Must see destinations

We enjoyed Mystic Connecticut and a seacaptains home/museum in Searsport Maine on a tour of the east coast many years ago, but things have probably changed since then. The east coast has a lot of historic and scenic places to visit. Best to research and plan ahead for what to see.

Here's Part 1 of a PBS documentary about Maine's fishing and ship building history, Part 2 is also here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZKtBMd2KrA

1000 to 1500 miles opens up a lot of traveling. Mid Michigan is less than 800 miles.
The Henry Ford would be on my list.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes
Mackinac Island and the straits.
There are so many great places to visit in MI, OH, IN, IL and WI that it's hard to pick one that is better than another.

Niagara Falls, Canadian side.
Washington D.C., Monuments & Museums (Stay at Cherry Hill Park)
Coastal Maine (can recommend Libby's Campground in York)

At your kids age they will not be interested in the History tours I don't think. I agree with the poster that suggested Florida Panhandle beaches.
Fort Pickens Campground
Just a short walk across the road from beach. Great place to ride bikes.

Also as a side visit Blue Angels practice days This is free and the museum is awesome.

Don't know how long you have but Blackwater River State Park is just north of Pensacola and is great fun.

The Florida panhandle beaches, some of the best in the nation

Ricketts Glenn State Park in PA.
Hershey, PA
Lancaster County,PA
Old town Philadelphia - Liberty Bell, Independence Hall etc.
Washington D.C.
And the USMC Museum at Quantico, VA

Assateague State Park Or Chincoteague Island. D.C. and Gettysburg are must see places. Colonial Williamsburg is on our agenda this summer.

Barb Hawkins

Your member profile suggests your kiddos are between 5 and 9 years old, but I suspect perhaps that's rather outdated info.

The St Louis City Museum is, in my opinion, a fabulous unique place for children and the young at heart. They call it a museum, but it's as much an enormous jungle gym and playground and general place to explore as it is a museum. (Located, unsurprisingly, in St Louis, MO.)

The Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village is superb and extensive.

"Must see" really depends on what kinds of sorts you're interested in.

Boston area, for the history ,In The fall do the Entire Acadia area, White mountain area of New Hampshire, Vermont & Northern NY.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park, TN
Red River Gorge National Geologic Area, KY
Cumberland Falls State Park, KY
Mammoth Caves National Park, KY