Family vacations offer the perfect time to get back to basics and spend some quality time with your kids and partner.
While vacations allow you to indulge in some much-needed rest and relaxation, they can also be a great educational tool. Rather than letting your child’s educational endeavors lapse during spring or summer vacation, consider embarking on a quest toward higher knowledge and understanding of the world around you. This guide to some of the best educational vacation destinations for families will help you choose a getaway that’s both fun and informative.
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Philadelphia, PA
It stands to reason that the birthplace of our nation would also be one of the best educational vacation destinations for families. Influential sites and historic monuments line the streets in the city of brotherly love, many of which are free and open to the public. In Philadelphia’s historic district you can view the Liberty Bell, stroll down Elfreth’s Alley, or stand in the footsteps of our forefathers at Independence Hall and Congress Hall. The city serves as a testament to the intelligence and tenacity of colonial Americans, and it hosts many museums dedicated in their honor. The Museum of the American Revolution and the African American Museum in Philadelphia are must-sees. The Benjamin Franklin Museum is also a noteworthy stop, as it supports many interactive exhibits that invite kids to get in on the fun. You can even experience the city as the founding fathers once did by embarking on a horse-drawn carriage tour.
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Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. is the perfect vacation destination for children with an insatiable curiosity and love of learning. Our nation’s capital also plays home to an endless array of intriguing and immersive museums. Many museums are completely free and open to the public, and they encompass a wide range of exhibits in various studies. You’ll find entrancing artifacts abound at each museum in the Smithsonian Institute. At the Archives of American Art, you can browse the works of renowned artists, or you can sneak a peek at iconic figures in film and television at the National Museum of American History. Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of Darth Vader’s mask or Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Your family can also stop by the National Zoo to learn more about zoology and wildlife preservation.
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St. Augustine, FL
It may surprise you, but St. Augustine Florida is indeed one of the best educational vacation destinations for families. St. Augustine was founded in 1565, and it’s the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States. Memorials and landmarks from the city’s founding still populate the town and are highly popular tourist locations. The most notable site is the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest and largest masonry fort in the United States. The fort now serves as an open-air museum and regularly hosts historic weapons demonstrations and historical reenactments. After you complete your tour of other historical sites, including the believed location of Ponce de Leon’s fountain of youth, your family can sail over to Fort Matanzas to further explore the history of the sunshine state.
