Best family-friendly road trip destinations
If you’re looking for the best options for road trips with kids, you have plenty to choose from. The key is finding something that the whole family can enjoy with destinations that will create unforgettable experiences. Family-friendly fun is available in abundance throughout the country, so you’ll have something close no matter where you are. Here are the top destinations for road trips with kids.
1. Explore the stunning natural sights of Crater Lake
In Oregon, you’ll find the breathtaking Crater Lake area that is sure to impress even the most skeptical family members with its impressive natural features. The lake itself dazzles with calm blue waters, while the backdrop includes towering mountain peaks and a vibrant green woodland. Hiking, biking, fishing, and boating are available here.
2. Visit Disneyland in Anaheim, California
Road trips with kids often end in destinations with amusement parks, and no amusement park is quite as well known around the world as Disneyland. You’ll find this source of magic and adventure in Anaheim, California. That’s just the beginning of its offerings, however, as you can also take the kids to a baseball game at Angel Stadium.
3. See the breathtaking sights of the Grand Canyon
If your road trip with kids takes you to the American West, a stop at the Grand Canyon is virtually a necessity. This massive canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world and can create an awe-inspiring experience, making anyone from full-grown adults to kids feel small yet a part of something downright grand.
4. Discover the Children’s Museum of Santa Fe
In the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, you’ll find a wide variety of attractions that kids are sure to enjoy, but nothing compares to the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. The hardest part of any museum trip with kids is keeping them from touching everything, but you don’t have to worry about that here. Just about every exhibition encourages touching.
5. Trek through geological marvels in Cave City
If your kids fancy themselves little adventurers, a road trip to Cave City, Kentucky, will have plenty to offer. You can visit Mammoth Cave National Park to venture through massive caverns and caves that will wow even more experienced travelers. Plus, the Dinosaur World attraction is known for impressing children with its daunting exhibitions.
6. See the sights in Atlanta
In Georgia’s capital of Atlanta, you’ll find quite a few attractions perfect for making this the destination of any road trip with kids. The Georgia Aquarium features dolphins, penguins, and more, while the Legoland Discovery Center lets your kids express their creativity in unique ways that you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t forget to stop by the World of Coca-Cola as well.
7. Enjoy the theme park capital of the world in Orlando
Just about every child loves theme parks, and you’ll find some of the best in the world in the Florida city of Orlando. This city is home to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, the latter of which is known primarily for its Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Marvel Super Hero Island attractions. Given its location along the main highway through Florida, it’s easy to get to via car.
8. Relax in the outdoor bliss of Cass
If your youngsters love the outdoors, Cass, West Virginia, is one of the best road trip destinations available. If your trip is particularly long, you can stretch your legs on the extensive hiking trails through the Appalachian Mountains. If you don’t mind sitting a bit longer, you can take a ride on the historic steam train for a stunning tour of the area’s natural features.
9. Stroll through the Bronx in New York
New York City is one of the most popular destinations in the world, but when it comes to road trips with kids, the Bronx has seemingly endless attractions to offer. You can visit the Bronx Zoo where you’ll find more than 4,000 animals, or you can stop by the vibrant New York Botanical Garden for a look at a diverse selection of impressive plants.
10. Embark on a spooky adventure in Salem
Whether you’re going on a Halloween road trip with the kids or your little ones just love spooky adventures, Salem, Massachusetts, has plenty to offer. You can visit the Salem Witch Museum to learn more about the spooky history of the area, and there are several ghost tours and haunted houses to explore as well.