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10 All-American Road Trips Every Family Should Take

grand canyon, america, desert-2159269.jpg
Grand Canyon National Park

There’s something magical about piling the kids into the car, cranking up the playlist, and hitting the open road with snacks, a loose plan, and a whole lot of family bonding ahead. Whether you’re craving beachy days, mountain hikes, or quirky attractions that leave everyone giggling, here are 10 epic, family-approved road trips across the U.S. that belong on every bucket list. 🚗

Scenic views off of the Pacific Coast Highway

1. Pacific Coast Highway (California)

📍 Route: San Francisco → San Diego

Winding cliffs, dramatic ocean views, and charming seaside towns make California’s iconic Highway 1 a dream route for families. It’s packed with incredible stops—and fish tacos galore!

Kid-Approved Stops:

  • Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)

  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

  • LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad)

  • Sea lions at La Jolla Cove (San Diego)

Pro Tip: Stretch your legs often—the viewpoints are unreal!

Proverbial Grand Canyon shot

2. The Grand Circle Tour (Southwest National Parks)

📍 Route: Loop through Utah & Arizona

If your family loves adventure, this one’s for you. The Grand Circle Tour connects five stunning national parks and endless opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching, and outdoor fun.

Family Favorites:

  • Zion National Park’s easy family trails

  • Bryce Canyon’s otherworldly hoodoos

  • Grand Canyon’s South Rim viewpoints

  • Jeep tours and horseback rides in Moab

Bonus: Kids can earn Junior Ranger badges at every park—a surefire way to keep them engaged!

Universal Studios Orlando

3. Florida Family Fun Loop

📍 Route: Orlando → Tampa → Everglades → Florida Keys

Sunshine, theme parks, alligators, and key lime pie—this road trip covers it all.

Don’t Miss:

Best For: Families who want an action-packed trip with a tropical twist.

4. Rocky Mountain Explorer

📍 Route: Denver → Yellowstone → Glacier National Park

Trade beaches for mountain peaks and geysers on this rugged adventure through the Rockies.

Top Kid Experiences:

  • Dinosaur Ridge (near Denver)

  • Watching Old Faithful erupt (Yellowstone)

  • Soaking in hot springs (Wyoming & Montana)

  • Riding Glacier’s historic Red Buses

Fun Fact: Yellowstone was America’s first national park!

5. Great Lakes Road Trip

📍 Route: Chicago → Michigan → Wisconsin → Minnesota

Perfect for summer, this loop is packed with charming lake towns, historic sites, and delicious food.

Kid Must-Dos:

  • Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)

  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Michigan)

  • Ferry to Mackinac Island (no cars allowed!)

  • Cheese curd tastings in Wisconsin

Tip: Plan a few beach days—those freshwater lakes are gorgeous!

6. Route 66 (Classic Americana)

📍 Route: Chicago → Santa Monica

Take a trip back in time on the Mother Road. Route 66 is packed with neon diners, vintage motels, and oddball roadside attractions.

Iconic Family Stops:

  • Route 66 Museum (Clinton, OK)

  • Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, TX)

  • Meteor Crater (Winslow, AZ)

  • Santa Monica Pier (CA)

Parent Perk: Endless photo ops—and even more family memories.

7. Music & Culture Tour (Southern Style)

📍 Route: Nashville → Memphis → New Orleans

Hit the road for a journey full of music, culture, and the best food you’ll ever eat.

Family-Friendly Favorites:

  • Country Music Hall of Fame (Nashville)

  • Graceland (Memphis)

  • Jazz riverboat rides (New Orleans)

  • Powdered sugar overload at Café du Monde

Perfect For: Music-loving families who want a dash of history and a whole lot of flavor.

Blue Ridge Parkway

8. Blue Ridge Parkway Adventure

📍 Route: Shenandoah National Park → Great Smoky Mountains

This peaceful route through Virginia and North Carolina is perfect for fall colors, waterfall hikes, and cozy mountain cabins.

Perfect For:

  • Touring Luray Caverns

  • Hikes to waterfalls and scenic overlooks

  • Visiting Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN)

  • Chasing fireflies at dusk

Fun Fact: The Blue Ridge Parkway is nicknamed “America’s Favorite Drive.”

9. Southwest Desert Loop

📍 Route: Phoenix → Tucson → White Sands → Carlsbad Caverns

Desert magic meets kid-friendly adventure in this colorful corner of the U.S.

Family Highlights:

  • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson)

  • Sledding down sand dunes (White Sands National Park)

  • Alien spotting in Roswell, New Mexico

  • Watching bats emerge at Carlsbad Caverns

Don’t Forget: Bring lots of water—and a sense of humor!

The Seattle Skyline

10. Pacific Northwest Wonders

📍 Route: Seattle → Olympic National Park → Portland → Crater Lake

Moody forests, snow-capped peaks, and hip cities await you in the PNW.

Can’t-Miss Kid Stops:

  • Watching fish fly at Pike Place Market (Seattle)

  • Hiking treehouse trails in Olympic National Park

  • OMSI science museum (Portland)

  • Gasping at the brilliant blue water of Crater Lake

Tip: Pack layers—it’s rainy, but worth it.

Final Thoughts: Why Road Trips Are Family Gold

Sure, road trips with kids can get a little chaotic (cue the “Are we there yet?” soundtrack). But between the car karaoke sessions, silly roadside attractions, spontaneous detours, and late-night hotel swims, you’re creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether you’re exploring rocky coastlines, neon-lit highways, towering mountains, or magical forests, these 10 all-American routes are sure to deliver one unforgettable family adventure after another.

