2023's Best Cities for Kid-friendly Vacations
Family vacations are perfect for reconnecting and building lifelong memories together. But which cities are optimal for keeping the kiddos entertained? To find out, Lawn Love ranked 2023’s Best Cities for Kid-Friendly Vacations.
They compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities, looking for plenty of family-friendly accommodations, attractions, and restaurants. They also considered transportation options, affordability, and safety, among 23 total metrics. Catch up with the kids, and use these rankings to help plan your next spring break or summer vacation.
Dreams Come True in these Florida Cities

The Sunshine State in general is great for outdoor fun. You don’t need to go camping to have nature at your fingertips in Orlando (No. 2), Miami (No. 3), Tampa (No. 6), or Fort Lauderdale (No. 15). These cities offer plenty of kid-friendly outdoor activities. Not only can you head to the beach to spot crabs and dolphins, but Tampa and Miami also tie for the most zoos.
Make your kids’ dreams come true with a family trip to our No. 2 city, Orlando, Florida. Orlando shines with the most family-friendly accommodations and the most water parks to cool down when you’re in the hot Florida sun. Home to Disney World and Universal Studios, it’s no surprise that the City Beautiful also comes in second for its number of both kid-friendly attractions and theme parks.
Miami is also great for families who like to feast. It’s Lawn Love's top city for sweet tooths and has the most kid-friendly restaurants per square mile in the rankings.
- In Orlando: Immerse yourself in ocean life in a 360-degree ocean tunnel at Sea Life Orlando Aquarium. For a more down-to-earth day, head to Gatorland, the perfect place to learn about today’s reptilian giants in the Alligator Capital of the World.
- In Miami: Soak up the sun while you admire Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum featuring incredible street art. Need a break from the sunshine? Check out Miami Children’s Museum, Perez Art Museum, or the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.
- In Tampa: A trip to Busch Gardens is always a blast. Tampa also hosts more than 8,000 creatures at The Florida Aquarium and is home to the interactive and imaginative Glazer Children’s Museum.
Vegas is Always a Good Idea (Surprisingly)

Sin City might not be everyone’s first idea for a family vacation, but Las Vegas (No. 4) hits the jackpot as a kid-friendly travel destination. As the Entertainment Capital of the World, there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas for kids big and small. In fact, Vegas ties with Orlando for having the second-highest number of amusement and theme parks.
There are also abundant kid-friendly attractions, zoos, and water parks, as well as kid-friendly dining options to keep their stomachs from grumbling. Skip the casino to race around in go-karts, see the circus, or indulge at Hershey’s Chocolate World Las Vegas.
Sleepy Southern Cities

Small cities in the South aren’t so exciting for families with kids. Places like Columbus, Georgia (No. 199), Fayetteville, North Carolina (No. 198), and Montgomery, Alabama (No. 196), landed at the bottom next to Clarksville, Tennessee, in last place. These cities are budget-friendly, but low safety scores and a lack of child-friendly activities and accommodations sent them to the very end of our ranking.
That isn’t to say they don’t offer anything fun for families. Each of these cities has natural spaces and historic spots to explore, as well as museums and performing arts centers. But if your child isn’t old enough to be interested in history or nature walks, their experience might not be so memorable.
- In Columbus, Georgia: Get some fresh air by taking a walk on the Chattahoochee RiverWalk. Make it an educational trip and stop by the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, National Infantry Museum, and National Civil War Naval Museum.
- In Fayetteville, North Carolina: Spend time outside at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden or River Trail. Let your kid’s imagination run wild at the hands-on Fascinate-U Children’s Museum.
- In Montgomery, Alabama: As the birthplace of the civil rights movement, there are many educational spots throughout the city, including The Legacy Museum, Rosa Parks Museum, and Dexter Parsonage Museum, the home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thrifty Texas Towns

Everything is bigger in Texas, including vacations. Texas is one of the fastest-growing states, so it makes sense that there’s plenty to do in major cities like Houston (No. 8), San Antonio (No. 10), and Dallas (No. 11). Houston has numerous amusement parks, Dallas has several water parks, and San Antonio boasts plenty of both. These three cities also have zoos and aquariums for animal-loving kids.
There will be even more for families with young kids to do when visiting the Lone Star State once Universal opens its new theme park in Frisco.
One thing that isn’t bigger when it comes to Texas is trip costs. Staying, eating, and being entertained in these cities won’t hurt your wallet as much as a trip to New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles would.
- In Houston: Engage in 90,000 square feet of fun (and education) at Children’s Museum Houston. If you have a science buff in your family, be sure to stop by Space Center Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
- In San Antonio: Take the family strolling or kayaking along Texas’ top attraction, the River Walk. Other parts of the city boast fun amusement parks like Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first inclusive and accessible theme park.
- In Dallas: Spot your favorite animals at the Dallas Zoo, the oldest zoo in Texas. Explore the ocean and distant parts of the world such as South Africa, Mundo Maya, and Borneo at The Dallas World Aquarium.
The best of the best: New York, New York

The top city, New York, has it all, including the highest number of kid-friendly attractions out of all the cities we ranked.
Grab a slice before going for a stroll in one of the city’s many museums, zoos, or parks. If walking around doesn’t blow off some steam, you can let the kids play at one of the more than 1,900 playgrounds in the city. When they’re old enough to sit still for a couple of hours, bring your children to see an unforgettable Broadway show. There are many highly acclaimed children’s theaters producing fantastic shows throughout the city, such as The New Victory Theater and New York City Children’s Theater.
If you want to take on the town past the kids’ bedtime, NYC also has the most babysitters for hire.
— For the complete rankings, visit LawnLove.com.