Family-Friendly Comedy Spots To Visit On Vacation

Laughter is the best medicine, as the old saying goes. And sometimes everyone can use a dose of the giggles when on a road trip. While comedy clubs in most cities are geared toward adults, there are several great places for some funny business for all ages. We’ve rounded up some of the best clean comedy shows around the country—meaning you can sit back and enjoy a laugh without worrying about what the kids may hear.

Decide who’s the best

You will giggle uncontrollably while visiting San Diego’s longest running comedy show at the National Comedy Theatre. photo credit: National Comedy Theater

The National Comedy Theatre in San Diego and the National Comedy Theatre—Phoenix (in Mesa, Arizona), are highly interactive, improv comedy shows that have been delighting audiences of all ages. At the start of the show, the comedians are split into teams. Then, they compete by performing a series of scenes based on audience suggestions—similar to the popular show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. It’s up to the audience to decide which team wins this friendly competition. And since each crowd leads the adventure, no two shows are ever the same.

Shout out your ideas

JesterZ Improv Comedy, also located in Mesa, features all-ages, improvised comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night. Each spontaneous show can include a cast of actors, comedians or stand-up comics. Since all comedy sketches are made up on the spot here, audience participation is strongly encouraged. Throw out a name, a place, a secret—everything is fair game—and the talented performers will take it for a spin and act out a scene based on your idea.

See a Vegas Show

Enjoy an all-ages comedy show when visiting Las Vegas for a family vacation.

Jeff Civillico, an award-winning, family-friendly Las Vegas headliner, offers you and your kids a mix of physical comedy and action-packed stunts with his popular, clean comedy show. From bowling balls to chainsaws to flaming torches, no object is off-limits when it comes to his mesmerizing juggling act. Don’t be surprised if he calls you to jump on stage and join him—he often looks for helpers throughout the course of his show’s action stunts.

Help create the Comedy

The Dallas Comedy House, in the Deep Ellum entertainment district of Dallas, features an interactive improv show for all ages every Saturday night. Like other improv shows, there are no scripts, so you help create the show. As a result, each night is completely different—but always fun for your entire family. If you want to experience the spotlight and take the mic for a spin, have a parent’s night out and check out one of the club’s open-mic nights.

Evoke laughter through magic

How about a little magic with your clean comedy? Every other Saturday afternoon at the Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant in Houston, magical entertainers Ted Schwank and Carter Blackburn, and their charismatic comedy duo routine, will have you laughing and oohing and aahing with live magic, illusions and comedy. You might see them do card tricks, juggle bowling pins, conjure up bunnies and birds out of thin air, balance chairs and tables on their chins—and maybe even levitate some brave volunteers from the audience. Abracadabra, indeed!

Ready to travel? Find hotels in San Diego, Mesa, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston.