You don’t need to go far to find cool places to travel in 2026. From coast to coast, destinations around the U.S. are welcoming new museums, attractions, and hotels focused on families, not to mention celebrating everything from new sports teams to America’s 250th birthday. Ready to start making vacation plans? These are the 10 places in the U.S. you should put on your 2026 family vacation list.
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1. Los Angeles, California
The City of Angels is gearing up for a banner year in 2026. It’ll host the NBA All-Star Game in February at the new Intuit Dome and eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the U.S. Men’s National Team opening match on June 12.
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Major openings taking place in 2026 include the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; the futuristic-looking Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Exposition Park; and DATALAND, the world’s first museum of AI arts. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the first-ever high-speed outdoor roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Looney Tunes Land, the completely reimagined kids area at Six Flags Magic Mountain, are also making their debuts in 2026. And if the new Automated People Mover train at LAX opens in 2026 as hoped for, it’ll make navigating the busy airport a little easier.
Where to stay: Kids Rooms suites at The Garland include a partitioned area with bunk beds, a TV, and Blu-ray/DVD player just for kids. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Los Angeles Beverly Hills has a game room and outdoor pool that will keep the kids busy.
2. Cleveland, Ohio
This list of reasons to visit Cleveland in 2026 is a long one. Throughout the year the city will welcome a new sailing center on Lake Erie, the first phase of the Primate Forest at The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (the zoo’s most significant expansion in more than a century), and a $175-million expansion of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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There’s special programming at The Cleveland Museum of Art to celebrate its 110th anniversary and exhibits spotlighting immigrants’ impact on fashion and the region’s contributions to the movie industry at the Cleveland History Center. The Cuyahoga River was recently designated a National Water Trail, and the new Cleveland Water Taxi connects visitors with the city’s waterfront parks and other attractions. And new sensory spaces at the zoo and Great Lakes Science Center are helping all visitors enjoy their experience.
Where to stay: The recently reopened Hotel Cleveland and the new Fidelity Hotel are two good bets. Hilton Cleveland Downtown is another good choice (and has an indoor pool).
3. Boston, Massachusetts
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the birthplace of the American Revolution. Dive into the country’s past at spots like Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, and the Paul Revere House, and check the calendar during your visit for special semiquincentennial events, exhibits, tours, and reenactments.
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Tall ships will return to Boston Harbor during Sail Boston, and seven FIFA World Cup matches will take place just outside the city at Gillette Stadium. And all of that is on top of the family-friendly fun you can always have in Beantown, like riding the Swan Boats at Boston Public Garden, getting hands-on at the Boston Children’s Museum and Museum of Science, visiting the sea lions and penguins at the New England Aquarium, and eating your way through the North End.
Where to stay: Longtime city hotels Omni Parker House (the birthplace of Boston cream pie), The Eliot Hotel, and Sheraton Boston Hotel all recently completed major renovations that have left them better than ever.
4. Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida
After taking a serious beating from 2022’s Hurricane Ian, these two Southwest Florida barrier islands are on the comeback trail with new offerings like the Captiva Landing water playground at South Seas resort, complete with six waterslides and a lazy river. Old favorites have also returned, like laid-back seafood spot Lazy Flamingo and the kitschy Bubble Room, known for its sky-high slices of cake.
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Sift through the piles of seashells strewn across the islands’ beaches for a special vacation souvenir, or explore natural wonders like the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where you might spot a roseate spoonbill if you’re lucky. For even more fun with the kids, download the Sanibel Wild Mile pass to earn points and prizes as you visit the island’s natural attractions. (The Visitor’s Education Center at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife was always a big hit with my daughter when she was little.)
Where to stay: Completely reconstructed after Hurricane Ian, Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel offers Gulf-front studios and one- and two-bedroom villas built to weather future storms. South Seas offers a resort experience on Captiva with vacation villas and homes available to rent. And the new White Pelican Villas on Sanibel are scheduled to open in early 2026.
5. Grand Rapids, Michigan
If you’ve never been to Grand Rapids before, now’s the time. In 2026, the city will welcome the new concert venue Acrisure Amphitheater set along the Grand River and a new adaptive mountain bike course at Johnson Park. The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives will open in an expanded downtown space in February, and an exhibit of works by Dale Chihuly will be on view at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park from May 1 to November 1, 2026.
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The Grand Rapids Public Museum is scheduled to complete its $50-million expansion in 2026, which will include elevated gallery space, accessible connections to the riverfront, and the restoration of its beloved 1928 Spillman Carousel with its first wheelchair-accessible chariot. The city’s also planning a range of events to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and mark Grand Rapids’ 175th year.
Where to stay: The historic Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton sits along the Grand River and offers amenities like an indoor pool and rooftop pickleball courts. Or book a suite with a full kitchen at Residence Inn by Marriott Grand Rapids, which also offers free daily hot breakfast.
