11 Best Places to Visit in USA for Families

While some places are best experienced alone, some destinations – like the ones mentioned on this list of the best places to visit in the USA for families – can only be enjoyed in the company of loved ones. These are the places that have everything to make for a happy, fun, and memorable vacation.

But what does it take to consider one place an ideal family vacation destination? For one, a place has to have an abundance of family-friendly attractions. After all, having too many choices is much better than not having enough. When you have numerous options, you are more likely to find one to satisfy everyone especially if your kids belong to different age groups. Other factors include cost-friendliness, convenience and ease of going around, transportation, walkability, and peace and order.

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So for this list, we have used the criteria mentioned above to rank the places we have listed here. We have taken recommendations from Parents, Trip Advisor, as well as from the readers of US News-Travel to give you the most useful guide to the 11 best places to visit in USA for families.

And while you’re planning your US getaway, don’t forget to check out our list for the 7 best places to visit in USA for seniors!

 

11. The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon has got to be the quintessential American outdoors experience. There’s really nothing that can compare to the beauty that is The Grand Canyon. For families on vacation, it is teeming with activities that everyone in the family can enjoy – hiking trails, viewing decks, special tours, train rides, kids’ camps at select times of the year, or if you’re not on a budget, you can hop on a helicopter and get the most thrilling way to check out the views of the Grand Canyon. There is also an abundance of lodging options that come in a range of prices to suit whatever budget.

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10. Portland

Portland both has indoor and outdoor attractions for families especially in the summer and early fall. The best part about Portland’s attractions is the fact that there is a ton of educational value to them. You and your kids can start at the Portland Children’s Museum or at the Oregon Zoo, If you want to add some arts and culture to your trip, you can head on over to the Director Park. Other must-sees in Portland include Powell’s City of Books, Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Fazio Farms, and – if you’re visiting on a weekend – the Portland Saturday Market. Public transportation via the Portland MAX light rail is easy.

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9. San Francisco

Travel experts can say what they will, but we think the only way to commence a family trip to San Francisco is to head over to the Jelly Belly Factory and try every single one of the 150 awesome flavors available on site. Afterwards, lose yourselves in the many, many, many family-friendly attractions in San Francisco including the landmark Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park, the Walt Disney Family Museum, the San Francisco Zoo, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Marine Mammal Center, California Academy of Sciences, as well as the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Don’t miss getting the kids to try the cable cars or seeing the famed Painted Ladies. Head over to the Fisherman’s Wharf to grab a bite or go shopping at Pier 39. It’s hard to believe how all these attractions (and more) fit into such a small city. And because it is small, it is easily walkable (actually, walking is preferred – traffic can be a pain in the neck)! Luckily, the city is generally under a good weather most of the year – but experts say the best time for a visit is October.

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8. Myrtle Beach

Next on our list of the best places to visit in the USA for families is Myrtle Beach, America’s “Seaside Golf Capital”. If mini-golfing is your go-to activity with the kids, this is where you should head to. But if you’re not much into golf, Myrtle Beach has tons of other things to offer you. There’s a long list of amusement parks that will delight your youngest tot to your most difficult teenager. Looking for a night of arts and culture? Check out Broadway Beach or visit the Children’s Museum of South Carolina or the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center. Travel experts advise that you rent or drive your own car for your Myrtle Beach vacation for easier transport.

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7. Anaheim

It goes without saying that Anaheim is the ultimate image of “family friendly city”. It is impossible not to have fun in Anaheim, no matter how old you are.  And Anaheim is not only all about Disneyland! There’s more to discover and enjoy in Anaheim for everyone in the family: Adventure City for smaller kids, Flight Deck Air Combat Center for the bigger ones, Discovery Cube Interactive Museum for everybody! Hotels are located right within the city center and are mostly at a walking distance to the major attractions. The weather is perfectly fine 70% of the year too, so it’s the perfect escape for when the rest of the country is freezing.

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6. Oahu, Hawaii

Looking to escape the mainland? Say “Mahalo!” and fly over to Hawaii’s Oahu Island and all its Pacific tropical island perfection.  And while the beach is to die for, there is more to Hawaii’s main island than just sun, sand, and surf. Explore the Dole Plantation and have your kids discover where their favorite pineapples come from, visit the last Hawaiian royalty’s Iolani Palace, learn all about the Polynesian at the Polynesian Cultural Center or visit the Pearl Harbor memorial. That’s just for starters. There is a long list of hotels and resorts to choose from, and rental cars are available practically everywhere all over the island.

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5. New York City

New York City is not just a must destination for family vacations. New York City is a must for practically every US vacation. The Big Apple has as much to offer as there are people. All the family-friendly attractions of NYC deserve an entire article of its own but certainly it will include Central Park, Liberty Island, Broadway, Coney Island, and Build-a-Bear. Plan the trip ahead as it can get a little expensive hereabouts and don’t forget to pack your walking shoes because you and your brood are going to make a good use of it.

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4. Chicago

Windy City may be chilly most times of the year, but the people and the family-friendly attractions will give you all the wonderful warmth you need. Summer is the best time to check out its many, many lakes and parks. The rest of the year, explore Chicago’s other family-friendly attractions like the LEGOLand Discovery Center, Shedd Aquarium, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, or Chicago Children’s Museum. Take a trip down memory lane with your kids at the American Girl Place or meet the animals at the Brookfield Zoo. Or if you’re sports fans, check out the many sports arenas scattered all over the city and discover Windy City’s love for the home teams. One of the best parts about Chicago, however, is the food so make sure to explore the homegrown restaurants especially those that serve the signature deep-dish pizza!

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3. Washington DC

Art, history, and nature appreciation are not the only things that your kids will learn on your trip to Washington DC. They will definitely learn how to appreciate the great things that built America. Visit the over 20 museums, the memorials and monuments, parks, as well as galleries scattered all over Washington DC. If that is not enough yet, Washington DC is a highly walkable city. In fact, it is best enjoyed on foot! All year round, Washington DC and all its attractions remain picturesque but don’t miss the chance to watch how it turns into a golden urban paradise in the fall; it may be chilly, but the colors are enough to warm your heart.

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2. San Diego

San Diego is far from being a walkable city. But what it falls short on for foot travelers, it makes up for in its TONS AND TONS AND TONS of attractions. There is always someplace to go to at San Diego – downtown, by the beach, the outskirts of the city. There’s hardly a boring spot anywhere in San Diego! February to April is the best time to visit; should you visit in summer, opt for the last few months of the season to avoid the hottest days. Put Balboa Park on top of your itinerary and maybe spend an entire day there – you’ll need it to explore all 1,400-acres of wonder. San Diego Zoo is a must, as are the aquatic parks. Don’t miss LEGOLand California, the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, and walk along Mission Beach. If you’re not driving, purchase trolley passes for a more convenient way of getting around the city.

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1. Orlando

And topping the list for the 11 best places to visit in the USA for families is none other than…the theme park paradise of Orlando, Florida! A full week in the city will not be enough to explore all the family-friendly attractions hereabouts. Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Fun Spot America, Legoland, Seaworld, Disney – these are just the theme parks! And with over 500 hotels to choose from, including the ones inside the most famous resorts, there is no chance anyone is ever going to run out of lodging options. Orlando has over 200 days of sunshine so you can come here and enjoy its bounty practically any time of the year. The city can get expensive at peak season so plan ahead and plan well to make the most of what Orlando has to offer – which, as we know by now, is a LOT.

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Create memories and new experiences with your brood at the 11 best places to visit in the USA for families! Which of these destinations is first on your list?