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Do you love to explore with your kids? Do you ever find yourself asking, what are the fun things to do with kids near me? Trekaroo has a team of writers who have put in hundred of hours exploring and writing all across America. As a result, we have compiled dozens of articles filled with things to do with kids.
We have combed California’s sunny beaches and Maine’s rocky coast. We roamed the deserts of Arizona and Nevada and paddled the lakes of Michigan. We have covered big city attractions and National Park adventures. From the swamp lands of the South to the waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest, here are your top things to do with kids near you!
The Pacific Coast region is incredibly diverse and beautiful. It is filled with unique cities, wild coastline, and varied cultures.
California is Trekaroo’s home state. We love its incredible beauty, diversity and culture. Here, you’ll find towering desert sand dunes and damp rainforest under the canopy of giant redwood trees. From the Pacific coast to the sierra mountain range, you could be surfing one day and skiing the next. Explore from Los Angeles to San Francisco. We have the local scoop on the best things to do with kids in our backyard.
Believe it or not, families can experience nearly any climate and terrain within Oregon’s borders. Want a beach vacation? Oregon’s got it. Feel like camping in the mountains? Sure! Interested in a cultural city stay, a farm tour, or a desert excursion? Oregon has all of that, too.
Many families know Washington for its rainy climate evergreen trees. But the state actually has a varied climate and tons of things to do with kids! From Seattle to Spokane, we cover it all.
With over 33,000 miles of coastline and a land area twice the size of Texas, there is much more to explore than just one visit to Alaska can cover. Families will find a little something for everyone, from history buffs to fishermen, and from skiers to hikers.
There is no other state in the nation quite like Hawaii. Our 50th state is truly one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, with dramatic geography dominated by volcanoes, palm trees, and pristine beaches. Experiencing Hawaii happens as much in her waters as it does on land.
Part of the original 13 colonies, the states of New England are filled with history and charm. There are many things to do with kids, from the big city of Boston to the lakes of New Hampshire.
Lighthouses, lobster, and outdoorsy living are the first things that come to mind for many when they think about Maine. The state’s offerings include scenic sandy beaches, mountains that are a skier’s dream, and lush woodsy hiking areas where it is not uncommon to spot a moose.
Picturesque and quaint, Vermont’s tiny towns of clapboard Colonial homes, church steeples and pristine country side oozes with New England charm. The state is filled with unspoiled scenery, most of it either lush forest or pristine countryside dotted with farms.
Variety is the spice of life. From the White Mountains to the Lakes Region and the shore, New Hampshire has plenty for adventure-seeking or a relaxation-minded families to enjoy.
Historically and culturally significant, traveling in Massachusetts can be like making your way through a living history book. Names like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, as well as places like Plymouth and Bunker Hill attract families from across the county .
At just over 1200 square miles, Little Rhody may be the smallest state in the USA, but it packs in a bunch of family fun and entertainment. The northern part of Rhode Island is rich with history while the southern area, with over 400 miles of shoreline, claims some great beach and water activities.
Connecticut, the Constitution State, is rich in history and landscape. The state abuts the Atlantic Ocean offering a home to some great seaside towns. From Fairfield County’s Gold Coast to the farmlands of the west, you are never very far from history, action, and culture.
The Mid-Atlantic is home to the biggest city in the country and small Amish communities. It’s an American history class come alive but also offers lots of lighter fun things to do with kids.
The beating heart of modern business and culture may be rooted in New York City, but the rest of the state cradles the Big Apple’s metropolitan onslaught with classic Americana. Sweeping beauty, majestic mountains, Olympic spirit, and early American history is preserved in the Empire State for all to enjoy.
Whether you are looking for a mountain escape, city living, a beach-front getaway, or country living, you’ll find it in New Jersey. From the Jersey Shore to the farmlands of the Garden State, family fun is around the corner!
The Keystone State got its nickname from being in the middle of the original 13 colonies, thus holding the colonies together like a keystone. Today, Pennsylvania is the keystone of family vacations, from big cities like Philly to the chocolate splendor of Hershey.
