If you’re looking for the best family vacation ideas in the USA, you’ve come to the right place! With so many amazing and diverse vacation destinations to choose from, narrowing down the possibilities can be a difficult task. We’ve done it for you and found what we think are the top family vacation destinations in the USA below. Enjoy!
1) Orlando, Florida – Walt Disney World
There’s no better way to make memories with your family than a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. This one-of-a-kind destination has something for everyone with its magic kingdoms, water parks, entertainment, and amazing resorts. Start off your day at one of four theme parks – Magic Kingdom (pictured), Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios – where you’ll find favorite attractions such as It’s a Small World, Soarin’, and Jungle Cruise. After you’ve experienced the magic of these lands head over to Downtown Disney Marketplace for a little shopping or dining before you check into your resort hotel.
2) Anaheim, California – Disneyland
The perfect family vacation spot is Anaheim, California. It’s home to Disneyland and a variety of other attractions like Knott’s Berry Farm. Along with rides, there are restaurants, museums, shows and more. The park even has fireworks every night which creates fantastic memories for you and your family.
There are also fun things to do outside of Disneyland including games for all ages at Downtown Disney or going to Anaheim Stadium for a game or concert. If you’re looking for something different than Disneyland, head over to the Santa Ana Zoo where animals from all over the world can be seen in natural habitats or go see animals up close at OC Zoo Safari Park. You’ll find something exciting for everyone in this Southern California city!
3) San Diego, California – SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a very well-known amusement park and marine life park. It’s centrally located in San Diego, California and has a lot of attractions that will keep you busy for hours on end. This is one of those parks that you can go to over and over again with your family because there are so many different rides to enjoy. The kids will love Shamu, which is SeaWorld’s iconic killer whale show. They’ll also enjoy roller coasters like Journey To Atlantis or Manta; or lazy river rides like Dolphin Plunge. There are shows for all ages, like the Believe show at Christmas time or Sea Lions Tonite where you can watch sea lions dance to music live on stage!
4) Williamsburg, Virginia – Busch Gardens
Williamsburg, Virginia is a great family vacation destination. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of the top theme parks in America with thrilling rides, live entertainment, and animal encounters. The park’s most popular roller coaster, Apollo’s Chariot, provides an adrenaline-filled thrill for all ages. Other attractions include: Jungle Safari of Fun, Treetop Adventure (the tallest treehouse structure spanning three acres), Africa Live!, and Water Country USA with water slides and rapids rides. For visitors looking to explore history, Historic Jamestown offers visitors the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who lived at Jamestown during its earliest days as a settlement. With so much to offer and so many ways to explore, it’s no wonder that over 6 million people visit each year!
5) Branson, Missouri – Silver Dollar City
Branson is a popular vacation spot for families with children of all ages. It’s home to Silver Dollar City, an amusement park with a western theme and many rides that are perfect for kids. You can also take your kids on a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway, which takes you through lush forests and past beautiful lakes. If you want to get away from it all, head to Stone’s Throw Winery where you can sample their wine and enjoy live music while your kids play on the playground. At night, take them to see one of Branson’s famous shows like The Baldknobbers Jamboree or The Tom Jones Concert Series.
6) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Broadway at the Beach
Hershey, Pennsylvania is a small town with big possibilities. The town is home to Hersheypark, an amusement park that is renowned for its beautifully landscaped grounds and thrilling rides. The park has been named one of the top theme parks in America by Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards. Other attractions include Hershey Gardens and Chocolate World. For those looking for something educational, there are two museums: Hershey Museum of American History and Milton Hershey School Museum.
Not only does it have a beautiful beach, with white sand and sparkling clear water, but it also has more than 100 attractions nearby. These include Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, Carolina Opry and numerous shopping centers. If you’re staying on site at a Myrtle Beach hotel or condo, you could take a tram to Broadway at the Beach for spectacular shows and dining options. The area is perfect for watersports too, offering everything from surfing to parasailing.
7) Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Gatlinburg, Tennessee has a lot to offer families. A popular attraction in this area is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. What sets this place apart from other aquariums is that they have over 60 different exhibits and over 1 million gallons of water! Visitors can also enjoy a variety of special events like Shark Week, Seahorse Mania, and Stingray Senses Saturdays. There are many fun attractions to do outside of the aquarium as well including Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium, Pigeon Forge FunTown Amusement Park, Noah’s Ark Waterpark, WonderWorks and Guinness World Records Museum.
8) Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is one of the most popular family vacation destinations in Florida. Home to more than 6 miles of Gulf beaches and two nature preserves, Sanibel Island has plenty for everyone. The island has a lot to offer for those who love outdoor activities like hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking and bird watching. And for those who prefer to stay close to home, there are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities on Sanibel Island. There is something for everyone!
