Best Places to Travel in 2025: Top US Destinations for an Enriching Family Trip
The best places to travel in 2025 in the US offer unforgettable family adventures and exciting experiences for all ages. When planning your trip, discovering the best places to travel in 2025 can make all the difference in creating lasting memories. For instance, picture yourself paddling off the coast of Maui, pointing out a spiky but harmless red pencil urchin to your awestruck child. Or imagine waking them up at 5 a.m. to watch a mother and baby bison grazing just outside your cabin window in Yellowstone National Park.
Even though some travelers may hit pause on US trips in 2025, the country still delivers a world of awe, play, and unexpected joy across its mountains, prairies, coasts, islands, and cities. Based on my own adventures traveling with kids, this list showcases the best places to travel in 2025—magical destinations unveiling fresh and exciting family-friendly experiences right now.
Who Curated This List of Best Places to Travel in 2025?
I’m Amelia Edelman, a US-based journalist and family travel expert. I’ve explored 40 countries and 49 states with my two children, uncovering the best places to travel for enriching family experiences. In addition to writing for respected outlets like NPR, Travel + Leisure, and Lonely Planet, I also launched Mom Voyage—a city guide series created specifically for families. This list is based on personal experience and recent discoveries to make your 2025 family trip unforgettable.
1. Outer Banks, North Carolina: A Must-Visit Spot Among the Best Places to Travel in 2025
Stretching 200 miles off the coast of North Carolina to Virginia, the Outer Banks offers endless adventure and natural beauty. For a meaningful adventure, kayak alongside great blue herons and wild horses near Beaufort, or take part in the Outer Banks’ new voluntourism program, which connects visitors with over 90 nonprofits working to protect this fragile coastal ecosystem.
Ocracoke Island, known for its unique Elizabethan-style dialect and 16 miles of unspoiled beaches, is perfect for family biking, local festivals, and nighttime stargazing. As a budding Dark Sky destination, it offers the chance to witness meteor showers and even glowing bioluminescent waves.. Don’t miss the Ocracoke British Cemetery, a unique British territory hosting an annual friendship ceremony.
Best time to visit: While June to August is ideal for beach season, September to October offers fewer crowds and a better chance to witness bioluminescence
2. Grand Junction, Colorado: Discover One of the Best Places to Travel in 2025
If you want to avoid crowds but still enjoy breathtaking scenery, skip the Grand Canyon and head to Grand Junction instead. This vibrant gateway to the Dominguez–Escalante National Conservation Area and Grand Mesa—the world’s largest flat-top mountain—offers stunning hikes through colorful canyons often nicknamed the “mini Grand Canyon
Kids can earn Junior Ranger badges, explore the Dinosaur Journey Museum with hands-on dino digs, and meet animals at the EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum. Nearby, the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Reserve offers a rare chance to see wild mustangs.
Best time to visit: Year-round, with spring and fall ideal for wildflowers and autumn colors.
3. Los Angeles, California
Although recent wildfires affected the area, over 98% of LA’s attractions are still open and ready to welcome visitors. Families can visit the Getty Center’s world-class art, the California Science Center’s hands-on exhibits, and the Natural History Museum’s impressive dinosaur collection. For younger kids, the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica offers interactive fun.
With fewer crowds, now is the perfect time to explore LA’s outdoor gems, such as Heal The Bay’s aquarium on the Santa Monica Pier, where kids can learn about local marine life.
Best time to visit: March to May for mild weather and lighter crowds.
4. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Known as Furniture City, Grand Rapids boasts the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with over 200 sculptures and a wonderful Children’s Garden. The John Ball Zoo focuses on conservation, introducing kids to lions and warthogs.
Millennium Park offers lakeside playgrounds and trails, perfect for picnics or pickleball. Indoor attractions like the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Art Museum, and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum ensure fun rain or shine. The newly renovated Public Museum features accessible planetarium shows inspired by Indigenous astronomy.
Best time to visit: July, when summer temperatures hover around a comfortable 73°F (22°C).
5. Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky, Montana
Yellowstone’s multicolored geothermal features and wildlife sightings captivate visitors. In winter, the focus shifts to Big Sky’s skiing and snowboarding, especially with the upcoming Big Sky 2025 project adding scenic lookouts and family-friendly amenities.
The new eco-friendly One & Only Moonlight Basin hotel promises luxury with kid-focused activities and stunning alpine views.
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn to avoid crowds and see baby animals; winter for snow sports.
6. Maui, Hawaii
Maui offers an unbeatable mix of wildlife, beaches, and aloha spirit. Furthermore, whale watching, sea urchin spotting, and forest restoration projects through the Mālama Hawaii voluntourism program make it both a meaningful and fun destination.
Despite being the second-most visited island, Maui sees fewer tourists than Oahu, creating a more relaxed atmosphere. Family-friendly luxury resorts like the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons welcome visitors supporting local recovery efforts.
Best time to visit: Year-round, with winter bringing humpback whale migrations.
7. Asheville, North Carolina
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a hub for arts and outdoor exploration. Additionally, the Biltmore Estate, built by the Vanderbilt family, offers gardens, a King Tut exhibit, and a kid-friendly audio tour narrated by Cedric, the family’s Saint Bernard.
The Asheville Museum of Science and Hands On! Furthermore, the Children’s Museum provides interactive learning, while the city itself buzzes with new businesses and a revived arts scene following 2024’s Hurricane Helene.
Best time to visit: Spring through fall for festivals, outdoor adventures, and mild weather.
Conclusion
From coastal islands and desert canyons to urban hubs and mountain resorts, the US offers enriching family experiences in 2025. These destinations combine natural wonder, educational activities, and a commitment to sustainable tourism — perfect for families wanting meaningful adventures.
