"Family travel with young kids is all about finding destinations that balance fun, safety, and convenience. Whether it’s sandy beaches, charming cityscapes, or iconic theme parks, traveling with toddlers offers the unique benefit of flexibility—you’re not bound by the school calendar, so you can enjoy off-peak savings and fewer crowds.
As a travel writer, I was lucky enough to be able to squeeze in a decent amount of toddler travel for my now-6-year-old before her calendar started to make me dizzy (competitive dance, playdates, and birthday parties, oh my!). So I strongly recommend taking advantage of this tiny-human stage where you can pick up and go without missing rehearsals, parent-teacher conferences, or important tests at school. Just be sure to put some thought into your planning first.
Here’s your guide to the best places to travel with toddlers, including where to go, where to stay, and why these places are perfect for pint-sized travelers and their families.
What Makes a Travel Destination Perfect for Toddlers?
Choosing the right destination is key for a family vacation with an infant or toddler. Here are essential factors to consider when searching for the best places to travel with toddlers:
Easy Accessibility
Depending on your toddler’s temperament and daily nap schedule, find destinations with shorter flying times to reduce tired little ones.
Family-Focused Accommodations
Look for properties that offer cribs, have designated play areas, and even kitchenettes. Make sure rooms have at least the bare minimum of what you might need, like a mini-fridge, space for a crib, a bathtub, etc.
Toddler-Friendly Activities
Think places with parks, playgrounds, beaches, and laid-back vibes. Places with other toddlers to play with are always a plus.
Kid-Friendly Dining Options
Poke around at restaurants both on-property and off to check out kids’ menus and kid-friendly foods. A general rule of thumb—if a place offers a kids’ menu, you can rest assured kids are welcome.
Safety and Welcoming Vibes
Find destinations where families feel comfortable. Look for hotel websites that use family-friendly language, have kids clubs, use photos of kiddos in their marketing materials and website, and aren’t known to be solely “adult-only” or “romantic” destinations. Check out social media, too, and search for posts where the property is tagged to get a vibe check.
Best Places to Travel With Toddlers
Beach Getaways
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Wide sandy beaches, calm waters, and bike-friendly paths make Hilton Head one of the best places to travel with toddlers and families. Be sure to check out Coligny Beach Park, where your little ones can tire themselves out on the playground, splash pad, and sandy beach. Stay at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa for toddler-friendly amenities like cribs and beachfront access.
Turks & Caicos
For an elevated experience with your little one in tow, head to Turks & Caicos for crystal-clear, calm waters and dreamy, soft white sand that provides endless play opportunities. Stay at The Palms, an all-suite resort that spans 12 stunning acres, so you’ll have ample space. You can even send your older kiddos (ages 4+) to the Kids Club.
Destin, Florida
Direct flights to Destin depart from many domestic airports, so you’ll be having fun in the sun in no time. Located in the Florida panhandle, Destin is known for its shallow, clear waters and beautiful white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. And family resorts like Henderson Beach Resort welcome kids with amenities like a poolside splash pad and kids’ club. Be sure to check out the nearby Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for up-close encounters with dolphins, penguins, and more! Or spend a day on the high seas with “real” pirates on a Buccaneer Pirate Cruise.
Oahu, Hawaii
If you think your toddler is up for a long flight and possible connections, heading to Hawaii is always a good idea—and having a toddler shouldn’t keep you from visiting. Just be sure to prepare for the long travel day with snacks, toys, treats, and anything else to keep their tiny minds and hands busy while in flight. Once you arrive, explore gentle lagoons, bright colors, and the overall laid-back island life, or shake off the post-flight stiffness and embark on toddler-friendly hikes at Oahu. Toddlers will love local delicacies like shaved ice and tropical juices. For an even more magical experience, stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa for family-centered activities, childcare services, and even storytime with Moana!
City Adventures
San Diego, California
For West Coast vibes, visit the iconic San Diego Zoo, Legoland, and Balboa Park during your visit to San Diego. Stay at Hotel del Coronado for its proximity to family attractions and beachside fun and enjoy flat beaches, an on-site ice cream shop, and plenty of other kid-friendly amenities.
