The most important thing about traveling with kids is to keep it simple. There are so many fantastic destinations, but there’s only so much time and energy for exploring.
And let’s face it: you want your vacation to be as hassle-free as possible! So we narrowed down the list of family-friendly destinations that will satisfy everyone in your group — from infants through grandparents — and still leave you enough mental space for having fun too.
1. Paris, France
“The City of Light” is also a city of museums, monuments, and romantic settings. Walk along the Seine while your kids enjoy a crepe or baguette. Make them pose for photos by the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s lit up in brilliant colors! Visit Notre Dame Cathedral or The Louvre Museum. And be sure to get a photo of yourself on the River Seine at night.
Paris is great for all ages, but toddlers will particularly enjoy seeing the sites and smelling French cuisine in the open-air markets. Paris has a decent public transportation system that’s free with a child under four years old if they sit on your lap. This means you don’t have to rent a car, which can save you money and give you more freedom to explore this magnificent city with ease!
2. New York City, USA
“I LOVE NY” is perfect for both babies and older kids alike. You will find something fun for everyone here! In Central Park, go horseback riding or take an outdoor safari with wild animals from all over the world! See the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in Battery Park. Visit the Rockefeller Center to window shop, have a photo taken with the world’s largest gold Christmas tree, or ice skate outside in December under that famous New York skyline!
Museums are all over Manhattan, so you’ll find something for everyone interested in art. Don’t miss out on your chance to see Godiva Chocolatier work its magic at their flagship store on 5th Ave. You can also catch a Broadway play or visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is huge and has amazing works from around the world.
3. Venice, Italy
The most romantic of places will make your kids long for love too! Take them on a gondola ride along the canals in Venice. Gondoliers sing romantic Italian ballads while they row their gondolas for you. And don’t miss a chance to catch a live opera performance at Teatro La Fenice, where all of the action takes place on stage!
Take your kids to St Mark’s Square and let them run around outside while you watch ancient history unfold before your eyes as bearded old men play chess. If you’re here during the holiday season, every night is magic with The Regata Delle Befanae (The Race of the Goblins). It’s an epic boat race that children love because it ends with Santa Claus handing out candy!
4. Barcelona, Spain
According to Amy, Kids will love seeing the works of Miro and Gaudi and having a chance to ride the Tren de la Creueta, an old steam train that locals use for transportation. This is also a great city to see your favorite soccer teams play in! Explore Montjuic Hill and learn about Catalonian history. Watch street artists paint on cobblestone sidewalks, buy fresh fruit from the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria Market or catch a Flamenco show in Las Ramblas. You can have dinner at one of Barcelona’s best restaurants then take your kids up into the hills where they will delight in seeing the lights of this beautiful city sparkling below them!
5. Manila, Philippines
Let your kids experience the beauty of a tropical island or at least get a taste of it! Leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head to an island! Visit Boracay and take sailing lessons, go white-water rafting downriver in Pagsanjan, or even swim with dolphins in Oslob. Kids will love seeing these Philippine landmarks: The Banaue Rice Terraces —where Filipinos used to farm rice before modern machinery—and Angono Petroglyphs, where ancient Filipinos carved artwork into stone.
6. Wānaka, New Zealand
This beautiful country is perfect for nature lovers! Head out on the Milford Track where you can walk through Native Forest or check out all of those amazing waterfalls that this country is known for. Walk along Lake Wanaka, go on a glacier hike in Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers and catch the Northern Lights! This is an amazing location to set off on your own “Lord of the Rings” adventure!
7. Bali, Indonesia
Home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Bali will delight both nature lovers and party people alike! Younger children can enjoy museums like Museum Puri Lukisan which has Balinese paintings while older kids will love Backstage Studio where they can see how movies are made. For older teen travelers, check out Sky Garden for parties with an incredible view of the city! And don’t forget about all those gorgeous beaches! While adults can enjoy lounging in the sun, your children will love playing on the beach with all the other kids who are staying here.
8. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a big city bursting with culture! The best way to introduce non-Japanese-speaking children to this country’s language is by taking them to Izakaya bars. These are akin to pubs where you can order food and drinks. Sit back and watch how quickly these bartenders whip up the most delicious cocktails ever! Make sure to take your family out for Miso Soup, Sushi, Okonomiyaki (savory crepes), and Yakisoba (fried noodles)! Don’t forget about Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea if your kids prefer Mickey Mouse over Hello Kitty.
9. Siem Reap, Cambodia
This city is known for its incredible temples and other ancient ruins like Angkor Wat which you definitely should not miss while visiting this country! Venture out to visit the floating village of Tonle Sap where you can watch locals fishing in their traditional boats before having lunch at a local restaurant! The kids will love rowing themselves around in bamboo rafts or taking a bike ride through Braille Village. They’ll also get a kick out of watching the monkeys who have learned how to take selfies with tourists’ cameras! Go on an elephant tour or during warmer months, go wild swimming in natural pools.
10. Stockholm, Sweden
One of the most beautiful cities in Scandinavia and a must-see if you’re traveling here! Watch your kids delight as they climb up to the top of Stockholm’s City Hall where they will be rewarded with incredible views of the city. Get them excited about their Scandinavian adventure by taking them on a boat trip on Lake Mälaren or go ice skating at one of Stockholm’s many outdoor rinks. Want to explore some Viking history? Take them out to Skansen, an open-air museum that teaches Swedish culture and life as it was many centuries ago.
11. Faro, Portugal
Portugal is full of great destinations for children! While Lisbon is great for those who love architecture and culture, check out Faro if your kiddos are beach bums! Take them out sailing, jet skiing, or even dolphin watching. Head on over to the Berlengas Islands where you can snorkel around these crystal waters and see some of the most unique marine life in Europe! Make sure to stop by Cabo de Sao Vicente to take photos of Portugal’s westernmost point!
12. Reykjavik, Iceland
Take your kids to this amazing country before everyone else finds out about it! There are tons of great activities for children here like horseback riding tours through lava fields or horse-drawn sleigh rides across glaciers! If they’re daredevils at heart, let them try their hand at Zorbing (rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball), and let them see magnificent waterfalls up close and personal on a zip-lining tour! There are plenty of igloos to choose from for an overnight stay if you want to give your children an incredible natural experience.
13. Banff, Canada
While this country has tons of great places for kids such as Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec City, we’re going to focus on where the bulk of Canada’s national parks are: Alberta! The province is home to four out of the country’s seven national parks including Banff National Park which can be found right in Banff itself. Here, your children can see wildlife like bears and elk (who might come right up to them!) and even ride around Sunwapta Falls in a wagon. You can even go ice fishing and take them for a horseback ride through the trails!
14. Punta del Este, Uruguay
This city is one of South America’s greatest escapes and has plenty to offer kids and adults alike! The beach here is well-known all over the world as well as Casa de la Musica, an outdoor concert hall that hosts DJs from across the globe. Check out La Mano en la Arena, a great art installation by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa or go for an awesome boat ride where you can snorkel with sea lions! There are lots of beaches nearby if your children prefer sand over rocks like those found at Playa Brava.
Final Words
The 14 best places in the world to travel with kids are perfect for families looking to get away and have some fun.
The article provides detailed descriptions of where these top destinations are located, what activities your children can enjoy there, and how you should plan your trip depending on their age range.
Whether they’re big or small adventurers, this list has something that will interest every child! We hope it helps inspire a family vacation that is full of lifelong memories.
