Travel can introduce your kids to real-life wonders in the world, changing their perspective about things they’ve probably only read about in books and even get them excited about education, literally changing their lives. Family vacations can be budget-friendly or an epic adventure, it depends on your travel style. Instead of taking the same vacation year after year, consider bringing them to one or more of these places that might just open up a whole new future.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Offering a long list of memorable outdoor adventures, America’s first national park is also one of its most magnificent. The nearly 4,000-square-mile park is home to more geothermal features, including hot springs, mud spots and geysers, than anywhere else on the planet. You can see one of the most famous, Old Faithful, which shoots steam as high as 185 feet into the sky every 90 minutes, along with many other lesser-known geysers as well as mud pots and brilliant multi-colored hot springs like Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the U.S., named for its striking coloration in hues that match the rainbow dispersion of white light by an optical prism of orange, yellow, red, green and blue. Kids can have even more fun if you stop at the Old Faithful Visitor Center to pick up an infrared-thermometer gun that takes readings of thermal pools when pointed at the water. Yellowstone is also a great place for wildlife watching, with lots of bison, elk and Bighorn sheep as well as wolves and bears.
New York City, New York
Kids can learn a ton about America’s history in a fascinating way by visiting the Big Apple. The Statue of Liberty is one of the country’s most enduring and most recognizable symbols of freedom. At Ellis Island, they can understand firsthand about the millions of immigrants who came through this gateway in hopes of a better life. They can walk through the Great Hall, just like generations of newcomers did, search for ancestors on ship manifests and explore what it meant to pack everything up, hop onboard a ship and try to fit in in their new country at the interactive Ellis Kids exhibit.
You can also take them to Ground Zero for a chance to help them connect to what they’ve been told about 9/11, with the twin reflecting pools with waterfalls sitting in the footprints of the World Trade Center towers, surrounded by bronze panels etched with victims’ names.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
There are few things that can make one feel more humble than standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Peering into the canyon layers below is the first step in a child’s understanding of the geology of our planet. If you need help planning a family trip to the Grand Canyon, consider taking a hike that’s appropriate for their age to get a closer look at the layers and wildlife that make up the canyon. One of America’s most iconic sites, the immense gorge is 277 miles long and 6,000 feet deep in some spots, with rocks that are millions of years old. Take a stroll on the Skywalk, the U-shaped, glass-bottom observation deck that juts 70 feet over the West Rim of the canyon, 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. The canyon can also be explored by mule, though you’ll need to reserve the three-hour trek at least a year in advance.
Boston, Massachusetts
As the birthplace of the American Revolution, Boston offers the chance to learn about Colonial history in a way that’s a lot more fun than reading a U.S. History book. They’ll enjoy following the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail so much they won’t even realize it’s educational. It starts at Boston Commons, the camping grounds of the Redcoats, and passes the Granary Burying Grounds which houses the graves of Sam Adams, Paul Revere and John Hancock. The Boston Massacre Site and Paul Revere’s House are also along the way. Take the Pirates and Patriots tour which includes a stop at Griffin’s Wharf, the site of the 1773 Boston Tea party, led by a guide in 1770s naval garb.
Grand Cayman Island, The Cayman Islands
If you’d like to enjoy a tropical vacation, why not introduce the kids to one of the most spectacular underwater worlds on the planet? The Cayman Islands in the Caribbean are renowned for their outstanding snorkeling and diving spots. The largest of three Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman, is a water lover’s paradise with a multitude of family-friendly activities and attractions at picture-perfect beaches sitting at the edge of the water that’s as clear as a swimming pool. At Sting Ray City, a shallow sandbar, they can wade out into the sea and almost instantly have hundreds of gentle stingrays all around them. They can even feed them by hand for an especially unforgettable, if ticklish, experience.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
If you aren’t wealthy, you’ll have to save your pennies, but visiting the Galapagos Islands is worth scrimping for. There’s no place like it anywhere else on earth – this is the spot where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution, and where nearby islands have different ecologies and animals who have adapted differently to their environments. The animals here have no fear of humans and no natural predators, so your children can swim with turtles and dolphins, and play near seals. The best way to experience it is by taking an organized boat tour led by naturalist guides. You’ll have the chance to visit giant tortoises and hike up volcanoes, passing a myriad of different types of lizards and birds like the rare blue-footed booby.
Pacific Coast Highway Drive, California
Often noted as one of the most breathtaking scenic drives in all the world, the stretch from San Francisco to Los Angeles is especially magnificent. Highway 1 winds along the craggy coastal cliffs that soar high above the glistening expanse of the Pacific. By taking it slow, you can enjoy many idyllic breaks. Stop in Santa Cruz where you can all have fun at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk by taking a ride on the Giant Dipper, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the country, running since 1924. Those with teens might want to try their hand at stand up paddleboarding, paddling among the otters and sea lions. A bit further south, Monterey is home to one of the best aquariums in the U.S. and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers a rare, purple sand beach as well as great camping and hiking. In San Simeon, you can even visit a magnificent Moorish castle, Hearst Castle, with 165 rooms along with 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways.
