{"id":1037,"date":"2019-10-08T17:51:29","date_gmt":"2019-10-08T23:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/?p=1037"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:25:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T18:25:15","slug":"family-friendly-vacation-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/family-friendly-vacation-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Family Friendly Places to Travel with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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From National Parks to historic sites, there are many family adventures appropriate for every age. Traveling with kids can be challenging, but many affordable U.S. destinations offer great value and memorable experiences.<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Every location combines learning, beautiful scenery, and memorable photo ops for families of all ages and budgets. If you\u2019re looking for the right place to vacation with kids, here are 10 family-friendly places to <\/span>travel with kids<\/span>.<\/span>
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1.\u00a0 Washington, D.C.<\/h2>

\"Tourists<\/p>

Washington D.C. is so much more than monuments and important buildings.\u00a0 To see the sights in a kid-friendly way, we recommend <\/span>Hop On Hop Off Tour Bus<\/span><\/a> for an easy way to take in the city without having to do it all by foot. On your route, you can hop off at the various <\/span>Smithsonian Museums<\/span>, and see the <\/span>Washington Monument,<\/span><\/a> Pentagon, White House and <\/span>Arlington National Cemetery<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>
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<\/span>For a family that\u2019s looking to learn and play, Washington D.C. offers lots of exciting and free museums. The <\/span>National Air and Space Museum<\/span><\/a> teaches kids about the planets and stars with hands-on exhibits. Kids can experience the work of NASA and famous scientists by climbing into ships and peeking into telescopes. Be sure to stop into the <\/span>National Spy Museum <\/span><\/a>as well as the <\/span>National Museum of American History <\/span><\/a>for unique experiences that are far from boring.<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>

2. Chicago, Illinois<\/h2>

\"Chicago<\/p>

The Windy City! Chicago in the summer can\u2019t be beaten and makes <\/span>vacation planning with kids<\/span> a breeze.\u00a0 Along the <\/span>Magnificent Mile,<\/span><\/a> you can find a row of fun shops spanning from LEGO to American Girl.\u00a0 You can also visit Millennium Park and stop for a photo at \u201cThe Bean,\u201d officially titled, Cloud Gate, this is a large and completely reflective steel statue in the shape of a bean,\u00a0 that you must experience before you leave. <\/span>
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<\/span>Kids will love the attractions at <\/span>Navy Pier<\/span><\/a> which include <\/span>Build-A-Bear Workshop<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>Children\u2019s Museum<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 To see the city from a higher point-of-view we recommend going for a ride or two on the iconic <\/span>Centennial Wheel<\/span> and of course, ride the carnival-style rides in <\/span>Pier Park<\/span> for a day of fun and beautiful city views. \u00a0 <\/span>
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<\/span>Baseball fans can have fun watching the Cubs or White Sox play, which are both easily accessible by train.\u00a0 The <\/span>Shedd Aquarium<\/span> is also a family favorite and offers various exhibits, dolphin shows and an interactive penguin experience. Next, stop by the Field Museum with a famous T-Rex named SUE.\u00a0 SUE is the largest and most complete T-Rex ever found and is 40 feet long and about 13 feet tall! Whether you visit in summer, winter, fall or spring, Chicago is one of our favorite places to <\/span>travel with kids<\/span>. <\/span>
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<\/span>Tip: Make sure the family is wearing comfortable shoes as Chicago is best explored by foot.<\/span>
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<\/span>3. Panama City Beach, Florida<\/h2>

\"Sunrise<\/p>

Panama City Beach offers beautiful beaches and crystal blue waters at any time of year.\u00a0 If you are looking for<\/span> family vacation ideas <\/span>that give you plenty of time in the sun, look no further.\u00a0 You definitely will want to pack plenty of sunscreen!<\/span><\/p>

When you\u2019re not spending your time relaxing on the beach, Panama City Beach also has family-friendly attractions. From <\/span>mini-golf <\/span><\/a>to family resorts with pools, this city has activities and plenty of dining options for the entire family to enjoy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

