Planning a family vacation, but want to look beyond the usual suspects like New York and Orlando? Let’s shake things up by exploring these 10 underrated US spots that are the perfect kid-friendly trip ideas. They’ve all got something to offer for kids – from interactive children’s museums to unique amusement parks. And they may be more budget-friendly than some of the more popular cities.
10 Kid-Friendly Trip Ideas
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is teeming with family attractions. It’s firstly home to the largest aquarium in the US, Georgia Aquarium, where you’ll find the impressive Ocean Voyager exhibit – a 6.3 million gallon tank containing whale sharks, manta rays and thousands of other exotic fish. There’s also the World of Coca Cola, an exciting museum dedicated to the world’s most popular soda, and Atlanta Botanical Garden, where you’ll find splash pads and cool giant sculptures of Alice in Wonderland characters. You can choose many different types of family-friendly accommodation in Atlanta including vacation rentals and resort hotels.
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana’s state capital could be another alternative destination to try. One of the most impressive children’s museums, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, can be found in this city. It contains dinosaur fossils, massive water clocks and an array of hands-on science exhibits to play with. There’s also Indianapolis Zoo, which features a highly rated dolphins show, and the NCAA Hall of Champions, which is a fun dive into sports history. Kids that love cars may also love the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Family-friendly accommodation can be found throughout the city.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland boasts many family attractions including The Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The Children’s Museum of Cleveland. You can also enjoy beach days overlooking Lake Eerie or take cruises across the lake. It’s even possible to venture over to Sandusky for a day trip where you’ll find famous amusement parks like Cedar Point (so many rollercoasters!) and Ghostly Manor Thrill Center (which features a kid-friendly spooky haunted house). For a long vacation, check out some of these hotel-style apartments for extended stays in downtown Cleveland.
Charlotte, NC
You’ll find all kinds of amazing attractions for kids in Charlotte, NC. Carowinds is the most notable attraction – an amusement featuring 60 world-class rides and an extensive waterpark. There’s Discovery Space Science – a science museum with a planetarium, butterfly house and various interactive experiments. There’s The NASCAR Hall of Fame – which features racing simulators and various fun motorsports exhibits. And that’s only scratching the surface – there are so many other museums and parks here. Many hotels here are accommodating to families.
Pigeon Forge, TN
This gateway to the smoky mountains, Pigeon Forge, is bursting with amusements and outdoor adventures. Its most famous attraction is Dollywood – a 150 acre theme park co-owned by Dolly Parton where you’ll find all kinds of country-themed rides. All around the city’s outskirts, you’ll meanwhile find thrillseeker activities like ziplines and exploratory activities like horse riding trails. On top of this, the city is also home to the Titanic Museum – a two-story museum shaped like the Titanic full of original artefacts that kids and adults alike will enjoy walking around. There are many family-friendly hotels, campgrounds and RV parks to choose from in Pigeon Forge.
Rochester, NY
Beyond the Big Apple, New York State also features gems like Rochester. This upstate city is home to the Strong National Museum of Play, which is a paradise for kids – featuring massive toy collections, a butterfly garden and oodles of interactive exhibits. Seneca Park Zoo meanwhile provides up-close animal views of wildlife not found at other parks including polar bears and snow leopards. There’s also Highland Park, which is home to Lilac Adventure Zone – an outdoor wooden playground with plenty of green space around for picnics. Choose from an array of accommodation including luxury hotels and B&Bs.
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa is home to one of the most impressive playgrounds in the US, Gathering Place, situated on the Arkansas River. It’s a wonderland for kids consisting of large slides, adventure courses and skate areas. That’s not all that Tulsa has to offer though – The Oklahoma Aquarium features thrilling shark tunnels and touch tanks, while Tulsa Zoo offers train rides and animal feedings. When looking for family-friendly lodgings, you’ll find a wide selection of hotels and vacation rentals across the city.
Cannon Beach, OR
If you’re looking for a charming beachside destination, Cannon Beach could be somewhere worth considering. This coastal city is known for its large ocean monolith, Haystack Rock, and sprawling tide pools, where kids can find all kinds of species of starfish and anemones during low tide. It’s also got sandy areas for building sandcastles and flying kits. The town itself meanwhile contains family-friendly art galleries, ice cream shops and a glasswork studio with live glassblowing demonstrations. There’s no shortage of hotels here for families, including luxury options with hot tubs and balconies overlooking the sea.
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg’s close proximity to Hersheypark makes it a great destination to explore in Pennsylvania. Here, you can take a free chocolate tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World (with chocolate tastings!) and ride chocolate-themed rollercoasters. Harrisburg is also home to The State Museum of Pennsylvania, which features dinosaur skeletons and planetarium shows. Make sure to also check out the riverfront playgrounds and historic capitol building. Families can choose from quite a few different hotels and vacation rentals in Harrisburg with family rooms and convenient access to attractions.
Santa Fe, NM
When it comes to family-friendly historical destinations, the likes of Boston, Salem and Williamsburg tend to capture most people’s attention. An overlooked city however is Santa Fe in New Mexico. It has all kinds of fascinating attractions on its doorstep including interactive museums like the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the archaeological sites of Bandelier National Monument where kids can climb ladders into ancient cave dwellings. The Meow Wolf art installation is also a wacky attraction where families can explore a mind-bending house full of mystery rooms and secret passageways. There are a few family hotels throughout Santa Fe with spacious rooms and pools.