Vacations are MAGICAL! From memories made to new foods, I think we can all agree that vacations are important for our families. While we all likely have a list of places we’d like to visit that require our passport, sometimes traveling within the US is the only option we have. We live in an amazing country and there are so many amazing places to travel, with kids, right here in the United States! Here are the destinations we feel are the BEST!
Nashville, TN
Calling ALL country music fans….ok, so we ALL know that Nashville is the HOME of country music, did you, also, know that there is amazing history to see in and around the city?
The Hermitage
Andrew Jackson, our 7th president, bought this massive property (1,000+ acres) to raise cotton and ended up living here for 41 years until his death. The property was, then, handed down to his son.
The property was a working plantation until bad money managing caused the property to be sold off in chunks. It opened to the public in 1889.
Occupying 1,120 acres, it is one of the oldest and largest historic site museums in the United States.
General Jackson Showboat
You can’t be in the south without experiencing a riverboat! On General Jackson’s Showboat you can experience the riverboat on the beautiful Cumberland River. There are both daytime cruises and evening cruises. They include a meal and a show. The entertainers perform music ranging from Dolly Parton to Elvis Presley with special holiday shows during the holiday months. The Showboat is 100% family friendly and a true southern Nashville experience!
Ryman Auditorium
If you’re a music fan, of any genre, you surely know about the Ryman Auditorium! This world famous concert venue has showcased some of the greatest Rock & Roll artists, Blues performers and country music artists that have ever lived. The Ryman also served as the home for the Grand Ole Opry in the 50’s and 60’s. It is not just a venue, it’s considered hallowed ground for music and is self titled the “mother church”.
During the day you can purchase a tour of the Ryman Auditorium and at night see a show!
Belmont Mansion
The largest home built in Tennessee, prior to the Civil War, is still standing in Nashville TN. The Belmont Home is a beautiful estate that is packed with history and is the heart of the Belmont University campus.
You can tour this home and learn about the rich history of the free and enslaved, hear their stories.
Keystone, South Dakota
The home of Mt Rushmore, Keystone, will have you singing the National Anthem in your heart, if not actually out loud.
Mt Rushmore
A National Park, Mt Rushmore is filled with beautiful vistas, hikes, streams to fjord, as well as the famous mountain of presidents itself. You could spend a couple days exploring this beautiful destination.
In Keystone, you will discover a little (adorable) mountain town packed with history and local shops and restaurants.
Custer State Park
Just down the road from Mt Rushmore, is Custer State Park. A South Dakota state park that is a must see to truly appreciate.
71,000 acres located in the Black Hills of South Dakota your heart will run free in Custer State Park. Our personal favorite is the drive where you can see baby buffalo alongside mom and dad buffalo grazing in the grass. Don’t be surprised if they stand in the middle of the road and stare at you. They think you’re funny looking too.
Badlands National Park
Another park? Well, when in Rome, right? Just a short drive from Keystone is the home of the Badlands National Park. The Badlands are a beautiful park filled with vistas, prairie dog cities and prairie homesteads to explore.
As described by the NPCA (National Park Conservation Association) the,
“Badlands National Park is a vast wilderness of jagged buttes, spires and pinnacles, mixed-grass prairies, and the world’s richest trove of fossils from the Oligocene epoch, estimated at 23 to 35 million years old.”
You can choose your own adventure here. Take as long as you want, all day..or whip through in a few hours. One thing is for sure, you will find yourself dreaming of a simpler time.
You can learn more about the conservation efforts with the Badlands by visiting NPCA.
Crazy Horse
Approximately 26 miles southwest of Keystone is a piece of Lakota history that has been “in construction” for 75+ years.
The Crazy Horse memorial began as a monument to preserve the history and memory of Native American history and continues to this day.
In June 3, 1948 the first blast on the Mountain occurred and five survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn attended. The memorial site has grown as work has continued. Now with a museum, restaurant, shop selling Native American wares and storytellers walking around you can spend a few hours learning about the history of Native Americans.
Want to learn more about the Crazy Horse Mountain? Check out their website.
The Grand Canyon
Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.
Teddy Roosevelt
While the Grand Canyon is likely a destination you’ve heard of, if you haven’t seen it for yourself (or your kids haven’t), then, it’s time.
Whitewater rafting, rim hiking, trail hiking, mule riding there are MANY ways to truly experience the wonder and beauty that is the Grand Canyon. Or you can go my way, and just stand and stare.
There are multiple ways to visit. A South Rim & a North Rim give you two separate destinations to choose from OR you can visit them both!
There is lodging at both rim’s however they do book up far in advance. So be sure and allow plenty of time in planning and let your Magical Memory Planner know you want to stay as close to the canyon as you are able.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Self proclaimed “largest outdoor educational living museum in the country”, Colonial Williamsburg is an interactive, educational and just plain FUN destination to travel with your family.
Open year round, Colonial Williamsburg offers varying programs in addition to the permanent sights and experiences.
It’s a great big world out there and we just highlighted a FEW of our favorite places to visit with kids within the United States! Interested in an island destination without having to leave the country? Check out what we say about bringing your kids to the tropical island of Key West!
This will be my final piece for Magical Memory Planners. I have enjoyed, so very much, writing for you. Thank you.