San Francisco, California
If you have time, you could combine the Pacific Coast Highway Drive with a visit to San Francisco, though it’s certainly worth a trip on its own. Fuel up for walking those steep hills with some world-famous chocolate in Ghirardelli Square and then take a ride on a cable car with the historic trollies chugging up and down the nearly vertical hills as their bells clang the whole way. You can also check out Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy delicious clam chowder as well as the countless sea lions that are always barking away on the docks.
The wharf is also the place to book a tour of Alcatraz Island. While it may not sound kid-friendly, the excursion offers a glimpse into America’s most notorious island prison and is presented in a fascinating way that’s geared for all ages. You’ll hop a ferry from Pier 33 and visit the damp, gray halls that once housed criminals like George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Al Capone – you can even get behind bars in one of the cells, it makes for a great photo. For those with older children, you might even want to take the night tour to find out about the prison’s alleged hauntings.
The Rocky Mountains of Colorado
No matter what time of year you plan on going on vacation, Colorado’s Rockies offers a wealth of things to do. In the winter, you’ll find soft, powdery snow with some of the best skiing and snowboarding on earth. Snowmass is a great place to go for those with very young kids, offering the widest range of children’s programs at its Treehouse Adventure Center, and there’s also outstanding ski instruction geared for all ages, including novice adults. At Beaver Creek, you can join in on family ice skating nights, snowshoe tours and ski parades. In the autumn, you can enjoy some of the best fall color hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park or the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, home to the Maroon Bells, some of the most photographed peaks in Colorado. Summertime in the Rockies is absolutely magnificent too, offering family-friendly whitewater rafting trips, incredible fly-fishing opportunities, mountain biking and more.
Swimming with Manatees - Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is best known as one of the few places in Florida that native manatees flock to every year during the colder months. Here, the surrounding waters are filled with natural springs that remain pleasant temperatures of 72 degrees all year round, drawing the magnificent animals that can’t survive in colder waters. Hundreds of the gentle giants can be found in the springs and rivers every winter, though some remain throughout the year. This is the only place in the world that you can go swimming with them, and outfitters like American Pro Diving Center can help make it happen. You can also visit Three Sisters Springs, walking the boardwalk just above the three natural springs that feed the Crystal River, to view them if you prefer staying on land.
While you’re here, visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park too. Originally opened as a zoo, today the park is run by the state and is home to animals that can be found in Florida, like manatees, alligators, bald eagles and an orphaned Florida panther, though there is one exception. When the state took over the park, locals petitioned for Lu the hippo to be able to stay since he’d been there for so long.
See Orcas in the Wild - San Juan Islands, Washington
While you could take your kids to SeaWorld to watch the orcas perform, it’s a lot more rewarding to see them in the wild – and, it’s cheaper too. San Juan Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State, is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest where entire pods can easily be viewed from shore, or a boat. The “Southern Residents,” known as J, K and L pods, travel up and down the entire western shore of the island daily in the summer. Not only will you have a good chance of watching them leap from the water, but the views here are absolutely amazing too, including the lush hills of Vancouver Island in British Columbia and across Juan de Fuca Strait to the soaring jagged peaks of the Olympic Mountains on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Enjoy a picnic at Lime Kiln State Park where the whales frequently pass by, or choose from a wide variety of whale watch boat tour operators. Your best chance to see them is between late May and mid-October. In addition to orcas, you might see gray, minke and humpback whales as well as sea lions, otters, porpoise, bald eagles and numerous seabirds.
Mesa Verde, Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park is home to some of the best-preserved ancient Pueblo dwellings – some dating all the way back to 550 AD, all just waiting to be explored, tucked beneath the sandstone cliffs in southwest Colorado. Visitors can retrace the ancient footsteps of the ancestral Puebloans who once lived in these magnificent cliff dwellings. There are more than 4,500 that can be found within its boundaries, including Cliff Palace which contains 150 rooms, 23 kivas and once had a population of roughly 100. The 40-room Balcony House is filled with well-preserved rooms, kivas and plazas standing as a tribute to those who built and occupied the site in the 13th century. Kids from four through 12 years old can become a Junior Ranger too, by completing activities in a booklet that can be picked up at the Visitor Center or the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.
Yosemite National Park, California
One of the most incredibly scenic national parks, Yosemite is home to a multitude of breathtaking waterfalls and steep granite cliffs that draw rock climbers from around the world. Watching them climb is entertainment that is sure to mesmerize everyone in the family. A free park shuttle will take you to see many of Yosemite most famous sights like Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome, and, if you’re up for a hike, don’t miss the Mist Trail that runs alongside Vernal Falls, climbing 600 granite steps to the top as the cascading waters splash a gentle mist, keeping everyone nice and cool. If you want to get away from the crowds, just head to some of the park’s lesser-known areas by taking the scenic 39-mile drive to Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows from Crane Flat. The scenery is just as stunning and you can enjoy the vast wilderness area that includes pristine rivers, granite domes, sparkling lakes and lush meadows, without bumping elbows with others.