Delaware may be among our smallest of states, but you can still find big fun for your family. It has the honor of being known as the First State and hosts beautiful beaches, natural settings, museums, and history.
Just outside of Washington, D.C. lies open farmlands, bustling harbor cities, miles of beautiful shoreline along Chesapeake Bay, and hundreds of family-friendly activities. Maryland may be small in size, but it is large in adventures that will delight kids and parents.
Wondering what to with kids in the South? This diverse region is home to cosmopolitan attractions in Atlanta, rural landscapes, and the largest cave system in the world!
“Virginia is for Lovers.” Simply put, whatever you love to do, you’ll find it in Virginia. The Old Dominion offers quirky roadside wonders, cool places for kids, miles of beaches, unspoiled wilderness, soaring mountains, and some of the oldest towns in North America.
West Virginia offers a plethora of “Wild and Wonderful” activities for its visitors. Nicknamed the “Mountain State”, West Virginia’s rugged terrain was formed by the Appalachian Mountains. There is endless outdoor fun for families to enjoy.
Kentucky can’t wait to roll out bluegrass covered hills and Southern hospitality to welcome you to their state. Among the big cities and the charming small towns, you will find outdoor adventures, history, museums, and horses.
From the birthplace of rock and roll to the land of the Great Smokies, Tennessee is a travel utopia for families who desire music knowledge, a living history lesson, outdoor adventures, and nature experiences.
North Carolina boasts an endless array of breathtaking beaches, charming small towns, and historic sites that stretch back to the our nation’s earliest days. The Tar Heel State has more things to do with kids than you will ever have time to enjoy.
The words “smiling places and beautiful places” emblazon South Carolina license plates. This tagline aptly describes South Carolina, a state that is deeply rooted in tradition, American history, southern charm, hospitality, and beautiful scenery.
Mountains, coastline, lakes, and swamps beckon families to this destination in Dixie. Visit Atlanta, the metropolis of the South. Whatever your family’s flavor of fun, you are bound to find it in Georgia among the peanuts and peaches.
The Midwest is America’s heartland. It is filled with farmland, big cities, and lots of things to do with kids!
From theme parks and racetracks, to hall of fame museums and Amish Country, Ohio offers a stunning array of adventures for families to enjoy.
Deep Hoosier love runs through the hearts of the Crossroads of America. Ride a speedboat on a beautiful lake or step over the brickyard of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana.
Illinois may be named the Prairie State, but in actuality it is a wonderland of diversity from the bustling city of Chicago, to the stretches of prairie and farmland in central Illinois, to the wooded hills to the south. Illinois offers a plethora of family-friendly activities.
Both locals and visitors appreciate Michigan‘s claim to fame as a water wonderland. Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes providing the longest freshwater coastline in the nation, and boasts over 11,000 inland lakes.
Wisconsin is the quintessential Midwestern state. With shoreline on two of the Great Lakes, some pretty rocking metropolitan areas, a water park bonanza, and a legacy of farming and agriculture, Wisconsin offers a medley of attractions for families to enjoy.
North Dakota invites visitors to “Arrive a Guest. Leave a Legend.” Legends exist in the stories passed down from generations of Northern Great Plains Indians. They exist in the biography of Theodore Roosevelt who discovered that the Badlands of North Dakota strengthens ones character. See the legendary state for yourself!
South Dakota is rich in history while boasting beautiful wide open whispering prairies, stunning jutting mountains, crystal clear lakes and lazy windy rivers. The population of the entire state is on par with the city of San Francisco, so there is lots of land for roaming and exploring.
Nebraska is sectioned by the 100th meridian, that invisible line dividing the dry western half of the US and the wetter eastern portion. As in the frontier days, a majority of Nebraskans live in the eastern half of the state. Out in the west, bison and cattle roam vast open spaces and yucca-capped buttes remain untouched by modern development.
“There’s no place like home,” said Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Kansas gives you that good-to-be-home-feeling whether you live here or not.
When most people think about Minnesota, snow, hotdish, and nice folks come to mind. Minnesota is also full of pristine lakes, full-service resorts, people who’ve made history, and lots of wild spaces.
