Amazing U.S. Attractions to Visit with Kids

Tim Ponisciak:  Though small, this is a fantastic museum and store for sporting fans, and a great place if you have a half day to spare. Admittance gains you access to take the tour of the factory, where you can actually see the workers making bats for Major League Baseball players (there is a sign telling you whose bat they are currently making). The museum highlight is getting to hold a bat that was used by a major league baseball star. The choices rotate but in the past have included players like Cal Ripken, Jr., Tony Gwynn and Dick Allen.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The WonderWorks Museum, famous for their upside-down buildings, has a few U.S. locations to enjoy on your next family road trip. These are especially unique places to visit with kids in the Smoky Mountains or even when discovering Orlando with kids beyond Disney. The Museums are educational entertainment experiences with over 100 hands-on and interactive science-related exhibits such as Space, Natural Disaster, Light and Sound, Imagination Lab and Physical Challenge Zone. They also feature laser tag, 4D rides, indoor rope climbing, magic and comedy shows and more fun for the entire family.

Kristy Pepping:  Mammoth Caves is a series of over 400 miles of caves. It's known as "the world's longest known cave system." If you are planning to stay in the area, there is a hotel inside the park, as well as camping. For food options, there are restaurants onsite and picnic tables if you plan to pack a lunch. Of course there are some great tours of the caves. But there are also bikes to rent, fishing, hiking trails, horseback riding and more.

Tim Ponisciak:  Located close to the University of Virginia, Monticello is a beautiful property and is maintained to look as it did when Thomas Jefferson lived there. You can tour the house, the gardens and the plantation. There are also tours designed especially for families with children ages 5 to 11 that feature kid-friendly facts and interests.

Navy Pier offers restaurants, entertainment, a children's museum, and a friendly venue for year-round special events. You'll also find a quick swing ride, spinning tea cups, a carousel, a drop tower, and more. The 200-foot Centennial Wheel is available year-round (weather permitting). The enclosed gondolas offer 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. This iconic ride is a 'must-do adventure' for local and tourist families alike.

Kristy Pepping:  "3,160 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls every second!" Why? Niagara Falls is where four of the Great Lakes meet the Niagara River Gorge. This is a world-wide destination close to home!

You can view the Falls from both the American side and the Canadian side, and there are similar family-oriented attractions (e.g., boat tours) that both sides offer. However, passports are required to physically cross either border. Some consider the Canadian side to be more exciting, given the abundance of restaurants, amusement centers and Midway, as well as a wider-angle view of the Falls.

Tim Ponisciak:  If you're taking a road trip and travelling by Philadelphia or Washington, DC with kids, take a detour to Gettysburg, about an hour from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You and your family will step foot on hallowed ground and have a chance to learn quite a bit about one of the most pivotal battles fought in any war. *Some tours and attractions may include a fee.

Kristy Pepping:  If you are in DC with kids, a must is a tour of the White House. Anyone can take photos in front of the gate of the White House. But for a more personal experience, you can request free tours in advance.

Tim Ponisciak:  This is widely considered to be one of the best, most all-encompassing museums for the U.S.A. Your kids can learn about the founding of the nation, can see examples of advertising and product marketing, can hear old music and can learn about some of the harsher times faced by many Americans through the years. Truly experiencing this museum will take at least a day.

Cost: free!

Tim Ponisciak:  The Air and Space Museum is the best place to visit to learn about some of the most monumental moments in American history. You can see various objects related to the lunar landing missions, a reproduction of the Wright brothers flyer and the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane that Charles Lindbergh flew on the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight. Kids will love being able to go inside some of the exhibits of older planes!

Cost: Like all the Smithsonian museums, it is free to attend!

christadiserio:  The U.S. Capitol is one of the most historic, important, & architecturally fascinating buildings in the USA. Everyone in your family should have a chance to visit. The Capitol is home to our nation's lawmakers, where decisions made affect our day-to-day lives. The kids will remember this trip when they're sitting in their U.S. Government class or running for office themselves. Tours are great for the kids to experience a real-life government lesson & should be booked in advance via the proper avenue (details online).

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Strong, a leading U.S. Museum serving families, features 100,000 square feet of interactive, educational and fun exhibit space for ultimate play during your Road Trip upstate NY with kids. They have permanent and short-term exhibits based on Arts and Sciences, Transportation, Dance, Pinball, Wegmans Super Kids Market, Imaginative and Pretend Play, Sesame Street, and much more. Check their Calendar for special events, too! Tip: Check out their Trip Tips!

Yoli B:  The Corning Museum of Glass preserves and displays art and historical glass. When you visit, you’ll see more than 3,500 years of history in the Glass Collection Galleries. Glass blowing artists perform several times a day and one lucky audience member can win a unique sculpture at each show. This place is definitely worth the visit with kids.

Kristy Pepping:  General admission to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center includes access to historic Shuttle Park, Rocket Park and all indoor exhibit areas like the main museum atrium and the Davidson Center for Space Exploration. You can also take guided tours of the Saturn V Hall, featured traveling exhibitions, hands-on demonstrations and presentations, museum simulators, planetarium, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Space Camp.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Take your family and step back in time to 18th Century America in historic Colonial Williamsburg, VA. There are unlimited attractions including museums, tours, recreation, performances, military activities, shops and more. Special events and seasonal activities will make your visit unique and fun.

Additional local towns offering historic family fun are Jamestown and Yorktown.

The fun continues with Busch Gardens and Water Country USA! There is something for everyone in Williamsburg!