Free

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 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.

A stunning 10-mile round trip hike that takes you past Rainbow Falls, a towering 150-foot cascade, and up to the Indian Head cliff with one of the most famous views in the Adirondacks. The cliff-top view looks straight down the Ausable Lakes valley flanked by High Peaks on both sides. This is a long and moderately challenging day for families with strong older hikers but the combination of a massive waterfall and a world-class view makes it one of the most rewarding hikes in the park. Start early and pack plenty of food.

The tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State at 260 feet and one of the most iconic hikes in the Catskills. The trail from the upper parking area is about 1.4 miles round trip with a steep descent on stone steps to the base viewing platform. The falls are massive and the spray on a warm day feels amazing. A second viewing platform midway gives a different perspective. This trail gets extremely crowded on summer weekends so go early or on a weekday. The waterfall has inspired painters since the Hudson River School.

One of the shortest and easiest fire tower hikes in the Adirondacks making it ideal for younger kids or families new to hiking. The trail is just 0.6 miles one way with about 600 feet of elevation gain. The restored fire tower at the top gives views of Canada Lake, Pine Lake, and the surrounding southern Adirondack hills. The whole outing from car to summit and back can be done in under an hour which is perfect when you want a quick hiking win. The trail is well-maintained with no technical sections.

A sandy public beach on the shore of Mirror Lake right in the heart of Lake Placid village. The shallow entry makes it great for toddlers and the roped swim area keeps everyone safe. Lifeguards are on duty during summer. After swimming, the village is a short walk away for ice cream or lunch. The beach has restrooms and changing facilities. Views of the surrounding mountains from the water are beautiful and the sunset here is hard to beat.

The most reliable spot on Oahu to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the sand or swimming in the shallow water. Volunteers are often present to educate visitors and ensure people maintain the required 10-foot distance from the turtles. Kids are thrilled to see these gentle creatures up close on the sand. The beach itself is rocky and not ideal for swimming but the turtle viewing alone makes it worth the stop. Located on the scenic North Shore drive between Haleiwa and the Dole Plantation. The best viewing is usually in the afternoon.

A short loop trail through a forest of eerie lava molds left behind when a lava flow swept through a forest of ohia trees in 1790. The trees burned away but the hardened lava preserved their shapes, creating hollow pillars and ghostly tree-shaped columns. Kids think the formations look like petrified forest creatures. The 0.7-mile paved loop is easy and shaded. It is a quick stop that vividly demonstrates the power of volcanic activity in a way kids can see and touch. The surrounding forest has regrown around the formations creating a beautiful contrast.

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 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 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.

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 natural swimming hole in the Rondout Creek with strikingly blue-green water that looks almost tropical surrounded by Catskill forest. The deep pool is fed by a waterfall and the water is cold but refreshing on a hot summer day. Flat rocks around the edges make great spots for lounging and picnicking. A permit is required for summer weekend visits due to its popularity. The swimming hole is a short walk from the road. This is one of the most beautiful natural swimming spots in New York State.

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 46000-acre wilderness with pristine lakes, ponds, and mountains that sees far fewer visitors than the High Peaks. The hike to Pharaoh Lake is about 4 miles one way on a well-marked trail through beautiful forest. The lake has lean-tos and camping spots along the shore making it a great introduction to backcountry camping for families. Swimming in the clear lake water surrounded by mountains is a highlight. Several shorter hikes to nearby ponds are available for families wanting less distance. It feels genuinely remote.

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.