Redwood National & State Parks - Crescent City, California
This is the home of the tallest, most majestic trees on the planet. Standing next to any one of them is bound to make you feel very small. Take a stroll through Lady Bird Johnson Grove on the mile-long trail, passing through the mossy jungle of towering sequoias, some of which are 2,000 years old. The kids will have fun crawling through some of the hollowed giants. But the ancient sequoias aren’t the only attraction here, you’ll discover plenty of cool marine life too. Take a guided tide pool tour where would-be biologists can scramble between rocks, hunting for underwater creatures like green and pink anemones or orange and purple starfish.
Kennedy Space Center - Cape Canaveral, Florida
There are few kids who wouldn’t enjoy being an astronaut for a day, plus Kennedy Space Center is just an hour from Orlando so you can visit the home of Mickey and Donald, another place that everyone should experience at least once, during the same trip. While the real space shuttles have flown their final missions, kids can experience what it’s like to take a rocket into the stratosphere on the Shuttle Launch Experience flight simulator. There are also mission control tours, the opportunity to have lunch with an astronaut – and, even train with one in the family Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) programs, which includes preparing for g-forces and a mock journey to the International Space Station.
Washington, D.C.
Once you’re an adult, politics often becomes stressful. But as a kid learning about historic events, the chance to see where many of them took place can be surreal. Visit the Capitol Building, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian and the Lincoln Memorial where they can walk up the 98 steps and stand at the feet of Honest Abe. There is so much to do, it’s impossible to get bored in the nation’s capital. You can even visit the Library of Congress, the largest in the world with 128 million items, 500 miles of shelving and nearly 4,000 staff members to run it all. It’s a true treasure trove, where, whatever your child likes, from sports and music to maps, he or she will find something about it here. Children can also get the “Passport to Knowledge” to guide them to the library’s “greatest hits,” and play at Knowledge Quest kiosks and bookmark places of interest to explore later on a personalized mini-site.
London, England
London is a great place to go for parents who want their kids to explore a big European city. While English is spoken, it still feels like a foreign place, and many will be fascinated with the world they’ve probably seen in Harry Potter films. Older kids will love the ghoulish tales heard at the Tower of London, Europe’s first fortress, constructed in the 11th century at the request of William the Conqueror. Queen Anne Boleyn was beheaded there in 1536 and is rumored to still haunt the place. Princess lovers won’t want to miss Buckingham Palace, the home of a real-life Queen, Queen Elizabeth. You can gather around the big iron gates for the Changing of the Guards, where soldiers march out in their trademark red coats and black hats, accompanied by music and royal horsemen.
Ireland
Visiting Ireland is something many dream of. And, lots of Americans have an Irish heritage. Whether or not you do, it offers an ideal place for people of all ages to visit. Experience the incredible beauty of your homeland, and perhaps do a little genealogy research while you’re there. Even if you don’t have a connection through your family history, exploring the multitude of castles offers a fascinating time for all. You can tour 12th century Trim Castle, the largest castle in the country, which played a starring role in the movie “Braveheart.” At the ruins of the Dominican Black Friary nearby, visitors can get a crash course in excavation and even start digging, recording their findings alongside geologists and archaeologists.
See the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, and check out the creepy dungeon at Bunratty Castle. In its early days, prisoners were blindfolded and told to walk 13 steps. But there were only 12, so when they took what they thought would be the 13th, they plunged to the bottom – a 10-foot drop into the darkness. Visitors can also join in on a medieval banquet, complete with musicians in period costumes playing the harp and violin.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Of course, a Hawaiian vacation means lots of fun time at the beach, and in the water, but on the Big Island in Hawaii, you can also explore two massive volcanoes, including Kilauea, one of the world’s most active. For many kids, the most memorable part of their trip is a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a 350,000-acre lava field that’s unlike anywhere else on earth. While eruptions aren’t guaranteed, if you get lucky and the lava is flowing, it’s a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Even when it’s not you’ll at least see steam after the sun goes down, which glows in a creepy red hue. During the day, walk trails that will bring you past huge craters, black lava rock and smoking steam vents. By stopping at the visitor center, you can find out about current conditions and learn how the volcano came to be. Sometimes rangers lead walks, or you can easily set out on your own by picking up a map. Be sure to check out the Thurston Lava Tube, an underground tunnel where lava once flowed.
Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
If you’d like to head to the Caribbean but don’t want to go through the hassle and expense of getting passports for everyone, go to Puerto Rico! Not only does it offer a wealth of gorgeous white sandy beaches and spectacular snorkeling opportunities, but it’s also home to the Bioluminescent Bay with glow-in-the-dark plankton that lights up the water like magic. You can take a guided excursion with Kayaking Puerto Rico, with takes you through a beautiful mangrove channel surrounded by protected marine life in the Fajardo Bio Bay. Once you’re there, you’ll all be mesmerized with the water sparkling like pixie dust every time a paddle is moved.
