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Big city adventures makes for fabulous family vacation ideas, offering kids the chance to wander the skylines they admire from afar. Urban vacations offer a plethora of kid’s activities and places to explore that will appeal to all members of the family. Whether you are into weekend getaways or extended stays, urban vacations provide endless entertainment to make your trip truly memorable.

Urban Family Vacation Ideas in the U.S.

In the U.S., cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the perfect spots for parents to focus on for urban adventures.

Visiting New York City can be a blast, with chances to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty, wander through Central Park and see where classic films were shot. As one of the most visited cities in the country, there are so many options—from museums to restaurants, you won’t be bored for a second in the City That Never Sleeps.

Similarly, New England’s Boston is a great place to explore that offers different kinds of fun. Little ones will love riding the train around town, exploring the ballpark where the Red Sox play and ice-skating at the Frog Pond.

Though Chicago is not often envisioned as a place for family weekend getaways, it is a wonderful place to experience something new. Give your children an experience they won’t forget with a limo ride around town or examine the local architecture with a boat tour on the river. Although all cities contain a variety of food to try, don’t leave the Windy City without trying some delicious Chicago-style pizza.

Heading west to Sin City, you can find unique animal adventures in a city filled with massive hotels, flashy lights and casinos. Get up close and personal with dolphins and lions at the Mirage or fly down a water slide through the middle of a shark tank at the Golden Nugget. There are also plenty of roller coasters for thrill-seekers and fun themed hotels for children to explore.

San Francisco is an urban area full of kid’s activities. Ride the famous cable cars, experience the local culture in Japantown or take a trip to Twin Peaks to see the city in all its glory. Golden Gate Park is the perfect place for a picnic and the Embarcadero offers little ones the chance to visit the ballpark, see the Golden Gate Bridge and try some Ghirardelli chocolate. Even the transportation and accommodations in San Francisco provide a unique urban experience for families.

Further south in Los Angeles, head above the urban center to get outdoors and go for a hike or to visit the Griffith Observatory and learn about astronomy in Griffith Park.

Kid’s Activities All Over The World

Even though the United States has plenty of big city fun to offer families, there is no denying that similar adventures can be had in some of the world’s biggest urban centers as well.

Paris is definitely one spot that will interest urban travelers. Visiting the city will give you a chance to see some famous pieces of art at the Louvre, eat some ever-popular French macarons and take in the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Similarly, London offers plenty for families to do as well. Research local festivals and attractions or get your brood excited by exploring some lesser-known parts of the city.

While Paris and London are the obvious choices for family travel in Europe, weekend getaways to other countries’ urban centers can be fruitful as well. Try Seville in Spain, Rome in Italy, Amsterdam in the Netherlands or Krakow in Poland.

No matter where you travel…

It doesn’t matter what urban destination you choose. Each city is filled with museums and attractions to educate you, restaurants to introduce you to new foods and tours so you can learn about the area you’re in. Urban adventures are a memorable way to explore with the whole family.