Best Family Vacation Spots for Your Next Getaway

Don't overlook Columbus for a family vacation that offers culture, delicious food, and plenty of outdoor fun! Browse the kid-friendly Columbus Museum of Art, check out the animals at the Columbus Zoo (one of the best in the country), and sample a huge variety of local food vendors at North Market.

Be sure to check out our full list of Things to Do With Kids in Columbus - Top Picks.

Spark1:  Great small town getaway that is great for kids and parents. If you go during Fourth of July week, there are lots of outdoor festivals and events. Best part is, it is nowhere near as crowded as the Chicagoland area. Howard Park, the zoo, and lots of new playgrounds were great outdoor activities for the kids. Zen Cafe was a frequent stop for parents to get energy for the day.

This charming Lake Michigan beach town is a favorite family destination. Soak up the sun at kid-friendly Silver Beach, take a spin on the nearby carousel, and spend a rainy afternoon at the Curious Kids' Museum.

Find more parent-curated suggestions on our round-up of things to do with kids in Saint Joseph, MI!

Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Dollywood are the musts in this family-favorite vacation spot, but there's plenty more to keep you busy! Soar through the trees on the single or double-rider Moonshine Mountain Coaster, and get up-close with sharks on the motorized walkway running through the underwater tunnel at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Use our guide of the best things to do with kids in Gatlinburg to help plan an unforgettable trip.

One of the best family vacation spots for a taste of the big city, there's a lot for kids in Chicago. Check out the dinosaurs at the Field Museum, catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, explore the absolutely epic play areas at Maggie Daley Park, and sample some amazing food - there's more than just pizza here!

For more inspiration, take a look at our recommendations on Things to Do With Kids in Chicago - The Ultimate Guide.

Sitting on Grand Traverse Bay off Lake Michigan, Traverse City is known for its cherries and fabulous beaches. Things to do in Traverse City with kids include visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Great Lakes Children's Museum, and Traverse Tall Ship Company sail excursions. Don't miss the annual Cherry Festival if you can!

Before you go, see more recommendations for things to do with kids in Traverse City to help plan your stay.

Sarah Calamita:  This is one of the best weekend trips you can make! The museums are all free, amazing farmer's markets, take a stroll down the Mall, see the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the White House, National Harbor and the restaurants. Don't forget to check out Old Town in Alexandria (cute shops, restaurants, harbor) and Georgetown (Georgetown cupcakes!)

Spend a family trip to Door County exploring the area's quaint waterfront towns and getting your fill of kid-friendly mini golf, water activities, animal farms, and restaurants with outdoor fun for kids. Make sure to check out the goats grazing on the roof of Al Johnson's Swedish restaurant, and the unique smooth limestone rocks lining Schoolhouse Beach.

Check out more things to do with kids in Door County on our dynamic list!

Wisconsin Dells is like a vast playground for families, with indoor and outdoor amusement parks and the epic waterpark resorts that earned its title of "The Waterpark Capital of the World." There's plenty to do in between splash sessions: spot exotic animals at Timbavati Wildlife Park, catch a lumberjack show, and have your meal delivered by train at Buffalo Phil's.

Be sure to check out all our other recommendations for things to do with kids in Wisconsin Dells, too.

Sarah Calamita:  This city is amazing for its southern food (Husk!), brunch (Millers All Day), great coffee, sightseeing, shopping (King Street), Rainbow Row, walk the Ravenel bridge to Shem Creek (eat at Tavern and Table), Pineapple Fountain, visit a plantation and strolling through the cute neighborhoods. I love to stay at the beach (Isle of Palms is a short drive!) and then day trip to Charleston. Or vice versa! But make sure to see the beach :)

Undoubtedly one of the best family vacation spots for kids studying American history, you won't want to miss Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and many more historically significant sites. Kids will love the Please Touch Museum, one of the nation's best interactive museums. Just make sure to leave room in your itinerary for sampling all...the...cheesesteaks.

Southern charm, historical elegance and a plethora of activities combine to make Savannah a lovely vacation spot for families. Wander the large exploratory maze at the Savannah Children's Museum, and enjoy the shaded playground and splash pad at Forsyth Park. Tybee Island is a short drive from downtown, where families can enjoy a day at the beach, take a dolphin tour, and visit the Tybee Island Marine Center.

You and the family will make memories for a lifetime in New York City. Take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, catch a show on Broadway, visit the Empire State Building, take a stroll through Central Park, take in the views from the High Line, and make your way to Chinatown and Little Italy. And the food - you'll find any cuisine you've ever dreamed of here. Be sure to check out our full list of parent recommendations for Things to Do With Kids in New York City.

Kelly R:  Disney World is undoubtedly one of the best vacation spots for families, but there's a whole lot more to do around Orlando, too! Explore Universal Orlando with your Harry Potter fans, spot manatees in the wild at Blue Spring State Park, and make a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center.

Amanda Banta:  My family did a small vacation in the mid-Cape area for three consecutive summers and each one was so much fun. We live less than 90 minutes away but it felt like another world. There is so much to do on Cape and it could not be more kid-friendly.