15 best U.S. spots for kids | CNN

The <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu" target="_blank" target="_blank">Exploratorium</a> in San Francisco is the United States' top attraction for kids, according to travel site Gogobot's users. In 2013, the hands-on science museum opened in a much larger space at Pier 15 on the waterfront.

Exploratorium, San Francisco —

The Exploratorium in San Francisco is the United States' top attraction for kids, according to travel site Gogobot's users. In 2013, the hands-on science museum opened in a much larger space at Pier 15 on the waterfront.

Gayle Laird/exploratorium

An alpine slide, a climbing wall and skiing and snow tubing help make <a href="http://www.winterparkresort.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Winter Park Resort </a>in Colorado a top kid-friendly spot. It's ranked No. 2 among Gogobot Travelers' Favorites award winners for best kids attractions in the U.S.

Winter Park Resort, Colorado —

An alpine slide, a climbing wall and skiing and snow tubing help make Winter Park Resort in Colorado a top kid-friendly spot. It's ranked No. 2 among Gogobot Travelers' Favorites award winners for best kids attractions in the U.S.

Connor Walberg/Winter Park Resort

St. Louis' imaginative <a href="http://www.citymuseum.org/site/" target="_blank" target="_blank">City Museum </a>includes the spectacular MonstroCity, a sculpture-playground hybrid that incorporates slides, wrought-iron Slinkies and more. The museum lands at No. 3 on the list.

City Museum, St. Louis —

St. Louis' imaginative City Museum includes the spectacular MonstroCity, a sculpture-playground hybrid that incorporates slides, wrought-iron Slinkies and more. The museum lands at No. 3 on the list.

Mike DeFilippo/City Museum

<a href="http://www.dollywood.com/waterpark.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dollywood Splash Country</a> in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, ranks fourth on the list. The park features nearly two dozen water slides and rides.

Dollywood Splash Country, Tennessee —

Dollywood Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, ranks fourth on the list. The park features nearly two dozen water slides and rides.

Steven Bridges/Dollywood Splash Country

The Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas, draws locals and tourists to see the <a href="http://www.batcon.org/index.php/get-involved/visit-a-bat-location/congress-avenue-bridge/subcategory.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">largest urban bat colony</a> in North America. Nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats take up residence underneath the bridge in the spring and summer. Kids love a good, somewhat creepy, air show.

Congress Avenue Bridge bats,Texas —

The Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas, draws locals and tourists to see the largest urban bat colony in North America. Nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats take up residence underneath the bridge in the spring and summer. Kids love a good, somewhat creepy, air show.

JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images

Allison, a rescued green sea turtle who has only one flipper, swims with the aid of a fin attached with neoprene at <a href="http://www.seaturtleinc.org" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sea Turtle Inc.</a> in South Padre Island, Texas. The rescue operation provides lessons in conservation to younger travelers and rates at No. 6 on Gogobot's list.

Sea turtles, South Padre Island, Texas —

Allison, a rescued green sea turtle who has only one flipper, swims with the aid of a fin attached with neoprene at Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island, Texas. The rescue operation provides lessons in conservation to younger travelers and rates at No. 6 on Gogobot's list.

Eric Gay/AP

American Museum of Natural History, New York —

In the American Museum of Natural History's Hall of Ocean Life, a 94-foot fiberglass replica of a blue whale hangs above the marine exhibits. The New York museum, ranked No. 7 among kids' attractions, was founded in 1869.

courtesy American Museum of Natural History

<a href="http://california.legoland.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Legoland</a> in Carlsbad, California, ranks eighth on the list. More than 60 rides, attractions and shows keep kids entertained.

Legoland, California —

Legoland in Carlsbad, California, ranks eighth on the list. More than 60 rides, attractions and shows keep kids entertained.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

<a href="https://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/" target="_blank" target="_blank">The Wizarding World of Harry Potter</a> at Universal Orlando Resort has been a crowd-pleaser since it opened in 2010. The Florida park is No. 9 on the list.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Orlando —

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort has been a crowd-pleaser since it opened in 2010. The Florida park is No. 9 on the list.

Roberto Gonzales/Universal Orlando Resort

Bozeman, Montana's, <a href="http://www.museumoftherockies.org" target="_blank" target="_blank">Museum of the Rockies</a> has a vast collection of dinosaur fossils, including Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

Museum of the Rockies, Montana —

Bozeman, Montana's, Museum of the Rockies has a vast collection of dinosaur fossils, including Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

courtesy Museum of the Rockies

Ocean City Boardwalk, Maryland —

The boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, dates to 1902. Arcades, a roller coaster and a Ferris wheel are among its draws for kids.

Bill Price III

Boston Children's Museum —

Boston Children's Museum was founded in 1913 with exhibits that encourage hands-on learning. The museum is No. 12 of Gogobot's top attractions for kids.

paul specht/boston childrens museum

San Antonio Zoo —

A hungry hippo indeed. A hippopotamus roars for a treat in front of a boy at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas. The zoo is No. 13 on the list.

Olya Soloviova/Barcroft Media /Landov

Twirl Toy Store and Playspace, New Mexico —

Twirl Toy Store and Playspace is located in an adobe building in historical Taos, New Mexico. There are two courtyards outside for energetic shoppers.

courtesy Anais Rumfelt

Pineapple Express train rides are available at the <a href="http://www.dole-plantation.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dole Plantation </a>in Wahiawa, on Oahu.

Dole Plantation, Hawaii —

Pineapple Express train rides are available at the Dole Plantation in Wahiawa, on Oahu.

MyLoupe/UIG/Getty Images

Top U.S. spots for kids

Story highlights

Travel site Gogobot names travelers' picks for best kids' attractions in the U.S.

Top draws include science museums, theme parks and animals

Bats under a Texas bridge come in at No. 5 on the list

CNN —

The best kids’ attractions are fun for adults, too.

“When you spend the whole day at some place like a theme park or zoo, you want everyone in your family to enjoy it – young and old,” said Travis Katz, CEO and co-founder of travel planning site Gogobot.

That’s what the site’s favorite spots for kids have in common, Katz said. The 15 best attractions in the U.S. for kids, announced Tuesday as part of Gogobot’s Travelers’ Favorites awards, were selected based on Gogobot user recommendations and the number of visits from the site’s 3.7 million users.

How young is too young to travel?

And the best in the U.S. for kids? That would be the Exploratorium on Pier 15 in San Francisco.

The interactive learning lab features 600 exhibits.

“The slogan at the entrance says ‘Touch Everything,’ making it more like a giant playground than a museum,” Katz said.

Plus, there’s an evening event for adults only on the first Thursday of each month, with a cash bar and film screenings in addition to the exhibits. See? Fun for everyone.

And the world’s busiest airport is …

What are your favorite tourism attractions for kids?