Bucket List: 100 Things You Absolutely Must Do with Kids in the U.S.

Over the last eight years, my kid and I have taken multiple road trips across the United States. We’ve explored many national parks, theme parks, big cities and roadside attractions. This country just has so many cool things to see.

Naturally, I had to pull together (what I consider to be) a definitive list of what you’ve absolutely got to see and do with your kids in the United States. From staring out into the Grand Canyon in Arizona to hiking to the world’s largest man-made star in Virginia, here are 100 things you absolutely must do in the U.S. with your kids. 

1. Walk along the Discovery Point Trail at Crater Lake National Park. It’s here that gold prospector John Wesley Hillman first happened upon this strikingly blue lake in 1853.

2. Peer out into the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Get a scoop of ice cream at Desert View Trading Post and stroll the paved Rim Trail along the South Rim for awe-inspiring views.

3. Swim with gentle manatees in Crystal River, Florida. Situated along Florida’s Gulf Coast, this is the only place in the U.S. where you can legally swim with wild manatees.

4. Rent bikes to pedal the eight-mile loop around Mackinac Island in Michigan. Along the way, climb 240 steps for striking views of Arch Rock set against crystal-clear Lake Huron.

5. Wade up to your knees as baby alligators swim all around at Gator Country in Beaumont, Texas. Before you leave, snap a selfie with Big Beau, a 135-foot-long (wooden) alligator.

6. See the live mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida. For more than 70 years, these iconic mermaids have been wowing guests with a whimsical underwater ballet.

7. Conquer the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. After the climb, break for a picnic lunch and wade into Lake Michigan’s crystal-clear waters at Sleeping Bear Point.

8. Rent bicycles and ride on 12 miles of hard-packed sand beaches on Hilton Head Island. It’s so rare to find a bike-able beach so take your time and enjoy the breezes from two wheels.

9. See the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City all lit up in twinkle lights. While in town, don’t dare miss the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

10. Drink from the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Florida. The spring water contains 30 replenishing minerals. Walk the area first explored by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513.

11. At Maine’s Acadia National Park, wake early to see the sunrise from atop Cadillac Mountain, the park’s highest point. From October to early-March, the sun’s first glowing rays on the United States shine here.

12. Ride all the rides at Nickelodeon Universe at the gigantic Mall of America in Minnesota. Get an all-day wristband for a full day of fun at the nation’s largest indoor theme park.

13. Camp out at the KOA just outside the gate to Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Watch the nightly showing of Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the awe-striking shadow of this 867-foot monolith.

14. Go shopping at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. Here you’ll find the contents of unclaimed airline luggage, like jewelry, clothing and electronics, all for sale. If nothing else, it’s fun just to see the treasure trove of what was never claimed.

15. Go to the inside the crown of the Statue of Liberty. You’ll need to get special tickets for crown access and book months in advance, but it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

16. Set sail on a high-speed catamaran from Whittier, Alaska to the Prince William Sound with Phillips Cruises & Tours to see more than two dozen glaciers. Keep your eyes open for playful sea otters and seals, too.

17. Stay in a classic Route 66 motel, like the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona. As the inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motel in the Cars movies, your kids will thank you.

18. See the magical slot canyons at Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona (the only way you can see them is on a guided tour). The last tours for the day depart as early as 3:30 pm.

19. Stroll Bathhouse Row at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Home to 47 natural hot springs, kids 11 and up can bathe in natural hot spring water at Buckstaff Baths.

20. Walk across the crunchy salt flats at Death Valley National Park‘s Badwater Basin in California. Here you’re 282 feet below sea level. This is the lowest point in North America.

21. In California, wander the Big Trees Trail to be awed by giant sequoia trees at Sequoia National Park. It’s a paved one-mile loop through an aromatic grove of the largest trees in the world.

22. Watch the 16-minute Paint the Night Parade at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. You will cry and want to bring your kids back the next day as you listen to Owl City’s “When Can I See You Again?” weaved through the musical arrangements for this parade.

23. Stroll a re-created 19th-century seaport village at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. Ogle at tall ships and chat with coopers, shipsmiths and woodcarvers to explore how America’s maritime past shaped present day.

24. Spend time in the Enchanted Woods, a whimsical children’s garden at Winterthur in Wilmington, Delaware. Wander the colorful grounds and take a tram ride around the property.

25. Explore the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It’s a free nature park that rivals even our most popular national parks. Pick up a Junior Ranger activity guide for $2.

26. Drive the length of the Florida Keys. Go snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on Key Largo, visit with sea turtles at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon and pose with the huge buoy in Key West that marks the Southernmost Point in the United States.

27. Spend the day at Clearwater Beach, the best beach in the U.S., per TripAdvisor. The sandy is super-soft and there’s plenty of room to run, splash and play. An absolute must with kids.

28. Explore Atlanta‘s Centennial Park, home to the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and CNN Studio Tours. Also, the world’s largest interactive fountain. Purchase an Atlanta CityPASS to save more than 40% when you visit multiple area attractions.

29. Be awed by Idaho’s Shoshone Falls, also known as the Niagara Falls of the West. There are short hiking trails that provide idyllic views of the falls cascading into the Snake River.

30. Take a helicopter tour of Waimea Canyon in Kauai, Hawaii for bird’s-eye views of the most enchanting tropical landscapes. Get up close to Manawaiopuna Falls, known for scenes in Jurassic Park. 

31. Ride the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier for breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline. You’ll also find a carousel, wave swinger, remote control boats and climbing walls at Pier Park.

32. Let your kids have all the fun at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the largest children’s museum in the world. Dig up dinosaur fossils, explore pop culture and decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

33. Explore the geological wonderland known as Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. Just one hour from Las Vegas, kids will love such formations as Elephant Rock and Fire Wave.

34. Take the 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park. Climb up (and run down) Mt. Tom, Mt. Jackson and Mt. Holden. Savor the eye-pleasing views of Lake Michigan all along the way.

35. Compete in a hog calling contest, take selfies with a Butter Cow and revel in a 200+ float parade at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. The fair runs across 11 days in mid-August.

36. Watch bucking broncos and bull riding at a rodeo and wander, then wander a 19th-century wild west town in Dodge City, Kansas. Don’t miss the high noon gunfight at the Boot Hill Museum.

37. Go whitewater rafting in Oklahoma City. Yes, downtown Oklahoma City. The rafting at RIVERSPORT Rapids is every bit legit. As in, world-class rafting on class III and IV rapids.

38. Take a guided Frozen Niagara Tour (75 mins) of the largest known cave system in the world at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Stay nearby at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Cave City.

39. Watch as Mardi Gras parade floats are made and see loads of colorful, retired floats at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. At the end of the tour, a slice of delicious King Cake.

40. Pitch a tent for camping on the beach at Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland to see free-roaming wild pones. Splash around on 37 miles of white sandy coastline.

41. Stroll the 1.5-mile boardwalk and ride all the rides at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey. You can rent bikes too, but can only ride them on the boardwalk before 11 am. One more thing, watch the tram car, please (you’ll know when you go).

42. In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, go dog sledding with Nature’s Kennel in McMillan. Kids as young as 10 can drive their own team of sled dogs. In mid-February, the annual UP200 sled dog race that starts in Marquette is a real treat for families.

43. Revel in a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River in Biloxi. Kids will enjoy dinner cruises and sunset eco-tours on-board the Betsy Ann Riverboat, an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat.

44. Take the egg-like tram to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis for stunning views of the downtown area and the mighty Mississippi River from 630-feet above the ground.

45. Wax up your sled or snow saucer so they’re in top shape for sledding on the sand dunes at White Sands National Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.

46. Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road for sweeping views of Glacier National Park in Montana. Better, leave the driving to someone else along this winding stretch with a Red Bus Tour.

47. Spend the afternoon at Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska. Consistently ranked among the top-five zoos in the world, say hello to elephants and take a spin on the carousel. 

48. Drive the quirky 98-mile Extraterrestrial Highway in Nevada. Stop in Hiko to pose with the cowboy alien mural and grab lunch at the Little A’Le’Inn Restaurant & Bar. A wooden alien out-front holds up a sign that reads “Hello Earthlings.”

49. Get wet on the Maid of the Mist boat cruise when you ride into Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, New York. Even with a poncho, plan to get misted with spray from the iconic falls.

50. Chug along on the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire. It’s the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway. At the top, enjoy 360 views, including up to five states and Canada, as well as a kid-friendly weather museum.

