Best Educational Trip for Kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We try to do at least one “educational” trip each year... in addition to fun trips. We do some fun things to... but the educational component is the main goal. For instance, Williamsburg is perfect. History of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown- plus a fun day at Bush Gardens.

Anyone have another great idea- any age?

Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia - all have great museums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some great Children's Museums--

Houston
Baltimore
Chicago (and Chicago has a lot of educational and fun stuff and feels just enough different from DC to feel cool!)
San Fran (the Exploratorium)

My kids have also enjoyed factory tours like Utz, Jelly Belly..

Most overlooked educational activities might be the Presidential Libraries so far my favorite is the Reagan Library. I think my kids would vote for the Jimmy Carter one.

A more local gem is Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton (also plenty of caverns and such on the way to/from)

The George W Bush library in Dallas is very cool. They have a full blown situation room where you can walk through a crisis and make decisions.

[Anonymous]

Four corners/south west. We went this summer - awesome cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, where they tell you the people skedaddled for the Rio Grande valley - where they still live! so then you go visit some contemporary pueblos, like Taos. Also great natural areas and hiking, good inexpensive food, too. Hot springs in southern colorado at Pagosa - awesome. Mountain biking in moab. We spent 2 weeks in that area and could have stayed a lot longer.

[Anonymous]

NP here - Love this post - thank you!

[Anonymous]

if you are able to go abroad at some point, LONDON. Our kids read so many books about england's history, so many amazing stories that seem too fantastic to be true.

England in general, but we focused on London and the outskirts for a week and they loved it all!!!! Westminster Abbey was their fave.
ages 9 and 6 at the time

[Anonymous]

London and Rome. Educational and fun. When they're older, Galapagos.

[Anonymous]

Africa is very educational. It's where mankind all started. Your kid can learn about the great kingdoms from back in the day, the colonization by Europeans, and slavery. The continent has an incredible rich history.

[Anonymous]

Yellowstone - You get to see the nature of America up close plus you learn about volcanoes and thermal activity.

[Anonymous]

Op -how old are your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yellowstone - You get to see the nature of America up close plus you learn about volcanoes and thermal activity.

+1 Yellowstone/Grand Tetons was a real educational winner for us. Kid was 9. Perfect age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some great Children's Museums--

Houston
Baltimore
Chicago (and Chicago has a lot of educational and fun stuff and feels just enough different from DC to feel cool!)
San Fran (the Exploratorium)

My kids have also enjoyed factory tours like Utz, Jelly Belly..

Most overlooked educational activities might be the Presidential Libraries so far my favorite is the Reagan Library. I think my kids would vote for the Jimmy Carter one.

A more local gem is Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton (also plenty of caverns and such on the way to/from)

The George W Bush library in Dallas is very cool. They have a full blown situation room where you can walk through a crisis and make decisions.

Is there a computerized voice that tells the kids they're doing a heckuva job?

[Anonymous]

London and Rome for sure. Kids were beside themselves in Venice.

[Anonymous]

Second the Four Corners area -- Ancient Pueblan culture is fascinating. Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Anasazi Heritage Center, plus you can take the train from Durango to Silverton, and visit Monument Valley, if you have time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some great Children's Museums--

Houston
Baltimore
Chicago (and Chicago has a lot of educational and fun stuff and feels just enough different from DC to feel cool!)
San Fran (the Exploratorium)

My kids have also enjoyed factory tours like Utz, Jelly Belly..

Most overlooked educational activities might be the Presidential Libraries so far my favorite is the Reagan Library. I think my kids would vote for the Jimmy Carter one.

A more local gem is Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton (also plenty of caverns and such on the way to/from)

The George W Bush library in Dallas is very cool. They have a full blown situation room where you can walk through a crisis and make decisions.

Is there a computerized voice that tells the kids they're doing a heckuva job?

My D.C.-nerdiness makes that situation room sound more fun than it suould be as an adult.
That said, I firmly believe any trip can be educational. Even an AI in the Caribbean can be if you look through fish/sea creature guide after a snorkel.

[Anonymous]

Amish market, Longwood Gardens in PA. Luray Caverns in VA.