Family Vacation Ideas Archives - Family Friendly USA

Traveling and adventuring with your children will build family bonds for a lifetime. Where should you take them? We have 14 places to take your kids before they grow up and venture out on their own for your family.

One of the best things that you can do for your children is travel with them. Children are full of curiosity and imagination.

There is no better time to travel than when your children are little. While traveling anywhere is a good thing, here are a few places to take with your kids before they grow up.

Natural Places to Take Your Kids

Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest and the oldest National Park in the United States. During your visit, your children will marvel at the geysers and enjoy viewing the various wildlife.

Yosemite

This beautiful national park in California is a must-see for families across the USA. There’s nothing that compares to the majesty of El Capitan, Half Dome, and the multitude of hiking and waterfalls to enjoy.

Redwood National Forest

The Redwood National Forest in California is home to the tallest and widest trees in the country. Your kids will feel like ants in comparison to the giant trees. Everyone should visit Redwood National Forest at least once in their lifetime.

Crystal River, Florida

Crystal River, Florida is one of the few places that you can not only view but swim with manatees in their natural habit. These gentle giants pose no threat to humans.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave is the largest known cave system in the world! During your visit, you can choose to take a leisurely stroll through the cave or join the park rangers to earn their Junior Rangers Badge.

Cultural American Places to Take Your Kids

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is a fantastic place for children because it allows you to take a step back in time and experience the world as it was in the 18th century. Whether they are taking a ride in a carriage or learning how to make bricks kids will love this trip.

Washington, D. C.

Walk in the footsteps of history and culture when your family tours everything from the National Archives to the Smithsonian museums. You children will have a whole new view of their country when they’ve seen such important parts of history.

The Statue of Liberty

Children will delight in seeing the Statue of Liberty and learning a little bit about our nation’s history. They will love it even more if they get to climb to the top and look out over the harbor.

New York City

This rushing, busy city is an incredible place for kids to see and experience. With everything from Broadway to Central Park, your children will be enthralled every minute.

Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center in Florida, operated by NASA, gives your children the experience of a lifetime as they learn about space. If you plan your trip at the right time, you can even watch a rocket launch.

U. S. Space and Rocket Center – Huntsville, AL

While you won’t see the rockets launch, at the U. S. Space and Rocket Center your kiddos can run around the rocket garden, hang out under the Saturn V rocket, and check out the Moon Rover! While in Huntsville, take a tour of the Red Stone Arsenal. You’ll see buildings where parts of the Space Launch System are under construction, test platforms, and much more.

The St. Louis Arch

As the starting place for most of the pioneers heading into the U.S. West, St. Louis holds a special place in history. Visit the unique monument, take a trip up the inside in an elevator, and get a new view of the Mississippi River.

The Grand Canyon, the Four Corners and Monument Valley

The place where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona meet is known as the Four Corners. It’s the only place in the States that will allow your kids to be in 4 places at once! That’s an experience that all kids want to have!

Along the way, make sure you visit the beautiful western scenery of Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon. Your children will be amazed by the stunning vistas.

Fun and Exciting Places to Take Your Kids

Disney World

Disney World is the place where dreams come true. Every child needs to visit Disney World and watch the magic come alive around them.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

It is said that the entire town of Hershey smells like chocolate. Your children will love seeing and taste testing chocolate at the Hershey Factory. While there you can take a free tour of the factory and even create your own chocolate bar.

Where do you want to visit with your kids before they grow up?

Instead of investing in things for your kids give them experiences. Travel with them and watch their eyes fill with wonder as they explore the world around them.

Family Vacation Ideas: 5 Adventurous and Inexpensive Cities in the USA

Family Vacations are amazing times to grow, learn, and build family bonds. These family vacation ideas keep your family busy and keep your budget small. Check out these five inexpensive cities in the USA to visit.

So you want to take your family on vacation, but money is tight. Don’t worry! There are many budget-friendly places in the US that will delight your family and your pocketbook. Everyone will find something that they love in these five budget-friendly cities.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #1: Washington D.C.

Our nation’s capital is one city that everyone should visit in their lifetime. Its historical significance alone earns it a spot on this list. It is budget friendly because almost all of the major landmarks are free. While you are in the city you will want to wear good walking shoes.

After checking out the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial take a stroll through one of the 17 free Smithsonian Museums. Check the events calendar before you go because Washington D.C. also hosts several free festivals and events throughout the year.

*Family Friendly Tip: Use the Metro system to get around, especially if you have over 4 people in your party. Purchase a card for each family member. We did cards with $20 on them for each person for a week. We ended up a few dollars short, and had to reload. The minimum for reloading is $10, so we spent a few dollars more than we needed. However, we will be going back, so I’ll hang on to the cards for the next trip.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #2: Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is a great place to visit if you want to be near the ocean. Most beaches are free to visit and if you pack a picnic lunch the entire trip will cost you very little.

There are plenty of things to do around the city as well. Make sure you check out Friendship Fountain downtown, the Jackson Landing, and the Sally Corporation while you are in town.

If you’re looking for a little history, check out St. Augustine. It’s only a few miles south of Jacksonville, and boasts some of the oldest structures in the USA.

*Family Friendly Tip: Many nights the dolphins come up the river to feed in the evenings. The wall at the edges of the Castillo San Marcos are a perfect place to see them!

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #3: New Orleans, Louisiana

Just walking down the street in New Orleans is a party. You’ll find musicians on every street corner and corner markets and cafes with very affordable po-boy sandwiches, gumbo, and beignets.

The city hosts several free festivals so plan to go during one of them to get even more bang for your buck. Make sure to tour Saint Louis Cathedral and the Cities of the Dead while you are there.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #4: Houston, Texas

Houston has a little bit of something for everyone. Several close and beautiful beaches offer plenty of chances to swim, build sandcastles, hike, and view lighthouses. Discovery Green, located downtown, provides exciting events for people of all ages.

If you’d rather be indoors and out of the heat there are several free and nearly free museums and theatres in Houston. Some are only free on certain days to make sure to check their website before you go.

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas – City #5: St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is located in the center of the country which means that most of the continental US can get there without traveling too far. St. Louis is especially suitable for children as you can visit the St. Louis Zoo for free.

The city also offers several free museums such as the St. Louis Museum of Art. After a long day of visiting the zoo(One of our top 11 in the USA!) and museums take a stroll through Forest Park.

Amazing vacations don’t have to cost a fortune. Gather up your family and head out to one of these budget-friendly cities and take advantage of all the deals that they have to offer.

14 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up