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New York City
Why you should visit: You’ll be dazzled by the hustle and bustle and bright lights of the Big Apple.
What to do: See the neon lights of Times Square and celebrate the return of live Broadway performances with family-friendly tickets to shows like The Lion King and Aladdin, or the pre-teen favorites Six and Come From Away. Climb to the top of the Empire State Building to celebrate the iconic tower’s 90th anniversary and enjoy new interactive exhibits and movie-worthy views. Then head uptown to see dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, and don’t forget to take some time to people-watch in Central Park. Other highlights include a moving tribute to the fallen towers at the World Trade Center Memorial, life-sized planes stored on a real warship at Intrepid, and sampling cuisines from around the world in food halls like Chelsea Market and neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy. New York City is also a great place to visit at Christmas time if you’re looking for a holiday getaway.
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Niagara Falls, New York
Why you should visit: Spanning the US and Canada, America’s oldest state park is sure to impress any family with its rapids.
Recommended things to do: Take a Maid of the Mist ride to get splashed in the face by one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, then put on a raincoat and explore the Cave of the Winds below the falls, where you can get up close and personal with the crashing water. If you visit in autumn, you’ll also see beautiful autumn foliage.
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Reason for visit: Follow in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers.
What to do: Visit Independence National Historical Park, nicknamed “America’s most historic square mile,” and see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, the Benjamin Franklin Museum, and the National Constitution Center. Older kids will love the walk-through heart-shaped building at the Franklin Institute of Science, while younger ones will love the hands-on Please Touch Museum. Everyone will want to try a cold treat at the Franklin Fountain, a vintage-style ice cream parlour. It’s also a great historic place to visit for Independence Day on the 4th of July.
At the Four Seasons Philadelphia, you’ll feel like you’re on your way to meet Willy Wonka as the glass elevators soar past the surrounding buildings and into the clouds. Occupying the top 12 floors of the 1,120-foot Comcast Center, you’ll not only be atop the tallest building in Philadelphia, but also the tallest hotel in the United States. But that’s not the only notable highlight of this hotel just outside Logan Square (just a few blocks from the Franklin Institute): the infinity pool with skyline views is worth a visit in itself; you’ll feel like you’re swimming on the wing of an airplane. Modern rooms come with toddler beds and kid-friendly amenities, including Minion-branded coloring books, snacks, and balloons, which can be ordered.
