5 Best Family-Friendly Cities in the United States

Looking for a great spot to bring the family on your next vacation? The US is a great destination, with several family-focused cities that will provide a memorable and fun trip you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Orlando, Florida

No list of family-friendly cities would be complete without Orlando on it. It’s the Disney capital of the world and features the aptly named Walt Disney World. Don’t miss the Islands of Adventure water park, Epcot Center and Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios).

Not all of it is Disney themed, and there’s plenty here that most people don’t realize. There’s Universal Studios, and just about an hour away you can check out Cape Canaveral, home to many NASA Shuttle launches. It includes the Kennedy Space Center with lots of astronaut-related things for kids to experience. If you do visit the theme parks, be sure to check out the off-site hotels. They often provide shuttles and other amenities like the resorts, but at a better price. Take a look at the Hyatt Place across from Universal Orlando Resort to see what they offer.

If you visit Orlando don’t forget the travel insurance, as it can cover things like finding alternative transportation if you miss a connecting flight. This can come in handy if you’ve purchased non-refundable theme park tickets!

San Diego, California

You can’t beat the weather in San Diego, or the upbeat and friendly vibe. It’s a fun place to spend a weekend, or an entire week. Depending on when you go there’s always something to enjoy for the whole family.

Take in a relaxing San Diego Padres baseball game at Petco Park right near downtown. The San Diego Zoo gets more amazing each year and is worth the trip all by itself. And a visit to Los Angeles is only a scenic two-hour drive north so you can knock out two great cities on one trip.

New York City, New York

One of the most iconic cities in the world, kids will light up when they see the Statue of Liberty for the first time. Spend an afternoon at Central Park and you’ll never forget it. And when you’ve got the little ones with you a trip to the top of the Empire State Building is mandatory, even though the lines can be daunting.

With all of the history, sports, and people there’s always something for all ages to enjoy. See if there’s a Broadway show that’s suitable for children, like Aladdin or Lion King.

Washington DC

Washington DC is like an American history book come to life, and kids from all over the world will recognize many of its attractions. The White House is always making worldwide news and is depicted in plenty of Hollywood movies. The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument are also standouts that most everyone will quickly identify.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a vibrant city located on Lake Michigan in the northeastern part of Illinois. From the hands-on Children’s Museum to the entertaining chicago tour bus to the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier you’ll have no trouble keeping everyone active and engaged.

Be careful if you’re going in the winter months, as Chicago can experience some blisteringly cold conditions. There’s still fun wintry things to do, but you’ll want to pack accordingly and make sure the family is outfitted with gloves, hats, coats, and other winter wear.

So there you have it, five great spots to bring the kiddos, have a great time, and maybe learn something too!