When you plan a fun vacation for the family, you will likely be pretty tempted to book a trip to Disney Land, World or other property and forget it. But, there are many excellent theme parks for young children that don’t involve the mouse; here are just a few.
For families with much younger kids, Sesame Place should definitely be on the radar. Sesame Place is a full theme park administrated by the people behind Busch Gardens and SeaWorld.
Located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Sesame Place is the premier destination for Sesame Street tourism. The park is half water park, half standard theme park. It contains two rollercoasters and several water slides, all appropriate for the entire family. There are many character meet-and-greets, dining options and shows. In a lot of ways, Sesame Place feels like Disney Land.

Sesame Place Parade © Zhi Qi | Dreamstime.com
A bit to the north, but still in Pennsylvania, there is Hershey Park. Hershey Park is, surprise, dedicated to the town and man who built a chocolate empire. For families with sweet teeth, Hershey Park is a great getaway.
Hershey Park is a little more geared toward rides and, as a result, there are a few rides that might not be totally appropriate for kids. Character meet-and-greets, chocolate-making tours and more, however, are kid-friendly. The area is also home to a few Hershey Park-themed resorts, making travel to the park convenient and worthwhile.
Toward the middle of Pennsylvania, we come to Dutch Wonderland. Commonly touted as one of Pennsylvania’s best theme parks for kids, Dutch Wonderland hosts many family-friendly attractions, including rollercoasters, bumper cars, train rides and many more. If you’re looking for a more traditional theme park that has attractions for kids, this is a great way to go.
On the West Coast, Legoland California Resort is a great getaway for families with kids. The biggest draw at Legoland, aside from the wondrous hotels, will be Legoland Water Park, where the standard family-friendly waterpark is replaced with thematically-friendly Legos.
Also in California, Knotts Berry Farm is a local favorite. The park has rides for the whole family, ranging from slower, kid-friendly rides to more intense rides for mom, dad and bigger siblings.
The holidays are the perfect time to visit many of these parks. At Sesame Place and Legoland, there are Christmas-themed events going on, complete with lights, color and visits from Santa Claus.
Read This Next
Save Big with Pittsburgh’s KidsBURGH Promotion
Kids
Jun 11, 2025#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDining/Entertainment
Jun 12, 2025New Restaurants to Try in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., is an evergreen family travel favorite, with plenty of ways to learn about America’s history in the heart of its political center. But you can’t get through a vacation without feeding the family, and one of the best ways to get to know a city is through its food. Luckily, there are some great new restaurants in town you’ll want to put on our radar for your next trip to the country’s capital.
Hotels
Jun 12, 2025Summer Adventure Awaits Family Travelers at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole
Family travelers can experience a taste of cowboy life at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, offering adventure, amenities and access to all the destination has to offer.
Slideshow
Jun 12, 20257 Iconic Bells Around the World to Visit
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through these iconic bells around the world with us.
Awards
Jun 12, 2025Join Us at the 2025 The Trazees & Wherever Awards
This August, celebrate the winners of The Trazees, the awards voted on by the readers of trazeetravel.com, and the Wherever Awards, the awards voted on by the readers of whereverfamily.com.
Destinations / North America
Jun 11, 2025Where to See an Idaho Rodeo This Summer
To experience some of the spirit of the Wild West, take your family to a rodeo. These iconic contests of horsemanship and showmanship personify the cowboy culture, and family travelers in Idaho have several opportunities to join in the spectators’ excitement.
Cruises
Jun 11, 2025HX Expeditions Partners with Inuit Communities on New Excursions in Arctic Canada
Expedition cruise line HX Expeditions recently launched a first-of-its-kind excursion in Arctic Canada in partnership with local Inuit communities. The community-led excursions launch this summer on HX’s 26-day Northwest Passage sailings.
ShareThis