A new study from vacation rental platform Lake has identified the ten most baby-friendly waterfront cities in the United States, offering guidance for families traveling with infants and toddlers. The research analyzed 50 of the country’s largest waterfront cities, taking into account accommodations, local attractions, and amenities designed to meet the needs of families with young children.
Orlando, Florida ranked first, thanks to its wide range of family-oriented features. The city offers 240 family-friendly hotels, 16 indoor play areas, 188 playgrounds, and 40 zoo attractions. A significant 85% of its accommodations are rated four stars or higher, with many offering airport transfers and babysitting services.
Madison, Wisconsin followed, praised for its walkable layout and high concentration of top-rated hotels. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, secured third place due to its appealing combination of well-rated hotels and popular beaches and parks.
San Francisco, California stood out for its variety of indoor play areas and the highest number of playgrounds in the study. New Orleans, Louisiana made the list with its cultural attractions and numerous child-friendly amenities. Boston, Massachusetts earned its place with a high number of playgrounds and historical landmarks, while Providence, Rhode Island was recognized for its small size and accessibility for families with strollers.
Other cities rounding out the top ten included Miami and Hollywood in Florida, as well as Honolulu, Hawaii. Each destination offered a blend of family-focused features including zoo attractions, beaches, and services such as babysitting and airport transfers.
According to Lake CMO Stephanie Ciccarelli, some families prefer bringing a babysitter along on vacation, but select hotels in cities like San Francisco, Orlando, and Boston offer in-house babysitting services, which can be a welcome option for parents looking to enjoy a quiet evening out.
Ciccarelli pointed out that parents often return from trips feeling more exhausted than when they left, citing factors like travel logistics, the challenge of feeding a family throughout the day, and unexpected expenses. The study focused on large waterfront cities with frequent, direct flights to help families avoid complicated travel plans and reduce stress.
The final choice of destination, she said, often depends on the preferences of a family’s older children. Families with a love for animals might be especially drawn to cities like Milwaukee, San Diego, and Orlando, which all boast around 40 animal-related attractions. Nearly every city in Lake.com’s top 20 list has at least one zoo to keep young travelers entertained.
The study relied on data from TripAdvisor and Foursquare to evaluate the availability and quality of family-friendly amenities, including the number of hotels suitable for young children, the presence of indoor play areas and playgrounds, and support services like airport transfers and babysitting.
Lake offers vacation rentals close to lakes, rivers, bays, and coastlines, specializing in family-friendly experiences that combine outdoor adventure with modern convenience. The platform emphasizes a return to nature and the importance of shared family moments.
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