1. Virginia Beach, VA
With three lovely sandy beaches and a three-mile long boardwalk, I found plenty to do in Virginia Beach.
This charming coastal Virginia town on the point where Atlantic Ocean spills into the Chesapeake Bay is also famous as the spot where the Jamestown colonists first came from England. I always enjoy a visit to First Landing State Park that commemorates this important 1607 event.
For those that love animals, the best way to see dolphins frolicking is from a kayak – they will swim right next to you.
If you don't feel like going out on the water, take your kids to meet sharks, rays, turtles, and other animals that live in the Virginia waters at the fascinating Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.
For even more excitement, take the kids on one of the adrenaline-pumping rides at the 15th street amusement park just off the boardwalk.
2. Amarillo, TX
Amarillo is a great place to take the family to get a taste of the real Texas. Take the kids to visit. the River Breaks Ranch and see how real cowboys live and then visit Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian to learn about their lifestyles in a building that looks like an old Indian pueblo.
With Elkins Ranch Jeep Tours, you can enjoy the magnificent views of the Palo Duro Canyon.
While exploring the Palo Duro Canyon State Park on your Texas weekend getaway, check the Old West Stables and let the kids ride on horseback where cowboys and Indians once roamed. Let kids tinker and explore at the Don Harrington Discovery Center or visit wild animals at the large 15-acre Amarillo Zoo in Amarillo.
3. Asbury Park, NJ
Asbury Park is a historic Jersey Shore town with the best beaches in the area, miles of fine sand, blue sea, great surf, and never-ending fun. Nearly everything in Asbury Park revolves around the oceanfront. Visit the popular Asbury 18 Oceanfront mini golf course and Asbury Splash Park, with giant watering cans and the famous Tipping Tea Cup.
Silverball Museum Arcade has almost200 games from the 1950s classics to today's latest.
There are pinball games, Skee Ball, air hockey, and many others. Don’t miss the 171-foot high Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey's tallest, built in 1857. Battleship New Jersey, one of the most famous U.S. Navy battleships in history, is now a floating museum on the Camden Waterfront.
4. Hood River, OR
A small town at the crossroads of the Cascade Range and the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River is surrounded by magnificent nature. It is perfect for scenic hiking and mountain biking and has become famous for its windsurfing. Hood River Waterfront Park is heaven for kids with a playground, amphitheater, and lovely sandy beach.
Kids love the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum with the largest collections of antique and still-flying vehicles in the country – and they all work.
During the fruit-picking season, drive the 35-mile scenic Fruit Loop through the orchards, farmlands, and forests and pick fruits in season.
At Draper Girls Family Farms, kids can pet goats and pigs, and at Kiyokawa Family Orchards they can have fun spending time in the play fort. Take a family hike to Tamanawas Falls, a 3.6-mile trip that is worth the journey once you see the awesome falls.
5. Asheville, NC
Overshadowed by the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a North Carolina city with a long history, beautiful nature scenes, and a vibrant art scene. Take the kids on a tour of the majestic Biltmore Estate to learn about the fairytale story of America’s rich and powerful family.
Go for a hike or ski on one of many trails in the Blue Ridge Mountain Park. Let the kids have the thrill of their lives at Navitat, with their sky-high zipline between the soaring trees.
Go sliding on a 60-foot high smooth natural rock and splash in an eight-foot deep pool in the Pisgah Mountain. Learn how to stand-up paddleboard down the French Broad River.
If you want something beyond activities in nature, mini-golf with black light holes, climbing wall, multi-level laser tag, bumper cars, mini-bowling, arcade gallery, area with inflatables, and soft plays.
Adventurous Small Town Weekend Getaways with Kids:
6. Fayetteville, GA
Not even 20 miles from the busy Atlanta airport, Fayetteville is one of those quiet, pretty Southern towns with tree-lined streets, beautiful mansions, and a rich history.
Kids will love a slow, leisurely kayak trip on the lovely Horton Lake or a stroll through the Prime Community Park, known locally as the Secret Garden. Have a picnic lunch by the Starr’s Mill and its cool, refreshing waterfall.
If the kids need more action, take them to the Fun Junction USA, where they can enjoy more than a dozen family attractions such as thrill rides, three mini golf courses, go kart tracks, and much more.
The whole family will enjoy a friendly competition at the Fayetteville Bowling Center.
7. Allentown, PA
Immortalized in the popular Billy Joel song, Allentown is a lovely city in the Lehigh Valley with more than its share of things to do. If you are traveling with kids, you can be sure they will not get bored. For the nerdy ones, the interactive, entertaining, and educational Imagi Nation will offer endless fun – it is a pretend world of business where they can try different careers. For the more active kids, the seasonal Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom will provide over 100 rides and attractions such as eight roller coasters. More ideas in Pennsylvania with kids
Car fans will enjoy beautiful antique cars at the America on Wheels Museum or trucks at the Mack Trucks Historical Museum.
Take the kids to see the Liberty Bell, which was hidden from the British soldiers underneath the local church and learn a bit about Allentown history. And to cool off, stroll through the verdant paths of the Cedar Beach Park or Allentown Rose Gardens.
8. Wildwoods, NJ
With five miles of magnificent wide, sandy beaches, life in Wildwoods on the New Jersey Shore revolves around the sea. Besides swimming, relaxing on the beach, and building sand castles, there are also surfing, power boating, boogie boarding, jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, and parasailing. Along the beach is one of the most fun boardwalks in the country, with more than 100 rides and various attractions such as giant roller coasters located at Morey's Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, large Ocean Oasis Waterpark & Becah Club, kids’ Splash Zone Water Park, flashing arcades, and so much more.
When the kids get tired of playing games, take them to the Wildwood Historical Society’s George F. Boyer Museum to learn a little about the history of Wildwoods through various exhibits. Spend a few hours on the water in a Silver bullet speedboat that doubles as a whale watching boat. More great New Jersey beaches.
Relaxing Small Town Weekend Getaways with Kids:
9. Bozeman, MT
A lively, modern Rocky Mountains city, Bozeman is located in southern Montana, surrounded by Bridger Range on one side and Spanish Peaks on the other. It is the perfect place for winter sports and is a great starting point for hiking, rafting down Gallatin River or backpacking at Gallatin Divide. With Yellowstone National Park nearby, the kids will have their choice of outdoor activities. The most attractive indoor activity will be a visit to the Museum of the Rockies, where they can see a collection of real T. Rex specimens, sure to thrill any youngster.
There is also a planetarium. The whole family can get up close and personal with grizzly bears at the Montana Grizzly Encounter, a sanctuary for rescued grizzly bears and an educational facility.
American Computer Museum is a fascinating place to see the incredibly fast development of computers as well as some true computing relics.
10. Charlottesville, VA
A charming, lively Virginia university town, Charlottesville is a fascinating place to learn about the country’s history. Start your exploration by taking a guided tour of the city’s stately historic homes. You will also learn about American founding fathers Jefferson, Monroe, and Madison and about the way of life during their times. You will see a building designed by Jefferson and the dorm room at the university where the poet Edgar Allan Poe lived.
Take the kids to the Virginia Discovery Museum to tinker, explore, and learn – there is always something new there. Stretch your legs and get some fresh air on the scenic Saunders-Monticello Trail.
If they still have some energy, take the kids to Bounce-n-Play, an indoor playground where they can climb, slide, bounce, and paint. More kid-friendly ideas in Virginia
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