landscapes in Utah's Zion National Park. The Narrows, a sandstone gorge surrounded by 2,000- to 3,000-foot-high imposing crimson- and rust-tinted vertical canyon walls and the Virgin River, abounds with spectacular vantage points and unique geological features, including hanging gardens and natural springs. The 16-mile trek from the trailhead at Chamberlain's Ranch can be arduous, but the awe-inspiring views are unrivaled. An easier way to reach the Narrows is from the Temple of Sinawava, about a 10-mile trek. Arrive in late spring or early summer, when the water levels dip and the weather is optimal; check current conditions before you go.

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park: West Virginia

"The Appalachian Trail really is the mother of all hiking trails," Alipio says. "Sections of it are very accessible to even the most hike-averse travelers," she adds, highlighting a section that loops through Harpers Ferry that's about the trail’s halfway point and where the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is headquartered. The park features nearly 20 miles of hiking trails with diverse landscapes, from historic battlefields to rolling mountain backdrops. Take your pick from hiking, kayaking, rafting or zip lining, among other pursuits, along the trail. After embracing the great outdoors, head to the charming West Virginia town for a leisurely coffee at Lost Dog Coffee or a memorable meal the Bavarian Inn.

(SeanPavonePhoto | Getty Images)

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Nashville

If anywhere captures the rich musical history of Nashville, it's the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Here, you'll find a vast collection of music artifacts from around the globe. Admire gold and platinum country records lining the walls and the wealth of plaques on display paying homage to stars such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. Other artifacts include songbooks, photographs, costumes and even historical cars (think: Elvis Presley's iconic gold Cadillac). You won't want to skip checking out Studio B, where legendary hits were recorded, from "All I Have to Do Is Dream" by the Everly Brothers to "Jolene" by Dolly Parton.

Independence Hall: Philadelphia

There are plenty of must-visit historical attractions in the City of Brotherly Love to pique your interest, from the Liberty Bell to Rittenhouse Square, but a can't-miss place for any history buff is Independence Hall . At the Georgian-style building, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were deliberated and signed, and today you can tag along a guided tour and check out the Assembly Room. To continue your knowledge binge, brush up on the history of Liberty Bell; then, admire the memorial of unknown soldiers who served in the American Revolution and George Washington at Washington Square.

The Statue of Liberty: New York City

A legendary 152-foot New York City landmark, the Statue of Liberty has stood as a beacon of freedom for all Americans since 1886. Of course, you can take in the instantly recognizable statue gracing the skyline from a variety of spots across the city, but for a closer angle, you'll want to book tickets with a ferry operator offering tours to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Just remember to book an e-ticket to skirt the long lines and arrive early for a pain-free security screening. For fewer tourist crowds, take in Lady Liberty from the High Line, the sprawling landscaped park occupying an abandoned rail track across the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: Hawaii

Kilauea, an epic 4,000-foot active volcano that's been erupting continuously from its East Rift Zone since 1983, is jaw-dropping from a variety of angles, Howard says. Start your trip at the Jaggar Museum or the Chain of Craters Road, or if you're feeling brave, drive or walk along the challenging 11-mile Crater Rim Trail, where you can wind past the Kilauea caldera and meander through verdant rain forest and desert landscapes. You can also join free ranger-led programs, which include guest presentations and junior programs catering to younger visitors ages 7 to 12. The imposing volcano is striking, particularly at night, when the fiery molten lava stands in stark contrast against the sky.

Redwood National Park: California

Even if you're not an avid hiker or nature lover, it's hard to resist the splendor of the giant, 350-foot-tall sequoia trees spanning Redwood National Park. The park boasts over 200 miles of trails to pick from, but an ideal way to experience the tall trees on a quick getaway is along the 9-mile Coastal Drive, a narrow and picturesque route that winds past unrivaled Pacific Ocean lookout points, the Klamath River and redwood groves. Along the Coastal Trail off U.S. Highway 101, take a break at Crescent Beach Section to enjoy a picnic area and admire Sitka spruces and the occasional Roosevelt elk. Another must: the Fern Canyon Loop Trail, which offers striking coastal vistas and old-growth redwoods.

Cadillac Mountain: Acadia National Park, Maine

The chance to catch an envy-inducing sunrise from the 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain – the tallest point along the Eastern Seaboard – is a main draw for visiting Acadia National Park. Plan to visit between October and March for an especially memorable sunrise – and the first view of the sun rising across the country. A top way to take in the scenery is along the 27-mile Park Loop Road, which weaves past Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain. Carve out some time for a leisurely picnic, explore other notable places in the park, such as the Precipice Trail and Thunder Hole, and embrace the natural surroundings in all their grandeur along Acadia's car-free carriage roads.

Mendenhall Glacier: Juneau, Alaska

Mendenhall Glacier in southeast Alaska, just outside of downtown Juneau, lures visitors looking to catch sight of Alaska's icy attractions and vast wilderness. Brush up on the history of the glacier at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, which offers a film and exhibits highlighting how climate change has impacted the melting and retreating natural wonder. The glacier – unlike others in Alaska – is uniquely accessible to visitors along a variety of nature trails. The East Glacier Loop Trail offers a scenic route, and some trails even meander past imposing waterfalls and impressive creatures, from porcupines to black bears to sockeye salmon.