4. San Antonio, Texas<\/h2>

\"River<\/p>

From the Alamo to the River Walk, families will love the historic presence of San Antonio! The Alamo city is home to several historic landmarks of cultural significance beyond <\/span>the Alamo<\/span><\/a>. That list includes the old missions and battlegrounds from the Mexican-American War that are explorable for all age groups.\u00a0 Just north of the city center are the <\/span>The Witte Museum<\/span><\/a>, which offers a world <\/span>class dinosaur exhibit<\/span><\/a> and the highly interactive Children\u2019s Museum (dubbed <\/span>The Do-Seum<\/span><\/a>.)\u00a0 These two spots are easy to get to, and are conveniently located just up the road from one another.<\/span>
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<\/span>Along the <\/span>River Walk<\/span><\/a> downtown, you can meander in a kid-friendly atmosphere along the waterfront.\u00a0 Along the banks of this man-made river are restaurants, shops and exciting tours to build an age-appropriate itinerary as a family.\u00a0 Here, you can stop into notable chains that kids love- <\/span>The Rainforest Cafe<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Ripley\u2019s Believe It Or Not<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Louis Tussaud\u2019s Wax Museum<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0 Enjoy great shopping while dad and the kids ride water taxis for fun. With kid-friendly attractions within arm\u2019s reach, San Antonio makes vacation planning with kids seamless for families of all sizes. <\/span><\/p>

5. New York, New York<\/h2>
\"New
New York, New York, USA midtown Manhattan skyline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

New York City is a bustling urban experience your kids will remember for a lifetime. With theaters, historic landmarks, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty your kids will have plenty to explore and experience. <\/span><\/p>

Younger children will enjoy a visit to the <\/span>Bronx Zoo<\/span><\/a>, and if you have children 7+ they can enjoy an obstacle course and zipline at the <\/span>Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 The <\/span>American Museum of Natural History<\/span> includes exhibits in archaeology, animal science, and natural history.\u00a0 Within the Museum resides the <\/span>Rose Center for Earth and Space<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Families can explore the history of our universe, learn about the far off stars and galaxies and cap the day off with space shows in the Hayden Big Bang theater to take a glimpse into our solar system.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Located off the bustling and bright center of Times Square, you can find tickets to Broadway shows running at the area\u2019s historic theaters.\u00a0 There are several tactics to get cheap tickets for kid-appropriate Broadway shows, including signing up for a ticket lottery, taking a chance on tickets the day-of, and deal sites for last-minute openings. Doing research ahead of time to compare prices is wise, but being flexible on what you see and when can impact the final cost!<\/span><\/p>

6. The Black Hills, South Dakota<\/h2>

\"The<\/p>

The Black Hills of South Dakota offer history and beautiful nature for kids to explore.\u00a0 While you visit South Dakota, you can take a hike around <\/span>Mount Rushmore<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Kids can also dig for mammoth bones and explore <\/span>Wind Cave<\/span><\/a>, the longest cave in the world. Park Rangers at Mount Rushmore also offer the <\/span>Junior Ranger program<\/span>, geared for kids to learn about the memorial in a way that\u2019s suited for their age group.<\/span><\/p>

If you\u2019re looking for natural beauty and a leisurely day in nature, you\u2019ll want to spend a day at <\/span>Custer State Park<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 At the park, you can take a short hike, picnic and learn about new plants and animals as a family. <\/span>
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<\/span>For kids that love the Old West, be sure to visit Hill City.\u00a0 Hill City is an old western town where you can ride a steam train from the 1880\u2019s on the <\/span>Black Hills Central Railroad.<\/span><\/a> You can also explore the Museum at the Black Hills Institute to learn more about dinosaurs and the area\u2019s past.<\/span><\/p>

7. Yellowstone National Park, in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana<\/h2>

\"People<\/p>

Yellowstone National Park offers natural wonders you just cannot find elsewhere. Yellowstone National Park is one of the few places on Earth that has geothermal hot spots you can visit.\u00a0 These hot spots create hot springs, mud pits, and geysers you can see up close. For any kids interested in science, visiting these geothermal spots can be a living science lesson from a safe distance. \u00a0 <\/span>
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<\/span>The most well-known geyser is Old Faithful.\u00a0 When heat and pressure from the Earth\u2019s core build up, Old Faithful shoots steam as high as 185 feet into the sky.\u00a0 Be sure to stop into the <\/span>Old Faithful Visitor Center<\/span><\/a> for hands-on exhibits that are suitable for children of all ages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

