Best Family Vacation Spots for Your Next Getaway

Wisconsin Dells is like a vast playground for families, with indoor and outdoor amusement parks and the epic waterpark resorts that earned its title of "The Waterpark Capital of the World." There's plenty to do in between splash sessions: spot exotic animals at Timbavati Wildlife Park, catch a lumberjack show, and have your meal delivered by train at Buffalo Phil's.

Be sure to check out all our other recommendations for things to do with kids in Wisconsin Dells, too.

This spectacular city has a plethora of activities for families to choose from, like becoming an astronaut for the day at the NASA Space Center, checking out the Houston Museum District, visiting the animals at the Houston Zoo, indulging in some yummy Tex-Mex and much more!

Families flock to this barrier island off the south coast of Texas for year-round mild weather and plenty of kid-friendly fun. There's plenty to do on your breaks from beach time: get in character on a pirate adventure cruise, visit the rehabilitating turtles at Sea Turtle, Inc, and enjoy year-round dolphin watching.

Kelly R said:  Once you've taken in Mount Rushmore, there's more family fun to be had around Rapid City! Spot Ice Age mammoth fossils at The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, take a wild drive through Bear Country USA, and check the progress of the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Kelly R said:  One of the best National Parks for kids offers a fun Junior Ranger program, a free shuttle system for getting around, and gorgeous vistas that don't require strenuous hikes (and some that do, if you're into that!).

Kelly R said:  The Phoenix & Scottsdale area is one of the best family vacation spots during the milder months when it's not too hot to enjoy the desert surroundings. Try a kid-friendly hike, see thousands of tropical butterflies in the conservatory at Butterfly Wonderland, and roam the Desert Botanical Garden to check out an amazing collection of desert plants.

Erynn said:  Big Bear Lake is nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains and regularly has cooler temperatures and plenty of scenery! In winter, two resorts (Snow Summit Ski Resort and Bear Mountain) invite visitors to enjoy snow play and sports, while the rest of the seasons offer recreation in fishing, boating, hiking, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities. There's even a wildlife rehabilitation zoo to visit where native species get the help they need to thrive. Plan ahead and visit during one of the area's seasonal events for even more family fun.

There's a lot that makes San Diego unique, beyond its miles of breathtaking beaches! Step aboard the USS Midway for a taste of life on the aircraft carrier, go on a kid-friendly hike with jaw-dropping views (and maybe spot a whale) at Torrey Pines State Reserve, and explore two of the finest zoos in the country.

Amy S. said:  With its mountains, lakes, and rivers, Coeur d’Alene offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northwest. Of course, outdoor activities abound with boating, swimming, fly fishing, and hiking in the summer, and several ski resorts within striking distance in the winter. Coeur d’Alene is also famous for its epic Fourth of July celebration and Christmas tree lighting ceremony. In December, you won’t want to miss the bald eagle migration (we once saw over 100 eagles on the boat tour) or the cruise to the “North Pole” (a boat trip across Lake Coeur d’Alene to see Santa in his workshop).

Erynn said:  Monterey is known worldwide for its expansive Aquarium, but that's not all there is to see! Monarch butterflies make their seasonal flight to nearby Pacific Grove at the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. While you're in PG, visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse (the oldest existing lighthouse on the West Coast!) for a tour or check out the Museum of Natural History (the bird collection is magnificent!). There's plenty of shopping along Cannery Row, but my kids' favorite is the Dennis the Menace Playground at El Estero Park--complete with views of the bay from the play equipment.

Alexandra F. said:  Hawai'i is a bucket-list worthy destination at any age, and definitely one of the best family vacation spots in the USA. We like sticking to a single island when we travel with kids, and have found that O'ahu has everything we could want from a Hawaiian vacation. We've enjoyed kid-friendly hikes on Diamond Head and Manoa Falls, a pineapple tree maze at Dole Plantation, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, and some pretty spectacular luaus. Most of all, we like to spend as much time as possible relaxing at any of the amazing beaches and eating lots of fresh fish and shave ice.