Every State’s Most Family-Friendly City

The Most Family Friendly Cities in the United States
Family-fun adventure is out there, and these cities are well worth a spot on your family bucket list. From visiting National Monuments and museums to exploring the great outdoors, there’s something for every type of family traveler.

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Visitors to Alabama’s Gulf Coast, specifically Gulf Shores and nearby Orange Beach will be met with exceptional shorelines—32 miles in fact—in addition to all of the seaside staples that vacationing families have come to expect and enjoy, including imaginative miniature golf courses, pulse-pounding go-kart tracks and coming-of-age experiences, including the Wharf’s Ferris wheel, which is one of the tallest in the Southeast at a soaring 112 feet.

Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska is a premier destination for adventure and the state’s largest city, Anchorage, is an excellent jumping-off point for visiting families. The many museums, parks and trails here are enhanced by the phenomenal scenery. Groups traveling with small children will absolutely love the mesmerizing Alaska Railroad, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail as well as the Alaska Aviation Museum.

Phoenix, Arizona
Like Alaska, Arizona’s largest city offers the most for traveling families in 2022 as visitors will encounter numerous outdoor attractions from the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden to the towering Camelback Mountain. The city also boasts an impressive list of museums showcasing art, Native American culture and Western history. The hands-on Children’s Museum of Phoenix is another great option. The valley’s plentiful parks and preserves are also worth exploring and sports-loving families will have lots to look forward to, including heading downtown to watch one of the NBA’s top teams in the Phoenix Suns.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas
A city chock-full of charm in Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is ideal for adventure no matter your age. Visitors won’t want to miss the destination’s spectacular natural springs or leave before enjoying some ziplining or hiking and fishing at Lake Leatherwood. Families can also take part in spooky ghost tours through the historic downtown, put their skills to the test inside of challenging escape rooms and sample local wine and treat their taste buds at beloved stops like the Local Flavor Cafe.

San Diego, California
California’s most entertaining city also happens to be its most family-friendly. Travelers will need at least a few days to experience all that San Diego has to offer, from the sun-kissed shores of Coronado and La Jolla to beloved attractions such as SeaWorld and sprawling Balboa Park’s extraordinary San Diego Zoo. The little ones will be enthralled with the area’s otherworldy tide pools and various museums and wildlife encounters while adults can look forward to immersing themselves in the locale nightlife in places like the famous Gaslamp Quarter.

Beaver Creek, Colorado
Located just outside of Vail about two hours west of Denver, the mountain village of Beaver Creek offers families tons to do far away from the crowds regardless of the season. Skiing, horseback riding, hiking, rafting, kayaking and golfing are just some of the many activities that await. Additionally, the scenery here is unmatched and attractions like the Walking Mountains Science Center provide a place for guests of all ages to learn and have fun at the same time.

New Haven, Connecticut
Famously the home of Yale University, New Haven will wow families with intriguing museums, beachfront parks, scenic hikes and one-of-a-kind attractions like the PEZ Visitor Center, which is home to the largest, most comprehensive collection of PEZ memorabilia on public display in the world. New Haven also offers kid-friendly adventure at Jordan’s Furniture where guests can participate in the world’s largest indoor adventure ropes course. Foodies must also dive into the city’s incredible pizza scene, highlighted by the ultra-creative Da Legna.

Wilmington, Delaware
In northern Delaware, Wilmington offers visiting families a plethora of fascinating museums, including the highly-acclaimed Hagley Museum and the Delaware Children’s Museum offering interactive experiences that even adults will be tempted to try. Families will also enjoy the scenic Wilmington Riverwalk and the area’s many outdoor offerings from Brandywine Creek State Park to the uber-charming Bellevue State Park.

Orlando, Florida
Families traveling to the Sunshine State have no shortage of phenomenal beach destinations to choose from but Orlando in the central portion of Florida stands out for its world-famous theme parks headlined by the iconic Walt Disney World Resort and Univeral Orlando Resort. Hair-raising roller coasters and water slides as well as up-close encounters with their favorite movie and TV characters make this stop a must for families with small children. However, adults will have a great time also, especially touring Orlando’s underrated downtown featuring mouth-watering restaurants and vibrant nightlife.

Tybee Island, Georgia
Atlanta certainly has lots to offer families visiting Georgia but spring and summertime travelers will be hard-pressed to pass on Tybee Island. Located less than a half-hour from Savannah, this barrier island has been a vacation favorite for centuries, offering not only pristine beaches but wildlife encounters in the form of dolphin tours and bird watching as well as delectable seafood at an array of inviting outdoor dining venues. Families can also cast a line from the pier, enjoy a relaxing kayaking excursion or tour a historic lighthouse.

Lahaina, Hawai’i
Lahaina is the ideal hub from which to explore all that Maui has to offer and provides a taste of island life for families who are visiting.

