Top 3 Things to Do in Cities Around the US

One thing I love about the US is that you can find unique cities from coast to coast. Each has its own charm, ranging from history, museums and local foods, to unique parks and playgrounds. Our family road trips have always included spending time in cities big and small combined with visiting attractions and National Parks. It’s an awesome opportunity to explore activities that you might not find in your home town. For this post, I reached out to family travel bloggers near and far to come up with a list of their top 3 things to do in cities around the United States. From coast to coast you’ll find many family friendly ideas, each linked to a more detailed post. Hope your favorite city is on the list!  
*This post was updated May, 2021.​

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a perfect city to visit with school-age kids that are learning about early American history. In a city rich with history and museums, the top three things to do with kids in Boston is a tough choice, but here are my recommendations:

1. Older kids will enjoy a walking tour of the Freedom Tour, while younger kids will relish time at the Boston Children’s Museum
2. A visit to the New England Aquarium, followed by a Whale Watch tour — if lucky the humpback whales will be breaching!
3. Take a duck boat tour for a glimpse of the city and a splash into the harbor

Contributed by Tamara at We3Travel

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the quintessential Midwest city. It has a beautiful lakefront, fantastic restaurants, a wealth of attractions, and welcoming locals. With all this, it’s easy to see why the city attracts visitors from all over the world. What many fail to realize is that it’s a perfect destination for families. It’s difficult to choose our top 3 attractions in the Windy City, but if we had to, these are the ones we would recommend:

1. Museum of Science and Industry - The building was originally built as part of the 1893 World’s Fair, but today it is home to a U-505 submarine, a coal mine, a Zephyr train, and countless science experiments and exhibits. Everything is hands-on, and tailored to kids of all ages. We could spend a whole day there and usually do!​
2. Lincoln Park Zoo - The zoo is open 365 days a year and it’s free, making it a wonderful attraction accessible to all families.
3. Museum Campus - This is actually several museums in one location. Here you will find: The Field Museum of Natural History and the famous T-Rex dinosaur, Sue, The Shedd Aquarium with its marine life and polar play area, and The Adler Planetarium with everything space related! It is a trifecta of museums your family will enjoy exploring!

Chicago also has architecture, parks, lakefront beaches, shopping, and sporting events galore. Whatever your family loves, Chicago has you covered! You can find more Chicago attractions at Kids Are A Trip.

Contributed by Kirsten at Kids Are a Trip​

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati has a lot to offer for kids of all ages. 

1. Kings Island - Enjoy thrill rides, an incredible kids area, and a waterpark that's included with admission.
2. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - This zoo has been around for 140 years and is beautiful year round. Kids will love the opportunities to get up close to several of their favorite zoo animals.
3. Cincinnati Museum Center - 3 Museums in one building! The Children's Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science and the Cincinnati History Museum each offer interactive exhibits inside a former train station with gorgeous art deco design.

Contributed by Nedra at Adventure Mom Blog

Eugene, Oregon

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountain Range, Eugene, Oregon is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and home to the University of Oregon (go Ducks!)

1. Start with a visit to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History located in the heart of campus.
2. Find the RiverPlay Discovery Village Playground at Skinner Butte Park or follow the Willamette river bike path into downtown.
3. We love the kid-friendly hiking trails at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum, but if it’s raining skip the mud and head to the Science Factory.

Contributed by Julie at Road Trips for Families

Big Island, Hawaii

Hawaii’s Big Island is full of a limitless number of unique family-friendly outdoor adventures.  

1. Spend a day exploring a lava tube, discovering the majesty of Volcano National Park and spend your night watching the caldera smolder bright red and orange!
2. Look for humpback whales, delight in swimming with the dolphins and end your day at a fabulous luau!
3. Take a tour of a Kona coffee plantation and then head across the island to discover the beauty of Hilo!

Contributed by Lisa, Writer, Hilton Mom Voyage

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is a surprisingly great city for a family vacation. There are tons of fun things to do in Las Vegas with kids, many of them free. Here's my top three:

1. Ride a waterslide through a tank of sharks at the Golden Nugget. Hotel guests can visit the pool for free and non-guests can enter for a fee of $25.
2. Watch the magnificent fountains at The Bellagio. It's totally free! The fountain starts at 3pm on weekdays and goes every 30 minutes, every 15 minutes after 8pm until midnight. On weekends and holidays, displays start at noon.
3. Catch a show with your kids. The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is the perfect Las Vegas show for little ones. It runs from 4 to 5.30pm and is hilariously funny.

