25 Trips to Take with Your Kids Before They Grow Up (USA Edition)
Taking a family trip is one of the best ways to bond as a family. If you're looking for inspiration for a vacation destination your whole family will enjoy, keep reading!
I'm a mom of 4 and a family travel content creator. I got my start as a freelance travel writer when my kids were babies and toddlers and we lived in Florida. We were on a tight budget at the time, so we gathered content ideas from day trips and short weekend getaways within road trip distance. Over the years, we've had the opportunity to explore more of the United States, and we've even taken a few epic international trips as a family!
Thanks to my work as a family travel influencer, we've experienced almost every type of trip, from National Parks to amusement parks, from beaches to mountains, from cities to small towns, and everything in between.
I've also experienced travel with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and now elementary and middle-school-aged kids, so I know how fast the time goes. I'm all too aware that the time we get to travel with kids is limited. If you want to make the most of the trips you take while they're young, you're not alone! It's been one of the greatest privileges of my life to experience the world with my kids.
I want those same experiences for you, so I'm sharing the best family vacation spots that we've experienced as a family.
Here are the best places we've visited with kids! (As well as some bucket list trips we hope to experience someday!)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Theme Park & Water Parks
LEGOLAND
I'm putting LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California at the top of my list of theme parks to visit with kids, because not only are they kid-friendly, they're MADE for kids ages 2-12!
Throughout my travels, I've noticed that some places are more welcoming to kids than others, but it can be hard to find places that are designed with kids in mind. But LEGOLAND is that place!
Within the resorts (we've stayed at The Pirate Island Hotel in Florida and the Castle Hotel in California), the theming is on point. You're immersed in a world of LEGO!
The meals are family style or buffet, and there are LEGO pits and play areas inside the restaurants.
The bathrooms have kid-sized toilets and sinks, or they have accommodations for small children, like a stool by the sink or a toddler seat modification on the toilet itself.
There are playgrounds and open spaces all around the resort so that kids can act like kids. The Castle Hotel in California even has a slide instead of stairs in the lobby of the hotel!
The LEGOLAND theme parks are wonderful, too! The DUPLO section of the park is perfect for toddlers, and there are so many great rides for the entire family. I've never found them to be too crowded, and it's more of a low-key theme park experience compared to Disney or Universal.
Read: Tips for Visiting LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park with Kids
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is the quintessential family vacation destination. There's something about spending a few days inside the "Disney Bubble" that evokes a sense of nostalgia and magic even in the most jaded of adults.
Disney World is made up of 4 parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, so you'll need at least 4 days to really experience it all!
I would highly recommend staying on property at Disney World. We've tried staying both on and off property, and even if you're on a budget, staying at Disney's Value resorts offers some of the best bang for your buck, thanks to the convenient transportation Disney resorts provide.
We've stayed at Disney All-Star Sports Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, the Grand Floridian, and the Swan and Dolphin Hotel.
Disney World is a great place to bond with your kids over your favorite childhood movies, exciting rides, interactive shows, character experiences, delicious snacks, and the shared experience of walking 20,000 steps a day in the Florida heat.
If you have babies or toddlers, you'll still have a great time at Disney World, AND kids ages 2 and under are FREE - so go while they're little! Here are my top tips for visiting Disney World with babies.
Read: 50 Disney World Hacks for Making Your Trip Easier, Cheaper, and More Magical
Or check out ALL of my Disney World blog posts here.
Universal Orlando
If you have Harry Potter Fans in your family, you NEED to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.
I took my daughter for her 9th birthday because we had been reading the books together since she was 6. It was the best way to immerse ourselves in a franchise we both love!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is now split into 3 parks: Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, and Wizarding Paris and the British Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe (which opens May 22, 2025).
Before Epic Universe opened, you could do the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day - here's my itinerary!
Now you'll need to add at least one more day to see all 3 Wizarding World of Harry Potter "lands."
Universal Orlando does such a great job of bringing the books to life in the theme park. You're truly immersed in Harry Potter's world as you wander through the hidden streets of Diagon Alley, stand in the shadow of Hogwarts Castle in Hogsmeade, exchange your money at Gringott's bank for wizard money, or attend Olivander's wand ceremony.
What better way to bond with your child than entering the Wizarding World together? Don't forget to share a butterbeer together!
Read: What to Know Before You Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Read: 9 Reasons to Stay at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort if You're Going to Universal Orlando
Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center isn't necessarily a theme park, but it does have attractions, rides, tours, and interactive experiences.
