19 travel destinations With Kids children ideas

Looking for the best cities to visit with young kids or toddlers? Read our post for some suggestions from family travel bloggers! #travelwithtoddler #travelwithkids This post may contain affiliate links for which I may earn a small commission if items are purchased via the link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.Cities make some of the best getaways for families with young kids. Most major cities offer nonstop flights, have excellent public transportation so that you don’t have to lug your car seats along and offer lots of activities and attractions for everyone in your family. We asked members of our group Tiny Globetrotters what their favorite city getaway with little one was and had a huge response! There were many more than 20 cities mentioned, but for this article we will focus on just 20. In no particular order, here are some favorite cities for family vacations, based on the recommendations of some seasoned travelers! PIN FOR LATER 1. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Erica Louise, from KidTown Melbourne Australia’s second most populous city attracts millions of tourists each year.No doubt because Melbourne is considered to be the country’s cultural hub. Victorias’s capital city is filled with an eclectic mix of attractions for all age groups and is particularly kind to visiting families. Melbourne is home to arguably the best cuisines and coffee in the country, but for the kids there’s so much more. Family-friendly live theater and music performances, festivals, bustling markets, lively laneways, and world-class museums and zoos. Let’s not forget the city’s stunning art galleries, with their ever-changing kid-friendly gallery spaces. Melbourne might not have the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, but the city makes up for its lack of global Australian icons with its plentiful beaches, thriving art scene and cultural diversity. Melbourne also happens to be close to one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world: the Great Ocean Road, making it the perfect beginning to a family trip in Australia. 2. TAIPEI, TAIWAN My own family visited Taipei over Thanksgiving week one year and fell in love with the city! Often seen as a layover city to more popular Asian destinations, Taipei is not to be missed. It is such a family-friendly city with some of the best food in the world. The train system is phenomenal and so easy to use, you can get anywhere in the city just by taking a short train ride. There are playgrounds scattered all over the city, making it easy to stop for a little play break. Take your kids to the zoo, Taipei 101, the Maokong gondola or just walk around the city and eat all the yummy food! The night markets are wonderful and filled with lots of delicious food. We’ve been to several Asian countries but Taiwan still tops our list. It’s perfect for a family trip! 3. SINGAPORE Rian K. from Our Family Journeys Known as the Lion City, Singapore is definitely the king of travel for families for a host of reasons. First and foremost, is the Changi airport, the multi-time winner of the best airport in the world. It has unique art installations, gardens such as the butterfly gardens, upscale shopping, and countless dining choices. And best of all is the Jewel’s Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. For the pickiest of eaters, there are several locations to get simple noodles & broth, or dumplings, which are big hits for our little world travelers. The Avatar-esque gardens were truly amazing for everyone. The spectacular views from the cable cars at Sentosa island far exceeded expectations. Between the enchanting Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands, there is something for everyone in this beautiful and clean city-state. 4. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Keri from Family Travel in the Middle East A city with so much to offer for families from strings of luxury beach resorts along the Arabian Gulf, to vast desert plains for camel rides or sand sports. Most visitors start at Downtown Dubai with the Burj Khalifa – taking in the views from the tallest building in the world (currently!) and enjoying the Dubai Mall with its giant suspended Aquarium, Ice Rink, Kidzania and Virtual Reality Park. Beyond the malls and beaches there are also multiple water parks and theme parks with Wild Wadi and Aquaventure at Atlantis favorites with the older kids, while youngsters will love Legoland with its water park and indoor miniland. Kids also love visiting Dubai Garden Glow and Dinosaur Park in the cooler winter months, along with Dubai Miracle Garden, home to a full-sized floral Emirates A380! For a touch of culture and history, start with the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park to get your bearings between the old and new city, then head into the Al Fahidi Historic neighborhood on foot, visit the Dubai Museum to learn more of the country’s Bedouin past and stroll through to the new Al Seef District. From here you can catch a traditional dhow across Dubai Creek to the old neighborhood of Deira on the east bank and the gold and spice souks. 5. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Leah from An Adventure Is Calling Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland in the United Kingdom, is a wonderful city to visit with children. This beautiful city is very welcoming to children and babies. The locals are friendly, baby-changing facilities can be found throughout the city, and there is no shortage of family-friend activities. The city itself is on the small side (102 sq. miles) and is easily walkable (with the exception of taking a taxi to and from the airport, we were able to avoid taking public transportation). Our stroller was able to handle the lovely cobblestone streets, but a baby carrier is recommended if you would like to avoid dealing with your stroller on the stairs that you’ll find throughout the city. The highlight of the city is Edinburgh Castle, which is fascinating for both children (and babies) and adults! Be sure to visit the play park at the Princess Gardens for fun, castle-inspired play. 6. NEW YORK CITY Robin from And Miles to go Before we Sleep Pop-culturally speaking, New York City provides for an