50 trips all kids should take before graduating from high school

Washington, D.C.

A trip to the nation’s capital brings to life everything teens have been learning about American history and politics since grade school. There’s no shortage of interesting spots here to visit: Capitol Hill; the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean Memorials; the Washington Monument; Arlington National Cemetery; and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. There’s something for everyone in D.C.

New York City

New York City is one of the most bustling metropolises on the planet, and a treasure trove when it comes to educational lessons for kids. They’ll pay homage to victims of 9/11 at One World Trade Center. They’ll visit Ellis Island and learn about the first immigrants who moved to the U.S. in search of a better life. They’ll hop a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, come face-to-face with dinosaur bones at the American Museum of Natural History, learn about finance on Wall Street and trade at the South Street Seaport. And that’s just one day — with so many other destinations to visit in the Big Apple, they won’t have a second to rest. 

Retirement home

Kids needn’t hop on a plane to learn important life lessons and skills outside of their homes. Visiting a local retirement home or community is an excellent way for teens and tweens to learn about compassion and connect with those in need of companionship. Spending time with older people — playing games with them or simply listening to them talk about their lives — is an education in itself.

CPR class and a hospital

A trip to and tour of a local hospital can provide a wealth of information about all of the many job opportunities available in the medical field for kids interested in medicine. It can also serve as the perfect opportunity to give children the gift of a first aid/CPR class — a skill they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. 

Jamestown, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement in Virginia was the first American colony in the new British empire — and it’s packed with activities and exhibitions. A re-created Powhatan Indian village gives kids an opportunity to carve a canoe from a log and grind corn, while a re-created James Fort puts students in the shoes of the early settlers, who battled disease and a contemptuous relationship with the Native Americans. They’ll leave Jamestown with a newfound respect for their country’s origins and its people. 

Space center

Kids are never too young to learn about the vast universe we live in — and a trip to one of many space centers and museums across the country is an excellent way to get them curious about stars, moons, black holes and comets. Major NASA visiting centers include Space Center Houston, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Ames Exploration Center in California and Great Lakes Science Center in Ohio. 

The Alamo

If you’re anywhere close to San Antonio, Texas, a trip to the Alamo should be on your kid’s must-visit list. This World Heritage location was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, during Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico. Today, it has been restored and preserved and houses a museum and artifacts from the Texas Revolution.  

Boston

Few cities in the U.S. are as synonymous with “freedom” as Boston, whose siege in 1775 set the stage for the American Revolutionary War and freedom from British rule. A student tour of Boston often includes visiting the Bunker Hill Monument (which stands on the site of the first major battle of the war), the USS Constitution Museum, Boston Commons and the Freedom Trail.  

Wildlife refuge center

At one of hundreds of wildlife refuge centers across the country, the next generation of planet-saving citizens will learn about animals and birds, endangered species, pollution, and how they can help conserve energy and make the world a better place for humans and animals. To find a refuge by zip code, visit the National Wildlife Refuge System and get a head start planning your next family trip. 

State park

Like wildlife refuges, state parks can be found wherever you may roam (and even in your backyard) and offer excellent opportunities to explore and learn about nature, camp in the wilderness, hike, swim, ski and meditate overlooking a breathtaking landscape. Visit the America’s State Parks website and find a state park in your area.

Disney World

Before your children grow up and lose the ability to experience the magic of Disney World (or does that magic never go away?), try to treat them  — and yourself — to a family trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Magic Kingdom, safari rides, amusement parks and world-class dining experiences — Disney really is in a class by itself, and an experience most children cherish for the rest of their lives. 

Aquarium

Whether you’re within driving distance to New Orleans’ Audubon Aquarium of the Americas or a stone’s throw away from Oregon Coast Aquarium, chances are you have access to some of the world’s most beautiful and mysterious deep-sea creatures. Take advantage of this glorious fact and teach your children about aquatic life so that they never lose sight of the fact that the planet is far more magical than they can possibly imagine. 

