5 top vacation destinations when you have a baby on board

March 15, 2024 • 5 min read

It’s easy to assume that new parenthood will put an end to vacationing, but it’s not as hard as it might seem to travel with a baby. This is especially true in the goldilocks zone –– when they are between 3-10 months old, no longer a newborn, but not yet walking around. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or to explore a new city, check out these baby-friendly ideas.

Points of interest

Beach vacations are perfect for families with little ones
Walkable cities are great for exploring with the baby in a stroller or carrier
Pad your schedule with extra time — babies make everything take longer

A baby sleeps soundly on the chest of a woman in a hammock.

San Diego, California

San Diego boasts a mild climate year-round, making it a comfortable destination for families with babies. The city offers numerous family-friendly beaches with calm waters, such as La Jolla Shores and Coronado Central Beach, as well as Balboa Park, which is home to gardens, museums, playgrounds, and the San Diego Zoo. Of course, San Diego’s major theme parks are also a draw, but you might want to save them for when your baby is older. Choose instead the Birch Aquarium, where you and your baby will be mesmerized by tanks of technicolor fish for hours.

Best places to stay

Be close to the beach in family-friendly La Jolla, California.

Sedona, Arizona

Another mild-weather destination, Sedona is perfectly situated for families who want to explore natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and more. Places like Red Rock State Park and Slide Rock State Park have easy trails suitable for strollers, and there are also many scenic drives to take in. For families who love to swim, Red Rock Crossing features many beaches and shallow areas for wading and swimming. Apart from its natural beauty, Sedona is also known for its holistic wellness centers and spas. If you can work out child care, they are a great way to relax sans kids (or perhaps send one parent for a special treat while the other takes the baby on a Sedona Trolley Tour).

Best places to stay

Find a family-friendly rental in the heart of Sedona, Arizona or, if you’re looking for something a little closer to the Grand Canyon, try Flagstaff, Arizona.

String lights over a patio create the perfect outdoor vibes at dusk.

Entire home in Cottonwood, Arizona

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnesota in the summer and early fall is a wonderland of stroller-friendly parks and green spaces — including Minnehaha Park and the Chain of Lakes, which is an interconnected parkway of five lakes within the city limits. Indoor experiences include the American Swedish Institute’s “Babies at the Castle” program, which features a 30-minute baby carrier tour of Turnblad Mansion followed by a short sensory play time designed for babies up to 15 months.

Best places to stay

Vacation rentals are plentiful in either Minneapolis, Minnesota or nearby St. Paul, Minnesota. The charming town of Hastings, Minnesota is also just a 30-minute drive away.

New York City, New York

Although the Big Apple may not seem like a baby-friendly city, New York is actually incredibly easy to navigate, whether you’re walking or taking public transportation. If your baby is small, just strap on a carrier and you’re off! Many subway stations also have elevators or ramps for stroller access. Simply walking around the city is fun with a baby when the weather is nice, especially with so many iconic neighborhoods and sights to explore, including Chinatown, the Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village, Times Square, the High Line, and Central Park. For indoor activities, most museums are stroller-friendly and some, like the Whitney and the Guggenheim, even offer special “stroller tours” for parents and their little ones.

Best places to stay

Spend your nights in Jersey City, New Jersey, a convenient alternative to Manhattan just two or three train stops away. Another family-friendly option is Greenwich, Connecticut, a 45-minute express train ride from Grand Central Station.

Acadia, Maine

For those seeking outdoor adventure, Acadia National Park is one of the smaller US national parks, making it more manageable when you are traveling with a baby. Many of Acadia’s most popular sights are easily accessible by car or short walks, and scenic drives like the Park Loop Road provide stunning vistas while the baby naps in the car seat.

Best places to stay

Stay in one of many small towns surrounding the park, or try a vacation rental in nearby Portland, Maine.

An artsy cabin at dusk, lit warmly from the inside.

Entire cabin in Lamoine, Maine

How to plan for travel with a baby

While traveling with a baby is certain to have many magical moments, packing and hauling all the gear and dealing with mid-flight meltdowns is definitely not among them. We’re here to make it easier with our tried and true baby travel tips, including these essentials:

Travel during baby’s regular sleep times. If it’s important to you to keep your baby on their regular nap routine, you may want to try aligning flights or long car rides with your baby’s natural sleep rhythms.

Bring plenty of diapers and clothes for the journey. You’ll need at least enough diapers to last until you reach your destination and can buy more, plus a few extras in case of a travel delay.

Be prepared with extra clothes. You’ll want an extra change of clothes for both the baby and yourself, plus some resealable plastic bags to contain any messes.

Stay somewhere with home-like amenities. Vacation rentals can make a world of difference for families. Some provide baby equipment like cribs, high chairs, strollers, and toys, and it can make all the difference to have a separate room for the baby so you aren’t forced to sit in the dark for hours when they go down at 7 p.m.

Count on everything taking longer than before. As in life, so in travel. From going through airport security to getting out the door for sightseeing, everything will take longer with a baby in tow.

Vacationing with a baby for the first time is an opportunity to experience travel at a slower pace. After all, a vacation is never just about the things you’ll see or do: It’s also a chance to make memories, both big and small, with your little one.