Which Patriotic Themed Vacation Destination is Best for Your Family?

The summer months are perfect for taking a family vacation. If you love getting away from the hustle and bustle of life, now is the time to start planning your next family getaway. Family vacations are perfect for making memories, laughing, having long meaningful conversations, and taking time to enjoy family activities. There are so many different destinations around the world to choose from. As a travel advisor, I can help you find the best destination for your family. One option I have been asked about recently is patriotic themed vacation destinations. After doing a little research, I discovered the twelve best patriotic vacation destinations almost every family will love.

Which Patriotic Themed Vacation Destination is Best for Your Family?

Freedom Trail in Boston MA

If you have never taken your family to Boston, you don’t know what you are missing. The Freedom Trail is a two-and-a-half-mile red brick trail that winds through the city. Most people begin their walk along this trail in Boston Common. That is stop one out of sixteen.

Your family should stop at all the sites on the trail. But if time is short, I recommend you focus on Granary Burying Ground, Old Corner Bookstore, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, and the USS Constitution.

When you are not walking along the Freedom Trail, you will find yourself doing some of the other family activities in the city. I recommend starting by taking a vintage swan boat ride over in Boston Public Garden. After that, you can go to a Red Sox game at Fenway and head out on the water for a whale-watching adventure.

Oh, and if you are hungry and thirsty, I have you covered. Cheers on Beacon Hill is the actual bar that was featured on the hit television show. It was originally known as the Bull and Finch Pub. Now its name has been changed to honor the television show of the same name.

Washington DC

It doesn’t get more patriotic than Washington DC. There are tons of places to visit in this city and almost all of them are family-friendly. Start in the National Mall area and visit the different Smithsonian museums. From there, tackle the monuments and memorials. Don’t forget the Capitol and White House, as well as the Library of Congress.

Make sure you have your walking shoes on for this trip because you will all be getting your steps in! Before you leave DC, you will want to head over to Arlington National Cemetery. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is something every family should experience together. It is best to arrive early, as it gets crowded.

You should also stop to see the eternal flame at JFK’s grave.

Other family activities you can consider while in DC include spending time with the animals at the National Zoo, splashing around at The Yards Park, and learning how to be a spy at the International Spy Museum.

Route 66

Have you ever taken the time to drive along Route 66? Part of it? All of it?

If you haven’t, now is the time to embrace the special moments you can have with your kids, as you all count the miles. There are plenty of museums and historic towns located along Route 66. I can plan an itinerary that will have you stopping at all your must-see attractions.

A few family favorites include Meramac Caverns, Meow Wolf, Acoma Pueblo, Petrified Forest National Park, and the Grand Canyon.

Oh, and don’t forget to grab a selfie with the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma!

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA

Independence Hall holds quite a bit of history. It is the building where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Liberty Bell can be seen right next door.

Other attractions for this patriotic-themed vacation destination include the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley, Christ Church, and Franklin’s grave at the Christ Church Burial Ground.

You don’t need to do all things patriotic when on vacation in Philadelphia. Other family activities you should consider include visiting the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site and shopping at the Reading Terminal Market. Make sure you have an hour or two to explore the market because it is quite large and crowded.

Of course, you must also stop and get one of the best Philly cheesesteaks. Everyone has their own opinion of which one is the best, so talk to the locals.

The last thing you should make sure is on your list when on vacation in Philadelphia is a visit to Love Park. Family photos are a must under the Love sign.

Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii

Unfortunately, one of the most beautiful parts of the Pacific is where a horrific tragedy occurred. Museums and memorials are now located where hundreds of soldiers lost their lives.

When you take the time to visit Pearl Harbor, it is recommended you spend an entire day there. Two days is even better. It will take that long to explore the visitor center, USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, USS Bowfin, USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Missouri, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

As a travel advisor, I can plan your time in Pearl Harbor according to what you want to do. This will ensure you see the sites you want to see the most without running out of time.

The rest of your time in Oahu can be spent doing other family activities. A few of my family’s favorites include the Dole Plantation, Waimea Valley, Manoa Falls, and the Diamond Head State Monument.

