The Best U.S. Cities For Family Reunions

Family reunions have a way of turning ordinary moments into the stories people keep telling. A shared breakfast before the day starts, cousins claiming the biggest bedroom, grandparents watching little ones run through a park, the one group photo where almost everyone is looking at the camera. That’s the good stuff.

But planning a reunion across generations takes more than picking a fun place to visit. The best destinations need to work for toddlers, teens, parents, grandparents, and older relatives at the same time. That means enough room to stay together, easy ways to get around, restaurants that can handle a big group, and activities that don’t leave anyone out.

At Mixbook, we know the moments families make together deserve more than a quick scroll. So, we analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities across 13 factors tied to multigenerational accessibility and large-group travel, including large lodging availability and cost, airport access, traffic, walkability, parks, museums, historic places, zoos and aquariums, accessible tours, family-friendly restaurants, and age-related population factors.

Some cities stood out as well-rounded reunion destinations. Others shined in specific areas, from roomy places to stay to accessible restaurants and easy outdoor activities. First up: the U.S. cities that make it easier for every generation to gather, settle in, and start making memories worth saving.

Which U.S. cities are best for a family reunion?

A great family reunion city needs to work for everyone from the toddlers who require room to wiggle to the grandparents who want an easy day out to the cousins who somehow turn every meal into a group photo opportunity.

Here are the 10 U.S. cities that ranked best for family reunions.

1. New Orleans, Louisiana

Score: 72.6

New Orleans topped the list thanks to a strong mix of group lodging, accessible experiences, historic places, and family-friendly dining. The city had one of the highest rates of large rental homes in our study, with 34 per 100,000 residents, giving families more room to stay together instead of scattering across separate hotel rooms. It also ranked first for accessible tours (11.6 per 100,000 residents), including wheelchair- and stroller-friendly routes through the French Quarter, making it easier for relatives of different ages and abilities to explore the city together. Add in a strong score for historic places thanks to places like Jackson Square, French Market, The Cabildo, and countless others, and New Orleans offers plenty of built-in storytelling — the kind families tend to keep talking about long after the trip ends.

2. Tucson, Arizona

Score: 70.2

Tucson came in second with especially strong scores for affordability, restaurants, parks, and easy travel logistics. The city’s median cost for large rental homes was about $342 per night, lower than many other top-ranking cities, and it ranked second for accessible, family-friendly restaurants, with 42.6 per 100,000 residents. Tucson also performed well for parks — including Reid Park, a central spot with shaded picnic areas and an on-site zoo — along with airport distance and traffic, which matters when a reunion itinerary includes grandparents, little kids, and at least one person who wants every plan to start “after everyone’s had their coffee.”

3. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Score: 65.1

Colorado Springs stood out for outdoor space and accessible dining. It also ranked first for accessible, family-friendly restaurants, with 42.6 per 100,000 residents, and scored especially well for parks, with 41.2 per 100,000 residents (compared to the study-wide average of 12.2). That combination makes it a strong fit for reunions that need flexible plans like casual meals, scenic outings, and activities that don’t require everyone to move at the same pace. For families hoping to create a weekend full of shared photos, fresh air, and memorable time together, Colorado Springs has a lot working in its favor.

4. Wichita, Kansas

Score: 63.2

Wichita ranked fourth by pairing affordability with easy access. Its median cost for large rental homes was $326 per night, among the lowest of the top 10 cities, and its nearest airport (Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport) was just 6.8 miles away from the city center. The city also performed well for traffic, parks, museums — including Exploration Place, a hands-on science center that works for grandparents and toddlers alike — plus accessible restaurants, and its share of residents under 14, which points to plenty of kid-oriented infrastructure nearby. That makes Wichita feel especially practical for families planning a reunion with lots of moving parts, from nap schedules to dinner reservations to the inevitable “Where is everyone meeting?” group text.

5. Charleston, South Carolina

Score: 62.4

Charleston rounded out the top 5 with standout scores for large lodging availability, accessible tours, and family-friendly dining. It had 43.9 large rental homes per 100,000 residents, the highest figure among the top 10 cities, which can make a big difference for families hoping to stay under one roof. The city also ranked in the top five for accessible tours, with 6.6 per 100,000 residents, making it easier for relatives of all ages and mobility levels to get around. Add easy access to the beach, golf courses, nature preserves, and a walkable dining scene along King Street, and Charleston gives families plenty of low-key ways to spend time together.

