Family vacations can make experiences that last a lifetime, but it’s important to go to the right place so that everyone is happy Go Trip Guide put together this list of places to visit that are affordable and have activities that the whole family can enjoy with the help of reader votes and expert views. We hope this list of the best family vacations in the United States will help you plan your next trip, and we ask you to vote for your favorite places below. Before you go, you should also think about getting a family travel insurance policy to protect the money you spent on your trip.
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1- Orlando
Orlando, Florida, is the only place in the U.S. or even the world that celebrates the spirit of childhood as it does. When you catch the light off of Epcot Center’s Spaceship Earth (at Walt Disney World Resort, of course), or when you take your first sip of Butterbeer in Hogsmeade (at Universal Orlando Resort), or when you watch Shamu do acrobatics at SeaWorld Orlando’s “One Ocean” water show, you’ll know that being a kid is more about your attitude than your age. The idea that this city is only fun for young people is just that—an idea. In fact, Orlando has a little bit of something for everyone, and there’s more to do here than just go to theme parks. The subtropical temperature is great for playing golf, and the cityscape downtown is too nice not to check out.
2- Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a paradise for people who love being outside because it has beautiful mountains and lakes. Colorful pools swirl around hot springs, green woods wind through wide meadows, and geysers shoot steaming streams of water into the air. With so much natural beauty that hasn’t been changed, it’s easy to see why everyone thought John Colter, a scout for Lewis and Clark, was making things up when he first wrote about Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders in 1807. At this point, there’s no question that the park is amazing. As you walk through its more than 3,000 square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls, be ready to share the paths with buffalo, elk, and sometimes even grizzlies, who live there year-round.
Even though more than 4 million people visit Yellowstone every year, you probably won’t see many of them unless you spend your whole trip at Old Faithful. Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres stretch from the northwest area of Wyoming to the edges of Idaho and Montana, giving you a lot of unexplored lands to explore. Set aside a day or two to visit Yellowstone Lake and Mammoth Hot Springs to enjoy the view. But save some time for the trails that go through less-known areas, like the West Thumb Geyser Basin, which has hot springs, and the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop, which is full of wild animals. At first, the number of walks and chances to see wildlife may seem overwhelming. But remember: You can always come back.
3- Destin
Destin has become one of the most popular places to go on holiday in the Florida Panhandle. It is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” and it has a lot of fish. Destin was founded in the 1850s and used to be a quiet fishing town until a bridge connecting it to the rest of Florida. Even though there are more than 25,000 people in this town during the summer, the year-round population is only about 13,000. Every summer, families from the Midwest and the South come to Destin’s pure Appalachian quartz beaches, which are the city’s trademark. This special sand not only stays cool in the summer heat but also gives the water a green color when the sun shines on it. Kids splash in water parks while golfers play on seaside traps. Visitors who want to try something new can swim or scuba dive off the coast or rent a boat to go deep-sea fishing. After all, fishing is an important part of this beautiful area.
4- Anaheim-Disneyland
The main things to see and do here are, of course, the rides and other fun things at Disneyland. But Anaheim also has a lot of other things to do that are worth doing. Knott’s Berry Farm and Adventure City are two kid-friendly amusement parks that travelers recommend. And during baseball season, you should try to see a game at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Plus, Laguna, Huntington, Oceanside, and even San Diego’s beaches are all less than 100 miles away.
5- Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells is known as “The Water Park Capital of the World,” so it’s not hard to see why it’s a great place for a family holiday with lots to do. You can go to Noah’s Ark Waterpark, which is the biggest outdoor water park in the country, or Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, which has one of the biggest indoor water parks in the country. When you need a break on land, go to the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater or the Timbavati Wildlife Park to see giraffes, bears, and sloths. Wisconsin Deer Park is a fun and interesting place to feed and see different kinds of deer and other animals that aren’t as wild.
6- Cape Cod
With its bright clam shacks, shingle-style houses, and quiet beaches, it’s easy to see why Cape Cod, or “the Cape” as locals call it, is a popular summer vacation spot for people living on the mainland of New England. There are cute bed-and-breakfasts next to rough sand dunes, beautiful bike trails that wind through woods, and bright kayaks and fishing boats dot the seashore, which seems to go on forever. Here, life moves more slowly, but that’s part of what makes it so nice. Even though famous people and sports like to go to the Cape, it’s a pretty unassuming place with a laid-back vibe.
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Spend a day getting to know the artsy side of the Cape by going to Provincetown, a bohemian seaport with quirky art shops and great places to watch whales. It is especially welcoming to LGBTQ people. Then, keep going south to Sandwich, which is the oldest town on the Cape and has glass-blowing shows and historic New England houses. The area is made up of four different regions: the Upper Cape, the Mid Cape, the Lower Cape, and the Outer Cape. Even though you’ll only need a few days to enjoy the Cape’s beautiful beaches, stunning views, and delicious seafood, try to set aside a few weeks to really soak in the Cape’s quiet calm and feel the low-key vibes that draw people there every summer.
7- Grand Canyon National Park
The word “grand” doesn’t even begin to describe this canyon. This huge gap in northern Arizona is a natural wonder. It is about 277 river miles long, up to 18 river miles wide, and a mile deep. The Colorado River has helped the Grand Canyon grow for 6 million years, and for hundreds of years, people from all over the world have come to see its red and orange beauty. The Grand Canyon is run by the National Park Service and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It gets about 6 million tourists a year, all of whom are amazed by its beauty.
