As we all know, traveling with family is much more than just the destination, it is about the memories that are made. Family vacations are an intentional time to grow together as a family and provide unique memories that will last a lifetime. Away from the everyday routine, and enjoying the fun activities and adventures together. Knowing how precious these times are, we have compiled a list of the best places to travel with kids for you and your family.
Whether you’re looking for a getaway highlighting the beauty of nature, or something more urban, our list has perfect options for every young family. Scroll down to learn more about our top picks from 705 best family vacations in the US.
Top 10 Best Places to Travel with Kids in the USA
Traveling with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience for both parents and children, but finding the right destination can be challenging. There are some of the best places to travel with kids in the USA that offer a range of activities and attractions that cater to families, from theme parks and museums to outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
1. Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL)
No list would be complete without including Walt Disney World, and no wonder because nothing comes close to this magical experience. This world-renowned theme park in Orlando, Florida, is home to the most popular theme park in the world. What gives it that title is its unparalleled ability to make dreams come to life. Featuring their theme parks Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and the Hollywood Kingdom with its new Star Wars area, everyone in the family will have an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. The city of Florida also hosts a handful of other incredible theme parks, such as Universal Orlando Resort. There you can find The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as Discovery Cove. There is truly no better place to go as a family than Orlando.
2. Grand Canyon (Arizona)
The “grandness” of the Grand Canyon is truly something that cannot be explained in words. It’s something that can only be experienced. Until you and your family gaze out into the vastness and depth, filled with other-worldly rock formations of beautiful, ranging colors can you understand why it has been given its name. It is no surprise that it is named among the seven natural wonders of the world. From guided tours to viewings from a helicopter, you and your family won’t grow tired of exploring and gazing at the beauty of the Grand Canyon.
3. Washington, D.C.
Paying a visit to the nation’s capital is a desired destination for all families. Washington, D.C., is best known for its scenic National Mall, where you can find iconic monuments and free museums, such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. With museums like the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, all your time will be spent discovering all the history here. The Smithsonian Institution also has an incredible free zoo for you and your family to check out. Washington, DC, has everything you want to make the perfect family vacation. To make it even more unforgettable, if you’re planning on coming in spring, you will be able to see the beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
4. Yosemite National Park (California)
Simply put, when it comes to a destination close to nature, Yosemite is unrivaled. Swimming, rafting, horse-riding, fishing, you name it, Yosemite’s got it. This World Heritage Site is located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains and surrounded by two national forests, the Sierra National Forest and the Stanislaus National Forest. The park is vast, spread over 1,200 sq. miles, and filled with one-of-a-kind rock formations, stunning waterfalls, soaring cliff faces, and vintage sequoia trees. Go up to Glacier Point to indulge in the park’s endless views and decide to hike up the Yosemite Valley trails. If your family loves nature, this has to be your top pick. Besides this there are various other parks where you can experience wildlife in the USA.
5. Destin (Florida)
Looking for a one-stop destination that’s not only kid-friendly but home to beautiful white sandy beaches? Head over to Destin, Florida, to have that family vacation you’ve been hoping for. Destin welcomes you with its famous fishing spots and a healthy range of shorelines. Visit the Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park with over 40 rides, slides, and pools, or suppose you’re thinking of a relaxing day on the beach. Then you can spend the day at either Destin’s Henderson Beach State Park or Crystal Beach. The scenic and calm views of the shoreline paired with the kids making a sandcastle or bodyboarding a wave back into shore will make you think you’re dreaming. If that doesn’t convince you, you can check out Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and get up close and personal with dolphins and other sea life.
6. Yellowstone (Wyoming)
Suppose you’re looking for a history-rich and fun adventure for your family. In that case, look no further than Yellowstone National Park. The area is brimming with mountains, lakes, canyons, and subalpine forests to explore. The most iconic site being Old Faithful, the most famous geyser in the world. Erupting roughly every 90 minutes, you can’t miss seeing this natural spectacle in person. Unbeknownst to most, the park is home to many other geysers, including the Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser. As you’re roaming the park, make sure to keep a lookout for bison, as it is home to the oldest and largest public bison herd in the US. You can see what makes this a top destination to visit in Wyoming for people around the world. So gather your family for a day filled with adventure and memory.
7. San Diego (California)
Take in the beauty of San Diego while enjoying its over 70 miles of coastline, paired with its warm year-long weather. The long sandy beaches of Coronado are a great place to start. There is no better way to enjoy the beautiful landscape of San Diego than with a family bike ride on one of its many car-free bike paths. You can easily rent out bikes from one of San Diego’s local shops. You can also explore the Bay of San Diego by renting out some jet skis and have fun out on the water. It will give you a scenic view of the city, and you can even see some naval ships. Not only that, but the city is home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, which has been voted the best zoo in the world on numerous occasions. San Diego has plenty of family-friendly vacation activities, making it one of the best destinations in the U.S. to travel with your family. Also, there are some things to do at night in San Diego that are family-friendly.
8. Branson (Missouri)
Known as “the family-friendly Vegas,” Branson lets both kids and adults enjoy classic and fun outdoor activities. With its many theme parks, live entertainment, and the beautiful nature of the Ozarks, reserve Branson is one of the best places to travel with kids. Experience exciting roller coaster rides at Silver Dollar City, or head over to their water park. You can enjoy their fun waterslides, or you can float down the lazy river. For music and a show, go and watch an incredible musical at Christian Broadway. The Branson Scenic Railway is a fantastic option for your family to see the stunning Ozark Mountain foothills while enjoying it from the comfort of a vintage passenger train.
9. Los Angeles (California)
Still not convinced of the best places to travel with kids? There’s nothing wrong with choosing a classic like Los Angeles; it’s well-known for a reason. A classic destination with its miles of beautiful, bronzed beaches and countless theme parks. Not to mention downtown, which will no doubt keep your family busy. Home to the Santa Monica Pier, featured in films for decades, making it a hotspot of families. Experience its vintage carnival games and boardwalk, and afterward, go and enjoy the rest of the day by the beach.
10. New York (N.Y.)
Can’t wrap your head around which place to choose? If all the choices are becoming a bit overwhelming, why not settle on arguably the most iconic city in the world, New York City. From Broadway, Times Square, and its unmatched skyline, New York City is the perfect destination. To begin, no trip to New York would be complete without visiting the Statue of Liberty and Central Park. When planning your time around Central Park, know it’s enormous, so plan to come here more than once. Above all, you can’t expect to come to New York if you aren’t ready to eat A LOT. From hotdogs, pizza, and bagels, you have to experience the incredible food that New York has to offer. If you’ve decided to venture to a city that never sleeps, check Rentaltrader.com to save you from the stress of expensive vacation rental fees. There are some New York road trip destinations to enjoy the roadside beauty of the city.
If you’re still battling with that decision on which unique getaway destination is best for you, then visit Rentaltrader.com. We’ve done our homework on the best places to travel with kids so you won’t have to. There you can find great suggestions on where to spend your time away, which features excellent accommodations and amenities to suit any family budget.
