Vacation with Kids

Ok, it’s barely spring and you are already called upon to make summer vacation plans. For families this can be a very serious conversation. Aside from seeing grandparents and long lost relatives, summer vacation is not just for beach and memories, it’s a time to take in those memorable museums, immersive zoos and odd roadside attractions. For kids it should be about the three E’s: Education, Entertainment, Excitement.

FamilyFun magazine named its top Family Destinations for 2015 to make the decisions easier. The winning locations represent the best family-friendly vacation spots in the U.S. as chosen by 2,000 families from across the country.

Animal attractions, science museums, and tourist towns resonated with families this year. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was named the top family-friendly animal attraction for the second year in row, while Washington D.C.’s Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History took the top spot in the science museums category. The south ruled the tourist town category, with Sanibel, Florida; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; and Savannah, Georgia taking the top three spots. The top five animal attractions, science museums, and tourist towns are listed below:

Summer vacation with kids

Top Five Animal Attractions

  • Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (NE)
  • Saint Louis Zoo (MO)
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium (CA)
  • Georgia Aquarium (GA)
  • San Diego Zoo (CA)

Top Five Science Museums

  • Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (DC)
  • Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (DC)
  • The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (IN)
  • Cincinnati Museum Center/Museum of Natural History & Science (OH)
  • Center of Science and Industry (OH)

Top Five Tourist Towns

  • Sanibel, FL
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Savannah, GA
  • St. Augustine, FL
  • Wisconsin Dells, WI

 

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