A beach — any beach

Landlocked? If possible, make it a point to travel somewhere — anywhere — your children can experience the joy of infinite possibilities that comes with staring out over a vast expanse of ocean. A trip to the coast is a stress reliever, and it’s also a reminder that the great big world beyond their hometown is about to become their oyster. 

Italy

If your budget allows for it, a trip to any country outside of the U.S. is an eye-opening experience for teenagers and gives them a chance to observe new customs, practice what they’ve learned in foreign language class and soak up culture. Rome alone offers opportunities to explore the Colosseum, Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain and much, much more.

Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly Love is attractive, walkable and brimming with historical attractions that include Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Eastern State Penitentiary. Show your kids where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed and grab a real Philly cheesesteak as you stroll through this beautiful city. 

Live concert

Who doesn’t remember their first live concert? It’s one thing to listen to music on an iPhone — and an entirely different experience to attend a show alongside a sea of other devoted fans and soak up the beat and vibe in person. Your teen or tween may be too young to go to a concert alone or with friends, but offering yourself up as a chaperone could be the thing that instills in them a lifelong love of music. 

College campus

Even if you’re years away from college applications, it’s a great idea to visit your nearest college campus, stroll the grounds and talk to your child about higher education and their future dreams. The awe-inspiring sight of a grand campus and its devoted students studying on the lawn could be all it takes to get them motivated about their own scholastic achievements. 

A courtroom

Many courtrooms encourage school field trips where students can learn about the judicial system and find out how judges, juries, attorneys, court clerks and court reporters keep the system on track. A judge will often volunteer to answer kids’ questions and offer a guided tour of the building. What better introduction to civic life can a kid ask for? 

Live theater

As kids learn to appreciate the drama and humor that pops out at them from the pages of a play they’re reading in English class, you’ll be doing them a great service by also taking them to the theater, where they can fully appreciate the art of drama. Shakespeare on paper is amazing, but Hamlet performed in a live theater setting takes things to a whole other level. 

The symphony

Even if they moan and groan and insist it will be “boring,” a trip to the symphony is an introduction to a genre of classical music that will never go out of style. It’s also an emotional experience for some, who discover “background music” can pack a more powerful punch than they ever imagined possible.

Major art museum

Many cities boast wonderful art museums that contain at least a few major works by artists who have been celebrated throughout history. By giving your child an intro to Picasso, Van Gogh, Warhol, O’Keeffe and countless others, you’re also teaching them about the politics of specific eras and encouraging them to express their own emotions artistically. 

Art gallery

Not every artist achieves da Vinci-like fame — and some defy conventions in ways kids probably wouldn’t think are possible until they visit a small, indie art gallery. Blow their minds and celebrate out-of-the-box thinking by challenging their notions of all they’ve been taught about what art is — and isn’t. 

Dude ranch

Horses are some of the most soulful creatures you’ll meet. For a child, a trip to a dude ranch is an education in conservation and rural life, but it’s also an opportunity to bond with horses, learn to ride and care for them and develop an appreciation and respect for these powerful animals. 

Sporting event

An outing to a baseball field (or hockey rink or soccer stadium) teaches children and teens about competition, camaraderie and leadership. It can be an incredible way for families and siblings to bond. Whether you choose to purchase tickets to see a professional league play or opt to check out the local high school team, most towns and cities offer a multitude of sporting event options at reasonable prices. 

Library

With so much information online and at their fingertips, many kids miss out on the mind-blowing experience of visiting a major library and finding themselves surrounded by the most important fiction and nonfiction works of all time. Your local library will suffice, but if you happen to travel and realize you’re within the vicinity of a library landmarks — such as the Frederick Ferris Thomas Memorial Library at Vassar College, Harold Washington Library or the Palafoxiana Library in Mexico (listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register) — do stop in and observe your child’s amazed reaction. 

