Dining out with kids can be… an experience. We’ve had some doozies over the years, with slow service + starving children, tantrums, massive spills, and picky eaters. But let’s face it, some restaurants just handle kids better than others. And from your child’s perspective, most “typical” restaurants are pretty boring.
So, without further ado, we present, our most kid-friendly restaurants in America! These are our tried-and-true, most entertaining places to dine with a family. From little ones through teenagers, start planning your travel bucket list to hit these unique locations.
The Airplane Restaurant, Colorado Springs, CO
Ever eat inside an airplane, on the ground? The Airplane Restaurant in Colorado Springs, CO, is your plane-obsessed child’s dream come true. You eat inside a Boeing KC-97, which is one of the largest piston aircrafts built by Boeing. These planes first flew in 1944, so your meal comes with a large side of history.
1665 N. Newport Rd., Colorado Springs, CO; 719-570-7656, theairplanerestaurant.com
Schooner’s Last Local Beach Club, Panama City Beach, FL
Schooner’s will forever have a place in our hearts. Nestled in the most beautiful sands of Panama City Beach, you can take in stunning ocean views while you dine. The restaurant is quite literally, right on the beach, which means your child can tear it up in the sand, building castles, and dipping toes in the warm, turquoise blue ocean water.
5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida, 850-235-3555,
https://schooners.com
The Milkshake Factory, Pittsburgh, PA
The Milkshake Factory in Pittsburgh, PA, is kid-heaven. Thousands of handmade chocolates and candies welcome you as you enter this whimsical place, and there is a menu of incredible hand-spun milkshakes that are out of this world. From Bananas Foster, to S’Mores, to Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, to Peanut Butter Brownie, and more, and anything you can dream of. Including dairy-free options… and chocolate covered bacon. What more could anyone ask for?
Tower at PNC Plaza, 314 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, (412) 315-7115
1705 E Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA, (412) 488-1808
https://www.themilkshakefactory.com
Serendipity 3, New York, NY
Any place that offers the World’s Most Expensive Sundae, has to be a pretty special place to eat. And while you don’t have to eat a Serendipity 3‘s famous $1,000 gold-leaf-encrusted sundae, there are plenty of incredible choices that will make your child’s heart go pitter-pat. Serendipity 3 is located in the heart of NYC and is absolutely worth a stop for a frozen hot chocolate, decadently massive sundae, or lunch from their extensive menu.
225 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022, (212) 838-3531,
https://serendipity3.com
Slappy Cakes, Portland, OR
Make. Your. Own. Pancakes. Need we say more? Slappy Cakes in Portland, OR is basically pancakes meets The Melting Pot – a.k.a. you have a griddle on your table, choose from endless flavors of pancake batter and toppings, and make your own cakes right at the table. Can you imagine anything more fun? Each season, they introduce new flavors to try, so you experience will be different each time you go.
4246 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR, (503) 477-4805,
https://www.slappycakes.com/portland
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, Branson, MO
You have never experienced anything quite like Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Branson, MO. This dinner theater venue is incredible. Packing the house every night, and with a phenomenal show focused on what makes America such an amazing country, your family will have a blast.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how delicious the food is at the Stampede. There are multiple fun, fruity, kid-friendly drink blends available, served in the signature boot cups. The show features live animals, stunts, and songs, that will have you in awe.
1525 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, (877) 782-6733,
https://dpstampede.com/branson
Casa Bonita, Denver, CO
Thirty-foot waterfall. Cliff divers. Stage shows. Musicians. All-you-can-eat Mexican food. What could possibly be more incredible? There is no place on earth quite like Casa Bonita. The restaurant itself is massive, with over 52,000 square feet, and seating for up to 1,000 people. The famous Casa Bonita waterfall is 30-feet high and cliff divers dive into a 14-foot deep pool. Each day, there is a packed schedule of shows, with diving, gunfights, pirates, and more. There is no child in America that could leave Casa Bonita disappointed – it is just an incredible experience all around.
6715 West Colfax Avenue | Lakewood, CO, 303-232-5115,
https://casabonitadenver.com/
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No matter which of these restaurants you choose, we guarantee you and your child will have an absolute blast. We’re curious to hear if you have any other restaurants to add to this list.
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