Traveling with kids is unlike an adults-only retreat. Children want a wide variety of activities and they can get bored easily. The key to traveling with kids is to mix up purely fun adventures with educational opportunities so that everyone has a great time. Here are four excellent destinations spread across the United States from sea to shining sea that are sure to be a hit with your entire family.
Every United States citizen should take a trip to the nation's capital, and kids are no exception. Kids of all ages will enjoy strolling through the National Mall area, especially at night when the monuments are lit up. Any one of the free Smithsonian museums is worth a visit, and children particularly like the Natural History, American Indian and Air and Space Museums. Older kids might appreciate the heart wrenching stories documented in the Holocaust Museum and the incredible journey through the children's exhibit that documents Daniel's story. The National Zoo, also free, is one of the few places where kids can visit pandas in the United States, although their favorite part might just be riding the Metro through the city.
Deep in the heart of Texas is the home of the Alamo, a city bursting with rich Mexican heritage and Texas pride. San Antonio is a wonderful place for a family vacation with a wide variety of educational, cultural and entertainment experiences. Kids are sure to love visiting either Sea World or Fiesta Texas, two theme parks with rides and shows galore. A trip to the downtown Riverwalk is a must-do, where your kids can enjoy live mariachi music, fabulous Tex-Mex cuisine and take a water taxi tour of the area. The Alamo tells the captivating story of Texas' fight for independence, and El Mercado, or Market Square, is a delightful way to spend an afternoon shopping for touristy trinkets.
For kids who enjoy the great outdoors, the bright blue sky of Colorado is hard to beat. Located just a short drive from Pike's Peak, Colorado Springs is home to some amazing hiking spots. Visit Garden of the Gods to explore among the unusual red rock formations, or head to Seven Falls to climb to the top of a spectacular waterfall. Little cowpokes will thrill at a visit to the Flying W Ranch, an old time recreation of a western town topped off by an authentic chuck wagon supper and cowboy band. If your kids enjoy Native American culture, be sure to stop by some of the Anasazi cliff dwellings, where your kids can literally follow in the footsteps of this ancient tribe while exploring their homes.
If the sound of the ocean and the feel of sand between your toes calls to you and your family, then head to this sunny southern California city by the sea. From December through April, you can take your kids on a whale watching tour with one of the many local companies. Continue the animal theme with a trip to the San Diego Zoo to visit over 800 animal species. Take a day trip to Hollywood or Los Angeles, both of which are just a two-hour drive up the freeway, or spend the day playing in the Pacific waves at the beach.