Fort McHenry in Baltimore, MD

Fort McHenry can be found right on the coastline in Baltimore. This is where Francis Scott Key sat in a cell as he wrote the Star-Spangled Banner.

When you arrive at the fort, it is best to stop inside the visitor center to get a map. The tour of the fort is self-guided. However, there are rangers available to answer any questions your family may have.

There are so many other things to do in Baltimore as a family once you have seen the fort. The Maryland Science Center will be intriguing to any kids that love science. Train lovers will prefer the B&O Railroad Museum. And baseball fans will love the Birthplace of Babe Ruth and Museum.

One World Trade Center in New York City, NY

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum is a place everyone can go to remember what happened on that fateful day. Many kids won’t have firsthand knowledge of what happened on September 11th. But at the museum, they can learn about the tragedy through the exhibits.

When you are finished at the museum, you might want to consider taking the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

There are so many other things you can do together as a family while making memories in New York City. You can walk through Central Park, head up to the top of the Empire State Building for the views or go shopping on 5th Avenue. Your kids might even be willing to enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

And Chelsea Market is the place to be when you are hungry. Unless you happen to be craving pastrami and then you need to head to Katz’s Deli.

Grand Canyon in Arizona

I know I already mentioned the Grand Canyon for your Route 66 family adventure. But you can visit this patriotic-themed vacation destination all on its own too. This massive canyon might not be as patriotic as other vacation destinations on this list. It is an iconic area though.

The Trail of Time is an excellent starting point when you decide to hike at the Grand Canyon with your family. This trail is just over a mile long and goes along the canyon rim. If your family wants to hike other trails, I recommend the Canyon Rim Trail or Hermit Road.

And if you don’t want to hike, you can drive along Desert View Drive.

Other fun family activities at the Grand Canyon include mule rides, rafting trips, and a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway.

National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, MO

Not many people realize that this museum and memorial is located in Kansas City, MO. The exhibits inside the museum contain the most comprehensive collection of World War I artifacts.

I recommend taking the time to explore the Wylie Gallery and Liberty Memorial Tower in addition to the Main Gallery and Exhibit Hall.

When you are finished exploring this museum, there is a ton of other stuff you can do during your vacation in Kansas City. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is always a hit with the kids. As is the Money Museum, Sauer Castle, and Legoland Discovery Center.

The Alamo in San Antonio, TX

Okay, so you may be thinking that there is no way your kids will agree to visit The Alamo with you. And you are probably right, because mine haven’t said yes yet either. However, I still wanted to add it to my list of patriotic themed vacation destinations.

If you do happen to get to visit The Alamo, there are a couple things you won’t want to miss. I recommend starting with The Shrine. From there, you can go out to the gardens before heading in to see the diorama.

You can spend lots of your vacation in San Antonio exploring the city. Going underground in the Natural Bridge Caverns is always fun for the kids. And romantic walks are possible on the San Antonio River Walk. Just make sure you attend an authentic Texas rodeo before you head home.

Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, MO

This is the youngest national park in the country. One of the best things to do at this park is take a tram ride up to the top of the arch. Once you have been to the top, you can explore the museum located under the arch.

There are also many self-guided walking tours at this park. So, pack your walking shoes and learn a few things while in St. Louis.

When your family is finished exploring the park, you may all want to head over to the Chain of Rocks Bridge, Bellefontaine Cemetery, or the City Museum.

National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY

You can’t get any more patriotic than when you are celebrating America’s favorite pastime. The National Baseball Hall of Fame is filled with artifacts from baseball’s beginning all the way to present time. The best time to visit is when the current year’s inductees are being inducted.

Once you have all explored the museum, it will be time to walk around town. There are numerous souvenir shops and restaurants. Little kids will love visiting the Farmer’s Museum. Older kids will prefer riding the rails, which is pedaling a rail bike along an abandoned railroad track.

Snacks and other treats can be found at Fly Creek Cider Mill. And when you want to unwind at the end of the day, you can venture over to Ommegang Brewery.

These are the twelve best patriotic themed vacation destinations almost every family will love. I would love to hear which one is going to be your family’s favorite.

So, are you ready to book a family getaway at one of these patriotic themed vacation destinations?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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