The Best US Destinations For Kids Of Every Age, According To Families

Traveling is often viewed as a type of leisure. However, for families with kids, that's not the whole truth. Studies show that traveling can play an important role in a child's development. A 2023 survey by the Family Travel Association and New York University found that 84% of parents watched their kids grow better adjusted after going on a family vacation. Even more promisingly, almost two-thirds of respondents also found that their children developed improved social skills and a more optimistic worldview following their adventures. Because of these significant benefits, families should definitely consider exploring the world together. The only problem? Not all parents know where to begin.

The good news is that the United States is full of kid-friendly destinations where families can enjoy themselves to the max. As experienced travel writers and researchers, we have done a deep dive into some of the best places to explore with kids. We have evaluated hundreds of travel reviews from parents, aunts, and uncles on sites like Reddit, Tripadvisor, and Mumsnet. This information has helped us discover which American cities appeal to families. Our findings show that the country is full of amazing destinations that are perfect for kids of different ages and stages.

Embarking on a European vacation with a newborn might be pretty complicated, but that doesn't mean new parents can't take their little one to a town bursting with old-world charm. Parents looking to stroll centuries-old streets should head to St. Augustine, Florida — a historical American city with incredible Spanish flair. Founded in 1565 by Spanish colonizers, St. Augustine has retained many elements of a 16th-century city. Walk along the picturesque St. George Street, where boutiques and cafés abound. Afterward, swing by the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument fortress to see how the Spanish kept their hold on the city. Since much of St. Augustine's charm comes from its walkability, it's a great place to take a little wisher. Simply strap your baby to your chest and saunter from point A to point B.

Walkability is so important to previous visitors that many prefer St. Augustine over other Floridian destinations. Writing on the r/florida subreddit of Reddit, one traveler explained, "St Augustine is walkable and [has] great history and restaurants; St Pete Beach is not walkable with kids ... on a sidewalk along a very busy road (people get hit out there all the time)." That being said, many parents recommend traveling with backup. As a parent put it on the r/Mommit subreddit, "Your village has to come with you. Sharing the infant is the best way for everyone to get a couple days of fun."

St. Augustine, Florida, isn't the only destination known for its great walkability. Burlington, Vermont, is also an easy town to get around — making it one of the best places in the United States to travel with a baby. Its iconic Church Street Marketplace, or open-air mall, provides food and shopping in an easy-going environment. Simply step outside and peruse stands with artesian goods or wheel your stroller up to an al fresco restaurant for farm-to-table eats. Depending on the day, you might even catch some live music. For the best experience, stay at a hotel right in the center of town. That way, everything you need to enjoy a low-key afternoon as a family will be right there at your fingertips.

Parents who are interested in hiking will find that Burlington has infant-friendly trails. The walk at Red Rocks Park is particularly accessible, with one previous visitor applauding it on Tripadvisor: "Great exercise, nice views, [and] stroller-friendly. Lots of dogs and runners. Everyone smiling despite grey skies. Great views of Lake Champlain." All this helps make Burlington an awesome place to take your little one. As one satisfied parent wrote in the r/travel subreddit of Reddit, "We went to Vermont with our 1.5 year old and had a blast! Lots of rail trails, Burlington had Church St. and we went to several farms/museums in the central part of the state." As far as low-key adventures go, Burlington is pretty ideal.

There are oceanside towns, and then there is Hilton Head, South Carolina. This stunning destination doesn't just offer a low-key beach and plenty of sunshine, but it also has enough attractions to keep families with toddlers entertained. A particular favorite is the Sandbox Interactive Children's Museum, where high-energy kiddos can enjoy a wide variety of hands-on activities. Local eateries are also popular with parents, as many provide toddler-friendly entertainment. 

Writing about this reality on the r/travel subreddit of Reddit, one parent shared, "Hilton Head, SC has actually stepped up the kid-friendly amenities (for visiting- still not much there for residents) quite a bit. Numerous restaurants with outdoor play areas, super safe/clean/beautiful beaches ... [and] a great kids museum with an awesome pirate ship playground adjacent."