Contributed by Bethaney at Flashpacker Family

Los Angeles, California

Mention family travel to Los Angeles and many people groan; there's nothing to do there, they say, and the traffic is a nightmare. Well, Los Angeles traffic jams really are among the worst in the country, but nothing to do? 

1. ​The beaches would like a word with you, as would the easy whale watching and year-round dolphin spotting right from the shore that goes with them.
2. Universal Studios Hollywood is opening its new Harry Potter area in 2016.
3. The interactive experiences at the Getty Museum and LACMA make kids have fun at world class art museums. Los Angeles is one of the top 5 travel destination cities in the United States for obvious reasons...and there are ways to deal with Los Angeles traffic to make even that part manageable.

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Contributed by Jennifer at The Vacation Gals

Louisville, Kentucky

We have long been fans of Louisville, Kentucky! Living in Illinois for the past 17 years, a jaunt down to Louisville once a year has given us a great opportunity to rebalance while enjoying a vibrant city with a heartbeat all its own. As our family became three, we enjoyed sharing this splendid city with our daughter as well.  Louisville is great city for families and here are some of our top attractions:

1. The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory - Nothing says America more than baseball, so a trip to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory is easily a family favorite.
2. The Kentucky Derby Museum - The Kentucky Derby Museum is located right at Churchill Downs and contains many well-thought out exhibits covering every aspect of the race and the culture developed around it. Many hands-on experiences delight kids and parents alike.
3. The Waterfront Park and Big Four Pedestrian Bridge - There are several playgrounds within the park and plenty of nooks for a pleasant family picnic. The Big Four Pedestrian Bridge is a novelty as you are able to walk over the Ohio River from Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana and back. 

Contributed by Julie at Road Trips for Families

Northern Kentucky

Northern Kentucky is located directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati and offers a lot for visiting families. 

1. ​Newport Aquarium - Walk across the only suspension bridge in North America above the world's largest concentration of  shark rays, walk through shark tunnels, and get up close to sea life with several interactive exhibits.
2. BB Riverboats - Enjoy a cruise on the Ohio River and discover beauty on both sides of the river with views or northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.
3. Ride the Ducks Newport - This attraction starts at Newport on the Levee and gives you history of the area while touring both sides of the river in Newport, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio in a WWII DUK amphibious vehicle.  

Contributed by Nedra at Adventure Mom Blog

Providence, Rhode Island

The best time to visit Providence is in the summer, when you can see why this little city is called the Creative Capital and why it is on New York Times’ list of places to visit in 2016. The best things to do in Providence with kids include:

1. Take a gondola ride during a Waterfire weekend, when the city lights bonfires throughout the river that runs through downtown, pipes in music, and hosts special events like ballroom dancing and jazz stages
2. Visit the Providence Children’s Museum or the Roger Williams Park Zoo
3. Attend a minor league baseball game for an afternoon of family fun

Contributed by Tamara at We3Travel

Raleigh, North Carolina

I’m lucky enough to call Raleigh, NC home, and when you visit, we’ll welcome you with our friendly southern hospitality. We love living here for the great weather, proximity to beach and mountains and the festivals. Be sure to check out our favorites:

1. The museums: Most are free -- we're the "Smithsonian of the South." Our natural sciences museum, history museum and state capitol are all within one block of each other and offer free admission.
2. DefyGravity: It's more than an indoor trampoline park -- it's a ninja training course! There are lots of trampolines for those who want to bounce, but the ninja course lets you discover your inner "American Ninja Warrior."
3. Pullen Park: One of the oldest city parks in the country, Pullen Park is Raleigh's crown jewel. It's got lots of green space for running, children's rides, a historic carousel, pedal boats, walking trails and even a statue of Andy and Opie Taylor!

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Contributed by Karen Dawkins at Family Travels on a Budget

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is a diverse family destination, with urban amenities and outdoor fun living side by side. The city is nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, so it's easy to ski or hike in the morning and enjoy a meal or cultural event downtown on the same day! Three top destinations for families include:

1. Temple Square - Many visitors to Salt Lake City plan a visit to the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). Add a few branches to your family tree at the Family History Library or Joseph Smith Memorial Building!
2. State Capitol Building - The Utah State Capitol is patterned after the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. It's a beautiful building, and visitors can explore exhibits about Utah, roam the marble halls, or play on the large lawn outside.
3. Take a drive through one of the canyons near Salt Lake City. Little Cottonwood Canyon is an especially good choice. During warm weather months, check out the Temple Quarry trail at the mouth of the canyon. It's quick and easy! Then drive farther up the canyon for the scenery.

