Why Maui is perfect for the whole family: It’s hard to beat Maui for sunny weather, family-friendly resorts, and activities for all ages. “The Magic Isle” has lots of tricks up its sleeve – from some of Hawaii’s best beaches and golf courses to back-to-nature adventure, farm-to-table dining, and fun foods (colorful shave ice, Portuguese malasada doughnuts, and sweet tropical fruits) that kids love.

Helpful tip: You don’t have to fly via Honolulu; there are non-stops to Maui from more than a dozen cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, and Phoenix.

Read more: Save, Spring, Splurge: A Guide to Maui, Hawaii
 

Why Maui is great for kids: Dolphin and whale-watching tours, hiking volcanic Mt. Haleakala, outrigger canoe and Atlantis submarine rides, surf school, hula lessons, and snorkeling galore.

Read more: How to See Hawaii – and Save – With a Cruise
 

Why Maui is great for grown-ups: Golf (on 10 courses), scenic drives (through Upcountry and the Road to Hana), scuba diving, sunset catamaran cruises, fine dining on Hawaiian regional cuisine, and stress-zapping spa treatments.

Read more: How to Plan a Trip to Hawaii
 

Why Montreal and Québec are perfect for the whole family: French-speaking Montreal and Québec City, located about 2.5 hours apart by car, are close to home but feel far away (and are a bargain at current exchange rates). While Montreal blends old and new, Québec City celebrates its 410-year history with tons of charm. Both offer activities for all ages that evolve with the seasons – festivals in summer, foliage in fall, ice carnivals in winter, and maple syrup season in spring. 

Helpful tip: If your kids don’t have passports you can still go: Children under age 16 can travel to Canada with a birth certificate.

Read more: Our Take on a Quebecois Classic

Why Montreal and Québec is great for kids: The Montreal Science Center, La Ronde amusement park, Montreal Zipline, the Aquarium du Québec, iSaute trampoline center, and Winter Carnival – plus the favorite local fast food: poutine (French fries with gravy and cheese).  

Read more: A Design Lover's Guide to Montreal
 

Why Montreal and Québec is great for grown-ups: Summer-long music and comedy festivals, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal Botanical Gardens and galleries, shops, and excellent dining in both cities.

Read more: Authentic Quebec, Without the Big-City Cost
 

Why Washington, D.C. is perfect for the whole family: From the free stuff – museums, famous monuments, and a zoo – to the innovative dining scene that’s emerged over the past decade, our nation’s capital and its neighboring cities offer so much to see and do it’s almost impossible to enjoy everything in a single trip. Visit during cherry blossom season (early April) for a visual treat.

Helpful tip: If you love the charm of Georgetown, try neighboring Alexandria, VA (15 minutes by Metro), where historic 18th- and 19th-century architecture, a seasonal waterfront beer garden, and the free National Inventors Hall of Fame offer fun for all ages.  

Read more: 11 Washington, D.C. Hotels with Amazing Rooftop Views
 

Why Washington, D.C. is great for kids: All the Smithsonian Museums (American History, Natural History, and Air & Space) are especially fun, the National Zoo (home to three giant pandas), the International Spy Museum (ideal for junior sleuths), the U.S. Mint (see real money being made), the White House (advance reservations required for a tour), and, of course, the Lincoln Memorial.

Read more: Save, Spring, Splurge: The Wharf, Washington, DC
 

Why Washington, D.C. is great for grown-ups: All the stuff kids love you will, too – plus visit the National Gallery and the National Museum of African American History & Culture, and stroll around the Tidal Basin.

Read more: Eating and Drinking in Alexandria, D.C.'s Stylish, More-Affordable Neighbor
 

Why an Alaska Cruise perfect for the whole family: Cruises are ideal for family travel because they’re convenient (many sail round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver) and offer great value. But what makes an Alaska cruise, available from late May to mid-September, especially appealing is that it allows all ages to easily see some of Mother Nature’s most remote wonders – from glaciers to grizzly bears. Plus, there’s tons of fun onboard our favorite ships cruising Alaska.

