4 tried-and-tested U.S. weekend breaks my kids loved

Family weekend breaks are a great way to explore a new destination together on your next school break or long weekend. From the nonstop energy of New York City to the endless supply of museums in D.C., to a mountain getaway in Tennessee, short breaks are a great way for your family to enjoy some time together.

For families with school-age kids and teenagers, a trip to New York City can be action-packed. Explore its mix of historic sites, a dose of culture with its museums, and those only-in-NYC attractions. 

Lean into NYC’s history 

New York City is known for its bright lights and constant energy, though that doesn’t mean it’s not suited to your family break. NYC offers many family-friendly spots such as The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Museum of Immigration and national park sites. 

The National Museum of the American Indian is a free Smithsonian affiliate museum with rotating exhibits on American Indian history and contemporary Native American art. The imagiNATIONS Activity Center is especially suited to families with children. 

For older children, a visit to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial retells the tragedy of September 11, 2001, a defining moment in recent U.S. history. The museum uses artifacts, news coverage, and eyewitness accounts to recreate the timeline of that morning. The surrounding memorial is a quiet place of reflection and suitable for all visitors.

Get an NYC culture dose

Your family could spend days exploring NYC’s museums, so whittle down the list according to your family’s interests. Here are some popular choices:

• The American Museum of Natural History is massive, spanning over 2.5 million square feet with 33 million specimens and artifacts. For families, focus on Lucy: The early human, the giant blue whale, the Hall of Dinosaurs, and the Hall of North American Mammals. The Hayden Planetarium is also at the museum. 
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a 23 million square foot facility with over one million objects, a must for art-loving families. The Temple of Dendur is a highlight, and families can see Vermeer and Rembrandt and many works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Degas. 
• The Museum of Modern Art is a good option if your family is typically less interested in art museums. It is easier to navigate with kids, and Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night is always on display. 
• The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is a military, aerospace, and history museum on the Hudson River at Pier 86. Families will clamor across the decks of the U.S.S Intrepid, and you can see a British Airways Concorde, a Lockheed A-12 Blackbird, and the Space Shuttle Enterprise. 

Top tip: For the best experience, schedule one museum visit per day, preferably in the morning. Make sure to add a reservation to guarantee admission. 

Visit NYC’s tallest buildings with observation decks

Families can see NYC’s hustle and bustle from the observation deck of one of its iconic skyscrapers. There are several options: 

• The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper from the 30s and is the classic choice with two observation decks
• The Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is a 70-story observation deck, best for views of Central Park and Midtown
• The One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Families can visit its observation deck for a view of Lower Manhattan, including the Statue of Liberty

NYC moments for families 

New York City is home to iconic attractions, like its electric Times Square and a walk through the park:

• Times Square is located at the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Families can experience its vibrating energy 24/7, and you'll also find dining and shopping in the area. 
• Central Park is Manhattan’s backyard. Families with younger children can visit the Central Park Zoo or sample any of its 21 uniquely designed playgrounds. Top sites include Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the historic Central Park carousel, and Bow Bridge. 
• The Brooklyn Bridge is the most famous of NYC’s bridges. The best way for families to see it up close is on a guided tour or boat cruise. 

Top tip: With several top museums along its edge, families can picnic in Central Park after a morning museum visit.

Family-friendly NYC properties

Your family may consider staying in Midtown or Times Square, close to the main NYC attractions, to reduce travel time:

• Hyatt Regency Times Square is blocks away from the MoMA, the Top of the Rock, and other popular attractions, with a free children’s crib available 
• Margaritaville Resort Times Square is conveniently located with two queen rooms, plus it has a rooftop pool – a novelty for NYC hotels

Best for school-age children and teenagers, families can walk between museums and monuments in Washington, D.C.. Best of all, many of the institutions are free to enter, making them a great value for families. The National Mall is the corridor in which the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument stand opposite each other, with top museums in between. 

Top museums for families in Washington, D.C.

Let your family’s interests guide your selections, as there are dozens of museums in the area:

• The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is for aviation-loving families, who will find the 1903 Wright Flyer, Apollo 11’s command module, Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit, and Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis. Museum Discovery Stations and Science Demonstrations are perfect attractions for kids. 
• The Smithsonian American History Museum offers a unique collection, from First Lady Inauguration gowns to former President Abraham Lincoln’s top hat. Families will find the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Kermit the Frog from The Muppets, and Star Wars’ C-3PO and R2-D2. 
• The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is the home of the Hope Diamond, a cut 45.52-carat diamond in a deep blue-violet color. Dinosaur-loving children can roam through the Fossil Hall with a Tyrannosaurus rex eating a Triceratops. Families can also explore the Insect Zoo and Hall of Mammals. 

Top tip: While the Smithsonian museums are free, some sites accept time-slot reservations.

Top monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. 