8. Boston, Massachusetts<\/h2>

\"Boston,<\/p>

Boston is the perfect place for kids to learn about the American Revolution and see how our country came to be.\u00a0 Kids can learn about American history along the <\/span>Freedom Trail<\/span><\/a>, a 2.5-mile journey of 16 historic landmarks.<\/span>
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<\/span>Along the Freedom Trail, you can also get on a trolley tour or walk the trail at your pace to suit your child\u2019s age and activity level. For a thrilling adventure, kids can also <\/span>throw tea overboard in the Boston Harbor<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0 During your visit, you can walk in the literal footsteps of the early colonists and revolutionaries.<\/span><\/p>

Be sure to stop in and see Boston\u2019s great museums as well.\u00a0 At the <\/span>New England Aquarium<\/span><\/a> you can see penguins, sharks, sea turtles and hundreds of fish. The Museum of Science is great for any young explorer and offers exhibits, an enclosed butterfly garden as well.\u00a0 You can end your visit to Boston at the <\/span>Children\u2019s Museum<\/span><\/a> for age-appropriate and hands-on exhibits, cultural demonstrations, and plenty of play time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

9. Honolulu, Hawaii<\/h2>

\"View<\/p>

Honolulu is a great place to <\/span>travel with kids<\/span> for a nature-filled vacation you\u2019ll talk about for years.\u00a0 During your visit, spend time amongst exotic animals at the <\/span>Honolulu Zoo<\/span><\/a> such as poison tree frogs, cheetahs and Sumatran tigers.\u00a0 The <\/span>Waikiki Aquarium<\/span><\/a> boasts an array of beautiful fish, coral reefs and educational exhibits to learn about Hawaiian sea life.\u00a0 To get out and explore, you can hike, play and picnic in <\/span>Kapiolani Park<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Of course, Honolulu is also a great place to relax.\u00a0 The tropical beaches are perfect for mom and dad to unwind as kids boogie board and play in the sand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

10. Atlanta, Georgia
<\/span><\/h2>

\"Aerial<\/span>Atlanta, Georgia has gained a reputation for being a kid-friendly destination that parents can enjoy too! Whether you want to explore indoors or outdoors, Atlanta offers something for everyone.\u00a0 Spend an afternoon playing in the <\/span>Children\u2019s Museum<\/span><\/a>, with hands-on exhibits geared for children as young as 10 months, up to around 8 years.\u00a0 Kids can explore topics like city planning, food, science and different cultures through play. \u00a0 A visit to the <\/span>Georgia Aquarium<\/span><\/a> puts kids up close and personal with rare marine animals such as whale sharks, beluga whales and rare tropical fish.\u00a0 <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>For a bit of outdoor play time, visit the city\u2019s famous <\/span>Piedmont Park<\/span><\/a> for life-sized play areas to climb on and take in some sunshine.\u00a0 The city also offers exhibits and attractions to learn about civil rights and history.\u00a0 Kids can learn about <\/span>Martin Luther King Jr.<\/span><\/a> and other historical figures at the <\/span>Civil Rights Museum<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>

Truly, there is no shortage of <\/span>fun places to vacation with kids<\/span>. No matter where your next vacation takes you, we hope these ideas will get everyone in your pack excited for your next adventure!\u00a0 Happy travels!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From National Parks to historic sites, there are many family adventures appropriate for every age. Traveling with kids can be challenging, but many affordable U.S. destinations offer great value and memorable experiences. Every location combines learning, beautiful scenery, and memorable photo ops for families of all ages and budgets. If you\u2019re looking for the right […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1051,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-travel-tips"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail.jpg",795,462,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail-300x174.jpg",300,174,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail-768x446.jpg",768,446,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail.jpg",795,462,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail.jpg",795,462,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail.jpg",795,462,false],"wpvqgr-square-answer":["https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TravelwithFam_Thumbnail-300x300.jpg",300,300,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Great Wolf Lodge","author_link":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"From National Parks to historic sites, there are many family adventures appropriate for every age. Traveling with kids can be challenging, but many affordable U.S. destinations offer great value and memorable experiences. Every location combines learning, beautiful scenery, and memorable photo ops for families of all ages and budgets. If you\u2019re looking for the right…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1037"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23755,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1037\/revisions\/23755"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatwolf.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}