Planning a family vacation can be hard work. Planning a family vacation when you have children under 10 in tow can be a nightmare. Where do you draw the line between relaxation, entertainment, and education?

There are, thankfully, several destinations throughout the United States that every child under the age of 10 should see. We take that back – not only should they see them, but we’re pretty sure they’ll absolutely love them. Want to know where they are? Keep reading.

10. American Visionary Art Museum – Baltimore, Maryland

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The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland sits in the Inner Harbor and welcomes children by the busload. Before they even enter they’ll be greeted by incredible mosaics and things only get better once they make it inside. There’s a toothpick rendition of the Lusitania, robots made from fan parts, and a sculpture of a man eating spaghetti out of a bathtub. The sculptures are inspiring and entertaining and may even encourage your little one to spend a bit more time creating things other than computer-game explosions.

9. Disneyland – Anaheim, California

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Yes, you read that correctly. Every child should have the opportunity to visit Disneyland. It may be smaller than its counterpart in Florida but it is one of the most charming amusement parks you’ll ever visit. The smaller size is great for young children who don’t necessarily need to be over-stimulated by a series of large parks they couldn’t possibly fully explore.

8. Grand Canyon – Arizona

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Kids love mountains. Kids love water. Kids love holes in the ground. Alright – we may be oversimplifying the magnificence that is the Grand Canyon but trust us here – the kids are going to love it. Most kids under the age of 10 are absolutely astounded by the drive, its views and, of course, the terrifyingly exciting drops.

7. Monterey Bay Aquarium – Monterey, California

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There are, of course, several amazing aquariums scattered throughout the United States, but the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California takes the cake. Located in what was once a sardine cannery, the aquarium features dozens of exhibits that house local aquatic wildlife. They even have a special Splash Zone where kids can participate in hands-on activities. There are several quality Monterey hotels in the area, so when your little one gets tired you’ll be close enough to your temporary home for a nap.

6. Niagara Falls – New York and Ontario

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It really doesn’t matter which side of the falls you decide to tour but if you want to make sure your kids have a really memorable experience make sure they get to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist as it carries its passengers around Horseshoe Falls. Brave and excitable children will absolutely love putting on a rain coat and climbing up to the top deck to enjoy the spray as it showers down around the boat.

5. Colonial Williamsburg – Williamsburg, Virginia

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Put away the little green army men and take your kids to a place where they can learn about life during the Revolutionary War. They’ll enjoy seeing real-life exhibits including leatherworking and the silver smiths. Pick up a few colonial hats and prepare for the parade and street shows – all guaranteed to keep your children engaged and entertained.

4. Ellis Island – New York City, New York

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Visitors to Ellis Island can take a ferry from either New York City or New Jersey. On the island you’ll find monuments dedicated to the thousands of immigrants who started their lives in the United States on that very island. Exhibits include photographs, audio depictions, and examples of the things the travelers carried with them on their journeys. A trip to Ellis Island will provide you with a great opportunity to teach your children about some of our country’s most formative years.

3. Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles, California

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There aren’t many children who don’t have at least a small fascination with outer space. The Griffith Observatory will give your children the opportunity to peer at the sun, moon, and stars through some of the finest state-of-the-art equipment available today. The recreation of the Big Bang, a planetarium presentation, is incredible as well.

2. Muir Woods – Marin County, California

Children who love nature will especially enjoy a trip to Muir Woods. A mere 12 miles away from the city of San Francisco, this incredible landscape is home to some of the oldest trees in the world – not to mention some of the tallest. Imagine watching your 3-4 foot child playing amongst the 260 foot redwoods and searching for the old “goose pens” used to corral farm animals. What fun!

1. Sears Tower – Chicago, Illinois

Matchbox cars, construction equipment, and big buildings tend to commandeer the minds of so many young children. Imagine their delight, then, at being able to visit the tallest building in North America. For added fun you’ll want to go to the skydeck.com website and print out a scavenger hunt sheet so that you can look for some of the area’s local landmarks after you get to the top. Try to find your favorite Chicago hotels while you’re up there, too!

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All you need to do to keep your children happy on your next family vacation is appeal to their imaginations. With destinations like these, you’ll have no trouble putting smiles on their faces!