4 Ideas for Fun Family Time in the USA

Bring the family together with a spin on some of the USA’s most iconic rides. Head to the West Coast to enjoy the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. Take a trip to the top of the solar-powered Pacific Wheel, ride the historic merry-go-round and bask in the ocean breeze. In New York, visit one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world with a guided boat tour of Niagara Falls. These behind-the-scenes jaunts provide thrilling up-close access and unbelievable true stories of the mighty waterfalls. The USA’s Disney Parks offer something for everyone in the family: Experience everything from amazing roller coasters and enchanting shows to gentler experiences for the little ones at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Broaden your horizons on a group vacation that’s just as educational as it is exciting. Discover USA history at the expansive National Mall, then explore the natural world and beyond at the mind-boggling Smithsonian museums, galleries and zoo in the capital city of Washington, D.C. For the adventurers, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is a can’t-miss. Camp under the stars near ancient cliff dwellings and learn more about the ancestral people who created them at the Mesa Verde Museum. Walk the Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota to come face-to-face with larger-than-life sculptures of some of the USA’s most influential presidents.

Bustling metropolises across the USA offer plenty of moments of wonder. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and energy of the theater when you catch beloved musicals, long-running hits and bold new Broadway shows in New York, New York. When you’re ready for more adventure, discover the many unique stops, such as The Franklin Institute, Legoland Discovery Center and the Please Touch Museum, that make Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, legendary for museum-hopping. Witness the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, tour the infamous federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island and board a cable car when sightseeing in San Francisco, California.

If you’re looking for a destination that’ll keep your family active and busy, you’ll find the USA has plenty to choose from. Create new traditions during ski season, which tends to fall from November through April. Indulge at dozens of world-class resorts in incredible destinations like Park City, Utah, and Vail, Colorado. Families with young kids will appreciate the bunny hills of Lake Tahoe, California, while advanced skiers love the terrain of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Traveling with more of a beach crew? From the turquoise waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands to the laid-back vibes in California, there’s a stretch of shore for every group. In the Northeast, visit Ogunquit, Maine, for a charming coastal town that feels like a well-kept secret, or enjoy the nautical allure of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as you slurp down oysters and embark on whale-watching excursions.