Where to Travel this Summer

After a long, cool spring across United States, it’s refreshing to watch as cars make their way down the freeway with kayaks, bikes and other active family vacation gear in tow. As the summer travel season is in full swing, many people are considering where to go. Of course, the perfect family getaway might be a place that includes attractions to captivate the interest of children and adults alike. No matter where you are at with planning your next family trip, here are a few kid-friendly locations for you to consider.

• Mount Rushmore: South Dakota George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Theodore Roosevelt. Abraham Lincoln. These past presidents of the United States will be forever remembered for their place in time during a 150 year span of American history. This larger-than-life destination can be fun and educational for the whole family. Learning about each of the presidents can be a fascinating history lesson for children, because of the mountain’s sheer magnitude and size.
• Cayman Islands Nothing spells family fun like a vacation on the beach and a chance to interact with tropical sea life. If your family plans to visit the Cayman Islands, you’ll want to make sure you take the opportunity to swim with tropical fish and sea turtles. There are also powerboat tours, opportunities to kayak on the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, wave pools, skate parks, and more.¹
• Grand Canyon: Arizona Talk about a grand experience! One visit to the Grand Canyon and your family will be hooked. Visitors can view the canyon from various viewpoints or they can take a mule-ride into the canyon. Kids 7 and up can ride for an hour, 10- and 11-year-olds for half a day, and 12 and up can take a full-day journey.²
• Statue of Liberty: New York City What’s the one of the most recognizable symbol of American freedom? If the Statue of Liberty came to mind, you’d be correct. Why not take your kids to see Lady Liberty in all of her glory? Back open in summer of 2013 after extensive repairs, this monument has never shown so bright. Families can add to the experience by viewing the statue from a ride on the free Staten Island Ferry.²
• Colonial Williamsburg: Virginia Remain “true to the crown” or undermine the king’s authority? This was the question many New Englanders had to answer if they lived during the Revolutionary War in America. A family visit to Colonial Williamsburg is a living history lesson, with a whole town of shops and activities straight out of the late 1700’s. The people who walk the streets even dress up in period clothing and conduct reenactments of events that happened during that time³.

Whether it’s a flight across the country or a road trip to a nearby state park, it pays to make family memories this summer. Wherever you decide to go, make sure you read more for helpful travel tips about what to pack, airport advice, international travel and more.

¹ http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/us-destinations/7-places-to-take-your-kids-before-they-grow-up/

² http://www.parenting.com/

³ http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/do/revolutionary-city/