You can find family-friendly cities all over, some more so than others. We've chosen five whose ambience and attractions will keep kids as well as parents happy on summer vacation.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

With its superb museums, great memorials and federal buildings, Washington can produce a lifetime of memories for both parents and children.

At the National Air and Space Museum, families can gawk at historic craft like the Wright Flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and the Apollo 11 Command Module. Many exhibits are interactive — great for kids.

The National Museum of Natural History's new Behring Mammals Hall showcases 274 stuffed specimens, dinosaur fossils and the 45-carat Hope Diamond. And at the National Museum of America History, the First Ladies inaugural gowns remain popular with all ages.

Reopening July 1 after years of restoration, the National Portrait Gallery is sure to capture kids' attention with a new gallery of performing artists that includes Snoop Dog.

Aside from exploring the Smithsonian museums, visitors can see a rare baby panda at the National Zoo, watch $100 bills being printed at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, take in the new Children's Theater at the Kennedy Center, go to the top of the Washington Monument, or check out spy hardware at the Spy Museum.

To make getting around easier, Washington has launched a new bus service called the D.C. Circulator, which circles around the Mall (rides cost $1, no on-and-off).

Accommodations in Washington tend to be expensive, but a new summer promotion features digs as low as $99 a night, double occupancy.

Information: Washington, D.C., Convention and Visitors Association, (800) 422-8644 for visitors guide; www.washington.org.

ORLANDO, FLA.

Two things you may not know: What's new at the theme parks this summer, and how you can enjoy an Orlando visit without going to a theme park.

First, the theme parks: Especially for kids is Universal's Islands of Adventure park's new ride, the High-in-the-Sky Seuss-Trolley-Train-Ride, in the Dr. Seuss sector. Even more family friendly, Universal is offering free admission to one child 9 or younger on a multi-park ticket bought online.

Disney World is trumpeting its new $100 million Expedition Everest, a Himalayan-themed roller coaster that barrels through a simulated mountain almost 200 feet high. In May, Sea World will open "Believe," a major marine show that leans heavily on original music, elaborate sets and theatrics. Later in May, kids can enjoy three new rides in Shamu's Happy Harbor.

Beyond the parks, Wonder Works' scientific tricks dumbfound youngsters. Wet 'n' Wild's twisting body flumes use up tons of kid energy. SkyVenture lets kids as young as 3 float in a wind tunnel, and see a real marionette show at Pinocchio's Marionette Theater.

Information: Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, (800) 345-9845, www.occc.net.

CHICAGO

With more parkland than any other city in America and dozens of family-friendly attractions, Chicago is a happy place to visit in summertime.

At the Navy Pier, kids can ride a 15-story Ferris wheel, test their ideas at the Inventing Lab or practice cliff-climbing in the Chicago Children's Museum.

Kids also can let their imaginations soar at the Museum of Science and Industry's Idea Factory, or they can blast off in a simulated space shuttle ride at the Nery Crown Space Center. Sea otters and penguins await visitors at the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium takes visitors to other planets. Perhaps the most awesome exhibit, however, is the Field Museum's Sue, the largest Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur skeleton ever discovered. Coming to the Field May 26 is the King Tut exhibition.

Information: Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, (312) 567-8500, www.choosechicago.com.

SAN FRANCISCO

You wouldn't think that going to prison is a fun thing to do on vacation, but families visiting San Francisco love it. At Alcatraz, they can see cells that held such famous prisoners as gangster Al Capone and Robert Stroud, the Birdman.

San Francisco's famous cable cars are another must. Like the city's hills, the fares are pretty steep ($5), but visitors can save by buying a CityPass ($49; $39 for children) that provides unlimited rides on cable cars and the Muni subway system for seven days and admission to six attractions.

Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap of sorts, but it drew almost 12 million tourists last year. They can watch sea lions disport at Pier 39, visit attractions such as Ripley's Believe It Or Not or tour a World War II submarine.

Elsewhere, visitors can ride the newly restored F Line street cars, ride in a restored 1952 fire engine, or hop aboard a 1906 carousel at the Zeum Carousel. Especially kid-friendly is the Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum.

Information: San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, (888) 782-9673. www.sfvisitor.org or www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com.

SAN ANTONIO

Remember the Alamo? You will in San Antonio, where Davy Crockett and 188 other Texans died in 1836 defending the Alamo mission against Mexican troops. Now in the heart of downtown, the surprisingly small Alamo is the city's most visited spot.

Many places of interest to families lie close to San Antonio's famed Riverwalk, which is an attraction in itself. It's a 2 1/2-mile-long waterway 20 feet below street level bordered on both sides with European-style cafes, hotels and shops.

San Antonio's Sea World (sister of the one in Orlando) is the largest marine life park in the world, with more than 25 shows the Lost Lagoon water park, and two major coasters. Six Flags Fiesta Texas features seven roller coasters and 30-plus kids' rides.

At the Children's Museum, a child can pretend to be a supermarket shopper, airplane pilot or a construction worker. Another popular spot is the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, filled with thousands of animal horns.

Families can stretch their vacation dollars by using the San Antonio Vacation Experience program providing discounts to 47 hotels and 15 attractions.

Information: San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, (800) 252-6607, www.sanantoniovisit.com.