Summer is here!
Warm weather, pool parties, barbecues and more.
Even better?
Planning that much-needed summer vacation.
You can impart a sense of belonging and patriotism in your teen all while having a blast on a family vacation!
We’re sharing 5 patriotic sites you can visit with your teen this summer, and we’ve included some travel tips from staff members who’ve been there as a bonus!
1. Mount Rushmore
Simply pull into the parking lot of this American monument, and you and your teen will feel instantly patriotic.
On a recent visit, one staff member counted 23 different state license plates! And it’s not surprising. This special place is nothing short of a wonder.
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore features the chiseled faces of four U.S. Presidents – George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln – all carved into the side of a mountain.
This fun vacation destination includes a gift shop, headphones for an audio tour that makes everything come alive, a museum with exciting artifacts and historical information, and an ice cream shop like no other. The ice cream is extra delicious, and the vanilla is made using Thomas Jefferson’s recipe!
The scenic and easy-to-walk trail takes you around the mountain and down to the workshop where Sculptor John Borglum did his planning and work.
If you’re within driving distance, this would be a great road trip or RV stop and would also be worth a flight.
Staff Tip: For added fun, check out the 1880 Train, Rush Mountain Adventure Park, and The Purple Pie Place!
2. Colonial Williamsburg
You could spend several days at Colonial Williamsburg and not get bored!
Take your teen back in time at this fun and educational place full of living history. You’ll see people in period costumes walking the streets and working the shops – really working them! Visit a blacksmith, a doctor, and the town merchant.
Plus, don’t miss seeing the court in session and a live dispute in the streets! Your teen will learn more here than in a full year of history at school. Plus, they’ll make amazing memories with you and develop a love for their country as they witness the hard work early colonists did to get us where we are today as a country.
This living museum is one of a kind. Your teen will love this adventure, and you’ll be amazed at how much they will remember when they return from this patriotic site.
Staff Tip: Round out your trip with some family fun at nearby Busch Gardens and Great Wolf Lodge!
3. Independence Hall
If you want to get patriotic, a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the place to be!
Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. You’ll feel like time has stood still as you walk into the building and see the original furniture still in place. You and your teen will even see Benjamin Franklin’s glasses still sitting on his desk!
What is so special about this destination is how the park rangers at this patriotic site have knowledge far beyond any textbook.
Then, just steps away is the site of the Liberty Bell! Be sure to stop by to take a few selfies and then take a stroll through the Liberty Bell Center, as well.
Within walking distance, you’ll also find the Benjamin Franklin Museum, Betsy Ross House, Benjamin Franklin’s gravesite, and the building where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
There are too many patriotic sites here to name, so you’ll just have to go yourself! It is a must-see for every patriot.
Staff Tip: Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the area to see even more historical sites and learn things you never knew! Then, grab a Philly Cheesesteak from the cart on the grounds and have dinner at the historical City Tavern.
4. Boston Freedom Trail
This is a patriotic destination for all ages. Parents, teens and younger siblings will all enjoy the 16 nationally significant historic sites along this 2.5-mile walking trail through Boston, Massachusetts.
On the Boston Freedom Trail, you’ll see the Paul Revere House, Boston Commons, and Old North Church (from the movie National Treasure!), among many others. This red brick road will lead you and your family past museums, churches, cemeteries, and meeting halls, all with historical lessons to learn along the way.
As you walk in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers, you’ll end up at Boston Harbor, where you can visit the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.
Boston is home to some of America’s oldest buildings, and many colony leaders spoke and made decisions in this city. Boston is also where the famous “shot heard round the world” was fired, beginning our war for independence.
In this birthplace of the American Revolution, your family will come away with a new appreciation of how our country was founded, and you will instill patriotism and a love of country in your family for years to come.
Staff Tip Be sure to take time out to enjoy Boston’s great food! Seafood can be found all around, and the best Italian is found on the North End.
5. Pearl Harbor
Need an excuse to go to Hawaii?
How about instilling patriotism in your teen?
Located on the island of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is a place of great reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Teens have likely already learned about how the attack on our nation led to U.S. involvement in World War II. But this experience will make it more real to them than ever before.
After a short boat ride to the site, visitors are able to feel and see the honor and patriotism present at this sacred monument. Then, look below into the clear, blue water at the USS Arizona. You might even come across a veteran or two spending time there.
Staff Tip: This is a great time to teach teens about honor. The monument’s calm and quiet atmosphere fosters respect and appreciation for our military, past and present.
We hope you consider taking your teen to visit one or more of these 5 patriotic sites this summer. You can make memories, instill patriotism in your teens, and have fun doing it!
