Travel insights and tips on some of the top attractions and best cities in the world

On September 11, 2001, most of America stopped in its tracks. The shocking events that took place on that tragic day pulled Americans—and much of the rest of the world—away from their busy lives to feel waves of complex emotion. Many years later, the day brings the country together in a reflective moment of silence. September 11 is a day that should never, and will never, be forgotten.

Open year round, the Toronto Zoo holds itself to a high standard of care for its residents. With over 5,000 animals and seven geographic regions representing 460 species, the Toronto Zoo has made it its mission to provide memorable experiences that educate, inspire, and promote conservation efforts and wildlife protection for years to come.

Seattle was practically made for families. At once historic and innovative, educational and fun, hard-working and playful, Seattle embodies a robust balance that most parents would love to see reflected in their children and themselves. And good news: parents who take advantage of the exciting cultural experiences that Seattle has to offer with open, curious minds encourage young learners to be precocious observers and participants, too.

Too often, children get depicted as chicken-nugget-fueled, plastic-loving, unrefined maniacs. In reality, though, kids are eager learners looking to explore and make sense of the world in their own way. Being that NYC is abundantly rich in history, culture, and panache, it seems like a no-brainer kind of place to help kids along on their journey. Yet some still wonder whether the Big Apple is kid-friendly.

At Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP, previously the EMP Museum), visitors can celebrate pop culture and its rock 'n' roll roots and delve into the sensational films, television shows, and music that made Trekkies immortal and Jimi Hendrix a legend.

Think the Windy City is just for grownups? Think again. The wide selection of kid-friendly museums, restaurants, shops, shows and gardens makes Chicago an exciting city to visit with little ones. The best things to do are centrally located and require little or no transportation—a huge plus for families. And the icing on the cake? These kid-friendly attractions are enjoyable for adults, too.