Essential tips for a family trip to the USA

What’s the most common question kids ask while traveling in the USA? 'When’s snack time?'

We’re only half-joking; hungry kids are onto something! Unique snacks – from massive turkey legs to upside-down milkshakes – are a hallmark of US attractions, showcasing the innovative, lively, and family-friendly experiences found coast to coast. Plus, most venues are eager to welcome children.

Whether it’s expansive beaches, towering mountains, specialized museums, or immersive art installations, there’s a perfect spot for every type of kid. Adventures vary widely, offering everything from easy hikes among towering redwoods to relaxing bike rides, exhilarating zipline adventures, and heart-stopping roller coaster drops. Across the US, engaging activities await all ages, from toddlers to teens. One area the US excels in? Dinosaurs.

Here’s a comprehensive guide for visiting the USA with children.

Is the USA a good destination for kids?

Most major attractions consider children’s needs, and hotels and restaurants are generally skilled at catering to families. Traveling with kids in the US can enrich your experience, fostering connections with locals who often enjoy engaging with children.

It may seem obvious, but be sure to visit the visitor center upon arriving in a new city to find a list of kid-friendly activities – they usually have great suggestions. Larger museums often feature programs specifically for kids and interactive areas where they can create art or try on historical costumes. Children’s museums for younger kids and science museums for older ones are common in bigger cities.

Restaurants are generally designed for family-friendly service. Children are welcome in nearly all establishments, including craft breweries that often feature large outdoor areas. Many restaurants offer a limited children’s menu with smaller portions and lower prices, and they usually provide high chairs and booster seats. While upscale restaurants may be less accommodating during dinner hours, arriving early can help ensure a stress-free dining experience. It’s wise to keep an eye on little ones in coffee shops and cafes, as space for roaming may be limited.

Most public restrooms include baby-changing tables (sometimes even in men’s restrooms), and gender-neutral or unisex facilities are becoming more common in larger public spaces like airports and major train stations. City transit systems might have steep stairs, making them tricky for strollers, but most provide wheelchair-accessible ticketing areas. All states mandate child seats for younger passengers in cars, so remember to reserve one when you book a rental, typically for an additional fee.

Domestic airlines do not charge for infants under two years old. Children aged two and older must occupy their own seat, and discounts are rare. Amtrak, the national train service, offers half-price tickets for kids aged two to twelve, and infants ride for free.

Where are the best places in the USA for kids?

The US boasts 63 national parks, most of which offer daily ranger talks and engaging Junior Ranger programs for kids. Along the coasts, you'll discover sandy beaches with family-friendly features that vary by area, from tide pools and boardwalks to surf camps and whale-watching excursions. Epic adventures await in the West and Southwest, providing countless opportunities for hiking, rafting, biking, and camping, often in stunning natural settings. History, culture, and hiking are major attractions for families in the Midwest and East Coast. Additionally, you'll find theme parks scattered throughout the continental US.

Top activities in the USA for babies and toddlers

Beaches are excellent options for babies and younger children. Activities like building sandcastles, beachcombing, and observing hermit crabs make for delightful day trips, especially along the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast coasts. In New England, Northern California, and the Pacific Northwest, you can explore tide pools as well.

Many large cities feature splash playgrounds – small fountain areas where kids can cool off and have fun during the warmer months. Some museums offer toddler story times and music sessions, while aquariums captivate both young and old with their vibrant fish tanks and graceful jellyfish.

Theme parks, usually located in the suburbs of major cities, often feature dedicated toddler zones with gentle rides. In rural settings, you can find farms where kids can delight in baby animals and observe daily farming activities.

Top activities in the USA for young children

Among national parks, the Grand Canyon in Arizona stands out as a family favorite. Little ones love the Grand Canyon Railway, complete with train-robbing cowboys, while budding scientists explore geology and California condors during ranger talks. It’s easy to tire out the kids here – you can bike along the rim, hike into the canyon, or ride a mule to Phantom Ranch. Campgrounds are bustling with families, and new glamping resorts in Valle, just 30 miles south of Grand Canyon Village, keep kids entertained with evening s’mores and engaging activities.

The spirit of the Wild West thrives in Arizona and the surrounding Southwest. Kids can embrace their inner cowboy at dude ranches near Tucson and Phoenix during week-long spring breaks. Old West theme parks are also popular, with former mining towns like Tombstone often hosting daily shootouts. In Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly, guided tours explore the rich history and culture of the Navajo tribe.

