Contributed by Jenna Buege, CTA, senior editor of The Compass on VAX VacationAccess.
In continuation of our coverage on multigenerational travel, as featured earlier in this week’s Hot Tip Tuesday newsletter, we want to highlight a new article from VAX about family attractions.
Travelers looking for year-round family fun in the U.S. don’t have to go far, because the country is home to an abundance of all-ages attractions with something to offer nearly every type of vacationer. From quirky stops and tasty factory tours to animal experiences and so much more, a domestic escape can fit the bill when it comes to planning a trip the whole family will enjoy. Need a little inspiration? Here are five (plus a bonus) family-friendly U.S. attractions that caught our eye.
1. Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, PA
A trip to Hershey’s Chocolate World is an absolute must for anyone who’s ever wondered what goes into the making of some of the world’s favorite chocolates. Reese’s, KitKat, Rolo, Milk Duds, Mounds, Heath, York, Almond Joy … they’re all part of the Hershey brand, and they’re all names visitors can expect to see when they embark on the free Hershey’s Chocolate Tour in Hershey, PA. Described by the company as a “delicious journey from tropical cocoa bean to wrapped candy bar,” travelers will learn all the ins and outs of the chocolate-making biz before being treated to a sweet sample or two at the end of their adventure. In addition to the free Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, visitors can take advantage of other add-on/ticketed experiences at Hershey’s Chocolate World, including live performances, the chance to create their candy bar and something called REESE’S Stuff Your Cup where participants are invited to craft their very own one-pound Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup with all the fixins’ — sign me up, please!
2. City Museum, St. Louis, MO
An all-ages attraction in the heart of The Gateway to the West, St. Louis’ City Museum is a playground, a fun house, and an ever-evolving work of art all wrapped into one. Guaranteed to be unlike anything travelers have experienced before, visitors will find themselves transported into another world as they duck through narrow tunnels, get lost in hidden caverns, travel via winding slides from story to story, and swing across narrow gaps using textured ropes like the ones they might remember from gym class. Charmingly bizarre, the treasures hidden inside City Museum — which, is an otherwise unassuming building save for the outward insanity happening on the roof — are like something out of a dream. Travelers, from young children to full-grown adults, will be amazed as they find themselves exploring treehouses and tunnels, encountering surprises like the world’s largest pencil, hitting a new high score in the retro Pinball Hall, and much, much more.
3. Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX
Have you been to the pyramids? No, I’m not talking about the Pyramids of Giza, I’m talking, of course, about Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas. A hotel slash entertainment complex slash golf course, Moody Gardens, with its three sparkling glass pyramids, is one of the region’s top attractions and is perfect for visitors of all ages. Not home to an ancient pharaoh’s most prized possessions, the pyramids at Moody Gardens act as unusual venues for the property’s onsite aquarium, rainforest biome and 3D theater where travelers can interact with sea creatures and penguins as they whiz by the glass, get up-close-and-personal with Amazon critters including fruit bats, monkeys and sloths and even learn something new along the way.
4. Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, Hayward, WI
Whether they’re looking to snap a photo with a stuffed yeti, are genuinely interested in the history of freshwater sportfishing or have their heart set on climbing to the tippy top of the attraction’s rather impressive 143-foot-long fiberglass muskie sculpture, Hayward’s Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is a worthwhile pitstop for families who find themselves in northern Wisconsin. Named one of the best “Halls of Fame” in the nation by Americantowns Media, this little-known gem is sure to delight visitors with its quirky nature, which allows for no shortage of photo ops and a healthy dose of inspiration for those hoping to secure their biggest catch yet. In addition to its collection of larger-than-life finned sculptures, The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame comprises several displays showcasing different styles of mounts and historical artifacts relevant to the cherished pastime. The hall is also home to an ongoing list of “Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Inductees,” chronicling fishing records from 1980 to present day.
5. International Cryptozoology Museum, Thompson’s Point, ME
From Bigfoot and lake monsters to Mothman and more, the U.S. is home to an abundance of cryptids, animals that are claimed to exist but have yet to be proven to exist. And while some people are content to chalk these strange sightings up to woo-woo, “X-Files” nonsense, there is an entire profession dedicated to studying their behavior and existence called cryptozoology. It’s an intriguing mix of science, folklore, and anthropology, and those interested in learning more about cryptids and their lore won’t want to miss a stop at the International Cryptozoology Museum (ICM) in Thompson’s Point, ME. Welcoming travelers of all ages, ICM is a two-story museum featuring a wide variety of exhibits that span the gamut from one-of-a-kind specimens and native art to thought-provoking artifacts and oddities that are downright bizarre. Fans of the strange and unusual are sure to love it, and kids will love being surrounded by so much “weird.”
Note: According to ICM’s website, the museum plans to move to Bangor, ME in late 2025
BONUS:
6. Museum of Ice Cream, Chicago, IL
A swimming pool filled with sprinkles, a subway car flanked by scenery of a waffle cone dotted desert, a cityscape surrounded by cherries and bananas larger than you’ve ever seen before; no, you aren’t in the midst of a sugar-induced fever dream, you’re just at the Museum of Ice Cream. Fun for the whole family, tasty treats inspire endless photo ops — deliciously paired with bottomless ice cream samples — at this colorful food-themed attraction. Whether families visiting The Windy City are traveling with teens looking to add a striking pink pop to their social feeds or have youngsters in tow with an undeniable sweet tooth, the Museum of Ice Cream makes for a memorable afternoon filled with sugary goodness.
