11 of the Top Kid-Friendly Fall Activities in the US

Celebrate every kid’s favorite fall holiday with Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® California. Not-so-scary shows (suitable for little ones), trick-or-treat candy, and fun LEGO® monster characters add a Halloween vibe to this year-round theme park. Brick-or-Treat runs on select weekends from mid-September until late October, so there’s plenty of time to make it to Carlsbad outside of Halloween itself.

While Halloween is the one time of year parents have free reign to scare their children silly, you can keep things PG on a family-friendly ghost tour of the French Quarter in New Orleans. See the historical sights, admire the beautiful architecture, and learn more about the city’s spooky past in a way that the whole family can enjoy—without the fear of nightmares.

A host of new shows open on Broadway in October and November, so fall is the perfect time to make a trip to the Big Apple to see the latest family-friendly shows. These seasonal releases run alongside long-running musicals, such as Aladdin, that are on throughout the year, so your family can find something to suit everyone’s preferences.

Looking for a family-friendly activity in New York City before your Broadway show at night? The only way to make the American Museum of Natural History even more kid-friendly than it already is is to take a guided private tour for families. Kids of all ages will love exploring the millions of years of history and culture on display in these hallowed halls.

Florida is the perfect fall vacation destination thanks to its warm climate, and late autumn is an especially good time to go to spot manatees. Mana-what? As many a wildlife-loving kid will tell you, manatees are also known as sea cows: think, walrus-meets-seal. See for yourself on a boat tour of the Everglades.

Los Angeles is the ultimate fall city break destination for families, thanks to its warm climate and excess of kid-friendly attractions. Save time with skip-the-line entry to Universal Studios to make sure nobody gets cranky waiting to go in (here’s looking at you, kids). Once you’ve made it inside, spend the day exploring the rides, shows, and themed areas of the movie-centric park.

Avoid the scorching summer temperatures at Yosemite National Park by visiting in the fall instead. Conditions are much more comfortable for family hikes, and you can choose to trek in the Yosemite Valley or the High Country, depending on your family’s abilities. Taking a family-friendly guided private hike is the best way to ensure you all stay safe.

Autumn tends to be the shoulder season for travel to Hawaii, which is ideal if you’re looking for a more affordable fall family vacation. The season also heralds the return of migrating humpback whales, which make their first appearance off Oahu in October. Kids will love getting a glimpse of these majestic creatures on a boat tour.

Does fall even happen if you don’t witness the flaming orange foliage and fluttering leaves that give the season its name? While parents will enjoy the ever-changing autumnal hues, kids will love frolicking in the piles of fallen leaves. The Northeastern US is among the best places in the country to go leaf-peeping. Consider seeing the colors from the Boston Harbor with a New England fall foliage cruise.

While Chicago might not actually be the windiest city in the US (that would be Boston), the metropolis known as the Windy City can nevertheless get a bit chilly in the fall. Warm your family’s bellies by eating your way around the city’s best pizza joints. Sample Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza and make your kids the ultimate judges: Who does pizza better, Chicago or New York?

Don’t wait for winter to officially roll around to enjoy some snowy adventures. Make the most of autumn at Alaska’s northern latitudes by taking a helicopter across Anchorage and riding a dogsled across a glacier. Don’t forget to look out for moose and mountain goats along the way.