Here are a few great family vacation ideas.
Kids and teachers all around the country have been counting the days, and now it’s finally time.
Summer vacation is here!
However, just because school is out doesn’t mean that learning needs to stop.
Kids, before you start rolling your eyes — we’re not suggesting that you go to summer school or do anything else that might be even remotely “boring.”
Besides, as I’ve shared in my bio, I believe that effective teaching happens outside of the classroom as much as it does in the regular classroom setting.
With that in mind, here are 9 family vacation ideas that combine learning and fun to make for an all-around unforgettable vacation.
Keep reading for some fun family vacation ideas!
9 Family Vacation Ideas That Are Fun and Educational
1. Learn About U.S. Government and History in Washington D.C.
For the best educational family vacations, nothing beats Washington D.C.!
The Smithsonian Museums alone could take three weeks, even if you visited a different museum every day. The museums cover many different topics in art, science, and culture, and best of all, they’re free!
A free White House tour is another excellent educational opportunity while you’re in D.C., giving you and your family the chance to learn about U.S. Government and its history. You can apply for the tour up to 3 months in advance, and tour requests must be submitted through your member of Congress.
Besides the White House, there are multiple monuments and memorials throughout the city that will enable you to learn about the country’s wars, historical figures, and other items of note.
No matter what you’re interested in, one thing is certain: you won’t get bored while you’re in D.C.
2. Take in the Sights in New York City, NY
Similar to D.C., New York City is another place that is absolutely brimming and bustling with culture and activity on every street corner.
New York is home to the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s largest art museums, and admission is free for children under the age of 12. The American Museum of Natural History is another fun, fascinating museum in New York.
The Statue of Liberty is a must-see while your family is in New York. If you’re trying to go inside the statue (you should!), you’ll want to book reservations in advance.
Don’t forget about visiting the Empire State Building for stunning views of the city. Although sobering, the 9/11 Memorial Plaza and Museum are also worth a visit.
3. “Travel the World” in Orlando, FL
When you think of Orlando, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Walt Disney World. Many families plan entire vacations around this resort, and with good reason — there’s so much to do in Disney!
There are actually 4 different theme parks within the Walt Disney World Resorts: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and the Animal Kingdom. With its focus on science, technology, and the arts, EPCOT is a fun and educational experience for all ages. EPCOT park is perhaps most famous for its “World Showcase,” where 11 different pavilions are themed to different countries, allowing you and your family to “travel the world” in an afternoon.
Even though Disney World is fantastic, there are also so many other fun educational things to do in and around the Orlando area! WonderWorks is an upside-down, “edutainment” complex with over 100 interactive exhibits. Legoland is another family favorite, as well as Crayola Experience.
Kennedy Space Center is only about an hour away from Orlando, in Cape Canaveral. It’s definitely worth the day trip, especially if you and your family are interested in space (and who isn’t?). The space center is organized into “Mission Zones” that are grouped by chronological era, allowing visitors to learn about historical NASA space exploration up until present-day space missions.
Florida is proof that educational family vacation ideas don’t have to be boring!
4. Soak Up Some Jazz and Voodoo History in New Orleans, LA
New Orleans may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of family-friendly fun, but this city actually has so much more to offer than Mardi Gras debauchery. Just steer clear of Bourbon Street late at night if you want to avoid the drunken shenanigans.
Once you get off Bourbon Street, this is actually a city that is brimming with history, art, and culture. With dozens of festivals going on year-round, there is always an opportunity to celebrate and learn something new.
You’ll want to dedicate a whole morning to the New Orleans Museum of Art — it’s free to stroll through their beautiful sculpture garden. The art inside the museum is an excellently blended collection that celebrates New Orleans’s roots and history.
If your family is interested in art or antiques, you’ll also want to stroll down Royal Street and peek in the dozens of free galleries along the street. You’ll probably even catch some live street performances along the way.
Speaking of music, no trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to a jazz museum. There are multiple jazz museums in the city, but Treme’s Petit Jazz Museum absolutely can’t be missed. The museum itself is just one room, but the curator is brimming with knowledge and history.
There are many other fun, popular, educational tours in New Orleans. Ghost tours are a fun, spooky way to find out about some of the darker legends of the city. Food tours are a delicious way to quite literally taste the culinary culture of the city.
5. Learn Even More Music History in Memphis, TN
Memphis is perhaps best known for Graceland, The Home of Elvis, and you better believe that you will see multiple Elvis impersonators during your stay in this soul-filled city.
If you’re not an Elvis fan, don’t worry — many other interesting museums will give you a chance to learn about the history of rock, soul, and blues music in the United States. The Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music are three of the most popular attractions.
For delicious food and good music, be sure to stop by the historical BB King’s Blues Club on Beale Street for dinner one night during your stay.
On a more sobering note, the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (the site where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed) is a difficult place to visit. It is, however, an important part of our country’s history. The museum exhibits are tasteful and educational, but be prepared to tear up while visiting here.
6. Take a Road Trip to a National Park
We couldn’t pick just one national park, but we knew that our list of educational vacations wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the glorious National Park Service of America.
Spending time in the national parks is a great way to get your family out in nature. Even get in some physical education time through hiking or kayaking. An active and fun family vacation idea for any budget!
Although it would be amazing, it would probably be a little too ambitious to try to make a road trip to every national park in the U.S. — there are 61 of them!
If you can’t make it to all of them, you can always find a park near you and make a road trip out of it. National parks make great day trips, but many of them also allow camping if you’d prefer to stay for a day or two.
Be sure to check out the national park fee-free days!
7. Stop by the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA
Did you know that the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the world’s largest aquarium? They even give you free admission on your birthday!
The aquarium includes a 100-foot-long tunnel that surrounds you on 3 sides with water and marine life swimming all around you. Several touch pools in the aquarium allow you to interact with rays, sea urchins, and bonnethead sharks.
Across the street is the Centennial Olympic Park, a great place to relax and people-watch once you’re done in the aquarium. The park is home to the Fountain of Rings, the world’s largest interactive water show. One of the more engaging and fun family vacation ideas for all!
8. Visit the Space Needle and Museums in Seattle, WA
One of the top tourist attractions in Seattle, the Space Needle, was part of the World’s Fair that took place in Seattle in 1962. The fair’s theme was “Century 21,” and the structure’s futuristic design was intended to represent that theme. Visiting the Space Needle is a great chance to learn about engineering, architecture, and the city’s history.
Although it is the most iconic symbol of Seattle, the Space Needle is definitely not the only thing that this city has to offer! The Museum of Flight is another excellent educational opportunity in Seattle, as is the Pacific Science Center.
The gorgeous 11-floor Seattle Public Library is also worth stopping by, even if it’s just to enjoy the views from the reading room on the 10th floor. The library has a visitor’s center, neon escalators, cool public art, and various events nearly every day.
9. Travel to Another Country
Yes, this tip is a bit vague. The truth is that anytime you travel to a foreign country, the trip just can’t be anything but educational.
Traveling to other countries gives you a chance to learn about other cultures, beliefs, and ways of life.
Are you and your kids studying a foreign language? Consider taking a trip to a country where that language is spoken. Immersing yourself in the country, even if it’s just for a few days, is a great way to improve those language skills!
So, pick a country that interests you and fits your family’s budget. Then get ready to learn and have fun.
Time to Start Packing!
Now that you’ve got a few awesome family vacation ideas in your head, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start packing and hit the road!
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