Waikiki Beach: Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is known for its gorgeous sands and famous surf culture, and there's no better place to embrace the aloha spirit and perfect your wave-skimming (or bodyboarding) skills than Waikiki Beach . With Diamond Head crater in the distance and a bounty of top-tier hotels, including the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, fringing the legendary shorelines, it's easy to enjoy a mix of activity and relaxation, as you lounge along the sands, snorkel in coral-filled waters or ride the waves. Hans Hedemann Surf School teaches the art of surfing, bodyboarding and stand-up paddleboarding, plus it offers variety of rental equipment – think: short boards, snorkel gear and even bikes.

Alcatraz Island: San Francisco

Aside from walking across the Golden Gate Bridge and visiting the bustling Ferry Building Marketplace, touring Alcatraz Island is a must for any first-time visitor to the City by the Bay. Perched on a small, craggy isle in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz (or, simply, "The Rock" to those in the know) was formerly a prison that included some of America's most nefarious criminals, from Al Capone to Alvin Karpis, and today you can retrace the area's history on a guided audio tour. Ferries operated by Alcatraz Cruises depart from Pier 33; booking reservations in advance is recommended by the National Park Service.

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Things to do in Moscow: how to visit Moscow | Unmissable, cool & unusual

• September 2, 2023

What are the best things to do in Moscow? What to do in Moscow? First, I will list the main places to visit by theme, passing by the must-sees, but also more unusual places in Moscow. Then, I will describe what to see in Moscow in one day and how to visit Moscow in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. Let’s go!

Good to know. For more information, click on the places to open the dedicated blog posts.

Main places to visit in Moscow & best things to do in Moscow

I worked in Moscow and I loved this city for its dynamism and energy. We find there from time to time to see friends, remember good memories and enjoy this giant city! Then the time has come for us to share with you our practical guide.

TOP 5 must-see places in Moscow

• Moscow Red Square
• St. Basil’s Cathedral
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Bolshoi Theatre

Places of cultural, historical and religious interest in Moscow

• Novodevichy Convent and cemetery
• Tretyakov Gallery
• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• Kremlin Izmaïlovo (pseudo-historic place, recently built in the image of the old, one of the best things to do in Moscow for your Instagram account 😉 )
• Park and ancient village of Kolomenskoye

Visit Moscow of the Soviet era

• Moscow State University and Sparrows Hill
• VDNKh and the Museum of Astronautics, one of the key landmarks of the Soviet era in Moscow
• GULAG Museum
• Metro stations
• The Stalinist skyscrapers, scattered all over the city

Less touristy places in Moscow

• Gorky Park and the GARAGE museum
• The old Krasny Oktyabr factory
• Zaryadye Park
• Center for Contemporary Art, WINZAVOD
• Business center, Moscow City

Main districts of Moscow to visit

• Patriarch Ponds
• Tchistye Prudy
• Kuznetsky most
• Arbat Street

However, regardless of the length of your stay, whether you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days or in 2, you need a visa. The article Obtaining a tourist visa for Russia could then be useful in any case.

What to do and see in Moscow in one day?

List of things to see and do in Moscow in one day:

• Go to Red Square
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral
• See Kremlin walls (but not to visit)
• Visit Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Discover Kuznetsky most districts and see Bolshoi Theatre building
• And if you have time at the end of the day: go to the Sparrows Hill or to the Moscow City for a beautiful view

Things to do in Moscow in 2 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, there are 2 purposes: do not miss the essential places of Moscow and optimize travel.

• First day: Red Square , Saint Basil’s Cathedral , Zariadye Park, Bolshoi Theatre , Kremlin
• Day 2: Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the former Krasny Oktyabr factory on Balchug Island, Gorky Park, Moscow State University (one of the Seven Sisters buildings ) and Sparrow Hill

As 2 days os really short, be sure to choose an accommodation in the best districts where to stay in Moscow .

Walking on Red Square in Moscow: one of the unmissable things to do in Moscow

Iconic place and one of the must-see places in Moscow and even in Russia! Besides, if there was only one place to visit in Moscow in 2 days, this place would then be Red Square, without hesitation. Therefore, starting the city tour with Red Square is ideal . Several buildings are on the square, but not all of them have to be visited. Check out my blog post about Moscow’s Red Square in detail to learn more and not miss anything.

Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside

Even more emblematic than Moscow’s Red Square! Built in the middle of the 16th century under the orders of Tsar Ivan Le Terrible, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful monuments of Orthodox art, and definitely one of the unmissable places in Moscow. Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside is one of the most beautiful things to do in Moscow!

• Visit estimate time : 1h30
• Entry ticket : 700 RUB. Tickets can be purchased on the cathedral’s official website 45 days before the tour.
• Audio guide (recommended): 500 RUB
• Opening hours : June to August 10 am-6pm; from November to April: 11 am-5pm; May, September, October 11 am-5pm. Cathedral closed on Wednesdays. Entrance is closed 45 minutes before closing.
• Find out more in the dedicated article: Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

Take a walk in Zariadye park: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow after visiting Red Square

Zaryadie Park is just a 10-minute walk from St. Basil’s Cathedral, so it’s easy to include in your itinerary if you’re going to visit Moscow in 2 days. From its heights, you can see the red walls of the Kremlin. But, the most impressive point of view is the platform which overlooks the Moskva river. A must see! And clearly one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

• Open 24 hours a day
• Good to know! Park Zaryadye is also a place to visit in Moscow in winter. Find out more here: What to do in Moscow in winter?

