Why the USA
America is set up for family travel. Highways are kid-friendly, hotel rooms are large, restaurants welcome kids everywhere, theme parks are the best in the world, national parks have junior ranger programs, and safety in tourist zones is excellent.
Best Cities for Kids
- Orlando, FL — Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND. The world capital of kid entertainment.
- Washington DC — All Smithsonian museums are free. Air & Space, Natural History, American History, National Zoo. A kids dream.
- San Diego, CA — Best zoo in the US, Balboa Park, beaches, LEGOLAND, USS Midway Museum.
- New York City — Natural History Museum (dinosaurs), Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Broadway family shows.
- Chicago — Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Millennium Park.
- Boston — Boston Tea Party Ships, Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, Freedom Trail.
- Honolulu / Hawaii — beaches, hiking, snorkeling, Pearl Harbor.
Theme Parks
- Walt Disney World (Orlando) — 4 parks + 2 water parks. 3-5 days minimum. $120-190/day per person.
- Disneyland (Anaheim, CA) — 2 parks. Smaller, more manageable. 2-3 days.
- Universal Studios Orlando & Hollywood — Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minions. 1-2 days each.
- Knott's Berry Farm (CA) — less expensive alternative to Disneyland.
- Cedar Point (OH) — roller coaster capital. For older kids/teens.
- Six Flags (various) — regional theme parks, cheaper than Disney.
National Parks
Every national park has a Junior Ranger program — kids complete a workbook and earn a badge at the visitor center. Free and engaging. Best kid-friendly parks:
- Yellowstone — geysers, bison, wolves visible from the road
- Grand Canyon — easy rim walks, South Rim visitor center
- Great Smoky Mountains — waterfalls, easy trails, black bears
- Rocky Mountain NP — elk, alpine lakes, Bear Lake
- Acadia (Maine) — tidepools, easy cycling
Flying with Kids
- Kids under 2 fly free on the lap of an adult on domestic flights
- All ages need their own ESTA/visa for international entry
- TSA PreCheck helps — kids 12 and under go with the adult
- Bring snacks, tablets, headphones, new toys
- Domestic US flights allow liquid formula and breast milk above 100ml
Accommodation
- Hotels: US hotels usually have 2 double beds — 4 people fit in 1 room for no extra cost
- Suites: Embassy Suites, Residence Inn are very family-friendly
- Vacation rentals: Vrbo, Airbnb — kitchens save money on food
- Disney hotels: Early park entry, MagicBands, themed rooms
- KOA campgrounds: Budget family option, cabins and pools
Food
American restaurants universally welcome kids. Kids menus (chicken fingers, mac and cheese, pizza, grilled cheese) are standard everywhere. High chairs, crayons and placemats too.
- Diners — cheap, kid-friendly, huge portions, pancakes all day
- Chain restaurants (Olive Garden, Applebees, Cracker Barrel) have reliable kids menus
- Cracker Barrel — free crayons and a peg game; great for road trips
- Shake Shack, In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A — fast food kids love
Tips
- Travel insurance is mandatory — kids get sick; US hospital bills are catastrophic
- Over-pack snacks — jet lag + picky eaters
- Plan rest days between big sightseeing days
- Book Disney/Universal in advance with FastPass/Express
- Rent a car seat from the rental company or bring your own
- Download offline entertainment before long drives
- Use free kids programs at Smithsonian and national parks