Underground explorations are a hit with kids, and there’s an impressive number of cavern tours throughout the country. Hike a steep mile into the depths of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and look for “cave popcorn” in Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Kids can ride mining cars into former mines in West Virginia and southern Arizona. Above ground, they can pan for gold in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

Tubing and rafting trips glide past stunning wildlife and beautiful scenery on many gentle rivers. If your kids love being in the water, it’s hard to go wrong with family-friendly floats on the Pigeon River in East Tennessee, the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers in Texas, the New River in West Virginia, and the Yuba, Kern, and American Rivers in California.

The most renowned theme park in America is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Famously dubbed the Most Magical Place on Earth (with Disneyland in California being the Happiest), it features four thrilling parks spread over 27,000 acres. Nearby is Universal Orlando Resort, home to the beloved Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which captivates both kids and adults. Another fantastic theme park is Dollywood in East Tennessee, celebrated for its roller coasters, massive turkey legs, and warm Southern hospitality.

An unexpectedly delightful city for children? St. Louis, Missouri. The amazing City Museum is a vast maze filled with found objects, complete with slides, tunnels, and numerous hideaways. Must-dos in St. Louis include taking a “pod” ride to the top of the Gateway Arch and savoring a milkshake at Ted Drews, famously dense enough to be called a “concrete” and served upside down. Another engaging city for families is Washington, DC, where the National Mall features the Lincoln Memorial and 11 Smithsonian Museums. In San Francisco, skate around Skatin’ Place in Golden Gate Park, ascend Coit Tower, and uncover small treasures in Chinatown.

And did someone mention dinosaurs? On the East Coast, colossal fossils take center stage at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Head west to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center to excavate bones in Thermopolis. Sue, the largest T. rex ever discovered and still impressively preserved, greets visitors at the Field Museum in Chicago, looking remarkably fresh after 67 million years.

Top activities for teenagers and tweens in the USA

It can be challenging to impress teenagers, but East Tennessee might just do the trick. The twin cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are brimming with attractions, featuring mountain coasters, mini-golf, and unique museums such as Titanic Pigeon Forge and Alcatraz East. Gatlinburg’s main street showcases Ripley’s Believe It or Not venues, and ski lifts transport visitors to thrilling mountain-top experiences. For outdoor enthusiasts, Great Smokies National Park offers hiking, camping, and stunning waterfalls.

Whitewater rafting opportunities abound across various regions. Conquer the Gauley River during its October fall dam release in West Virginia, or navigate the Nantahala in western North Carolina and the Snake in Jackson Hole. The US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, promises an exciting experience with numerous rafting and paddling options.

When in Los Angeles, don’t miss out on a studio tour. Open-air trams glide past iconic movie locations, such as Hitchcock’s Psycho house at Universal Studios Hollywood, while the Warner Bros. Studio Tour showcases sets from beloved TV shows and dramas. In Burbank, you can also be part of a live audience for a sitcom taping or talk show.

Attending a professional sports event is a classic American experience. During the summer, consider catching a minor league baseball game in a charming city—shoutout to the Savannah Bananas and Albuquerque Isotopes. Major League Baseball teams hold spring training exhibition matches in the Cactus League in southern Arizona and the Grapefruit League in southern Florida. In the colder months, excitement builds around the Zamboni during professional hockey games.

For art-loving teens, several museums focus on cultural themes. At the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, they can explore a worldwide array of instruments, or they can dive into a refrigerator portal at the immersive Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, a massive adventure blending art and mystery.

Tweens and teens with a keen interest in American history will find plenty of attractions to satisfy their curiosity. They can venture into the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado or discover the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. For movie enthusiasts fascinated by Oppenheimer, a visit to the “Secret City” of Los Alamos in New Mexico is a must.

Tips for planning

• For minimal driving while exploring a national park, consider visiting the Grand Canyon, Acadia, Yosemite, Glacier, or Zion, all of which offer convenient free shuttle services.

• Cycling is a great way to discover cities with kids, especially in places like Knoxville, Charlotte, and Roanoke, which boast extensive greenway networks, as well as the scenic trails linking towns around Lake Tahoe.

• Take the kids to a local farmers market where they can select fresh ingredients for dinner and enjoy regional crafts and foods.

• Discover a new city through a ghost tour, which combines spooky tales with fascinating historical insights about the area.

• Geocaching, or searching for hidden treasures using clues and GPS coordinates, is a fun way to break up long road trips.