Washington, D.C. is dotted with monuments and memorials to past presidents and major moments in history. Some sites you can enter, others you can walk past:

• The Washington Monument is a popular site for families, with its 360-degree views from its top, over 490 feet above ground
• The Lincoln Memorial honors the 16th U.S. President with an almost 20-foot statue
• The Vietnam War Memorial lists 58,000 names on its black granite panels, just one of several war memorial families can visit

Top tip: The National Mall is deceptively large. It might be best to arrange a tour with transportation for your family.

Family-friendly properties in Washington, D.C.

Parking can be scarce, so consider a centrally located hotel with access to the Metro stations, such as these:

• Hampton Inn Washington D.C. White House is two blocks from The President’s Park and includes a free breakfast and an indoor pool
• Residence Inn by Marriott Washington, D.C. National Mall offers families a separate bedroom, plus a pullout sofa for children and an indoor pool with an included breakfast

As the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are neighbors with family-friendly attractions galore, including amusement parks.

What to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited in the U.S.. Families will find hiking, waterfalls, and scenic drives. Best of all, you can cover a lot of ground in one day, and a pass is $5. Popular activities your family might enjoy include:

• Sugarlands Visitor Center is close to Gatlinburg, and families can watch the introductory movie, walk through its museum, and find short hikes nearby
• Meigs Falls is the most accessible waterfall in the park. It doesn't require a hike and is just off Little River Road – ideal for families with younger children
• A scenic drive, such as Roaring Fork Motor Trail or Newfound Gap Road, is a great alternative for families who'd rather not hike

Top amusement parks in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg 

If your family loves the thrill of a roller coaster, then add an amusement park to your plans:

• Dollywood is a 150-acre amusement park with several rollercoasters, the Dollywood Express steam train, and the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary with unreleasable birds. Families will find craft demonstrations, and the entire park celebrates the culture and music of Southern Appalachia, plus there’s a resort next door. 
• Ober Mountain is a mountain resort with skiing in the winter. For the rest of the year, families will find an alpine slide, a mountain coaster, a scenic chairlift, and water raft rides.
• Anakeesta is a 70-acre outdoor adventure park with a 656-foot-long Treetop Skywalk, a pair of ziplines, and a pair of mountain coasters, plus playgrounds for the younger kids. 

Best Pigeon Forge attractions for families

You can add some interesting attractions to a last-minute family weekend getaway, like a museum:

• The Titanic Museum Attraction is packed with 400 artifacts from the ill-fated ship in a ship-shaped building. Your family will receive a Titanic ticket featuring one of its original passengers, telling their story. 
• WonderWorks Pigeon Forge is hard to miss since it is an upside-down building. Families will find over 100 hands-on activities, divided into six zones, such as space and extreme weather.
• Outdoor Gravity Park with zorbing features giant blow-up balls that you or your brave children can climb into, then roll down the hilly zorb course.

Pigeon Forge vacation rentals for families 

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are nestled in the mountains, so consider a vacation rental for your trip:

• This Pigeon Forge Vacation Rental features a game room, a whirlpool, and sleeping for six near the heart of Pigeon Forge
• For a large family group, The Family Stone Luxe Cabin is dog-friendly, offers beds for 12—including bunks for children—and a whirlpool

On the Florida Atlantic coast, Saint Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the U.S. Families can enjoy warm and sunny days year round for outdoor activities like scenic cruises or beach days, with an added dose of history.

Top Saint Augustine outdoor activities for families 

Families can enjoy the outdoors year-round in Saint Augustine, from its beaches to its watersports:

• Anastasia State Park features 1,600 acres of white sand beaches, tidal marshes, wetlands, and sand dunes. There’s wildlife, marine life, and plenty of space on the beach, plus a snack bar, rinse-off showers, and changing rooms. 
• Scenic Cruise on Matanzas Bay highlights the wildlife of the region and kids might see a dolphin or pelican. 
• The Saint Augustine Lighthouse offers sweeping views after a 219-step climb, making it best suited for school-age kids.

Learn about Saint Augustine’s history 

Your family can learn about Saint Augustine’s history on a guided tour with many of the city’s tours and monuments:

• The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is managed by the National Park Service and preserves a 1600s fort with cannons and costumed Park Rangers
• Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a 15-acre park with the fabled fountain you can drink from – plus you might catch a blacksmith and antique weapons demonstration
• A ghost tour blends history and storytelling into a fun family activity

Top tip: You can use a hop on, hop off trolley tour to get around Saint Augustine’s historic core.

Saint Augustine beachfront properties

If your family wants to be steps from the Saint Augustine beach, here are some options: 

• Embassy Suites Saint Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort offers a zero-entry resort-style pool on the beach, with a complimentary breakfast included
• Guy Harvey Resort on Saint Augustine Beach is beachfront property with an outdoor pool and fire pits

So, what are you waiting for? From urban escapes to weekends in the woods to a beach getaway, it’s time to plan a fun weekend break in the U.S.