For 2026, Brand USA curated 50 family travel experiences for America’s 250th, from Route 66 road trips to museums, parks, and beach escapes.
Released under the America the Beautiful campaign, the roundup focuses on activities designed for multiple generations—think hands-on museums, accessible coastal trails, underground adventures, rodeos, and theme parks—so one family itinerary can hold very different ages and interests.
Brand USA positions the list around a packed travel calendar in 2026, highlighting the United States’ 250th-anniversary events, the Route 66 centennial, FIFA World Cup matches, fan fests and viewing events, plus more than 60 national parks and a wide range of cultural cities.
“There’s never been a better time for families to experience the best of the U.S.,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA. “With once-in-a-generation experiences like America’s 250th anniversary events, epic road trips for Route 66’s centennial and FIFA World Cup matches, fan fests and viewing events, plus more than 60 spectacular national parks, dozens of thrilling theme parks, beach resorts and vibrant cultural cities, the U.S. is the top choice for families in 2026.”
50 family travel experiences, by region
Northeast
1. COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – Boothbay, Maine. This expansive garden, ideal for babies and young kids, has walking trails, a lawn maze, and interactive exhibits in the Alfond Children’s Garden. Expect puppet theater, resident chickens to meet, and picnic space—with on-site restrooms to make logistics easier.
2. OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE – Sturbridge, Massachusetts. A living history village portraying 19th-century New England life, with craftspeople, historic homes, and period demonstrations. Some buildings are wheelchair accessible, though older structures may require assistance.
3. CLARK’S BEARS – Lincoln, New Hampshire. A wildlife-themed park accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, opened in 1928, with shows, train rides, and museums displaying unique historical artifacts such as horse-drawn fire engines.
4. BUDDY PAW SLED DOG KENNEL – Jefferson, New Hampshire. Using wheeled rigs, this family-run kennel offers year-round sled-dog adventures, including “no snow” rides. Kids ages 2+ can meet rescued dogs and join 2- or 5-mile tours.
5. BILLINGS FARM & MUSEUM – Woodstock, Vermont. A working dairy farm and museum with demos and animal interaction for kids. The Visitor Center, barns, exhibits, and restrooms are accessible; the historic farm manager’s house has partial accessibility.
6. BEN AND JERRY’S FACTORY TOUR (AND FLAVOR GRAVEYARD) – Burlington, Vermont. A highlight of the famous ice cream factory visit is the Flavor Graveyard, where tombstones honor dozens of discontinued flavors.
Mid-Atlantic
7. FAMILY HISTORY CENTER – Ellis Island, New York. At the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, the Family History Center lets visitors research ancestors through 65 million records, including passenger lists, ship manifests, and historical databases.
8. NEW VICTORY THEATER – New York, NY. With 30 years of history, this family-focused theater near Broadway presents limited-run plays, circus acts, and global performances, with clear age guidance and occasional free-activity days.
9. AMERICAN DREAM MALL – East Rutherford, New Jersey. At American Dream Mall, Toys “R” Us—the largest toy store in the U.S.—offers a vast selection plus play zones, climbing structures, interactive experiences, and a train ride. Nearby, Nickelodeon Universe is the Western Hemisphere’s largest indoor theme park, with 30+ Nickelodeon-themed attractions across more than 34,000 square meters.
10. NATIONAL AVIARY – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Birds of all sizes in a closed, immersive environment that enables close-up viewing—including sloths on some occasions. Check feeding times.
11. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTIONS – Washington, D.C. All 17 Smithsonian museums in the area, plus the National Zoo, offer free admission—some require timed-entry reservations. Highlights include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Postal Museum, home to one of the world’s largest stamp collections. The Smithsonian Sleepovers program lets kids and chaperones spend the night in a museum.
Midwest
12. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis, Indiana. Spanning five floors, it features a steam locomotive, a historic carousel, dinosaur fossils, theater performances, and science workshops—making it the world’s largest children’s museum, with continually refreshed programming.
13. THE RABBIT HOLE – Kansas City, Missouri. An immersive, children’s-book-inspired space where kids explore fantastical worlds through interactive experiences, playful sets, and creative play areas.
14. CITY MUSEUM – St. Louis, Missouri. A four-story indoor playground built from reclaimed materials, packed with slides, tunnels, climbing structures, and imaginative installations like a treehouse, pinball hall, and the world’s largest pencil.
15. MINNESOTA STATE FAIR – St. Paul, Minnesota. Known as “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” this state fair brings 12 days of livestock competitions, live entertainment, and food stands in a festive, community vibe.