Boston, Massachusetts
The Boston Children’s Museum and stroller-friendly Freedom Trail are just two of about 100 things that make Boston a hit for families traveling with toddlers. Make your own itinerary or take a hop-on, hop-off tour while in town to avoid worrying about car seats or boosters. While in Bean Town, stay at the XV Beacon Hotel and enjoy their “Bring The Kids” package, which includes fun surprises, goodies, treats, and special in-room amenities.
London, England
Take a trip across the pond and enjoy kid-friendly museums and expansive parks in London. Take your little one to engage in stimulating soft play at Play Base within the National Army Museum to splash in the swimming ponds at Hyde Park or to explore at the Children’s Story Discovery Center, which is home to two floors of exploratory play spaces inspired by fairytales and fantasy stories they’re sure to love. The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences even offers family apartments with kitchenettes and other must-haves for extra convenience.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Check out the world’s second-oldest amusement park, Tivoli Gardens, and enjoy stroller-friendly streets that are perfect for toddlers. Considered to be one of the most family-friendly countries in the world and known for being the land that launched LEGO, Denmark is a great option if you’re looking for international travel. Stay at LEGOLAND resort or Nimb Hotel for easy access to Tivoli Gardens.
Nature and Adventure
New Paltz, New York
For East Coasters looking for a nature-filled getaway within driving distance, head on over to New Paltz, New York, nestled in the idyllic Hudson Valley. Most known for the incredible foliage in the fall, it’s also stunningly beautiful in the winter and filled with summer fun when it gets warmer.
To keep the toddlers busy, go picking for fresh fruit at Dressel Farms, head to the nearby Trailside Museum & Zoo, and consider checking out LEGOLAND of Westchester, which is just about an hour away. Mohonk Mountain House in New York offers an idyllic retreat for families with toddlers, featuring kid-friendly trails, a private lake for safe swimming, and spacious, family-friendly accommodations. They offer daily activities like storytelling and crafts and have ample family-friendly dining options, too.
Banff National Park, Canada
Take your toddler and enjoy hand-in-hand scenic walks and wildlife spotting at Banff National Park, a picturesque mountain town only a 90-minute scenic drive from Calgary airport.
Canada’s first national park, Banff is a prime spot to take advantage of all nature has to offer. Make sure you’re well equipped for all the great outdoors with snacks and fun nature-based toys like bug catchers, magnifying glasses, and bug spray! Just remember if you’re coming from lower elevations, slowly work your way up to the more challenging trails, especially when you’re traveling with toddlers.
Steps from Downtown Banff’s main street is the Moose Hotel and Suites, an editor-approved option for lodging, complete with family suites, kitchenettes, and a rooftop pool.
Yellowstone National Park
See geysers and wildlife up close and enjoy becoming one with nature while camping on one of the 12 campgrounds or cozying up with the family at the Old Faithful Inn—home to nine lodges and more than 500 rooms.
Safety is, of course, always paramount in any travel situation, but especially so when managing new landscapes, heights, wildlife, and more on a national park vacation with a toddler. Yellowstone, in general, is considered to be one of the more toddler-friendly national parks. For example, when geyser watching, the viewing boardwalks are stroller accessible and well maintained. Just be sure to consult a map ahead of time to ensure you’re choosing the shortest routes for little legs. Consider heading there in the off season since it can get pretty packed in summer.
Just be sure to do a quick gear audit before heading out to the park. Try on and be sure to properly adjust any backpack carriers, knapsacks, and even hiking boots or sneakers. A new trail is not the best place to break in a new pair for you or your little one.
Theme Parks and Family Resorts
Disneyland or Disney World (California and Orlando)
It goes without saying that toddlers and Disney parks are a perfect pair. While some might argue, “They’re too young to remember,” you aren’t! Make lasting family memories and experience Disney through a toddler’s eyes through toddler-focused rides and family services. Stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland or Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando for its close proximity to the Magic Kingdom—the most toddler-friendly theme park!
