The Most Baby-Friendly US States
The Best US Travel Destinations for Families With Babies
There’s the relaxation and calm before the storm of a blissful babymoon and then the more unpredictable travel that comes in the months and years after the arrival of a new child. The good news is that there are a handful of places across the country well-suited to accommodate travelers with infants and toddlers. A new study by Airport Parking Reservations examined every U.S. state on a variety of key factors for baby friendliness, including the percentage of hotels with access to family rooms, safety, the average annual temperature and the average annual precipitation in addition to the number of child-friendly activities to reveal the most baby-friendly destinations across America. The country as a whole is well-represented in the top 10, with states ranging from the Pacific Northeast to New England. Here’s a look at how the very best shake out for 2022.
10. Washington
Despite its high rainfall totals (54.5 inches annually), Washington is an ideal destination for travelers with babies as approximately 44 percent of hotels throughout the state include family rooms and there are over 960 baby-friendly activities to look forward to, from the parks and museums of Seattle to the great outdoors in national parks like Olympic and North Cascades.
9. California
Elsewhere along the West Coast, California edges out Washington with an overall baby-friendly travel score of 6.21 out of 10. The Golden State boasts a near-flawless climate with average annual temperatures coming in around 60 degrees and a remarkable 3,211 baby-friendly activities to choose from, which is by far the most in the country.
8. Connecticut
The most baby-friendly state in New England is Connecticut, which receives an overall score of 6.29 out of 10. Nearly four out of 10 hotels (39 percent) across the state offer family rooms and its safety index score of 61.49 out of 100 is the second-highest of any state in the top 10. Plus, the average annual temperature is a surprising 50 degrees and there are at least 330 baby-friendly activities to occupy travelers’ time.
7. Wyoming
Home to the nation’s first national park in Yellowstone, Wyoming received a baby-friendly travel score of 6.32 out of 10. The state is not only one of the safest in the top 10 (57.31 out of 100) but offers no shortage of family-friendly hotels (42 percent have family rooms) and invites visitors to participate in some 400 baby-friendly activities.
6. Iowa
Earning an impressive safety index score of 60.85 out of 100, Iowa is an easy choice for families traveling with little ones. What’s more, nearly half of the state’s hotels (45 percent) offer family rooms and the average annual temperature is a comfortable 48.4 degrees.
5. Indiana
The Midwest is well-represented in the top 10, with Indiana topping Iowa for fifth overall in terms of baby-friendliness. The Hoosier State is loaded with kid-friendly attractions and amenities, including parks, zoos, beaches and museums. In all, Indiana offers 450-plus baby-friendly activities for traveling families to explore.
4. Illinois
Despite having the lowest safety index score of any state in the top 10 at 47.64 out of 100, Illinois ranks fourth on the strength of its family-friendly hotels (42 percent offer family rooms), decent year-round temperatures and the plethora of baby-friendly activities, which add up to 677, according to Airport Parking Reservations’ most recent research.
T2. Utah
Utah’s safety index score of 62.48 out of 100 is the best of any state in the top 10. Despite only one-fifth of hotels offering family rooms, the state is home to an impressive 686 baby-friendly activities and has a favorable climate with minimal rain and balmy temperatures in many places.
T2. New York
New York is undoubtedly among the nation’s most baby-friendly states with 44 percent of hotels offering family rooms designed for children and adults, and a whopping 1,768 baby-friendly activities. The state also has mild weather conditions ideal for traveling with a baby.
1. Nevada
With an overall baby-friendly travel score of 7.06 out of 10, Nevada is the most baby-friendly state for traveling families in 2022. More than one-third of the state’s hotels include family rooms, it earns a 52.94 on the safety index and boasts more than 425 baby-friendly activities, including the family-friendly Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.