Straddling both sides of the Mississippi River, St. Louis is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Due to the influence of several industries, it’s also a city with great family attractions. Our favorite is Grant’s Farm. The Farm is home to the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses. It’s also a zoo park with everything from peacocks to camel rides. Your kids will enjoy the tram ride through the Deer Park with hundreds of grazing animals on the way to the zoo area. Parents aren’t left out, as the farm is owned by Anheuser-Busch, and offers beer tastings and snacks in The Baurnhof, German for “farmstead.”

We also love to visit Missouri Botanical Garden when we are in the city. The gardens are beautiful throughout the year and are a great place for children to roam and explore nature. We love visiting in early May. That’s when the tulips, irises, and peonies are bursting with color all over the garden. Visiting the garden is a cultural experience for kids, as it sports both a beautiful Japanese Garden and an old-style English kitchen garden and boxwood maze.

There’s a Children’s Garden on where your little ones can play the day away. The Children’s Garden is part play, part science and history. Your kiddos can explore a Midwestern village, climb a tree house, or splash like crazy. It’s a place to delight every sense and open new discoveries for your kiddos. Always check hours for the Children’s Garden, as they vary slightly from the full garden hours.

If you’re in St. Louis, you’ve got to stop at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, also known as The Arch. The curved monument dominates the St. Louis skyline and is a beautiful park for your family to explore. Once in the base of the arch, you’ll be treated to models and descriptions of the building process of the arch itself. Just under a mile from the Arch and at the edge of the park, you can visit the Old Courthouse. A historic site and current museum for expansion artifacts, the Old Courthouse is the location where you purchase your Arch tickets. In July 2018, the renovated Museum at the Gateway Arch will open at the base of the Arch and detail Native American, explorer, and pioneer history.

If you’re up for a family challenge, take a trip up the inside of the arch to the top. The small elevators hold five people at a time and are a bit challenging for anyone with a fear of small spaces. However, they do have a window in the door, and the trip is not as bad as it may sound. I’m definitely not a fan of being in a small space, but have made the trip to the top several times and am still standing! The view from the top is worth the ride, as you’ll see the Mississippi on one side and metro St. Louis on the other. One note: If you have small children and use a stroller, it is not possible to bring the stroller to the top. Make sure you have a baby carrier of some kind for the ride up and to use in the observation deck.

Our last favorite place to visit in St. Louis is the St. Louis Zoo. Like Grant’s Farm, the St. Louis Zoo is a free family activity. The Zoo is a great stop and is well designed for spending a part of your day without being too tiring. Our kiddos love the sea lion exhibit. We’ve even had the sea lions “play” with our kids at the big window before! The Zoo does have a train through the park, and it’s one of the best ways to get a good look at the resident elephants. Keep in mind, the only type of stroller you can take on the train is an umbrella stroller.

For more locations filled with great learning adventures for children, see links below:

• North Carolina & Virginia
• Southeast US
• Washington D.C.

Article Links:
St. Louis – https://explorestlouis.com/
Grant’s Farm – http://www.grantsfarm.com/
Grant’s Farm Attractions and Fee info – http://www.grantsfarm.com/attractions.html
Missouri Botanical Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/
Missouri Botanical Children’s Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/learn-discover/youth-families/just-for-kids/doris-i.-schnuck-childrens-garden.aspx
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial –https://www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm
More about the Arch – https://www.gatewayarch.com/
Old Courthouse and Arch Elevator Trip – https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/index.htm
St. Louis Zoo – https://www.stlzoo.org/

The post Fun Activities In St. Louis That Your Kids Will Really Love appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. The National Archives

The top of our list has to be the National Archives. The rotunda is massive and dim, and there are guards everywhere. It’s a place that gives everyone entering a sense of awe and respect. There, under the bulletproof glass, you’ll find the founding documents of the U.S.A. From left to right you’ll see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The ink is faded, but the words that were scribed upon the old paper stand the test of time.

2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Where else can you go to see some of the original flying machines and touch a piece of the Moon in the same building? Awe, wonder, and delight will be words you use to describe your children’s reactions upon entering the Air and Space Museum. They’ll race from room to room, thrilled to see rockets, planes, and jet engines. Our family’s favorite room was the pioneers of air travel upstairs in the center. There we found planes and profiles from some of the biggest names in flight history, like Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart.

3. National Museum of American History

“O, Say can you see…” What did the poem that became the anthem really mean to Mr. Key when he wrote it? Who made that huge flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the war of 1812? Discover the answers to those questions and much more information in the Star Spangled Banner wing. You’ll be able to view the iconic flag and study the stories surrounding the flag’s journey from battle to museum. If you have kiddos in your crew that love dress up or fashion, make sure you visit the First Ladies section of the American History Museum. With everything from Mary Todd Lincoln’s day gown to Melania Trump’s Inauguration Dress, your fashionista can walk through the styles of history all in one place. Finally, experience the American struggle for independence and enduring freedom through the War Room. You’ll start several hundred years back in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, then meander through relics and displays from the World Wars. To finish, you’ll have a chance to see a Huey up close and learn more about modern warfare.

4. Arlington National Cemetery

As you enter Arlington, there are signs declaring the place America’s Most Hallowed Ground. It’s an incredibly special place and one that should be on everyone’s D.C. “To Do” list. There’s a feeling of awe and gratitude surrounding you as you walk the roads between acres of white headstones. As you approach the Tomb of the Unknowns a sense of honor and dignity pervades the atmosphere. My children all stood in hushed silence during the Changing of the Guard ceremony, as you could feel the care and honor the guards grant these unidentified warriors. While Arlington is not a fun or exciting site, it’s an incredibly valuable stop on your family’s visit to the nation’s capital.

5. The National Mall

With monuments and iconic buildings that span the entire history of the U.S.A., the National Mall is a sight to behold. It’s also a huge amount of territory to cover, as the distance from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial is over two miles. We found that dividing the Mall into three sections worked very well for our family. Our first night in town we walked through the area after dark and we got a fabulous view of the White House lit up at night. We walked to the Washington Monument from there, and we were able to see all the monuments from a distance. Later in the week, we spent most of the day at a museum and then would walk a different direction on the Mall to see different landmarks and monuments. One day we walked west towards the Lincoln Memorial and visited the war memorials along the way. Another day we started with the Air and Space Museum and visited the Capitol on our way back to the Metro and dinner. The Capitol features tours and a visitor’s center, so make sure to check the hours if you’re using this method.

D.C. was a fabulous adventure for our family. We are already planning our next trip, as there is simply too much to do in one trip with small kiddos. Make a plan for your time in the city, make sure you hit the highlights, and don’t sweat it if you can’t get to everything. No one can, and there’s no reason to feel the pressure to “do it all” in just one D.C. visit. By making sure to visit the highlights with kids on their first visits, you’ll inspire your children to enjoy the national history of the U.S.A.

For more locations filled with great learning adventures for children, see links below:

• North Carolina & Virginia
• Southeast US
• St. Louis

Article Links:
The National Archives – https://www.archives.gov/museum/visit/
Smithsonian National Air and Space – https://airandspace.si.edu/
National Museum of American History – http://americanhistory.si.edu/
Arlington National Cemetery – https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier
The Lincoln Memorial – https://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
The National Mall – https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm
The U.S. Capitol – https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
The Washington Monument – https://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm
The White House Visitor Center – https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/white-house-visitor-center.htm

The post 5 Places You Simply Must Take Children In Washington D.C. appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Whether you’re looking for a beach getaway, a mountain hike, or a city adventure, you’ll find it all between the streets of Charlotte and the hills of Arlington. As a North Carolina native, I’ve got three getaways for adventure and delight for your whole family.

1. Asheville, NC

One of our favorite getaways is the Asheville region of the NC Mountains. With easy highway access and hidden treasures, you can’t go wrong in the area. The top of the list of adventures is always going to be a day at the Biltmore Estate. Its old-world charm and delightful gardens are a sight to behold for every generation.

