Best family vacation spots USA – Adventures for all

Guide to some of the best family vacation spots in the USA. Categorized by the type of experience you’re looking for.

TOP THEME PARK DESTINATIONS

For families seeking thrills, character meet-and-greets, and immersive worlds, these are the gold standard.

Orlando, Florida

The undisputed theme park capital of the world.

Walt Disney World Resort

Four distinct theme parks here. It means the four parks are completely different from one another—they have different rides, different atmospheres, and different focuses. You usually need a separate ticket for each one.

• Magic Kingdom: The classic park with the Cinderella Castle, fireworks, and fairy tales.
• Epcot: Focused on technology, space, and world cultures (you can “walk around the world” to different country pavilions).
• Hollywood Studios: Focused on movies and action, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.
• Animal Kingdom: A mix of a zoo and a theme park, focused on nature, animals, and the world of Avatar.

There are two separate water parks dedicated entirely to swimming and water slides (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach).

Universal Orlando Resort

It is smaller and more compact than Disney World. It is much easier to walk between the parks and hotels.

The resort is split into two main gated parks (plus a water park). You usually need a separate ticket for each, or a “Park-to-Park” ticket to move between them.

• Universal Studios Florida: This is the original park modeled after a working movie studio. It features city streets, The Simpsons, Transformers, and the Diagon Alley side of Harry Potter.
• Universal’s Islands of Adventure: This park is focused on adventure and exploration. It features Marvel superheroes (Spiderman, Hulk), Jurassic Park, King Kong, and the Hogsmeade/Hogwarts Castle side of Harry Potter.

Anaheim & Carlsbad, California

The original home of Disney magic on the West Coast.

Disneyland Resort

Walk in Walt’s footsteps at the original Disneyland Park and explore Pixar Pier and Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.

LEGOLAND California

Located nearby in Carlsbad, this park is built specifically for kids ages 2-12, with interactive rides, shows, and a water park based on the beloved building bricks.

BEST BEACH VACATIONS

These spots offer a perfect mix of sun, sand, and family-friendly activities away from the shore.

• San Diego, California: Famous for its idyllic year-round weather, it boasts beautiful beaches like Coronado and La Jolla Shores. Beyond the beach, don’t miss the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and SeaWorld.
• Maui, Hawaii: Offers a magical blend of relaxation and adventure. Families love the calm waters of Kaanapali and Wailea beaches, snorkeling with sea turtles, driving the Road to Hana, and attending an authentic luau.
• Outer Banks, North Carolina: A chain of barrier islands known for wide, dune-backed beaches, historic lighthouses, wild horses in Corolla, and the story of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in Kitty Hawk.
• Destin & The Emerald Coast, Florida: Famous for its stunning sugar-white sand and clear, emerald-green waters. It’s a very family-oriented destination with plenty of mini-golf, water parks, and pirate cruises.

INCREDIBLE NATIONAL PARKS

Introduce your family to America’s natural wonders with hiking, wildlife spotting, and educational junior ranger programs.

• Yellowstone National Park (WY, MT, ID): A surreal landscape of geysers like Old Faithful, colorful hot springs, and thundering waterfalls. It’s also one of the best places to see wildlife like bison, elk, and bears from the safety of your car.
• Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona): No photo can prepare you for the immense scale of this natural wonder. The South Rim is very accessible for families, with paved rim trails, shuttle buses, and easily reachable viewpoints.
• Zion National Park (Utah): Known for its towering red sandstone cliffs and canyon hiking. The Riverside Walk is an easy, paved trail perfect for strollers and young kids, leading to the entrance of The Narrows.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC, TN): The most visited national park, offering mist-covered mountains, historic log cabins, easy waterfall hikes, and a chance to see black bears. The nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are packed with family attractions like Dollywood.

FANTASTIC CITY BREAKS

These cities are packed with history, museums, and diverse attractions that will keep kids engaged.

• Washington, D.C.: An incredibly budget-friendly and educational trip. Walk the National Mall to see iconic monuments like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Best of all, entry to all Smithsonian museums (including the National Air and Space Museum and Natural History Museum) and the National Zoo is absolutely free.
• Boston, Massachusetts: A walkable city where history comes alive. Follow the red brick Freedom Trail to see historic sites like Paul Revere’s House and the site of the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Children’s Museum and New England Aquarium are also top-tier attractions.
• Chicago, Illinois: Famous for its stunning architecture and deep-dish pizza. Families will love Millennium Park to see “The Bean,” the massive Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum (home to Sue the T-Rex), and the interactive Museum of Science and Industry.