San Diego, CA
San Diego is a paradise for kids and adults alike. With nearly perfect weather year-round, any time is a good time to visit San Diego.
The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is a must-see attraction when you’re in town. Located within beautiful Balboa Park, your kids will especially love the Giant Pandas. Balboa Park is also home to 15 museums, walking trails, a dog park and much more. For families, we suggest the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Air & Space Museum, and the Japanese Friendship Garden.
One of the best ways to experience San Diego is by water. There are many boat tours to choose from, but we think there are two that stand above the rest. One is the Hornblower cruise, which takes you on a tour of San Diego Bay, where you’ll see Naval ships and harbor seals. Our other favorite option for families is to take an Adventure Sail on the bay.
A trip to San Diego wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of the stunning beaches. We love Coronado Beach, near the historic Hotel del Coronado, and Sunset Cliffs near Point Loma.
Orlando, FL
It’s no surprise that Orlando, Florida tops the list of the most kid-friendly cities in America! Home to some of the largest theme parks in the country, Orlando is a family-friendly paradise.
Most visitors come to Orlando to visit the major three attractions: Walt Disney World Theme Parks including Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure. These attractions all offer fun for kids of all ages, but there’s more to making Orlando kid-friendly.
Families visiting Orlando love that the beach is just a short drive away. Plus, it’s easy to enjoy the sun in the city by visiting one of the many local waterparks. More fun family activities in the Orlando area include a variety of themed bowling, mini-golf and shopping options.
Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is an excellent destination for families with kids. It’s the home of Heinz Ketchup, so of course kids love it! There are so many kid-friendly activities to enjoy in Pittsburgh.
Storybook Forest at Idlewild Park is an enchanting attraction that will capture the imagination of your child, plus you’ll find fun photo opportunities throughout the park! For tons of thrills, head to Kennywood Amusement Park, featuring roller coasters, water rides and more since 1898.
Pittsburgh Children’s Museum is the perfect place for kids of all ages to play, create and learn with their families. You’ll love special exhibits like the Waterplay station and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. At the Carnegie Science Center the hands-on exhibit, Exploration Station, is sure to be a hit with your kids.
Sports fans will love Pittsburgh, because they offer professional sporting events for baseball (Pirates), football (Steelers) and hockey (Penguins). If you’re looking for more fun, consider a boat ride on one of the three rivers, or ride the incline to the top of Mount Washington.
Washington, DC
Washington DC is an ideal vacation destination for all ages, but it’s a particularly enriching city for families and children. As the nation’s capital, DC provides incredible opportunities for educational travel and exploration.
Some of the best attractions for children in Washington DC are the museums. The Museum of Natural History is a fun place for kids to learn about our world, from dinosaurs to ancient Egypt to new scientific discoveries, there’s so much to see. Another favorite museum in DC is the Air and Space Museum, which allows visitors to explore the history of flight and space travel first-hand. You’ll see Wright brothers’ aircrafts, a Mars rover and more. Finally, the National Children’s Museum is a perfect place for hands-on learning and innovation for kids.
There are so many incredible landmarks in DC to visit, but there are a few that are must-sees for families with kids. First, the Old Post Office (since 1899) is a great place to have lunch, find souvenirs and tour the old clock tower. Next, add the Washington Monument to your itinerary, since it’s one of the most well known landmarks in the city – even young children will find this stop memorable! Finally, although there are many other wonderful memorials to visit, the Roosevelt Memorial stands out, because kids love seeing FDR’s adorable Scottish terrier alongside his statue.
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is an excellent city to visit while traveling with kids of any age. Situated on the Mississippi River, this port town has so much to offer!
The first place the kids will want to visit is the famous Gateway Arch, a symbol of the St. Louis and a symbol to the nation that St. Louis is the “gateway to the West.”
There are plenty of fun things to do with kids in St. Louis. For a fun and free attraction, choose a trip to the St. Louis Zoo, which features more than 19 thousand animals. Another great place to spend the day is the St. Louis Science Center, where you can discover everything from dinosaurs to outer space!
Other fun activities in St. Louis include the popular Six Flags amusement park and Cardinals Baseball Games in Busch Stadium.
