Family

A 3-mile round trip hike to a series of dramatic rock ledges with sweeping views of the Catskill Mountains. The trail climbs steadily through forest and the payoff at the top is outstanding. Multiple ledge viewpoints give kids plenty of room to explore and each one offers a slightly different panorama. This is one of the most popular hikes in the Catskills for good reason. The ledges are exposed so keep a close eye on younger kids near the edges. Sunsets from Giant Ledge are legendary.

A family-favorite 3.8-mile round trip hike to a restored fire tower with stunning views of the central Adirondacks. The trail is well-maintained with a steady grade that most kids can handle. Interpretive signs along the way teach about the forest ecosystem which keeps kids engaged during the climb. The fire tower at the top provides a 360-degree view including several High Peaks and the winding Rich Lake below. This is one of the best introductory fire tower hikes for families.

A 73-site campground on the St. Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay with a swimming beach, fishing docks, and a boat launch. The location puts you right in the heart of the Thousand Islands with easy access to Boldt Castle, boat tours, and village shops and restaurants. The beach is small but clean and the kids fishing from the docks catch a surprising amount of bass and pike. The campground is shaded and well-maintained. This is one of the best base camps for exploring the Thousand Islands region.

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.

A 3.6-mile round trip hike to a restored fire tower on Hadley Mountain with views of the Great Sacandaga Lake and the southern Adirondacks. The trail climbs about 1,525 feet through forest with a few rocky sections near the top. The fire tower at the summit has been restored and is open for climbing. Views are excellent in every direction with the lake dominating the south and mountains rolling north toward the High Peaks. This is a great intermediate fire tower hike for families who have outgrown the easiest trails.

A guided cultural hike through the ancient Halawa Valley to a beautiful 250-foot double waterfall (Moa ula Falls). Access to the valley trail is only through a guided tour with a local Hawaiian family who shares the valley history, culture, and legends along the way. Kids learn about taro farming, Hawaiian plant uses, and valley life. The waterfall pool at the end is deep enough for swimming. The valley itself is stunningly beautiful with the green walls rising on both sides. This is an authentic Hawaiian cultural experience, not a tourist operation.

Watching the sunrise from the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakala volcano is one of the most extraordinary experiences in Hawaii. The crater landscape looks like Mars and the sunrise above the clouds is genuinely life-changing. Kids are awed by the alien-looking terrain and the cinder cones inside the massive crater. It is very cold at the summit (often below freezing at dawn) so bundle up. Sunrise reservations are required and sell out months in advance. Short rim trails at the summit are accessible for families.

A protected marine bay set inside a volcanic crater with the best easy snorkeling on Oahu. The reef is teeming with colorful fish that swim right up to you in shallow water. Kids are mesmerized from the moment they put their face in. A mandatory short educational video before entry teaches kids about reef conservation which makes the experience more meaningful. The beach is sandy with a gentle slope into calm turquoise water. Arrive early because the parking lot fills fast and the preserve caps daily visitors.

Consistently rated the best beach on the Big Island and one of the top beaches in Hawaii with a wide stretch of white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. The beach is on the dry Kohala Coast so sunny skies are almost guaranteed. Bodyboarding is excellent here and the sand is powdery soft. Lifeguards are on duty and the park has restrooms, showers, and a snack concession. Summer conditions are calm and perfect for swimming while winter brings bigger waves for experienced bodyboarders.

A hilltop recreation area with easy trails and one of the best views in the Finger Lakes region, looking out over Honeoye Lake and the surrounding hills. The trails are wide and gentle, mostly following old roads through meadows and forest. The Big Oak Trail and Fox Run Trail are both under 2 miles and great for young hikers. In winter the trails are popular for cross-country skiing. The overlook point on a clear fall day with the lake below and autumn colors everywhere is truly special.

The second largest state park in New York with over 200 miles of trails, 31 lakes and reservoirs, and two swimming beaches. The park is massive and offers everything from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain hikes. Lake Sebago and Lake Welch have lifeguard-staffed beaches perfect for families. The trails range from flat lakeshore walks to rocky ridgeline scrambles with Hudson Valley views. It is an incredible outdoor playground close to New York City and a great place to introduce kids to serious hiking.

