10. San Francisco, California
San Francisco has a reputation for being expensive—but families should consider staying in Marin County, where there are a lot of high-value hotels and B&Bs. From there, take the ferry boat from Larkspur Landing into the city. Kids love the ferry trip and it beats fighting the Golden Gate and downtown traffic. Once in San Francisco, you can catch another ferry to Muni Pass, and then ride trolleys all over town. Or stroll through Union Square and continue on to Chinatown for lunch. Or take a bus to Fisherman's Wharf and then a trolley back to the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building (with its sensational indoor food market and outdoor Farmer's Market). The next day, visit Golden Gate Park and the zoos and museums, all of which have excellent bus connections.
San Francisco Family Vacation Guide

9. Negril, Jamaica
This section of Western Jamaica is dubbed the "Capital of Casual" as it used to be a legendary hippie hangout. In contrast to the all-inclusive resorts that dominate much of the island, Negril has a lot of family-run, family-friendly lodges that offer rooms for well under $50 per night (look for summer-season discounts). Negril is famous for its laid-back seven mile long beach, with gentle waves and a kid-friendly shoreline. Older kids can rent kayaks and paddle out to the coral reef for snorkeling. There are plenty of day-trips to take from Negril; Mayfield Falls is beautiful and generally not crowded. Summer discounts are often available for flights into Montego Bay.
Negril Family Vacation Guide

8. Western Ireland
It's not hard to find discounted flights to the city Shannon on Ireland's southwest coast. Once there, you're within easy reach of popular walking trails: the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Dingle Peninsula. Hire a guide or just get a map. Trails wind between villages, with plenty of easy-to-find guest houses for $25 to $30 a night. This region is famous for its horses; consider renting mounts to explore the miles of trails and bridle paths. In addition to rolling emerald hills and stark-white cliffs, you'll find beautiful beaches and world-class museums like the Hunt Museum in Limerick. Another must-see is Bunratty Castle, which dates to the 1400s, and Folk Park, an authentic 19th-century Irish village where you can interact with costumed artisans.
Ireland Family Vacation Guide

7. Belize, Central America
South of Mexico and next to Guatemala, Belize is a great budget family destination. English is the spoken language in this Massachusetts-sized country and lodging prices are a bargain, with scores of rooms, cabanas, lodges, and beach huts for $15 to $50 a night (meals are $1.50 to $4). June and July see significant discounts on already-low prices due to the rainy season. Fly into Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City, then travel to one of the five regions or the cayes, the islands floating in the azure Caribbean Sea. Don't miss the Belize Zoo in Belize City, or the Community Baboon Sanctuary, about a half hour inland from the coast. Then there's the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve in the Stann Creek region. For an island experience, a 15-minute boat or inexpensive flight accesses literally hundreds of spectacular islands, which in turn access the world's second-largest barrier reef (Ambergris feels more western, Caulker more rustic).
Belize Family Vacation Guide

6. The Black Hills, South Dakota
The region enjoys unmatched Old West history, some of the best camping and trout fishing in the country, and incredible, wide-open vistas. Families can explore the Black Hills National Forest, Mount Rushmore, Wounded Knee, the expansive Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, Devil's Tower (in bordering Wyoming), and the towns of Sturgis and Deadwood. In addition to six national parks, the mountains and forests contain 100-plus miles of national scenic byways, so consider bringing along bicycles.
South Dakota Family Vacation Guide