Our 100 Best Family Vacation Destinations

Come play at Anakeesta, the mountaintop adventure park in the heart of Gatlinburg. Photo courtesy of Anakeesta

We've written about some amazing family vacation destinations over the years, so we at Mommy Poppins like to think we know a thing or two about the best places to visit with kids. In addition to our own travels and research, we've gotten lots of feedback on awesome cities, beautiful beaches, amazing hotels, and other great locales from readers like you.

To help you plan your next epic family vacation, we've put together this list of the 100 best family vacation destinations. Our list includes awesome spots throughout the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and even Europe and Asia.

Can't get enough inspiration here? Our Family Travel Guide is continually being updated with more great destinations, from the best US family vacation spots that are off the beaten path to the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.

Extreme Sports and Thrilling Activities for Kids in Los Angeles: Go-Karts, Axe Throwing, and More

Test your agility skills through endless obstacles. Photo courtesy of American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park

Extreme sports in Los Angeles might be the thrilling solution for kids that are getting older and aren't necessarily as entertained by the prospect of an afternoon at the playground or a Chuck E. Cheese birthday. 

It might be time to graduate to more action-packed activities that are a little more grown up! There are plenty of activities in Southern California that fall under the umbrella of extreme sports but are still kid-friendly. From go-karting to axe throwing, read below for the best extreme sports for kids in SoCal.

Thrill-seeking kids can jump into these trampoline parks in Los Angeles or soar to new heights at Los Angeles's best skateparks. Discover more electrifying activities in our Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones for LA and OC Kids Guide

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities in Chicago for Kids: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

Extreme sports in Chicago offer that adrenalin rush for thrill-seeking kids. Photo courtesy of The Forge at Lemont Quarries

Extreme sports in Chicago give thrill-seeking families something to keep adrenaline levels high. If your kids love to go fast, climb high, or sail through the sky or water, this round-up is for you. From indoor skydiving to go-karts and axe throwing, the extreme sports on this list are great for a fun afternoon or a kids' birthday party. Enjoy some high-energy fun with the list of thrills below.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activites for Kids in Boston: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

From go karts to axe throwing and more extreme sports, find thrilling activities near Boston! Photo courtesy with Seekonk Grand Prix

Go karts, axe throwing–Boston has some great spots to enjoy extreme sports as a family. Some kids crave thrilling activities, and we' ve rounded up some of our favorite spots, from Greater Boston to around New England. These axe-throwing, go-karting family fun spots ofetn have added attractions, like arcades or bowling lanes. But the need for speed isn't always satisfied by a video game. Read on for extreme sports and thrilling activities near Boston!

If you're looking for something a little more low-key, check out 10 fun mini-golf courses near Boston. Need more thrills? See our guide to the best New England theme parks for kids and families.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities in Houston for Kids: Go-Karts, Axe Throwing, and More

Houston has plenty of extreme sports to satisfy thrill-seeking families. Photo courtesy of Texas Treeventures

These extreme sports in Houston will get your kids off the couch, away from screens, and into action-packed fun. Houston is teeming with exciting sports and thrilling activities like go-karts, axe throwing, and more that will ignite their spirits and energize them all day. From the fast-paced excitement of go-kart racing to the ancient art of axe throwing, various safe and supervised venues ensure your kids' enjoyment and safety.  Don't forget to save hanging around at the venue by booking and filling in waivers online before you go! Many of these venues are also great options for birthday parties for kids in Houston.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids Near DC: Go-Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

Axe Throwing isn't just for grown-ups! Photo courtesy of Bad Axe Throwing

If you have an adventurous kid who likes to climb to great heights, race as fast as they can, and try new (and maybe a little scary) things, extreme sports like aerial arts, axe throwing, and go-karting might be right up their alley. Extreme sports may seem, well, extreme, but they're totally safe and quite thrilling for kids who need a little adrenaline rush. They're also perfect things to do with teens and tweens who may roll their eyes at less exciting activities.

We've rounded up the best extreme sports and activities in the DC area, from flying trapeze and indoor skydiving to archery and whitewater tubing. For even more thrills, check out our lists of trampoline parks, ninja warrior and parkour gyms, skate parks, and rock climbing gyms near DC.

Foxwoods Resort: A Mini Vacation for Families

A trip to Foxwoods Resort can be a pretty sweet getaway for the whole family! Photo by @elidgoss courtesy of the Sugar Factory Facebook page

Foxwoods Resort for families...Okay, okay. We know what you’re thinking. Casinos are not for children. There’s the gambling. And then there are the bars. And then the nightclubs. Except that there actually are a number of kid-friendly things tucked into Connecticut’s beloved adult playground. We decided to check out the Eastern Connecticut casino midweek to see if Foxwoods Resort is a kid-friendly destination. And as it turns out, it absolutely is. There is so much more to Foxwoods Resort than gaming. Here’s what you can expect to find.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids near NYC

Take a high-flying lesson in trapeze alongside the Hudson River at the New York School of Trapeze.

If you're raising a daredevil who loves extreme sports and high-thrill activities, we've got you covered. From parkour classes to go-karts, zip lines, and axe-throwing, we've rounded up 12 thrilling, adrenaline-pumping things to do in NYC. These extreme sports offer excitement and thrills in a safe and controlled environment so parents don't have to worry.

Make sure to take note of any age or height restrictions before heading out or risk being shut out of these extreme sports in NYC. Find more heart-pumping activities and things to do in our Guide to Kids Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones in NYC.

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