Family

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.

The largest and arguably best campground in the Catskills with 219 sites set between two lakes and surrounded by iconic hiking trails. Kids can swim at the beach, fish from shore, and explore miles of trails that lead to stunning overlooks including the famous Artist Point and Newman Ledge views of the Hudson Valley. Kaaterskill Falls is accessible right from the campground. Boat rentals are available on the lake. The combination of great camping, swimming, and world-class hiking makes this the premier family base camp in the Catskills.

A series of cascading pools and waterfalls that flow from the mountains down to the ocean in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. When conditions allow, swimming in the tiered rock pools is magical with waterfall-fed water and views of the ocean below. The pools are frequently closed for safety during high water so check before making the long drive. A short paved trail leads to the lower pool area. The setting is stunningly beautiful with jungle, waterfalls, and ocean all in one view.

One of the best shore-access snorkeling spots on Maui with a massive coral reef that extends far offshore in shallow calm water. Green sea turtles are almost guaranteed here and the reef is teeming with tropical fish. The water is shallow and calm making it accessible for kids who are new to snorkeling. The entry is sandy and the reef starts about 50 yards from shore. There are no facilities so bring everything you need. The reef extends for over a mile, so the further out you go, the more diverse the marine life becomes.

A 4.6-mile round trip hike up an old road to a fire tower with views over the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, and on clear days all the way to the Berkshires. Along the way, kids pass the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House hotel, a crumbling stone building that feels like discovering a castle in the woods. The fire tower at the summit is restored and climbable. The trail is wide and straightforward but climbs steadily. This hike combines history, mystery, and mountain views in a way kids love.

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.

One of the longest white sand beaches in Hawaii stretching nearly 3 miles along Molokai west shore. The beach is vast, wild, and almost always deserted giving families an experience of having an entire beach to themselves. The scale is impressive with wide golden sand and crashing waves. Swimming can be rough in winter but calmer in summer. The empty expanse is perfect for long walks, sand castle building, and just feeling the freedom of wide open space. Sunset here is spectacular with views toward Oahu.

A scenic 4-mile drive on the Old Mamalahoa Highway north of Hilo through a lush tropical corridor with one-lane bridges, towering palms, and jungle vegetation. Kids love the narrow bridges and the feeling of driving through a tunnel of tropical plants. Pullover viewpoints offer ocean views from the cliff-top road. The drive passes through the small historic town of Pepe ekeo and the botanical garden entrance. It takes about 20 minutes and is a perfect low-effort scenic detour that feels like old Hawaii. The road reconnects to Highway 19 so you do not need to backtrack.

A 157-acre preserve managed by the Lake George Land Conservancy with gentle trails winding through meadows and forests above the southern tip of Lake George. The 1.5-mile loop trail is perfect for younger hikers and offers nice views of the lake from several overlooks. Wildflowers fill the meadows in spring and early summer. It is a quieter alternative to the more crowded Lake George trails and a great spot for a nature walk with kids who are not ready for a big summit hike.

A small roadside state park with a short trail to a 50-foot waterfall on Lansing Kill Creek. The walk to the falls is just a few hundred yards from the parking lot making it one of the easiest waterfall hikes in the state. The falls cascade over a wide rock ledge into a rocky pool below. A picnic area with tables and grills makes it easy to turn the quick waterfall visit into a longer outing. The park is a perfect rest stop on the way to or from the Adirondacks. No swimming is allowed but the falls are beautiful to watch.

Rated America Best Beach and it lives up to the hype. A natural tombolo (sand bar) creates two separate swimming areas: a protected keiki (children) pool on one side that is perfect for toddlers and a more open area for older swimmers on the other. Monk seals occasionally haul out on the beach which is a rare and exciting wildlife encounter. Lifeguards are on duty and the park has restrooms, showers, and a grassy area with shade trees for picnics. The south shore location means sunny weather even when the rest of Kauai is rainy.

