Full-Day Adventures with Kids

Key Largo, FL

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

The first undersea park in the US. Snorkel boats run out to living coral reef, and two calm beaches work for kids not ready for the boat.

Snorkeling
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Merritt Island, FL

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Stand under a real Saturn V, walk through the Atlantis shuttle exhibit, and meet an astronaut - a full day, and worth it.

Science
Ages 4+
~8h
Paid

Sarasota, FL

Myakka River State Park

A canopy walkway suspended in the treetops, an airboat across an alligator lake, and one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks.

Nature
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Weeki Wachee, FL

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

The underwater mermaid theatre has run since 1947, plus a spring-fed water park and a clear paddling run down the Weeki Wachee River.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Hawaii National Park, HI

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Active volcano with lava tubes, steam vents, and a massive caldera. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Kapaa, HI

Wailua River Kayaking

Kayak Hawaii's only navigable river, then hike to a 120-foot hidden waterfall you can swim under. Paid, ages 5+. No kayaking on Sundays.

Kayaking
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Culebra, PR

Flamenco Beach

Routinely called one of the best beaches in the world: a horseshoe bay of white sand and impossibly clear shallow water.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Rio Grande, PR

El Yunque National Forest

The only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system, with roadside waterfalls and a canopy tower a short walk from the car.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~5h
Free

Bend, TX

Colorado Bend State Park

70-foot Gorman Falls waterfall with spring-fed swimming holes. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~5h
Paid

Concan, TX

Garner State Park

Legendary Frio River swimming and summer dances in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Corpus Christi, TX

Padre Island National Seashore

70 miles of wild beach with sea turtle releases and shell hunting. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.

Camping
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Houston, TX

Space Center Houston

NASA's Houston visitor center - tram tours across the Johnson campus, a walk-through shuttle, moon rocks and Apollo capsules.

Science
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Christiansted, VI

Buck Island Reef National Monument

A marked underwater trail through an elkhorn coral barrier reef, on an uninhabited island reached only by licensed boat.

Snorkeling
Ages 6+
~6h
Paid

Big Pine Key, FL

Bahia Honda State Park

The best natural beach in the Keys - shallow, warm, clear water off Sandspur Beach, with the old railroad bridge as the backdrop.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Dunedin, FL

Caladesi Island State Park

A car-free barrier island reached by ferry, with three miles of undeveloped Gulf beach and a mangrove kayak trail behind it.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

High Springs, FL

Ginnie Springs

Seven springs on a private stretch of the Santa Fe River, with water clear enough that snorkellers appear to float on air above the sand.

Snorkeling
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Hobe Sound, FL

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Paddle Florida's first Wild and Scenic River through cypress, and climb the sand pine ridge for a view over the whole coast.

Kayaking
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Holt, FL

Blackwater River State Park

One of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the world, with a broad white sandbar on every bend for stopping to swim and eat. Gentle enough for kids.

Kayaking
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Homestead, FL

Biscayne National Park

Ninety-five percent underwater: boat trips run out to living reef and mangrove islands from a visitor centre south of Miami.

Snorkeling
Ages 6+
~6h
Paid

Panama City Beach, FL

St. Andrews State Park

A jetty-protected lagoon where the water stays calm and clear - the best beginner snorkelling on the Panhandle, with fish right by the rocks.

Snorkeling
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Silver Springs, FL

Juniper Springs Recreation Area

A seven-mile canoe run through narrow jungle-like creek in Ocala National Forest, plus a 1930s stone millhouse and a CCC-built spring pool.

Kayaking
Ages 8+
~5h
Paid

St. Augustine, FL

Anastasia State Park

Four miles of Atlantic beach plus a warm, shallow tidal lagoon that is close to perfect for beginner paddlers, ten minutes from St. Augustine.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

St. George Island, FL

St. George Island State Park

Nine miles of undeveloped barrier island beach with almost nobody on it, plus calm bay-side water and excellent shelling.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Tierra Verde, FL

Fort De Soto Park

Five interconnected islands with a shallow lagoon beach built for toddlers, a Spanish-American War fort, and a paddling trail.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~5h
Paid

Captain Cook, HI

Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail

Steep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

Snorkeling
Ages 8+
~5h
Free

Eleele, HI

Na Pali Coast Boat Tour

Boat tour along 4,000-foot sea cliffs with waterfalls, sea caves, and dolphins. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

Nature
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Kaneohe, HI

Kualoa Ranch

Jurassic Park filming location with horseback riding, ATVs, and zip lines. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.

Nature
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Kihei, HI

Molokini Crater Snorkeling

Snorkel in crystal-clear water inside a volcanic crater with 150-foot visibility. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

Snorkeling
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Lahaina, HI

Trilogy Excursions

Half-day Maui snorkel sails with breakfast and a hot lunch cooked aboard, then sails up for the ride home. Paid. Good from about age 3.

Sailing
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Laie, HI

Polynesian Cultural Center

Interactive Pacific Island cultural park with hands-on activities and evening luau. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.

