Indianapolis, IN|Indianapolis, IN|Indianapolis, IN
Sandusky, Ohio
You probably aren't as familiar with Sandusky, Ohio, as you are with the renowned kid-friendly attraction that calls it home: Cedar Point. Though a bit off the beaten path, the "roller coaster capital of the world" has brought a surge of new restaurants, kid-friendly attractions (including the country's largest indoor water park, Kalahari) and a new boutique hotel to the historic district. And don't skip town without a visit to the Merry-Go-Round Museum and Put-in-Bay—a village nestled on the north side of South Bass Island in Lake Erie.
Image via Flickr/Joel
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You probably aren't as familiar with Sandusky, Ohio, as you are with the renowned kid-friendly attraction that calls it home: Cedar Point. Though a bit off the beaten path, the "roller coaster capital of the world" has brought a surge of new restaurants, kid-friendly attractions (including the country's largest indoor water park, Kalahari) and a new boutique hotel to the historic district. And don't skip town without a visit to the Merry-Go-Round Museum and Put-in-Bay—a village nestled on the north side of South Bass Island in Lake Erie.
Image via Flickr/Joel
New York, NY|New York, NY
The list of kid-friendly things in New York City goes on and on. Sure, there are the obvious attractions—the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park. Or for a "hidden" New York experience that kids will remember forever, add these lesser-known spots to your itinerary, compliments of a local NYC mom and lifestyle blogger Tonia Steck of FO40: Take a ride on the historic Jane's Carousel, located in Brooklyn Bridge Park; check out Spin at 23
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and Park—an indoor ping-pong emporium; "Ride the Beast"—a high-speed water adventure that gives you amazing views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty; make a reservation for Eloise Tea at the Plaza—inspired by the iconic book; visit the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum (a former aircraft carrier that's super kid-friendly) and the Natural History Museum with Hayden Planetarium and theRose Center for Earth and Space (don't forget to find the Giant Humpback Whale in the Great Hall before you leave); and finally, indulge a little at Cool Mess, the new ice cream parlor in the Upper East Side where you choose your ingredients and watch your ice cream be made before your eyes; or make a stop at Serendipity for its famed frozen hot chocolate.
Image via Flickr/Paul Hudson
Washington, D.C.|Washington, D.C.
As if the magnitude of history our nation's capital has to offer wasn't enough, the kid-friendly museums will have your family constantly on the move. There's the National Air and Space Museum, the National History Museum, the International Spy Museum and the National Building Museum, to name a few. The best part is that most of these spots are free AND interactive, says Laura Hall of Kid and Coe, which specializes in family travel. Make sure to explore the National Mall (via bikes, if possible, suggests Hall) and don't forget to check out whatever event-of-the-month the city is hosting, especially the Cherry Blossom Festival or Cinco de Mayo. Oh yeah, and check out that big white house (the one with the American flag on top) before you leave, too.
Image via Flickr/John Haslam
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As if the magnitude of history our nation's capital has to offer wasn't enough, the kid-friendly museums will have your family constantly on the move. There's the National Air and Space Museum, the National History Museum, the International Spy Museum and the National Building Museum, to name a few. The best part is that most of these spots are free AND interactive, says Laura Hall of Kid and Coe, which specializes in family travel. Make sure to explore the National Mall (via bikes, if possible, suggests Hall) and don't forget to check out whatever event-of-the-month the city is hosting, especially the Cherry Blossom Festival or Cinco de Mayo. Oh yeah, and check out that big white house (the one with the American flag on top) before you leave, too.
Image via Flickr/John Haslam
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As if the magnitude of history our nation's capital has to offer wasn't enough, the kid-friendly museums will have your family constantly on the move. There's the National Air and Space Museum, the National History Museum, the International Spy Museum and the National Building Museum, to name a few. The best part is that most of these spots are free AND interactive, says Laura Hall of Kid and Coe, which specializes in family travel. Make sure to explore the National Mall (via bikes, if possible, suggests Hall) and don't forget to check out whatever event-of-the-month the city is hosting, especially the Cherry Blossom Festival or Cinco de Mayo. Oh yeah, and check out that big white house (the one with the American flag on top) before you leave, too.
