20-Day Family USA East Coast: NYC (3 nights) → New Jersey (2) → Philly → Washington DC (2) → Niagara Falls → Walt Disney (3 parks) → Miami (beach & Everglades) — Vegetarian Family-Friendly
Start with hotel buffet or nearby café offering fresh fruit, oatmeal and eggs; request vegetarian/Indian options (many hotels can provide chana or dosas on request). Check the hotel’s breakfast hours on arrival.
Experience the lights and energy of Times Square and the Rockefeller Centre plaza; Top of the Rock observation deck typically open 10:00am–10:00pm — prebook tickets to avoid queues.
Enjoy dosas, idlis and family-friendly thali plates at a reputable South Indian chain or nearby Indian restaurant; most open lunchtime (check 11:00am onward).
Stroll the southern end of Central Park, visit a playground and the Central Park Zoo (zoo hours often 10:00am–4:30pm/5:00pm) — ideal for recharging after travel.
Ferry from Battery Park visits Liberty Island and Ellis Island; plan 3–4 hours and prebook first ferries to avoid mid-day crowds (ferries typically start around 8:30–9:00am).
Quick, kid-friendly options like New York-style vegetarian pizza slices or thali boxes; many eateries near Battery Park are open through mid-afternoon.
Visit the memorial (open daylight hours) and consider the Observatory (check opening times, often 9:00am–9:00pm); the memorial grounds are outdoors and stroller-friendly.
Perfect for children — dinosaurs, fossils and the planetarium; museum hours often 10:00am–5:30pm, so confirm special show times and book tickets online.
Relaxed afternoon exploring family-friendly shops and Bryant Park; parks and pedestrian areas are open year-round but check for scheduled events that may close sections.
Have an early dinner at an Indian restaurant or family-friendly eatery before a family-friendly Broadway show (evening performances typically start around 7:00–8:00pm). Book theatre tickets in advance.
Liberty State Park offers stunning Manhattan views and ferry access to the Statue of Liberty; Liberty Science Center (usually 10:00am–4:00pm/5:00pm) is an interactive hit with kids—prebook tickets.
Stroll the beautiful campus and visit the Princeton University Art Museum (often 10:00am–5:00pm) — good mix of open lawns and short museum time for kids.
Have early breakfast and take NJ Transit/Amtrak to Philadelphia (about 1–1.5 hours from Newark/Jersey via train) — check train times and book ahead for family seating.
Visit Independence Hall (advance timed tickets recommended) and the Liberty Bell Pavilion; many attractions are open 9:00am–5:00pm, so plan your indoor tours accordingly.
Choose the Franklin Institute for hands-on science exhibits or the Please Touch Museum (best for kids under 7) — check opening times (often 9:00/10:00am–4:00/5:00pm).
Both museums are excellent for kids — check current opening times (often 10:00am) and any timed-entry rules. Exhibits are interactive and free admission.
Free admission and great for children — check zoo hours (often 8:00am–4:00pm/5:00pm seasonally) and plan to see giant pandas or other highlights if available.
Early transfer to DCA/IAD for a flight to Buffalo — aim to arrive morning in Buffalo to maximise time at the Falls; check airline baggage and family seating policies.
Drive or shuttle (~30–45 minutes) to Niagara Falls area and check into your hotel; if crossing to the Canadian side allow time for border formalities and check opening hours for crossings.
Choose a family restaurant with vegetarian options or an Indian spot; many tourist-area eateries serve veggie burgers, pasta and simple curries midday.
Book a table at a restaurant with a Falls view if possible; many places offer vegetarian entrées and the evening illumination of the Falls is a must-see (lights on after dusk).
Classic boat ride to the base of the Horseshoe Falls — boats typically operate from about 9:00am through late afternoon in the season; rain ponchos provided but expect to get wet.
Choose the close-up walkways (seasonal — usually late spring to early autumn) or the Canadian behind-the-falls tunnels; confirm daily operating hours before arrival.
Enjoy a calmer indoor attraction like the Discovery Centre or visit the Butterfly Conservatory (check seasonal opening times) for a relaxed afternoon with kids.
Check into your Disney-area hotel to pick up park tickets and relax; Disney resort hotels often have family-friendly dining and pools — check front desk hours for late arrivals.
Free entertainment, shops and many vegetarian-friendly restaurants; Disney Springs hours vary but commonly run 10:00am–11:00pm — a great low-key first evening.
Choose a restaurant with clear vegetarian dishes (bowls, pasta, plant-based burgers) and family seating; many venues accept reservations or mobile ordering.
Breakfast at your hotel then head to Magic Kingdom; park opening times vary seasonally (commonly 8:00–9:00am) so arrive early for popular rides and parades.
Enjoy classic family rides, character meet-and-greets and the parade; book Genie+ or Lightning Lane options to reduce waits — plan breaks for the children through the day.
Fuel up and arrive early at EPCOT to enjoy both Future World attractions and the World Showcase; park hours often 9:00am–9:00pm but check for seasonal changes.
Explore interactive attractions in the front and the World Showcase’s international pavilions — excellent vegetarian options are available throughout the park and special festival booths often feature plant-based dishes (check dates/hours).
Have breakfast and arrive early for family favourites and character experiences; check park opening times (commonly 9:00am) and prebook rides via Genie+ where helpful.
Enjoy shows, Toy Story Land and family rides; restaurants offer vegetarian options — book popular character dining or shows early to avoid sold-out slots.
Choose quick-service meals with plant-based options and kid favourites; mobile ordering speeds up service during busy lunchtime windows (11:00am–2:00pm).
After a long day, opt for a calm hotel restaurant or head to Disney Springs for varied vegetarian dining; check kitchen closing times (often 9:00–10:00pm).
Kennedy Space Center (approx 1 hour drive; usually opens 9:00am) is a fantastic educational half-day trip, or enjoy ICON Park nearer to Orlando for a shorter outing.
Check into your Miami hotel and dine locally — many Miami Indian restaurants in Little Haiti or South Beach serve vegetarian options; confirm opening times (often until 10:00–11:00pm).
Spend the morning on South Beach with child-friendly shallow waters and lifeguards; public beaches are open daily but check local advisories for sea conditions.
Choose Vizcaya for garden space and relaxed walking (check hours, often 9:30am–4:30pm) or Wynwood for colourful street art — both are short family visits.
Early breakfast then drive or join a tour to the Everglades (Shark Valley or Everglades City operators); most airboat operators run morning departures and avoid the hottest part of the day.
Airboat tours (30–60 minutes) showcase alligators and birds — operators run hourly; bring sunscreen and water and verify child-age limits with the operator.
Both attractions are family-oriented and generally open mid-morning to late afternoon (commonly 10:00am–5:00pm) — check seasonal hours and showtimes before you go.
Choose a calm dinner spot offering vegetarian mains and early seating for the kids; confirm closing times (many beach-side cafes close earlier than city restaurants).
Frost Science (usually 10:00am–6:00pm) is excellent for children with interactive exhibits and an aquarium; Vizcaya is quieter with gardens — check opening times online.
Allow ample time for security and family boarding procedures — check your airline’s recommended arrival time (commonly 2 hours for domestic, 3 hours international).