Adventure

Known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, this 500-million-year-old sandstone gorge is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the United States. Walkways and bridges take you along the rim and down into the gorge where the Ausable River has carved dramatic formations in the rock. Kids are amazed by the towering walls and the optional raft ride through the rapids at the end is a thrilling finish. Rock climbing, rappelling, and river tubing are available for older kids who want more adrenaline.

A unique creek-walk hike where you wade right up the streambed to reach two beautiful waterfalls hidden in a narrow gorge. There is no dry trail option so everyone gets wet feet, which kids absolutely love. The first waterfall is about a half mile in and the second is just beyond it. The creek is shallow and the rock walls on either side are layered with fossils. This is hands-down one of the most fun and memorable family hikes in the Finger Lakes. Water shoes are essential.

One of the most visited natural attractions in New York with guided tours through a massive cave system 156 feet underground. The 80-minute walking tour includes a boat ride on an underground lake that kids think is magical. Limestone formations, narrow passages, and the sheer scale of the caverns are genuinely impressive. The temperature underground is a constant 52 degrees making it a great rainy-day or hot-day activity. An above-ground adventure park with ropes courses and zip lines adds outdoor fun.

The first two miles of the famous Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi ai Beach offer a taste of the Na Pali Coast without the full 11-mile commitment. The trail hugs dramatic cliffs above the ocean with stunning views around every corner. The trail is narrow, muddy, and has significant drop-offs so this is best for older kids who are sure-footed. The beach at the end is a beautiful reward with a wild surf and dramatic valley backdrop. Do not swim here as currents are extremely dangerous. A permit and reservation are required.

Float through old sugar plantation irrigation ditches and tunnels hand-dug over a century ago on an inner tube. The gentle current carries you through 5 tunnels, some pitch black except for your headlamp. Kids love the tunnel sections where the only light is from their own headlamp reflecting on the water. The surrounding scenery is lush and green. The water is warm and the current does most of the work so it is relaxing and exciting at the same time. This is a uniquely Kauai experience you will not find anywhere else in Hawaii.

A 4000-acre private nature reserve on the windward coast that has been the backdrop for Jurassic Park, Lost, and dozens of other films. Kids lose their minds when they see the valley where the dinosaurs roamed. Activities include horseback riding, ATV tours, zip lines, a movie site tour, and a jungle expedition. The scenery is absolutely jaw-dropping with dramatic mountain ridges and the ocean in the background. Multiple tour packages let you mix activities for a full day. This is one of those experiences kids never forget.

Camping on one of the islands in Lake George is a bucket-list Adirondack experience. Over 300 islands dot the lake and the DEC maintains campsites on many of them accessible only by boat. Kids are thrilled by the adventure of paddling or boating to a private island campsite surrounded by clear water and mountain views. Sites include fire rings and pit toilets. The Glen Island, Long Island, and Narrow Island groups are the most popular. You will need your own boat or canoe to reach the sites.

A family-friendly zipline course through the tropical upcountry of Maui with lines designed specifically for kids as young as 5. Multiple zipline operators offer courses ranging from short beginner lines to longer, faster lines for teens. The views of the ocean and mountains from the zipline platforms are incredible. The guides are encouraging and patient with nervous first-timers. Kids who are initially scared always want to go again by the end. This is a great adrenaline activity that works for a wide age range.

A jungle hike through lush windward forest to a beautiful waterfall with a deep swimmable pool at the base. The trail is about 3 miles round trip and crosses streams and roots through dense tropical vegetation. The waterfall drops about 20 feet into a clear pool where local families swim and jump from the rocks. The trail can be muddy and slippery so this is best for kids who are comfortable on rough terrain. The swimming hole at the end makes all the mud worthwhile.

A dramatic hiking trail along the bottom of the Niagara Gorge below the Falls with massive boulders, whirlpool rapids, and views you cannot get from the top. The trail descends 300 steps into the gorge and follows the river past huge rock formations. The power of the rapids at the Whirlpool is humbling and the boulder scrambling keeps older kids engaged. This is a challenging trail that requires sure footing and is not for young children. The Discovery Center at the top has exhibits on gorge geology. A completely different perspective on Niagara Falls.

Learning to surf in Hawaii is a bucket-list family experience and the North Shore in summer has perfect beginner waves. Multiple certified surf schools operate out of Haleiwa Beach Park with patient instructors who get kids standing on their first lesson. The summer waves are small and gentle, nothing like the giant winter swells the North Shore is famous for. Most kids are riding waves within the first hour and the pride on their faces is priceless. Group lessons are the best value and typically last 2 hours.

A privately run nature park with a one-mile trail winding through massive ancient rock formations with crevices, passageways, and caves that kids can explore. The rock outcroppings are over 300 million years old and rise up to 60 feet high. Kids absolutely love squeezing through narrow passages and climbing on the rocks. Some crevices require flashlights and a sense of adventure. The forest of old-growth hemlock and white pine adds to the atmosphere. This is one of those places where kids beg to go back.

A dramatic natural lava rock pool on Kauai north shore that fills with ocean water and creates a spectacular swimming experience surrounded by crashing waves. The 0.4-mile trail down to the pool is steep, rooted, and very slippery when wet. This spot has real dangers and is only appropriate for experienced families with older teens in calm summer conditions. Rogue waves can sweep over the rocks without warning and people have died here. When conditions are right the pool is magical but it demands respect and constant ocean awareness.

A stunning hidden beach accessed by a short but steep trail through jungle. The beach is long and wide with golden sand flanked by dramatic cliffs and lush vegetation. The wild beauty here is breathtaking. Swimming is generally unsafe due to strong currents but the beach is worth visiting for the scenery, beachcombing, and tide pool exploring alone. The remoteness and beauty make kids feel like they discovered something special. Bring everything you need as there are no facilities. The trail down is muddy and steep on the return.

Natural lava rock tide pools on the coast below the Makapu u Lighthouse Trail that fill with ocean water and create natural swimming holes. The pools range from shallow wading depth to deeper plunge pools. Kids love exploring the marine life in the shallows and swimming in the protected pools. Access requires a scramble over rocky lava terrain so this is best for sure-footed older kids. Waves can wash over the rocks so always check conditions and keep an eye on the ocean. When conditions are right, these pools are magical.

Kayak up the Wailua River, the only navigable river in Hawaii, through a lush jungle setting to a short trail that leads to the beautiful Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls). The river paddle is about 2 miles each way and is calm and easy even for beginners. The waterfall at the end drops 120 feet into a pool where swimming is a refreshing reward. Guided tours and self-guided kayak rentals are both available. The combination of paddling through jungle scenery and swimming under a waterfall is a quintessential Kauai experience.

A wild and rugged gorge carved by Cattaraugus Creek with 600-foot canyon walls, old-growth forest, and deep swimming holes. The creek has carved a dramatic canyon through the landscape and the old-growth hemlocks and white pines are some of the largest in the state. Accessing the swimming holes requires hiking and creek crossings so this is best for families with older adventurous kids. The canyon is ungroomed and wild, which is exactly its appeal. This feels like wilderness despite being in western New York.

Rent a side-by-side UTV and hit over 75 miles of guided mountain trails through the Ouachita forest with no trailer needed. The well-maintained UTVs make it accessible for families and kids ride as passengers loving every bump and splash through creek crossings. The scenery along the routes is stunning with mountain views and dense forest around every turn. Two UTVs let families ride together but in their own vehicles which turns it into a friendly competition. This is the kind of adrenaline-fueled adventure kids talk about for the rest of the year.