The Best Places to Travel in the US as a Family
BY JULIANNA STEEN PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2025–26 COVER KID JAYLAH R.
M any of my favorite childhood memories come from trips my family took as I grew up. Travel can be extremely advantageous in ex- panding your children’s horizons (and palates!). Who says you have to have a passport to experience a different culture? Our country has so many amazing natural wonders and historic, fun-filled cities, you could plan trips for years and never leave the US.
DETERMINE YOUR PRIORITIES Before you commit to any trip, it is essential that you decide what kind of trip you want to go on. Factors like your kids’ ages, your family’s interests, and your budget will help you decide where you go. Here are some questions about “types” of trip categories to consider: ■ Are you hoping for a “vacation” (chill and relaxing) or a “trip” (go-go-go sightseeing)? ■ Does your family prefer adventuring out- doors or exploring a new city? ■ What can your kids handle when it comes to logistics like car time, flying, and excursions? ■ What excites your kids (and you too)? Do your kids prefer theme parks to historical sites, building a sandcastle to hiking a moun- tain, or small town charm to the big city? GO WEST IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS There is something awe-inspiring about seeing God’s beautiful creation in full display. Whether it’s the giant Red Rocks, the dramat- ically steep Rockies, a grazing wild bison, or a rushing waterfall, the nature of the Great West never fails to take my breath away. Depending on your family’s preferences, you can do a “big roadtrip” (think: driving thousands of miles RV-style), or you can go “one-home-base” style. Do what’s best for you. (My family prefers to fly in, stay in one centrally located Airbnb, and drive no more than four hours/ day roundtrip.)
Utah National Parks: Zion, Bryce, Arches (iconic + doable in a road trip loop) Colorado: Rocky Mountain NP + Estes Park, Boulder (great for non-desert mountain vibes!) California State & National Parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, Muir Woods South Dakota: Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park Montana: Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Jackson Hole, Bozeman Arizona: Sedona, Red Rocks, Scottsdale, Goldfield Ghost Town Best for: Late Elementary, Tweens, and Teens (easily tiring) Great if your family wants: Hiking, animal spottings, outdoor adventures, stargazing, ATVing, horseback riding, ziplining, white water rafting
a few things to do in popular cities across the country.
New York City, NY: Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Broadway plays, Twin Towers Memo- rial, Empire State Building, afternoon tea at the Plaza, Central Park, The High Line, Chelsea Market, FAO Schwarz, Rockefeller Center San Francisco, CA: Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies, Cable Car Ride, Ferry Building Marketplace, Palace of Fine Arts, Pier 39 (see the seals!), Alcatraz, Ghiradelli Sq., Napa Valley Dallas, TX: Fortworth Stockyard, Dallas World Aquarium, Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington), Day trip to Waco (Magnolia Silos) Nashville, TN: Country Music Hall of Fame, The Parthenon in Centennial Park, Adventure Science Center, Gaylord Opryland Hotel + Mall, 12th South (plus, easy to drive to in the South!) Washington, DC: Smithsonian (free!), National Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, National Zoo (also free!), Lincoln Memorial + MLK Memorial walk, Li- brary of Congress, Capitol tour, Georgetown, the White House, Monuments at night (so underrated) Boston, MA: Freedom Trail, Boston Children’s Museum, Duck Boat Tour, Boston Tea Party Museum, Public Library, Harvard, Public Gardens, Fenway Park, Quincy Market, Beacon Hill Seattle, WA: Pike Place Market (watch the fish toss), Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and
Don’t miss: Be sure to try local foods like huckleberry jam, bison burgers, or cactus.
Good to know: Highly recommend going in “off season” (fall) for cheaper prices if you’re not planning to ski. This is the secret sauce: Fly into a city (like Phoenix, Denver, or Las Vegas) and spend a little time there, and then go explore nature. THE CITY LIFE The great thing about the city is there are always things to do for every age. My family typically plans a combination of city sightsee- ing and nature excursions. These are
34 MARCH 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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