Hilton Head's location near Savannah, Georgia, makes it relatively easy for parents to enjoy adult activities. Relaying this fact in the same comment, the aforementioned Redditor wrote, "Savannah is an hour away if the grownups need to scratch that sightseeing/cultural/city itch, bike paths everywhere so you don't have to get in a car if you don't want." Of course, you don't have to leave Hilton Head to enjoy an afternoon of grown-up time. Many of the most family-friendly resorts on Hilton Head Island offer kids' clubs and day camps. These allow toddlers to make new friends while providing parents a chance to lounge by the beach and recharge.

Parents of preschool-aged children know that traveling as a family can be stressful (but there's a genius tip to make it better). Little kids are energetic, and it's not always easy to find enough activities to keep them entertained. Enter Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. This small town in the upper Midwest has lots of indoor and outdoor waterparks where your little ones can burn off serious steam. Join them on waterslides, float beside them down a lazy river, or show them who can make the biggest cannonball. Afterward, take them to one of Wisconsin Dells' many mini-golf locations for a bit of friendly competition.

The best part of taking your kids to the Wisconsin Dells is that the hotels and restaurants in the area are notoriously family-friendly. Some of the best places to stay in the area full-blown resorts where your kids can eat, play, and hit the waterpark without ever leaving the premises. Writing in the r/wisconsindells subreddit of Reddit, one parent lauded four local resorts for their kid-friendly amenities. "Both the Kalahari and Wilderness resorts have extensive children's areas, both in terms of pool spaces and indoor play equipment. Hotel Rome/Mount Olympus has some, though not [on] the scale of the former two," they wrote. As for restaurants, Buffalo Phil's is known for its laid-back vibe. As a second parent noted in the r/wisconsin subreddit, "It's a restaurant where the food is delivered by train. The food is pretty good too, if a bit overpriced."

Big cities aren't always easy to navigate with little wishers, but once your kids are school-aged, these metropolises provide educational opportunities that make travel a must. This is especially true for Chicago, Illinois, which is famous for its world-class museums. Take your kids to the Field Museum to observe dinosaur bones. Afterward, check out the beluga whales and penguins at the Shedd Aquarium. Parents who have previously visited the Windy City say that these activities made their family vacations memorable. As one put it on Tripadvisor, "We had a great family vacation in Chicago. I'm sure your kids would enjoy the Shedd Aquarium and rides at Navy Pier ... We also really enjoyed a boat ride on the Chicago River."

The Chicago food scene is super kid-friendly, with deep-dish being one of the main attractions. Polish-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and rainbow ice cream cones are also on the menu. And who could forget the iconic Garrett popcorn shops? The Time Out Market also provides a great dining experience for people of all ages. Writing on Reddit's r/chicagofood subreddit, one user shared, "I love taking my family to time out market – my nieces adore the udon and katsu (with all interesting sauces/pickles on the side) from urbanbelly, but for less adventurous kids Gemma foods pastas or Mac and cheese from Soul &smoke would be great. And then the grownups can eat whatever they want!"

Chicago is not the only American city that's great for a family vacation. Seattle, Washington, also has plenty to offer — especially for older school-aged kids. The best part of visiting Seattle is the sheer variety of available activities. The city's Pacific Science Center keeps kids entertained with interactive science exhibits, a world-class planetarium, and IMAX science documentaries. The fishmongers at Pike Place Market are also a must-visit stop, thanks to the locale's vibrant environment. As for day trips and outdoor activities, Seattle's proximity to Lake Sammamish State Park makes hiking, biking, and swimming especially available.

Families who traveled to Seattle in the past say that they loved just how much there is to do in Jet City. In the r/Parenting subreddit of Reddit, one adult shared their experience of exploring Seattle with their nieces and nephews. "We went to Seattle for a week with my sister's family a few years ago. Seattle itself was great – we saw a baseball game, visited the Pacific Science Center, and went to Pike Place Market. ... We also drove down to Olympia and hiked at Olympic National Park. We did a day trip to Mount Rainier. It was a great balance of touristy fun, outdoor activities, and hanging out [with] family," they wrote. Overall, Seattle is the perfect place for a family to enjoy a combination of educational fun and outdoor adventures. 

