Hop in the car and take a road trip with the kids this year. There’s no better way to the country than from the road. It’s also an affordable way to take a family vacation.
Family Road Trip
Whether you want to do a cross country vacation with the kids, a weekend getaway one or two states over, or just a day trip, here are a few U.S. destinations that can be great fun for the whole family. Each destination has more information from a fellow traveler who’s been there. They recommend what to see, do, and eat at each so you can create your own travel plan for summer fun.
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U.S. Road Trip Destinations With Kids
We asked friends and fellow travel writers what their favorite US Road Trip Destinations were for traveling with the family. These locations span the United States with a mix of large cities like San Diego and Portland, but there are also small towns and mid-sized cities like Oklahoma City and Florence, Alabama.
Each destination has a unique vibe that will make your next family road trip memorable for all the RIGHT reasons.
Where to Visit: Riversport Adventures
Road-trippers love driving along Route 66 and Oklahoma has over 400 miles along the historic route. Only three hours from Dallas and Wichita, Oklahoma City is an easy drive from north Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas. It’s home to the former Santa Monica Ferris Wheel, one of a handful of inland white water rapids facilities in the country and endless fun for families.
Parents and teens will want to visit Riversport Adventures, home to that inland white water coarse as well as flat water kayaking, elevated adventure course, and ziplining. Nearby in Bricktown, you’ll find endless restaurants, entertainment, and the Bricktown Canal. For something more wild, head to the OKC Zoo for one of its animal encounters.
Families with younger children who love art and museums will want to check out the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s new Liichokoshkomo exhibit. The word means Let’s Plat in Chickasaw and the exhibit is hands-on fun for all ages. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art offers free admission this summer to children and a tour of thePlaza District’s murals is great free fun. Want to take a tour? Take a tour with Ride OKC and see the sites as you peddle thru Downtown.
Where to Visit: Chickasaw Cultural Center
Half-way between Dallas and Oklahoma City along I35 are the towns of Sulphur and Davis. Here you'll find the state's largest waterfall, a former national park with spring-fed creeks popular for swimming, drive-thru safari, and more.
Families looking for outdoor fun will enjoy stops at Turner Falls, The Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Lake of the Arbuckles, and the Arbuckle Muuntains.
If you want to stay in the car, drive-thru the Arbuckle Safari and see animals from around the world. Although I highly recommend a stop at Bison Viewpoint to see the resident herd of bison on the recreation area.
Where To Visit: Walton's 5 & 10 Store
Bentonville is the northwest Arkansas town that Walmart built. The Walton 5&10 store is a part old fashioned store and part Walmart museum. Visit the town square for great restaurants and coffee shops. Around town you'll want to see the free Crystal Bridges art museum, nearby caves, hiking trails, and more.
Where to Visit: Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
This may be a bit out of the way, but Jet in northwestern Oklahoma is the only place in the world you can dig up hourglass shaped selenite crystals. The Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge was once an inland sea and now is a vast plain of salt and sand. A stop here in the morning is great fun. Afterward, head to nearby Great Salt Plains State Park or Alabaster Caverns State Park.
Where to Visit: Moon Marble Company
Visit this town just outside Kansas City, Kansas. The Moon Marble Company is part glass studio, toy store, and marble museum all rolled into one. Stop here and watch the artists create glass blown objects and marbles with a heavy dose of humor. Nearby you can also visit the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame before heading into Kansas City.
Where to Visit: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Families looking for budget-friendly attractions love Kansas City. Museums like the Nelson-Atkins provide free admission as does the Money Museum, and Hallmark Visitors Center.
Families interested in history will enjoy a stop at the National World War II Museum and Memorial, American Jazz Museum, and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
For families with younger children, they may enjoy stops at the Kaleidoscope, SeaLife Aquarium, Kansas City Zoo, and Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site.
Where to Visit: Perot Museum of Natural History
Looking for a quick Day Trip? Dallas is a wonderful place to visit. Whether it's shopping, food, or family fun Dallas has a lot to offer. It's an easy location to get to and it's just 3 hours from OKC. From outlet malls, to eating at Medieval Times, visiting the Perot Museum of Natural History, or undersea adventure at Sealife Aquarium, there is something for all ages.
