Toddler-Friendly Summer Getaways in the U.S.

7 fun baby- and toddler-friendly destinations in the United States, according to parents and caregivers who know.

In honor of the 4th of July, which to me feels like the true start to summer, I wanted to remember why I live where I live. Things have been so heavy in the news lately¹, which I think I also feel more deeply as a parent, like—this is the world I have to explain to my toddler? How can I teach them to be a force for good with *all this*? I know they’re too little to understand current events, but I think I can show them what freedom looks like, and how to appreciate this land we live on, and who came before us.

One question I ask every parent and caregiver I interview is what destinations they recommend. I’m always surprised by the answers! One of the most popular posts on Travel with Toddlers is also one of my favorites—after interviewing a dozen parents and caregivers on where they like to travel with their little ones, I sent out this list:

The Travel with Toddlers American Summer Getaway Guide

Today, I’m bringing you a U.S. summer getaways version of that list. Since this original post I’ve interviewed a whole bunch more parents and caregivers, so you’ll see some new faces. Those interviews are coming, so stay tuned! In the meantime, here are the places in the U.S. that parents and caregivers consistently recommend to me:

1. Arizona Mountains / Southwest

I visited Sedona when I was a teenager and absolutely loved the rugged combination of desert and mountains. It’s on my short list of places to take my toddler this year or next. But Harmony’s tip made me think of Dove Mountain instead—much further south.

I loved our time at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Arizona. The waterslides, splash pad, pools, s’mores station, game room, kids’ nature center and resident tortoises gave her plenty to do without feeling like we were at a mega resort. We still got the quiet time in nature and it’s an easy drive from a lot of major cities. - Harmony Walton (interview coming soon!)

2. The Cape and Islands / New England

My toddler’s first beach day on the Cape. How are they so little in this photo??

New England summers are the best. If you’ve never been and are looking for a picture-perfect summer destination, I highly recommend one of these three spots. Each has a different flavor—I think of them kind of like the Cape ($), Martha’s Vineyard (),Nantucket($), but the beaches at all three are incredible.

“Nantucket. Once you get there, is a great place to go with kids! It can be tricky to set up all the logistics of travel (lodging, car rentals, flights/ferries to the island, etc.) but there are so many fun and low key things to do with kids.” - Carly Riordan from By a Thread

Read more of Carly’s recs: How to Bring “Chill Mom” Energy While Traveling

I’ve never been to Nantucket and every year I say to myself that this is the year we’ll go. I have been to Martha’s Vineyard and the Cape, though, and yes, it’s just as perfect as you’re imagining New England summers should be.

“My favorite place with my son is definitely Martha's Vineyard. We spend a lot of time there in the summer, but it's been awesome with my son because going to the beach is is a lot of fun, but they have amazing libraries and playgrounds and so many places to sit outside and eat and be messy.” - Aliza Sir from Platonic Love

Read more of Aliza’s recs here: Take Your Toddler Trips with Intention

3. For the best museums: Washington, D.C. / The South

I know the middle school field trip to D.C. is a rite of passage for many schools (including mine) but I’ve heard great things about how toddler-friendly the capital is. I’m personally still kinda obsessed with the Spy Museum, but I think my little moon toddler would LOVE the Air & Space Museum. There’s truly so much to do in D.C. and the monuments walk is accessible for a stroller.

The kids and I really enjoyed was the National Children's Museum in Washington, D.C. So many people go to DC wanting to do all of the historical things and visit places related to the running of the government. But little ones don’t necessarily *get* that, which is we spent an entire day at the National Children's Museum. I think we spent over two hours just at the Dream Machine exhibit. It's basically a giant, indoor play area with a huge climbing structure and a super fast metal tube slide. - Kelly Schultz

Read more of Kelly’s recs here: How to Go Bike Touring with Toddlers

4. For a perfect vacation: Hawaii / Islands

The view from Diamond Head on the Big Island.

The only time I’ve ever cried coming home from a vacation was after a week in Hawaii. This was pre-kids so we did SO much more than just stay at the resort: Surf lessons, botanic gardens, hiking gorgeous jungle trails, and snorkeling. I can’t wait to take my toddler someday.

The plane ride with a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old was a bit stressful. But Hawaii was waiting on the other end of the trip—so WORTH IT! If you're going to travel with little kids, I recommend a place with wide open, beautiful spaces and lots of kid-friendly activities. Oahu has a little bay called Shark’s Cove on the North Shore where the water is really shallow and calm. Great place for kids. - Ashley R. Cummings, Life In A Backpack.

Read more of Ashley’s recs here: There Are No Rules About Traveling

5. For the way life should be: Maine / New England

One of my first hikes in Maine at Camden Hills, circa 2011. This is an easy one I’d recommend with little ones (that can walk at least a mile.)

Tons of people said Maine! I’m obsessed with Maine. Portland is one of my favorite mini-cities, and perfect to explore with toddlers. My all-time favorite playground has ocean views for miles and a gelato truck parked outside. The dream, right?