See the Bolshoi Theatre and discover the Kuznetsky Most district

The Bolshoi Theatre is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy entrance tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets

The Bolshoi Theater is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets are located north of the theater. It is therefore very pleasant to find them to leave the main axes of the megalopolis.

Visit the Moscow Kremlin

Visit Kremlin is on top of things to do in Moscow. A place of power for centuries, the Kremlin then shows us a whole different image when viewed from the inside. If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, the Kremlin is certainly one of the must-see places in Moscow.

• Opening hours : Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday.
• See our blog post about visiting the Moscow Kremlin

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This impressive Moscow Cathedral is the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is a must see if you visit Moscow in 2 days and clearly one of the things to do in Moscow. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior was first built in 1883 in memory of Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s Grand Army. Then in 1931 Stalin ordered its destruction. It was then rebuilt again (identically) only in 2000.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 15. At the foot of the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
• Opening hours . Daily: 10: 00-17: 00, except Monday: 13: 00-17: 00
• Free entry (some closing restrictions, for example a short)

Good to know! In orthodox religious places, one must avoid excessively uncovered clothing. Women should cover their heads. After visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you can explore Bolotny Island and Gorky Park. This is one of the routes our guide to Moscow.

The old Krasny Oktyabr factory: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow

If you cross the Moskva River by a pedestrian bridge which is located just in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and at the same time you can discover Balchug Island. Furthermore, if you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, you can include this island in your itinerary between the cathedral and Gorky park. Here is the old confectionery factory Krasny Oktyabr, which has gradually turned into a fashionable micro-district. There are then some elements of street art, cafes and restaurants and some Moscow bohemian side. At the end of the island you can see a gigantic 98-meter-high monument dedicated to the Russian reforming tsar Pierre The Great.

Good to know! You can find on this island are the trendiest nightclubs in Moscow. On weekends, there are taxi caps after midnight so there are so many people. On the other hand, if you go there in winter and during the day, the island is quite empty and less interesting to see.

Gorky Park is one of the TOP places to visit in Moscow, because it allows you to better understand the life of the locals and their rhythm. In fact, it’s a huge entertainment park. For example, in winter there is a giant ice rink and in summer – free dance or yoga lessons, sandy beaches for playing volleyball, an outdoor cinema. So, like the locals, have a Stakantchik (ice cream or cooked corn), and enjoy the atmosphere of the place: that’s one of the interesting things to do in Moscow to discover the city.

• Where? Krymsky Val 9. 20 minutes’ walk from Krasny Oktyabr, along the quays.

Sparrow Hill and Moscow State University

The Sparrow Hill, Vorobiovy Gori in Russian, is the highest point in Moscow. It is rather known to Russians, but less to travelers. A nice view on Moscow opens from the hill, and in particular on the Luzhniki Stadium. In addition, on the hill itself is the Moscow State University: an impressive skyscraper from the Soviet era.

• How to get there? By bus T7 (35 min) from Oktyaborskaya station, near Gorki Park. By metro (Vorobiovy Gorki station) + climb the hill on foot. On foot along the Moskva along the Gorky Park (1h30) + climb in funiculars.

Good to know! It is possible to cross the Moskva river by funicular. We actually tested it and it was pretty cool! That is one of our favorite things to do in Moscow!

What to do in Moscow in 3 days?

If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days, it would be interesting to dive into the Soviet era which strongly marked the country and the city. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the capital was transferred from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, in order to mark the change of power. Moscow then became the world showcase for communist ideology. Here are the best things to do in Moscow for 3-day-trip!

VDNKh, visit Moscow of the Soviet era

VDNKh is a large exhibition center in the north of Moscow, where there are still several striking witnesses of the USSR. The most interesting are the Museum of Cosmonauts and the Statue of the Worker and the Kolkhozian , which will certainly impress you with its size!

GULAG History Museum

The explanations of the museum are very well done. We really have the feeling of going back in time. If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days and you are interested in history and this subject in particular, I recommend this museum. Visit the GULAG History Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Moscow.

Discover the Patriarche Pounds district

It’s a nice neighborhood in Moscow where you can come across rather affluent locals, but not necessarily very bling-bling. Take a walk in this area is really a cool thing to do in Moscow! In addition, the Ponds of Patriarch is one of the places of Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”. As this is an interesting area to see, we have included it in a walking tour of Moscow. The route ends at the Moscow Kremlin, which is very convenient, because you will be able to visit Moscow in 3 days by optimizing your trips.

What to visit in Moscow in 4 days: TOP things to do in Moscow in 4 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 3 days, you will already see a lot of things. On the other hand, if you stay one more day, you have plenty to do! The Novodevichy Convent, the Tchistie Proudy district and the Izmaylovo Kremlin are very good candidates for you, if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days.