A farm

Many kids and teens, particularly those who grew up in urban areas, aren’t at all familiar with rural life and lack an understanding of the hard work it takes to get their food from farm to plate. A trip to a local farm, where they’ll actually be able to pitch in and contribute to a rural economy, is a perfect way to expand their horizons and encourage them to feel gratitude for the food they may take for granted. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun. 

Manufacturing facility

There are plenty of products still being made in the U.S. Give your kids an appreciation for how toys, automobiles or clothing are manufactured by arranging a guided tour of a manufacturing facility so they can witness, up close, all of the steps that go into creating the products they know, need and love.

Newsroom or radio station

Newsrooms and radio stations are vibrant, bustling dens of creativity — sometimes. They can also be a lot quieter and more mellow than your child has seen on television and in movies. Help them separate fact from fiction and learn more about the media by arranging a trip to a local newsroom or radio station where they can see, firsthand, how news evolves from tip to front-page story. 

Fire department

There’s a solid chance that, by the time your child enters middle school, he or she will have visitied a fire department at least once on a class field trip. For good reason: Firemen and firewomen truly are modern-day heroes, and their bravery and camaraderie set great examples for children. If yours has yet to visit your local fire department, do all you can to give them that gift. 

The bank

You might be thinking: a bank? Some trip! But many teenagers aren’t being taught the basics when it comes to finances, and a trip to the bank to show them how to write a check, deposit money or open up their own account will put them on a path toward personal financial success. Take the opportunity to teach them about credit cards — the pros and cons — so that they use theirs wisely in college. 

Zoo

Teach your kids about wildlife early on; instill in them an appreciation for all creatures and sit back and smile as you take in how this helps them develop compassion and empathy for all forms of life. A trip to the zoo is fun, inexpensive and educational — what more can you ask for? 

Planetarium

Even if you’re lucky enough to live in a secluded area where you can gaze up at the sky with a telescope and see millions of stars, a trip to the planetarium offers kids a chance to see constellations that might otherwise be hidden from their vantage point. These amazing theaters, located in several major cities, also feature impressive light shows and informative lectures. 

Small business tour

Ignite your kids’ entrepreneurial spirit by taking them to visit a small business on your local Main Street and asking the owner to explain to them how they set up shop. All too often, young people get caught up in purchasing from major retailers and may be unaware of how they can, one day, contribute a great business idea to the world. This easy and free trip will expand their minds. 

Niagara Falls

In addition to being a major site for hydroelectric power, Niagara Falls boasts three National Historic Landmarks, including the Niagara Reservation, the Adams Power Transformer House and the Colonial Niagara Historic District. If you can’t get to the U.S./Canadian border but would love to share the awe-inspiring experience of viewing a major waterfall, consider Havasu Falls in Arizona, Oregon’s Multnomah Falls or the Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone National Park. 

Train trip

There are few trips that hark back to early, more romantic times than a good old-fashioned railway trip to a U.S. city. Let your child experience the thrill of watching the world fly by while you choo-choo along in comfort and style. America by Rail is the perfect place to start planning your railway vacation — be it to Branson, New Orleans or Alaska. 

Road trip

Even if they moan and groan at the thought of being “trapped” in a car for hours as you drive from Maine to Florida, you’ll make incredible family memories when you take a road trip with kids and teens. The conversations you’ll have, the ice cream and hamburger stops you’ll enjoy and the ultimate payoff — the freedom to take extraordinary and out-of-the-way paths to get to your final destination — will make their initial complaints worth it. 

Chicago’s Field Museum

There are a slew of great history museums in the United States, but the Field Museum in Chicago is a child’s paradise. Boasting the largest T. Rex ever discovered (her name is Sue), kids will marvel at its dinosaur world, explore Ancient Egypt and its mummies and lose themselves in its Hall of Gems. A day at this museum is a day spent traveling through time. 

Grand Canyon

Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also boasts one the seven natural wonders of the world — and the Grand Canyon, in all of its orange- and red-rock glory, is as awe-inspiring as you hope it will be. Kids will gain an appreciation of just how incredible nature can be when you let it exist on its own terms.

