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If you’re planning on a family vacation, one of the best options is to take a road trip. Packing your suitcases and piling into a family van or SUV is a time-honored tradition that dates back to the early frontier days and the Oregon Trail. Fortunately, you and your little ones will have plenty more amenities and luxuries during your trip.
We’ve compiled a list of the top eight ideas for a road trip for family members. We’re starting on the west coast and working our way east, so join us for the ride!
Seattle to Northern California
The Pacific Northwest is an excellent place to start because it has so much gorgeous scenery and greenery. The Seattle area is so picturesque because it sits along the Puget Sound, giving it a stunning backdrop that few other major cities have. As you make your way down to California, you’ll pass tons of natural wonders and funky attractions.
Miles Traveled: 846
Days: 3 to 6
Seattle
Highlights: Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPoP)
Since Seattle is such a sprawling cityscape, it’s hard to know where to begin. As the first stop on your family road trip, you should hit all of the major sights like hikes, museums, and much more. Starting with the Pike Place Market. You might be familiar with the fish-tossers, but the market has tons of vendors selling a wide array of foods, gifts, and other trinkets.
If you’re not afraid of heights, you can head over to the Space Needle and have lunch or dinner in the revolving restaurant. It takes about 47 minutes to make a full pass, and you can’t beat the views of the city. Seattle is a great starting or ending point for any ultimate western road trip.
For pop-culture lovers, the Museum of Pop Culture is a delight. The place is packed with tons of relics of the recent past, including exhibits celebrating Nirvana, superheroes (and villains), and horror films. MoPoP was formerly called the Experience Music Project (EMP), but has since branched out into film, TV, and other pop-culture staples.
Portland
Highlights: Portland Spirit, Japanese Garden, Saturday Market
One notable natural landmark is the Willamette River that cuts right through the city. If you want to experience the river up-close, we recommend booking a ride on the Portland Spirit. This boat will take you out for a three-hour tour and show you the city from a new perspective.
Once you’re finished with your tour, you can head over to the west side of the river to the Saturday Market. This place is not quite as sprawling and jam-packed as Pike Place, but it’s an excellent spot to see local artisans and food vendors in action. Despite its name, the market is open all weekend, not just on Saturdays.
For nature-lovers, the Japanese Garden and the Portland Rose Garden are stunning natural landscapes. If you want one of the best views of downtown, the Rose Garden is pretty hard to beat. While you’re in the area, you can also visit the Oregon Zoo.
Crater Lake National Park
If you want to visit one of Oregon’s natural wonders, Crater Lake is hard to beat. This ancient volcano offers some of the bluest waters in the country, and the views from the top of the crater are impressive and jaw-dropping.
You can swim in the lake, but be prepared to be cold. No matter the time of year, the water is practically freezing. After swimming, you can explore and hike the rest of the state park.
San Francisco
Highlights: Walt Disney Family Museum, Pier 39, Children’s Creativity Museum
California is such a big state that the Northern and Southern halves might as well be from different countries. San Francisco is jam-packed with family-friendly things to do, like the Walt Disney Musem, the Exploratorium, and the Children’s Creativity Museum.
You should also pop over to Pier 39, where you can see the world-famous Alcatraz prison. You can also grab a bite to eat at one of the many food vendors along the pier. Be aware, though, that parking is a challenge throughout the city, so plan accordingly.
Santa Barbara to San Diego
If you’re going to visit Southern California, you need to experience a lot more than just Los Angeles. Santa Barbara is a fantastic starting point because it has some high-quality beaches and you get to see some stunning Spanish colonial architecture. Plus, driving down the Pacific Highway is a delight that all families should experience at least once.
Miles Traveled: 154
Days: 2 to 3
Santa Barbara
Highlights: Museum of Natural History, Whale Watching, Shipwreck Playground
If you’re familiar with the TV show Psych, you know that it took place in Santa Barbara. This city is remarkable for its Spanish colonial architecture and laid-back beach vibe. Compared to Los Angeles, this place is quintessentially California without the crowds of tourists.
The Museum of Natural History is a great place to learn about animals, and you can also visit the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf. Then, after learning about whales and other sea life, you can head out on a boat to see the magnificent creatures up close.
If you’re traveling with little children, Shipwreck Playground is a very kid-friendly spot. It has tons of activities and opportunities for your little ones to make friends. Plus, the playground is on the beach, so you can all play in the waves as well.
