Family vacations can supply lifelong memories, but to ensure that every family member is satisfied, it’s important to travel to the perfect locale. With the help of reader votes and expert opinions, U.S. News compiled this list of travel destinations that offer reasonable rates and activities the whole family can enjoy. We hope you find this ranking of the best family vacations in the USA helpful when planning your next trip, and we invite you to cast your vote below for your favorite places. Before you go, also consider a family travel insurance policy to protect your vacation investment
Orlando
#1 in Best Family Vacations in the USA for 2024
Known for its timeless appeal, thrill rides and fun performances, Walt Disney World Resort is engineered specifically for families. But if you aren’t up for donning mouse ears, Orlando hosts a handful of other theme parks that are sure to excite youngsters, including Universal Orlando Resort, where you’ll find The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive day resort where you can swim with dolphins and snorkel around the park’s coral reef. Because of this destination’s immense popularity, you’ll likely want to plan a visit for a less-crowded month.
Yellowstone National Park
#2 in Best Family Vacations in the USA for 2024
Visit Yellowstone for a classic family vacation in the great outdoors. Kids will love watching Old Faithful erupt, and there’s nothing like a hike for family bonding. Hit up the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail for a light stroll to its namesake natural wonder, or take the Mystic Falls Trail for a spectacular view of Upper Geyser Basin. Keep an eye out for bison, or visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center to guarantee some animal interactions. Hotels within this Wyoming, Montana and Idaho national park are expensive, so consider making this a BYOB (bring your own bed) vacation and take advantage of the park’s well-equipped campsites.
Washington, D.C.
#3 in Best Family Vacations in the USA for 2024
The key to Washington’s family appeal is the National Mall, which features loads of free attractions, renowned monuments and kid-friendly museums, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Beyond the mall, a stop at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is also a must (the zoo is home to more than 2,100 animals). To cut down on vacation costs, consider booking a hotel in a nearby suburb, such as Arlington or Alexandria, Virginia, and relying on the easy-to-use and affordable public transportation system.
Yosemite National Park
#4 in Best Family Vacations in the USA for 2024
Numerous outdoor offerings make Yosemite a great family destination. In this top-rated California national park, families can hike, fish, ride horses and raft down the scenic Merced River. Plan to take the bus up to Glacier Point for sweeping views, or venture down one of the many hiking trails within Yosemite Valley to catch a glimpse of the famous Half Dome. If you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll want to stay in Yosemite Valley, where you’ll find several of the park’s best accommodations. Prepare to book accommodations a year in advance if you’re planning a summer visit (the park’s peak season).
Cape Cod
#5 in Best Family Vacations in the USA for 2024
Cape Cod has been a family vacation destination for decades, and for good reason. Cape Cod National Seashore offers 40 miles of coastline, where kids can build a sandcastle, swim, fish or become a junior ranger. Time your visit for summer to take the kids for a round of mini-golf followed by a movie at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre. For more family fun, stroll or bike along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, or let the kids explore the Cape Cod Children’s Museum. Budget-conscious families should visit between November and April, or in June or September, for fewer crowds and lower hotel rates.
