Best Travel of 2023: Our Favorite Cities, Beaches, Hotels, and More for a Family Vacation

2. Fun Florida Beach Towns

When you want sun, sand, and outdoor fun, the Sunshine State does not disappoint. Our writers and their families visited several awesome Florida beach towns, including West Palm Beach on the state’s southern Atlantic coast, Naples on the Gulf Coast, and St. Augustine on the northern Atlantic coast. In addition to frolicking on sun-drenched beaches, they enjoyed animal encounters, thrilling water sports, kid-friendly museums, and lots more.

RELATED: Caribbean Family Travel Guide

Enjoy pristine beaches during a stay at Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton. Photo by Jody Mercier

3. Tropical Caribbean and Mexico Getaways

The Caribbean and Mexico offer up some of the best warm and sunny family vacation spots, and our writers and editors flocked to these tropical locales in 2023. One writer raved about the crystal-blue water and breathtaking beaches of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, while another detailed the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with kids.

We highlighted some great hotels and resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, too. I raved about my trip to Finest Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, while another writer detailed her family’s fantastic stay at the Hotel Xcaret Mexico in Playa del Carmen. Both of these resorts made our list of the best all-inclusive resorts for families.

Travel-savvy Mommy Poppins writers and editors also recommended the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico and the Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton as great Caribbean hotel options for families.

Belize is the perfect tropical vacation destination for families.

4. Beautiful Belize

Mommy Poppins founder Anna Fader called Belize, located on the eastern coast of Central America, “a hidden-gem vacation destination” for families. Offering a unique blend of Central American and Caribbean cultures, Belize boasts everything from breathtaking beaches and reefs to lush jungles and ancient Mayan ruins. Bonus: English is the official language. Guided by a native Belizean and dad, Fader put together a handy Belize Family Travel Guide.

Southern Hospitality

5. Charming South Carolina Cities

Mommy Poppins writers visited two great South Carolina cities with their own unique charm—Charleston and the state’s capital city, Columbia. Our list of the 30 best things to do in Charleston with kids includes museums, historic sites, leafy parks, and nearby beaches, while our Columbia travel guide highlights pretty parks and gardens, kid-friendly theatre and museums, delicious restaurants, and one of the largest zoos in the US.

6. Jackson, Mississippi

Mississippi’s capital city may not be on everyone’s travel radar, but our writer’s list of the 25 best things to do in Jackson shows why it should be. Myriad kid-friendly museums, a zoo full of exotic animals, delicious restaurants, and more make Jackson a great choice for families looking for a cultural vacation down south.

RELATED: 100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up 

Stunning views await as you walk or float through the Ausable Chasm in the Adirondacks. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Memorable Mountain Retreats

7. Adirondacks

The Adirondacks Mountains are one of the most idyllic family vacation spots in the Northeast, and they offer loads of outdoor family fun in any season—skiing and bobsledding in the winter, boating and hiking in the summer, and so much more. We shared a list of 40 things to do in the Adirondacks with kids, including in Lake Placid and Lake George.

8. Berkshires

Social media coordinator Ally Noel detailed her fantastic visit to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams, Massachusetts with her daughter and niece. North Adams, a hub of arts and culture, is located in the Berkshires, a mountain region full of breathtaking nature trails and waterfalls, quirky museums, welcoming farms, and many more things to do with kids. We detail them all in our Berkshires family travel guide.

Adventures Out West

9. Portland, Oregon

In her list of the 50 best things to do in Portland, OR with kids, writer Stephanie McCoy calls Portland “a funky, weird, totally unique charmer of a town.” Sure, it’ll likely rain when you’re visiting, but who cares when you can duck into Powell’s City of Books, spend a day at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, or take a misty hike up Mount Tabor? Just don’t forget to bring a raincoat.

10. Colorado Springs, Colorado

I lived in Colorado Springs for three years when my boys were little, so I have firsthand knowledge of what makes it such a great travel destination for outdoorsy families. The city boasts majestic mountains, gorgeous hiking trails, historic western towns, and a laid-back vibe. My Colorado Springs travel guide includes so many fun things to do with kids, from the amazing Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.

11. Sedona, Arizona

With its magical, red-rock landscape and plethora of outdoor activities, Sedona is a great family vacation destination. Whether you want to explore the art and history of this rich cultural area, catch thrills in a backcountry Jeep or ATV tour, or get up-close and personal with nature on one of the many hiking trails, there are so many fun things to do in Sedona. Read all about them in our Sedona travel guide.

12. Seattle, Washington

Seattle may be known for its fabulous coffee and frequent rain, but there is so much more to this awesome city. After a fall visit, managing editor Meghan Rose described Seattle as “vibrantly green”, “friendly”, “walkable”, and “slightly weird”, among other things. She created a fantastic three-day Seattle itinerary that includes the famous Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the Seattle Children’s Museum, and more.

Don’t miss the real-life Viking ship inside Fargo’s Hjmekomst Center. Photo by Jackie Jones

Making Memories in the Midwest

13. Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo, ND is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination thanks to its top-notch museums, adorable zoo, great restaurants, and more great kid-friendly attractions. There’s even a real-life Viking ship on display! And where else can you ride a Ferris wheel inside a sporting-goods store? Check out our list of the best things to do in Fargo with kids.