Another “pro” (AKA my own) Disney tip for toddler travel? Consider breaking up your park days around your toddler’s nap time—unless yours will happily crash in the stroller. But if they’re anything like mine, you’ll need all the noise machines, sleep sacks, and blackout curtains in the world to get a proper nap in. To avoid meltdown city (for both them and you), head back to your on-property hotel for nap time and then pick things up again once they wake up. It’s worth it—trust me.
Read More: Is Going to Disney World With Toddlers Actually Worth It? One Mom Shares
Sesame Place (Philadelphia and San Diego)
If you’re not quite ready to (or even want to) tackle a large theme park like Disney World with your toddler, consider a day trip to Sesame Place in Philadelphia or San Diego. Filled with characters your little loves—like Elmo, Abby, and Big Bird—plus kid-friendly attractions, Sesame Place offers a taste of theme-park travel perfect for families with toddlers.
Read More: Don’t Want to Spend on a Disney Trip? The Cutest Toddler Theme Park is Hiding in Philadelphia
Great Wolf Lodge (Multiple Locations)
With 20+ locations worldwide, Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterparks and themed rooms ensure endless entertainment. Little ones can splash safely for hours at the Cub Paw Pool, complete with kiddie slides and a zero-depth entry perfect for tiny swimmers. After a day of waterpark fun, enjoy cozy Story Time in the Grand Lobby and kick off mornings with Yoga Tails, Wolfercise, and Wolf Walks to keep toddlers active and parents smiling.
Center Parcs (UK)
With six unique holiday villages throughout the UK, Center Parcs is a collection of all-inclusive resorts, like the Center Parcs Longleat Forest, that offer endless, nature-filled fun and even have toddler-specific activities. Sandy lakesides, splash pools, age-appropriate archery (ages 3+), plenty of playgrounds, teddy-bear making, and more make it one of the best places to travel with toddlers.
Tips for Planning a Toddler-Friendly Vacation
- Choose a direct flight whenever possible or opt for destinations within driving distance. Plan travel times around meals and naps to try to avoid disrupting their daily routines as much as possible.
- Pack toddler essentials: snacks, toys, snacks, and diapers. Oh, and snacks. Did I mention snacks?
- IMHO, tablets or screens are always a must for travel, but having other entertainment options is important, too. Opt for plane-friendly toys like reusable stickers, post-its, magnetic blocks, mess-free drawing boards, etc.
- Keep a flexible schedule with plenty of downtime. Expect the unexpected and make sure you have reasonable expectations of how the trip will go. Toddlers are often anything but predictable.
- Look for accommodations with toddler-specific amenities like cribs, high chairs, and even play areas. Anything that can lighten your load while packing is a must.
Budget-Friendly Ideas for Families Traveling with Toddlers
- National parks often offer toddler-friendly lodging, like Yellowstone or the Smoky Mountains.
- Staycations at a local hotel or nearby resort with a fabulous pool can give a vacation-like feel without the headaches and cost of transportation.
- Road trips to nearby attractions like museums, theme parks, and water parks offer more flexibility, and you can likely bring your own snacks and drinks to cut costs.
- Off-season or last-minute stays will often offer significant savings at popular kid-focused resorts like Great Wolf Lodge or Disney properties.
Traveling with toddlers doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Choosing destinations that cater to young children’s needs can create magical, stress-free experiences for the whole family. Start planning your next family adventure at one of these best places to travel with toddlers and get busy making memories.
Erin Celletti, Contributing Writer
Erin is an NYC-based writer with a BA in Journalism from Quinnipiac University and two master’s degrees in education. She is a proud mama to a little girl and a lifestyle, beauty, wellness, and trends reports writer. Beyond The Everymom, Erin’s editorial work has been featured in publications like Bustle, Allure, Byrdie, The Everygirl, TeenVogue, BRIDES, Sunday Edit, and TODAY.