12 Fun USA Cities to Visit with Kids

The U.S. has an amazing list of kid-friendly cities that are packed full of fun for the whole family. These cities have zoos to museums and educational activities to leisure activities. Here we will discuss some of our favorite cities to visit with kids and a few of the attractions to visit while in each city.

New York City

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New York City offers some great family fun with over one hundred and forty attractions to choose from. From zoos to numerous museums, and from historical sights to amusement parks, families will have a ton to choose from in the city that does not sleep.

Central Park

While exploring the city, families should consider spending a day in Central Park. There are many different tours for families to take from bike rides to horse carriages. The little kids will love the Central Park Zoo and older kiddos may enjoy a boat ride on the water.

Coney Island

While visiting New York City, make sure to take the kids to Coney Island. This area in the Brooklyn borough of New York City is just a short metro ride from Manhattan. Enjoy playing on the beach, walking the boardwalk, or having fun on some of the amusement park rides. Kids will also love the New York Aquarium that is located here as well.

San Diego

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With zoos, beaches, museums, and playgrounds, San Diego has it all. There are many family-friendly activities, including USS Midway Museum, the Children's Nature Retreat, and even classes on building sandcastles. Explore these fun things to do with kids when you visit San Diego.

USS Midway Museum

If you're traveling with kids, don't miss out on the USS Midway Museum, one of the top tourist attractions in San Diego. The flight deck at the USS Midway Museum gives kids a first-hand experience in the cockpit of a real supersonic fighter jet.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

This unique zoo allows families to hop in the back of a safari truck to get up close and personal with giraffas and other animals. The  animals are friendly and curious, so make sure you have your camera ready!

Honolulu

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If you are looking for a place to spend the day that's both educational and entertaining, Hawaii is the perfect destination. Kid-friendly activities are abundant and include beaches, museums, and attractions for all ages. You're sure to have a blast in Honolulu!

Honolulu’s Police Department Museum

Museums are perfect learning experiences for little ones. Located in the heart of the city, the Police Department Museum is free and interesting for the whole family. From the time of the Hawaiian monarchy to the present, the museum exhibits artifacts from the Honolulu Police Department.

Experience a Lu’au at Nutridge Estate

You can enjoy an intimate luau in the Hawaiian Islands while experiencing part of Hawaii’s history at the Pu’u Ualaka’a Nutridge Estate. This luxurious property offers an array of activities and services to suit your needs. A favorite is the small group Lu’au that offers guests an experience like no other.

Los Angeles

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The weather in Los Angeles is always beautiful, and the attractions are fun and unique. There's a long list of places to visit for educational, fun, and inspirational activities for kids in L.A.

Museum of Selfies

The Museum of Selfies is an interactive exhibit that is perfect for your selfie-loving teenager. The whole family will enjoy exploring the different rooms and taking pictures of memories that will last forever.

Disneyland Park

Kids of all ages will love meeting their favorite Disney characters and princesses at Disneyland Park. Families can easily spend a full day or two enjoying all the shows and ride that the amusement park has to offer.

Miami

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If you are looking for a unique and culturally rich city for kids to learn and explore, consider Miami. This city has some amazing restaurants, beaches, and family fun activities.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

In Miami, Florida, kids have plenty of activities to enjoy. The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science offers a combination of a science museum, aquarium, and planetarium. It's a great place to spend a day with your family. Children can learn about science and have fun.

Miami Children’s Museum

If you want to visit a museum that caters to kids, look no further than the Miami Children's Museum. The entire museum is designed for kids to explore their imagination and creativity.  

Orlando

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Orlando, Florida is the perfect family-friendly destinations. The city has it all from numerous amusement parks, a ton of family-friendly restaurants, and more than enough attractions and shows. From SeaWorld to DisneyWorld and Gatorland to Universal Studios, there is enough in Orlando to keep a family entertained for weeks.

ICON Park

ICON Park is an entertainment complex, with many attractions to choose from. Families can explore Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Museum of Illusions, a 400-foot carousel, and so much more. With over forty dining options, families can spend a whole day exploring the park.