Wisconsin Dells

The Wisconsin Dells is a magical city along the Wisconsin River, packed with waterparks, amusement parks and enough camping sites and hiking trails to appeal to every nature-loving kid on the planet. You haven’t lived until you’ve shared a tent with your children — seriously — and you’ll learn a great deal about each other while staring at the stars and screaming your way down the Black Anaconda water coaster at Noah’s Ark Water Park. 

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Freedom isn’t free, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute reminds tweens and teens of that fact, while offering insightful annual events like the Birmingham Pledge Teen Summit, where young people convene to discuss diversity issues and solutions. Both traveling and permanent exhibitions include Freedom Ride photographs and three galleries of artwork depicting the African-American struggle to achieve civil rights. 

Mount Rushmore

The impressive, massive sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore in South Dakota depicts the faces of presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson. It reminds kids of the power of leadership, while being just plain cool to look at and housing a museum with interactive exhibits, to boot. 

Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico is an honest-to-goodness spooky cave — one that boasts a 4,000-foot-long limestone chamber and different “rooms” with names like Bat Cave (yep, with real bats), Halloween Hall and Mystery Room, named after a noise that can be heard here, but not explained. Get ready for an intense adventure and thousands of beautiful stalactites. 

A Broadway show

Local theater — any and all theater experience — encourages kids and young adults to express themselves, connect with others and explore issues that bridge us all. But Broadway is in a class all by itself and draws the most committed, talented triple threats on the planet. Treating your young one to a Broadway play or musical opens their mind to the possibility that magic exists. 

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Unless you live on the edge of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, how many kids (or people) can say they’ve seen an actual volcano in their lifetime? This park, located on the island of Hawaii, contains two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. A voyage to this World Heritage Site is a chance for your family to knock off one enormous must-do trip together.

Mission trip

Depending on your religious affiliation, a teen mission trip to perform volunteer work in places as far-flung as Ecuador, Australia or Africa could be just the thing that awakens your child’s spiritual inner life and provides a better awareness and understanding of the issues that affect others. Volunteering is also a great way for them to meet friends, discover their own talents and find out what path they’d like to pursue in the future.

A cruise

What’s better than a family trip where it’s literally impossible to stray too far? That is packed with a variety of activities to suit travelers of all ages? A cruise offers swimming, art classes, yoga, live entertainment, amazing dining and so much more. And your kids will love not having to pack and unpack more than once — it’s a win-win for everyone in the family.

Career fair

Most high schools host some version of a career fair, where young people get the opportunity to meet adults who have inspiring careers and learn about jobs in fields that interest them. If your child’s school doesn’t participate in this event, check with a local library or community center to find out whether your kiddos can attend a job fair in another venue. The experience of learning about careers before heading off to college could provide them with goals and a clearer path about what they’d like to accomplish in the next four years. 

Backpacking trip

It’s cheap, rewarding and gives families a unique chance to scout parts unknown by foot. Backpacking with only the bare essentials is one of those trips that could become an annual ritual for your family. Whether you choose to explore Costa Rica, Alaska or the wooded area near to your home, kids can try their survival skills on for size with the support of loved ones. 

Los Angeles

When it comes to fun-in-the-sun times, you really can’t beat Los Angeles. From Universal Studios Hollywood to the Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, kids of all ages will have a blast soaking up the laid-back vibes of Southern California. If you’re looking for a surprise graduation trip, this one will thrill — both your college-bound kid and his or her younger siblings. 

Meditation retreat

There will be many times in a child’s or teen’s life when they feel stressed out and unable to handle the burdens placed upon them — particularly when they go to college. Treating them and yourself to a meditation retreat to learn how to meditate as a daily practice is an investment in their health and wellness, not to mention a bonding experience in a beautiful, peaceful setting. 

50 trips all kids should take