Best Family Friendly Cities In The Us – Are you ready for your next family trip? With summer vacation just around the corner, we’ve rounded up the best family restaurants across the United States. From under-the-radar beach towns to the beautiful southern jewels and birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, this list includes popular choices for families looking for the outdoors, food or culture.
Families are increasingly looking for places that are known to be child-friendly. In fact, searches for “kid-friendly” are up 88% in 2023 compared to 2021.* To make your vacation a breeze, we’ve combined activities and places with our “kid-friendly” feature. We identified the family-friendly destinations of 2024 by analyzing data on the cities with the most significant increases in “family-friendly” searches, and finalized the rankings using the expertise of Trend Expert Tara Lewis.**
Best Family Friendly Cities In The Us
Browse this list to find your family’s next vacation spot, and the top things to do along the way, including cultural landmarks, natural wonders, delicious restaurants, and more.
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In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg offers small-town charm, just a short drive from Austin and San Antonio. Experience the town’s German heritage at the Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten for bites and drinks, and reflect on history at the Pioneer Museum. Visit a wildflower seed farm with acres of blooming wildflowers and pick seeds for your own garden. For a family-friendly hike, head to nearby Enchanted Rock, a red dome with views of Central Texas. While you’re strolling and shopping on Main Street, cool off with a butter cone or banana split with Clear River ice cream.
While Napa may be best known for its fine wines, the region offers amazing attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Shop local vendors at the Oxbow Public Market, and dine at family restaurants like the Boon Fly Cafe, which will delight fans of Dr. Seuss raw eggs and meat. For a taste of culture, visit the De Rosa Center for Contemporary Art and its peaceful outdoor art tours. Head to Connolly Ranch for a wildlife experience with everything from goats, woodland gardens and chicken coops.
Founded in 1762, Charlottesville is a southern gem rich in history and fun to discover. For fresh fruit and great views, head to Carter Mountain Orchards, named one of the best places to pick apples in 2023. As you explore the grounds, pick peaches and apples that are ripe for the season and make apple slushies.” high”. Satisfy your hunger at soulful Mal Cafe, a reviewer-favorite joint for fried chicken, charcuterie and cheese, and an old-school family atmosphere. For active families, take an afternoon trip to Shenandoah National Park, where a variety of hiking options along the Appalachian Trail take you through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, valleys and waterfalls.
Don’t let the name scare you—in the heart of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Kill Devil Hills is an under-the-radar, family-friendly beach destination. With few public beaches, there are plenty of places to play, swim, or windsurf. Check out Nor’Banks Sailing & Watersports for water activities like tubing, water skiing and sailing. At Ocean Atlantic Rentals, you can rent everything you need, from umbrellas and baby carriers to golf carts and golf carts. For history buffs, they recommend a stop at the Wright Brothers National Monument. The Kill Devil Hills food scene is no longer a secret and has been named one of the Foodie Cities 2022. For high-end restaurants that are perfect for kids, book a table at The Kill Devil Grill and The Saltbox Cafe, two seafood joints. A classic that made our list of the 100 best places to eat in the Carolinas in 2023.
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In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge may be best known for its ski peaks, world-famous ski resorts and Nordic activities, but this cozy area less than two hours from Denver is the ultimate destination for outdoor summer fun. . Activities such as AVA-restricted rafting trips and ziplining tours offer adventure while you’re outdoors. You can rent equipment to ride in Maggie Pond from Alpine Sports, or hit some of the best mountain bike trails in the country. For a relaxing day, enjoy Breck’s long walking trail with its family-friendly playgrounds and patio, shops and restaurants at Eric’s Downstairs.
Along with mountain town charm, Burlington—home of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and the rock band Phish—is full of creativity, fun, and family attractions. At Shelburne Farms, families can explore the trails, interact with farm animals and watch a cheesemaker’s craft. If you want to treat yourself, head to Burlington Bay Market & Cafe for a burger and maple creamies (Vermont’s take on soft-serve). Rent a bike at Local Motion Trailside Cycling Center to explore the city and surrounding trails, and stop to take a rare road gram photo in the world’s longest camping cabinet. For those visiting in August, check out the Festival of Fools, which features free concerts, acrobatics, comedy and more on Burlington’s historic Church Street.
In the heart of the Finger Lakes region, Ithaca is known for its “gorge” views and waterfalls. Popular places to see natural beauty include Ithaca Falls in the center of town and Robert H. Treman State Park for hiking and swimming. Designers recommend taking the extensive “Discovery Tour” that takes advantage of Ithaca’s natural, scientific and artistic heritage, including the Cornell Botanical Garden, Science Center, World Museum and more. Be sure to visit Cayuga Lake where Paddle-N-More can accommodate family kayaks, paddle boards and canoes. Got a sweet tooth? Grab a scoop or sundae at Purity Ice Cream, a local staple since 1936.
Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is a popular destination for family vacations on the water. The 3-mile drive along the Virginia Beach Ocean Front is perfect for a great day of sports, dining, and shopping. Want to catch some waves? Improve the skills of the family with lessons from experts at Vb Surf Sessions, where you can also rent beach equipment such as chairs, games and toys. For a beach excursion, head to the Hunt Club Farm for petting zoos and pony rides, or the Virginia Aquarium to view marine life, and Adventure Park. Finally, paint your marine life memories at the Mermaid Factory for a unique keepsake to take home.
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On the Central Coast of California, you’ll find scenic views, vibrant art and food, and more in San Luis Obispo. Take in the sights of the Cerro San Luis Trail, or experience the visual arts at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, which is suitable for all ages with regular family-oriented events. Montana de Oro State Park has beautiful coastal scenery, close to many lakes full of marine life. For dinner, check out the Firestone Grill, which reviewers say is great for both adults and kids, and enjoy the outdoor seating. End your trip to SLO with a little fun by taking in a movie at the historic Sunset Drive-In Theater.
Located in the Pacific Northwest, Salem, the capital of Oregon, offers family fun from beautiful parks to museums and attractions. Downtown, Riverfront Park has lots of places to play and take pictures, and is home to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel and the Gilbert House Children’s Museum. Just south of Salem, you’ll find the Enchanted Forest, a unique seasonal theme park that will transport you to a magical world of stories. When you work up an appetite, popular Salem restaurant Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro has delicious food for parents and kids, including their Creme Brulee French Toast.
As always, be sure to plan ahead by checking travel advisories, guides and seasonal opening hours. Are you going somewhere else on vacation, or choosing to stay this year? Find family-friendly businesses nearby by searching for “kid-friendly”!
Does your family have a favorite kid- and parent-approved place? Share with us on Instagram and TikTok @!
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* Consumer search trends identified by comparing “kid-friendly” searches in 2021 and 2023 in the U.S. To compare the volume change of a given search query, we examined the number of times a search query was entered a million times.
** Consumer search trends identified by comparing searches for “family friendly” in 2022 and 2023.
