Must See places for kids

Some way, some how, some day.... the Grand Canyon. Have to see it to believe it, pictures aren't even close. Even after all the hype about it, WOW!

We made 46 states while the kids were growing up, priceless!

We ended up adding in a trip to DC this summer. :)
Even though the kids will go on field trips in 8th grade, we decided to go as a family now as well.

I actually left the option open to the kids. We had 5 days to burn up this summer, 2 for driving and 3 for a location. I gave them the option of Gettysburg and Hershey Park or DC. It was a quick decision and unanimous to go to DC. We'll check that off of our list.

BTW I am horrible about taking pictures, but take pictures, my older two 25 & 26, say they don't remember much about early trips to either NP or amusement parks until they see pictures showing them there. Then they start to have the pieces come back together. :B

Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National park, Denver zoo, OK City zoo. Make sure and check in at the first NP you visit they have a "passport" book you buy about the size of a real passport and it has a page for every park. I would get each kid one so they can get them stamped everytime they visit some where new.
We have lots to do and see here in the west , and usually takes one of you from outside asking for us to remember what we have and what WE haven't seen yet.

When I write responses to those with kids, I always try to put their interests first. And I disagree with the poster who said they won't remember the NP's but will remember an amusement park. I can honestly say my fondest and grandest memories are of the great tent camping trips we took to the NP's when we were growing up. We even took a trip to Banff and Jasper when I was 13 . . . probably about the 1500 mile limit you have imposed. I don't remember the long drive, but sure remember the mountains and glaciers and wildlife from that trip.

First, another vote for the NP's of Utah. The scenery is great for the adults, while the sand and rock formations will hold the kids' attention. For instance, Devil's Garden CG in Arches NP is a place where you can park for several days, never move the vehicle, and the kids will be in seventh heaven the whole time. Amazing rocks to climb on, sand dunes, and wildlife. There are several arches in easy walking distance from the CG. Kids love to climb on arches.

Another great CG for kids is either Watchman or South CG in Zion. The Virgin "River" is a gently flowing stream that goes right by the CG. Over the years, many kids have built many little wading pools with rocks. The shuttle bus system means going into the park or into town means riding the bus. Plenty of cool hikes, including the Zion Narrows if it's not during spring runoff. How much more interesting can it get for a kid than to wade up a stream in a canyon 25' wide and 1000'+ deep. I can still remember my first trip in there when I was 12.

I'm surprised there's been little mention of Colorado. Hiking into the ruins of Mesa Verde and imagining what it must have been like to live there will spark the interest of most kids. One place I highly recommend is the Arkansas River Valley including Leadville, Buena Vista, and Salida. Amazingly big mountains dominate the skyline, but there's so much to do. Many ghost towns and old mines to poke around in (don't miss St. Elmo). Some of the best river rafting in the country with something for all skill levels and ages. Mountain biking, fishing, hiking, jeeping, the list goes on and on. There's some nice restaurants in Salida, a nice park downtown, and wading or floating in tubes on the river through town. Our nieces are Colorado natives and we have been taking them to the Ark. River Valley since they were 6 & 9 and it's still one of their very favorite places in the state. We generally take them there for several days in summer and again in winter.

As was also noted above, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is an old mining line that goes right into the heart of some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery this country has to offer. This isn't some short little loop. It's an all day adventure to an old mining town where some of the streets are still dirt and most of the sidewalks are still made of wood. I first went when I was 7 or 8 and have been a number of times since (and we're not big on "tourist attractions").

We are big fans of Lake Rudolph Campground in Santa Claus Indiana. Next door to the campground is Holiday World Amusement Park. Shuttles run all day from the campground to the park. The campground is always jam packed and has activities going on there all day. If big noisy crowds, golf carts zipping around, and kids running around everywhere is a turn off to you, steer clear of this place. To us though, it's all part of the family fun.

You can skip Florida for now. When your kids are college age they'll go to Florida by themselves and they'd just as soon Mom and Dad weren't along.
Out west is a completely different landscape than they're used to, so that would make a good visit, even if you have to do it in a couple of trips. Roughly 3,000 to 4,000 miles round trip to Yellowstone. I recommend short visits to more places out west. Again, they'll go back when they're older.
For what its worth, I remember bits and pieces of Yellowstone and the Black Hills when I tent camped with my folks when I was 7 or 8 years old, 60 years ago. And yes, I've been back several times on my own as an adult. If you "infect" them with the travel bug, they'll do the same thing.

Forts: Close to Niagara Falls is Fort Niagara (US) and Fort George (CAN). They are within cannon shot of each other but there is the border. Speaking of the border, Canada is within your range - Algonquin Park, Toronto, or Ottawa. Montreal is like RVing in France.

And Disney World and beaches. Plenty of beaches.

Also, if your kid has a cheap digital camera start looking at the photos they take. I was amazed what interests them most on our travels. We include that in our planning.

jh

PS My kid did DC in 8th grade too. We did it as a family before and will be back. A lot to see and sometimes a parent can draw attention to something family related (name on the Vietnam memorial, etc.)

One not on the list: National Radio Astronomical Observatory in Green Bank, WV.

Great list, we've been to most of them but I got some good ideas for next summer. Thanks for posting...