Exploring the World Around You

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the gift of adventure! So load up the car mamas and daddies, and explore the world around you!

We are fortunate enough to live in a very historic area – so where there is history, there is a (or a few) history museum. Just a wee 45 minute drive from home we hit the Colonial Parkway. A beautiful paved drive with historic sites along its path. Each filled with fun for kids of all ages to explore. Historic Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Jamestown Settlement, have all become our go-to day trip destination.

So when the weather is nice we pile up in the car and hit the road. Ideally the boys nap on the way and when we arrive they’re able to run around and interact with history.

   Jamestown Settlement (not the historic site) is filled with hands on activities for the young explorer.

    
It’s one of those places where you can feel secure in allowing your littles to use their imagination and get hands on without fear of them breaking anything. After all, tactile learning is one of the best ways for a child to expand their knowledge of the world around them. Allowing you get to witness the amazement and wonder that glows in their eyes.

   
   
While the historic site is more for an older audience – not going to lie, even mama zones out a bit there – the Settlement with its recreated Fort is the perfect place for kids. Blacksmiths and Tinkers actively work on real projects. They interact with those that come by and are never scripted. So no long spiel to listen to. Exactly what kids want – to ask their questions, and get them answered. Might also be what mommy wants.

Kids can run in and out of homes that once were, and watch a man dressed is historic garb shoot a musket. But I think Bastian’s favorite thing was trying on the armor. If there is a hat to be worn, this boy is wearing it! He even tried to take it with us – sorry kid.

Our boys get to discover something new each time we go. Their sense of wonder never fades! So get out there and explore the world around you!

  5 Historic East Coast Locations

1. George Washington’s Mount Vernon – Alexandria, Virginia
2. Independence National Historical Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3. Plimoth Plantation – Plymouth, Massachusetts
4.  Biltmore Estate – Asheville, North Carolina
5. St. Augustine – St. Augustine, Florida

 5 Historic West Coast Locations

1. Balboa Park – San Diego, California
2. Luther Burbank Home & Garden – Santa Rosa California
3. Carmel Mission Basilica – Carmel, California
4. Bodie State Historic Park – Bodie, California
5. Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge – Tulelake, California

  5 Historic Midwestern Locations

1. Homestead National Monument – Beatrice, Nebraska
2. Grand Portage National Monument – Grand Portage, Minnesota
3. Effigy Mounds – Harpers Ferry, Iowa
4. George Washington Carver National Monument – Diamond, Missouri
5. Jewel Cave – Custer, South Dakota

5 Historic Southwestern Locations

1. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – Monument Valley, Utah
2. Carlsbad Caverns – Carlsbad, New Mexico
3. Grand Canyon – Grand Canyon, Arizona
4. San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, Arizona
5. Zion National Park – Springdale, Utah

These are just a few of the amazing places we have in our own back yard – so hit up the Google, and see what there is around you! Remember the same old boring places to an adult, are places full of wonder to a child! Get out there, explore, and make memories!