✨ Ready to plan your next road trip?

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The Ultimate Guide to 10 National Parks in the Southeastern U.S.

The Southeastern United States is home to 10 National Parks, each offering unique landscapes, historical significance, and recreational opportunities. Here’s a comprehensive list of these sites, along with summaries highlighting things to do, hiking information, and visiting details:

10 National Parks in the Southern United States

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina)
  • Overview: Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, this park is renowned for its mist-covered mountains, rich biodiversity, and well-preserved historic structures.
  • Things to Do: Wildlife viewing, scenic drives, camping, and exploring historic buildings.
  • Hiking: Offers over 850 miles of trails, including a 70-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Trails range from easy walks to challenging backcountry routes.
  • Visiting Information: Open year-round with no entrance fee. Visitor centers provide maps, exhibits, and restrooms.
Everglades National Park
2. Everglades National Park (Florida)
  • Overview: The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., protecting a unique landscape that provides habitat for rare and endangered species like the manatee and Florida panther.
  • Things to Do: Guided tours, bird watching, boating, and fishing.
  • Hiking: Several short trails and longer backcountry routes.
  • Visiting Information: Entrance fee required. Visitor centers offer educational exhibits and information on guided tours.
  • Blog Post About the Everglades: Everglades National Park: Voted One of the Best National Parks in the USA
Congaree National Park
3. Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
  • Overview: Preserves the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the U.S., offering a sanctuary for diverse plant and animal species.
  • Things to Do: Canoeing, bird watching, and ranger-led programs.
  • Hiking: Over 25 miles of trails, including an elevated boardwalk loop.
  • Visiting Information: No entrance fee. The visitor center provides maps and information on current conditions.
  • Blog Posts About Congaree National Park:  5 Epic Things to do at Congaree National Park
The kids deep inside Mammoth Cave at Mammoth Cave National Park
4. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)
  • Overview: Home to the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored.
  • Things to Do: Guided cave tours, camping, and horseback riding.
  • Hiking: Over 80 miles of trails above ground, ranging from short walks to longer hikes.
  • Visiting Information: Entrance to the park is free, but cave tours require a fee and reservations. The visitor center offers exhibits and tour information.
  • Blog Posts About Mammoth Cave: 10 Mind-Boggling Facts About Mammoth Cave & Visting Mammoth Cave with Kids
5. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
  • Overview: Located along the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is known for its scenic vistas, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.
  • Things to Do: Scenic drives along Skyline Drive, wildlife viewing, and camping.
  • Hiking: Over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
  • Visiting Information: Entrance fee required. Visitor centers provide maps, exhibits, and restrooms.
The kids at Biscayne National Park
6. Biscayne National Park (Florida)
  • Overview: Protects a unique marine ecosystem, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and the northernmost Florida Keys.
  • Things to Do: Snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, and fishing.
  • Hiking: Limited hiking opportunities; most activities are water-based.
  • Visiting Information: No entrance fee. Dante Fascell Visitor Center offers exhibits and information on guided tours.
  • Blog Post About Biscayne National Park: Top 10 Things to do at Biscayne National Park 
7. Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)
  • Overview: Located about 70 miles west of Key West, this park is known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and historic Fort Jefferson.
  • Things to Do: Snorkeling, bird watching, and exploring Fort Jefferson.
  • Hiking: Limited to short walks around the fort and beaches.
  • Visiting Information: Accessible only by boat or seaplane. Entrance fee required. The visitor center within Fort Jefferson provides historical exhibits.
8. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
  • Overview: Known for its natural hot springs, historic bathhouses, and scenic mountain views.
  • Things to Do: Bathing in thermal waters, touring historic bathhouses, and scenic drives.
  • Hiking: Over 26 miles of trails through forested hills.
  • Visiting Information: No entrance fee. Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the visitor center with exhibits and park information.
9. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (West Virginia)
  • Overview: The newest national park, designated in 2020, is known for its rugged canyon, rich history, and diverse ecosystems.
  • Things to Do: Whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and scenic drives.
  • Hiking: Over 100 miles of trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes.
  • Visiting Information: No entrance fee. Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers exhibits and information on recreational activities.
10. Gulf Islands National Seashore (Florida and Mississippi)
  • Overview: Protects the barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico, offering white sandy beaches, historic forts, and diverse wildlife.
  • Things to Do: Swimming, fishing, and exploring historic sites.
  • Hiking: Several short trails on various islands.
  • Visiting Information: Some areas require an entrance fee. 

Become a Junior Ranger

The Junior Ranger program is a fantastic way for kids to learn about a National Park site.  Children can complete a series of tasks to earn a Junior Ranger badge.  These tasks can range from drawing a badge, word searches, BINGO, fill in the blanks, and locating facts about the site.  The number of tasks required to collect the badge varies based on the location, so be sure to ask the Park Ranger for specific details.

Don’t be jealous, grownups can earn badges too!  The Junior Ranger program is open to everyone!

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

For future reference, save our post: “10 National Parks in the Southeastern United States”.  To get inspo for your next trip, check out the Ultimate National Park Bucket List.  Plan your trip around Free National Park Days and learn about The National Park’s Awesome Junior Ranger Program.

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