Helpful tips: Alaska cruises are very popular so book six to nine months out. For the best deals, sign up for alerts from several cruise lines and watch for a sale.

Read more: The 7 Best Ships Cruising Alaska

Why an Alaska Cruise is great for kids: Excursions include zip-lining, dogsledding (and meeting adorable husky puppies), hiking, wilderness safaris, whale watching, and eagle and grizzly spotting, while onboard activities vary by ship but include kids’ clubs, pools and waterslides, movies, and arcades.

Read more: 5 Reasons Why Cruising Is a Great Way to Experience Alaska
 

Why an Alaska Cruise is great for grown-ups: While ashore there’s salmon fishing, kayaking or snorkeling adventures, scenic train rides, gallery tours, and shopping; onboard many ships offer musical and Broadway-style entertainment, wine tasting, spa treatments, and cooking or mixology classes.

Read more: How to Save on an Alaska Cruise
 

Why Orlando, Florida is perfect for the whole family: It’s inevitable: Your kids will harass you until you take them to this place where theme parks collide – so why not make it a “the more, the merrier” vacation? Whether your little ones are Disney Princess or Harry Potter wannabes, they’ll be entranced by Orlando’s make-believe magic. And if you believe, you’ll have a blast, too. Plus, the nearby Kennedy Space Center educates and delights all ages.

Helpful tips: As appealing as on-site Disney or Universal resorts might seem, you may find better value in a condo-style resort (some offer free shuttles to nearby parks), which allows for affordable meal prep and downtime. Also, given exorbitant park ticket prices, check out deals on multi-day passes (buy ahead online to save) and read up on time-saving tips (such as FastPass+ at Disney).  

Read more: Orlando’s Theme Park Reopenings: Everything You Need to Know

Why Orlando, Florida is great for kids: Between Disney’s four parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure (home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), and SeaWorld, there’s just too much fun to count.

Read more: 8 Major Differences Between Walt Disney World and Disneyland
 

Why Orlando, Florida is great for grown-ups: Explore charming Winter Park, home to the Morse Museum (with its astounding Tiffany glass collection) and local restaurants, wine bars, and brew pubs. Outlet shopping is plentiful in Orlando, too.

Read more: Orlando: For Cool Kids of All Ages
 

Why Aruba is perfect for the whole family: Soft white sand, endless sun, and calm turquoise water by day and the ka-ching of casinos by night (many resorts have them on property) make this arid Dutch island in the Southern Caribbean a favorite. Plus, all-inclusive resorts as well as walkable dining options along Palm Beach make Aruba an easy, breezy escape.

Helpful tips: Aruba’s location below the hurricane belt makes June to October (Atlantic hurricane season, also low season in the Caribbean), a great time to vacation here and save.

Read more: Caribbean Vacation Packages 101: How They Work and What to Expect
 

Why Aruba is great for kids: Pools galore (many with fun slides and waterfalls), off-road Jeep tours, visits to a butterfly or ostrich farm or a donkey sanctuary, and stand-up paddleboard lessons.

Read more: Go Way Beyond the Basics in Aruba
 

Why Aruba is great for grown-ups: Scenic off-road adventures, golfing, gaming (casinos open at noon), wreck diving, deep-sea fishing, wind and kite surfing, Segway tours, spa visits, and duty-free shopping in the colorful capital, Oranjestad.

Read more: How To Stretch Your Dollar in Aruba
 

Why California's Northern and Central Coast is perfect for the whole family: Road trip, anyone? From San Francisco to Monterey Bay to Hearst Castle, there are plenty of attractions and activities for the entire family. With big city culture and scenic Pacific coast panoramas, this journey has something for everyone.

Helpful tips: In San Francisco, ride the Powell-Hyde cable car downhill from Union Square for the biggest thrill, book popular Alcatraz visits in advance, and enjoy a family-style dim sum meal in Chinatown.