If you have any kids who are interested in space exploration, astronauts, or spaceships, this is a must-visit destination! It's located on Merritt Island, Florida, which is near Cocoa Beach. (Cocoa Beach is actually the closest beach to Disney World, so you could, in theory, combine a trip to Disney, a day at Kennedy Space Center, and a day at the beach into one trip.)
Read: What to Do in Cocoa Beach - A Budget Day Trip from Orlando
At Kennedy Space Center, you can chat with an astronaut, do the Shuttle Launch Experience, walk through the Rocket Garden, let your little kids climb and play on the multi-story indoor play place, and watch a space film in an IMAX theater.
Wisconsin Dells
Did you know Wisconsin Dells is the waterpark capital of the world? It has the most waterparks per capita of anywhere on earth!
If you have kids who love water parks, this would be a dream destination.
Noah's Ark, Kalahari, and Chula Vista are some of the best waterparks to visit. Most of the resorts in the Wisconsin Dells have both indoor and outdoor waterparks, so you could visit any time of year!
If you need a break from the waterparks, there are a ton of incredible things to do in Wisconsin Dells:
Take the Upper Dells boat tour to see Witches Gulch, an eerily beautiful slot canyon.
Take a Duck Boat Tour that goes on land and in the water.
Hike at a nearby state park (Mirror Lake State Park or Devil's Lake State Park)
Have dinner at a famous Wisconsin supper club
Feed the deer at Wisconsin Deer Park
Read: Wisconsin Dells Family Travel Guide
Great Wolf Lodge
I'm not a huge waterpark person, but Great Wolf Lodge was such a fun experience with the kids that I want to include it on this list.
The waterpark portion was super fun, but honestly, it was not THAT different from other waterparks we've experienced.
What stood out to me was the kids' programming they had on property that made the stay super fun. They offer free activities at the hotel throughout your stay, so be sure to check the schedule to see what's on!
In addition, if you get the Paw Pass (or a variation of that), you get to try other activities like mining for gems, Magiquest, and the arcade.
Read all about our experience at Great Wolf Lodge here!
National Parks Trips
Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota
This was our first big family trip as a family of 6, and we took this trip while our kids were still pretty young. I still think it's one of the best trips we've ever taken, and I think every family should do this at least once!
We drove from Wisconsin and based ourselves in Rapid City. We spent a few days exploring the Black Hills region, visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD.
For the last portion of our trip, we went to Badlands National Park.
This is a great trip for younger kids because you get to see wildlife like bison, burros, and prairie dogs from the safety of your vehicle. There's a lot of great scenery and easy hike options for kids. It's also a very budget-friendly trip since you're spending most of your time in the great outdoors.
Read: Kid-Friendly South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary
Olympic National Park
We just visited Olympic National Park in Washington for spring break with our kids, and it is one of the most beautiful places I've seen in the United States.
There is so much diversity in the park with mountains, a temperate rainforest, wild coastline with sea stacks rising out of the ocean, beautiful lake views, and more.
We visited in spring, which was a good time to go to avoid the crowds. Unfortunately, not everything is open that time of year, especially in the mountains. So if you want to see some of the epic mountain views, try visiting in late summer, though you will have to battle more crowds.
Read: The Ultimate 1 Week Washington Road Trip Itinerary with Kids
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the United States and is a bucket list destination for many people!
I would highly encourage you to go while your kids are young for one main reason: it's SO much cheaper.
The only ways to get to Dry Tortugas National Park are:
Taking the ferry called the Yankee Freedom
Taking a helicopter
Chartering your own boat
Kids ages 0-3 can ride the ferry for free, and tickets start at $235 for an adult and $180 for kids ages 4-16. Going to Dry Tortugas with babies and toddlers is going to save you so much money, and even going while kids are in elementary and middle school is going to be much cheaper than if you wait until kids are 17 or 18.
They even have snorkel equipment for little ones on the boat that's included with the fee, as well as breakfast and lunch included in the price.
Read: Tips for Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park with Kids
Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is such an easy trip to do with kids, and Gatlinburg is a very family-friendly destination.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has free admission, and the entrance to the park is right next to Gatlinburg. There are easy hikes to do with kids, as well as viewpoints you can drive up to if you're not into hiking.
There's also a lot to do in Gatlinburg itself, from dueling ziplines at Anakeesta (for older kids), to jaw-dropping views from Gatlinburg Space Needle, to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, every age group will find something to love.
Read: Family Travel Guide to Gatlinburg
Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is a perfect destination for spring break with kids! If you visit in summer, the temperatures can be too hot to hike, but the weather in spring is a bit milder.
We needed an escape from winter here in the Midwest (which can last until May), so we loved the drastic change from forests and lakes to the desert landscapes of Death Valley.