The rest of the top 10 shows that a great family reunion city can take different shapes.

6. Boise, Idaho scored 62.3 and performed well for walkability, parks, airport access, and historic places.

7. Sarasota, Florida scored 62.2 and stood out for its share of older residents — indicating plenty of senior-friendly accommodations — in addition to accessible restaurants, large rental homes availability, and proximity to the airport.

8. Knoxville, Tennessee scored 62.0, with strong marks for accessible restaurants, museums, and historic places per capita.

9. Louisville, Kentucky scored 61.4 and performed well for walkability, airport access, historic places, and its share of young residents, increasing the likelihood of attractions designed for kids.

10. Omaha, Nebraska scored 61.2, helped by strong scores for airport access, parks, museums, and accessible, family-friendly restaurants.

The top-ranking cities show that family reunion planning is about more than finding a place on the map. The best destinations make it easier for every generation to show up, settle in, and share time together — whether that means a big group dinner, a quiet park afternoon, a museum visit, or the photo everyone will want in the family photo book.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at the cities that stood out for individual factors, from accessible restaurants to family-friendly attractions.

The cities that make reunion planning easier

The overall ranking tells us which cities offer the strongest full package. But family reunions are rarely one-size-fits-all. Some families need a big house with enough beds for every cousin. Others need easy activities for grandparents, kids, and everyone in between. And sometimes, the best reunion city is the one where dinner plans won’t require a 47-message group chat.

Here’s a closer look at the cities that stood out for some of the biggest family reunion planning needs.

Best cities for large rental homes availability (large rental homes per 100K people)

1. Fort Myers, Florida: 61.2
2. Nashville, Tennessee: 48.4
3. Charleston, South Carolina: 43.9

• National average: 7.2

When families are traveling with multiple generations, lodging can shape the whole trip. More large rental homes availability can mean more chances to stay together, cook together, play card games after dinner, and turn the living room into the unofficial reunion headquarters. Fort Myers led this category by a wide margin — many of its large group rentals cluster around the River District downtown or near Fort Myers Beach, putting families close to the water without sacrificing space to spread out. Nashville and Charleston also offered far more large-group lodging options than the national average.

Most affordable cities for large rental homes (median nightly cost of large rental homes)

1. San Antonio, Texas: $215
2. El Paso, Texas: $240
3. McAllen, Texas: $259

• National average: $474

Large-group travel gets expensive quickly, especially when people are coming from different households and budgets. San Antonio had the lowest median nightly cost in our analysis, followed by El Paso and McAllen. Families looking to stretch their budget further in San Antonio often find larger rental homes in neighborhoods like King William, just south of downtown, which puts them walking distance from the River Walk without downtown pricing.

When lodging costs are lower, families may have more room in the budget for the things they’ll actually remember: a group dinner, a day trip, matching reunion shirts, or a custom photo book everyone can look through later.

Best cities for parks (parks per 100K people)

1. Albuquerque, New Mexico: 52.8
2. Honolulu, Hawaii: 50.5
3. Madison, Wisconsin: 44.9

• National average: 12.2

Parks are reunion gold. They give kids space to run, older relatives a place to sit and talk, and everyone else a low-pressure way to spend time together without booking tickets or sticking to a tight schedule.

Albuquerque, Honolulu, and Madison each had far more parks per capita than the national average. Roosevelt Park in Albuquerque is a local favorite for exactly this kind of gathering — mature shade trees, wide lawns, and a playground that keeps kids busy while the rest of the group settles in. For multigenerational trips, that kind of access can make planning easier. A park picnic or casual afternoon outside can be just as memorable as the big planned activity — especially when someone remembers to take the group photo before half the family wanders off.

Best cities for museums (museums per 100K people)

1. Syracuse, New York: 2.9
2. Bridgeport, Connecticut: 2.4
3. Rochester, New York: 2.4

• National average: 1.2

Museums can be a helpful reunion activity because they offer something structured without being too demanding. They’re also easier to adapt across ages, whether the group includes curious kids, history-loving grandparents, or relatives who simply appreciate an indoor plan with a slower pace.

