The most common question you’ll hear when traveling with kids in the USA? “When can we have a snack?”
Hungry kids may be onto something. Cool snacks – from giant turkey legs to milkshakes served upside-down – are a US specialty and indicative of the attractions you’ll find from coast to coast: innovative, exuberant, and fun for the entire family. Additionally, most facilities are ready and happy to accommodate children.
From wide beaches and soaring mountains to niche museums and immersive art experiences, there’s a perfect destination for every kid. Adventures vary greatly, with easy hikes beneath soaring redwoods, leisurely bike rides, thrilling zipline tours, and stomach-dropping plunges on roller coasters. In every region of the US, you’ll find engaging activities suitable for every age group, from toddler to teen. One thing the US excels at is dinosaur-themed attractions.
Is the USA good for kids?
Most major attractions cater to families, with hotels and restaurants adept at accommodating kids. Traveling with children in the US can provide a unique dimension to your trip, allowing deeper connections with locals who typically enjoy chatting with kids.
Stop by the visitor center when arriving in a new city for a list of kid-friendly attractions. Larger museums often have programs designed for children, complete with hands-on, kid-themed areas where they can create art or dress up. Children’s museums and science museums are abundant in larger cities.
Restaurants usually favor family-style service, welcoming children almost everywhere, including craft breweries with expansive outdoor spaces. Many establishments offer a limited children’s menu with smaller portions at lower prices. High chairs and booster seats are commonly available. While high-end restaurants may discourage children during dinner hours, visiting early can provide a stress-free dining experience. Maintaining control over youngsters in coffee shops and cafes is advisable due to limited space for free-range exploring.
Most public restrooms are equipped with baby-changing tables, and gender-neutral facilities are increasingly common in larger public areas. City transport systems occasionally present challenges with steep stairways for strollers, but typically have accessible ticketing areas. Every state mandates child seats for smaller children in cars, so it’s wise to reserve one when renting.
Domestic airlines do not charge for infants under two years, but children aged two and up are required to have a seat, with discounts being uncommon. Amtrak, America’s national train service, offers half-price fares for children aged two to twelve, while infants travel for free.
Where is best in the USA for kids?
With 63 national parks throughout the US, most offer daily ranger talks and kid-themed Junior Ranger programs. Along the coasts, you’ll discover sandy beaches with various kid-friendly features, including tide pools, boardwalks, surf camps, and whale-watching tours. Epic adventures await in the West and Southwest, featuring hiking, rafting, cycling, and camping in picturesque settings. Families exploring the Midwest and East Coast can enjoy historical, cultural, and hiking attractions, along with theme parks scattered across the continental US.
Best things to do in the USA with babies and toddlers
Beaches are fantastic for babies and younger kids. Activities such as building sandcastles, beachcombing, and observing hermit crabs are ideal day-out adventures, especially along the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast coasts. Tide pooling is also an option in New England, Northern California, and the Pacific Northwest.
Major cities often have splash playgrounds where kids can cool off and play during warmer months. Toddler story times and music hours may be available at some museums, while aquariums captivate visitors of all ages with vibrant marine life.
Theme parks, typically found in suburban areas, often feature designated toddler zones with easy-going rides. In rural areas, local farms provide delightful experiences where kids can engage with baby animals and observe daily farming activities.
Best things to do in the USA with young children
The Grand Canyon is a favorite among families, offering attractions like the Grand Canyon Railway where kids can meet train-robbing cowboys, alongside ranger talks for budding scientists. Activities like cycling along the rim or hiking into the canyon make it easy to wear out the kids. New glamping resorts nearby entertain families with evening s’mores and creative programming.
Dude ranches in Arizona and the Southwest allow kids to embrace their inner cowboy during spring break. Old West theme parks and former mining towns frequently stage daily reenactments. Guided tours in historical sites such as Monument Valley deeply engage visitors in Navajo culture.
Discovering underground caverns is another adventure children will enjoy, with various tours available across the country. Explore Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico or experience Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Above ground, children can pan for gold in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
Best things to do in the USA with teenagers and tweens
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in East Tennessee might just win over even the hardest-to-impress teenagers with their mountain coasters and mini-golf courses. Unique attractions include the Titanic Museum and fascinating Oddity Museums. The nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers hiking, camping, and stunning waterfalls.
Whitewater rafting is an excellent choice for thrill-seeking teens. Regions like West Virginia and North Carolina provide exhilarating options on notable rivers. The US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, features several rafting and paddling opportunities.
In Los Angeles, studio tours at Universal Studios Hollywood and Warner Bros. Studio allow teens to see famous movie sets. Watching a professional sporting event, especially in summer, can be an exciting experience, with minor league baseball games offering a quintessentially American pastime.
Art-minded teens can visit cultural museums or engage in immersive experiences like Meow Wolf in Santa Fe. For those interested in history, attractions such as Mesa Verde National Park or the National Civil Rights Museum provide insightful explorations.
Planning tips
- To explore a national park without a lot of driving, consider the Grand Canyon, Acadia, Yosemite, Glacier, or Zion, which all feature convenient free shuttles.
- Cycling is an enjoyable way to explore many cities, with numerous greenway systems rapidly improving. Knoxville and Charlotte have extensive networks.
- Take the kids to a local farmers market to pick fresh ingredients for an evening meal while experiencing regional crafts and foods.
- Start your exploration on a ghost tour, sharing spooky stories along with interesting historical details about the destination.
- Geocaching – hunting for hidden treasures using clues and GPS coordinates – adds excitement to longer road trips.