We flew into Las Vegas, which served as our home base for the trip, but we did spend one night in Death Valley at the Oasis at Death Valley.
Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States with so much to do and see. Our favorites included:
Golden Canyon
Badwater Basin Salt Flats for sunset. Take some family photos in the lowest point in North America!
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Breakfast buffet at 1849 Restaurant.
Artists Drive and Artists Palette scenic drive and hike.
Devil’s Golf Course
Zabriskie Point for sunrise
Read: 1 Week Family Spring Break Itinerary Las Vegas and Death Valley
Read: What to Do in Death Valley National Park with Kids
Sequoia National Park
There's nothing cooler than watching your tiny kids walking among giant sequoias!
Sequoia National Park in California is an easy park to visit with young children. We always stop at the Visitor Center when visiting National Parks to talk to the park rangers about which hikes are appropriate for kids and to make sure everything we want to see is open.
Here are a few things to see at Sequoia National Park with little kids:
Tunnel Rock
Hospital rock
Giant Forest Museum
Big Trees Trail
General Sherman Tree - the biggest tree in the world!
Read: Tips for Visiting Sequoia National Park with Kids
New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge is one of the newest national parks in the United States, and not super crowded! It's located in West Virginia, so you could easily make a road trip out of it if you live in the Midwest, the South, or the eastern United States.
In addition to seeing the New River Gorge Bridge (the largest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere), you can hike the Endless Wall Trail, and check out the Grandview Overlook (with views of the New River winding through the Appalachian mountains).
We also spent half a day in Beckley, WV, visiting an Exhibition Coal Mine where you can take a tram down into a coal mine that's no longer active, and a former coal miner will give you a tour! It's super cool and educational for kids.
Read: Visiting New River Gorge National Park with Kids
St. Louis and the Arch
Gateway Arch National Park is one of the easiest National Parks to visit with kids since it's an urban park with no hikes or outdoor elements.
There's a great museum that's super kid-friendly at the bottom of the Arch, then visitors can take a tram to the top of the Arch for great views of St. Louis!
>> Insider’s Tip: 📸 Head past the old courthouse to take some photos with the Gateway Arch framing the courthouse in the background!
After you visit the Gateway Arch NP, there are tons of great things to do in St. Louis with kids, like the free St. Louis Zoo, Grant's Farm, and St. Louis Union Station.
Read: St. Louis Travel Guide for Families
Still on Our Bucket List:
Grand Canyon National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Glacier National Park
Utah Mighty 5 (Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Park)
City Break Trips
New York City
There's nowhere on earth like the Big Apple, it's one of those places you have to visit to understand the magic.
I took my daughter at Christmas time, and it was such a dream! You can ice skate in Central Park or Bryant Park, visit FAO Schwarz toy store, see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, watch the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall, get fancy hot chocolate, or wander through one of the Christmas markets.
If you visit any other time of year, there are so many other activities for families like seeing the Brooklyn Bridge, wandering through Central Park, attending a Broadway show, seeing the 9-11 Memorial, or going to the top of the Rock or the top of the Empire State Building.
Read: Christmas In New York City with Kids
San Diego
San Diego is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the United States! Of course, you have to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo, check out the museums at Balboa Park, and see the USS Midway Museum. But you can also get outside the city a bit to see the sea lions in their natural habitat in La Jolla, hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, or visit Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
LEGOLAND California is just 30 minutes away in Carlsbad, and Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood are just an hour and a half away, so you could easily build a theme park stop into your itinerary!
We also added Palm Springs to our Southern California road trip itinerary, which was just a 2-hour drive from San Diego.
Read: 39 Fun Things to Do in San Diego with Kids
Read: Southern California Road Trip Itinerary for Families
Washington DC
Our nation's capital is one of the best family vacation destinations in the United States because almost all of the museums, monuments, and memorials are FREE to visit.
You can stroll the National Mall and see the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the WWII Memorial, and several Smithsonian Museums, all within walking distance of each other.
Another benefit to this is that you don't need to bring a car seat if you're flying in from somewhere else! Washington DC has great public transportation to and from the airport, and once you're in the downtown area, you can walk anywhere you need to go.
This is a perfect place to visit with older children who enjoy learning about history, or young kids, because you can put them in a stroller and see as much as you want!
Read: The Perfect 24 Hour Washington DC Itinerary with Kids
Chicago
I grew up in southern Wisconsin, so Chicago has a special place in my heart! We used to visit all the time when I was a kid, and it's been so fun to take my own kids to show them the highlights of the Windy City.
From Lincoln Park Zoo to the American Girl Place, from wandering the River Walk to strolling by the Lakefront, there are so many great options for family-friendly activities! Whether you like shopping, museums, playgrounds, or outdoor fun, you can find it all here.