6. Louisville, Kentucky
Theme park lovers, take note: Kentucky Kingdom (the state’s largest amusement park) will kick off its 2026 season with the debut of its new family-friendly roller coaster Flying Fox, the park’s sixth roller coaster. The kids will also love the new AHOY Children’s Museum set to open in late 2026, an immersive, experiential space with indoor and outdoor play areas, as well as longtime city spots like the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and Kentucky Science Center.
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The Sons of the American Revolution will open its new $30-million Education Center and Museum on July 4, 2026, where interactive galleries will help visitors learn about the American Revolution and its central figures. And when The Dot Experience at the American Printing House (APH) opens in fall 2026, it will share stories and innovations from people who are blind or low vision in hands-on, accessible ways.
Where to stay: Omni Louisville Hotel offers a heated rooftop pool and guest rooms with fun local touches like Louisville Slugger-inspired lamps. Embassy Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown has rooms that can sleep up to six and an indoor pool.
7. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
You can spend your days sunning, swimming, and snorkeling on St. Thomas. But there’s lots more to do on the Caribbean island, especially for families. Kids will love visiting the hands-on Virgin Islands Children’s Museum, checking out the loot at the Pirates Treasure Museum, and taking the Skyride to Paradise Point for amazing views of the area.
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Go ziplining through the rainforest of St. Peter Mountain, learn about local marine life at Coral World Ocean Park, and kayak through mangroves on an ecotour. And it’s easy to hop on a ferry to take a day trip to nearby and less-developed St. John, two-thirds of which sits within Virgin Islands National Park.
Where to stay: The new Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas offers an outdoor pool, free daily hot breakfast, and a convenient location for exploring the island. Luxury resort The Botany is scheduled to open in summer 2026 on the more secluded western tip of the island and will feature 23 private one- to three-bedroom villas.
8. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Route 66 celebrates its centennial in 2026, and Tulsa’s been officially dubbed the Capital of Route 66 for its 28 consecutive miles of the Mother Road. Drive that span to check out the route’s neon landmarks in the city’s Meadow Gold District, visit the Route 66 Historical Village, and stop at Mother Road Market for local eats and shopping opportunities. On May 30, 2026, the city’s hosting what it’s calling the largest classic car parade ever in honor of the route’s major milestone.
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Coming later in 2026 is the reopening of the Gilcrease Museum, home to a significant collection of Native American art. Plan a day to explore the impressive Gathering Place riverfront park, featuring the imaginative five-acre Chapman Adventure Playground, Swing Hill at the highest point in the park, and other playful elements. The Josephine G. and Timothy W. Driskill Children’s Discovery Garden at the Tulsa Botanic Garden is another fun spot to explore with kids.
Where to stay: Tulsa Club Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tulsa Downtown/Route 66, and Hampton Inn & Suites Tulsa Downtown are all good options that put you in the heart of the action.
9. Denver, Colorado
The state of Colorado celebrates its 150th birthday in 2026, and you can learn about its road to statehood at History Colorado Center (which offers free admission for kids). Admission is also free for kids 18 and under every day at the Denver Art Museum, which offers a variety of family programs and activities.
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Downtown’s pedestrian-friendly 16th Street’s been reinvigorated with a new tree canopy, interactive art, and family-friendly play structures, and the new F1 Arcade Denver offers 69 full-motion racing simulators and other high-speed fun. If you don’t fuel up there, everyone should be able to find something fun to eat at the Denver Milk Market food hall, which also has an arcade with skee-ball and vintage video games. Or try one of the more than 30 Denver restaurants that have been recognized by Michelin in its Colorado-based guide. There are all kinds of ways to enjoy the outdoors here, from parks to kid-friendly hikes. And the new Denver franchise of the National Women’s Soccer League kicks off its first season in the city in 2026.
Where to stay: New nature-inspired hotel Populus Denver promises a truly memorable stay. The Crawford Hotel is another fun option, offering easy access to the restaurants and shops at Denver Union Station and amenities like a free daily scoop from Milkbox Ice Creamery.
10. Williamsburg, Virginia
This perennial family vacation spot will be abuzz in 2026 with both America’s 250th birthday and the 100th anniversary of Colonial Williamsburg. Expect all kinds of special events to mark the occasions, from a centennial exhibition at The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and military reenactments to fife and drum performances and public readings of the Declaration of Independence.
The new Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center is opening in 2026, where visitors can see the historic area’s archeologists at work. And Bassett Hall, the former home of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (who brought Colonial Williamsburg to life), is now open to the public. But it’s not just all about history here: Busch Gardens Williamsburg is unveiling the reimagined family-friendly roller coaster Verbolten: Forbidden Turn in 2026 and welcomed The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge in 2025, and Water Country USA is debuting its new AquaGlow after-dark event in summer 2026.
Where to stay: Book at the Williamsburg Inn or Williamsburg Lodge to be right in the heart of all the historic happenings. Williamsburg is also home to a Great Wolf Lodge location, and the Rochambeau Roadside Inn is a fun new option well-suited for families.
