There are a lot of great places in the United States that offer kid-friendly family vacations. So here's just some of my picks for the top four that you might want to think about when planning your next family trip.

Top US Family Vacation Destinations

Each of these family vacations will take a little planning and may cost more than a summer trip to the beach, but if you are looking for the kind of once in a lifetime vacation, then take your pick of any of these ideas. They are worth saving up for and will give your kids memories that they'll still be talking about when they are all grown-up.

A couple of the destinations on the list might surprise you, but I bet you will find them as family friendly as I do. Great cities make for lots of things to do

Well, you probably knew this one was going to be on the list, didn't you? Disney World is sort of the ultimate family vacation. Whether you stay several miles from the theme park or enjoy staying at one of the Disney resorts, this vacation affords you an endless array of activities designed for the entire family.

From Epcot Center to Animal Kingdom; and don't forget Universal Studios and Sea World which are nearby as well. So whether you want to have fun cooling off and splashing around at a water park, like to scream on the rollercoasters and theme park rides, or want to get an up close look at some African wildlife; you'll find plenty of fun things to do at Disney World and the Orlando area.

Many online travel sites offer special packages to Disney World; as well as Southwest Airlines, Delta and others. In addition, you can save quite a bit of money by selecting hotels that offer free stays for kids, as well as free meals for the little ones. This is one destination where you can easily book a trip based on your budget and stick to it.

With so much to do at Walt Disney World, just make sure to pace yourself and fit in some time for just lying around the hotel pool. A trip like this one is lots of fun, but it can get exhausting!

Do your kids like horses and fantasies of the wild, wild west? Ever want to be a cowboy?

From Alaska to Wyoming, there are a multitude of dude ranches perfect for a family vacation. But, one of the most popular and well known is the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Colorado, it is approximately 20 miles from the Rocky Mountain National Park. The ranch is open year round. Here, your family can engage in lots of fun outdoor activities including: horseback riding, hayrides, nature walks, and a host of other activities that are provided by the ranch.

This dude ranch is perfect for families who love the outdoors as well as enjoy visiting such historic sites as Fort Collins, Old West Museums, and Cheyenne (where you can buy tickets to the world’s largest rodeo held from July 17 to the 26th). The Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch lies on more than 200 acres next to the beautiful Big Thompson River, where your family can have some great fun trout fishing!

New York City is a great destination to bring the whole family. There's some just really amazing about your first trip to Manhattan and the “Big Apple” has something for everyone in the family. From Broadway to Rockefeller Center, you will never run out of things to do here.

Among the many sites to visit is Radio City Music Hall where you can take in a show; Madison Square Garden; the Empire State Building; Greenwich Village; 42nd Street, Chinatown, Little Italy and Times Square. There are tons of museums and shopping destinations and New York City has some of the best restaurants, featuring cuisine from all around the world.

Spend a day walking along Fifth Avenue and stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; take a tour of NBC Studios; spend an afternoon in Central Park and visit the zoo there; go to the South Street Seaport or take in a matinee performance on a Wednesday afternoon. Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry and get a close up view of the Statue of Liberty.

Whether you stay uptown or downtown, you will always be in close proximity to the many historic sites and sounds that comprise Manhattan. Moreover, your kids will enjoy all this city has to offer.

If you are looking to give the kids a little learning with their vacation, there are some museums kids are sure not to groan about visiting. Try a visit to the Children's Museum of the Arts on Lafayette Street or take a trip to Brooklyn to visit the fun Transit Museum.

Surprised by this pick? The city that never sleeps offers a wide range of attractions for kids. This is why Las Vegas is among the top family destinations in the US today. Moreover, it is an affordable vacation because the hotel packages and meals will fit any budget. Often flying into Vegas is quite affordable as well.

Among the many attractions offered for families include: M&M's World, the Lion Habitat at MGM, Adventure Canyon, Game Works (a video game-playing wonderland), Sports Park, Circus Circus rides; Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage hotel; Shark Reef; New York, New York’s roller coaster; Madame Tussaud’s; Lake Mead; Children’s Museum (the largest of its kind); and Adventuredome, the largest indoor theme park in the U.S.

Many of these attractions are free and are well worth visiting. Don’t forget the Flamingo Habitat at the Flamingo hotel or the spectacular water fountain show across the way at Caesars Palace. And if you decide to stay in town for a bit and rent a car, you can easily drive to the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas. It is a great central vacation destination!