Family

Snorkel with giant manta rays at night in one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters in Hawaii. Operators set up surfboards with lights that attract plankton, which in turn attract manta rays with wingspans up to 12 feet that glide inches below you as they feed. Kids hold onto the lit surfboard and float face-down watching the graceful mantas do barrel rolls in the light. It sounds scary but the rays have no teeth or stingers and the experience is peaceful and awe-inspiring. This is a bucket-list Hawaii activity.

A world-class aquarium focused on Hawaii marine life with a 750000-gallon open ocean exhibit you walk through in an underwater tunnel. Kids are transfixed by the sharks, rays, and tropical fish swimming overhead and all around them. Touch pools let kids handle sea stars and sea cucumbers. The exhibits are organized by habitat from shallow reef to deep ocean. A turtle lagoon features rescued Hawaiian green sea turtles. The Sphere is an immersive 3D whale experience. This is the best rainy-day option on Maui and worth a visit regardless of weather.

A working tropical farm with a tram tour through 60 acres of crops including pineapple, coffee, coconut, sugar cane, and macadamia nut trees. Kids love the tram ride where the guide lets them taste fruit picked right from the trees. The zipline course over the farm is a hit with older kids. The on-site store sells fresh tropical fruit and the Mill House restaurant is excellent. A coconut husking demonstration and coconut water tasting are fun interactive elements. It is a mellow, educational outing that works for all ages.

Maui is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. Humpback whales migrate here every winter and the waters between Maui, Lanai, and Molokai are a prime calving ground. Boat tours regularly encounter breaching, tail slapping, and mother-calf pairs at close range. Kids are absolutely spellbound by these massive creatures. The Pacific Whale Foundation and other operators run multiple daily departures. Even from shore, whales are often visible from December through April. The experience is awe-inspiring at any age.

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.

The visitor station at 9200 feet on Mauna Kea offers free stargazing programs with telescopes every evening and sits above the cloud line for some of the best stargazing in the world. The evening program is family-friendly and guides point out planets, galaxies, and constellations through multiple telescopes. The Milky Way from here is so vivid it does not look real. The drive up passes through multiple climate zones from tropical to subarctic which fascinates kids. Children under 13 should not go to the summit (13796 feet) due to altitude.

A free self-guided tour of the macadamia nut processing factory set in a beautiful orchard. Kids can watch the nuts being processed through glass windows, walk through the macadamia nut orchard, and try free samples of flavored nuts and chocolates. The grounds include a short nature trail and garden. The gift shop has unique souvenirs. It is a quick and easy stop that breaks up a day of driving and the free samples are always a hit with kids. The surrounding orchards with their rows of trees are peaceful to walk through.

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.

The most popular public beach on Lake George with a wide sandy shoreline, lifeguards on duty, and crystal-clear mountain water that stays shallow for a long way out. Kids can splash in the roped swimming area while parents relax on the sand with views of the surrounding Adirondack peaks. Changing rooms, restrooms, and a snack bar are right on site. The beach gets crowded on hot summer weekends so arriving early is the move.

A stunning 22000-acre preserve on the Shawangunk Ridge with crystal-clear sky lakes, dramatic cliff-top trails, and swimming at a beach perched above the Hudson Valley. The carriage roads are wide and gentle enough for strollers and young hikers while the cliff-top paths offer more adventure for older kids. Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting are sky-blue gems surrounded by white rock. The Awosting Falls trail is a must-do. This is one of the most scenic and family-friendly parks in the entire state.

Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and explore Mirror Lake right in the center of Lake Placid village. The lake is small enough to paddle around in a couple of hours and motorboats are not allowed, keeping the water calm and quiet. Kids love the independence of paddling their own kayak along the shoreline looking for fish and turtles. The backdrop of Whiteface Mountain reflected in the still water on a calm morning is iconic. Several outfitters on Main Street offer hourly rentals.