incomparable intergenerational experience. Want to see the Empire State Building because of King Kong? They’ve remade that movie so many times, all ages can relate. The city’s been in dozens of superhero movies and according to the Percy Jackson novels, its “600th” floor is the current location of Olympus! Is your family a fan of the ageless band, The Beatles? Cool! Central Park features the John Lennon memorial, Strawberry Fields. Furthermore, Central Park is location to more fil shoots than any park on the planet: its features will be more familiar to young and old(er) alike. Tweens will also delight in visits Times Square, which suffered utter destruction in the Avengers movies (along with most of Midttown Manhattan). The Brooklyn Bridge, Chrysler Building and the Statue of Liberty have likewise been obliterated on celluloid countless times. Don’t forget to catch the free Staten Island Ferry to see Lady Liberty at sunset. In addition to the landmarks, there’s Broadway, which has kid-friendly titles from Disney and Harry Potter, museums including the by-donation Metropolitan Museum of Natural History and every manner of food, from hot dogs and pretzels on every corner to fine dining for precocious foodies. 7. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Robin from And Miles to go Before we Sleep San Diego has families spoiled for choice when it comes to vacations and days out including the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Legoland, SeaWorld, the New Children’s Museum, world-class beaches and Balboa Park with its many child-friendly museums and gardens. The entire county is speckled in parks and playgrounds perfect for family picnics, including Mission Bay and downtown’s Waterfront Park, which is right across the street from the historical Maritime Museum. From there, it’s a short distance to tour the decommissioned USS Midway or relax in quaint Seaport Village. Hungry? Be sure to check out quality kid-friendly eateries such as Station Tavern and Waypoint Public or indulge in gelato in charming Little Italy to keep your little foodies satisfied. Discover California history and heritage in Old Town or catch a Padres game at beautiful Petco Park. Even if you don’t snag tickets to summer’s Comic Con, celebrity sightings and free attractions abound right outside the convention hall. With perfect year-round weather, it’s hard to go wrong in “America’s Finest City.” 8. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Kyle from Live and Let’s Fly Cartagena, Colombia – Positioned on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena, Colombia offers warm coastal waters, stunning views and colonial history. The original walled city (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) dates back to 1533 and remains the focal point of Cartagena to families looking for something different in the Caribbean. Visiting couldn’t be easier with flight times under three hours from south Florida, roundtrips start at $250. The city is remarkably affordable, an average meal for three runs $18-20, white linen restaurants are about double; taxis range from $1.50-7.00. Behind the original stones of the wall, a European feel emerges over brick streets and tall colonial buildings house restaurants, hotels, residences and shops. Horse-drawn carriages delighted our daughter following dinner Cuba 1940s, with a band playing over a pool inside the restaurant. Hyatt, Hilton and Intercontinental Hotels offer something for everyone outside the walled city, though the converted 17thcentury monastery (now a Sofitel) inside the old city is the venerable favorite. For a more secluded stay, consider the Conrad north of the city with its private black sand beach, numerous pools and golf course. Colombia has shed its 1980s reputation and offers North Americans a picture of colonial European settlements, excellent food, warm weather and sunshine in a safer tourist environment than major US cities. 9. PARIS, FRANCE Sierra from Free to Travel Mama Paris, France is one of the best cities for a family trip! The vast selection of things to do in Paris is sure to please every family member. A busy day could include climbing the Eiffel Tower by elevator or by stairs, along with a visit to the works of art at the Louvre (child friendly tours are available), and a self-guided walking tour of the Saint-Germain Quarter. A slower, relaxing itinerary could include a leisurely breakfast of pastries at a caf?, a metro ride across the city in search of the best macarons, a picnic at Luxembourg Gardens while sailing the wooden boats for only a few euro, and a carousel ride at Trocadero. No day would be complete without a sunset cruise down the Seine River to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle on the hour– it is pure magic for people of all ages! 10. SPLIT, CROATIA Krista traveled to Split with her 15 month old and thinks it makes a great destination for a family trip. I love visiting old cities with our kids (currently ages 3 and 4). There’s a certain magic—especially for small children—to the grandness of old palaces, walled cities and giant statues. Split, Croatia is one of my favorite destinations because there’s a lot to see in a very walkable area (read: fewer complaints from young children about getting tired). You can enter the charming walled city through the Golden Gate or the Silver Gate, the sheer size of which impressed our then 15-month old. The major sites include Diocletian’s Palace, Temple of Jupiter, Saint Domnius’ Cathedral and Saint Duje’s Cathedral, but even if you don’t want to pay for entrance to these sites, the old city itself is beautiful. You can enjoy the scene at Peristil Square, eat at any number of restaurants, or enjoy exploring tiny cobblestoned alleys. Outside the old city, kids will also enjoy the beaches and parks. 11. HONG KONG Carly from Live and Let’s Fly Hong Kong is a must see, must do, must eat, family travel destination. Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway makes getting around Hong Kong’s three islands inexpensive and fast.Pro Tip: Pick up an Octopus card to ensure the cheapest ride and save time. Both fun and function, the Star Ferry operates between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon for just HKD $2 ($.25). Take in the sky-scraping sights…