Where to Visit: Cavanaugh Flight Museum
This suburb of Dallas nearby the Dallas Galleria is best known for its high concentration of restaurants within its city limits. Some of our favorites include Ida Claire, Cinco Mexican Kitchen, Public School, and Zoli's PIzza.
Anyone who enjoys planes will want to stop into the small Cavanaugh Flight Museum to see their vintage World War I through Vietnam Conflict plane collection and if you are feeling adventurous a ride in a military helicopter.
Where to Visit: The River Walk
San Antonio is the perfect road trip destination with endless activities for all ages. From local cuisine to unique experiences, the city does not disappoint.
Popular tourist (attractions in San Antonio - link this to attractions in San Antonio https://kidsareatrip.com/san-antonio-christmas/) include the Alamo, the San Antonio Zoo, the Pearl District, Sea World, and Six Flags. Be sure to take a boat ride or walk along the River Walk to take in the sights and sounds of the city. Grab breakfast at Guenther House, treats at La Panaderia, and a delicious Mexican meal at Casa Rio on the river.
For experiences off the beaten path, head to San Antonio Missions National Park and learn about the history of the city’s Spanish colonial missions. Another idea is to visit Natural Bridge Caverns (about an hour from the city), and explore the caves as well as their outdoor adventures including an awesome ropes course.
Where to Visit: Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
Families will love road-tripping to Florence, Alabama. Only two hours from Birmingham, it's an easy drive from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Atlanta. Home to Ivy Green, Helen Keller's birthplace, Florence, also known as "The Shoals," has it all.
Parents and teens will want to visit Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to see what inspired Lynyrd Skynrd to immortalize Muscle Shoals in their hit song, "Sweet Home Alabama."
Families who love the outdoors can get their hike on at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, explore the North Alabama Birding Trail or take the short drive to see the ancient trails on the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway.
Where to Visit: Rosa Parks Museum
No other city plays such a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement as Montgomery, Alabama. And there's no better place to teach your kids about the long struggle for racial equality.
The topic's heavy, but Montgomery delivers for all ages. Younger children will understand Rosa Parks bravery at the thoughtful, interactive museum devoted to the bus boycott she sparked. They'll also get to know the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as a father at the Parsonage Museum, which preserves his house.
And older children will be moved by the stunning National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the so-called lynching monument.
Where to Visit: Gulf State Park
This coastal road trip destination is filled with sun, sand, warm gulf water, and the best food you'll likely have all summer.
Families looking to get outdoors will enjoy the miles of beach, the Gulf State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Morgan, and Hugh S Banyon Backcountry Trail System that connects Gulf Shores to Orange Beach. Download the Bloom app and use the new (2020) bicycle share program inside the state park. There is also all the water recreation you can handle. From SUP to jet skiis, you'll find your speed easily.
For families looking to get away from the beach, there is the Coastal Arts Center that offers art classes, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Breakout Orange Beach (escape room), Outer Limits VR at the wharf, and Waterville USA.
Where to Visit: There is a painted concrete buoy that marks the Southern most spot and is a popular place for a photo in Key West.
he drive from Miami to Key West is only 150 miles but it is one of the great American road trips. The road trip takes you from the mainland and through the fabled Florida Keys which has been a refuge to many presidents and writers(including Hemmingway whose house you can visit in Key West).
Along the way, stop for a quick selfie with the giant lobster sitting out front at the Rain Barrel Artisan’s Village. Her name is Betsy and the Florida Keys Spiny Lobster is the symbol of Florida Keys wildlife. Kids will love visiting the Turtle Hospital and the Dolphin Research Center that provides a home for dolphins and that have been recused and rehabilitated but can’t be released back into the wild.
Bahia Honda State Park is home to one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys and is worth a stop. Families will love this road trip that takes you all the way to the Southern most point in Florida and in the US.
Where to Visit: Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Rent a car and drive the highest road in North America! the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. This is a great 14,000 foot peak in Colorado to experience hiking, gorgeous lakes and amazing mountain views.