Read more: Monterey County for 7 Different Types of Travelers
 

Why California's Northern and Central Coast is great for kids: The ups and downs of San Francisco’s legendary cable cars, the sea lions and seafood treats of Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, the prison cells of Alcatraz, and the cool exhibits of the Exploratorium, the Walt Disney Family Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences. Further south, there’s the amusement pier in Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Read more: 10 Freebies in 10 Expensive Cities
 

Why California's Northern and Central Coast is great for grown-ups: Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge or a stroll through the Palace of Fine Arts or Ferry Building Marketplace (all free) – plus an amazing restaurant scene. Along the coast, golfing at Pebble Beach (or at least the 17-mile scenic drive), the retro-glam architecture of Hearst Castle in San Simeon and wining, dining, and gallery-hopping in Carmel.

Read more: What to See and Do in San Francisco
 

Why Jackson Hole, Wyoming is perfect for the whole family: Old West ambience meets amazing wildlife at the gateway to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Jackson Hole, with its outdoor-adventure vibe, is a place that’s not only postcard-perfect, but also offers cool things most kids (and kids at heart) don’t typically get to do.  

Helpful tips: Summer and winter are peak seasons (with correspondingly high hotel rates), so consider a visit in late May or early September if school schedules allow.

Read more: Which National Park Is for You?
 

Why Jackson Hole, Wyoming is great for kids: Yellowstone, America’s oldest national park, has geysers galore, along with wildlife safaris and eco adventures to spot herds of buffalo, resident bears, and elk. Other activities: action-packed dude ranches and covered-wagon cookouts.

Read more: 14 Items for Your National Park Adventure
 

Why Jackson Hole, Wyoming is great for grown-ups: Fly fishing, horseback riding, soaking in the thermal waters of Granite Hot Springs, sipping whiskey at a craft distillery (or cabernet at a winery or beer at a brewery) or visiting the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

Read more: What to See and Do in Jackson Hole

Why Riviera Maya, Mexico is perfect for the whole family: Affordable and easy to get to, this coast south of Cancún is lined with family-friendly all-inclusive resorts and authentic Mayan cultural sites (including Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza) that will spark the imaginations of budding archeologists. You’ll soak up the Caribbean sun while enjoying eco-adventure.

Helpful tips: For the best value, consider a visit right after Thanksgiving or during the first two weeks of December, when room rates are still low.

Read more: The Best of Tulum, from Big Resorts to Hippie-Chic Boutique Hotels

Why Riviera Maya, Mexico is great for kids: Swimming and snorkeling at resorts or at Mayan-themed aqua parks (Xcaret or Xel-Ha), kids’ club activities that range from scavenger hunts to handicrafts classes, zip-line adventures, and excursions to Mayan ruins.

Read more: 5 Excursions from Cancun Worth Every Peso
 

Why Riviera Maya, Mexico is great for grown-ups: Water sports (from diving to kiteboarding), cave swimming in grotto-like cenotes, discovering flavorful of Yucatecan cuisine, and shopping Fifth Ave. in Playa del Carmen.

Read more: 4 Mind-Blowing Ancient Yucatan Ruins Besides Chichen Itza
 

Why Boston, Massachusetts is perfect for the whole family: History charms and entertains in this distinctively American city with its walkable neighborhoods and fun-yet-educational attractions. Boston also offers easy access to other top Massachusetts destinations, including the beaches of Cape Cod, the historic settlement at Plymouth, and the historically witchy Salem.

Helpful tips: Early May and late September tend to be ideal for a visit – comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and good hotel rates.

Read more: Boston Port Review
 

Why Boston, Massachusetts is great for kids: The Freedom Trail (where the American Revolution comes alive at Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church, and more), the USS Constitution (America’s oldest commissioned warship), the New England Aquarium (to ogle thousands of colorful inhabitants), and 106-year-old Fenway Park (home of the Red Sox from April to September).

Read more: What to See, Do, and Eat in Boston’s Booming Seaport Neighborhood

Why Boston, Massachusetts is great for grown-ups: The Museum of Fine Arts and Institute of Contemporary Art, the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and the food scene (from fresh seafood to contemporary offerings from some of New England’s top chefs).

Read more: Free Things to Do in Boston for All Types of Interests