Quick Trips: 2 Hours or Less
We pulled these 186 quick outings out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Texas, Hawaii, New York and Oklahoma. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.
Showing 48 of 186 adventures — pick a state above for the full list
Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas, TX
AquariumDescend through an indoor rainforest of sloths, toucans and monkeys to a shark tunnel and manatees …
White Rock Lake
Dallas, TX
Biking9.4-mile paved biking loop around a scenic Dallas lake. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Dripping Springs, TX
SwimmingJaw-dropping grotto with 50-foot waterfall and natural swimming pool. Paid entry. Best from about …
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Plano, TX
HikingFamily-friendly trails and an observation tower in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Tandy Hills Natural Area
Fort Worth, TX
HikingNative prairie wildflowers and skyline views in Fort Worth. Free. Best from about age 4. About an …
Trinity Trails
Fort Worth, TX
BikingOver 100 miles of paved family-friendly trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth - free biking, …
Museum of the American Railroad
Frisco, TX
MuseumFrisco rail museum with full-size steam locomotives, a Pullman sleeper and vintage passenger cars …
Texas Sculpture Garden at Hall Park
Frisco, TX
PhotographyFree outdoor sculpture park with 50+ works and beautiful landscaping. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Spring Creek Forest Preserve
Garland, TX
HikingOld-growth forest with guided nature hikes near Dallas. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …
Pedernales River Nature Park
Johnson City, TX
SwimmingQuiet Pedernales River swimming with limestone wading pools. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
Rio Vista Park
San Marcos, TX
SwimmingCrystal-clear spring-fed river with natural falls for floating and swimming. Free. Best from about …
Cameron Park
Waco, TX
HikingDramatic blufftop trails and hidden grottos above the Brazos River. Free. Best from about age 4. …
Manoa Falls Trail
Honolulu, HI
HikingRainforest hike to a 150-foot waterfall through a tropical jungle near Waikiki. Paid entry. Best …
Akaka Falls State Park
Honomu, HI
HikingEasy paved walk to a jaw-dropping 442-foot waterfall through tropical jungle. Paid entry. Works from …
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Kailua-Kona, HI
SnorkelingSnorkel with giant manta rays gliding below you in an unforgettable night encounter. Paid entry. …
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Naalehu, HI
NatureVolcanic black sand beach famous for Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on shore. Free. Works from …
North Shore Surf Lessons
Haleiwa, HI
SurfingLearn to surf on gentle summer waves with certified North Shore instructors. Paid entry. Best from …
Hilo Farmers Market
Hilo, HI
NatureHawaii's biggest farmers market with 200+ vendors, exotic fruits, and tropical flowers. Free. Works …
Lanikai Pillbox Hike
Kailua, HI
HikingShort steep hike to WWII bunkers with stunning views over Lanikai Beach. Free. Best from about age …
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
Kaneohe, HI
NatureFree 400-acre botanical garden with dramatic mountain backdrop and camping. Free. Works from toddler …
Allerton Garden (National Tropical Botanical Garden)
Koloa, HI
NatureJurassic Park filming location with ancient trees in a spectacular valley garden. Paid entry. Best …
Olowalu Reef Snorkeling (Mile Marker 14)
Lahaina, HI
SnorkelingExcellent shore snorkeling with guaranteed sea turtles over a massive shallow reef. Free. Best from …
Lava Tree State Monument
Pahoa, HI
HikingEerie forest of lava-molded tree columns from a 1790 eruption. Free. Best from about age 3. About an …
Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
Waimanalo, HI
HikingPaved coastal cliff trail to a lighthouse with winter whale watching. Free. Best from about age 3. …
Mount Jo Trail
Lake Placid, NY
HikingShort family hike with a spectacular High Peaks panorama above Heart Lake. Paid entry. Best from …
Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie, NY
HikingWalk 212 feet above the Hudson River on the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Free. …
Taughannock Falls State Park
Trumansburg, NY
HikingEasy walk to a 215-foot waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen, NY
HikingWalk behind 19 waterfalls through a stunning 200-foot-deep gorge. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
Shelving Rock Falls Trail
Fort Ann, NY
HikingShort family hike to a beautiful waterfall near Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About two …
Clark Reservation State Park
Jamesville, NY
HikingGlacial plunge basin with cliff-rimmed lake and unique geology near Syracuse. Paid entry. Best from …
Vernooy Kill Falls Trail
Kerhonkson, NY
HikingEasy forest hike to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. Free. Best from about …
Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
Lake George, NY
HikingScenic mountaintop with panoramic views of Lake George and the Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from …
Buttermilk Falls
Long Lake, NY
HikingOne of the tallest Adirondack waterfalls with easy staircase access. Free. Best from about age 3. …
Vroman's Nose
Middleburgh, NY
HikingShort hike to a cliff-top meadow with sweeping Schoharie Valley views. Free. Best from about age 5. …
Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
Poughkeepsie, NY
Indoor-PlayHands-on children's museum on the Poughkeepsie waterfront with circuits, bubbles, water tables, and …
miSci Museum of Innovation and Science
Schenectady, NY
ScienceSchenectady science museum with hands-on electricity exhibits, General Electric history and a …
Rugaru Adventures
Broken Bow, OK
Aerial-AdventureTop-rated six-line forest canopy zipline tour in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid entry. Better for ages …
Museum of the Red River
Idabel, OK
MuseumIdabel museum forty minutes from Broken Bow with a full mounted Acrocanthosaurus and Native American …
Beaver Lodge Nature Trail
Broken Bow, OK
HikingEasy 2-mile forest loop trail through towering pines in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from …
Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides
Broken Bow, OK
NatureMiniature train rides and guided horseback rides through the Ouachita pines. Paid entry. Works from …
Broken Bow Lake Paddleboarding
Broken Bow, OK
PaddleboardingStand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Better for …
Evening Hole Fishing Area
Broken Bow, OK
FishingPopular family fishing pier on the Mountain Fork River with trout and bass. Paid entry. Best from …
Forest Heritage Center Museum
Broken Bow, OK
MuseumFree forestry museum inside Beavers Bend State Park with wall murals, logging tools, and dioramas …
Friends Trail Loop
Broken Bow, OK
HikingPopular 1.5-mile family loop with a river waterfall in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from …
Hochatown Petting Zoo
Broken Bow, OK
NatureRescue-based petting zoo with barnyard animals and exotics in Hochatown. Paid entry. Works from …
Mountain Fork River Kayaking
Broken Bow, OK
KayakingKayak and canoe rentals on the crystal-clear Mountain Fork River near Beavers Bend. Paid entry. Best …
Riverman Trail Rides
Broken Bow, OK
NatureGuided horseback riding through the Ouachita Mountains overlooking the Glover River. Paid entry. …
The Maze of Hochatown
Broken Bow, OK
NatureGiant 29,000 sq ft wooden maze in Hochatown near Broken Bow - tickets sold at the gate, with …