I’m obsessed with Maine (my husband and I met at college there) so Maine in the summer is always on my list. Similar to the Cape and Islands in Massachusetts, Maine is just *the* perfect family summer destination. Great beaches, hiking, food, adventure. You’ve got a little bit of everything.

“We rented a house in Cape Porpoise, Maine, for a week last summer and it was perfect. There was plenty to do — go to the beach, take walks, go out to restaurants, cook meals together, etc — but we also had a home base where the kids could stay roughly in their routine. I find the super packed trips to be stressful and unnecessary at this stage; there will be plenty of time for that when they're older and aren't as beholden to nap schedules and routine.” - Julie Bogen (interview coming soon!!)

Plus, you can go to one of the best National Parks in the country: Acadia! West coasters have all kinds of incredible parks they can road trip to, but for us east coasters, it’s Acadia or bust.

“Our most recent trip to Acadia National Park was so great! From the beautiful hikes and bike rides to the cute town of Bar Harbor, we had a great time and were able to make this a road trip which seems to be our go-to travel style for this phase.” -Paris Athenian (interview coming soon!!)

6. Upstate New York / Mid-Atlantic

If Maine feels too far (and fair, it’s pretty remote if you’re not from New England) then consider upstate New York as a more accessible spot from New York City or Albany with plenty of nature and beauty. I’m always looking for trips that capture that nostalgic childhood feeling I have for summer camp, and Meredith’s rec fits the bill:

There are so many gorgeous spots within a 3-hour radius of Albany, including the Adirondacks, Catskills, Finger Lakes, and Vermont. I recently spent a weekend visiting The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY in the Adirondacks with my daughter. The best way to describe the Wild Center is as a natural history museum, but it's incredibly kid-friendly and educational. Most activities are based outdoors, so your kids will be exhausted from running around all day by the time you leave. -Meredith Bethune from True North (interview coming soon!)

7. Walt Disney World, Orlando / The South

Kilimanjaro Safaris in the morning.

I know what you’re thinking. Disney? In the summer? But I stand by my recommendation because Disney truly is magical, and if the summer is the only time you can go, then you should go. Keep cool by doing naptime in your resort, stopping at a Baby Center, or picking a show/indoor restaurant for the middle of the day.

I know I’m Disney obsessed, but it’s also a destination that’s often recommended for a reason. Disney knows toddlers, they design magical moments around that age group. If you’re hesitant and want to pick one park, go for Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. But don’t take my word for it:

I love Animal Kingdom for kids of all ages. While some of the rides are scary or have certain height requirements, the shows at the park are great, and families should not skip all of the walking trails that feature animals and wildlife experts who can answer nearly any question. - Megan DuBois, Disney expert (interview coming soon!)

Read more: The Travel with Toddlers Destination Guide to Disney

Where are you going this summer?

I want to know! I’m a journalist at heart, so if there are places that y’all want to go to—or are thinking about going to—then I WILL RESEARCH THEM FOR YOU. That’s my jam and why I started this newsletter in the first place. So let me know where you’re headed this summer OR some of your favorite spots for the other toddler parents reading this in the comments!

This week’s rapid-fire recs.

Disclosure: This section may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. I promise I’ll only ever recommend products I’ve actually used and loved.

1. How to host a playgroup—something I’m trying to get better at, but I’d much rather be out than in.

2. My toddler got a splash pad as a birthday gift and wow, so much great summer fun. (Link is similar; I’m not sure where ours is from.)

3. AMC is hosting $1 summer movies for kids. May be better for elementary age, but how cool is that?

4. Came for Caro’s recipes, stayed for tips like this on entertaining young kids.

5. Love this Friday night tradition.

Thanks for being here.

This week, I’m ooo in my favorite toddler-friendly place: Maine.² We’ve got the art of the 3-hour road trip down, usually stopping at the halfway mark (I’m a big fan of the Children’s Museum of NH in Dover or one of the many beaches in the Ogunquit/Kennebunk area as good stopping points!)

This week is all about family time, screen doors slamming and bare feet running on grassy hills. Long days digging in the sand, attempting to finish a book, late nights where the fireflies are the pre-show to the fireworks over the mountains. I hope you have some great trips planned this summer, or can at least lean into the slowness and fullness of the season.

The way life should be,

Kayla

Thank you for supporting Travel with Toddlers! If you liked this issue, please like it, share it, subscribe, or you can buy me a coffee. It really does mean a lot. I’m just a mom in the thick of the toddler years trying to create core memories for our whole family while minimizing meltdowns—I sincerely hope this helps you do the same.

1. I literally can’t believe sometimes I was a political science major; all it’s given me is a strong sense of dread and despair while reading the news.

2. We had originally planned to do Boston, then Maine, on a great staycation at Hotel Commonwealth (c/o) but my toddler threw up Sunday morning and spiked a fever…best laid plans, right?