There’s no doubt about it, overseas adventures are exciting. But there’s also so much to explore right here in the USA. Plus, home nation travel has an added benefit: no wrangling toddlers or small kids on long-haul international flights!
When you’re traveling with the family, there are a few extra questions you should add to your travel itinerary checklist: Will this place be easy to get to? Are there rooms to suit a family? Can I get my stroller around easily?
Here are the five best family holiday destinations in the USA.
- Waikiki, Hawaii
- Anaheim, California
- Yellowstone, Wyoming
- Orlando, Florida
- New York, New York
Waikiki, Hawaii
Waikiki is a family hot spot with its year-round tropical weather and all the luxuries of home since it is a US state. The main attractions are pristine blue waters and white sands free of charge.
Simply walk from your hotel to the warm waters for a swim. You can also enjoy a range of watersports such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing or stand up paddleboarding.
There are a range of hotels to suit any family’s needs. Some of the most highly rated are the Outrigger Resorts, the Hyatt, Prince Waikiki, and Halekulani Hotel.
Every Friday night the Hilton puts on a free firework show around 8 pm for an evening that the family will never forget. The sunsets are intense orange and best enjoyed with a cocktail or mocktail.
There are plenty of suitable adventures on land too when you’re ready to dry off. The Diamond Head hike is family-friendly at only 1.6 miles return. From there, you can enjoy the Waikiki skyline.
With a low state tax-rate of only 4 percent, Hawaii is a great place to shop. There are many shops in Waikiki, the larger mall Ala Moana is a short 25-minute walk or bus ride away. Fancy brand names at cheap prices? Waikele Premium Outlets can be accessed via a shuttle bus.
It’s difficult to run out of things to see or do in Hawaii with resorts and facilities specifically catering to family tourism. What would your family explore first in Waikiki?
Anaheim, California
Nothing screams “family holiday” like Disneyland. Just 25 miles from Downtown Los Angeles lies the Happiest Place on Earth. There are many hotels nearby in the city of Anaheim including the iconic Disneyland Resort.
You don’t need to worry about amenities, stroller access, or activities to keep the kids entertained because these hotels businesses are catered to family travel.
Opened in 1955, the park has been operating for over six decades. There are 53 attractions to enjoy. Just bear in mind that a day is not enough time to explore the huge 34-hectare park.
For a young family, there is plenty of slower-paced baby and toddler rides with many family rooms and ramps for strollers.
The bigger kids, adults included, will enjoy the thrill rides such as the Incredicoaster, or Space Mountain. It’s easy to keep them entertained with a range of daily events such as the Magic Happens Parade, the Disneyland band, and Mickey’s Mix Magic fireworks. Anaheim Disneyland is a truly magical place that your family will never forget.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Are you and your family more the outdoorsy type? Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, one of the oldest national parks in the USA, won’t disappoint. The park is 3,500 square miles in size with endless hiking, camping and adventure options for your family.
There are 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone national park. Travel by car and disconnect from the world by pitching a tent or renting an RV.
If you prefer the finer things in life along with an outdoor adventure, there are many hotels in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho just on the outskirts of the park. Try staying in a homely villa or a local bed and breakfast.
Some of the best attractions include the Old Faithful Geyser, which shoots water 184 feet high! The Mammoth Hot Springs are easily accessible from the north and are a unique sight to behold with the changing watercolors.
For those who like to hike, there are multiple day trips that will get you back to your car by sunset. One of the more popular trails is the South Rim trek where you can enjoy views of the Yellowstone Grand Canyon.
For families who like to stay fit and connected to nature, Yellowstone is the perfect spot with amenities primed for family tourism.
Orlando Florida
Orlando is the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s a great spot for children of any age due to the diversity in activities.
A hub for many airlines, Orlando is easily accessible by air travel no matter where you’re coming from. There are accommodation options to suit any family with Walt Disney World Resort in the center or budget options a short drive away.
Walt Disney World is made up of four different parks: The Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, Epcot, Universal Studios and Animal Kingdom.
For younger families, Magic Kingdom Park is a perfect choice. There are character shows and entertainment from our favorite Disney characters. A range of attractions, many slower-paced and designed with toddlers in mind, will keep you all entertained
For the tweens and teens, there’s plenty to engage them at Magic Kingdom park. But for the thrill-seekers, Universal Studios is the place you want to be. Try the Incredible Hulk Coaster, the Transformers 3D ride, and the Escape from Gringotts. After a big day of thrill-seeking, grab a Butterbeer at The Leaky Cauldron.
A long weekend is simply not enough time to explore these four parks. You could dedicate your entire week-long family vacation to Orlando. Or, if you only have a weekend, you have four parks to choose from depending on what kind of traveler you are and which best suits the kids.
New York, New York
Your kids will never be bored in the city that never sleeps. With many families that live in this busy metropolitan area, transport and attractions all have easy stroller access. No matter how much time you dedicate to New York, you’ll feel as though you only scratched the surface of what the city has to offer.
Some attractions you can’t miss are the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, the view of the city from the 86th floor at the Empire State Building and a show at the Broadway Theatre. The subway system makes travel easy between attractions. The glittering lights of Time Square are unmissable and a sight you’ll never forget.
If you’d like a free experience, take a short walk from Time Square and watch your kids smile as they enter the FAO Schwarz toy store. You’ll find lego towers six feet tall and a walking piano to create tunes on.
If you decide you’d like to slow down, grab a hotdog from a stand and take a stroll through Central Park. The 1.3 square mile patch of greenery is a safe-haven away from the hustle and bustle of New York for when you need to rest and relax.
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