16. WISCONSIN DELLS – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Dubbed the “Water Park Capital of the World,” it gathers multiple indoor and outdoor water parks. Highlights include the largest inflatable water park in the U.S., a 2.7-meter wave pool, the country’s tallest waterslide, and the world’s first rotating waterslide.
17. LOUISVILLE MEGA CAVERN – Louisville, Kentucky. An adventure park set inside a former limestone mine, featuring the world’s only underground zip lines, aerial obstacle courses, and guided tram tours.
South
18. DISNEY WORLD – Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Each of Disney World’s four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom) offers “any height” attractions that work for both younger and older visitors. At Magic Kingdom, for example, It’s a Small World is a colorful boat ride through scenes representing cultures worldwide, while the Disney Railroad provides a gentle, scenic loop through themed lands.
19. WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK – Weeki Wachee, Florida. Famous for live mermaid shows with impressive underwater acrobatics, the park also has picnic areas, kayaking, and river cruises on the crystal-clear Weeki Wachee River.
20. DOROTHEA DIX PARK – Raleigh, North Carolina. In a “park for everyone, built by everyone,” standouts include giant troll sculptures by Thomas Dambo made entirely from recycled materials; a 10,000-square-meter dog park for furry family members; and Gipson Play Plaza—the Southeast’s largest adventure playground, with a 27-meter mega swing, sensory maze, water play, and seemingly endless surprises.
21. GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN – Linville, North Carolina. Visitors can take an elevator to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, stretching 69 meters. Shuttle services further ease access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
22. CLOTILDA: THE EXHIBITION – Mobile, Alabama. In partnership with the History Museum of Mobile, Clotilda: The Exhibition tells the story of the Clotilda—the last known slave ship, which illegally brought 110 enslaved Africans to the United States—and the people connected to that history. Installed at the Africatown Heritage House in the historic Africatown community, it was named by National Geographic as one of the best new U.S. museums to visit in 2023 and serves as a living memorial linking historical events to descendants who carry the legacy.
23. DACHSHUND DERBY – Starkville, Mississippi. Big strides in little time define the award-winning Starkville Dachshund Derby—the world’s largest charitable dachshund race, even though it began only in 2023. Picture 256 “wiener dogs” sprinting over green carpet, steps away from food, art, and a party atmosphere.
24. DOLLYWOOD – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Set in the scenic Smoky Mountains, this theme park with 40 years of history offers 50+ attractions, from little-kid favorites like the Dollywood Express steam train to mid-level coasters such as Dragonflier and Firechaser Express, plus the new NightFlight Expedition geared toward older kids and teens.
25. LARGEST URBAN BAT COLONY IN NORTH AMERICA – Congress Avenue Bridge, Austin, Texas. Every night from mid-March to mid-October, the bridge turns into a natural spectacle as 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats take flight at sunset. In mid-July, about 750,000 pups join in. Kayak and boat tours offer more ways for all ages to watch this intergenerational colony.
26. U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER – Huntsville, Alabama. Often called “the largest space museum on the planet,” it features interactive exhibits, towering rockets, and real space artifacts, including the Saturn V moon rocket. With kid-friendly simulators, immersive planetarium sessions, and Space Camp programs, it’s built for future astronauts—and their families—to dream big.
Southwest
27. HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO – Houston, Texas. One of the world’s largest rodeos, with a kids’ amusement area, livestock demos, a petting zoo, and the crowd favorite Mutton Bustin’, where small children ride sheep.
28. BUC-EE’S (THE WORLD’S LARGEST) – Luling, Texas. The biggest Buc-ee’s location on the planet, with nearly 7,000 square meters dedicated to signature snacks, barbecue, souvenirs, and spotless restrooms—plus the world’s longest car wash, stretching 78 meters.
29. INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER – Albuquerque, New Mexico. A vibrant cultural hub celebrating New Mexico’s Pueblo peoples, with traditional dance performances, rotating exhibitions, interactive cultural programming, and an on-site restaurant serving Indigenous specialties such as fry bread.
30. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM (MIM) – Scottsdale, Arizona. An immersive museum with 4,200+ musical instruments from nearly every country. Interactive headphones and occasional concerts let visitors hear their sounds.
31. SHERATON GRAND AT WILD HORSE PASS – Chandler, Arizona. Owned by the Gila River Indian Community, this luxury resort spotlights Pima and Maricopa cultures, with Indigenous wellness traditions at Aji Spa, cuisine inspired by native ingredients, and cultural programming about the land and its history.
32. NEON MUSEUM – Las Vegas, Nevada. Home to the iconic Neon Boneyard, this outdoor museum preserves 250+ historic Las Vegas signs and glowing symbols from the city’s past—an easygoing visit that especially appeals to older travelers and nostalgia lovers.