Though Iowa is a rural state where pigs outnumber people and corn grows tall, visitors are surprised by the unique opportunities to be found across the state.
After visiting the Show Me State, kids will be squealing and smiling as they beg, “Show Me more, Mom and Dad!” From the Gateway Arch to the the legendary barbecue of Kansas City, Missouri is filled with things to get excited about.
The Mountain region is one of the most beautiful and untamed sections of the United States. Outdoorsy families will find it to be pure paradise while urban enthusiasts will love big cities like Denver and Salt Lake City.
Life is elevated in Utah. Diverse geology has shaped the land and rich history has shaped the culture. Here families can experience world class ski resorts, five national parks, and historical sites which celebrate cultures that are persevered in Utah’s rugged desolation.
The Centennial State is so rich in natural beauty and diversity. It’s inpsiring mountains beg you to get outdoors to explore by foot, bike, kayak, or skis. No matter what season of the year you visit Colorado, you are sure to find an amazing adventure.
Our 43rd state has much more to offer families than a yummy potato bar. Idaho is home to the deepest river gorge in the United States, Hell’s Canyon on the Snake River, and its Shoshone Falls are actually higher than New York’s infamous Niagara Falls.
Everything in Montana is big. Big mountains, big sky, big lakes, and big fun for families. From the great prairies of the east to the steep Rocky Mountains of the west, there is a vast diversity in activities.
Wyoming is filled with natural wonders, wide-open spaces, and outdoor adventure for families. It is a great pick for a family road trip. Inspire kids studying Native American and Pioneer history.
The Southwest conjures up the classic images international travelers daydream about when they image a trip to the United States. From the wide open spaces of Texas to the bright lights of Las Vegas, the sprawling Southwest is begging to be explored.
Most people who have never been to Arizona probably only know it for two things- cacti and the Grand Canyon. While both of these things are central to Arizona’s identity, the state offers so much more to families looking to explore.
New Mexico is the “Land of Enchantment”, and it has been doing just that for generations. Native American and Mexican influences are everywhere, resulting in distinct culture, architecture, and a wonderful food scene.
Beyond the glitz and glam of Sin City, a visit to Nevada can feel like stepping into a Western movie. When traveling in Nevada, it’s normal to drive 50-100 miles between towns outside of the major metro areas of Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City.
When you think of Texas, think big! Big state, big scenery, big art galleries, big belt buckles, and big fun for families! From Big Tex to big canyons, Texas is a mecca for family fun in a BIG way.
Oklahoma is a state where diverse landscapes and rich cultures beckon visitors to explore and enjoy. From Bricktown in Oklahoma City to the wide open spaces that dominate the state, families will enjoy exploring American’s heartland.
The Gulf Coast is home to some of the so beautiful stretches of white sand beaches in the United States.
Smooth Jazz, rhythmic Cajun and Zydeco music, and superstitious folklore await you in Lousinana. Renouned for it’s spicy creole fare borrowing from French, Spanish, Caribbean, and African influences, you’ll want to come here hungry. From Bourbon Street in New Orleans to the bayou, we’re sure you’ll be back for more.
Arkansas, officially known as the “Natural State,” will fill the tanks of history buffs, outdoor addicts, and the lovers of true Americana. The 25th state is the birthplace of Wal-Mart and former President Bill Clinton. It is also the only place in the world where you can dig for diamonds and keep what you find!
Mississippi is the state with the name that every American school child loves to spell in a chanting voice. The state of Mississippi has more than just a great name, it’s a place full of natural wonders, city fun, and lots of history for families to explore.
Alabama is rich in sites that document the trials and triumphs of our past and offer an unparalleled look at momentous events that have defined our nation. The state is a historic adventure waiting for your family, from Civil War battlefields to the Civil Rights Movement. There are stories to be told all across the Heart of Dixie.
Since the early 1500’s, explorers of all ages have come to Florida seeking their own version of the fountain of youth. Whether on the white sand beaches or in a Magic Kingdom, families can find their treasures – vacations packed with priceless memories.
Lead image by: Bigstock/jimglab