The mile-long Ka’anapali beach provides white sand, a protected harbor and numerous accommodations. Lahaina is also home to the Maui Ocean Center, where families can get to know the marine ecosystems of the surrounding waters.

Families looking for adventure will find a number of places to explore. Take them for a hike along the Kapalua Coast Trail or teach the littles how to surf with the Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy. For those looking for a rush of adrenaline, there’s the Flyin Hawaiian Zipline. Go for relaxation at Lahaina Banyan Court, the town’s historical center.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Enjoy life lakeside in Coeur d’Alene. The region is home to a number of lakes, the Pacific Northwest’s largest theme park and endless opportunities for fun and family bonding.

Adventure awaits for families headed to Northern Idaho, where unique golf courses, hot springs, museums, galleries, quaint towns and luxury accommodations await. Head to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge in Bonners Ferry, stop in at Copper Falls, go for a kayak on Spirit Lake or explore the Brickel Creek Trail. The Silverwood Theme Park is the area’s largest and offers more than 70 rides, games and attractions. Nearby Boulder Beach Water Park features raft rides, high-speed waterslides, a lazy river and more.

Chicago, Illinois
Big cities mean big fun for families and the Windy City does not disappoint. There are endless things for families to do and discover, whether its the Miracle Mile or Lake Michigan.

With a number of tours and attractions as well as museums and shops, families can grab a CityPass to make sure they hit all the main attractions and save as well. These include destinations such as the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago and more.

Bloomington, Indiana
College towns are often hubs of activity, making them fun for students and families alike. That’s Bloomington, Indiana, which offers numerous activities for kids of all ages.

At nearby Monroe Lake, families can rent a pontoon boat or paddle around in a kayak. At Griffy Lake, there’s fishing from the shore or from a canoe. There is hiking in Morgan-Monroe State Forest and Yellowwood State Forest and mountain biking at Wapehani Mountain Bike Park.

In the city, the Wonderlab Museum offers interactive experiences, the Frank Southern Ice Arena is the perfect place for kids to get their energy out from October through March and climbers will want to try out Hoosier Heights indoor rock climbing facility, with experiences for all ages.

Sioux City, Iowa
Take the family to Sioux City where visitors of all ages will find activities to enjoy.

Visitors can explore their creative side at the Sioux City Art Center, a museum with ocal, national and international exhibits. Younger kids will love the LaunchPAD Children’s Museum with exhibits that use water, wind and building materials so kids can use their STEM skills.

A 100-foot-tall sandstone monument in the middle of a 23-acre park houses the Sergeant Floyd Monument and is home to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center for hands-on activities.

Families experience Sioux City like rock stars with accommodations at the Hard Rock Hotel. For an aquatic adventure, check out Storm Lake’s King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort.

Topeka, Kansas
Affordable family fun is around every corner in Topeka, Kansas. The great outdoors awaits with at trip to Lake Shawnee Kaw River State Park.

History comes alive at the Kansas Statehouse, the Kansas Museum of History and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Museum.

Children will enjoy hands-on experiences at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, which offers one-of-a-kind exhibits.

Plane enthusiasts will love exploring the Combat Air Museum where visitors can view more than 30 aircrafts from WWI to the present day and climb into the cockpit of a Skyhawk US Navy attack plane.

On the wilder side, stop in to visit your favorite animals at the Topeka Zoo or families can step back in time at Old Prairie Town, a pioneer village with an old-fashioned soda fountain.

Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is bustling with activity for families. Indoor and outdoor adventures await year-round.

Baseball fans will want to start at the Louisville Slugger Museum, while science enthusiasts will want to head for the fascinating Kentucky Science Center. Visitors can hop on board the Belle of Louisville steamboat for a scenic Ohio River cruise. Horse-lovers will definitely want to see Churchill Downs and for those looking for adventure, nothing beats an underground zipline at Louisville Mega Caverns.

New Orleans, Louisiana
Family fun abounds in New Orleans. Kids will want to start exploring the city with a trip to the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium where they can see lions, orangutans, ocelots, flamingos and more as well as penguins, jellyfish and sharks.

Little ones will love spending time in Storyland in City Park and no one will want to skip out on the beignets at the world-famous Cafe Du Monde. Older kids can enjoy renting bikes to ride around the park or exploring Big Lake via boat.

It’s Mardi Gras year-round at Mardi Gras World where families can learn about the making of the floats and the history of the celebration in New Orleans.

Families can also stop in at the New Orleans Boulder Lounge for indoor rock climbing or head to the Louisiana Children’s Museum.

Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, in northern Maine, is surrounded by Acadia National Park on all sides and close to Maine’s Mount Desert Island, meaning there are numerous opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy.

In town, there is Agamont Park and the Village Green. Families can hike along the shore path or just spend time at the beach.

