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The Best AMERICA TRAVEL BLOG for Family Travel Ideas

INSIDE: The Ultimate Guide to USA Travel can be found at this America Travel Blog, Roam the Gnome™. Updated 2019.

Roam the Gnome’s AMERICA TRAVEL BLOG is a one-stop shop for SUPER DOOPER FUN ideas & activities for family travel in America with Kids.

It’s our goal to answer all your questions about planning a holiday to American including:

  • When is the best time to visit America?
  • What should I visit in America?
  • What are the best American attractions for kids?
  • What cities in America are the best for family travel?
  • What kind of travel insurance do I need for America?
  • how do I organise a hire car for America?
  • the best things to do in New York with kids?
  • the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids?

Plus, we’re collecting all the best Disneyland tips and the best Disney World tips too

Take a look at our collection of ideas for travel in America with kids below.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you book a product or service after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.

Empire State Building - AMERICA TRAVEL BLOG TIPS. Visit ROAM THE GNOME FAMILY TRAVEL WEBSITE. Hundreds of fun ideas & activities to help you plan & book your next family vacation or weekend adventure

Roam the Gnome’s America Travel Blog Tips

We invite you to read the stories on our America travel guide, watch our videos, and gather tonnes of useful tips from this travel America blog to help plan your family vacation itinerary.

It’s the place to find all the information you need about these popular fun cities in America.

You’ll find the best American vacations for families, and plenty more ideas for unique or off-the-beaten track adventures.

PS: Did you know you can search the site, city by city?

We guarantee that Roam the Gnome Family Travel Blog will help save you time, stress & money when planning to BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP!

AMERICA!

Things to do in America on a Budget

Correct at time of publication. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in US dollars.

At Roam the Gnome, we feature tips to help you travel America on a budget.

We also share the places to go in America for 5-star splurges, and all inclusive family resorts too. Because sometimes, you have to!

We LOVE exceptional experiences, amazing one-of-a-kind adventures and the odd VIP stay to keep things interesting, so we share stories on how you can book these things too.

FEATURED CITIES – AMERICA WITH KIDS

The best of the must-do America attractions

new york tips from our america travel blog

NEW YORK TRAVEL BLOG

Best Things to do in New York with Kids

We love New York, and with kids it’s even better.

You’ll be surprised how many New York attractions were created with kids in mind.

There are so many things to do in New York for kids, we’ve already written 40 stories!

There’s plenty more in the pipeline.

Do visit the famous New York sights at least once.

  • Empire State Building
  • Top of the Rock
  • Rockefeller Center
  • Central Park
  • Natural History Museum of New York
  • Central Park Children’s Zoo
  • Battery Park, with views to the Statue of Liberty

If you like meeting the locals when you travel, we highly recommend spending some time on the the Hudson Greenway walk.

There are some awesome New York playgrounds along the way and chances for the kids to play with other kids.

You can find ALL these stories and more in the link below, in our comprehensive guide to New York with kids.

Click here for the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK WITH KIDS 


Los Angeles with Kids - Visit ROAM THE GNOME Family Travel Website Directory for SUPER DOOPER FUN ideas for family vacations around the world. Search by city.

LOS ANGELES TRAVEL BLOG

Best Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids

Los Angeles is the obvious destination for an America vacation.

Disneyland and California Adventure Park are on most family bucket lists, so that’s one reason why.

The Hollywood Boulevard Avenue of Stars, Madame Tussauds, and spotting a celebrity rates high too.

But there’s so much more to Los Angeles than meets the eye.

Take a look at the beginning of our collection of ideas for Los Angeles for kids below.

More stories coming soon!

Destination: Los Angeles with Kids

More Los Angeles Attractions for Kids

These stories, coming soon!

  • Visit the Pasadena Children’s Museum
  • Star Line Tours
  • Santa Monica pier
  • La Brea tar pits
  • Ghirardelli Soda Fountain
  • Johnny Jets Diner
  • Catching the LA Metro train to Little Tokyo
  • Griffen Park Carousel
  • Griffen Park playground
  • Los Angeles Zoo

Click here for the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES WITH KIDS


Hawaii with Kids- Disney Aulani

HAWAII TRAVEL BLOG

Best Things to do in Hawaii with Kids

Hawaii with kids is three words – sun, surf, sand.

