Even More Kid-Friendly Vacation Destinations with Meaningby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 23 Jan 2008 10:45 PM All this week I have been focusing on the upcoming spring break vacation season (after all, Easter is just two months away). Typically, it's a time when parents take advantage of their children's break from classes and head off on a family adventure. But instead of making a beeline to mingle with oversized mice in California or Florida, perhaps this year you could consider taking a trip that offers more educational value. As I mentioned in my previous blogs, vacations are great opportunities to learn about new cultures and take part in hands-on history lessons, especially if you choose the right destination. With that said here are a few more educational destinations you might consider spending some time at with your children this spring: TENNESSEE How many of you know that the motel where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed was turned into a museum that now chronicles the struggles of African-Americans from slavery to Rosa Parks' mark on history and beyond? The National Civil Rights Museum located in Memphis, Tennessee offers a host of hands on activities for children and easy to decipher exhibits that serve as discussion pieces for families of all ethnic backgrounds. Two other worthwhile destinations where children can learn more about African American history include Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Alabama's Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. HAWAII The USS Arizona Memorial, located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is just one of several war monuments in the Aloha State. Sunk by a surprise attack on December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona remains six feet below the water as a lasting remembrance to World War II veterans. For more information on additional educational destinations in 50th state check out the following articles: Pearl Harbor: An Unforgettable Trip Visiting Pearl Harbor's Newest Attraction Hawaii's "Not So Famous" Military Memorials National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl ARIZONA For a lesson in history and science plan a trip to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It's a place where your kids can see what wind, water, and erosion can do to the earth's surface. At 5,000 feet deep and an average of 10 miles across, it's the most magnificent natural wonder in the country, and perhaps the world. And you don't want to miss the park's latest addition. TEXAS The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas features the stories of courage in the face of overwhelming forces and serves as an inspiration to children of all ages. It's one thing to read about this popular site in a book and a completely different experience to visit it in person. I'm just sorry it took me 30 years to get there. Regardless, it was a trip I won't soon forget. The entire attraction is filled with hands on exhibits, artifacts and posted factoids in both English and Spanish. Other Educational Vacation Destinations: More Kid-Friendly Vacation Destinations with Meaning Kid-Friendly Vacation Destinations with Meaning More Educational Vacation Destinations Educational Vacation Destinations Atlanta-Where To Go Outside Of The City Visiting Pearl Harbor's Newest Attraction Pearl Harbor: An Unforgettable Trip Hawaii's "Not So Famous" Military Memorials National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags arizona, educational destinations, family vacation, hawaii, Texas Discuss this article
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