Los Angeles
Highlights: Theme Parks, Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Boulevard
If you’re taking a family road trip to L.A., you have to visit one of SoCal’s numerous theme parks. Fortunately, there are quite a few to choose from, including Walt Disneyland (and California Adventure), Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Universal Studios. If you’re planning on staying in L.A. for a few nights, you can try to visit them all (as long as your wallet says yes).
Los Angeles is also home to tons of great food and other attractions like Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica Pier, and various beaches. There’s always something to do in the City of Angels.
San Diego
Highlights: San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, South Mission Beach
Much like Santa Barbara, San Diego is another quintessentially Californian place without the crowds or the sprawling urban landscape. The scenery here is a bit nicer, and you can visit many family-friendly attractions.
One of the best places to visit is the San Diego Zoo, which is one of the largest in the country. Balboa Park is a great place for the kids to burn off some steam, and South Mission Beach is a paradise of sand and surf. However, there are many San Diego beaches that can call your name, so take your pick and head out.
Route 66 Road Trip
This is the mother of all road trips, so you better be prepared. That said, if you can’t make the entire route, that’s okay. Overall, if you want to hit all the sites and drive every mile, the trip will take about three weeks to complete.
Most people start their Route 66 journey in Chicago and end up in Santa Monica, but you can do the reverse if that’s more convenient.
Miles Traveled: 2,400+
Days: One to Three Weeks
Chicago, Illinois
Highlights: Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, Legoland Discovery Center
As a bustling urban metropolis, there are so many things to do in Chicago that the list is seemingly endless. For example, whatever your interests may be, there’s a museum for that. You can go to the sports museum, children’s museum, dinosaur museum – there are tons of options. However, if your kids love animals, you can’t beat the Lincoln Park Zoo.
For outdoor activities, Navy Pier is an excellent choice for food and rides, including the historic Ferris Wheel. You can also take your kids on bike paths throughout the city to help them get some exercise and sunshine.
Although there are no big theme parks in Chicago, you can take the little ones to the Legoland Discovery Center, where they can play with all things Lego-related.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Highlights: Myriad Botanical Gardens, Brickopolis, Frontier City
As you drive along Route 66, you’ll likely have to make a couple of stops between Chicago and Oklahoma City (i.e., St. Louis or Kansas City). However, once you reach this location, you can explore plenty of kid-friendly attractions, such as the Myriad Botanical Gardens, which are open all year round, thanks to the indoor garden areas.
OKC also has an official theme park called Frontier City, and during the summer, you and the kids might want to cool off at the Hurricane Harbor Water Park. Frontier City has over 50 rides and attractions, four of which are certified roller coasters.
Brickopolis is a good choice for little kids, as it offers games and various activities. You can participate in laser tag, racing games, and mini-golf. Brickopolis has three levels of entertainment for all ages.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Highlights: Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, Santa Fe Children’s Museum, Santa Fe Climbing Center
Santa Fe is a nature lover’s paradise, provided that you prefer hot and dry climates. Your little ones will have plenty of opportunities to run around and burn off some extra energy. You can start your visit at the Climbing Center, where kids and adults alike can test their mettle against the rock walls. Next, you can grab a bite to eat at the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market, where there are tons of stands serving traditional Southwest fare.
There are a few museums in the city, but the most kid-friendly option is the Children’s Museum, where your rascals can participate in arts and crafts while learning about the world around them.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Highlights: Hershey’s Chocolate World, Shark Reef Aquarium, The Adventuredome
Typically, Las Vegas is known for being Sin City, meaning that it works best for adults, not children. However, with so many tourists flocking to the city every year, there’s always something for visitors of all ages.
Kids will love indulging their sweet tooth at Hershey’s Chocolate World (inside New York, New York) which offers more than 800 varieties of candy and sweets. If that’s not enough, you can head over to the M&M’s store, which has three levels of pure, unadulterated chocolate fun.
For activities, you can check out the scene at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. As the name implies, there are quite a few sharks circling the reef, so everyone will enjoy seeing them.
Finally, you can catch some awesome circus acts at Circus, Circus, and you can ride some rides at the Adventuredome. This place has tons of attractions, including a midway, arcade games, mini-golf, and roller coasters!
Los Angeles, California
Highlights: Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park, Theme Parks
If you really want to go all the way to the end of Route 66, you need to head over to Santa Monica. The pier has some great restaurants, and you can ride roller coasters at Pacific Park. If the beach doesn’t appeal to you, be sure to check out one of L.A.’s many theme parks, from Universal Studios to Disneyland.
Florida Road Trip
As with California, Florida has tons of family-friendly road trip destinations. Best of all, the state is much smaller than California, so you can go from one end to the other in a lot less time. This road trip can be as short or as long as you want, depending on how many days you plan on spending in Orlando and the Keys. Realistically, you can hit all the spots in a couple of days, but what’s the fun in that?