33. UNIVERSAL KIDS RESORT – Frisco, Texas. This new, concept-first theme park will feature seven imaginative lands, kid-friendly rides, character meet-and-greets, interactive shows, and sensory gardens, bringing Universal characters and stories to life for the whole family.
Pacific Northwest
34. RED HORSE MOUNTAIN RANCH – Harrison, Idaho. Activities like horseback riding, zip lining, and 3D archery in an all-inclusive setup—unusual for ranches of this kind—make family planning easier.
35. 804 TRAIL – Oregon Coast, Oregon. A fully wheelchair-accessible coastal trail with a paved route and wide ocean views—an example of the state’s inclusive infrastructure.
36. SISTERS RODEO – Sisters, Oregon. Known for a welcoming small-town feel, this classic rodeo celebrates Western heritage with a festive parade and kid-focused programming.
37. APE CAVE – Cougar, Washington. An underground adventure through the longest lava tubes in the continental United States. Explore cool, dark, uneven ground with flashlights or headlamps.
Pacific Coast
38. CIRCUS CENTER – San Francisco, California. A nationally recognized circus school offering classes for kids (ages 6+) and adults in juggling, acrobatics, trapeze, and more, plus student and professional performances.
39. LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART – Los Angeles, California. Scheduled to open in 2026, it aims to present multiple forms of narrative art that highlight the power of storytelling, in a striking building with bright, spacious interiors.
40. SCHULZ MUSEUM – Santa Rosa, California. Explore the work of Charles M. Schulz, creator of Peanuts, through original art, interactive exhibits, and memorabilia, including his original drawing board.
41. SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK – Escondido, California. The newest draw includes the newly opened Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, letting visitors view elephants from multiple angles in an African-style savanna with 300 species of Africa-native plants.
42. DISNEYLAND RESORT – Anaheim, California. The park’s 70th anniversary runs through August 9, 2026, celebrating seven decades as a globally recognized destination for family fun and imagination. Since opening in 1955, the resort has expanded into a multi-park experience with attractions for many traveler profiles.
Mountains
43. DINOSAUR RIDGE – Morrison, Colorado. Considered the country’s top dinosaur tracksite, it features 250+ fossil tracks—including the first named Stegosaurus bones—set against mountain scenery. Guided tours with transportation are available.
44. GARDEN OF THE GODS – Colorado Springs, Colorado. Paved trails and viewpoints showcase dramatic red rock formations in an accessible way for families. Explore by segway, bike, e-bike, jeep, sightseeing bus, or on foot.
45. UTAH OLYMPIC PARK – Park City, Utah. Visit exhibits at the Alf Engen Ski Museum and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. Kids ages 2–8 can climb the Action Tower walls. Thrill seekers can try zip lines, summer tubing, and an alpine slide. Don’t miss the bobsled ride.
46. ALPACAS OF MONTANA – Bozeman, Montana. An interactive rural experience where visitors can meet, feed, hold, and lead alpacas on scenic trails, plus interact with llamas and Anatolian dogs that guard the herd. The farm has an air-conditioned shop—ideal for a sun break. The nearest restroom is a five-minute drive away, so plan ahead.
Beyond the mainland
47. TORO VERDE – Orocovis, Puerto Rico. Zip-line through Puerto Rico’s lush landscapes and try the “ToroBike,” a Guinness record holder for the longest cable bike circuit in the world, featuring a one-of-a-kind 322-meter-high section.
48. POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER – Laʻie, Oʻahu, Hawaii. Experience authentic Polynesian culture across six island villages with interactive activities, music, dance, and traditional storytelling that resonates across generations. A highlight is Huki: A Canoe Celebration, Hawaii’s only water show, with large double canoes gliding on the lagoon to singers and dancers.
49. LATTE STONE PARK – Hagåtña, Guam. Short, easy, mostly flat paths lead visitors past striking Chamorro latte stones—huge stone pillars that once supported traditional homes. On Wednesday nights, a 10–15 minute walk reaches the famed Chamorro Village Night Market.
50. MANAGAHA ISLAND DAY TRIP – Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. A 15-minute boat ride to Managaha Island, where shallow waters ideal for snorkeling, calm seas, and picnic areas make it one of Micronesia’s most family-friendly outings. Most tours depart from the well-known Micro Beach, a central spot with easy access and restrooms.
Service
Guide and planning inspiration (Brand USA / America the Beautiful): https://AmericaTheBeautiful.com/family
Photo: Brand USA
