A man carrying a smiling baby on his shoulders.

The best baby-friendly vacation destinations in the world

Everyone dreams of the perfect family vacation, with warm weather, idyllic beaches, and activities for all to enjoy.

Airports like Orlando and Chicago O’Hare are often flooded with vacationing families in the summer, but are these popular destinations really the best places to visit with kids?

We rounded up the best locations in the world and in the US for vacationing families, to find the ultimate spots for baby-friendly travel.

The top baby-friendly travel destinations in the US

State % Hotels with family rooms Safety Index Score Average Temp (°C) Average Temp (°F) Average Rainfall (mm) Baby-friendly activities Baby-friendly travel score /10
1. Nevada 36 52.94 10.60 51.10 164 426 7.06
2. New York 44 52.01 7.80 46.10 1,087 1,768 6.86
3. Utah 20 62.48 9.60 49.30 530 686 6.86
4. Illinois 42 47.64 11.50 52.70 1,075 677 6.69
5. Indiana 39 56.66 11.40 52.50 1,121 456 6.61
6. Iowa 45 60.85 9.10 48.40 988 255 6.41
7. Wyoming 42 57.31 5.70 42.30 492 400 6.32
8. Connecticut 39 61.49 10 50 1,133 330 6.29
9. California 26 49.26 15.10 59.10 666 3,211 6.21
10. Washington 44 56.76 8.60 47.40 1,386 963 6.12
11. Massachusetts 26 58.98 9.40 48.90 1,159 1,034 6.12
12. New Mexico 23 51.33 12.50 54.50 211 367 6.04
13. Ohio 35 47.04 11 51.80 1,108 777 6
14. Nebraska 45 51.89 9.70 49.50 843 169 5.96
15. Minnesota 38 64.43 5.40 41.80 930 515 5.92
16. Wisconsin 28 54.39 6.70 44 830 740 5.84
17. Arizona 22 51.47 16.20 61.10 322 909 5.80
18. Virginia 27 56.17 13.40 56.10 1,181 862 5.80
19. Maine 25 62.53 5.50 41.90 1,301 570 5.55
20. New Jersey 34 51.76 12 53.60 1,184 614 5.55
21. Michigan 27 50.81 7.40 45.30 949 1,026 5.47
22. Kansas 44 44.73 12.80 55.10 924 213 5.47
23. Hawaii 13 60.29 21.20 70.20 627 1,215 5.35
24. Rhode Island 38 54.56 10.40 50.80 1,151 189 5.35
25. Colorado 12 45.36 7.90 46.30 532 1,221 5.23
26. Oregon 12 54.78 8.90 48 1,095 755 5.06
27. North Carolina 14 53.49 15.30 59.60 1,172 1,324 4.94
28. West Virginia 40 48.25 11.50 52.70 1,236 198 4.86
29. Pennsylvania 27 47.24 9.80 49.60 1,396 1,057 4.82
30. Georgia 58 45.06 17.90 64.30 1,183 865 4.74
31. North Dakota 45 51.19 5.10 41.10 577 87 4.73
32. Idaho 18 52.98 6.70 44 335 296 4.65
33. Missouri 22 42.09 12.90 55.30 1,097 666 4.65
34. Kentucky 32 52.87 13.60 56.40 1,222 347 4.61
35. Maryland 12 54.65 13.10 55.50 1,198 530 4.41
36. New Hampshire 18 61.19 6.80 44.20 1,114 313 4.41
37. South Dakota 37 44.17 7.70 45.80 843 235 4.41
38. Vermont 14 64.32 6.20 43.20 1,047 269 4.37
39. Texas 24 38.84 18.80 65.80 924 1,665 4.33
40. Montana 27 42.95 5.90 42.60 590 528 4.33
41. Oklahoma 36 40.37 15.80 60.40 860 250 4.04
42. Tennessee 17 44.58 14.70 58.50 1,312 876 3.55
43. Delaware 5 51.91 13.50 56.30 1,102 132 3.47
44. South Carolina 14 44.77 17.40 63.40 1,116 854 3.43
45. Florida 19 36.42 21.90 71.50 1,182 4,678 3.14
46. Alaska 38 46.68 -2.2 28.10 2,687 635 3.06
47. Louisiana 41 34.54 19.60 67.20 1,376 324 2.45
48. Arkansas 22 38.49 16.20 61.10 1,245 297 2.25
49. Alabama 13 39.91 17.60 63.70 1,159 401 2.21
50. Mississippi 30 33.11 17.90 64.30 1,271 187 1.71

1. Nevada | Baby-friendly travel score: 7.06/10

Nevada ranks in first place on our list, crowned the best baby-friendly travel destination in the US. Nevada is home to amazing food, scenic landscapes and a rich history so it is often a popular choice for vacationing families.