Miles Traveled: 441
Days: 2-5
Orlando
Highlights: Theme Parks, Mini Golf, Medieval Times
Orlando is pretty much the capital of family-friendly entertainment, with Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World all next to each other. However, if you want to save some money, you can find plenty of other, more affordable attractions within the city limits.
One excellent option is mini-golf, thanks to the abundance of courses in and around Orlando. You can choose from Congo River, Pirate’s Island, Hawaiian Rumble, or several other chains in the city. Each one offers stunning courses that are sure to keep your little ones entertained.
If you want dinner and a show, you can’t do much better than Medieval Times, which takes you back to an era of knights and jousting. Cheer for your knight to win the grand championship and get their autograph afterward!
Cape Canaveral – Kennedy Space Center
If you’re interested in space travel, the NASA Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral is a must-visit. Here you can learn about the history of U.S. space exploration, as well as see the old shuttle up-close. Spoiler alert: it’s much bigger than you could imagine. This stop will take a couple of hours to complete, so plan accordingly.
Miami / Fort Lauderdale
Highlights: Airboat Tours, Seaquarium, Thriller Speedboat Adventures
As with Las Vegas, Miami is often seen as a hangout for adults. However, the city does have some excellent family-friendly options as well. If you love the water, we highly recommend taking a speedboat tour. You’ll see the Miami skyline like you’ve never experienced it.
Speaking of boat tours, you can book a trip to the Everglades. Since Florida is a hotbed of gator activity, these tours allow you to get up-close and personal with these dangerous critters.
Rounding out your water-themed adventure is the Seaquarium, which is situated on the edge of Virginia Key island. There, you can meet dolphins and other sea creatures and learn about how they live in the wild.
Florida Keys
Highlights: Key West, Beaches, The Turtle Hospital
If you’re going to visit the Florida Keys, you need to head all the way to Key West. This island chain is unlike any other in the world, and it offers some stunning views and beachside attractions.
There are quite a few things to do in Key West, such as the Shipwreck Museum, the Butterfly Conservatory, and the Conch Tour Train. On your way there (or back, you can stop at some incredible beaches, such as Anne’s Beach in Islamorada, or John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. As far as culinary adventures, be sure to sample some stone crab and key lime pie along the way.
If your kids want to see some sea turtles up close, the best place is at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon. This hospital rescues and rehabilitates these gentle giants (they’re huge!) until they’re ready to go back into the ocean.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Some road trips are designed to explore new cities and attractions, while others help you and your family reconnect with nature. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the latter, as it takes you through some incredible scenery between North Carolina and Virginia.
Although you can make the entire trip in a day, you’ll likely want to camp overnight at one or more of the national parks along the route. This way, you can get to experience the majesty of these natural areas up close.
Miles Traveled: 469
Days: 2-7
Shenandoah National Park
Highlights: Skyline Drive, Dark Hollow Falls, Stony Man
Since you’re on a road trip, you might as well take your car along Skyline Drive. This 105-mile route will show you the best views of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Best of all, you can stop at various spots along the way to take in the scenery and snap a few pictures.
If you’re more inclined to hike, Dark Hollow Falls is another top spot, and you don’t need to be in excellent shape to make the entire route. Another relatively easy hike is the Stony Man, which offers some gorgeous vistas of the park and the surrounding countryside.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Highlights: Roaring Fork Nature Trail, Clingmans Dome, Abrams Fall Trail
The Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the entire country. We highly recommend camping for at least two nights if you want to experience the awesomeness of this location.
During your stay, you can partake in numerous hikes, such as the Roaring Fork Nature Trail, which runs for about six miles. Clingman’s Dome is another highlight since it’s the tallest point in the park (and in Tennessee!). There are a few waterfalls in the park, but one of our favorites is Abrams Falls. All of these hikes are relatively short, making them ideal for children.
Asheville, North Carolina
Highlights: Asheville Pinball Museum, Biltmore Estate, The Adventure Center
Once you reach the end of the Parkway in Asheville, you can trade the tents and campfires for something a bit more modern. Asheville is a nature-loving city, so you can explore all the green spaces that it has to offer. For the kids, some highlights include the Pinball Museum and the Adventure Center, which has a rope course and zip-lining.
If you’re into opulence, you can take a tour of the largest home in the United States, the Biltmore Estate. Marvel at the home’s 250+ rooms and envision how you would spend your time there. With so much space, you could never see your family again!