To enjoy a lovely day, your family can visit Biltmore Village at the gates of the Estate and check out the world’s nicest McDonald’s. If you’re looking for more of Asheville’s nature-loving flavor, take a stroll through downtown Asheville and have lunch at either Tupelo Honey or the Early Girl Eatery.

For more mountain fun and challenges, head south a bit from Asheville, and pick your seasonal adventure. In the spring, take a nice long hike up the mountain and stand on top of Chimney Rock. For a fun summer adventure, visit DuPont State Forest and go for a swim at Hooker Falls (yes, that really is the name!), one of several falls along the Little River. In the fall, the area is filled with apples and you can enjoy the Hendersonville Apple Festival or a day in the orchards at Stepp Orchard. Hendersonville also has designer bears all over downtown from spring to October as part of a charity event. Take a morning for a “bear hunt” and stop in at Kilwin’s Chocolates when you’re done!

2. Atlantic Coastline

For an incredible maritime adventure, you’ll be thrilled to find a plethora of experiences along the Atlantic. Colonial Williamsburg tops the list for historic learning, and your kiddos can round out their history lesson with a day at the neighboring Busch Gardens.

Continue your adventure by visiting Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Norfolk is the Atlantic hub of the U.S. Navy and the largest naval station in the world. You can tour the base and then you can check out Nauticus National Maritime Center and tour the Battleship Wisconsin. Virginia Beach is the home of an aquarium, a military aviation museum, and a boardwalk along the shore with a huge statue of King Neptune.

Further down the coast and over the border into North Carolina, the adventure continues with the wild lands of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to the world-famous Corolla Wild Horses, reptiles of all sorts, and many mammals like deer and squirrels. There are no roads into the Refuge, so you’ll have to pack for the day and truly go off the beaten path to see the wonders of this natural coastline.

3. Charlotte, NC

Known as the Queen City, Charlotte is filled with southern charm and opportunities for families to play together. On the north side of town, you’ll find Lazy 5 Ranch, where your family can take a hayride and feed everything from giraffes to ostriches.

Trekking through downtown, or Uptown as the locals call it, is a fun adventure for every family. Start your day at the literary steps of ImaginOn, Charlotte’s children’s library and theater, have lunch next door at the Seventh Street Public Market, and then spend your afternoon playing and learning at Discovery Place.

On the south side of town, you and your crew can get outdoors and visit a 19th Century Living History Farm at Kings Mountain and take an easy hike around the mountain. If you’d like a little more of a challenge, head next door and hike to the top of Crowder’s Mountain, the highest point in the NC Piedmont.

For more locations filled with great learning adventures for children, see links below:

• Southeast US
• St. Louis
• Washington D.C.

Article Links:
Asheville – https://www.exploreasheville.com/
Biltmore Estate – http://www.biltmore.com/
Biltmore Village – http://www.historicbiltmorevillage.com/
Downtown Asheville – https://www.exploreasheville.com/iconic-asheville/downtown/
Tupelo Honey – https://tupelohoneycafe.com/
Early Girl Eatery – https://earlygirleatery.com/
Chimney Rock Park – https://www.chimneyrockpark.com/
DuPont State Forest – http://www.dupontforest.com/explore/hooker-falls/
Hendersonville Apple Festival – http://www.ncapplefestival.org/
Stepp Orchard – https://www.facebook.com/SteppsHillcrestOrchard/
Hendersonville Downtown – http://downtownhendersonville.org/
Kilwin’s Chocolates – https://www.kilwins.com/stores/kilwins-hendersonville
Colonial Williamsburg – https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/
Busch Gardens – https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/
Norfolk Naval Station – https://www.visitnorfolk.com/things-to-do/tours/tour-norfolk-naval-base/
Nauticus Maritime Center – https://nauticus.org/
Battleship Wisconsin – https://nauticus.org/battleship-wisconsin/
Virginia Beach – https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/Pages/default.aspx
Military Aviation Museum – http://militaryaviationmuseum.org/
Virginia Beach Boardwalk – https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/explore/attractions/boardwalk/
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge – https://www.fws.gov/refuge/currituck/
Corolla Wild Horses – https://www.outerbanks.com/corolla-wild-horses.html
Charlotte – https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/
Lazy 5 Ranch – https://lazy5ranch.com/
ImaginOn – https://www.imaginon.org/
Seventh Street Market – http://www.7thstreetpublicmarket.com/
Discovery Place – https://www.discoveryplace.org/
King’s Mountain – https://www.nps.gov/kimo/index.htm
Crowder’s Mountain – https://www.ncparks.gov/crowders-mountain-state-park

