* CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE
The best family vacation destinations have free and lower-priced attractions, as well as properties that welcome kids with complimentary, family-friendly amenities.
San Diego, California
California’s sunny San Diego has tons of activities for families, with theme parks, water parks, kid-friendly museums, and 70 miles of beaches. The Go City All-Inclusive Pass can be used for top attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, harbor cruises, and several museums in Balboa Park, providing you with discounts of up to 50 percent per person.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor has plenty of places to go swimming, including the freshwater beach at Echo Lake, which has calm waves that are good for kids. You can also follow signs labeled “The Museum in the Streets” around Bar Harbor to create your own walking tour, or hop on one of the myriad hiking, walking, or cycling trails. At nearby Acadia National Park, a vehicle pass will get the whole family into the park for a day of hiking and views of Maine’s wildlife and wild coast. Once you visit, you’ll see why Maine is considered one of the best places to travel in August.
Winter Park, Colorado
While you might think of Winter Park as a snowy destination, it’s also a great place to visit in the summer, especially if you’re looking to escape the heat. In a single day, families can enjoy hiking, ropes courses, gondola rides, and climbing walls. Buy your day passes early — these provide access to all the activities noted — to secure the best available prices. Snow Mountain Ranch, a YMCA camp about 20 minutes away by car, has one of the only summertime tubing hills in the United States, as well as miniature golf, archery, and a climbing wall to keep everyone busy.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“Kidsburgh” has tons of great activities for families — from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. In the summer, there’s a 10-day Grand Prix with vintage cars and walking tours to help you enjoy the city and get some exercise. You’ll also find economical lunch spots, while the subway line offers free rides around downtown. Consider hiking or biking along the Great Allegheny Passage, which provides a scenic, outdoorsy way to explore the city’s many bridges and tunnels along a 150-mile trail.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
If you and your kids love the water, head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. At properties like The Breakers, guests can enjoy five water slides, several on-property pools, a sunken pirate ship, and a long lazy river. There’s also shuffleboard, a giant chessboard, and cornhole. If your family is into mini-golf, look no further than this seaside town, which boasts over 30 courses.
St. Louis, Missouri
Free attractions in St. Louis include Purina Farms (open April to October), where children can enjoy dog agility shows and animal barnyards, and the Saint Louis Art Museum, which is kid-friendly. Admission to the City Museum, with its 10-story slide, huge ball pit, and 40-foot high Ferris wheel, is available through day passes or memberships. Afterward, stop by Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, known for shakes so thick they can be served upside down.
