12 US Destinations for a Fabulous Family Vacation

For families, it’s all about finding a vacation destination that will keep the kids busy, as content kids equals happy parents, right? From a city break packed with cultural attractions to coastal spots or the vast landscapes of a national park, here are the places to head to when you have picky children, tweens, or teens to please.

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Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a city destination that ticks so many boxes. For starters, Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is a must for baseball fans of any age. Add to that the fine parks, world-class museums, free events, the lakeside trail, and attractions like Lincoln Park Zoo, and surely no one can ever complain of boredom.

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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

No kid (or adult) could fail to be enthralled by the sight of the famous Old Faithful geyser erupting. But the park has much more to offer besides deep canyons, alpine rivers, dense forests, and hot springs. It’s also a wildlife hotspot where you can see the likes of antelope, bears, bison, elk, and wolves.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is one of America’s quintessential summer destinations. It’s a coastal classic, complete with cute villages, historic lighthouses, super fresh seafood stalls, and superb beaches. The peninsula also has a thriving arts and cultural scene, just 70 miles from Boston.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando is perennially popular with families, so there’s no way we could miss it off this list! The attractions are obvious, with many visitors’ itineraries centering on the Disney theme parks. Orlando also offers many other attractions that have nothing to do with cartoon mice, a warm climate, and a great range of accommodations for all tastes and budgets.

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New York City

Whether you’ve been before or not, New York City will always have the wow factor. Some of the world’s best museums and galleries can be found here, and you can always spend time in Central Park for free. If you have a few dollars to spare, Broadway shows and incomparable shopping await. Kids will always be impressed by the city’s sheer size, too.

Grand Canyon National Park

If you want your kids to experience an unforgettable vacation, head to the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The huge gorge is an incredibly striking sight, and the fact that it can be seen from space only ramps up the cool factor where children and teens are concerned. Plenty of free things to do can also help to cut costs for cash-strapped families.

San Diego, California

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If you’re a beach-loving family, then San Diego has to be the one to go for. On the sun-drenched coast of California, the city holds plenty of appeal for all kinds of people. When the sand and sea are what you want, head to Coronado Central Beach, La Jolla Shores, or Mission Beach.

Washington D.C.

Kids will always be impressed by the nation’s capital and seeing those places that pop up on the news for real. The museums here are also unparalleled, making for a break that’s both educational and fun.

Oahu, Hawaii

Head to the farthest-flung US state for everything that tropical beach vacations are made of. Picture-perfect beaches and top-notch surfing spots abound on the island. You can also go shopping in Honolulu, explore pineapple plantations, visit Pearl Harbor, or sample local food, including poke bowls plus the child-friendly sweet treats Dole Whip and shaved ice.

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite offers natural attractions by the bucketload – and is also ideal for those who like to keep moving. Families’ activities here include fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and river rafting. You can also find cascading waterfalls, granite cliffs, and giant sequoia trees across the park’s awe-inspiring landscapes.

Lake Tahoe, California, and Nevada

The Lake Tahoe area is all about reveling in the beauty of Mother Nature – whether that means whizzing down the ski slopes in winter or taking to the trails in summer. Adding particular appeal for families is the fine selection of cabins for rent in the region, often complete with game rooms, hot tubs, and more. There are beautiful beaches to discover here, too.

Los Angeles and Anaheim, California

Anaheim is the Californian answer to Orlando. The original Disneyland was first opened in Anaheim in 1955, and now there’s a glut of other theme parks in the area that can also keep the kids entertained. Should they tire of those, head to Los Angeles for shopping, beach life, and celebrity spotting.