Nov 11th, 2012 by Joe Hauckes
This is a Guest Post by Ken Myers. If you would like to Guest Post for Baby Boomers US, check out our Guest Post for Us page.
Since the Baby Boomer generation covers almost a twenty year period it?s hard to say where some of us are in our child rearing years. I would wager to say though that most of us have grandchildren by now. Whether you have children still at home or grandchildren that you would like to take on vacations the following is a list of some great family vacation destinations. Many are right here in the good old U.S.A. Other destinations require a bit more travel and expense but if you have the opportunity they are all places that will please the entire family.
- Our Nation?s Capital ? WashingtonD.C. has many kid friendly sites to visit such as the National Mall which is over-flowing with the history of our nation and there are many hands on activities offered for the kids. The Smithsonian museum and the national monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument where you can ride an elevator to climb to the top or climb the 896 steps! They say the Lincoln Memorial is most memorable in the evening when it is lit up.
Older children would enjoy the free guided tour of the U.S. Capitol while the younger children take advantage of the 60-horse vintage carousel out on the green. While you are in the Capital take the kids to the International Spy Museum along with the National Zoo. - The Grand Canyon ? The Grand Canyon is deemed one of the most popular national parks for families as well as one of the most awesome natural wonders in the world. The size of the canyon is enough to impress your kids (over 277 miles long, and up to eighteen miles wide and a mile deep in some parts).Most people visit the South Rim where you can walk or bike along Desert View Drive. You can learn about the history and geology of the canyon via cell phone tours along the trail. They also offer private bus tours or you can access one of the free shuttle buses. These tours stop at various scenic overlooks as well as a stop at the 75 foot high Desert View Watchtower which has breathtaking panoramic views of the canyon.You can also take a short hike into the canyon or for older children, mule rides are offered which take several hours or you can stay overnight at the Phantom Ranch. You can make reservations at the ranch up to 13 months in advance because it fills up quickly. There are also breathtaking helicopter rides which fly you right over the canyon. If you are going to stay more than one day in the area it?s worth the time to go to the western end of the canyon which is 250 miles from the South Rim. There you will find the Skywalk, 4,000 feet above the canyon floor which is made of glass! Or if you have teenagers you can take a trip through the canyon riding the whitewater in a raft. This is a trip they will not soon forget!
- Carlsbad Caverns ? Take a trip through the underground caves and tunnels that travel under the Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico. These caves are quite impressive. The Big Room is the main attraction in this underground national park. The Big Room is a huge 14 acre chamber of limestone which lies 750 feet underground. There is an elevator in the visitor center that goes down to The Big Room or you can also take a walk down the steep one mile path from the entrance which leads you through additional rooms.Before you are through your children should know the meaning of the words ?stalactites? and ?stalagmites?. The Junior Ranger program will make sure they see and learn about these formations. If you visit in the summer season you will not want to leave without seeing approximately half of a million Mexican Free-Tail Bats leaving to caverns at sunset. This is something you don?t have the chance to see often. They even offer a Star Party so that you and the kids can enjoy the vastness of the stars in the beautiful night skies. If your trip brings you to the caverns in the summer remember that even though it may be over 100 degrees outside the average temperature in the cave is only 56 degrees.
- A Disney Theme Park ? This is pretty much of a given, anyone who has children or grandchildren knows this vacation would be a top choice for kids of all ages. There are so many great places to stay and special events to attend that you should do some research and planning before you go to make sure you can fit everything in. Don?t miss out on the night time parade and fireworks as well. The kids will love to see Mickey, Minnie, the princes and princesses and the majestic animals that have starred in all their favorite cartoons. Even adults love the adventure and excitement of a Disney theme park!
- The Boston Freedom Trail ? If your family wants to take a trip into the history of our country this is a great vacation destination. This is a walk along the 2.5 mile Boston Freedom Trail that brings Colonial Revolutionary history alive. You and your kids will enjoy walking through the Old Granary Burial Ground where John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and Robert Treat Paine were buried. As well as the Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, the First Public School, and the Paul Revere House. Over in Charlestown you can see the USS Constitution. You can take a guided tour if you?d like or walk the trail on your own. They also have a trolley tour which stops at selected sites along the way.There are maps available at the visitor?s centers at different locations so that you can start the trail at any point. You can have lunch at the largest food hall in New England, Quincy Market. Admissions to the sites on the trail are free except for the Paul Revere House, the Old State House, and the Old South Meeting House. Private tours are available year around with many guides in costume. April through early September you can get guided tours through the National Park Service.
- Mt. Rushmore ? Here the kids will see the faces of the United States presidents which best represent the first 150 years of American history. The children will not soon forget the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. The overwhelming magnitude of these faces carved into a mountain creating this landmark should wow any young person as well as the adults. This iconic landmark is carved into a mountain of Harney Peak granite.There is a thirty minute guided daytime tour offered along the Presidential Trail where you can learn more about the history of Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and the American Indians. In the evenings in the park?s outdoor amphitheater there is a stirring patriotic program and a Sculptor?s Studio Talk along with an audio tour which is available for a fee.
This doesn?t even begin to name all the wonderful destinations that you can share with your children or grandchildren. Don?t forget about wonderful destinations like Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite, Niagara Falls, the Statue of Liberty, the San Diego Zoo, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and you could even take a riverboat ride on the mighty Mississippi River. This beautiful country of ours is full of gorgeous sights to see that will thrill young and old alike. Any of these destinations would be great fun for the entire family, your kids and their kids as well. Just go out there and have a great time exploring America!
About the Author: Ken Myers as an Expert Advisor on multiple household help issues to many Organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other ?Mom-preneurs? seeking guidance. He is a regular contributor of ?http://www.gonannies.com/?. You can get in touch with him at kmyers.ceo@gmail.com.
Source: http://blog.babyboomersus.net/2012/11/kid-friendly-vacation-destinations-in-the-u-s-a-2/
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