National Parks

The Everglades is a vast, slow-moving river of grass stretching across the tip of Florida, sheltering alligators, roseate spoonbills, and manatees in one of the most unusual landscapes on the continent. Families who visit discover that the park rewards patience and curiosity in equal measure, and that the best sightings often happen just off the boardwalk.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches across the Tennessee-North Carolina border in a tangle of ancient ridges, old-growth forest, and more than 800 miles of trail. No entry fee, no reservation required for most visits, and wildlife around nearly every bend make it the most visited national park in the country for good reason.

Shenandoah National Park stretches along Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, where Skyline Drive connects more than 500 miles of trails, thundering waterfalls, and some of the best black bear country in the East. Families find it approachable and endlessly rewarding, from toddlers spotting deer at overlooks to older kids scrambling to summit views.