Plenty of families enjoy the same vacation at the beach or in the mountains every year. They pack up the kids and the car and for a week or two, head out to the surf and sand, or to the mountains. This is their tradition, and grown kids will look back on the memories with fondness, even if they complain as the memories are being made. Maybe it is time for a change and may be a great time to shake things up. Instead of the traditional trip, try something out of the ordinary. Choose a city no one in the family has visited and plan a trip to see the sights and sounds of a new locale. The trip can have any theme you choose. You may travel to the Northeast and enjoy delicious seafood and swimming in the Atlantic. Or you can head across the country to the Northwest and enjoy coffee, fresh fish, and Seattle modeling. Seattle models itself after some of the most well known cities in the U.S., so there will be plenty to see and do. If none of these suits your fancy, consider another option.
If your family prefers a large city that offers art, music and great cuisine then head to New Orleans, Louisiana. Following hurricane Katrina, there was a major effort to restore the tourist district as quickly as possible, and most believe it has been accomplished. Bourbon Street is hopping every night of the week and whether it is a gourmet meal or simple beignet you crave, you will find it. New Orleans may lack appeal for younger kids, but teens and parents will adore the charm of Cajun culture in one of the most fascinating cities in the country.
Perhaps you have a desire to teach the politics and history of the country. If this is the case, head to the Mid-Atlantic region where you can experience the Colonial, Civil War, and Revolutionary periods all within a few hours drive of one another. The battlefields in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania will give kids a chance to learn of the battle between the north and south, as well as experience fascinating tales of the supernatural. Drive a couple hours south and check out Baltimore’s Ft. McHenry is where the Star Bangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key. You can see our government in action if head south to Washington where you can see our government in action. Following that, it is just a few hours south to Williamsburg, Virginia where you can tour villages created to be just like those during Colonial times. This is a vacation that will be jammed packed with adventure and learning. If you are concerned about boring the kids with too many lessons, schedule a day to visit Busch Garden Williamsburg, or Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. The thrill rides in either park will have them laughing and happy in no time at all.
If these cities are no appealing, there are countless other places on the map. Miami, San Francisco, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, and New York all feature plenty of action and cities you will want to add to your must-see list.