Hop on the Little River Road near the Sugarlands Visitor Center, and take in the scenery for 25 miles to the open valley of Cades Cove; your kids may spot deer, coyotes, groundhogs, and turkeys.
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Follow the short Cades Cove Nature Trail to see waterfalls. On Tuesdays in the summer, a ranger dresses in a blacksmith costume and invites kids in groups of eight to put on an apron, goggles, and gloves to learn what a blacksmith did years ago. Consider coming midweek, especially if you're headed there in the fall. If you're not within driving distance, fly into Knoxville, Tennessee -- the closest major airport.
Even antsy kids will be mesmerized as you drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a mile highway that passes by waterfalls, animals such as mountain goats and sheep, and the Jackson Glacier overlook, where they can get a good view of the seventh-largest glacier in the park. Stretch little legs on the mile-long Running Eagle Falls Trail. Take part in the Night Explorer program, where kids will peek in telescopes, learn about the sun, and use their senses. Don't visit until July to make sure that the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, since it's typically snow-covered from November to late June.
You'll usually get the lowest airfare by flying into Great Falls, Montana three hours away or Spokane, Washington around a five-hour drive. If you land in Spokane, you could stop at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, a gorgeous lakefront town on the way. Just outside the park is the Glacier Park Lodge, a historic hotel with a pool and mini golf.
Red mountains, green pools, and a "weeping" rock wow the kids. From the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, it's an easy walk to see hanging gardens growing out of sandstone cliffs and a rock that has water coming out of it. Swing by the Nature Center at 3 p. If you're flying, you'll likely want to land in Las Vegas -- it's the closest major airport, about a three-hour drive.
Try to visit both in early June or late August, when ranger programs are still robust but the crowds have thinned out a bit. The mile-wide, mile-long canyon is the star here, so give the kids the view of a lifetime and go beyond the crowded trail at the park's South entrance. If you have a toddler who is prone to bolting, you'll be okay in the main area on the South Rim path it has barrier walls and the watchtower, she says.
Take a guided minute, 1-mile fossil walk that starts at the park's Bright Angel Lodge every morning. Families can explore an exposed fossil bed along the rim, with impressions of sponges, brachiopods, and other marine creatures from more than million years ago.
Fly into Las Vegas if you'd like to visit the North Rim lodging and services are open from May 15 to October 15 and Vegas or Phoenix to see the less crowded but somewhat less majestic South Rim. At more than 1, feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard -- and it's easy to get to by car. Recommendation by Tamara from We 3 Travel. Here you can read more about visiting Crater Lake NP. You can spend the day there stay in Key West or camp overnight and it is simply gorgeous.
There is a fort on the island to explore and beaches that are filled with conch shells to walk along — kids will love it. The best part is how quiet and peaceful the island is and the natural beauty that you see at every turn. If you want to learn more about the history of the island you can take a guided tour with one of the park rangers.
Alternatively, if you want to experience the marine life then you can get in the water and snorkel right off of the beach! No matter what you choose to do you will love the beauty of this island out in the middle of the ocean. Dry Tortugas is a great place to visit for families looking to escape the crowds and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
Here you can read more about Dry Tortugas. Depending on the season, families can camp, hike, backpack, backcountry ski, snowshoe and more. My grandkids love splashing in the creek waves to cool off after sledding on the sand dunes. Recommendation by Diana from Traveling In Heels. Independence Hall is the site of the signing of both the Declaration of Independence considered the birth of the United States government as well as the Constitution.
Timed entry tickets are required for this UNESCO Heritage site, but the rest of the buildings require less advance planning to experience. City Tavern, within the park, is an authentic 18th century tavern to enjoy a meal serving an authentic Revolutionary era menu for adults with a more modernized menu for children. For those seeking a different kind of vintage experience try Jones, which feels like a set from the Brady Bunch known for great comfort food.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia is located across from Independence Hall, making it a great accommodation choice for families who can enjoy a short walk to most places. Here you can find more information on their stay in Philadelphia.
Its most distinctive traits are the Joshua trees, big yuccas stretching their arms to the sky, and giant boulders that erosion has carved into smooth yet elaborate shapes against the backdrop of vast, barren lands. Despite the inhospitable climate, Joshua Tree is fantastic to visit with kids.
The best way to visit Joshua tree is to stay in Palm Springs area and spend a few days exploring the different trails. Recommendation by Marta of Learning Escapes. On her blog you can find more information about visiting Joshua Tree National Park. The park is like a mini Yellowstone , brimming with volcanic and geothermal activity, but without the crushing crowds. The must-do hike for families is the three mile roundtrip to Bumpass Hell, where steaming sulfur vents and bubbling mud will captivate kids.
The park is impassable much of the year due to snow cover on the main road, so check weather conditions before visiting. The best times of year to visit are late summer and early fall. The closest major city to Lassen and the best home base is Redding about an hour away, where families can find a variety of inexpensive accommodations. While there are a variety of activities available in Mammoth Cave National Park , this park is really all about the Mammoth Cave itself — as it should be.
Submission by Chez from Chez Connects blog coming soon.
6 Must-See National Parks in The Western United States
We enjoyed exploring Spruce Tree House to see sandstone houses under a cliff overhang. Kids will love the Balcony House that includes climbing ladders and crawling through a tunnel. There are several family-friendly hikes in Mesa Verde. We stayed in Durango , Colorado just 30 minutes from the entrance of the park. Sorry, there was a problem. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Other Sellers on Amazon. Have one to sell? Image Unavailable Image not available for Color: Available from these sellers. One Size Size Chart. Sponsored products related to this item What's this?
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