Activities with Kids in the U.S.

1. Ghost Town Museum

The Ghost Town Museum in Colorado Springs was founded in order to preserve the Wild West time period for future generations.

The indoor “town” features a collection of the structures left within the Pikes Peak region and were designed to appear close to what they would have looked like one hundred years ago.

The museum also displays an impressive variety of historic everyday artifacts in each of the buildings.

Kids in particular will have fun with several hands-on activities, such as operating the old-time arcade, cranking a butter church, or panning for real gold. There is also a gift shop.

400 S 21st St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, Phone: 719-634-0696, Map

2. Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo offers something for nearly any animal lover, whether its old favorites, new exhibits, or baby animals. Located in its namesake Denver, Colorado, the zoo houses over 3,500 animals and has been involved in more than 600 research and conservation projects worldwide.

Animals at Denver Zoo include lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, gorillas, penguins, otters, kangaroos, sea lions, grizzly bears, cheetahs, leopards, zebra, Ring-tailed lemurs, Capuchin monkeys, and many others.

An array of Up-Close Animal Encounters are offered as well, such as the Giraffe Feeding, the Elephant Encounter, the Lorikeet Adventure, Penguin Encounter, and the Tiger Encounter.

Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205, Phone: 720-337-1400, Map

3. Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, provides creative and innovative educational experience for both children in the local community and visitors alike. The museum’s goal is to inspire lifelong learning, curiosity, and creativity through a wide array of fun, hands-on exhibits.

Among the many exhibit areas at the Children's Discovery Museum are the Art Gallery, Mammoth Discovery, the Theatre, the LeRoy Neiman Art Studio, the Wonder Cabinet, the Rainbow Market, Bill’s Backyard, and WaterWays among several others.

180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110, Phone: 408-298-5437, Map

4. World of Wonders Science Museum

Located in the historic downtown area of Lodi, California, the World of Wonders Science Museum boasts a mission of offering science-based and hands-on programs and exhibits designed to foster discovery in people of any age.

The World of Wonders Science Museum is home to more than seventy exhibits that not only provide an opportunity for kids to learn more about many different areas of science and the wonders around them in the world, but offer a chance for children to play and have fun at the same time.

World of Wonders Science Museum, 2 N Sacramento St, Lodi, CA 95240, Phone: 209-368-0969

5. Manatee Observation and Education Center

The Manatee Observation and Education Center is home to many different animals, including the Florida manatee. Visitors can take some time to learn about the several habitats that are home to manatees, as well as other wildlife, and tour the center’s exhibit hall.

The center features several interactive exhibits, such as the life-size manatee, in addition to live freshwater and marine animals in the numerous aquarium exhibits and an observation tower from which manatees can be seen in their natural habitat.

The goal of the Manatee Observation and Education Center is to teach guests how to responsibly interact with the unique ecosystems.

480 N Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34950, Phone: 772-429-6266, Map

6. Dinosaur World

Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida is located conveniently between the major cities of Tampa and Orlando.

The interesting destination is the only attraction in central Florida dedicated to dinosaurs and displays a wide array of life-sized dinosaurs for visitors to encounter within a lush, natural, and unique garden setting.

There are also several interactive exhibits designed to capture the imagination of kids, a dino-themed playground, a gift shop with a variety of prehistoric artifacts and more, and boardwalks winding through the natural areas.

There are also Dinosaur World locations near Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and Glen Rose, Texas.

Dinosaur World, 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565, Phone: 813-717-9865, Facebook

7. Arizona Railway Museum

The Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler is a dedication to the railroad history of southwestern American and Arizona in particular.

It is home to numerous restored train cars from several different time periods throughout the railroad history of the United States.

The museum’s main building is designed to be a replica of Chandler’s original train depot and showcases the original glass and china of the rail company, movie set rail cars, and several other rail cars.

Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286, Phone: 480-821-1108

8. Slide Rock State Park

Found in Sedona, Slide Rock State Park main draw for visitors and locals alike is that natural rock water slide within the Oak Creek Canyon.

The park is just fifteen minutes away from the center of Sedona and only forty minutes away from Flagstaff.

Originally the site of the Pendley Homestead, Slide Rock State Park is now the home of one of the “Top 10 Swimming Holes” in America.

The park’s crisp creek water, however, isn’t the only thing to see in the park. Desert scenery and famous red rocks can also be found within Slide Rock.

Slide Rock State Park , 6871 N. Highway 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, Phone: 928-282-3034

9. Lincoln Park Zoo

Both kids and adults alike can delight in seeing gorillas, playful meerkats, roaring lions only minutes from downtown Chicago, Illinois. This fun and exciting attraction is open every single day and has no admission charge, making it a great thing to do with kids no matter what time of year. A place that hundreds of animal species call home, the Lincoln Park Zoo provides guests with an opportunity to get up close to chimpanzees, get a look at penguins, watch black bears and red wolves, and experience the sounds and sights of Africa while visiting with black rhinos, pygmy hippos, wild dogs, and more.

2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, Phone: 312-742-2000, Map

10. Hawaii Movie Tours

Hawaii Movie Tours is the ideal thing to do in the area for any movie buff. Tours last around seven hours and take place Monday through Saturday from 7:00am until 3:00pm, with hotel pickups occurring between 7:00am until 8:15am. The tropical landscapes and natural beauty of Kauai has made the island a longtime popular choice for the movies of Hollywood and guests will recognize many different iconic backdrops and locations from their favorite films. Highlights of the Hawaii Movie Tour include Wailua Falls, Coco Palms, Hanamaulu Bay, the Opaekaa Falls Lookout, Moloaa Beach, and the Hanalei Pier.

Hawaii Movie Tours, 680 Iwilei Rd, Honolulu, HI 96817, Phone: 808-539-9400