48 of the Best Road Trip Destinations in the U.S. for Families

Where to Visit: National Automobile Museum

Skip Las Vegas, and head to this family-friendly destination instead. Gearheads will love Reno's National Automobile Museum, which is home to 200+ vintage and modern vehicles.

If cars aren't your thing, spend the day honing your bowling skills at the National Bowling Stadium. And just an hour away, you'll find scenic Lake Tahoe, which is the perfect place to stretch and take in some fresh air on your way to the next stop.

Where to Visit: Disneyland

Just past Los Angeles, you'll find Anaheim, home of Disneyland. While the amusement park will give your family plenty of things to do and see, you can also enjoy a baseball game at the Angel Stadium or a concert at Honda Center.

Where to Visit: The Grand Canyon

You simply can't take a cross-country road trip without stopping at the Grand Canyon! If you only have time to make one quick stop there, make it Yavapai Point, which offers sweeping views of the entire canyon. But if you can spare a couple of days on your journey, make the drive down south to Kaibab National Forest, which offers even more vistas.

Where to Visit: Santa Fe Children’s Museum

Known for its unique architectural style and look, this capital city is full of interesting structures, homes, and buildings. Once you've seen your fair share of adobe architecture, head to the Santa Fe Children's Museum, which features please-touch exhibitions for youngsters. Budding artists may also enjoy the Georgia O'Keeffe museum and the kid-friendly Museum of International Folk Art.

Where to Visit: National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Little ones can try their hand at roping and barrel races for free through the museum's "Little Buckaroos Round-Up" on Saturdays. After you've learned all about cowboys, the wild west, rodeos, and Native American culture, make your way to western-themed amusement park Frontier City for more fun.

Where to Visit: Six Flags Over Texas

On this road trip, you'll make your way from Fort Worth to Dallas through Arlington, Texas, home to Six Flags and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. While you're there, you can also watch a football game at the Cowboy's AT&T Stadium or take in a baseball game at the Ranger's Globe Life Park.

Where to Visit: Crater of Diamonds State Park

Try your hand at diamond digging at this one-of-a-kind park. It's the only diamond mine in the world that's open to the public, and just last year, a teenager found a 7.44-carat rock—the largest to ever be found at the park!

Where to Visit: Graceland

Pay tribute to the king at Graceland, where you can tour the star's old stomping grounds and see an array of shows. Once you've eaten Elvis' favorite fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich at Gladys' Diner, give your kids the history lesson of a lifetime by heading over to the National Civil Rights Museum. End the day eating barbecue on Beale Street.

Where to Visit: Dinosaur World

Between stopping to see the stunning rolling hills and pastures in this pretty state, spend some time learning all about the creatures that used to walk the planet at Dinosaur World, and then make the short-drive to Mammoth Cave National Park to see enormous caverns.

Where to Visit: Russell Cave National Monument

In this national park, you'll have access to one of the oldest settlements in the U.S., which was inhabited by Native Americans more than 10,000 years ago. History buffs will love to see the prehistoric artifacts found in the caves while animal lovers will enjoy seeing the hundreds of types of birds on site. And just a few miles away, you'll find the Bridgeport Railroad Depot Museum, where kids can see vintage train and railroad gear.

Where to Visit: Gulf Islands National Seashore

Get ready for a beach day when you arrive in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Here, spend the day kayaking and camping in the backcountry.

Where to Visit: Café Du Monde and French Quarter

Indulge aspiring little musicians in the sounds of this city with a day spent in the French Quarter, where bands perform live on most street corners. Load up on yummy beignets at Café Du Monde and then walk around the neighborhood to see the historic buildings.

Where to Visit: Disney World

Treat the family to another day at Disney and visit one (or all!) of the nine parks, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. And if you simply can't get enough amusement park fun, head to Universal Studios and visit Hogwarts at Harry Potter World or fly with superman at Marvel Super Hero Island.

Where to Visit: Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum

Just across the river from historic Charleston, you'll find some of America's most impressive ships and aircraft carriers. Plus, your family can even camp and stay overnight on the historic USS Yorktown. And with so many gorgeous beaches just a few miles away, you'll probably want to spend a few days in the area.

Where to Visit: NASCAR Hall of Fame

On your journey, be sure to make a pitstop at this North Carolina Institution. Grownup gearheads will love seeing the historic cars while kiddos will have a blast at the Disney and Pixar Cars 3 Exhibit. Afterwards, make your way to Discovery Place and watch an IMAX movie together.

Where to Visit: Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

Take your youngsters on the train trip of a lifetime at this West Virginia State Park. Ride historic steam-driven trains while taking in stunning sights of the Appalachian Mountains. While you're there, you can also spend the day biking, fishing, hiking, or picnicking on the grounds.

Where to Visit: Colonial Williamsburg

Kids will be so much more interested in American history when they can see it all reenacted right in front of them. Plan to spend two days here—the first in historic Williamsburg, the second at the Busch Gardens amusement park.