Around 36% of all hotels in Nevada offer family rooms designed for parents and children. Similarly, Nevada has 426 baby-friendly activities, including the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, providing endless opportunities for family fun. The average temperature in Nevada is 10.6°C (51.1°F), and it receives an average of 164mm of rainfall each year.

2. New York | Baby-friendly travel score: 6.86/10

Skyscrapers, nightlife, and history make New York one of the most visited states in the world. A haven for vacation lovers of all ages, New York is an amazing destination for baby-friendly travel, and so ranks in second place.

Of all the hotels in New York, 44% have family rooms designed for children and adults. The destination is also home to 1,768 baby-friendly activities, including numerous iconic parks and museums. With an average annual temperature of 7.8°C (46.1°F), New York has perfect mild weather conditions for traveling with a baby.

3. Utah | Baby-friendly travel score: 6.86/10

Known for its National Parks, Great Salt Lake and popular hiking spots, Utah has something for everyone. In joint second place on our list, the Beehive State is one of the best locations in the US to travel with kids.

20% of all hotels in Utah offer rooms for families, which is ideal when traveling with younger children, and babies. Utah’s safety index is 62.48, surpassing the US average of 50.56. Utah’s average annual temperature is around 9.6°C (49.3°F) and the destination sees just 530 mm of annual precipitation. Utah also has 686 baby-friendly activities for families on vacation, like the Bryce Canyon National Park and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

The least baby-friendly travel destinations in the US

1. Mississippi | Baby-friendly travel score: 1.71/10

Mississippi is popular for its history, road trip routes, and southern culture, making it a favorite amongst tourists from around the world. For families traveling with kids, however, Mississippi is the least baby-friendly state to visit.

In Mississippi, around 30% of all hotels have family rooms. Yet it is the state’s safety index score that proves most disappointing at 33.11/100, the lowest on our list. The average temperature in Mississippi is 17.9°C (64.3°F), and the state receives around 1,271mm of precipitation per year. Despite good weather, Mississippi is home to the fewest number of baby-friendly activities out of our bottom three, at just 187.

2. Alabama | Baby-friendly travel score: 2.21/10

An Alabama vacation is characterized by a warm southern climate, Gulf Shores beaches, and stunning natural beauty. What could be a paradise for adventure-loving travelers, is however one of the least suitable destinations in the US for a baby-friendly vacation.

13% of hotels in Alabama offer rooms designed with families in mind, however, the safety index in Alabama is 39.91, which is significantly lower than the US state average of 50.56.

3. Arkansas | Baby-friendly travel score: 2.25/10

Ranking as the third least baby-friendly US travel destination is Arkansas, home to the Ozark mountains. Around 22% of hotels in Arkansas offer family rooms, which can be essential when traveling with babies and children. However, Arkansas ranks in the bottom five states for safety, with a safety index of just 38.49. The state is also home to only 297 baby-friendly activities, which is significantly lower than Florida, the state with the greatest proportion of baby-friendly activities totaling 4,678.

The top baby-friendly travel destinations in the world

Country % Hotels with family rooms Safety Index Score Average Temp (°C) Average Temp (°F) Average Rainfall (mm) Number of baby-friendly activities Baby-friendly travel score /10
1. Greece 60 59.68 15.40 59.72 378 3,491 8
2. Turkey 62 60.51 11.10 51.98 451 2,143 7.65
3. Portugal 49 70.37 15.20 59.27 591 2,589 7.45
4. Spain 40 68.04 13.30 55.94 415 8,116 7.35
5. Australia 42 58.64 21.70 70.97 589 5,983 7
6. Israel 54 70.40 19.20 66.56 348 686 6.69
7. Morocco 53 51.31 17.10 62.78 442 1,602 6.55
8. Italy 49 55.74 13.50 56.21 878 15,481 6.52
9. Czech Republic 70 74.48 7.60 45.59 687 745 6.52
10. Poland 60 71.50 7.90 46.13 695 1,268 6.48
11. Austria 54 76.27 6.40 43.43 621 1,089 6.35
12. South Korea 69 73.85 11.50 52.70 1,233 667 6.21
13. Cyprus 52 69.99 18.50 65.21 364 344 6.10
14. Romania 64 72.36 8.80 47.84 699 465 5.96
15. Bulgaria 66 61.50 10.60 50.99 623 315 5.93
16. India 54 56.68 23.70 74.57 700 6,669 5.83
17. Hungary 56 64.92 9.80 49.55 661 469 5.79
18. Japan 25 79.34 11.20 52.07 1,482 3,856 5.73
19. Peru 56 31.85 19.60 67.28 203 846 5.69
20. Germany 28 65.19 8.50 47.30 669 3,375 5.58
21. Chile 52 54.77 8.50 47.21 517 1,040 5.55
22. Croatia 36 75.29 10.90 51.62 917 1,027 5.55
23. Nepal 70 65.44 8.10 46.58 2,812 347 5.48
24. France 34 53.21 10.70 51.26 720 11,319 5.48
25. Netherlands 27 72.38 9.30 48.65 844 1,529 5.34
26. Argentina 54 38.23 14.80 58.64 1,112 1,844 5.31
27. South Africa 48 22.51 17.80 63.95 621 1,149 5.24
28. United Arab Emirates 40 84.30 27 80.60 42 643 5.24
29. United Kingdom 24 56.29 8.50 47.21 690 14,442 5.21
30. China 24 68.17 7 44.51 566 1,484 5.14
31. New Zealand 36 59.07 10.60 50.99 926 1,862 5.14

