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1. Washington, D.C.

Take a short drive (or the Amtrak) to the nation's capital and do a mix of kid-friendly attractions and educational activities. Bring older kids to the National Mall to experience the FREE monuments and parks. There are lots of great restaurants around this area, too, for snacks and meals. Don't miss the FREE National Zoo (make reservations in advance), which is home to more than 2,500 animals. And carve out some time to explore the incredible museums like the National Natural Museum of History, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, or the National Children's Museum for little ones. Tip: Try staying in Alexandria, VA, or another nearby suburb and taking the train into the city for cheaper hotels.

2. Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg is a fantastic option for families. Mix it up by learning about the Revolutionary times in Colonial Williamsburg one day and then hitting Busch Gardens for thrilling rides. There's a Sesame Street area here for little ones. On steamy days, get wet and wild on the water attractions at Water Country USA. You can buy multi-day bundled tickets to the parks and the historical area for extra savings. Some passes include dining.

3. Baltimore's Inner Harbor

Tickets to the aquarium at the Inner Harbor might be a little bit of a splurge for families, but if you can manage a Friday night trip, the ticket prices are slashed after 5pm. Visit inexpensive sights like the Edgar Allan Poe House, the Historic Ships, and the Babe Ruth Museum. Kids will also love the Port Discovery Children's Museum.

4. Wildwood, NJ

The beautiful beaches of Wildwood are fabulously FREE. Bring a picnic lunch, build sand castles, and jump over waves to your heart's content. You can also visit Morey's Pier, which has no admission fees, and buy a few tickets for the rides. If you're interested in water rides, go for afternoon tickets at Ocean Oasis and Raging Waters. Less than a 20-minute drive away is the FREE Cape May Zoo, which not only has tons of animals to see, but also has a fabulous playground to enjoy. Or spend a day swimming and hiking at Belleplain State Forest. Try going camping or staying just north of the Middle Township Area in a town and driving over to save a little cash.

RELATED: Best Family Fun Summer Vacations for 2024

Escape to the Poconos for a peaceful nature vacation. Photo by Ally Noel

5. Poconos, PA

There are lots of campgrounds and cabins for rent in the Poconos that make for a great budget-friendly family getaway. Spend time hiking, horseback riding, camping, and swimming in the lakes. Check out the outlets, and if your family's into waterparks, get a day pass at Camelback Aquatopia or Great Wolf Lodge.

6. Pittsburgh, PA

The Steel City has lots for families to do. Spend a day at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, see birds at the National Aviary, and visit the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Go for plan-ahead pricing for the biggest savings. Kennywood amusement park also offers thrills for families and spend time at the newly renovated Highland Park Super Playground.

7. Newport, RI

From beaches to dining to parks, this beautiful city has all the makings for a great family summer vacation. Fly a kite at Brenton Point State Park and see aquatic life at Save the Bay Aquarium. Ride a RIPTA trolley. The Bellevue trolley, Route #67, is FREE May 24 through October 31, 2024. You'll be able to get to fun attractions like the Redwood Library, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the Newport Mansions, the Cliff Walk (better for older kids), First Beach, and more. It's also fun to watch the boats on the harbor or take a harbor shuttle boat. It costs $15 a day for all day on and off.

8. Rehoboth, DE

Head south to Delaware and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Rehoboth. Spend a day or two on the FREE beach and the boardwalk, and maybe buy tickets to ride the rides at Funland. You can also visit the Rehoboth Beach Museum for FREE. Explore Cape Henlopen State Park for hiking, bird watching, and swimming at Gordons Pond. And, you can get in a little back-to-school shopping at the Tanger Outlets.

9. Lake George, NY

Relax and enjoy the great outdoors in Lake George. Swim and play in the sand for FREE at Million Dollar Beach on the lake. You can also find spots for fishing on the Lake George bays (like Dunham, Kattskill, and Warner Bay on the southeastern shores) where you can catch lake trout, salmon, bass, and yellow perch. Enjoy all things dinosaur at Lake George Expedition Park. (Tip: Buy online to save money on admission.). Have a picnic lunch at Charles R. Wood Park and enjoy Pappy's Playground. It's a play area with climbing structures, tunnels, walking paths, musical play, and more. There's also lots of places to go mini-golfing in Lake George like Goony Golf with big bright sculptures all over the course. And Six Flags Great Escape is only about 15 minutes away if you want to plan a day trip, especially on a weekday when tickets are cheaper.

RELATED: 10 Underrated Summer Travel Ideas for Families

Little ones will be fascinated with the seal ife at the Mystic Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

10. Mystic, CT

Head to New England's Mystic, CT and be charmed by the Mystic Seaport with museums, historic vessels, gardens, a planetarium, and more. See cute shops and restaurants in the historic downtown area, and spend time at the indoor/outdoor Mystic Aquarium. There's also the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center with 10 miles of hiking trails to explore.

11. Lancaster, PA

Lancaster is well-known for its Amish community, and you can visit places like Amish Village to see what Amish life is all about. And there's much more to see and do. Try the Turkey Hill Experience to taste unlimited ice cream and ice tea, or buy tickets to the lab where you can make your own ice cream flavor. Take a train ride on the Strasburg Rail Road, the oldest operating railroad in the country. Pair a train ride with a visit to the Choo Choo Barn, a huge display of model trains. And for a little adventure, ride the rides at Dutch Wonderland.

12. Ocean City, MD

You can't go to Ocean City with kids and not hit the fantastic boardwalk and beach. See FREE movies on the beach on Wednesday nights at 8:30 right outside the Carousel Resort Hotel & Condos. There are also FREE concerts in Northside Park every Sunday and ice cream is available to purchase.