Good to know: Walkable cities are ideal, but many also have great public transportation. This is the secret sauce: Know your family. If you’re not museum people, don’t plan to go to five museums. If you’re big foodies, make a few reservations or do some research on local foods/popular food joints. Want to see a show? Get tickets ahead of time. Beyond the Beach If you’re a beach fam, that’s fabulous— gotta love a classic trip to Gulf Shores, AL or Destin, FL. But consider spicing up your beach trip by trying a new location that also offers other attractions outside of the beach. San Diego, CA: See the seals, day trip to Carlsbad (tulips), LEGOLAND California, San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, Old Town San Diego Florida Keys: Key West Shipwreck Muse- um (pirate-y), Turtle Hospital, Robbie’s of Islamorada (feed the tarpon), The Overseas Highway, Dolphin Research Center Outer Banks, NC: The Lost Colony/Roanoke history, Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kitty Hawk), Aquarium on Roanoke Island, jeep tour of wild horses in Corolla Miami, FL: Brickell/downtown Miami, Bayside Marketplace, Little Havana, Everglades air- boat tour, Wynwood Walls Charleston, SC: Walk the Historic District, Charleston City Market, King Street, The Battery, White Point Garden, Magnolia
Memorial + MLK Memorial walk, Library 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 Gar- dens, Fenway Park, Quincy Market, Beacon Hill Seattle, WA: Pike Place Market (watch the fish toss), Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Ferry to Bainbridge Island (cheap “mini adventure”), Woodland Park Zoo, Discovery Park Las Vegas, NV: Bellagio Fountains + Conser- vatory, stroll the Strip, Shark Reef Aquarium (Mandalay Bay), Tournament of Kings (Me- dieval Times energy), Area15, Valley of Fire, Grand Canyon West, Red Rock Canyon Los Angeles, CA: Griffith Observatory (free!), Hollywood sign, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach boardwalk, Warner Bros Studio Tour, Disneyland, Hollywood Blvd., The Grove, the Farmers Market, Universal CityWalk/ Universal Studios Best for: You can easily adapt your trip to accommodate all ages and interests. Great if your family wants: Easy stroller days, museums, variety of food options, cityscapes Don’t miss: Cities are always hosting cool events, whether it’s festivals or concerts. Check ahead of time to see what will be happening when you’ll be visiting!
Plantation & Gardens Hawaii: The upgrade of a lifetime! Volcanoes, Pearl Harbor, luaus, waterfalls, jungle, fruit stands Best for: Whether your teen is hoping for more than just beach time or you’re wanting stroller-friendly activities, these beach-city combos work for most everyone. Great if your family wants: beach, but also shopping, museums, cultural experiences Don’t miss: Even if you’re not “beach people,” some of the best moments come from being by the water. Try a boat ride, a peer over the pier, or a Highway 1-esque drive for good views. Good to know: You can typically find several epic free activities no matter where you go— you don’t have to break the bank in order to have a good time. This is the secret sauce: Breaking up your beach days will help you to enjoy them even more! Whether you’re planning an extensive 10- day trip or a spur-of-the-moment weekend getaway, you won’t regret exploring these incredible sights across the US with your kids. I can testify: Those memories will last a lifetime and will bond you closer together as a family.
CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH 2026 19
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