Over 8000 acres of protected Shawangunk Ridge land with 70 miles of trails, world-class rock climbing, and stunning white cliff-top views. The carriage roads are perfect for families with younger kids who need a smooth, wide path. Older kids will love scrambling on the rocky trails near the Trapps cliffs where rock climbers scale the walls. The views from the cliff-top paths across the Wallkill Valley are spectacular. This is the premier destination for families who want to introduce kids to rock climbing in a natural setting.

A boat trip to a partially submerged volcanic crater 3 miles offshore with some of the clearest water and best snorkeling in all of Hawaii. Visibility often exceeds 150 feet and the protected interior of the crescent-shaped crater is calm and teeming with tropical fish. Kids are amazed by the underwater visibility and the sheer number and variety of fish. Most tours include snorkel gear, breakfast, and lunch on board. Morning departures offer the calmest conditions. Sea turtles and sometimes reef sharks are spotted in the deeper areas.

A beautiful state park with a sandy beach on Moreau Lake, campgrounds, and trails that connect to the nearby Palmertown Range. The lake is small and warm and the beach has a gradual entry that is perfect for young kids. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. The campground has 148 sites in a wooded setting. Hiking trails range from easy lakeside loops to a more challenging climb up to the ridge for Hudson River views. The park is close to Saratoga Springs and Lake George making it a great base camp.

A gentle 2.5-mile loop trail around a pristine Adirondack lake that is one of the best family hikes in the region. The trail is mostly flat and passes through beautiful forest with several lake access points where kids can skip rocks and look for frogs. A lean-to along the way makes a great rest stop. The lake is a popular spot for kayaking and fishing. This is the kind of trail where even reluctant hikers have a good time because it feels more like a nature walk than a hike.

A short but rewarding 2.6-mile round trip hike right behind the Adirondack Loj that delivers a High Peaks view typically reserved for much longer climbs. The trail offers two routes to the summit: a short steep scramble and a longer gradual path, so families can choose based on their kids abilities. The top looks out over Heart Lake with the High Peaks rising behind it. This is one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in the Adirondacks for families and a perfect introduction to mountain hiking.

A boat tour along the most dramatic coastline in Hawaii with 4000-foot sea cliffs, cascading waterfalls, sea caves, and hidden valleys. The Na Pali Coast is inaccessible by car so seeing it by boat is the most family-friendly option. Most tours include snorkeling at a reef along the coast and the chance to enter sea caves. Spinner dolphins and sea turtles are frequently spotted. Kids are awestruck by the sheer scale of the cliffs and waterfalls. Choose a catamaran for a smoother ride. Summer has the calmest conditions.

A natural blowhole on the rugged northwest coast of Maui that shoots ocean water up to 100 feet in the air when the surf is up. The short hike down from the road (about 0.6 miles) crosses rocky lava terrain to a dramatic coastline. Kids are thrilled by the eruptions of water from the blowhole. The surrounding lava formations and tide pools are fascinating. Stay well back from the blowhole and cliff edges as it is genuinely dangerous up close. The heart-shaped rock formation nearby is another fun find for kids.

The largest marble cave entrance in the eastern US sits at the center of this family-friendly nature park. Self-guided trails wind past caves, waterfalls, and geological formations that kids find genuinely fascinating. The stone bridge itself is massive and the gorge below it is dramatic. A gem mining sluice keeps younger kids busy for a long time. Seasonal activities include snowshoe trails in winter. It is a privately run park so expect a polished experience with good signage and clean restrooms.

Despite the name, this rocky cove on the North Shore is one of the best tide pool and snorkeling spots for families on Oahu. In calm summer conditions the water is clear and full of tropical fish, sea turtles, and interesting rock formations. The tide pools on the outer edges fascinate younger kids who can find sea urchins, crabs, and small fish. The name comes from the shape of the rocks, not from actual sharks. Waves in winter make it unsafe so this is strictly a summer destination.