A mountain forest on the slopes of Haleakala at 6200 feet that feels nothing like tropical Hawaii. Towering redwood, eucalyptus, and pine trees create a cool, misty forest that could be in the Pacific Northwest. The Redwood Trail and Plum Trail are family-friendly loops through these unusual forests. The temperature is 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the coast which surprises kids who expect Hawaii to always be hot. On clear days the views of Maui central valley and the ocean are spectacular. A cabin is available for overnight stays.

A dramatic descent from a cliff-top lookout down into a remote valley with a black sand beach on the Kohala Coast. The lookout alone offers one of the most stunning views on the Big Island with rugged green cliffs plunging into the ocean. The trail down to the beach is about a half mile but steep and muddy. At the bottom, the wild black sand beach is backed by dense forest and ironwood trees. The swimming is dangerous due to currents but the beach and valley scenery are incredible. The hike back up is a good workout.

An interactive cultural park with six Pacific Island villages where families experience traditions, games, crafts, and performances from Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, and Aotearoa. Kids can learn to throw a Samoan coconut, play drums, throw spears, and paddle canoes. The evening luau and fire knife dance show are spectacular. Student guides from the nearby university bring authentic energy and make the experiences hands-on. Plan for a full day and evening. This is far more engaging than a typical tourist show.

Drive or hike to the 2030-foot summit for jaw-dropping panoramic views of Lake George, the Adirondacks, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. The scenic toll road gets you most of the way up and a short shuttle ride or 0.6-mile walk reaches the top. Kids love running around the summit area and picking out landmarks below. The hiking trail from the base is 3.2 miles and a solid workout for older kids. Either way, the views from the top are absolutely worth it.

An ancient Hawaiian place of refuge with restored temples, carved wooden god figures (ki i), and a beautiful oceanfront setting. The park tells the story of Hawaiian law where those who broke kapu (sacred laws) could find sanctuary here. Kids are fascinated by the tall carved figures and the massive rock wall that separates the royal grounds from the place of refuge. Sea turtles often rest on the rocks along the shore. The park has a self-guided walking tour and ranger programs. Excellent snorkeling is available just outside the park boundary at Two Step.

A jet-black sand beach where Hawaiian green sea turtles regularly haul themselves onto the sand to rest. Kids are amazed seeing these ancient creatures up close, basking just feet away on the dark sand. The black sand is made of volcanic basite and feels unlike any beach they have ever been to. The swimming conditions are often rough so this is more of a wildlife viewing and wading beach than a swimming beach. A small park with shade trees and picnic tables makes it a comfortable stop. Always maintain the required 10-foot distance from the turtles.

An 80-foot waterfall in the heart of Hilo that drops into a circular pool surrounded by a cave and tropical vegetation. The falls are visible from a paved overlook just steps from the parking lot making it one of the easiest waterfall viewpoints in Hawaii. On sunny mornings, rainbows form in the mist at the base of the falls, which is how it got its name. A short trail leads to the top of the falls through a grove of enormous banyan trees. The whole visit takes 15 to 30 minutes. A perfect quick stop in Hilo.

A small public beach on one of the most beautiful lakes in the central Adirondacks. The beach is sandy with a gradual entry into clean mountain lake water. It is never as crowded as the Lake George beaches and has a relaxed, old-school Adirondack feel. Kids can swim, build sandcastles, and explore the shoreline while parents enjoy the quiet mountain setting. Nearby, the village has a general store for supplies. The lake is also a great launch point for kayaking and canoeing.

A protected beach park on the Hilo side with calm tide pools, a black sand beach, and an excellent chance of swimming with sea turtles. The lava rock forms natural pools that are sheltered from waves making it safe for kids to snorkel and explore. Green sea turtles feed on the algae growing on the rocks and sightings are almost guaranteed. The park has restrooms, showers, and lifeguards. The tide pools are fascinating for younger kids who can find sea urchins, crabs, and small fish. This is the best family snorkeling spot near Hilo.