Either way, I hope parents will also teach a love of history to their children...and there's no easier place to do that than the Delaware Valley!
It's worth a wait in line to go see what I call the big 3...the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
But just as fascinating and close are the sites where George Washington lived and had slaves...tours are offered daily at 4pm and the house is open 8 am to 9pm.
Equally fascinating is Ben Franklin's house, post office, gravesite, etc. And don't forget Declaration House where Thomas Jefferson wrote the declaration of independence. The National Park Service offers regular tours and admission to most of these is minimal.
My 11-year-old and I are re-visiting many of these this summer when his cousins from Colorado come for a vacation. Jake loves playing tour guide and showing off his knowledge and regional pride.
Valley Forge Historical Park is a short drive away with the Revolutionary War encampments and wonderful tours.
There are just too many options to include them all. Do a Google search on any of them and you'll find all the info you need to plan a visit.
Just 2 weekends ago, my tween and I took a ride to Antietam, Maryland and nearby Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. It was less than 2 hours drive from our home each way and well worth a visit! We watched the film giving us the background on these important Civil War sites. Then we took a guide in our car to get a step-by-step tour of the farm-fields-turned-battlefields.
It's great to see his face light up when he hears what the Pennsylvania brigade did to help the war effort, and to see the many impressive statues marking where the Keystone state lost troops and commanders.
Jake's 5th grade class had just learned about the Civil War so this trip really brought the books and lectures to life!
He also loved seeing Gettysburg 2 years ago with it's phenomenal new Visitors Center.
I recommend making at least one "historical" road trip a year if you can.
Have fun!
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