Across the US, cities, states and national parks are unveiling exciting updates, from newly launched initiatives to unexpectedly fun (and often surprisingly affordable) experiences that you won't find anywhere else. Add in kid-friendly accommodations – whether you're after a national park lodge or a luxury resort with activities built in – and all these destinations offer much more than just a holiday. That's why I've made it a priority to bring my own children, age two and nine, to every one of these places, and why you should consider booking them for your next family holiday too.

Best time to go: Grand Junction doesn't have major seasonal extremes so it's a great year-round option. Spring and autumn are favourites for enjoying the local flora, from wildflowers to leaf-peeping.

The best part of visiting LA right now? According to Dominguez, "with fewer crowds than usual at this time of year, visitors can enjoy a more relaxed pace while exploring the area". So take advantage and bring your family to local non-profit Heal The Bay's aquarium right on the Santa Monica pier to teach your children about the 100 local species on-site. Treating the little ones to funnel cake on the pier afterwards is optional, but highly recommended.

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There's nothing quite like immersing yourself in the natural wonder that is Yellowstone, with its multicoloured, sulphur-steaming geothermal features and wild bison and bears roaming the hills. Most of this 3,500-square-mile wilderness is in Wyoming – but it's the Montana side of the park that should spark your interest for 2025 as it gets you stealth-easy access to Yellowstone. If you fly into the former railroad town of Billings, MT, you're just a 2.5-hour drive from the national park entrance – my son and I did this recently and were delighted to avoid the nearly 50% of Yellowstone visitors who enter at the west, the busiest of five ways in.

Best time to go: Autumn and spring are the name of the game if you're hoping to avoid summer crowds, with spring taking a slight lead because of the potential to see baby animals (my son was thrilled by our baby bison spotting). Much of Yellowstone closes during winter when certain terrain becomes impassable, but that just means it's primetime for snow sports over in Big Sky.

There's perhaps never been a better time to travel to Maui, Hawaii's second-largest island, and my family and I kicked off 2025 with a trip here that became, without trying too hard, a fascinating wildlife lesson – we got a close look at octopi and sea urchins, and watched humpback whale mothers and babies frolicking in the waves. Maui is the second-most visited of the Hawaiian Islands, yet with tourist numbers that are less than half those of Oahu.

But it's Maui's nature that truly makes this long-haul destination (a nearly six-hour flight from Los Angeles and a full day of travel from London) worth the schlep for families. Hike the magical ʻĪao Valley to spot the 1,200ft moss-covered Kūkaemoku rock; watch pro surfers face down 40ft breakers at Peʻahi take the kids out into the bay for whale-watching and tortoise-spotting with Maui Undersea Adventures .

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If you approach this artsy town by car, you'll see it emerge from among the southern Blue Ridge mountains like an oasis. There are plenty of traveller testaments to Asheville's strong "good vibes" energy, and Jan Luescher, CEO of travel community ASMALLWORLD agrees. "Asheville is experiencing a revival," he says, "with new businesses and attractions opening, making it an exciting time for family travellers to explore its vibrant arts scene." That's something of a rising-from-the-ashes renaissance he's referring to, as Asheville is now welcoming visitors back after 2024's locally devastating Hurricane Helene . Now, "attractions, restaurants and music venues are all open and welcoming," says Luescher, who facilitates off-the-beaten-path trips around the world, including Asheville and its surrounds.

Best time to go: Summers are relatively mild in the mountains compared to the rest of the South, with chilly nights and mornings, but it's still quite humid. Experience verdant views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in spring and summer, snow-topped peaks in winter and comfortable temperatures plus leaf-peeping under sunset-hued treetops in autumn.

This central Florida city may be known primarily as the home of Disney World and Universal Studios, but if you're spending an entire Orlando holiday in the theme parks, you're missing out. Orlando's educational attractions alone are worth the visit. The Kennedy Space Center gets astro-inclined children like my nine-year-old inspired; while future veterinarians and biologists will enjoy wildlife tours of the area's nature preserves and parks – showing a completely different side to the busy, trendy city.

The city's recent sustainability initiatives are another reason to take a look at Orlando, which is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2035. The new Universal Studios Epic Universe park, opening in May, is a hallmark of this plan. It will span five kid-favourite "worlds", including How to Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter Ministry of Magic, that will delight fans of those franchises – and it's keeping sustainability at the forefront of its design, including electric transport options to get around the parks.

The only entire state on this list, West Virginia is an underrated destination that you likely haven't yet experienced – because it is officially the least-visited US state , according to data from the International Trade Administration. But what it lacks in notoriety, West Virginia makes up for with some of North America's most remarkable wilderness, which it really wants you to see for yourself. "This year, West Virginia State Parks is upgrading every state-operated lodge and cabin which is part of over $250m in improvements – much of which will be completed for guests visiting in 2025," says Chelsea Ruby, West Virginia Department of Tourism cabinet secretary. Try Cacapon Resort State Park Lodge for a luxury stay at the foot of Cacapon Mountain. Or go for one of the charming state-operated cabins or history company houses at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park for more unique accommodations.