Pack up the kids and get going. Traveling as a family isn’t just a great way to spend quality time together, it serves to educate and expand, broaden horizons and open doors—and not just for the kids. “Family travel” doesn’t mean twiddling your thumbs at playgrounds, nor enduring that endless chorus of “Are we there yet?” emanating from the backseat. With some well-chosen destinations and a little research, everyone can truly have a good time.

How does entirely free museum- and monument-hopping in DC sound? Or getting up close to elephants, rhinos, and giraffes at the San Diego Zoo? You can go to the Happiest Place on Earth, or take those hard-to-impress tweens on a royal tour in London. And it’s not just about wowing the younger generation. Standing next to dinosaur bones, romping in ravishing gardens, eating international cuisines, being charmed by street performers and hypnotized by schools of aquarium fish—it’s not just kid’s stuff.

From beach towns to big cities, natural wonders to iconic monuments, these top family travel destinations will put a smile on everyone’s face, whatever their age. Just be sure to bring your camera—you won’t want to miss these holiday card photo ops.