It’s not a cheap holiday in America.  The mainland is a much better option for budget travellers but for those who dream of Hawaii, the prices for accommodation, food, and eating out are a rude shock.

We bought our bargain flights for $880 AUD return for the three of us from Sydney to Honolulu (yay for Jetstar!), BUT accommodation prices in Hawaii start from a minimum of $200 AUD a night for a one room apartment in the back lots of Waikiki.

We bit the bullet and booked four (expensive) nights at Disney Aulani for our trip in April next year as part of our quest to visit ALL the DISNEY parks and this magical Disney hotel in Hawaii.  This is a dream coming true. (We will report back soon.)

Despite the exorbitant expenses, Hawaii has an olde-world charm, and still retains something of that 50’s Gidget surfing lifestyle aura and I can’t wait to return in the new year.

Beautiful woven, not strung, lei

Places to visit in Hawaii

On our upcoming trip, we have plans to:

  • visit the Honolulu zoo and the Waikiki aquarium
  • walk Diamond Head crater
  • see Hawaiian sea turtles in the wild
  • shop in Target, and Ross Dress for Less
  • spend a day browsing the Ala Moana shopping mall, the Waikiki beach walk retailers, Macy’s
  • buy a fresh flower lei at Aunty Bella’s Lei stand at the Royal Hawaiian center
  • eat dinner at the International Market Place while watching a traditional hula dance show, and shop for Hawaiian souvenirs here too
  • visit the Pacific Aviation Museum
  • enjoy dinner at the Cheesecake Factory
  • try an original chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A for the first time (if the first Chick-fil-A in Hawaii is open in time)
  • eat shave ice at Matsumoto (or one of the others scattered around the place if the queue is too long)
  • experience a luau and visit the Polynesian Cultural center
  • swim at waikiki beach
  • snorkel at Hanauma Bay nature preserve
  • eat dole whip at the Dole plantation
  • ride the slides at Wet’n’Wild Hawaii
  • visit the Honolulu Museum of Art
  • take a look back in time at the Pearl Harbour National Park
  • see the rescue cats at Lanai Cat Sanctuary
  • and see the gorgeous Iolani palace, home of the former King.

america travel blog tips - hawaii with kids discovery center

Hawaii with Kids

Here’s one place we recommend visiting in Hawaii with kids.

Destination: Hawaii

Click here for the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HAWAII WITH KIDS 


Disney World with Kids on our america travel blog. Visit ROAM THE GNOME Family Travel Website Directory for SUPER DOOPER FUN ideas for family vacations around the world. Search by city.

DISNEY WORLD TRAVEL BLOG

Best Things to do at Disney World with kids

Disney World in Orlando is one of those adventures you won’t quite believe.

A Disney World vacation is a chance to step out of real life, and immerse yourselves in the magic of Disney.

From the moment you arrive at Orlando airport, and catch the complimentary Disney Magical Express bus to your Disney hotel, to the moment you say farewell, it’s a holiday you won’t forget.

There is NO other hotel chain in the world that offers exemplary service to customers like DISNEY does.

The only hotel in America that gives us stars in our eyes is the Magic Castle Hotel in Los Angeles. Click the blue link to find out why!

PS: If you book a stay, do tell Darren we sent you and say hi from us!

disney world travel blog

Walt Disney World Parks

Did you know Walt Disney World is not just one park? It’s FOUR. 

Plus, a stand alone DISNEY shopping mall, Putt Putt golf, Waterparks, and more.

You’ll need at least 7 full days to take in all the sights at:

  • Disney World
  • Hollywood Studios
  • Epcot
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Disney Springs

(We haven’t even mentioned the Universal Studios Orlando attractions including the sensational Wizarding World of Harry Potter yet. You’ll need another week to fit those in too.)

Once you’ve experienced DISNEY, it’s impossible not to fall in love, and want to return – again and again and again.

Our Roam the Gnome family is now on a mission to visit all the DISNEY parks around the world.

