With its boardwalk and wide beaches, Ocean City, NJ is a great family destination. In the summer there are free outdoor concerts, mini golf, ice cream shops, and rides— just note this is a “dry” town, but there are nearby towns that serve alcohol.DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
Colonial Williamsburg in VA is teeming with fun family events for the Fourth of July. The Lights of Freedom (pictured) includes a reading of Declaration of Independence, music and singing, plus an epic fireworks display. Courtesy of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
There’s no shortage of family fun in the Outer Banks, NC. Visit the beach, Maritime Museum, or Wright Brothers Memorial, go “ghost crabbing” (where you shine a flashlight on the beach and watch the crabs skitter away), or play games and ride bumper cars at the arcade.Shutterstock
Lego-lovers will have a ball at Legoland in Carlsbad, CA which has tons of rides and attractions including a boat cruise to check out the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, and Mount Rushmore, all crafted from Lego. Extend the trip by visiting nearby San Diego.Courtesy of LegoLand
It’s hard to beat Jackson Hole, WY in the summer — the average temp is 80° and humidity is low. In addition to nearby Grand Teton, there are tons of kid-friendly activities like white water rafting, fishing, and zip lining. Cavan Images/Getty Images
Whether you sit around the fire pit at the Ivy Manor Inn (maybe with a lobster roll), go whale watching or kayaking, or spend a day at Acadia National Park, there’s no shortage of activities you and the kids will love in Bar Harbor, ME.KenWiedemann/Getty Images
60 miles north of Seattle are three stunning islands known as the San Juans. From kayaking to hikes, it’s an outdoorsy place and the old-timey San Juan County Fair in August has farm animals and carnival rides.Ray Sheffer/Getty Images
It may have rough winters, but Cleveland, OH is stunning in the summer with a perfect blend of sun and storms. Visit the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame then pop over to the nearby Great Lakes Science Center; Cedar Point Amusement Park is an easy day trip, too.Cedar Point/ Instagram
You may think of Winter Park, CO as primarily a ski destination but it’s also gorgeous in the summer. Go for a gondola ride, go down the 3,000 foot Alpine Slide (with amazing views), hike, try your hand at fly fishing, or go tubing with the fam.Shutterstock
The only ways to get around Mackinac Island, MI, are horse and buggy, bicycle, or foot. Enjoy a historic reenactment at Fort Mackinac, play giant chess, go for a swim, and have afternoon tea at Grand Hotel.Susan Sheldon / EyeEm/Getty Images
A trip to Montreal will make you feel like you’re in Europe without the long plane ride. Take in the city views from atop the ferris wheel, check out the donation-based Redpath Museum, visit the splash pad, or take your creepy-crawler loving kid to see the Insectarium.Shutterstock