Syracuse led this category, with the Museum of Science & Technology a standout example — a hands-on science center in the historic Armory building that regularly draws multigenerational visits, from toddlers to grandparents. Each city came in at least double the national average, giving families more options for activities that can spark conversation, teach younger relatives something new, and add a little story to the trip.

Best cities for historic places (historic places per 10K people)

1. Poughkeepsie, New York: 30.7
2. Worcester, Massachusetts: 15.6
3. Little Rock, Arkansas: 14.7

• National average: 3.4

Poughkeepsie stood out with 30.7 historic places per 10,000 residents, far above the national average. The Walkway Over the Hudson — a former railroad bridge turned mile-long pedestrian park with sweeping river views — is fully accessible and works well for a group with a range of mobility levels. Worcester and Little Rock also ranked well in this category. For families who like building a reunion around sightseeing, walking tours, and places with a sense of story, these cities offer plenty to explore together.

Best cities for zoos and aquariums (zoos/aquariums per 100K people)

1. Salt Lake City, Utah: 2.4
2. Orlando, Florida: 2.2
3. Bridgeport, Connecticut: 2.1

• National average: 0.8

Salt Lake City, Orlando, and Bridgeport all had more than twice the national average of zoos and aquariums per capita. Salt Lake's Loveland Living Planet Aquarium even has a dedicated event space that hosts family reunions directly, alongside its shark tunnel and penguin exhibits. For reunion planners, that’s a big win. Activities like these make it easier to create moments that work across age ranges — and plenty of photos worth saving once everyone gets home.

Best cities for accessible, family-friendly restaurants (family-friendly, accessible restaurants per 100K people)

1. Colorado Springs, Colorado: 42.6
2. Tucson, Arizona: 42.6
3. Las Vegas, Nevada: 41.9

• National average: 15.2

For this factor, we looked at restaurants labeled both “good for kids” and “wheelchair accessible.” That combination matters because family reunion meals need to work for a wide range of needs, from high chairs and kids’ menus to easier access for older relatives.

Colorado Springs and Tucson tied for the top spot, which helps explain why both cities ranked in the overall top 3. Las Vegas also performed well, with 41.9 accessible, family-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.

These standout cities show how many little details go into a reunion that feels easy, inclusive, and worth remembering. A big place to stay, a park where everyone can breathe, a restaurant that works for the whole group, an activity that gets every generation involved — those are the pieces that turn a trip into a shared story. And once everyone is home, they’re exactly the kinds of moments families can keep close in photos, keepsakes, and the next story told around the table.

“A great family reunion destination does more than give people a place to meet,” said Leslie Albertson, Sr. Director Brand & Creative at Mixbook. “It helps every generation feel part of the moment, whether that’s through an easy meal together, a walk in the park, or a shared activity everyone can enjoy. Those are the memories families bring home — and the stories they’ll want to keep, share, and revisit for years.”

Bring the whole family story home

The best family reunion cities make it easier for every generation to be part of the moment. In our analysis, cities stood out for different reasons — roomy places to stay, accessible restaurants, parks, museums, historic sites, and activities that work for toddlers, grandparents, and everyone in between.

But the real magic of a reunion usually happens in the little in-between moments: the shared meals, the stories that get retold, and the candid snapshots people come back to later.

That’s where Mixbook comes in. Once everyone heads home, those photos can become something the whole family can keep, share, and revisit — from a custom family reunion photo book to calendars, cards and wall art that help the story live beyond the trip. Create your family reunion photo book and keep the next chapter close.

Methodology

To determine the best cities for family reunions, we ranked 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on factors that would be important for people who are looking to get the entire family, from children to grandparents, together to make some memories.

We collected data on each city that relates to a family reunion trip in some way, from group lodging and outdoor space to family-friendly events and accessible attractions. We gave each of the 13 factors a weight based on their importance to derive a score that shows how they compare across the cities in the study, and summed those individual scores to create a final total score metric.

The ranking factors we considered, and the weights we applied, can be found below:

Fair Use

You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.