Everyone likes a vacation. Sometimes, however, the time spent away from school can turn a child�۪s mind off to learning. Fortunately there are some great vacation spots across the eastern United States that provide not only a welcome getaway, but also an opportunity for a child to learn a bit about our nation and culture. An exciting, unfamiliar location is the perfect place to expand knowledge as well as entertain and spend time with the family.
Boston
There are over forty museums in the Greater Boston area. What is really fun and great exercise is walking the Freedom Trail through the city. Following the red-brick line will lead patrons to many of the city�۪s most interesting historic sites including the Boston Massacre site, the Paul Revere House and the USS Constitution, or Old Ironsides, a ship known for its service in the War of 1812. Also on the Freedom Trail is the Bunker Hill Monument ��� 294 steps to the top. Make sure to buy a bag of honey roasted nuts from a street vendor. They are delicious.
New York
The largest city in the country is also one of the richest with information. The Museum of the City of New York is a walk through the history of America�۪s biggest urban center. Patrons will learn about the city and its five boroughs as well as how the art and style within has progressed. Take a ferry to the New York Harbor. While there, admire our 1886 gift from France, the Statue of Liberty. Then visit Ellis Island and stand where many of our ancestors stood when first arriving in the United States. Visit Ground Zero to teach kids about 9/11 in a powerful way. There are even scavenger hunt tours in which families are given clues and have to work together to locate landmarks and capture them in a photograph. In the evening, catch a Broadway show that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
- Broadway
- Museum of the City of New York
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Ellis Island
- Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation
- Ellis Island, National Park Service
- Ground Zero
- Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts
Orlando
Orlando is a fantastic place to visit for introducing children to other cultures of the world due to Epcot�۪s World Showcase. And what kid isn�۪t curious about what�۪s in the large sphere? Back in the early 90s there were dinosaurs! It�۪s also really fun for kids because of all the Disney theme park rides. There is, of course, the Magic Kingdom as well as the Animal Kingdom Park in Orlando. There, patrons can go on a safari and visit prehistory in Dino Land. It�۪s also worth checking out SeaWorld especially to teach kids about undersea life and water conservation.
Washington DC
Washington DC, the capital of the United States, is a great place for kids to learn about government. Some key places to visit include the Capitol Building where Congress meets, the National Archives which hold government records including the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and the White House where the President lives. Washington DC is home to many memorials including the Vietnam Veteran�۪s Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Memorials honoring the presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln can be visited as well. Washington DC is also the home to Arlington National Cemetery where over 240,000 soldiers are buried. While in Arlington, stop by and pay respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider where three unidentified soldiers, each from a different war, were laid to rest. Also be sure to spend some time at the Smithsonian!
- Buildings, Monuments and Museums in Washington, D.C.
- Washington DC
- Washington Monument
- The Tourist�۪s Guide to Washington, D.C.
- Washington, D.C. Memorials and Landmarks
Philadelphia
It is not really always sunny in Philadelphia, but in 1682 William Penn plotted what would become a bright future. Philadelphia, known as the ���Birthplace of America� is a great place to visit for kids to learn about the history of the country. One point of interest is the Liberty Bell which was rung in 1776 to announce the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. The bell now serves as a symbol for freedom and was used frequently by abolitionists. Also in Philadelphia is Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where the Articles of Confederation was revised into the U.S. Constitution that is still used today. Finally, the National Constitution Center is a museum dedicated to U.S. history and should not be missed by any citizen lucky enough to be in its neighborhood.
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