Next stop, Paris Disneyland in November!

Click here for the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT DISNEY WORLD

Mt. Rushmore

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the best time to go to America?

Avoid the American summer vacation, American Thanksgiving, and American spring break, as these are the absolute peak seasons.

Whatever popular tourist attraction you do visit will be busy.

Don’t even think about Disneyland, or Disney World at this time.

The best time to visit is just after American kids go back to school (around the last week of August – go in September to be safe).

The whole of fall (autumn) from September to November, up until just before the week of Thanksgiving is low season too.

March and April is warming up again, but is still doable.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighti

Christmas in America

The Christmas period of mid to late December is super fun if you want to have a New York Christmas, skating at the Rockefeller ice rink, or enjoy Christmas festivities anywhere in the states.

Inauguración del Hospital Municipal de Chiconcuac

What travel insurance do I need in America?

Never travel without travel insurance. Our motto is ‘if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel’.

America is one of the worst countries in which to need a doctor after falling ill or having an accident. Health care and hospital fees are expensive.

VERY EXPENSIVE.

Some would say extortionate.

Do not visit America with appropriate travel insurance, or you will be paying off the debt for years. The worst case scenario is not being able may to access quality emergency health care when you need it most.

Take a look at our Travel Insurance cost comparison to work out the best travel insurance for America for your family trip.

enterprise

MORE FAQ

What is the best hire car company in America?

  • Alamo rent a car
  • Enterprise
  • Budget rent a car
  • National renta a car
  • Sixt car rentals
  • Dollar rent a car – cheapest car rental in America 
  • Thrifty rent a car – best for ease with an online check in system available
  • Hertz – best rewards program 

Of course, you also have all your regular car hire outlets such as Avis

Our tips for car rental in America.

  • Don’t book your rental car from the airport. There’s hidden taxes. Arrange to pick it up and drop it back to the outlet outside of the airport grounds. Most car rental companies have a free transfer service.
  • ASK for a discount. You never know if you have the best price unless you ask!  You might be surprised.
  • ASK for an upgrade. All they can say is no. Build a thick skin in case of rejection, but you might be surprised!
  • If you will be hiring a car/s, build the cost of car insurance into your regular travel insurance. It’s WAY cheaper to avoid paying the excess through this, than with the car rental company in America itself. 

Birth of the America Flag by Rodney Carroll 03 - lobby - Washington DC Marriott Marquis - 2014

What are the best hotel chains in America?

The best American chain hotels include: 

  • Marriott Hotels
  • Ritz Carlton (best of the luxury hotels) 
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton
  • Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott
  • Courtyard Hotels by Marriott
  • Best Western Premier Hotels, Best Western Plus and Best Western hotels 
  • Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn hotels
  • Crown Plaza Hotels and Resorts by InterContinental
  • Westin hotels by Marriott
  • Hyatt Place and Hyatt House
  • Hyatt Resorts (think all inclusive resorts style)
  • Residence Inn by Marriott (good for large families) 
  • Quality Hotels by Choice
  • Homeward Suites 
  • Ramada hotels by Wyndham
  • Days Inn hotels by Wyndham
  • Super 8 Hotels
  • Econo Lodge by Choice
  • SpringHill Suites by Marriott
  • St Regis resorts

Gaylord Palms - Orlando

What are the best family hotels in America?

The best luxury hotels for families in America are the Embassy suites. They offer free hot breakfasts!

The best mid range family hotels in America are the Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites

The best budget hotels for families in America are the Super 8 hotels and Days Inn. 

The most fun hotels in America for families are the Gaylord hotels, the Great Wolf Lodges, and the Loews Resorts.  
Universal EU US UK AU Travel AC Power Adaptor Plug

What travel products do I need in America?

Take a look at our best travel products for family travel here. 

Australia with kids - Aboriginal dancing. Visit ROAM THE GNOME Family Travel Website Directory for SUPER DOOPER FUN ideas for family vacations around the world. Search by city.

LOOKING FOR MORE FUN CITIES TO VISIT WITH KIDS?

We’d love to help. Click the links in blue below for our Ultimate Destination Guides.

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