Best Family Vacation Destinations by Type

Top picks for kids, categorized:

Beaches

Cancun (MX), Maui (HI), Outer Banks (NC), Myrtle Beach (SC)

Theme Parks

Walt Disney World (FL), Universal Orlando (FL), Disneyland (CA), SeaWorld (CA/San Antonio), LEGOLAND (CA/FL/NY)

National Parks

Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Acadia, Glacier – Junior Ranger programs, easy trails.

Dude Ranches

Rock Creek (MT), Red Horse Mountain (CO), C Lazy U (CO), Triple Creek (MT), Tanque Verde (AZ)

Ski Resorts

Vail/Breckenridge (CO), Park City (UT), Heavenly (CA/NV), Stowe (VT) – kids' programs, tubing.

Cities

NYC (museums, parks, shows), Chicago (museums, Navy Pier), SF (Exploratorium, zoo), Boston (Freedom Trail, aquarium), DC (Smithsonians, zoo, monuments – free).

Match destination to kids' ages, interests, and travel tolerance.