The post Fun Learning Adventures Your Kids Will Love In North Carolina & Virginia appeared first on Modern Trekker.

You see, being on vacation is almost always a child’s favorite time of the year. School is out and it’s time for freedom! But just because school is out, the learning and growing don’t have to stop for your kiddos.

The Southeast US isn’t just one long beach with a mouse-themed park in the middle. There are day trips in the Southeast teeming with learning adventures and discoveries just for your family. We’ve found three affordable family adventure vacations in the Southeast to set your family on a journey to fun, discovery, and deep, hands-on learning.

1. Space Coast, USA

On Florida’s east coast lies the one place in the USA where all manned space flights have lifted off. Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch rockets all through the year, and it’s an earth-shattering experience to watch a rocket blast off into space.

Check the websites of both organizations for their rocket schedule before visiting to plan around a launch window. This has to be one of the best vacation spots in the Southeast for your kiddos!

The Kennedy Space Center also has a phenomenal visitor’s complex where your family can get up close and personal with the Atlantis Space Shuttle and investigate more about the USA’s space program.

Also in the area are a freshwater manatee park and a peaceful state park at the ocean’s edge for your family to enjoy after your visit to the Space Walk Hall of Fame.

2. Sarasota Bay

Directly across the state is a little piece of family vacation heaven. A personal favorite and a unique family vacation idea, Anna Maria Island tops the chain of barrier islands from Tampa Bay south into Siesta Key and Venice.

This calm, resort like area of Florida’s Gulf Coast is rich with opportunities to uncover everything from history to botany and ocean science.

Walk where the conquistadors came ashore 500 years ago at De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton in the morning. Then, in the afternoon you can walk among trees from all over the world in one of the nation’s only frost-free zones at Palma Sola Botanical Park.

Heading south from Anna Maria takes your family towards St. Armand’s Circle and the Mote Marine Laboratory. Start your day at the Mote where you’ll enjoy the aquarium and rescue programs, or you’ll board a research boat for a trip out on Sarasota Bay and one of the small uninhabited islands.

With all your exploring, make sure you stop to enjoy a fabulous Cuban and Spanish lunch at the open-air Colombia Restaurant in St. Armand’s!

After all the fun, you’ll feel even better reflecting on how much an affordable family adventure vacation the whole experience was.

3. Atlanta, GA

In the center of the thriving metropolis that is Georgia’s largest city live four of the world’s largest sharks. You’ll find these whale sharks gracefully lumbering through their tank along with gliding Manta Rays and other ocean wonders. As the premier residents of the Georgia Aquarium, they are simply the tip of the iceberg for rich experiences in and around Atlanta.

With older children, you’ll be able to take them deep into the civil rights history of the USA with a visit to Martin Luther King’s home and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. They can also enter the story of race relations and tour a 1930s home at the Atlanta History Center.

Take a step further back in time with the Fernbank Natural History Museum and hang out with some of the largest dinosaurs to walk the earth.

You can get outdoors as well and visit the highest waterfall in Georgia. At over 700 feet high, the cascading waterfall and trails take your family close to the nature and history of the state.

Top off your travels by going to one of the best mountain vacation spots in the Southeast by standing on top of Stone Mountain and getting a full view of the Atlanta skyline.

How do you like our choices for the best family vacation spots in Southeast US? Would you suggest any more? What do you think are the best family vacation ideas on a budget around the Southeast? Feel free to comment below!

Alternatively, click here for the best family vacation spots in North Carolina & Virginia, St. Louis, and Washington D.C.

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