Parks and Playgrounds
Destinations: Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago
Themes: Amusement Parks, Family Travel, Single-Parent Family Travel, Urban Endeavors
Central Park is sometimes referred to as "the lungs of New York" and it is hard to imagine how the city would be habitable without the large green expanse at its heart. Parks and playgrounds provide an escape from the pavement and noise of big cities, a place where harried urbanites can take a breath and unwind. Be it Hyde Park in London, the Jardin de Luxemburg in Paris, or Boboli Gardens in Florence, city parks are an essential part of big cities across the globe.
If parks provide an oasis in the urban jungle, a stop in a park can also act as a breather in the middle of a busy family vacation. After a hectic day of sightseeing or taking in museums, a stroll in a park, or some time pushing your toddler on a swing, can be a nice way to recharge your batteries and unwind after a long day of travel.
Affordable Family Fun at U.S. Amusement Parks
For families on a budget, amusement and water parks offer low-cost thrills and new attractions, often close to home.
New Amusement Parks and Rides for Summer 2008
On your next family vacation, test your fear and keep your cool on thrilling new coasters and giant water slides across the country.
Planning Tips for Park Visits
Make sure your kids have fun but stay safe during your amusement and water park adventures.
Water Parks: Wild Waves of Family Fun
Cool off with your kids at wet and wild family water parks across the United States.
5 Free Anaheim Attractions
When you’ve exhausted Disneyland, check out these Anaheim gems that’ll educate and entertain your family on the cheap.
Anaheim: Beyond Disneyland, the Birthplace of Mickey
Anaheim is the town that Mickey Mouse built. But the popular family vacation destination has more to offer than ever before.
Family Activities on the Cheap in Buenos Aires
There is no shortage of paid attractions for children in Buenos Aires, but some of the best things won’t even cost a peso.
Top Things to Do in Atlanta With Kids
Find popular kids activities for your next Atlanta family vacation, from the best parks to visit, treetop ropes courses and tasting 70 different kinds of Coke from around the world.
Paradise Found at Atlantis Resort
Swim with dolphins, take a dip at a pool casino and gaze at aquariums in your hotel room at this Bahamas mega resort.
Better in the Bahamas
Read our expert’s overview to the best that the islands have to offer for a Bahamas vacation sure to please everyone.
Beijing’s Top 10 Sights
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The Big Deal About the Big Island
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A Branson Christmas
Tens of thousands of twinkling lights and a plethora of festive shows make Branson a top destination for the holidays.
Chicago: Tips for Affordable Family Fun
Broke? Fear not. You don’t need big bucks to enjoy some of Chicago’s best family attractions.
College Visit Guide: California’s South Bay
Maximize your college visit to the Bay Area with info on campuses near San Jose and Santa Cruz.
The Lowdown on Family Fun in Mile-High Denver
Check out these museums, The Queen City of the plains has plenty to offers great day adventures for both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts.
Explore Florence’s Parks and Gardens
Find playgrounds, grottos, a maze, swimming pools, a fort, rowboats and more kid-pleasers in the city’s parks.
Family Fun in Fort Lauderdale
Once a Spring Break mecca, Fort Lauderdale has evolved into a family-friendly city with an overwhelming possibility for adventure.
Vintage Amusement Parks Mean Big Fun For Small Kids
Old-school kiddie parks offer a bit of history at a bargain price.
Top Places and Packages for Family Reunions
Check out these 9 great places that make family reunion planning a breeze.
Destinations of Champions
Bobsled, luge, skate and ski at these North American sites that formerly hosted the Summer or Winter Olympic Games.
Hot in Havana
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Family Fun in Sandpoint
Find the best attractions and places to take the kids when visiting this quaint Idaho mountain town.
Legoland California and Sea Life Aquarium Travel Tips
Maximize your visit to these theme parks that on your Southern California vacation to see elaborate Lego creations, including an 11-foot-long submarine.
6 Family Friendly Day Trips From London
London’s great, but why not experience the rest of England—even if only for a day.