Visiting Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

The Novodevichy Convent is one of the most brilliant examples of Russian architecture, according to UNESCO. This beautiful complex was built in 1524 and today consists of the convent, but also of a cemetery whose status could be compared to that of Père-Lachaise in Paris. Visiting Novodevichy Convent is one of the great things to do in Moscow, if you want to go a little bit outside of the center!

Discovering Tchistye Proudy district

It’s one of the most popular areas of Moscow, with many cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. It is therefore a place to discover if you want to visit Moscow in 4 days. It is just as pleasant for a stroll as for the discovery of local life. For example, in winter the pond turns into an ice rink.

Visiting the Izmaylovo Kremlin, one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

The Izmaylovo Kremlin is more of a tourist than a historic place. On the other hand, it is a pretty impressive place to discover, especially on weekends. Inside the Kremlin, there is a flea market where you can find a little bit of everything, but mostly good souvenirs to bring from Moscow. For example, chapka, traditional Russian scarves or matryoshka (Russian dolls). Add the Kremlin and the Izmaïlovo market to your itinerary if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days, because it is a nice and very colorful place! Visiting the Izmailovo Kremlin is one of the things to do in Moscow, if you want to put colors in your Instagram account! 😉

In 4 days, we will have the opportunity to see several Moscow: Classic Moscow, Moscow of old Russia, Soviet Moscow and a little bit of the new Moscow. So what to visit in Moscow on the 5th day of travel?

What to visit in Moscow in 5 days?

Art lovers will be delighted to discover the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, while others will prefer to stroll along Arbat Street, see the buildings of Moskva-City or visit Bunker 42.

Admiring Russian art at Tretyakov Gallery

Founded in 1856 by an industrialist and great lover of art, the gallery has grown over the decades, and then bequeathed to the state. Today the collection includes more than 140,000 pieces, 15,000 of which are paintings. Visiting the Tretyakov Gallery is one of the things to do in Moscow if you want to discover Russian art!

• Where? Pereoulok Lavrouchinski 10. A 5-minute walk from Tretiakovskaya station
• Opening hours. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Closed on Mondays.
• Entry tickets. 500 RUB.

Visiting the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts presents the treasures of ancient Egypt, the paintings of Rembrandt and Cézanne, a fine collection of Impressionism.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 12
• Opening hours. Daily: 10: 00-20: 00, except Thursday: 11: 00-21: 00. Closed on Mondays. The boxes close an hour before closing.
• Entry tickets. The prices vary according to the collections from 300 to 750 RUB.

Walking on Arbat Street

All Russians know Rue Arbat. So, walking on Arbat street is one of the things to do in Moscow. However, after the years, little by little it became very touristy. This is a pedestrian street only. There are souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes there, but it is no longer the most authentic neighborhood in the city.

Seeing the buildings of Moskva-City (Moscow City)

Moskva-City is Moscow’s business center, much like Paris’s Defense district. The skyscrapers of Moskva-City are among the tallest in Europe: 373 meters high! Very nice place to see at dusk.

Good to know! You can admire a nice view of Moscow City from the docks of Tarasa Shevchenko. It’s especially beautiful in the evening with all the lights on.

Bunker 42, one of the most unusual things to do in Moscow

Bunker 42 is a secret military complex which was to be used by the Soviets in the event of a nuclear attack: a space of 7000 m² 65 meters underground!

• Where? 5 Kotelnitcheski Lane, 11.
• Prices. 2200 RUB per person
• Opening hours. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Restaurant inside. Original, but rather a tourist trap.

What to visit in Moscow in 6 days or more?

There are still so many places to see, because Moscow is a big megalopolis and there is always something exciting to do there. For example: the ancient Kolomenskoye village or the WINZAVOD contemporary art center .

If you are interested in history and want to see Russian cities on a rather “human scale”, it would certainly be interesting for you to discover the cities of the Golden Ring . For example, it is very easy to get to Sergey Posad from Moscow (less than 2 hours in train). Visiting the Golden Ring is one of the best things to do in Moscow if you are staying more than a 5-6 days.

There are still plenty of places to see in Moscow, however I did my best to list here the best things to do in Moscow, what to see in Moscow in one day, but also in 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Moscow!

Moscow travel tips:

• Airport transfer: how to go to Moscow?
• Where to stay in Moscow (hotels, districts)?
• Tourist voucher for Russian visa
• Christmas and New Year in Moscow
• What is the best time to visit Moscow?

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25 Best East Coast Family Vacations – That All Ages Love!

The East Coast is the ultimate destination spot to experience every adventure you need.

Stretching over 2,000 miles from Maine to Florida, it has everything from bustling cities to exhilarating amusement parks and hiking spots.

However, with many options available, planning where to go and what to do can be overwhelming.

Thankfully, I’m here to ease that worry.

As a seasoned traveler and avid researcher, I’ve explored various East Coast destinations and am thrilled to give you valuable insights.

I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best East Coast Family vacations to help you plan your amazing adventure.

To rank these destinations and accommodations, I’ve considered factors like accessibility, kid-friendly activities, dining options, and safety.

Each has been thoroughly researched to ensure you get the most accurate and up-to-date information.