It’s also the ideal place from which to explore Acadia National Park. Take the kids on a drive around the auto loop. Families can hike or rent bikes to enjoy the many trails. Kids can participate in Acadia’s Junior Ranger Program, too.

The Trenton Bridge connects Bar Harbor to Mount Desert Island, a unique stop while visiting the area.

Ocean City, Maryland
The family-friendly resort city of Ocean City is an ideal vacation spot. With a bustling boardwalk and amusement parks for all ages, there is plenty to see and do in this coastal city year-round.

There are several entertainment centers, including the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Baja Amusements, Speedworld Go-Karts, Under the Bridge Watersports and more.

Families can also enjoy free activities such as movies on the beach in the summer and Family Beach Olympics on Tuesday evenings. Kids can play in the spotlighted sand during the 100 Nights of Lights.

In 2022, the OC Big Wheel has also returned to Trimper’s on the boardwalk this summer season.

Bedford, Massachusetts
Bedford is perfectly situated. It’s a small town with a small-town feel with only about 14,000 residents. It has a plethora of family-related activities, has a steep history that dates back all the way to Revolutionary War – check out the town library that houses the first U.S. flag flown during the Revolution – and its crime rate of 1.52 crimes per 1,000 residents is extraordinarily low. Oh, and Boston with all its culture and sports and its own history, is just 15 miles away.

Ann Arbor, Michigan
This one is a bit of a dichotomy. Ann Arbor, of course, is the home to one of the biggest and greatest research institutions in the country with more than 30,000 students on the University of Michigan campus. No doubt it’s one of the great college towns in the country but it’s also one of the most diverse, eclectic and family-friendly cities around. The school districts are outstanding, there is a vibrant music scene and, of course, top-notch college sports. And Detroit is just 45 minutes away to the east and Toledo, Ohio, and its famous zoo are an hour south.

Lakeville, Minnesota
Lakeville is a suburb of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and is growing. Families are attracted by a plethora of favorable factors – the school districts are top-notch, crime is low, healthcare is terrific, and with a population of 65,000, Lakeville has a per capita income higher than the national average yet actually offers a variety of affordable housing options.

Petal, Mississippi
We had a friend once who told us he was from Petal. When we asked where that was, he said (seriously), “Oh, it’s not that far from Pearl.” Don’t laugh. Both towns are outstanding for families. Petal has one of the country’s highest-ranked school districts, and the area’s YMCA is the epicenter of activities for kids.

Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
This is a great suburb just west of St. Louis. One of the most family-friendly aspects of Dardenne Prairie is the abundance of parks in the city. The town is rural for being so close to a major city, and the school district is always highly rated.

Whitefish, Montana
Like many small towns in Montana, Whitefish is straight out of another era, or straight out of central casting, or both. If you’re a family looking to raise your children outdoors, this is it There are plenty of parks, plenty of open space, skiing, ranches and more. And it’s a relatively young town so it’s perfect for like-minded families.

Lincoln, Nebraska
Like Ann Arbor, Michigan, Lincoln is a college town and home to the University of Nebraska. In addition, it’s also home to the state capital. Families won’t lack for things to do here. In fact, in a 2021 survey, WalletHub named Lincoln the 11th best city in the country in which to raise a family.

Henderson, Nevada
Look, we all know Nevada has legalized gambling and is arguably one of the top five or 10 tourist draws in the world in Las Vegas. Not to mention a couple of great areas in Reno – known as “The Biggest Little City in the World” – and Carson City. But locals will tell you that the Vegas suburb of Henderson is terrific for families. Crime is almost 23 percent below the national average, housing is affordable, the cost of living index is low, and there are kid-friendly activities. Put it this way – this is where the majority of hotel-casino workers live.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire
So, for a state whose motto is “Live Free or Die” it might sound intimidating. That’s part of the charm, however, in living in one of the most quintessential areas and towns in New England. Portsmouth is a great seaport town near the border of Maine, not only great for tourism but for full-time family residents as well. A thriving downtown boasts cool shops and great restaurants that are welcoming for children. Prescott Park is a big family hangout destination.

Toms River, New Jersey
Now this is quite a distance from being a typical Jersey suburb, but that’s also why families like it so much. At the southern end of the Jersey Shore, Toms River is close enough to the beach to easily get there within minutes, far enough to not have to pay beach-front rents and mortgages. One of the big draws is the number of organized activities for kids. For instance, on an annual basis Toms River has produced some of the state’s – and, in some years, some of the country’s – best Little League baseball program.

Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you’re headed to New Mexico, Albuquerque is a favorite family vacation spot, with countless fun things to do together. You’ll find numerous museums, nature centers, aquariums, science centers, theme parks featuring rides, mini-golf and arcades; and available outdoor activities ranging from hiking and biking to hot-air ballooning. Among the state’s top visitor attractions is the ABQ Biopark, which encompasses four separate facilities: the Aquarium, highlighting species from the Gulf of Mexico, complete with coral reefs, stingrays, jellyfish a 285,000-gallon shark tank; the 64-acre Zoo, offering close encounters with 250 exotic and native animals from across five continents; the 36-acre Botanic Garden, with 1.5 miles of paths, BUGarium and Butterfly Pavilion; and Tingley Beach, where visitors can picnic and go boating, fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching and more. Also check out Explora, New Mexico’s premier hands-on, innovative learning center geared towards kids, or the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, where families can experience everything from dinosaurs and volcanoes to an immersive planetarium.

Finger Lakes, New York
Encompassing 11 lakes with over 650 miles of shoreline, the picturesque Finger Lakes region in central-west New York has plenty of great outdoor pastimes to offer families. Be sure to stop by the Strong National Museum of Play, which is one of the best children’s museums in the U.S. and fun for all ages, boasting the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, board games and electronic games, as well as Upstate New York’s only year-round indoor butterfly garden. The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) and its Strasenburgh Planetarium is another great place for families to explore interactive exhibits that take them from the depths of the ocean to the edge of the universe.

Seeking excitement? Visit RPM Raceway in Syracuse for go-kart racing at up to 45mph, along with luxury bowling, arcade games and VR experiences. Be sure to include a visit to Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester, which appeals to all ages with roller coasters, thrill rides, live shows, a water park loaded with attractions and more.

Outer Banks, North Carolina
While technically a string of barrier islands, consisting of numerous towns and villages off the coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks is an unsurpassed vacation spot when it comes to family-friendly activities and attractions.

The islands’ open beaches and state parks offer just about every land and water activity imaginable. If you’re not ready to navigate them alone, adventure and equipment rental company Kitty Hawk Kites has ten sites located in the Outer Banks and is a favorite among families. It offers everything from hang gliding, parasailing and jet skis to kayak tours, ropes courses, horse tours, scenic airplane tours, deep-sea fishing charters and much more.

Historical and cultural attractions also abound, including the Roanoke Island Festival Park, home to the Elizabeth II, a replica of the 1585 vessel that carried the first colonists to attempt a settlement in the New World, the Roanoke Island Adventure Museum and Settlement Site, Elizabethan Gardens, North Carolina Aquarium and more.

Fargo, North Dakota
Ranking among the safest communities in the country, Fargo is a great option for families with its welcoming Midwestern and slightly old-fashioned feel. Of all the kid-friendly things to do here, the Red River Zoo tops the list with over 89 animal species, an antique carousel and new, interactive children’s exhibits. Take the kids to explore Bonanzaville, a functioning pioneer village of 40-or-so buildings where you can learn about the region’s earliest settlers and how they lived, with around 400,000 historic artifacts on display. Aviation history enthusiasts will enjoy the Fargo Air Museum, where dual airplane hangars display aircraft ranging from a Wright Brothers’ flyer to the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft. Open seasonally from May through November, Thunder Road Family Fun Park offers plenty of exciting attractions under one roof, including a 1,100-foot go-kart track, two 18-hole golf courses, batting cages, bumper cars, an arcade, and a 5,000 square foot multi-level Laser Tag Arena.

Sandusky, Ohio
Located along the shores of Lake Erie, Sandusky is known for its abundance of family-friendly activities and attractions, including water, wildlife and amusement parks.

The city is home to Cedar Point amusement park, which is famous because it boasts some of the world’s fastest and tallest roller coasters with panoramic views over Lake Erie, though there are also rides and attractions geared toward young children.

Meanwhile, the Merry-Go-Round Museum features a working vintage carousel, built in the 1920s, complete with a menagerie of fully restored, hand-carved wooden animals.

The coastal city is also known as ‘Ohio’s Water Park Capital’, due to the popularity of its indoor waterparks that can be enjoyed year-round, including Castaway Bay, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Water Park, Watering Hold Safari and Water Park, and more.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
With its Wild West heritage, Oklahoma City (OKC) has earned itself the title of ‘Horse Show Capital of the World’ and retains a rich cowboy culture. Kids will love exploring the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, filled with artifacts and exhibits that celebrate the American West. It features an outdoor learn-and-play area that includes replicas of a tribal village and Old-West structures, and the kids can put on their first pair of chaps and spurs at the Children’s Cowboy Corral.

One spot that’s sure to please is the ‘Adventure District’, where you’ll find many can’t-miss museums and attractions, including the Science Museum Oklahoma, offering eight acres of hands-on science experiences and thousands of space, aviation and cultural artifacts.

The Boathouse District, located along the Oklahoma River, is an outdoor recreation hotspot and offers kid-friendly activities like ziplining, an 80-foot climbing tower, slides, a playground and more. Families can also opt to rent kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards to get out on the river together.