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Family Fun in the Southwest
Sun and fun reign in America’s southeast, where golden beaches and rugged deserts greet adventurous families. Visitors could spend a lifetime buzzing around Disneyland, SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Magic Mountain, but make sure the kids get a chance to explore Yosemite, Death Valley and, of course, the Grand Canyon. See where America history was made at the Golden Gate Bridge or New Mexico’s Sky City.
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Arizona
Tombstone, Sedona and the Grand Canyon have helped put Arizona at the top of the list of North American tourism destinations, but that’s just scratching the surface. Phoenix and the surrounding Valley of the Sun offer city adventures and outdoor thrills. Tucson boasts a rich history and awesome night skies, Yuma is a river paradise, and Jerome is a world-class artists’ colony.
California
Our most populous state is also home to the original Disneyland, which has delighted families for more than 60 years. Also in SoCal: SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain and miles of beaches that rival anything a theme park can dish out. Travel north to the Golden Gate Bridge and the big trees north of San Francisco that rival any Disney studio when it comes to oohs and ahs. Highway Forty-Nine, which travels north and south along the state’s spine, is named for the famed forty-niners of the gold rush days and flows through historical gold camps of yesteryear.
Colorado
To say Colorado is mountainous is an understatement: It would take an entire article just to list all the mountains in the Centennial State that exceed 14,000 feet in altitude. Pikes Peak, however, a bit west of Colorado Springs, can host your vehicle if you wish to drive up the famous roadway. Royal Gorge is an eye-popping playground, and Denver hosts several kid-friendly attractions.
Nevada
The Silver State is a favorite destination for families, and it isn’t just because Las Vegas is home to attractions like the High Roller observation wheel, Adventuredome theme park and Discovery Children’s Museum. Beyond the city, Nevada’s ghost towns (like Rhyolite) and historical villages (Virginia City) are fun to explore. Go bowling in Reno, which is the gateway to vast Lake Tahoe.
New Mexico
Santa Fe is the oldest capital in the United States, with a 400-year history that speaks through its buildings and historic plaza. Albuquerque is home to Acoma Sky City, a compelling window into Native American culture. Visit in October for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, or ponder flying objects of the unidentified kind in Roswell.
Utah
The Beehive State is home to five national parks—every one of them RV-friendly. Go off-roading near Moab and gaze at surreal rock shapes at Arches National Park. Newspaper Rock, near the entrance to the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park, depicts hundreds of years of Native American history. The Salt Lake Temple is a monument of equal beauty.