So, if you’re struggling to find the perfect family vacation destination, just keep reading.

Let’s plan your next memorable trip by checking out this in-depth guide below.

Best East Coast Family Vacations Compared

The country’s East Coast is a vacation hotspot filled with family-friendly destinations that you should visit.

With the help of this list, you’ll discover some of the most popular East Coast family vacation destinations.

Editor’s Choice

Sonder at Sixteen Hundred

Located within Philadelphia’s Museum District, Sonder at Sixteen Hundred offers the perfect blend of cozy living with modern designs.

• Kid-friendly Activities: 2/5
• Family Accommodations: 4/5 
• Dining Options: 3/5
• Safety and Security: 4/5 
• Value for Money: 3/5
• Location and Accessibility: 5/5

#2nd Best Choice

Sand Bar Cottage Inn

Situated near Maine’s West Street harbor, Sand Bar Cottage Inn offers a relaxing and quiet lodging experience.

• Kid-friendly Activities: 3/5
• Family Accommodations: 5/5 
• Safety and Security: 5/5 
• Value for Money: 4/5

#3rd Best Choice

Sonder Battery Park

Sonder Battery Park is one of New York’s most sought-after hotels known for its modern facilities and excellent service.

• Family Accommodations: 4/5  

Here are the top 25 family vacations in East Coast.

1. Sonder at Sixteen Hundred (Editor’s Choice)

1600 Callowhill St Philadelphia, PA 19130 (617) 300-0956 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Ratings Criteria

• Convenient hotel location
• Modern and comfortable rooms
• On-site laundry needs improvement

This place is popularly known for its convenient hotel location, allowing easy access to many of Philly’s tourist spots and restaurants.

We adored our morning family strolls to nearby museums and parks and the delicious brunch at one of the nearby family-friendly diners. 

Its rooms are also well-furnished, complete with a kitchenette and top-notch furniture.

Plus, the hotel offers excellent amenities, including a gym and a rooftop courtyard area with panoramic city views.

Related: Restaurants: Philadelphia

2. Sand Bar Cottage Inn

106 West St Bar Harbor, ME 04609 (207) 288-3759 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

• Beautifully-decorated interiors
• Quiet and relaxing location
• Some rooms need refurbishing

This is the perfect place to escape the city’s noise, unwind, appreciate nature, and enjoy the family’s company.

You’ll get to stay inside cottages that radiate a homey ambiance with comfortable beds and a fireplace.

The fond memories of such simple yet meaningful experiences truly made our trip.

3. Sonder Battery Park

2 Washington St New York, NY 10004 (617) 300-0956 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

• Helpful and welcoming staff
• Spacious hotel rooms
• Customer service needs improvement

This hotel is conveniently located in the heart of New York, allowing impeccable access to the city’s iconic spots.

The highlight of our stay was the excellent service from the helpful, professional staff, who were always ready to meet our needs.

Additionally, take advantage of their top-notch amenities, including a roof deck terrace, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center.

4.  Wave Resort

110 Ocean Ave N Long Branch, NJ 07740 732-612-9283 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The Wave Resort is a beachside hotel with plenty of fantastic amenities you shouldn’t miss out on.

This resort has five on-site restaurants and bars, a roof deck event area, and an outdoor pool overlooking the Atlantic.

You can even take your kids to their kid’s club area, where they can play games and have fun.

And, of course, stroll around Long Branch’s nearby beaches and enjoy the soft, white sand and blue sea.

With its beautiful amenities and beachside location, Wave Resort is an excellent alternative to Sand Bar Cottage Inn and Sonder Battery Park.

5. Newport, RI

Newport, RI (401) 845-5300 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The home of the Vanderbilts’ summer cottages, Rhode Island’s Newport is “the” spot to be if touring fancy estates fascinates you and the fam.

Once you’re done with your tour of the estates, take in the lovely views strolling along the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile walkway that hugs the shoreline.

For even better views, jump into a helicopter and take the Newport Helicopter Tour, surprisingly affordable!

The helicopter tours are priced depending on their length; options range from 12 to 35 minutes.

For a ton of fun restaurants, boat rides, shopping and year-round festivals, check out the thriving downtown area.

Recommended Hotel: Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina

6. Delaware Beaches, DE

99 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 (866) 284-7483 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Delaware boasts many gorgeous beaches, with the Delaware Beaches running all the way from Lewes to the border of Maryland.

Along this trail, families are presented with a ton of kid-friendly destinations on the East Coast, ranging from Cape Henlopen State Park to Bethany Beach to Fenwick Island.

Don’t forget to check out Rehoboth Beach for its fun boardwalk and rides — a great spot for kids of all ages (including mom, dad, grandpa and grandma!) — and Dewey Beach for its laid back vibes — a great spot for the tweens and teens.

Recommended Hotel: Avenue Inn & Spa

7. Washington D.C

Washington, DC (202) 789-7000 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Washington D.C abounds in free monuments and museums, such as the world-famous Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art.

One of the most historically significant spots in the country, you can mix up fun and learning here for the little ones and also refresh your knowledge of the nation’s history simultaneously!

Tourists also flock here to take in the beautiful cherry blossom season — come spring, the city is a riot of pink, peach and white.