Nature
Ages 3+
~8h
Paid

Lihue, HI

Kauai Sailing Association

A nonprofit community sailing center on Nawiliwili Harbor where kids learn to rig and sail small boats. Paid. Ages 7 to 16.

Sailing
Ages 7+
~6h
Paid

Wailuku, HI

Sail Maui

Catamarans off Maalaea that really do sail, with snorkel stops at Molokini and Coral Gardens. Paid. Works from about age 3.

Sailing
Ages 3+
~5h
Paid

Bear Mountain, NY

Bear Mountain State Park

Historic Hudson River park with trails, pool, merry-go-round, and Appalachian Trail. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Buffalo, NY

Sail Buffalo Sailing School

A nonprofit sailing school on Buffalo's Outer Harbor running week-long Lake Erie camps for kids, sorted by ability. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~7h
Paid

Geneva, NY

Seneca Sailing Academy

A nonprofit school on Seneca Lake with Opti weeks for little kids and free public First Sail days off Geneva. Ages 7 and up.

Sailing
Ages 7+
~7h
Paid

Indian Lake, NY

Snowy Mountain Trail

Challenging hike to the tallest peak in the southern Adirondacks with fire tower summit. Free. Better for ages 8 and up.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~6h
Free

Ithaca, NY

Merrill Family Sailing Center

Cornell's public sailing center on Cayuga Lake, running youth camps, classes and family fleet access. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~7h
Paid

Keene, NY

Cascade Mountain

The most popular Adirondack High Peak with stunning 360-degree summit views. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 7+
~5h
Free

Keene Valley, NY

Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Trail

Epic hike past a 150-foot waterfall to the iconic Ausable Lakes cliff-top view. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~7h
Free

Newcomb, NY

Camp Santanoni Historic Area

Carriage road hike or bike to a historic Great Camp on pristine Newcomb Lake. Free. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~5h
Free

Pilot Knob, NY

Buck Mountain Trail

Challenging summit hike with sweeping Lake George views from 2,334 feet. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 7+
~5h
Free

Rochester, NY

The Strong National Museum of Play

Enormous Rochester museum of play with a Sesame Street set, classic arcade, butterfly garden, carousel, and Toy Hall of Fame.

Indoor Play
Ages 1+
~6h
Paid

Salamanca, NY

Allegany State Park

Largest state park in New York with beaches, boulder fields, and 80+ miles of trails. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Saranac Lake, NY

Ampersand Mountain

Challenging hike to a bald summit with 360-degree Adirondack panorama. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~5h
Free

Schroon Lake, NY

Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

Pristine wilderness lake with backcountry camping far from the crowds. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 7+
~6h
Free

Shandaken, NY

Slide Mountain Trail

Hike the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome. Moderate effort.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~5h
Free

Oklahoma City, OK

OKC Sailing School

Week-long learn-to-sail camps for kids on Lake Hefner, open to non-members, plus a half-day Pirate Camp for ages 5 to 7. Paid.

Sailing
Ages 5+
~7h
Paid

Oklahoma City, OK

Science Museum Oklahoma

Huge Oklahoma City science museum with a high-wire bike, tinkering garage, planetarium, and daily explosive demonstrations.

Science
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Austin, TX

Austin Yacht Club

Lake Travis summer sailing camps on Picos, Sunfish and Flying Juniors, with a published non-member rate. Paid. Ages 8 to 16.

Sailing
Ages 5+
~8h
Paid

Big Bend National Park, TX

Big Bend National Park

Spectacular desert mountains and canyons along the Rio Grande. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day. A tough one.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~8h
Paid

Burnet, TX

Reveille Peak Ranch

Granite bouldering and mountain biking near Burnet. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day. Moderate effort.

Rock Climbing
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Galveston, TX

Moody Gardens

Three glass pyramids in Galveston holding an aquarium with penguins, an indoor rainforest with sloths, and a 3D theater.

Aquarium
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Galveston, TX

Sea Star Base Galveston

A nonprofit maritime base on Offatts Bayou with a 39-boat fleet, week-long summer camps and a Saturday learn-to-sail track.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~6h
Paid

Grapevine, TX

Grapevine Junior Sailing Club

A nonprofit club on Lake Grapevine running two-week RS Zest dinghy camps, booked through city parks and rec. Ages 8 to 15.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~7h
Paid

Pilot Point, TX

Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Sandy beach swimming, kids fishing pond, and lakeside camping at Ray Roberts Lake - a big North Texas family destination near Pilot Point

Camping
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Port Aransas, TX

Mustang Island State Park

Beachfront camping and bay kayak trail with dolphin sightings. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome.

Camping
Ages 2+
~5h
Paid

Presidio, TX

Big Bend Ranch State Park

300,000-acre desert wilderness along the Rio Grande for experienced families. Paid entry. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~6h
Paid

Rockport, TX

Rockport Yacht Club Learn to Sail

An eight-day June learn-to-sail program on Aransas Bay, small classes, with a published non-member rate. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.

Sailing
Ages 8+
~6h
Paid

Salt Flat, TX

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Highest point in Texas and stunning McKittrick Canyon fall foliage. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 6+
~6h
Paid