A stunning tropical garden on a dramatic ocean bluff north of Hilo with trails winding through over 2000 species of tropical plants and flowers. The garden descends into Onomea Bay with viewpoints of waterfalls, the ocean, and towering palms. Kids enjoy the boardwalk trail that passes a waterfall and crosses bridges over streams. The variety of exotic flowers, palms, and tropical plants is incredible. This was a filming location for Jurassic Park and you can see why. The beauty is overwhelming and photographs here look like they were taken in a fantasy world.

A small family-run tropical fruit farm offering guided tours through orchards growing over 60 varieties of exotic fruits. Kids get to taste fruits they have never heard of straight from the tree, including starfruit, sapodilla, rollinia, and jaboticaba. The guides are passionate and knowledgeable and make the tour interactive for kids. The farm setting on the slopes above Kealakekua Bay has lovely ocean views. A smoothie from the farm stand afterward is the perfect finish. This is an authentic, non-touristy experience that kids genuinely enjoy.

One of the most extraordinary national parks in the country centered around Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The Crater Rim Drive circles the massive Kilauea caldera with overlooks, steam vents kids can feel, and the Thurston Lava Tube, a tunnel through solidified lava that is a highlight for every child. The Devastation Trail is a paved boardwalk through a surreal volcanic landscape. Chain of Craters Road descends through multiple eruption sites to the coast. Seeing an active volcano up close gives kids a sense of wonder that is hard to match anywhere else.

A crystal-clear mountain lake at the Adirondack Loj with a sandy beach, canoe rentals, and the High Peaks rising dramatically behind it. The beach is small but beautiful and the water is clean and refreshing. Kids can swim, build sandcastles, and paddle while looking up at some of the tallest mountains in New York. The Loj also offers programs for families and serves as the trailhead for numerous High Peaks hikes. Spending a morning at the beach before an afternoon hike on Mount Jo makes for a perfect Adirondack day.

One of the most popular state campgrounds in the Adirondacks right on the shore of Lake George. The 251 sites are shaded by tall pines and many sit directly on the waterfront. Kids can swim at the campground beach, fish from shore, and explore nearby hiking trails. Its location just two miles south of Lake George village makes it convenient for day trips to shops and attractions. Reserve months in advance for summer weekends because this one books up fast.

A privately operated nature attraction with steel walkways and bridges built right into the granite walls of the Ausable River gorge. Kids get an up-close look at four major waterfalls crashing through ancient rock formations while staying safe on the fenced walkways. The whole loop takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is manageable even for younger children. A gem mining station and nature trails add to the experience. In winter the frozen falls are spectacular and snowshoe trails are available.

The biggest and best farmers market in Hawaii with over 200 vendors on Wednesdays and Saturdays selling tropical fruits, flowers, crafts, and prepared foods. Kids are fascinated by the exotic fruits they have never seen before like rambutan, dragon fruit, starfruit, and fresh coconuts cut open for drinking. The flower section is stunning with orchids and tropical blooms. Fresh smoothies, macadamia nut treats, and plate lunch vendors provide delicious family-friendly food. It is a sensory experience that gives kids a taste of real local Hawaii.

A stunning 400-acre botanical garden set against the dramatic backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. The garden is free and has wide paved roads perfect for strollers along with trails through collections of tropical plants from around the world. Kids enjoy the catch-and-release fishing lake and the visitor center has nature activities. The mountain views from inside the garden are among the most photographed on Oahu. A campground within the garden offers free weekend camping with a permit, which is one of the best-kept secrets on the island.

An easy half-mile loop trail through a unique forest of native and non-native trees inside Haleakala National Park at 6,800 feet elevation. The shady trail is perfect for families with young kids and the interpretive signs teach about the different tree species planted here as a reforestation experiment in the early 1900s. Native birds including the endangered Hawaiian goose (nene) are often spotted. The adjacent campground is free and a great base for exploring the summit. The cooler mountain air is a refreshing change from the coast.