When it comes to family getaways during the long, lazy weeks of summer, or even into the Fall, we like to planedu-cations. In addition to travel itself being a learning adventure, Family Travel Forum's "Complete Idiot's Guide to the Best Family Destinations" features 10 vacation ideas that are guaranteed to teach kids something new -- and in a very fun way.
1. Baseball Hall of Fame, New York Nothing’s in the same league as this showcase for the memorabilia of baseball’s greats. Cooperstown -- a pretty Victorian-era village in upstate New York -- is a magnet for Little Leaguers, opera fans, museum goers and anyone who likes country charm.
2. Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Wyoming Cody, Wyoming is a small town with enough natural and man-made attractions to suit its namesake, William Frederick Cody. The “Wild West Show” legend left behind a large museum devoted to the arts of the West, a rodeo, and a hotel where gunfights are re-enacted on summer evenings.
3. High Desert Museum, Oregon Claiming to have more sunshine than the rest of Oregon, the hip Cascade Mountain town of Bend has become home to outdoor adventurers, sportsmen, and eco-loving families. The prize High Desert Museum complex contains a replica mining camp filled with costumed interpreters and much more living history displays.
4. International Folk Art Museum, New Mexico Home to the world’s largest collection of folk art, Santa Fe’s remarkable collection of 135,000 artifacts originates from more than 100 countries on six continents. Families who find most art museums inaccessible, dull or overwhelming will be delighted. The city's fine arts, cultural and foodie scene make Santa Fe irresistible.
5. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Nova Scotia The sea defines Halifax, Canada and most visitors arrive by cruise ship. A walkable, picturesque port topped by a working Citadel, it has a fine museum that celebrates its long history with the Atlantic, and whale watching cruises that depart regularly.
6. Mystic Seaport: Museum of America and the Sea, Connecticut Founded in 1654, this seafaring town was once the shipbuilding capital of New England. There’s a 19-acre Seaport complex that is the largest maritime museum in the US and, nearby, the Mystic Aquarium, Essex steam train and a riverboat ride.
7. National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma Located in Oklahoma City, this serious collection of fine Western art includes galleries devoted to The American Cowboy, The American Rodeo, Native American Art and The Western Performers. Grandparents will relish the drive to see the unique Gene Autry Museum and the Chisholm Trail Museum.
8. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Ohio The remarkable Freedom Center was built on the banks of the Ohio River because escaped slaves swam the river from Kentucky to Ohio for their freedom. Cincinnati has many other attractions including the Newport Aquarium, beloved Cincinnati Zoo, and the Kings Island amusement park.
9. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio The crowd, the beat, and the soaring I.M Pei design of the Temple of Rock make visitors tap their feet while cruising the dozens of galleries, movie theaters, and interactive listening stations. Dance out the front door and take a boat tour of Lake Erie, or make the kids’ hair stand on end at the Great Lakes Science Center.
10. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Center, Saskatchewan The RCMP Center in Regina explores the role of the red-clad Royal Canadian Mounted Police while allowing visitors to see their training facilities, take photos with highly trained horses, and watch a show of the Mounties' intricate cavalry drills.
We hope you've learned something from our roundup, and wherever you're off to, safe there, safe home,
Fran & Kyle [deals@familytravelforum.com]
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