10 Amazing Places to Take Your Kids this Summer

For an unforgettable family vacation

School’s almost out, and the days are getting hot and sunny. That can mean only one thing: it’s time to plan a summer vacation with the kids. No homework, no office, just smiles and memories!

Ready to pass along your wanderlust gene? Then check out our ten favorite cities for the ultimate fun-filled family vacation.

• Branson, MO

  Looking for live entertainment and outdoor adventures? Branson’s got plenty of both!

  For a shot of adrenaline, check out Silver Dollar City, an 1800s-themed amusement park with thrill rides that are 100% modern. Or visit Shepherd of the Hills, an aerial adventure park featuring zip lines and a ropes course.

  And when you’re ready to take it easy at night, Branson has a well-earned rep as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World. Catch a concert, musical, or comedy show with the kids.

• Cape Cod, MA

  Charming Cape Cod is filled with summer fun! The city’s oceanfront fun includes bike riding, minigolf, and fishing excursions. There’s even a pirate museum complete with a replica ship as well as thousands of recovered pirate artifacts.

  At night, make it a pajama party for the little ones and take in a movie at the local drive-in, a sure hit.

  Pro Tip: If you have any history buffs in the family, Boston’s Freedom Trail is just an hour away. “One if by land,” you guys!

• Grand Canyon, AZ

  The Grand Canyon is an incredible vacation site for anyone and everyone. And where better to spend time as a family than in one of the world’s most majestic and iconic natural sites?

  First up: let kids earn their Honorary Junior Ranger badge with age-specific fun activities that will teach them about the park. Then rent bikes (with a trailer for younger kids) or go on an easy hike to explore the canyon.

• Jackson Hole, WY

  Ready for an (almost) authentic cowboy adventure? Then pack your cowboy hats and make Jackson Hole your vacation destination!

  Clydesdale-pulled stagecoaches give rides around the Town Square. A long-running shootout (complete with outlaws and sheriffs) takes place on summer evenings. And local “saloons” include everything from saddle barstools to Western swing dancing.

  Kids will also be glued to their seats watching the daredevil antics at the local rodeo. No theatrics here; it’s the real deal!

• Maui, HI

  From little ones splashing at the shore to older ones learning to surf or snorkel, it’s all about water fun in gorgeous Maui.

  Feeling brave? Check out the Atlantis Submarine, which takes you 100 feet underwater to marvel at the marine life. Then bring the kids over to the Maui Ocean Center where they can feed sharks and turtles.

  When hunger strikes, make sure you take in a luau for an, ahem, “taste” of Hawaiian culture.

• New York City, NY

  The Big Apple is a “can’t-miss” if you’re planning a family vacation, especially with older kids. From the Statue of Liberty to a baseball game to the American Museum of Natural History, NYC offers something for everyone.

  Surprisingly, the city also has plenty of “green space.” Spend an afternoon wandering through Central Park or take a picnic lunch over to the High Line when you need to get away from noise and traffic.

• Orlando, FL

  Whether your kids are Disney princesses, budding marine biologists, or Potter Heads (that’s totally a thing!), Orlando has it allll. Theme parks galore, of course—what kid doesn’t want to visit The Mouse?!

  But Orlando’s also conveniently close to Florida’s Space Coast. Take them on an educational but fun side trip to Kennedy Space Center and its famous Rocket Garden. Or, hop over to Cocoa Beach, home of the best East Coast waves.

• Outer Banks, NC

  Known by locals simply as the OBX, this summer hot spot is ideal for a laid-back family vacation. Think surf, sand, and sun. Oh, and don’t forget the fishing!

  If you can convince the kids to leave the shore for a while, the Outer Banks has plenty of land-based activities, too. Climb to the top of the Bodie Island Lighthouse for stunning views, or take a kite to Jockey’s Ridge, the largest living sand dune on the east coast.

• San Diego, CA

  Sunny SoCal’s low-key vibe is so vacation-friendly that you may never want to leave. You’ll have beach-y fun in any one of the cities along the coast, but our preference for a family vacay is San Diego.

  San Diego has another major must-see: Balboa Park, home to 17 museums and the San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park also offers plenty of outdoor recreation, including numerous parks and playgrounds, lawn bowling, disc golf, and more.

• Yellowstone, WY

  Want to spend your family vacation in The Great Outdoors? Then we’d recommend Yellowstone, one of our favorite national parks.

  Yellowstone is known for its geothermic features, especially its most famous geyser: Old Faithful. Kids will also love the beautifully rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Spring; impress them by pointing out that it’s bigger than a football field.

It’s never too early—or too late—to start traveling with your kids. And a vacation to one of our top 10 family spots will make everyone happy, from wide-eyed toddlers to TikTok-obsessed teens.

But if you really want to make your family vacation as stress-free as possible, ship your stuff to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. No need to juggle little ones and suitcases. Just head straight to your destination and focus on enjoying your family time!