The city celebrates these blossoms, with the National Cherry Blossom Festival — a great reason for a D.C family trip in April.

Recommended Hotel: Mandarin Oriental Washington DC

Related: Restaurants in Washington DC

8. Boston, MA

Boston, MA (617) 635-3911 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Another extremely budget-friendly spot to visit, Boston, like Washington D.C, abounds in both a plethora of free attractions and a rich history.

However, the fact that it’s smaller in scale makes it possible to cover more attractions in less time.

Stroll along the Freedom Trail and catch glimpses of Paul Revere’s House.

You can also take a free-of-cost Harvard campus tour with your teen to draw inspiration from this epicenter of quality learning.

Pro tip—don’t drive around Boston — it can get difficult to navigate.

Opt instead for the “T”, the city’s public transportation system.

Cheap plus easy plus clean equals win-win!

Recommended Hotel: The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Related: Best Restaurants: Boston

9. Cape Cod, MA

Cape Cod, MA (508) 362-3225 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Barely an hour away from lovely Massachusetts and an hour and a half away from bustling Boston, Cape Cod has been the quintessential summer vacation spot for many years.

Cape Cod offers tourists the quiet charm of New England-styled coasts, such as Chatham, Provincetown and Hyannis, all dotted with quaint beach cottages; it’s all “relaxed, laid-back vibes only” at Cape Cod.

When you visit, don’t forget to stock up on the extremely popular Cape Cod Potato Chips and have ice cream at the iconic Four Seas, New England’s 3rd oldest ice cream parlor.

Recommended Hotel: The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina

10. Annapolis, MD

Annapolis, MD (410) 263-7997 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Home to the U.S Naval Academy (which you’d know if you’ve ever drooled over James Franco and Tyrese Gibson in “Annapolis”!), this town sits on Chesapeake Bay’s Western Shore.

If you’re a family that loves boating, Annapolis is a must consider vacation spot; the Sailing Capital of the United States boasts lovely sunset cruises and more-than-enough mega yachts anchored in the marinas to please any boating aficionado.

Parts of the Naval Academy are also open for families to tour, making Annapolis one of the more unique places to visit with kids.

Recommended Hotel: Historic Inns of Annapolis

Related: Places to Eat in Annapolis, MD

11. Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD (800) 626-2326 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Maryland’s Ocean City may only be a 10-mile barrier island but you wouldn’t believe how much family-friendly fun can be packed into these 10 miles.

The whole of Ocean City is chock full of things to do from ocean to bay!

Head out for a spot of mini-golf or rip up the tracks at the go-kart courses; once you tire of that, check out the fun boardwalk amusements or simply head to the pristine beaches to soak in the delicious sun.

Ocean City features many multi-bedroom condos, high-rise hotels, and some single-family homes (beachfront, too) — finding accommodation is relatively easy here.

Recommended Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Ocean City Oceanfront

12. Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg, VA (757) 220-6100 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

One of the most historic spots in the United States, walking into Williamsburg is like walking through a time tunnel and landing in the colonial era!

One of the main draws of the area is Colonial Williamsburg, a 300-acre living history museum where you’ll find men and women dressed up in costumes and walking the streets; you can also grab a meal at the same spot George Washington once dined!

Once the tots tire of the history lesson, reward them with the thrilling roller coasters and water slides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Recommended Hotel: Kingsmill Resort

Related: Must Try Restaurants in Williamsburg

13. Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC (843) 709-1985 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Charming Charleston is known for its famous Southern hospitality and is an excellent idea for weekend getaways with kids on the East Coast.

Parents will love the charm of the city while the teens will love the plethora of Insta-worthy photo ops in the area!

Charleston is home to lovely, luxurious homes that provide great backdrops to get the likes rolling in on social media, as is the Joe Riley Waterfront Park — you can also take a stroll or a cruise around the harbor.

For a unique experience, visit what once used to be a thriving plantation, or have the kids gasping in awe at the variety of marine life in the South Carolina Aquarium.

Related: Restaurants: Charleston

14. Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC (828) 258-6101 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

A popular mountain retreat, Asheville is home to The Biltmore Estate, the country’s largest private-owned house, at one point.

The estate is nestled amid the Blue Ridge Mountains and is open to the public for tours.

If you’re an adventurous family that thrives in the great outdoors, you’ll love the variety of outdoor fun on offer, from kayaking on Lake Lure to ziplining and hiking.

Downtown Asheville is where all the action is, with street performers aplenty, lovely restaurants serving even better food and kid-friendly breweries, too — the young ones will love downtown!

Recommended Hotel: The Omni Grove Park Inn – Asheville

15. Savannah, GA

Savannah, GA (912) 644-6400 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If a balance between being in Mother Nature’s lap and still enjoying the city life appeals to you and your family, Savannah is a must consider.

The City of Squares boasts 24 parks or squares — yes, it gets its name from here!

Savannah has plenty of moss-covered oak trees creating welcoming archways into the city; come Halloween, these oak trees turn into something that’s the polar opposite.

During Halloween, there are also numerous ghost tours operating; the teens will love the thrills and chills from the tours of the haunted plantation houses and graveyards.