Disneyworld

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If you have children and want to provide a fun-filled family vacation, consider visiting Disneyworld. Families can choose from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, or the popular Magic Kingdom. Spend a day or a whole week enjoying family time and having fun. 

Las Vegas

While it's true that Las Vegas is packed with casinos, there are plenty of fun activities for children as well. Attractions like Hershey's Chocolate World, Shark Reef Aquarium, and Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. Experience are all family fun attractions. Whether you're an adult or a kid, Las Vegas has something for everyone.

Hershey's Chocolate World

Everyone in the family will love visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World. This flagship store offers guests the option to make their own chocolate bar, star in a Hershey’s chocolate TV ad, or taste hundreds of different Hershey favorites.

Shark Reef Aquarium

The Shark Reef Aquarium is another great place to take kids. Not only are the exhibits highly interactive, but it's also in the heart of Vegas. The sharks and other animals in the shark tank are a sight to behold at the Shark Reef Aquarium, which boasts different exhibits and a variety of animals. There are plenty of informative panels to help your children understand the importance of the aquatic environments.

New Orleans

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For a truly memorable family vacation, New Orleans is a great place to explore. The city has lots to offer, from food to culture and entertainment to history.

Audubon Nature Institute

The Audubon Nature Institute is home to a zoo, aquarium, butterfly garden, and a golf course. Families can by discounted tickets to visit all the institute has to offer.

Louisiana Children’s Museum

The Louisiana Children’s Museum offers indoor and outdoor discovery space for all kids. The museum’s goal is to educate while allowing kids to discover their imagination and creativity.

Tampa

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When it comes to family fun in Tampa, there are a variety of options. While it can be tough to choose the best places to visit with kids, you can't go wrong with The Florida Aquarium, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, and the Tampa Museum of Art.

The Florida Aquarium

Kids can swim with marine life, dive with sharks, and interact with other aquatic creatures in the Florida aquarium. Families can take a tour and learn about the life of manatees and other aquatic creatures. Visitors will see coral reefs and encounter several types of fish, including sharks and leafy sea dragons.

Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park

If you are looking for a family-friendly place to take your kids, ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a great choice. It is home to some of the world's most beautiful tropical zoological settings. The zoo provides up-close animal encounters and educational programming, and guests can even interact with many animals!

Chicago

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Chicago has everything from the best deep-dish pizza to numerous interactive museums. Families can catch a profession baseball game or explore the city by foot.

Chicago Sports Museum

The Chicago Sports Museum educates visitors on the history of the Chicago sports community with interactive experiences and informational exhibits. There are plenty of activities for children of all ages including a collection of game-used treasures and artifacts which will surely amuse any child.

Brookfield Zoo

The Brookfield Zoo is a 216-acre nature park with thousands of animals. Highlights include an interactive dolphin show at Seven Seas and education-focused animal kingdom experiences.

San Francisco

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San Francisco’s mild weather, makes this a perfect family vacation spot. The city has many attractions and museums to offer the whole family. From seeing the sealions at Pier 39, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, or exploring one of the museums, there is something for everyone in this hilly city.

Aquarium of the Bay

The San Francisco Bay Aquarium has three main exhibits. From sharks to anemones to crabs, this is a must-see attraction. The touch tank allows you to get up close and person with the animals.

Randall Museum

The Randall Museum is both a natural history museum and science museum. It offers hands on exhibits that allow kids of all ages to learn about science, nature, and art. The museum even offers classes in STEM courses, woodshop, art, arts and science.

Houston

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Houston has many attractions and museums that are both educational and fun. From the Houston Space Center to the Grand Opera, and from the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center to the Miller Outdoor Theatre, there is everything from arts to science in this Southern city.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science features four floors of permanent exhibits that cover a range of topics. Families can examine a collection of skeletons, space station models, and mineral specimens. There is even a planetarium and IMAX theatre.

Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is a great place to bring the kids for a fun day out. This zoo is recognized as one of the top 10 zoos in the US and has more than 6,000 animals from about900 different species. It offers many fun activities for children, including bird habitats, an African forest, and super-large elephant exhibits.