Contributed by Allison at Tips for Family Trip

San Diego, California

San Diego has been dubbed as "America’s Finest City" with its great weather all year and fantastic natural beauty. It also has many family-friendly attractions. We recommend these top three things to do with kids in San Diego.

1. San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park - Balboa Park is the country’s largest urban cultural park with 15 museums plus gardens to satisfy every family member’s interest. The park's jewel is the famous San Diego Zoo with over 3,500 rare and endangered animals including pandas and the koalas.
2. Legoland California Resort - Legoland California Resort is an ideal family getaway with over 60 rides, shows and attractions. Miniland USA showcases some of America's cities made of 20 million LEGO including a Star Wars area. The resort also has two waterparks, a SEA LIFE Aquarium and the Legoland Hotel with themed rooms.
3. The Beaches - Our beautiful beaches stretch over 70 miles along the coast. Most are family-friendly with many attractions from playgrounds to boardwalks. Water sports activities like kayaking, jet skiing, snorkeling and surfing are always available. If you’re visiting in December, don’t miss ice skating by the beach in Coronado.

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Contributed by Mary at The World is a Book

Seattle, Washington

Seattle offers many opportunities for activities and sightseeing for all ages. One of the unique things about Seattle is that you can enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the water in the same view. Seattle is a favorite among outdoor enthusiast, but offers everything from great dining to family fun!

1. Trip up the Space Needle, or get a great city view for much less by visiting the Columbia Tower.
2. Check out the Seattle Aquarium on the Seattle waterfront, and take the stairs up to the Pike Place Market for lunch.
3. Visit the Artists park at the Seattle Center, and build in a stop at the Center Fountain and Gates Visitor Center for a day of free fun.

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Contributed by Sia at Thrifty NW Mom

St. Augustine, Florida

There is a lot to do in St. Augustine from history to attractions to surfing.

1. ​The Alligator Farm - You can feed the alligators at Alligator Swamp, get your picture taken holding an alligator or a snake, and walk around and see all of the different kinds of Alligators - they have a ton of them!
2. The Fountain of Youth - Yes it is cool to drink from the Fountain of Youth but we also enjoyed walking around the huge property, watching all the shows they had going one, walking through an Indian village, seeing a cannon being fired, and pretending to be archaeologists!
3. Colonial Quarter - They have great hands-on activities to do and the kids really enjoyed getting in costume and pretending they lived in one of the old houses on site. There are also multiple presentations throughout the day so you can learn all about what life use to be like in the Colonial Quarter.

Contributed by Bryanna at Crazy Family Adventure​

Washington D.C.

A visit to Washington, DC offers the chance to bring history alive for kids of all ages! 

1. Take a self-guided tour along the National Mall, home to iconic monuments and memorials such as the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. 
2. Visit the free Smithsonian Museums, including the popular National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum. 
3. Don’t miss the fabulous art museums, including the National Gallery of Art.

Explore 20 Things to Add to Your DC Bucket List for more ideas. 

Contributed by Kath at familyTravelsUSA. 

Williamsburg, Virginia

Whether you’re visiting Williamsburg for the first time or live in the area, there is an abundance of activities and places to see.

1. Colonial Williamsburg - A living history museum with buildings from the 18th century.  Kids can step back in time to see what life was like for the colonists.
2. Jamestown Settlement - Visit the site of the first English settlement in North American.  Kids can even see replica's of the original settlers three ships: the Godspeed, Discovery and Susan Constant.
3. Busch Gardens - After immersing yourself in history, take a break at the amusement park.  Tour through Europe with roller coasters, plenty of kiddie rides and live shows all surrounded by a lush, award winning landscape.

Contributed by Dana at The Talking Suitcase

Other City Posts:
20 Things to Add to Your NYC Bucket List
10 Fun Ways to Experience Washington, DC
Unique Philadelphia - 5 Places to Add to Your List
24 Hours in Chicago - A Photo Blog
3 Days in the San Francisco Area
5 More Reasons to Visit Boston