Image via Flickr/John Haslam
San Francisco, CA|San Francisco, CA|San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is a dream for any tot with a fascination of moving vehicles, thanks to its cable cars, trams, bicycles and ferries. While exploring the city's public transportation could easily fill your kids' days, experience them while en route to the city's other kid-friendly offerings: Playing at the Bay Area Discovery Center in Sausalito, seeing the sea lions at Pier 39, listening to summer music at the Yerba Buena Gardens or just checking out one of the city's many parks, says Hall. And the city's food is an experience in and of itself. Whether it be the mac 'n' cheese at the MH de Young Museum cafe or sampling the thriving food truck scene, let the city foster an adventurous palate.
Image via Flickr/Sam Leite
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San Francisco is a dream for any tot with a fascination of moving vehicles, thanks to its cable cars, trams, bicycles and ferries. While exploring the city's public transportation could easily fill your kids' days, experience them while en route to the city's other kid-friendly offerings: Playing at the Bay Area Discovery Center in Sausalito, seeing the sea lions at Pier 39, listening to summer music at the Yerba Buena Gardens or just checking out one of the city's many parks, says Hall. And the city's food is an experience in and of itself. Whether it be the mac 'n' cheese at the MH de Young Museum cafe or sampling the thriving food truck scene, let the city foster an adventurous palate.
Image via Flickr/Sam Leite
Wisconsin Dells, WI|Wisconsin Dells, WI
Kids and water parks go together like kids and ice cream. So, of course, Wisconsin Dells—the water park capital of the world—is an obvious kid-friendly destination. And if water parks aren't your (or your kid's) thing, there's always boating, horseback riding, amusement parks, zip lining or the wildlife park to check out, says Melissa Smuzynski of Parenthood and Passports. Also, don't rule out the Dells in the winter. In addition to the indoor water parks, their "Ice Castle" attraction debuts this year. A sure-fire favorite among "Frozen" fans, Ice Castle features ice-carved tunnels, and thrones and slides that light up at night (and are set to music).
Image via Wisconsin Dells
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Kids and water parks go together like kids and ice cream. So, of course, Wisconsin Dells—the water park capital of the world—is an obvious kid-friendly destination. And if water parks aren't your (or your kid's) thing, there's always boating, horseback riding, amusement parks, zip lining or the wildlife park to check out, says Melissa Smuzynski of Parenthood and Passports. Also, don't rule out the Dells in the winter. In addition to the indoor water parks, their "Ice Castle" attraction debuts this year. A sure-fire favorite among "Frozen" fans, Ice Castle features ice-carved tunnels, and thrones and slides that light up at night (and are set to music).
Image via Wisconsin Dells
Orlando, FL|Orlando, FL
Obviously, a kid-friendly city list wouldn't be complete without the home of the "Happiest Place on Earth." But Orlando has plenty of kid-friendly options beyond Disney World and Universal Studios. For one, there's the beaches. "The Atlantic Coast beaches are gorgeous—white sand, clear water and miles and miles of space to play," says Hall. There are also natural springs where you can swim or kayak and coves that house many manatees and dolphins. The city is also unveiling 17 new attractions this coming year, including a new tropical water park called Volcano Bay and Pandora, the World of Avatar in Disney's Animal Kingdom, says Hall.
Image via Flickr/Robert Ciavarro
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Obviously, a kid-friendly city list wouldn't be complete without the home of the "Happiest Place on Earth." But Orlando has plenty of kid-friendly options beyond Disney World and Universal Studios. For one, there's the beaches. "The Atlantic Coast beaches are gorgeous—white sand, clear water and miles and miles of space to play," says Hall. There are also natural springs where you can swim or kayak and coves that house many manatees and dolphins. The city is also unveiling 17 new attractions this coming year, including a new tropical water park called Volcano Bay and Pandora, the World of Avatar in Disney's Animal Kingdom, says Hall.
Image via Flickr/Robert Ciavarro