14. Awesome Ohio Cities

We wrote about two great Ohio cities in 2023. One lifelong Columbus local compiled a list of over 30 things to do in Columbus with kids, including awesome metro parks, thrilling water slides, hands-on science museums, and the amazing Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Another writer wrote a fantastic Cleveland itinerary that includes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the massive Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, A Christmas Story house, and so much more.

15. Branson, Missouri

Branson is one of our favorite Christmas towns in the US, and regional editor Jody Mercier was lucky enough to visit during the holiday season. She detailed her family’s fantastic stay at the mountain lodge-themed Westgate Branson Woods Resort as well as all of their fun activities, including a cruise on Table Rock Lake and dinner-and-a-show at Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Book your family’s stay at Westgate Branson Woods Resort now. 

RELATED: International Family Travel Guide

Gangnam’s “Hallyuwood Walk of Fame'”pays homage to K-pop stars. Photo by Diana Kim

Going Abroad

16. Seoul, South Korea

After two recent family trips to South Korea’s capital city, writer Diana Kim compiled the 35 best things to do in Seoul with kids, including interactive museums, indoor play spaces, theme parks, cultural sites, and more. She also highlighted the city’s top-notch transportation system and friendly locals that are happy to help tourists find their way around.

Take a boat ride through the famous fjords in Norway. Photo by Diana Kim

17. Oslo, Norway

Diana Kim’s family also had a European adventure in Oslo, Norway’s capital city. Her list of the best things to do in Oslo with kids includes interesting museums and cultural sites, the world-famous (and breathtaking) fjords, a super-unique library, and more. Kim also notes Oslo’s great transportation system, walkability, cleanliness and safety, and the fact that most locals speak English.

It’s family splash time at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Orlando, Florida. Photo courtesy of Disney

Thrilling Theme Parks and Water Parks

18. Top Outdoor Water Parks in the US

Some water parks are so fantastic, they’re a destination unto themselves. We’ve compiled a list of the best outdoor water parks in the US, from Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Orlando, Florida all the way across the country to Knott’s Soak City in Buena Park, California. These water parks feature relaxing pools and lazy rivers to please the grown-ups, splash pads and climbing structures to delight kids, and thrilling water slides and rides to give teens an adrenaline rush.

19. Dollywood — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Though we’ve highlighted a whopping 70 reasons to love Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN, this Dolly Parton-inspired mega theme park is perhaps the biggest draw to the area. Set in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood has over 50 rides, daily musical shows, and an iconic coal-fired steam train that runs along its periphery. Read our guide to visiting Dollywood with kids.

20. Best US Theme Parks for Special Needs Kids

While there are many great amusement parks for families across the US, some of them go the extra mile to accommodate children with special needs. Writer Tom Stefanchik, who has a son on the autism spectrum, listed 10 US theme parks that are particularly great for special needs kids, including Disney and Universal parks, Legoland New York, and more. These theme parks offer autism-friendly rides, wheelchair-accessible attractions, and other accommodations.

RELATED: Top Hotels with Outdoor Water Parks for Families with Kids

Kids can stay free and enjoy many included activities at Blue Haven Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

Awesome Kid-Friendly Resorts

21. Resorts and Hotels With Awesome Perks for Kids

The best family hotels and resorts offer extra perks for kids that also benefit the grown-ups. At any one of the places on our list of resorts with incredible kids clubs, parents can drop off their children for an hour, a day, or an evening at a fantastic kids club while they enjoy spa treatments, a round of golf, or a quiet meal. And our list of family-friendly hotels where kids stay free can help you save money on lodging so you’ll have more to spend on fun.

22. New Great Wolf Lodge Maryland — Perryville, Maryland

Great Wolf Lodge consistently makes our best-of travel lists, including the best family resorts with water parks. So when Great Wolf Lodge Maryland—the resort’s 20th and largest location to date—opened in June, it was super exciting for the DC and Baltimore area. The resort boasts a 126,000-square-foot indoor water park with 22 water slides, an outdoor pool, and loads of indoor attractions including mini golf, a high ropes course, an arcade, and more.

Book your family’s stay at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland now. 

RELATED: Camping Travel Guide

El Capitan Canyon’s cedar cabins offer the perfect glamping experience. Photo courtesy of El Capitan Canyon

Outdoor Adventures

23. Best US Glamping Spots for Families

If you love the idea of camping with kids—but not the idea of sleeping on the ground in a flimsy tent—then glamping just may be the answer. This elevated form of camping gives families a true nature retreat with more luxurious accommodations—think glamping tents and cabins with beds, bathrooms, kitchenettes, electricity, and other amenities. Check out our list of the best glamping spots across the US for families.

24. Family-Friendly River Rafting Trips

River rafting is one of America’s most adventurous pastimes and a great way to stay cool in the summer months. Whether you’re looking for lazy-river vibes with your littlest adventurers or high-speed rapids for the thrill seekers in your life, you’ll find the perfect option on our list of the best river rafting trips in the US for families.

25. Fresh-Air Fun in California

It’s no surprise that the Golden State is full of outdoor adventures for families. In 2023 we wrote about the best places to see California redwoods; the best kid-friendly wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area; and more ways to enjoy the great outdoors in California, including beautiful beaches, thrilling theme parks, and gorgeous hikes.

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