Where to Visit: La Jolla Cove to see seals and sea lions
San Diego is one of the best family vacation destinations in the world. In addition to our world-famous zoo and theme parks, many must-see attractions are free. Our 70 miles of coastline includes award-winning, white sandy beaches with opportunities to learn how to surf (yes, our schools can get kids and parents standing up on boards in a session), snorkel, swim, and enjoy our sunshine.
One of my favorite family activities is located in La Jolla and also free. We have a protected harbor seal rookery (where you can also see adorable seal pups between December — May) at Children's Pool Beach. Just a few blocks away at La Jolla Cove, a colony of super chatty sea lions can be admired up-close from the boardwalk. Spend the rest of your day walking around the Village area here and grab a famous San Diego fish taco from George's Ocean Terrace or El Pescador.
Where to Visit: Pioneertown
Head here and explore the trails inside Joshua Tree National Park. One of our favorites is the Arch Rock Nature Trail. Afterwards head to Pioneertown which was built as an old western movie set. On the weekends, watch the re-enactors shot it out on Main Street and then head over to Pappy & Harriet’s for a bite to eat.
Where to Visit: Washington Park
Unique and one-of-a-kind Portland will delight your whole family!
Check out Oregon’s largest open-air Farmers’ Market at Portland State University’s campus. Play at the family-friendly Oregon Historical Society and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Museums. Spend a few hours at lush Washington Park with loads to entertain your crew - interactive displays at the Forestry Center, Japanese Gardens, Oregon Zoo, International Test Rose Garden, and the Portland Children’s Museum. Consider a segway ride along the waterfront!
Favorite foodie stops included checking out the food trucks scene (over 600 roaming restaurants!), brunch at Mother’s Bistro and Bar, snacking at Voodoo Doughnuts (bacon maple bar was our favorite, cash only), and dinner at French-inspired Verdigris.
At night challenge your gang to an escape room or laugh it up at Comedy Sportz.
Portland is worth a stop: Gourmet food, kid-friendly attractions and quirky experiences.
Where to Visit: NASCAR Hall of Fame
If you like things that go fast and race by, then Charlotte is for you. You can visit NASCAR Hall of Fame and then check out the historic DIlworth neighborhood for a true taste of the area.
Where to Visit: Lazy 5 Ranch
Just down the highway from Charlotte is Mooresville, aka Race City USA. Here you can continue the race theme's road trip with stops at NASCAR team shops and downtown walk of fame. Kids will enjoy the drive thru safari, Lazy 5 Ranch that is a favorite among visitors and locals. For outdoor fun, head to Lake Norman State Park or Carrigan Farms' Quarry swimming hole.
Where to Visit: Gettysburg
It's more than the site of a historic battlefield, Gettysburg represents President Abraham Lincoln's ideals of equality for all men -- an important message at this time. In addition to providing a teachable moment, Gettysburg presents a fun and interactive multimedia recreation of the famous Civil War Battle that kids will enjoy.
Where to Visit: Monticello
Charlottesville, in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, is rich in arts and culture, outdoor activities, and great food. For shopping and dining, spend a day on the tree-lined Downtown Mall, the pedestrian only Main Street. Restaurants line both sides, many with patio dining.
Families can tour three presidential homes: Jefferson's Monticello, Madison's Montpelier, and Monroe's Ash-Lawn Highland. Step back in history with lunch at Michie Tavern, serving guests since 1784. Explore outdoors with hiking and biking on Carter Mountain or at Darden Towe Park, which is also home to the hands-on Lewis & Clark Discovery Center. There's so much to see, a family road trip to Charlottesville is worth the drive.
Pin This For Later….
Each of these road trips destinations with kids will help inspire you to add to your bucket list. Now all you need to do is get planning and get on the road for your next big family adventure. What do you say?
Looking for more travel inspiration? Take at look at these other popular U.S. travel articles.
USA destinations sound like an directly beautiful place to visit. I love the sound of the brightly coloured buildings and the so numerous different parks you can visit solo or with friends.