19 Places In America That Will Blow Your Kids' Minds

    Make childhood memories they'll never forget.

    Mike Spohr
    by Mike Spohr

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We recently asked the members of BuzzFeed Community to tell us the coolest places to take a kid in America:

    Andrew Richard / BuzzFeed

    1. The International Spy Museum in Washington, DC

    Jared_eberhardt / Flickr: jaredeberhardt / Via Creative Commons

    The International Spy Museum is dedicated to the history of espionage and features the largest collection of espionage artifacts anywhere.

    "I know DC has lots of museums but the MOST FUN ONE EVER is the Spy Museum! You're given a spy card that says who you are and what you do. You go through the museum like a spy and get to play with gadgets and solve crimes — it's very interactive. It's so cool! We stayed for hours!"

    —Sydney Schusterman, Facebook

    2. The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California

    Brightandclear / Via instagram.com

    The Mystery Spot is a must be seen to be believed location that defies the laws of physics and gravity.

    "It’s the coolest/most bizarre thing, and I’m dying to go back to see it again."

    —ivanasu

    3. Diggerland USA in West Berlin, New Jersey

    Flickr: kalleboo / Via Creative Commons

    Diggerland USA is the only construction-themed amusement park in North America.

    "You and/or your kids get to operate real, fuel-burning construction equipment!"

    —richards47001bcb1

    4. CoolMess in New York, New York

    CoolMessNYC / Instagram: @coolmessnyc
    Instagram: @coolmessnyc

    CoolMess is new concept ice cream shop that lets you create and make your own ice cream.

    "It made my kids SO happy to make their own ice cream."

    —Shira Kipnees, Facebook

    5. Jim's Apple Farm in Jordan, Minnesota

    Flickr: jjandames / Via Creative Commons

    Jim's Apple Farm is open from June through November each year and specializes in candy, apples, fall produce, baked goods, jigsaw puzzles, and gift shop items.

    "It's the largest candy store in the state, selling over 3,000 varieties of candy as well as soda (they have over 150 types of root beer alone) and baked goods (I highly recommend their homemade apple pie)."

    —Lauren Crabtree, Facebook

    6. The Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania; Minneapolis; and Orlando

    frozenblaze110
    stevenaflig / instagram.com

    The Crayola Experience is an interactive museum dedicated to all things crayon.

    "It's hands down the most fun, and most worth your money places we have visited as a family. Super fun and interactive for all ages!"

    —lisaw4f3f3c2b2

    7. The Ocean

    Flickr: kevinkrejci / Via Creative Commons

    "A treat for a kid who lives nowhere near an ocean and has never seen one."

    —karens4d94b861b

    8. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, California

    Flickr: kimon / Via Creative Commons

    La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is the world's most famous ice age fossil excavation site featuring the fossils of saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and mammoths.

    "There are observation pits where you can see the exact spots ancient animal remains have been found. We have three children and they never get tired of visiting this place!"

    —1226lkgs

    9. Ella’s Deli and Ice Cream Parlour in Madison, Wisconsin

    go_rubber_chicken_go / Via instagram.com

    Ella’s Deli and Ice Cream Parlour is a fun-filled deli and ice cream parlor featuring animated displays, model trains, and a carousel.

    "There is so much going on. The table tops each have a theme, from Indiana Jones to a working, table-sized Wooly Willy. The menu is extensive and includes ice cream made in house and drinks topped with cotton candy. I cannot recommend this place more!"

    —Adraela

    10. City Museum in St. Louis

    Flickr: quinn / Via Creative Commons

    The City Museum is an incredible, wide-ranging place featuring a children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and a lot more.

    "It's an old shoe factory that's been converted into the most amazing, exploratory play place ever. It has dozens of slides (including a 10-story spiral slide), hidden crawl spaces, multifloor climbing towers and tunnels, the world's largest pencil, and outdoor areas that include airplanes several stories off the ground."

    —Laura Johnson, Facebook

    11. Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer in New York City

    Kristin Harris / Via Instagram: @kristinshayharris

    Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer is famous for making jaw-dropping shakes that are like five desserts in one.

    —Vikki R Walker, Facebook

    12. America's National Parks

    Bmmartinpdx / instagram.com
    syxseung / instagram.com

    There are 59 national parks including the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, and the Redwoods.

    "Our National Parks are pretty damn amazing. There's nothing like standing at the bottom of a redwood or on the top of the Rockies to feel so small and yet part of something so big."

    —Laurie Lapham, Facebook

    13. The National Mall in Washington, DC

    Flickr: respres / Via Creative Commons

    The National Mall is home to the Washington Monument plus memorials to Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and more.

    "My kids love the DC Mall. When they get bored with the monuments, there are so many museums to explore. Then when they get bored with museums, they just love the open space of the Mall, watching the pigeons and eating at food trucks. It’s our favorite place on Earth."

    —nickgalentine

    14. Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin

    wisdells.com

    Wisconsin Dells bills itself as the waterpark capital of the world.

    "It’s basically Las Vegas for kids! Plus plenty of fun times for adults, including gambling!"

    —matthh7

    15. The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York

    Flickr: sean_x_liu / Via Creative Commons

    The Strong National Museum of Play is an interactive museum dedicated to the history of playing.

    "It has a mini supermarket where kids can 'shop' and run the cash register, and a butterfly exhibit that is pretty awesome! It was literally the best thing when I was a kid, and it still is."

    —mzv1018

    16. Kings Island in Mason, Ohio

    coaster_bean / Via instagram.com

    Kings Island is the largest amusement and waterpark in the Midwest.

    "It’s so much fun for kids of all ages, and your kids will love a hug from their favorites Peanuts characters, including Snoopy and Woodstock!"

    —HelenMelon16

    17. Highmark Sports Works in Pittsburgh

    stephaniecampbellx / Via instagram.com

    Highmark Sports Works is a museum with nearly 30 interactive experiences that use sports as a gateway to talk about physics, anatomy, biology, and even chemistry.

    "It's pretty cool! They have all sorts of neat attractions, from a roller coaster simulation to one of those contraptions where you strap yourself in standing up and are spun around and upside-down."

    —Amanda Buckholt, Facebook

    18. Alice's Tea Cup in New York City

    illumiell / Via instagram.com

    Alice's Tea Cup is a whimsical tea house with Alice in Wonderland decor.

    "It's amazing for young girls, and is a cross between a fairy wonderland and Alice in Wonderland. I've taken my niece there many times and she always wants to go back."

    —Shira Kipnees, Facebook

    19. Gatorland in Orlando, Florida

    Flickr: inazakira / Via Creative Commons

    Gatorland is a family attraction that lets you get up close and personal with thousands of alligators and crocodiles. It has a pretty awesome zipline, too.

    —Erika Drewke, Facebook

    Also mentioned: The Indianapolis Children's Museum in Indianapolis; The Exploratorium in San Francisco; World of Coca Cola in Atlanta; The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey; Port Discovery in Baltimore; Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield, Massachusetts; and Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia.

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