When school lets out for summer, families love to hit the road (or the skies) and travel to new places. But while summer journeys can be glorious, they also come with the downsides of peak travel season—higher prices, heavy traffic, larger crowds, and longer lines.

But it doesn't have to be that way. There are plenty of places across the US that offer many of the things families look for in a summer vacation—beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, engaging museums, and more—but aren't as well-known. That means families can make amazing summer memories with far less hassle.

Here are 10 underrated summer travel ideas for families across the US. Our Family Travel Guide includes even more great summer vacation ideas, including our massive list of the 100 best family vacation destinations.

Orlando holds its own magic, and one of our family's favorite destinations is Legoland Florida Resort. Specifically designed for children age 2 to 12, Legoland Florida offers rides perfectly suited for my little ones and ensures a seamless experience for a full day of theme park fun with toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids alike.

We love the building and outdoor play opportunities at Legoland Florida, so kids can take a break from ride hopping and flex their creativity. Read on for the top things to do at Legoland Florida, including our favorite rides, places to eat, hours, tickets, and even top Legoland hotel options!

Whether you're looking to destroy and decompress or get crafty and creative, iSmash in Farmingdale has your crew covered. This smash-and-splatter paint space brings a unique experience to the heart of downtown Main Street. 

After smashing up a bunch of stuff, my teenage boys said it was the best activity they'd ever done, so this place definitely appeals to a certain audience! 

If you're looking for more out-of-the-box party ideas, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids.

The New York Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to fall down the rabbit hole this spring, summer, and fall. Its sprawling grounds have been transformed into a collection of curiosities in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the garden-wide exhibition includes contemporary art, beautiful blooms, fantastical foliage, themed sweets and treats, and some creative programming guaranteed to add a little wonder to your next visit. It runs through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

It's hard to beat classic outdoor games for kids when it comes time to entertain them during the long school-free summer months, at birthday parties, or when they've spent too much time on screens. From hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, these outdoor games are sure to keep your crew, and whichever neighborhood kids stop by, busy for hours. Best of all, you can play almost all of these playground and backyard games listed below without spending any money. Time to  load up the sunscreen, head outdoors, and play!

If you don't mind getting wet, check out these Favorite Water Games to Play With Kids, and keep the party going in the great outdoors with one of the activities from our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.

Camping snacks are essential for a successful stay in the great outdoors with kids. My family loves camping, but when it comes to building a campfire and actually cooking a meal on it, our success rate is hovering around 70%. So we always make sure to have plenty of camping snacks on hand.

We've rounded up our favorite easy camping snacks to keep your family's energy up while hiking, climbing, and exploring. Most of these camping snacks are healthy, but we mixed in a few treats, too. We tried to include mostly snacks that need little to no refrigeration or additional prep. Don't forget to properly dispose of any food waste—even orange peels and apple cores can take years to decompose in colder climates.

Our Camping Travel Guide includes loads of other ideas for making your next family camping trip a success, from fun camping games to kid-friendly ghost stories.

Princeton, NJ, is well-loved for its perfect mix of historical charm, trendy artistic feel, and sophisticated shopping and dining. At just 17 square miles, there's no shortage of things to do with kids in this Central NJ town. 

Read on for fun ways for families to have a great time in Princeton and the inside scoop on hotels and where to eat. And be sure to check out the Mommy Poppins Day Trips in NJ Guide for other great destinations in the Garden State. 

When it comes to indoor playgrounds in NYC, you can never have too many options. Rainbow Playspace recently opened its doors in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and features a gigantic ball pit, slides, swings, obstacle courses, toys, foam blocks, trampolines, and more. It's the perfect place for kids to jump, bounce, run, swing, climb, slide, and play, especially when it's rainy or cold outside.

Read on for all the details and what you need to know about Rainbow Playspace, and find all our top local romping spots on this list of Brooklyn's best indoor play spaces, and visit our comprehensive NYC Kids' Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones for more places to play citywide.