Best Arts & Culture Spots for Kids in America
From children's theater companies to interactive art galleries, these cultural gems make arts accessible and exciting for kids. Each includes age recommendations and tips on getting the most out of your visit.
- 1
Jackson Hole Playhouse
Jackson Hole, WY · ★ 4.8 (553 reviews)
6 and up
Jackson Hole Playhouse offers Western dinner theater with BBQ and comedy for families. Great for kids 6+. Booking tips, costs, and what to expect.
- 2
Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · ★ 4.8 (1,200 reviews)
All ages depending on production; Wee Ones shows for ages 2-4
Children's Theatre of Charlotte: professional children's theater with Wee Ones shows, musicals, and plays. Tickets, tips, and what to expect for families.
- 3
Virginia Musical Museum
Williamsburg, VA · ★ 4.8 (132 reviews)
Best for ages 6+ with interest in music history
Virginia Musical Museum in Williamsburg showcases vintage musical instruments and music history. Great for music-loving families.
- 4
Charlotte Symphony Family Concerts
Charlotte, NC · ★ 4.8 (1,400 reviews)
Rush Hour Concerts (ages 3-5), Family Series (ages 5+)
Charlotte Symphony family concerts: Rush Hour shows for toddlers, Family Series for ages 5+, and what to expect at Belk Theater. Tips for first-time families.
- 5
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Montreal, Canada · ★ 4.7 (32,000 reviews)
Best for ages 4 and up (younger kids welcome but may not appreciate the architecture)
Visit Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal with kids. Stunning architecture, the AURA light show, family ticket prices, and tips for making this historic church exciting for children of all ages.
- 6
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Charlotte, NC · ★ 4.7 (950 reviews)
Best for ages 8 and up
The Harvey B. Gantt Center in Uptown Charlotte: African-American art and culture in a world-class venue. Family guide with age tips and what to expect.
- 7
City Museum
St. Louis, MO · ★ 4.7 (22,401 reviews)
5–17 (little kids need supervision on climbing structures)
St. Louis's wildest attraction: 10-story caves, rooftop Ferris wheel & massive slides built from salvaged materials. Best for ages 5+. $14–$18/person.
- 8
Asheville Community Theatre — Youth Programs
Asheville, NC · ★ 4.7 (780 reviews)
Best for ages 5 and up
Asheville Community Theatre: family productions, children's shows, and youth theater programs. What to know before attending with kids.
- 9
River Arts District Studios
Asheville, NC · ★ 4.7 (2,300 reviews)
Best for ages 6 and up
Asheville's River Arts District: 200+ working artists, glassblowers, potters, and painters kids can watch in action. Free to explore with great family restaurants.
- 10
Riverbanks Botanical Garden
Hilton Head, SC · ★ 4.7 (4,346 reviews)
Best for all ages
Beautiful botanical garden in Columbia, SC connected to Riverbanks Zoo. 4,000+ reviews. Spring blooms spectacular. Part of full Columbia day trip from HHI.
- 11
Elizabethan Gardens
Outer Banks, NC · ★ 4.6 (1,997 reviews)
Best for ages 2 and up
10-acre formal garden on Roanoke Island in Manteo. Beautiful for families year-round. Connected to the Lost Colony historical site. Kids under 5 often free.
- 12
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Montreal, Canada · ★ 4.6 (14,000 reviews)
Best for all ages
Visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts with kids. Free Saturday morning family programs, free admission for ages 25 and under, five pavilions of world-class art. Complete family guide.
- 13
San José del Cabo Art Walk
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico · ★ 4.6 (1,800 reviews)
All ages
The Thursday evening Art Walk in San José del Cabo is free, kid-friendly, and magical. Street food, live music, galleries, and everything families need to know.
- 14
Camp North End
Charlotte, NC · ★ 4.6 (2,200 reviews)
All ages
Camp North End in Charlotte: adaptive reuse arts district with murals, food, markets, and events. Family guide for exploring Charlotte's creative hub.
- 15
Moab Museum
Moab, UT · ★ 4.6
6–17
Explore Moab's geology, dinosaur fossils, and human history at the Moab Museum downtown. An affordable, air-conditioned family activity perfect for curious kids and rainy days.
- 16
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles, CA · ★ 4.6 (20,532 reviews)
Best for ages 6+
One of America's largest art museums in LA's Miracle Mile. Kids under 17 free for LA County residents. Closed Wednesdays. Open Sat-Sun 10AM.
- 17
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Toronto, Canada · ★ 4.6 (18,000 reviews)
Best for ages 3 and up (Hands-On Centre is great for younger kids)
Plan your family visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Free admission for Ontario kids under 25, hands-on art centre, family programs, and tips for visiting the AGO with children.
- 18
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Philadelphia, PA · ★ 4.6 (5,536 reviews)
Best for ages 5 and up
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a one-of-a-kind mosaic art environment on South Street. Good for ages 5+. Admission ~$10-12 adults, $5 kids.
- 19
Gardiner Museum
Toronto, Canada · ★ 4.5 (2,800 reviews)
Best for ages 3 and up (clay workshops especially popular for 4-12)
Visit the Gardiner Museum in Toronto with kids — free for under 18, Sunday clay workshops, ceramics from around the world, and a perfect pairing with the ROM across the street.
- 20
Place Jacques-Cartier
Montreal, Canada · ★ 4.5 (15,000 reviews)
Best for all ages
Visit Place Jacques-Cartier in Old Montreal with kids. Free cobblestone square with street performers, portrait artists, and family-friendly terraces. Your guide to Old Montreal's liveliest spot.