51. In Roswell, New Mexico, grab lunch at the UFO-shaped McDonald’s. Yes, it’s a McDonald’s, but it was truly a quirky treat. Inside, alien-themed decorations cover the walls.

52. Fly high above the sand dunes on a colorful hang glider at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Kid-friendly instructors ensure kids feel comfortable before flight.

53. See seven states from atop Lookout Mountain at Rock City in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Walk the Enchanted Trail for natural beauty and wonders all along this woodland path.

54. Walk the .9-mile Painted Canyon Nature Trail for scenic views aplenty at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Drive the 36-mile park loop that starts at the Medora entrance for even more colorful vistas.

55. Try on leather (yes, leather) helmets and shoulder pads at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Browse football cards and explore the history of football in this 100th season of professional football in 2020.

56. Eat a world-famous onion burger at Tucker’s in Oklahoma City. It’s kind of a thing in OKC that dates back to the 1920s (and it’s so delicious). Make Pops 66 Soda Ranch on Route 66 your next stop for more than 700 varieties of soda.

57. Hike the Star Trail at Mill Mountain Park in Roanoke, Virginia to reach the Mill Mountain Star, the world’s largest man-made star that stands 100 feet tall.

58. See the world-famous Medora Musical in Medora, North Dakota. This nightly Broadway-style musical show is a must-see after an outdoor buffet-style steak dinner at Pitchfork Steak Fondue.

59. Watch The Goonies (again), then venture out to Oregon’s North Coast to wander about Astoria to snap photos of filming locations, like Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park.

60. Ring the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Okay, you can’t really ring it, but it’s a must to learn more about the crack, as well as the inscription and meaning of the bell to U.S. history. At Franklin Square, putt around a mini Liberty Bell at Philly Mini Golf.

61. Revel in the three-mile hike from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point through the hoodoos by way of the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trails at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. It’s a steep switchback on the way down and on the way up, but the views are stunning.

62. Milk cows and bottle feed baby calves during a farm stay. We did this and stayed a few nights on-site at Verdant View Farm Bed & Breakfast near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which also has a farmer’s apprentice program.

63. Savor breathtaking views on the (mostly) paved Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. Kids will love scrambling rocks on a few short sections, as well as stunning views of the shoreline and stunning coastal mansions.

64. Play a round of mini golf in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is the Mini Golf Capital of the World, you know. A couple to check out include Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf and MayDay Miniature Golf.

65. In Seattle, go to the top of the Space Needle, which recently underwent a massive renovation to its observation deck, among other spaces. It’s now even easier to see Mount Rainier on a clear day from 600 feet above the ground.

66. Drive the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road at Custer State Park in South Dakota. You’ll see lots of bison, as well as burros and prairie dogs. If you can, go in the morning when the weather is cool and animals may be more active.

67. Be wowed by Mount Rushmore in Rapid City, South Dakota. Walk the .6-mile Presidential Trail for awe-inspiring views, then get a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s $1 more than every other flavor, but it’s Thomas Jefferson’s own recipe.

68. Hike the .5-mile trail that leads to Clingmans Dome at Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It’s the highest point in Tennessee and worth the steep walk to the observation tower.

69. Visit the Hoh Rain Forest at Olympic National Park in Washington. It’s one of the largest temperate rain forests in the U.S. Hike the short .8-mile Hall of Mosses Trail or the 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail.

70. Watch a herd cattle drive from the historic stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas. Visitors line the streets twice-daily to watch a dozen or two longhorn cattle amble along brick-lined streets.

71. Rent a bike from Zion Outfitter just outside the park entrance and ride the 3.5-mile (one way) paved Pa’rus Trail at Utah’s Zion National Park. The path skirts the Virgin River through lower Zion Canyon. The views of the towering monoliths all along the way are incredible.

72. Visit a sugar house in Vermont. Even out of season (sugaring season runs from February to April), it’s still a sweet treat. Try Bragg Farm Sugar House in East Montpelier to taste maple syrup and hike the maple walking trail.

73. Go to an authentic Fish Boil in Door County, Wisconsin. At Rowleys Bay Restaurant in Ellison Bay, it’s an event that begins with storytelling before the boil-over in an outdoor kettle.

74. Take the free 30-minute guided tour at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, Vermont. Learn how the ice cream is made, then enjoy a full-size ice cream sample at the end. Yum-o.

