A Travel Adventure with the Family in the US

A family feeds giraffes at a nature preserve in Palm Springs, California

A Travel Adventure with the Family in the US

Find beaches, zoos, theme parks, and other family-friendly attractions.

The USA is the ideal destination for a family vacation, whether you’re taking the whole family or just a few. This post will offer advice, insider tips, and suggestions for destinations that are sure to make everyone pleased while organising a holiday.

A family participates in a character meet-and-greet at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Magic up the event

The US Disney Parks are the best in the world for a reason. There’s something for the whole family, from scary roller coasters and magical shows to calmer activities for kids.

Walt Disney World Resort is in Orlando, Florida, and was built in 1971. It has 4 theme parks: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you want to spend several days with your family in the parks, you will never run out of fun things to do.

There are some important changes between parks that you should know about. Most people will say that the biggest difference between parks is their size: The Anaheim, California, Disneyland Resort is a 202-hectare entertainment center. Walt Disney World, on the other hand, covers an amazing 11,137 hectares.

Disneyland was the first theme park that Walt Disney ever made. If you’re interested in history and memory, you have to go there. Disneyland is only about an hour away from Los Angeles and is just one part of many people’s bigger California vacations.

Still not sure? Think about where you’re coming from because the two places are on opposite sides of the US.

A bike ride through sunny Palm Springs, California

Girls’ Trip

Looking for the perfect place to visit with the women in your life? Consider Palm Springs, California. The warm, dry climate and sunny skies make it the perfect place to recharge and connect to those who mean the most to you. Self-care is what Palm Springs does best: you’ll find no shortage of spas, yoga studios, pools and yummy restaurants in the downtown area. Connect with nature in Joshua Tree National Park, enjoy the luxury golf courses, take in the iconic architecture and do a little shopping!

Free Smiling young African American female freelancer in stylish jacket with badge working on laptop while sitting on bench near flowerbed Stock Photo

Kid-Friendly Philly

When it comes to kid-friendly sites, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (often just called “Philly”) might be the best city on our list. You can have a great time with your family all day at the Philadelphia Zoo and Adventure Aquarium. When you’re ready for more fun, check out the many unique places in Philadelphia, like The Franklin Institute, Legoland Discovery Center, and the Please Touch Museum. This city is famous for being a great place to go from museum to museum. Anyone in the family will love this East Coast gem. It has great shopping, interesting history, and delicious food.

Skiing Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe, California

Keep the Fun Going

If you’re looking for a destination that’ll keep your family active and busy, look no further: The USA has plenty to choose from.

The USA’s ski season tends to fall from November through April, and there are dozens of world-class resorts to choose from. Park City, Utah, provides top amenities and all-level skiing for the whole family, but that’s not the only premier ski destination in the USA: Keystone, Aspen and Vail, all in Colorado, are also excellent picks for an all-around great time. Families with young kids will appreciate the bunny hills of Lake Tahoe, California, and advanced skiers love the terrain of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Traveling with more of a beach crew? From the turquoise waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands to the laid-back vibes in California, there’s a beach town for every kind of group. For a charming little beach town that feels like a well-kept secret, visit OgunquitMaine, in the summer. Enjoy the nautical charms of Cape CodMassachusetts as you slurp down oysters and embark on whale-watching excursions.

A family plays in the surf at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine

Getting Started

From coast to coast, the United States is full of destination options for your group getaway. Chat with your family about priorities and top attractions – it’s hard to pick, but many destinations offer a wide range of things to do. Getting around the USA is easy with rental cars, so consider booking a family trip with a couple of cities. (It can be hard to appease everyone. By traveling through multiple cities on a road trip, you can schedule a theme park day for the kids, a sightseeing day for grandma, etc.)

Once you have a few destination ideas in mind, sit down with the family and review our Visit the USA blog posts about those locations – odds are, we’ve covered them. Wherever you choose to travel, you’re bound to have an unforgettable time together.