But if you want to get away from people and into nature, you should be ready: It can get very busy at the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is very popular with tourists and walkers because it has the Grand Canyon Village and the well-known Bright Angel Trail. Most of the things you need are on this side. Head to the North Rim to get away from the crowds. This is where you go camping in the woods and go hiking. Consider taking a chopper tour of the canyon for a view you’ll never forget.
8- Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. has been known for a long time as a stuffy town run by the government because of its marble statues and famous politicians. John F. Kennedy once said that Washington is a “city of southern efficiency and northern charm,” but people from other places often think of it as slow and useless. But these days, our nation’s capital is full of new energy and is becoming a fun, fast-paced holiday spot on the East Coast. Even though the government is still the center of this city, the District also has a lot of interesting areas and well-known museums. And because there are so many new restaurants, cafes, shops, and clubs, D.C. is becoming a bustling cultural center. Through its DC Cool marketing, the D.C. Tourism Board wants people to know that this isn’t the Washington you remember from a middle school field trip; it’s much cooler than that.
You can choose a standard D.C. trip that includes tours of famous places like the White House, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. And there’s no better way to see the most famous parts of D.C. than by taking a walk around the Tidal Basin. Plan to go in late March or early April, when the National Cherry Blossom Festival is happening, and you’ll see a forest of beautiful pink flowers. But if you’ve already seen the national landmarks, check out the city’s urban areas, famous art galleries, and busy farmers’ markets to get a feel for its younger vibe. You’ll only need a few days to see the city as it is described in history books, but it could take you months to see Washington which the people who live there know and love.
9- Lake Tahoe
Unbelievable, amazing, and mind-boggling… No matter how hard you try, it’s hard to find words that do Lake Tahoe’s beauty credit. Lake Tahoe, which is on the border between California and Nevada, has been a popular vacation spot for a long time. About 15 million people come every year. People come here because of the steep rock cliffs and tall mountains, as well as the clear waters of Lake Tahoe, which have made it known as one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the United States. The beautiful blue lake is reason enough to visit, but the area around it, also called Lake Tahoe, has miles of climbing trails, dozens of picture-perfect views, and some of the best skiing in North America.
But there’s still more. Lake Tahoe seems to have taken on most of the qualities of its neighbors. Along the north shore of the lake, there are high-end shops and restaurants like those in San Francisco. On the south shore, there are casinos like those in Reno where you can try your luck. You can also do a lot of things that Lake Tahoe is proud of, like ride a mountain gondola, go on a hot air balloon journey, or take a scenic cruise across the water that looks like a mirror.
10- Gatlinburg
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has three gates right in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg. It’s no wonder that going to the park is the most popular thing to do in this town in eastern Tennessee. In fact, it’s so popular that the number of people living in Gatlinburg jumps from less than 4,000 to more than 40,000 during peak tourist season. It’s easy to see why the park is so popular. There are miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as historical displays and cabins. You can also see black bears, elk, deer, and other animals in their natural environment. When you’re not in the park enjoying its natural beauty, you can probably see it from the Gatlinburg Space Needle or the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway, two of Gatlinburg’s most popular sites.
Gatlinburg isn’t just a way to get to the Smoky Mountains, though. This small mountain town is a stop in and of itself, and it’s especially popular with families because of places like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre that are fun for kids. For a taste of Gatlinburg’s culture, skip the tacky tourist shops and go to one of the local galleries, like the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, to watch local artists and craftsmen make everything from paintings and pottery to handmade brooms and jewelry.
11- Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is best known for its clean beaches, but there’s more to this popular holiday spot than its 60 miles of brown sand. Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular places for families to go on vacation on the East Coast. It has fun parks with water slides, roller coasters, and race tracks. While the shoppers in the family go to the outlet shops, golfers of all skill levels can go to one of the area’s more than 100 courses. After dinner, the whole family can watch shows with pirate or medieval themes. When you’re not at the beach, the whole family can have fun at places like Ripley’s Aquarium and the Broadway Grand Prix. Also, sports fans can watch a minor league baseball team. In short, Myrtle Beach is the perfect place for families on a budget who want to have fun but don’t want to spend a lot.
12- Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is famous for having the theme park Dollywood and the water park Splash Country. But you might be shocked by how much more there is to see and do in this cute little town in eastern Tennessee. At The Comedy Barn and Country Tonite Theatre, actors, comedians, and singers put on shows that are bigger than life. There are many interesting, educational, and family-friendly sites in this area, such as WonderWorks, the Titanic Museum Attraction, and Beyond the Lens! Also, tourists are drawn to the outdoors by their beauty: People who go to Pigeon Forge can enjoy parks, see the scenery from a zip line or an alpine coaster, go camping or climbing nearby, and more.
You should definitely spend some time at Dollywood, which has a lot of roller coasters, attractions, and shows, and Splash Country, which is a 35-acre water park full of thrills and rides. But don’t forget to slow down and take a walk through town, check out the shops and restaurants on The Island in Pigeon Forge, and maybe stop by a winery or brewery. One thing is for sure: you will love everything to see, do, and experience in Dolly Parton’s “Tennessee mountain home.”
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