1. Greece | Baby-friendly travel score: 8/10

Greece is an idyllic vacation spot, known worldwide for its crystal-blue waters, amazing cuisine and gorgeous beaches. Ideal for families, Greece is the best baby-friendly destination in the world.

In Greece, around 60% of the hotels offer family rooms, which can be essential when traveling with younger children or in groups. The country’s safety index is 59.68, higher than the 57.43 average of all the countries we looked at. Greece’s climate is ideal for traveling with families, with an average temperature of 15.4°C (59.72°F), and only 378mm of precipitation a year. With no shortage of things to do, there are 3,491 baby-friendly activities in Greece, including the Acropolis of Athens and Tsambika beach.

2. Turkey | Baby-friendly travel score: 7.65/10

Turkey is one of the most exciting places in the world you can visit, from its unique architecture to its shopping scene and amazing food, but it also ranks as one of the best places for a vacation with kids.

We found that 62% of Turkish hotels on Booking.com offer family rooms, designed for parents to share with their children. Turkey furthermore has a safety index of 60.51. The climate in the country is great for families seeking a mild weather holiday, with an average temperature of 11.1°C (51.98°F) and around 451mm of precipitation a year. There are also 2,143 baby-friendly activities in the country, including visiting the Anitkabir museum and Kleopatra Beach.

3. Portugal | Baby-friendly travel score: 7.45/10

Portugal is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world, famous for its beaches, cuisine, and cultural history. In third place, Portugal is also one of the most ideal places to visit with children.

49% of all Portuguese hotels offer a family room option for those traveling with children, and Portugal’s safety index is 70.37, which is higher than the average of the countries studied. The average annual temperature in the country is 15.2°C (59.27°F), and there is around 591 mm of precipitation each year. Portugal has 2,589 baby-friendly activities, including the fascinating Oceanário de Lisboa and the gorgeous Praia São Rafael.

Methodology

We wanted to find the best baby-friendly travel destinations in the US and in the world. We looked at all 50 US states, and ranked them based on:

  • The percentage of hotels with family rooms, sourced from Booking on 25th July 2022.
  • The safety index was sourced from World Population Review.
  • The average annual temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit for each state was sourced from World Population Review. States that scored higher in this category have temperatures closest to the national average.
  • The average annual precipitation of each state’s capital city, sourced from Climate-Data on 20th July 2022. States that scored higher in this category have the lowest precipitation.
  • The number of child-friendly activities sourced from Tripadvisor on 20th July 2022.

We gave each state a normalized score out of 10 for each factor, before taking an average for each location.

We ranked each country based on:

  • The percentage of hotels with family rooms, sourced from Booking on 25th July 2022.
  • The safety index of each country was sourced from Numbeo on 20th July 2022.
  • The average annual temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit for each country was sourced from World Population Review. Countries that scored higher in this category have temperatures closest to the average of all locations on our list.
  • The average annual precipitation of each country’s capital city, sourced from Climate-Data on 20th July 2022. Countries that scored higher in this category have the lowest precipitation.
  • The number of child-friendly activities sourced from Tripadvisor on 20th July 2022. We looked at every country in the world with at least 300 child-friendly activities on Tripadvisor.

We gave each country a normalized score out of 10 for each factor, before taking an average for each location.

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Main image: Kelly Sikkema – Unsplash