75. Bike the world-famous Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Virginia. Rent a bike from the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail Shop and catch their shuttle to the trailhead at White Top Station. From here, it’s a 17-mile ride to Damascus (aka Trail Town USA) to meet the shuttle.

76. Watch National Treasure: Book of Secrets (again), then go behind-the-scenes on the National Treasure Tour to hear stories and see filming locations at Mount Vernon in Virginia.

77. See Old Faithful erupt at Yellowstone National Park. This takes place every 35 to 120 minutes and is truly a sight to behold. While there, walk the one-mile boardwalk through Upper Geyser Basin to see a variety of hot springs and geysers, including Morning Glory Pool.

78. Ride a historic steam train at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia. The 11-mile long heritage railroad is the same one used to haul lumber in the early 1900s.

79. Take a one-hour public tour of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Learn how laws are made, then sit in the House or Senate Gallery to watch live legislative proceedings when Congress is in session (gallery passes can be obtained from your Members of Congress).

80. Snap a photo with Mickey Mouse and watch the dazzling fireworks display at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. No list would be complete without a visit to the Mouse House.

81. Explore Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the Weather Capital of the World. Keep your eyes open for 30+ colorful six-foot tall groundhog statues (also known as Phantastic Phils).

82. Stop at South of the Border in Hamer, South Carolina. This roadside attraction on I-95 boasts a hotel, restaurant(s), gas station, reptile lagoon, mini golf course and more. You’ll see billboards for miles and miles before you reach the rest stop.

83. Learn to surf in Huntington Beach, California (aka Surf City USA). Book a private or group lesson, then watch surfers catching waves down below from the Huntington Beach Pier.

84. Spend the morning with rescue animals at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. It’s home to 1,600 animals, including cats, dogs, horses and pigs. Kids as young as six can volunteer with the animals.

85. Rent snowshoes from Tahoe Dave’s and go snowshoeing at Sand Harbor State Park on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. Climb the rocks and stare into the lake’s crystal-clear waters.

86. Regardless of your political views, it’s a must to see the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in front of the White House. A decorated tree from each U.S. state and territory forms a ring around the magnificent national tree.

87. See a Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island. This small coastal town on Narragansett Bay is home to the very first Fourth of July Parade in the United States.

88. Go on a hand-guided llama trek at Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont. Kids will love exploring the wooded trails with a llama by their side. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the trek’s mid-way point.

89. Watch A Christmas Story (again), then take a guided tour of Ralphie’s actual house from the movie. You can even book an overnight stay. Pick up souvenirs at the gift shop and museum across the street.

90. Take a gondola ride to the top of Little Whiteface Mountain at Lake Placid in New York. In town, visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and see the actual hockey and figure skating rinks from the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

91. Walk along Boston’s Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile pave winds through downtown Boston past 16 historic locations, including the Old State House and the Paul Revere House.

92. Help marine biologists catalog bottlenose dolphins on-board the Dolphin Explorer, a 30-foot catamaran that sets sail from Marco Island, Florida. Expect to see more than a dozen playful dolphins splashing in the waves.

93. Hike the Canyon Rim Trail or Devils Kitchen Trail at Colorado National Monument just outside Grand Junction. Because it lacks “national park” designation, it sees fewer crowds, but the views are absolutely stunning.

94. Take a class at the Outdoor Discovery School at L.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport, Maine. My girls took a 90-minute archery class for $30. Pro tip: if you make a store purchase, you’ll get a 10%-off coupon for any of the classes.

95. Relax on a scenic half-day float along the Colorado River at Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona. Float through iconic Horseshoe Bend and keep your eyes peeled for rainbow trout in the crystal-clear water.

96. Rope cattle at an authentic western-style chuckwagon dinner at Saddleback Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Fill up on strip steak, cowboy baked beans and peach crisp.

97. Snap a selfie with a giant baked potato at the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot. Learn the history of the potato and leave with a free packet of make-at-home mashed potatoes.

98. Drive through Chandelier Tree, a massive 276-foot tall redwood tree, at Drive-Thru Tree Park in Leggett, California. It’s on the way to Redwood National Park, so if you’re going that way, this is a cool place to stop.

99. See hundreds of colorful hot air balloons take to the sky at the world-renowned Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The annual festival wows each year in early-October.

100. You don’t need to be a fan of western movies to be completely floored by Monument Valley. Get an ice cream cone and stare out into the tribal park from the wrap-around deck.