Fun Hotels for Kids in the U.S.

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The Most Fun Hotels for Kids in the U.S. — Region by Region

I am totally guilty of planning entire vacations around a hotel that looks awesome. I don’t even care where it is or what’s around it–I want to only spend time at the amazing hotel. Especially when it looks like something my kids will love. And I’m talking more than just a pool and a kid’s menu. I’m talking amenities and experiences on site that will entertain my kids for days.

If you’re looking for a getaway where the hotel is the entertainment, these hotels ought to do the trick. They’re for sure some of the most fun hotels for kids in the U.S. I’m sure there are many more that I am unaware of, so add your favorites in the comments. That way I can explore more!

Fun Hotels for Kids on the West Coast

🏰 LEGOLAND Hotel – Carlsbad, California

This place is pure magic for LEGO lovers. Each room is themed (Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO Friends, or Ninjago), with a separate kids’ sleeping area and a treasure hunt built into check-in. You’re steps from LEGOLAND California, and even the elevators are a party—complete with disco lights and music. Bonus: nightly LEGO-themed entertainment in the lobby.

This hotel is a on my list of the best theme hotels in the U.S. as well.

🏞 Sunriver Resort – Sunriver, Oregon

This high-desert resort near Bend is like a family summer camp with luxury touches. There’s a massive pool complex with a lazy river, horseback riding, kayaking, and a fort-style playground. In winter, it’s a snowy wonderland with tubing hills and sleigh rides.

🌊 Great Wolf Lodge – Multiple Locations– A fun waterpark hotel for kids

Great Wolf is a chain, but every location offers that wow-factor for kids. Think massive indoor water park, MagiQuest interactive scavenger hunts, themed suites with log cabin bunk beds, character breakfasts, and storytime in PJs. It’s a resort designed around families, rain or shine. It’s one of my kids’ favorites.

Southwest Adventures

🎠 Fairmont Scottsdale Princess – Scottsdale, Arizona– One of the most fun hotels for kids year round

This resort is a playground for families. During holidays and summer seasons, the Fairmont goes all out with kid-friendly fun like water slides, splash pads, dive-in movies, fireworks and even a kid-sized zip line. You can also get complimentary fishing rods from the front desk and try casting a line in one of the ponds on site. You can read more about our experience at this resort here.

But the real magic? Their “Trailblazers Kids Club” offers activities like desert animal encounters, poolside science experiments, and indoor climbing walls. During winter, the resort transforms into a full-blown holiday wonderland with a skating rink, train rides, character meet-and-greets, and nightly snowfall. It’s basically Scottsdale meets Santa’s Village.

Parents will appreciate the luxury touches, world-class spa, and incredible restaurants while the kids are off adventuring.

🌲 The Woodlands Resort – The Woodlands, Texas

Just north of Houston, this resort features a sprawling pool area with a lazy river, dive-in movies, kayaking, bike trails, and even a s’mores cart. It’s a hit with kids of all ages.

🌈 The J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort – San Antonio, Texas

This resort is a dream for active families: a full-on water park with a lazy river, waterslides, and a sandy beach, plus mini-golf and a kids’ activity zone. Their River Bluff Water Experience keeps kids entertained for hours. There’s also a peaceful nature trail if you need a break from the splash.

Read about our experience at the JW Marriott San Antonio Resort here.

Southeast Escapes

🎤 Gaylord Opryland Resort – Nashville, Tennessee– An amazingly fun hotel for kids and adults

This jaw-dropping resort features indoor rivers (with boat rides!), waterfalls, and lush gardens under glass atriums. There’s an epic SoundWaves water experience, scavenger hunts, interactive exhibits, and seasonal festivities—especially magical during the holidays. It’s even on my list of the most magical Christmastime hotels for families. And it’s located very close to Grand Ole Opry, which is a must-do in Nashville!

🏔 Omni Homestead Resort – Hot Springs, Virginia

This classic resort mixes southern charm with tons of family fun—think zip lining, mini-golf, horseback riding, a lazy river, and even a natural hot springs-fed pool. The kids’ club and outdoor adventures make it a memorable escape. It ranks high on my list of best family resorts in Virginia.

🚂 The Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo – Chattanooga, Tennessee – One of the most unique & fun hotels for kids

This resort is too unique not to mention. Families can sleep in restored train cars and explore the historic train depot. It’s a quirky and memorable stop that train-loving kids will adore, right in the heart of a charming, walkable city.

Hawaiian Paradise

🌺 Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa – Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii

Not only is this resort one of the most fun hotels for kids, it’s also in one of the most beautiful places. Aulani blends Hawaiian culture with Disney magic. There’s a lazy river, splash zones, water slides, a snorkeling lagoon, ukulele lessons, and character meet-and-greets—with a more peaceful vibe than the theme parks. This hotel is high on my bucket list for family travel places in North America.

Rocky Mountain & Western Escapes

🐎 The Ranch at Rock Creek – Philipsburg, Montana– One of the most fun dude ranch hotels for kids

It’s like summer camp, but so much better. The Ranch at Rock Creek is an all-inclusive, luxury dude ranch with horseback riding, archery, wildlife tracking, and fly fishing. There are guided kids’ adventures and even a ropes course, plus glamping options for a Western experience with comfort. It’s a unique getaway that your kids will talk about for a long time.

Fun Hotels for Kids in Florida

🏖 Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Orlando, Florida

Disney World is home to many fun hotels for kids. But this one stands out for a few reasons. One, you’re immersed in Disney magic without breaking the bank. Plus, with suites themed after Cars, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid, this resort is a feast for the eyes. It’s one of our favorite family resorts in Orlando. The pools are epic (one even plays music underwater), and you get all the perks of staying at a Disney resort—plus access to the Skyliner gondolas.

🐢 The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island – Amelia Island, Florida

This one’s a bit more upscale but still super fun for families. There’s a pirate-themed kids’ program (with real treasure hunts!), a naturalist who leads kids on eco tours of the beach, and nightly s’mores. Parents will love the spa and golf course while kids are off adventuring.

East Coast Favorites

🏰 Mohonk Mountain House – New Paltz, New York – One of the most fun hotels for kids and adults alike

When I first saw pictures of the Mohonk Mountain House, I could not believe this existed in the U.S. This castle-like resort perched on a mountain lake has an incredible roster of kid-friendly offerings: boating, hiking, swimming, crafts, scavenger hunts, rock scrambling, and a junior naturalist program. Plus, the setting is straight out of a fairy tale. This hotel also makes my list of the best Christmas hotels for families.

🎠 Congress Hall – Cape May, New Jersey

Known as “America’s First Seaside Resort,” Congress Hall blends old-school charm with family-friendly fun. There are beach cabanas, lawn games, bike rentals, and a kids’ program called “Blue’s Clubhouse” with nature walks and crafts. In summer, they even host a carnival on the lawn!

Bonus: Unexpectedly Awesome

🌽 Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts – Various Locations Nationwide

Think of this as camping, but way more fun. Jellystone parks offer cabin accommodations along with daily character visits, water zones, obstacle courses, gem mining, hayrides, and crafts. Each location is a bit different, but all are family-focused with that silly Yogi Bear charm.

Final Thoughts

These hotels go way beyond the basics. They turn a simple family trip into a full-blown adventure your kids will remember for years. Whether you’re hitting the beach, the desert, or the mountains, there’s a hotel out there that’s just as much fun as the destination itself.

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