Who doesn’t want to take some extra vacation time with the family? Thankfully, here in the US we have a ton of different cities across the country that offer all types of cool activities. If your family likes outdoor sports, you can find places to go boating, hiking, or skiing. If you like theme parks, arts, or fine dining, you will find many wonderful options here in America.
Depending on where you go, getting around your host city without your car can be easy or it can be complicated. Some cities, like NYC, have very efficient and reliable public transportation. Other cities, like Los Angeles, are car-centric, so you will need to hire some wheels to get around. Regardless of where you go, it always pays to hire some experts to recommend to you the best ways of traveling. We personally recommend using a private transportation service.
Here is a list of the 10 most recommended family-friendly destinations around our country. You should consider visiting these places on your next trip.
1. New York City
This is a place where fun, luxury, and beauty come together. For families, couples, business people, or solo travelers alike, New York promises to be one of the best trips of your life. With all the incredible museums, street life, natural places like Central Park, you will certainly end up fully amazed and satisfied with your decision to visit the Big Apple. New York City offers a wide variety of high-quality ethnic restaurants, trendy bars, fashion stores, and Broadway shows. Kids will love taking the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (yes, you’ll need to take that selfie under the statue).
2. San Diego
This is definitely one of the most visited cities in the country. San Diego has it all: beautiful parks, adventure-packed activities, perfect weather, tourist attractions, and perfectly sandy beaches. There is the famous San Diego Zoo near Balboa Park where you can find many green areas for recreation. You can take the kids to educational museums. Not enough? San Diego also has Petco Park (for baseball lovers) and Sea World. So yes, San Diego sounds like the perfect place to go with your kids.
3. Los Angeles
There is much more to see in LA than the HOLLYWOOD sign on the hills. LA is also the epicenter of film production and is perfect for movie lovers. It’s great to take the kids to check out their favorite celebrities’ stars at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and even visit Universal Studios. If you want some closer views and want to take some selfies, visit the Ripley Museum, the Hollywood Waxwork Museum or Madame Tussauds in Hollywood. Los Angeles also has great places to shop and eat for the entire family, and you can visit the boutique art galleries, vintage shops, and many beautiful places to walk.
4. Anaheim
It seems like California has it all, doesn’t it? Anaheim is another excellent destination to vacation with your family, especially with your kids. People love it and you surely know why: Disneyland! It’s heart of Anaheim and one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the world. If you can, you should spend some time in Anaheim visiting spots like the lovely downtown area, both theme parks (Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park), local stores, restaurants, and bars. But if you want to try something different, there are also Knott’s Berry Farm and the Angel Stadium in Anaheim.
5. San Francisco
This is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are so many incredible places that you need to reserve a number of days to see that city. You will definitely need to take a ride on the famous cable cars and walk around the Fisherman’s Wharf. You can’t miss the bay, and of course, you should walk or drive through Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. Parents will love to visit Sausalito and the well-known prison island, Alcatraz. San Francisco also has excellent places to eat, shop, and even drink- don’t miss the famous coffee at Bellini’s. And if you want to feel like you’re visiting another country while you’re still in the US, try going to San Francisco’s historic Chinatown!
6. Orlando
This city is a huge combination of attractions, with both Disney World and Universal Parks. You should know that one of the most visited attractions in Orlando is the incredible Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal – this is a Florida attraction to rival the best in California. Besides the amusement parks, Orlando also has the perfect weather for a full day and night of entertainment. You can definitely plan a perfect itinerary filled with outdoor activities, visits to art galleries, visits to shopping malls, regional cuisine, and exciting cocktails – an overall unforgettable experience!
7. Riverside
Founded in the early 1870s, Riverside is a city in Riverside County located approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles. You might wonder, why visit this city? Well, citizens say that they live in relative tranquility with a quality, well-balanced life. That’s why many people are feeling Riverside’s pull. It offers a relaxed stay, and you may even be tempted to buy a house in Riverside and forget about all that big-city-chaos.
8. Washington, DC
Don’t let yourself be intimidated by this city’s reputation as the home of high-profile politicians. Nowadays, DC is transforming itself from a purely politics-centric city into a thriving cultural hub. You can go the traditional route: visit the White House, Capitol Hill, and the monuments to America’s founding fathers. You can follow a more educational route and visit the numerous museums that the capital is home to. The Natural History Museum is highly acclaimed, and importantly, all museums in DC are free of charge for both national and international tourists. If you visit there in April, you cannot miss the National Cherry Blossom Festival — a gift that Japan gave the US back in 1912, this event is now a national festival that attracts people from all over the country. If satisfying your palate is of more importance, try the foodie heaven Eastern Market, where Capitol Hill residents search through the stands to catch the latest clothing trends and find the freshest local produce. Keep your eyes open and you will be able to see a mile-high stack of pancakes from afar.
9. Pennsylvania
This is another place with an endless list of things to do. You and your family can go to an amusement park (like Hersheypark or Dutch Wonderland) or learn something about Gettysburg Battlefield at the Military Park. If you want to visit a different kind of place and also feel a little thrill of fear, you definitely need to go to the Eastern State Penitentiary, one of the most famous prisons in the world.
10. San Antonio
Theme parks, water parks, outdoor activities and places for family fun are all among San Antonio’s highlights. San Antonio is a city where fun, beauty, and tourism meet to give families an excellent vacation. You can take a tour around San Antonio’s city or maybe get a little contact with nature by visiting the Zoo and the Natural Bridge Caverns. Your family will definitely want to visit the Guinness World Records Museum and feel some adrenaline at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
You also need to remember that the best fun and enjoyment will always happen wherever the family is – sometimes there is no need to go too far. Spend your free time with your loved ones, and you will always find it memorable. If you have visited some other cool US locales that are not in the article, please mention them in the comments below.
