Austin with Kids — Family Guide

Austin is more kid-friendly than its “live music capital” reputation suggests. The swimming holes are magical, the bats are mesmerizing, and the outdoor activities rival any family destination in the South.

Can’t-Miss Experiences

Congress Avenue Bats (March-October) — 1.5 million bats emerging from under a bridge at sunset. Kids stand on the bridge, watch the sky fill with bats, and talk about it for years. Free. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset for a good spot.

Destin with Kids — Family Guide

Destin is one of the most family-friendly beach destinations in Florida — calm, warm Gulf waters, white-sand beaches, and a range of activities designed specifically for families with children.

Best Family Beaches

Henderson Beach State Park — Pristine white sand, calm water, and less crowded than the public beach access points. Covered pavilions and restrooms. $6 vehicle entry.

Norriego Point — A sand spit at the east end of Destin Harbor with shallow, crystal-clear water on both sides. Great for little kids — the water stays shallow for a long way out. Accessible by boat or kayak (or a short wade from the harbor side).

Las Vegas with Kids — Family-Friendly Activities

Yes, you can bring kids to Las Vegas. The city has invested heavily in family attractions, and beyond the casino floors (which kids can walk through but not linger near), there’s a surprising amount to do with children of all ages.

Theme Parks & Attractions

Adventuredome (Circus Circus) — Indoor theme park with roller coasters, bumper cars, a rock climbing wall, and midway games. Air-conditioned, which matters when it’s 115°F outside. Good for ages 4-14.

Las Vegas with Kids — Family-Friendly Attractions

Vegas is built for adults, but there’s more family-friendly stuff here than most people realize. Between the theme parks, aquariums, shows, and outdoor adventures, you can fill several days without setting foot on a casino floor.

Adventuredome at Circus Circus

The Adventuredome is a 5-acre indoor theme park inside Circus Circus with roller coasters, bumper cars, a rock climbing wall, and midway games — all under a climate-controlled glass dome. It’s not Disneyland, but for kids under 12 it’s a solid half-day of entertainment. Ride passes run $20-40. The Circus Circus midway upstairs has free circus acts (trapeze, acrobatics) every 30 minutes.

Maui with Kids — Family Guide

Maui is one of the best family destinations in the world. The beaches are calm enough for toddlers, the marine life is accessible to snorkelers of any age, and the island’s natural beauty makes every drive an adventure.

Best Family Beaches

Ka’anapali Beach — The resort beach on Maui’s west side. Calm water, lifeguards, and the Black Rock cliff jumping area for older kids (or brave parents). The Whaler’s Village shopping center is right on the beach for snack runs.

Myrtle Beach with Kids — Family Guide

Myrtle Beach was built for families. The Grand Strand has more mini golf courses, water parks, and family entertainment per mile than almost anywhere in America — plus 60 miles of sandy beach.

Water Parks

Myrtle Waves Water Park — The largest water park in South Carolina. Wave pool, lazy river, speed slides, and a kids’ area. Full-day passes are significantly cheaper than theme park tickets.

New Orleans with Kids — Family Guide

New Orleans is one of the most interesting cities in America for kids — the music is everywhere, the food is extraordinary (and kid-friendly), and the experiences are unlike anything else in the country. Street parades, alligators, beignets, and streetcar rides make NOLA a family adventure.

Can’t-Miss Experiences

Beignets at Café Du Monde — Hot beignets covered in powdered sugar. Kids get covered in powdered sugar. Everyone laughs. It’s the quintessential New Orleans family moment. Open 24 hours.

NYC with Kids — Family Guide

New York City is one of the best family destinations in the world — if you plan it right. The museums are world-class, the parks are massive, and the sheer spectacle of the city is its own entertainment for kids of every age.

Museums Kids Love

American Museum of Natural History (Upper West Side) — Dinosaur halls, the blue whale, the planetarium, and the Hall of Ocean Life. Kids can spend hours here. Pay-what-you-wish for NY residents; timed entry for tourists.

Orlando with Kids — Beyond the Theme Parks

Everyone knows about Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. But Orlando has a wealth of family-friendly activities that don’t require $150+ per person park tickets — and many of them are the experiences your kids will remember most.

Interactive Museums & Science

Orlando Science Center — Four floors of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, a crocodile exhibit, and a Kids Town area for the youngest visitors. The giant-screen theater shows nature films. Good for a half-day, especially on a rainy afternoon.

Scottsdale with Kids — Family Guide

Scottsdale is known as a couples destination, but families with kids will find plenty to do — especially if your kids are curious about nature, animals, and the desert.

Top Family Attractions

OdySea Aquarium (Salt River area) — Arizona’s largest aquarium. Penguins, sharks, sea lions, and a revolving theater inside a fish tank. Part of the OdySea in the Desert complex, which also has Butterfly Wonderland (largest butterfly atrium in America) and the interactive Mirror Maze.

Waikiki with Kids — Family Guide

Oahu is one of the most family-friendly islands in Hawaii — Waikiki’s calm beach, the educational power of Pearl Harbor, and the Polynesian Cultural Center make it a destination where kids learn while having the time of their lives.

Best Family Beaches

Waikiki Beach — The most famous beach in Hawaii is also one of the calmest. Lifeguarded, gentle waves, and shallow water that’s perfect for young swimmers. Boogie board and surfboard rentals right on the sand. Surf lessons for kids 5+ are available from multiple operators.