If you hope to take your tweens to one of the most family-friendly U.S. destinations, look no further than Washington, D.C. This city allows pre-teens to explore some of the places they've learned about in school. Take a tour of the White House, check out the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and pop into the International Spy Museum. Pre-teens and parents will likely carry the memory of this family vacation for years to come.

The best part is that many iconic Washington D.C. tourist attractions are best enjoyed after dark — giving your tweens the grown-up feeling that they can stay out with their parents and enjoy the city at night. This is especially true at the National Mall, where they can see the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument illuminated by giant yellow lights. Reflecting on this in a Tripadvisor blog post, the mother of two tweens wrote, "Going at night gives you a slight breaking-the-rules feeling that any teenager will love—except it's perfectly legal and the monuments don't close and are well lit."

For the best possible trip, get your tweens involved in the planning. Kids this age like to feel that their voices matter, so use this opportunity to assure them that it does. As one parent suggested in the r/Parenting subreddit of Reddit, "Give them options about what to do each day. Even things like where to eat. It will help them feel a bit more in control and probably more pleasant."

If traveling with teenagers can feel like an uphill battle, that's because it oftentimes is. Because teenagers can be so rebellious, choosing the best U.S. destination for a family vacation can feel like a special challenge. Luckily, Santa Barbara, California, provides a phenomenal option for parents searching for a low-key place for a week of fun. This charming beach town offers scenic sands, lots of sunshine, and plenty of waves. 

Adventurous teens will love signing up for classes at the local surfing school, while nature lovers will enjoy spotting seals along the coastline. Kayak rentals and dolphin tours, meanwhile, will reel in the whole family. End your outings with a big plate of Mexican food. Since Santa Barbara is not too far from the border, it's the perfect place to enjoy authentic tacos. 

Parents say that Santa Barbara is a relaxing place to visit, especially when compared to Los Angeles. As one traveler put it on Mumsnet, "Frankly, five days to just chill in Santa Barbara and the area would be fabulous – you can kayak in the harbor (see the seals!), there is a large public pool down there too, good food around. Just a really enjoyable, chill place." They asserted that the city is the perfect place for teens, writing, "Santa Barbara has a big uni student population, too, so there will be a slightly younger vibe underlying the beach town."

Just because your kids have left the nest doesn't mean they won't enjoy the occasional family vacation. If you're on the lookout for the best place in America to travel with your adult children, you might consider spending a week in Asheville, North Carolina. This quaint town boasts vintage clothing shops, artisan breweries, and a thriving culinary scene. Foodies will be thrilled to sign up for a local food tour. Avid walkers, meanwhile, will enjoy exploring the center of town on foot. One North Carolina parent wrote on Tripadvisor, "I have a 20 yr old and a 17 yr old and they would be interested in funky shops in downtown Asheville and getting some good food."

Folks who don't want to spend a whole week in Asheville proper will be thrilled to know just how much there is to do in the surrounding areas. There are tons of nearby places to go hiking or biking. Another user in the same Tripadvisor thread even said they "... would recommend spending a full day visiting both Pisgah National Forest (along the Davidson River), thirty minutes or so from south Asheville near Brevard, as well as DuPont Forest in the same general area. Both have great hiking trails, waterfalls, rivers, fishing, and swimming." These outdoor activities are the perfect way to inspire older and adult children to enjoy the great outdoors. 

The United States is full of popular tourist destinations, but not all of them are appropriate for kids. To compile this list of the best U.S. destinations for families, we selected places that would be fun for children of different ages. With this in mind, we were careful only to include destinations that had come highly recommended by parents and guardians of children of various age ranges. To get the best possible advice, we scrolled through hundreds of reviews on Reddit, Tripadvisor, and Mumsnet. We discarded locations these individuals deemed too challenging or unideal.

Beyond providing recommendations for children of different ages, we also wanted to come up with destinations that would resonate with people from various parts of the country. To achieve this goal, we highlighted locations in several regions. St. Augustine, Hilton Head, and Asheville were all chosen as alluring destinations in the southeast. Seattle and Santa Barbara, meanwhile, were picked to represent the West Coast. Top Midwestern destinations included Chicago and Wisconsin Dells, while Burlington and Washington, D.C., shed light on the northeast. Overall, we hope our list will inspire parents to take their kids to new places throughout the United States.