Recommended Hotel: Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah

16. Amelia Island, FL

Amelia Island, FL Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Nestled in Florida’s northeastern corner, Amelia Island is known for its pristine white sands and the emerald-green waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Tourists at Amelia Island can enjoy 13 miles of beaches and a ton of outdoor activities.

Amelia Island is a resort-barrier island, which means that families can enjoy kayaking, water sports and boat tours, especially at the historic Fernandina Beach, a seaport town that boasts 200 years of well-preserved history.

Families can also enjoy horseback riding and biking, or simply take maximum advantage of the lovely beaches!

Recommended Hotel: Villas Of Amelia Island

17. The Palm Beaches, FL

Palm Beach, FL (800) 554-7256 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

A collection of beaches in southeastern Florida, all the Palm Beaches are excellent ideas for an East Coast beach fam jam.

Palm Beach County is where Henry Flagler built his famous Palm-Beach-to-Key-West railroad; for a deep look at Florida’s history, visit the Flagler Museum, a Flagler’s mansion turned museum.

Of course, if you’re heading to the Palm Beaches, you’re not just doing so for history — you want the sun, surf and sand!

Indulge in endless days of water sports and sunbathing at the beach; there are plenty of spots to enjoy both at the Palm Beaches.

Recommended Hotel: The Breakers Palm Beach

18. Maine Coast, MA

Boston, MA (857) 702-9100 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

With nearly 3,500 miles of coastline, it comes as little surprise that Maine is the popular beach getaway that it is.

From Kittery up to Bar Harbor, Maine Coast is replete with lovely seaside towns, all with unique offerings of their own.

Kennebunkport houses a plethora of quaint inns and charming cottages; Old Orchard Beach is a historic town that offers plenty of old-school fun, such as rides and a historic pier.

Casco Bay is popular for its rocky coastline with lighthouses sprinkled across, lovely restaurants and breweries, and of course, Freeport’s flagship L.L. Bean Store.

Recommended Hotel: The Nonantum Resort

19. White Mountains, NH

Lincoln, NH 03251 (603) 745-8720 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

With a ton of outdoor activities on offer, White Mountains is an excellent option to consider for outdoorsy families and those who like activity.

Families vacationing at White Mountains can enjoy rock climbing, hiking and splashing around in Diana’s Baths’ waterfalls.

You can also ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway or drive your car up and earn a sticker — both bucket-list items!

Apart from this, families can also enjoy attractions such as the summer displays and activities at Attitash Mountains, Flume Gorge and the Santa’s Village and Storyland amusement parks.

Recommended Hotel: Village of Loon Mountain, a VRI resort

20. Green Mountains, VT

Montgomery, VT 05471 (800) 837-6668 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

An excellent idea for northeast family vacations, Green Vermont has the unique ability to offer you the vacation you want — laidback or active!

You can spend hours lounging on the shores of Lake Champlain or enjoy summer activities at one of Vermont’s well-known mountain resorts.

You can choose to spend days hiking and swimming or choose more relaxed activities such as exploring Vermont’s food scene, tasting the world-famous Vermont cheddar cheese, touring the Ben & Jerry’s factories or enjoying craft beer at the breweries.

Exploring nearby towns such as Manchester and Woodstock are also great ideas.

Recommended Hotel: Lodge at Bromley

21. Niagara Falls, NY

10 Rainbow Boulevard Niagra Falls, NY 14303 (877) 325-5787 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Gone are the days when Niagara Falls was reserved solely for honeymooners; today, the area is a thriving family vacation hotspot.

Cross the border and say “hi” to our Canadian neighbors, or simply stay on the U.S. side and make the most of the 22 breweries and wineries on the Niagara Wine Trail.

If you are an “outdoors” family, you’ll enjoy the Niagara Gorge, the 11 New York State Parks and the boat ride across the river.

These apart, families can also visit the Aquarium of Niagara, the Old Fort Niagara and the not-to-be-missed Cave of the Winds.

Recommended Hotel: Sheraton Niagara Falls

22. Clearwater Beach, FL

8200 Bryan Diary Road, Suite 200 Largo, FL 33777 (727) 464-7200 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Clearwater Beach is the quintessential beach paradise, with the calm crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the powder-soft sands of the Clearwater Beach.

Add to this the many hotels and resorts and the stage is set for a full-blown family beach getaway!

One of the best parts of Clearwater Beach is how kid and baby-friendly it is, with dolphin cruises, pirate-ship adventures, sunset festivals, outdoor movie nights and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Tampa and St. Petersburg are closeby; make a day trip to visit the Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium.

Recommended Hotel: Sandpearl Resort

23. Virginia Beach, VA

2101 Parks Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 (757) 385-4700 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Perhaps the most famous part of Virginia Beach is the iconic 24-foot King Neptune statue that welcomes visitors to the area, but that’s not all Virginia Beach has to offer.

Long shorelines and the lovely waters of the Chesapeake Bay are a great spot for families; young kids can enjoy the calm bay waters while the more adventurous older tykes can enjoy swimming and surfing in the Atlantic’s waves.

Ocean Breeze Water Park is a superb spot for family fun, with a lazy river, 10 slides, a wave pool and an affordable entry ticket.