Pound-Saving Tips for Your London Vacation
How to keep from going bankrupt on your next family visit to London.
Kids Clubs of Maui
All you’ll have to worry about with these resort kids clubs is getting your child to leave.
Miami: The Beaches and Beyond
See why Miami continues to be a popular tropical playground, with gorgeous beaches, culinary hotspots, historic landmarks and plenty of attractions for kids and adults alike.
Guilin: China’s Fantasy Land
With its lakeside parks, karst limestone mountains and caves, this area of China takes on a fairy-tale air.
Family Fun in Philadelphia
Keep everyone from tots to teens entertained in the City of Brotherly Love.
Urban Oases: Portland’s Great Green Spaces
Portland, Oregon has plenty of parks to turn your urban vacation into a green space oasis. Here are some of the city’s best places to feel blades of grass between your toes.
Portland, Oregon: Pints, Pedals and Parks
The City of Roses has something for everyone: microbreweries, biking trails, and plenty of green spaces and places.
Where the Playgrounds Are in Rome
More than just places for children to play and run off some spare energy, Rome’s parks and gardens offer sights of their own, and a chance to mix with the Romans.
San Antonio’s Fun Family Attractions
Underwater views of hippos, playing in giant bubbles and a simulated space capsule are just a few of the family attractions in San Antonio.
San Diego: A Playground for Kids and Adults
This Southern California destination remains a family favorite, but cool new hotels and restaurants make it an appealing playground for adults too.
Family-Friendly Neighborhoods of San Francisco
A local mom shares her favorite neighborhoods and joints for where to eat, shop and play like a native while on your San Francisco family vacation.
San Francisco Green Spaces
Escape the urban jungle and find plenty of places to relax and get back to nature in the City by the Bay.
San Francisco Vacation: An Insider’s Guide
Our local expert shares her city secrets for individuals and families alike, to help you plan your ideal San Francisco vacation.
Seattle’s Great Outdoors
Dig for clams, rent a sailboat or hit the hiking trails in the hills for some memorable outdoor adventures on your next Seattle family vacation.
Seattle’s Neighborhood Parks, Playgrounds and Ducks
Seattle’s many parks guarantee a childhood’s worth of diversions in the Emerald City.
Sentosa: Singapore’s Island Resort
To escape the city, locals and tourists alike head to this manmade resort area for beach fun, dining and Singapore family attractions.
Busch Gardens Tampa
Go on a Serengeti Safari and play tiger tug-of-war at Busch Gardens and Jungala.
Disney Deals and Anaheim Discounts
Get a free night stay at Disneyland’s Good Neighbor Hotels, free birthday pass to Disneyland, a kids’ rate package and Hilton Anaheim dining credits.
Children of the Corn
Wind your way through elaborate cornfield mazes across the United States and even the world for an exciting, and often corny, outdoor adventure.
Universal Studios Says Fire Won’t Affect Family Travelers
A fire that destroyed several Universal Studios sets won’t hinder theme park visitors.
Art in the Park
Michigan Legacy Art Park near Traverse City is a great site for kids to combine art and nature.
Lose Yourself in the Garden Maze of Villa Pisani
Il Labirinto, The Maze, is only part of the gardens that stretch splendidly behind the grand façade that Villa Pisani turns toward the Brenta Canal.
Time Travel to Colonial Williamsburg
Retrace U.S. colonial history on your next vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia.
Baraboo Celebrates the Circus
Circus World and Ringlingville keep the circus tradition alive and well in Baraboo, Wis.
The Dells: A Mix of Family Thrills and Relaxation
From wild amusement park rides to mellow nature hikes, the Wisconsin Dells has it all.
A Family Watery Wonderland at the Dells
Slip and slide your way to the Water Park Capital of the World for a vacation full of action-packed entertainment.
Discovering Disneyland From the Inside Out
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A Seattle Guidebook That Really Gets Kids
This kid-specific Seattle guidebook offers a comprehensive overview of the city’s attractions with an eye to children’s entertainment and education.