Family Friendly Vacations Map

Chiba

Suspended monorail, port tower and bay views

7.6

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are both technically located in Chiba, not Tokyo itself. DisneySea stands apart from other Disney parks worldwide for its nautical theme. Families can ride between attractions by monorail without needing a car. Chiba's beaches and Narita's historic temple offer a quieter day trip alternative.

Highlights:

🌇 Climb Chiba Port Tower for panoramic Tokyo Bay views
🐬 Explore Kamogawa Sea World’s orca and dolphin shows
⛩️ Visit Naritasan Shinsho-ji, an ancient Buddhist temple complex

Singapore

Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens

9.5

Gardens by the Bay's Supertree Grove includes structures up to 16 stories tall. An elevated walkway lets families cross between them for a view over the gardens. The Singapore Zoo's night safari lets kids see nocturnal animals active after dark. Sentosa Island adds beaches, a cable car and a theme park nearby.

Highlights:

🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

Munich

Bavarian capital of beer gardens and museums

8.7

Munich's Englischer Garten covers more land than New York's Central Park. Families can rent bikes or paddle boats to explore its paths and streams. The Deutsches Museum nearby lets kids test hands on science exhibits for hours. Surfers ride a standing wave on a park stream, a strange sight for first time visitors.

Highlights:

🌇 Climb St. Peter’s Church tower for city views
🏰 Visit the grand Nymphenburg Palace and gardens
🍺 Raise a stein at Oktoberfest in Theresienwiese

Harz National Park

Brocken peak, steam trains and wild forests

7.8

A narrow gauge steam railway has carried passengers up the Brocken since the 1890s. The peak ranks as the highest point in northern Germany. Local folklore has long linked the mountain to witches gathering on its summit. Families can also hike marked trails through the surrounding forest at a gentler pace.

Highlights:

🪨 Explore mystical rock formations in the Bode Gorge
🚂 Ride the scenic Brocken Railway through mountain forests
🥾 Hike to the Brocken summit, the park’s highest peak

Rust

Europa-Park's home on the Upper Rhine

7.2

Europa Park in Rust ranks as Germany's largest theme park. Its different areas are each themed around a different European country. Families can ride roller coasters or stick to calmer rides depending on age. An attached water park next door adds a splashier option on hot days.

Highlights:

🎢 Ride the Europa-Park roller coasters for thrilling views
🏘️ Explore the historic town center and its charming streets
🎢 Visit Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park

Okinawa Island

Reef beaches and Ryukyu Kingdom heritage

8.4

Okinawa's Churaumi Aquarium holds one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world. Whale sharks and manta rays swim together inside the same tank. Families can also snorkel calm coral reefs just off many of the island's beaches. Subtropical temperatures keep swimming comfortable for much of the year.

Highlights:

🏖️ Relax on white sands of Emerald and Zanpa Beaches
🏯 Explore historic Shuri Castle, former Ryukyu Kingdom palace
🐋 Visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, home to whale sharks

Bavaria

Alps, castles, beer gardens and old towns

8.6

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria reportedly inspired the design of Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. King Ludwig II built it in the 1800s, though he died before it was finished. Families can reach the castle by horse drawn carriage or a short walk uphill. Legoland Deutschland sits a couple hours away for a different day out.

Highlights:

🚗 Drive the scenic Romantic Road through medieval towns
🍺 Join Oktoberfest in Munich and raise a stein with locals
🏰 Explore Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairytale icon of Bavaria

Tokyo

Japan's capital of temples, towers and food

9.7

TeamLab Planets in Tokyo has visitors wade barefoot through shallow, projected light patterns. Water rooms shift color and shape as people move through them. Families can also watch pandas at Ueno Zoo, a short subway ride from downtown. Tokyo Tower's observation deck offers a classic city view familiar from countless photos.

Highlights:

🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
🍣 Savor sushi at a local eatery

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Fuji, Hakone, Izu and volcanic islands

8.8

Lake Ashi in Hakone offers boat cruises with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. A pirate ship style boat is a popular way for families to cross it. Natural hot spring baths throughout town let kids soak after a day of sightseeing. A cable car nearby climbs toward active volcanic steam vents.

Highlights:

🥚 Explore volcanic vents and black eggs at Owakudani
♨️ Relax in Hakone’s renowned hot spring baths
🗻 Climb iconic Mount Fuji for sunrise views

Hokkaido

Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood

9.3

The Sapporo Snow Festival draws families each February to see massive snow sculptures. Some sculptures stand several stories tall and take crews weeks to carve. Kids can ride snow slides and try snow rafting at activity zones nearby. Summer swaps snow for lavender fields in bloom around Furano further south.

Highlights:

🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond

Maldives

Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas

9.2

The Maldives sits at an average elevation of only about 1.5 meters above sea level. That makes it the lowest lying country anywhere on Earth. Families can snorkel coral reefs just steps from many overwater bungalow resorts. Calm, shallow lagoons around each atoll suit young or nervous swimmers well.

Highlights:

🌌 Watch a glowing beach at night on Vaadhoo Island
🦈 Snorkel with reef sharks and manta rays at Hanifaru Bay
🏝️ Stay in an overwater villa surrounded by turquoise lagoon

Top family friendly destinations and vacations