Virginia Beach is also a great option for nature lovers, with a variety of parks, aquariums and whale/dolphin-watching on offer.

Recommended Hotel: Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Related: Places to Eat: Virginia Beach, VA

24. Lake Lure, NC

2948 Memorial Highway Lake Lure, NC 28746 (828) 625-9983 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Lake Lure has plenty of adventure to offer, along with lovely mountain views everywhere you look!

Top attractions such as the Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure Flowering Bridge and Chimney Rock Village are must-visits; the latter also offers a ton of shopping and dining, as well as beautiful strolls along the creek.

If you like hiking, check out the 8 hiking trails at Chimney Rock, especially the hike to the top and Hickory Nut Falls Trail for scenic views.

Pontoon boat rides on Lake Lure or the beach at Lake Lure Inn and Spa are great ways to relax.

Recommended Hotel: Mountain Lodge & Conference Center

25. Hilton Head,SC

Hilton Head Island, SC (843) 341-4600 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Filled with lovely oak trees covered in velvety Spanish moss, the beautiful town of Hilton Head offers endless bike trails, plenty of horseback riding, the opportunity to kayak through the waterways and marshes and picnics at the Pinckney Nature Preserve.

It’s not all old school here, though; you can enjoy putting at golf courses and dining at classy restaurants that serve up a variety of cuisines .

From local fare to delicious barbecues to the catch of the day, you’ll find it all served up, set against the backdrop of the famous Southern hospitality and charm.

Recommended Hotel: Omni Oceanfront Resort Hilton Head Island

Vacationer’s Guide 

Comparing destinations: which one is right for you.

It’s crucial to weigh every option when deciding how to spend a family vacation on the East Coast.

So, make sure to find a suitable vacation spot that fits your interests, as each location offers something special.

For comparison, Sonder at Sixteen Hundred is ideal for those seeking a cozy stay in the center of Philadelphia.

The industrial-designed room is well-kept with modern amenities, but it can be quite costly for families on a budget.

On the other hand, the Sand Bar Cottage Inn is an excellent option if you’re searching for a more relaxed beach vacation.

The cottages are cozy, and the shore is easily accessible, but the area can be pretty crowded during peak season.

Lastly, Sonder Battery Park is perfect for exploring the famous spots in New York City.

The apartments are contemporary, and the location cannot be beaten.

But it may not be the ideal option if you got young kids because of the noise and activity levels.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for an entertaining and relaxing alternative, Wave Resort is a perfect choice.

Situated along the beach in Long Branch, it has many family-friendly activities, including an outdoor pool and a kids’ club.

How I Picked The Destinations 

To ensure I present an accurate review, I follow a thorough process to select the places.

I researched various family-friendly destinations by reading online reviews, travel guides, and recommendations from other travelers.

I spent time exploring the area and spoke with the locals to better understand what the destination has to offer.

Our Rating Method 

I rate these properties based on the following criteria:

• Kid-friendly Activities: I use this to evaluate the availability and variety of family-friendly amenities at every property. Does it feature playgrounds and kids’ clubs? Does it organize events designed specifically for kids? I ask myself these questions whenever I rate this property’s kid-friendly activities. 
• Family Accommodations: This is used to assess the family accommodations of the property. Are the rooms spacious? Does it offer family suites with connecting rooms? Can it accommodate families of different sizes? Is there a crib or baby-proofing in every room? These questions are essential whenever I rate the property’s family accommodations. 
• Dining Options: This evaluates the dining options at the property. Are there kid-friendly options at the property? Is there an on-site restaurant that caters to everyone’s dietary preferences and needs? I use these questions to assess the dining options of every property. 
• Safety and Security: I use this criterion to assess the safety and security of every property. Are the premises secured? Is the staff trained to handle any emergency? I consider these factors when rating the property’s safety and security. 
• Value for Money: This is used to evaluate the value for money of every property. Are the room rates reasonable? Are the services, activities, and amenities suitable for the price? I ask myself these questions to rate the value for money provided by the property. 
• Location and Accessibility: This measures how accessible the property is for families. How far is it from the popular family attractions? Is it easily accessible via public transportation? I use these questions to evaluate the property’s location and accessibility. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the best destinations for a family vacation on the east coast.

The best East Coast places for a family vacation include Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and Yellowstone National Park.

What Are Some Fun Activities For Families To Do On The East Coast?

The most popular and fun family activities to do on the East Coast include the Kennedy Space Center, Bronx Zoo, and Yosemite National Park.

After exploring some of the best East Coast family vacations, it’s best to say that they have their own unique charm.

The Sand Bar Cottage Inn was a cozy retreat, and we loved how peaceful and serene the beach was when we got there.

When we stayed at Sonder Battery Park, we were amazed by the contemporary rooms, and it’s pretty close to local attractions in NYC.

Lastly, during our stay at the Wave Resort in Long Branch, my kids loved the outdoor pool and the various dining options.

While these destinations left us with an unforgettable trip, I believe the Sonder at Sixteen Hundred is on a different level.

The hotel is close to historical spots, like the Liberty Bell, and the rooms provide the utmost comfort with its top-notch amenities.

It truly offers a comfortable experience that is sure to make any family vacation worthwhile.