Enjoy Navy Pier, Millennium Park and the Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), Magnificent Mile, and Chicago 360 Observation Deck.
Pro tip: combine a trip to Chicago with a trip to Milwaukee for 2 amazing Midwestern cities!
Read: 30 Terrific Things to Do in Chicago with Kids
Seattle
Seattle is such a unique city, and my kids absolutely loved it!
Their favorite part was going to the top of the Space Needle, but they also enjoyed Chihuly Gardens and Glass, Pike Place Market, the Gum Wall, and the Piers along the waterfront.
We combined Seattle with a trip to Olympic National Park and Leavenworth, Washington, so we got to enjoy the outdoors, a cute Bavarian town in the mountains, and one of America's coolest cities all in one trip.
Read: The Ultimate 1 Week Washington Road Trip Itinerary with Kids
Atlanta
If your kids like drinking as much soda as they want, giant aquariums, and cool playgrounds, Atlanta should be your next destination!
We loved visiting the World of Coca-Cola, where you can visit the tasting room and sample over 100 flavors of soda from around the world.
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the United States, so be sure to add this to your itinerary. We also loved Centennial Park right across the street from the aquarium, which was built for the 1996 Olympic Games. It has an awesome playground and great views of the Atlanta skyline.
Combine a trip to Atlanta with a peaceful stay in the North Georgia Mountains or a weekend in beautiful Savannah!
Read: What to Do in Atlanta with Kids
Read: Savannah, Georgia with Kids
Beach Destinations
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, so US citizens don't need a passport to visit!
It's high on my list of recommendations for family-friendly vacations because it has the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, a vibrant culture, great food, and beautiful beaches!
The island is easy to get to, and renting a car is simple. Driving in Puerto Rico is exactly like driving in the mainland United States, and I highly recommend renting a car so you can see more than just Old San Juan.
Old San Juan has beautiful colonial architecture and some incredible historic forts to visit, like El Morro.
Take a day trip to El Yunque National Forest to see the only tropical rainforest in the United States.
Even better, drive to the West Coast of the island to see stunning beaches and laid-back beach towns.
Read: 1 Week Puerto Rico Itinerary with Kids
Florida Keys
We have road tripped the Florida Keys twice with our kids, and it is one of my favorite family vacation destinations!
The Florida Keys are so laid back, and each key is a little different with its own personality and charm.
Make sure you eat your fair share of Key lime pie, visit Robbie's Marina in Islamorada to feed the tarpon, check out the Turtle Hospital in Marathon Key, and visit the sunset celebration in Key West.
Of course, you can easily combine the Keys with a national park! Dry Tortugas National Park is located off the coast of Key West, or you can visit Everglades National Park or Biscayne National Park before driving through the Keys.
St Augustine
St. Augustine is one of my favorite cities in Florida! We lived 30 minutes south of St. Augustine for 5 years when our kids were young, so it really has a special place in my heart.
Little kids will love the wide beach with soft white sand, and the splash pad right next to St. Augustine Beach!
In historic downtown St. Augustine, there is a pedestrian-only walkway so you can let your kids walk around without worrying about cars. You can see the first wooden schoolhouse, the Fountain of Youth, Castillo de San Marcos, and the Colonial Quarter.
Read: 17 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine with Kids
Fort Myers
Fort Myers still has that Old Florida charm, and it's quite warm almost year-round!
Its proximity to Sanibel and Captiva islands makes it a great home base for exploring some of Florida's more untouched and beautiful areas. Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers have some of the best shelling in Florida, so if your little ones like collecting seashells like mine do, this is the perfect place to go.
Our recent stay at Pink Shell Resort in Fort Myers Beach was incredible, too! The hotel has large rooms that can fit a family of 6 like ours, and they have a naturalist on site who can lead shelling walks at sunrise, or take you kayaking to a mangrove tunnel. Use code EMILY to save 15% when you book directly through Pink Shell Resort!
Read: Family Travel Guide to the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel
Destin
Destin is one of those classic Florida beach destinations that families return to over and over!
It's one of the Florida panhandle cities on the Emerald Coast with sugar sand beaches and calm Gulf waters. This was one of the best family vacations we took while we lived in Florida!
We loved taking a dolphin cruise, playing on the beach, and exploring Harborwalk Village.
You can easily combine Destin with nearby 30A for some more Gulf Coast fun.
Read: 8 Great Things to Do in Destin, Florida with Kids
Tips for Traveling with a Toddler
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Emily Krause is a Wisconsin-based travel content creator who writes about exploring the world with kids.
On A Mom Explores you’ll find the best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
