16 Trips to Take Before the Kids Go Back to School

It’s the 50th anniversary of the first moon walk, so why not treat the kids with a trip to the spot where the famed launch happened, Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center has created a special exhibition in its Apollo/Saturn V facility to mark the half-century milestone of the Apollo program. The Visitor Complex has a number of special events scheduled throughout August, among them opportunities to meet astronauts, take space shuttle tours and even view a rocket launch. Learn about NASA’s heroes and legends, the space shuttle program and other historical topics, and get a peek into preparations for a journey to Mars.

To get a taste of Old World culture without venturing too far afield, head for Quebec, Canada. It’s hard to resist the urge to explore a region with nicknames like “the Europe of North America” and “la belle province” (the beautiful province). This month Quebec’s largest city, Montreal, plays host to a variety of festivals and activities celebrating pride, tiny houses, classical music, fashion, and cuisine from ribs to kombucha. The Old Town district of Quebec City, the province’s capital, is a UNESCO world heritage site, recognized as one of the best-preserved historic sites on the continent.

Several Disney cruises are on offer this month, from Caribbean three-nighters to a week-plus in Europe. What they all have in common is a chance to immerse yourself in Disney culture without braving the August heat and humidity (and packed parking lots) while visiting a theme park. The luxury cruises offer parades, themed deck parties and opportunities to interact with Disney characters; other entertainment includes live music and stage shows, and Disney movies–including some in 3D; most ships have fireworks displays. Pools, water slides, fitness centers and other amenities are available, as are multiple round-the-clock dining options.

Alexander Hamilton was stationed briefly in Williamsburg during the Revolutionary War, but that’s not the only reason to take your kids to Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg. The past seems remarkably present and relevant in this living history museum, comprising colonial era buildings staffed with crafts people and historical interpreters, each of whom is an expert in their field. Children can get involved in hands-on activities, take a ghost tour, bid on items at a public auction, and learn more about our nation’s history, including the deep ties between Hamilton and George Washington.

Families with young book lovers can build a fun vacation around the settings of some of the great children’s classics. Countless books aimed at readers from pre-school through high school take place in Manhattan, including must-reads such as Eloise, Harriet the Spy, Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby. If you’re London-bound, map out your own itinerary of places mentioned in the Harry Potter series, or sign on for a guided tour. Great Britain is also a good destination for a family with youngsters fascinated by all things Hobbit-related, though visiting the movie locations requires a longer flight to New Zealand.

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula offers a strong element of culture, along with its sand, sun and swimming. The area abounds with pre-Columbian ruins to explore, including a couple that have garnered recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One such ruin, Uxmal, features ceremonial sites that experts have described as among the high points of Mayan art and architecture. Chichén Itzá¡, probably the best known of Yucatan’s ruins, is regarded as one of the new seven wonders of the world. Internationally known for its huge and iconic step pyramid, temple, ball court, and wall of skulls, new discoveries made earlier this year may lead researchers to reconsider earlier beliefs about the ancient complex.

This land is your land, so get the family out to see it in all its splendor in one of our 59 national parks. Expect to encounter crowds at popular destinations such as California’s Yosemite or sprawling Yellowstone, encompassing parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. But if it’s solitude you seek, and the chance to unplug and recharge, you have options. There are numerous locales where you can avoid the crowds and encounter spectacular terrain from woodland (Washington’s North Cascades National Park) to desert (Nevada’s Great Basin National Park) to lakefront (Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park). To truly get away from it all, fly into Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve or visit Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park, accessible only by boat or plane. Good luck finding a wi-fi connection!

It’s hard to beat Bar Harbor for its natural beauty and its freshly caught seafood. But there’s still plenty to do if you’ve had your fill of beach strolls, hikes in Acadia National Park, lobster rolls and blueberry-based desserts like pie or shortcake (as if). Youngsters may enjoy haunted history or ghost tours, fishing camp, and trying their hands at various arts and crafts. Families can also venture out on the water for whale watching, puffin sightings, and visits to nearby islands.

There are thousands of possible road trips, but few are as intriguing as driving the Great River Road, running from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, passing through 10 states along the way. It’s possible to just jump in the car and drive from end to end in a few days, but where’s the fun in that? Don’t settle for drive-by sightseeing: instead, build your understanding of the varied regions, terrains and cultures along the way. Stop at interpretive centers to learn about the river and the surrounding area. Pursue your interests, or maybe discover new ones, as you catch a ball game in the Twin Cities, go antiquing in Illinois, learn about the Delta Blues in their Mississippi birthplace, or explore Louisiana cuisine — beyond gumbo — in Lafayette. Driving a portion of the Great River Road could become an annual family tradition.

A visit to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, may have you singing “Give Me the Simple Life.” Some members of the Amish and Mennonite communities in this region live off the grid, generating power with windmills, traveling in horse-drawn carriages, and farming the old-fashioned way, including practices now embraced by hipsters and farm-to-table restaurateurs. Tours of houses, museums, visitors’ centers and mills offer insights to the lifestyle practiced by some members of these religious faiths. Other fun activities families may enjoy include taking a carriage ride or a food tour, visiting amusement parks or antiques shops, or riding a vintage steam train.

It’s not too late to book an Alaskan cruise. In fact, more than 100 are scheduled for August departure from a variety of ports such as San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Canada; Seward and Whittier, Alaska, on cruise ships big and small. While on board, be sure to keep your eyes open for whales, dolphins, birds, glaciers, and other natural wonders as you relax and enjoy cruise-ship amenities while traveling between ports. Once on shore, avail yourself of guided excursions, or discover the sights on your own.

Even though Woodstock 50 fizzled out, don’t give up your dreams of introducing the younger generation to this famous music festival. Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (aka the Rock Hall), has a special exhibition commemorating 1969’s fondly remembered music and mud fest. On display are concert films, photos, stage costumes, recordings and reminiscences from some of the performers. Tired of Woodstock? No worries, this is a place where you can find your niche in the history of rock, from Louis Jordan to Elvis to Kurt Cobain to the Sugarhill Gang.

Whether you prefer rough camping in a tent without daily access to running water and electricity, or glamping with all the comforts of home (or even more amenities), August is a wonderful month for communing with the great outdoors. Nights aren’t likely to be chilly, which makes for comfortable sleeping. It’s also a good time for sitting out and enjoying the starry skies. There will be lots of stellar activity, thanks to the Perseid meteor showers. The best viewing is likely early in the month; at its peak, there may be 50 or more shooting stars per hour, a breathtaking sight. If a tent — plain or fancy — feels too exposed for your comfort level, consider booking a few nights in a treehouse, where songbirds and rustling leaves will help you connect with the glories of nature.

How many highways have lent their names to a song, a TV series and a movie? Route 66, the winner of that pop culture trifecta, is the quintessential highway of the American imagination. When it opened in 1926, it was the first year-round road linking Chicago and Los Angeles; it was decommissioned in 1985, replaced by other, faster superhighways. It’s still a fun road to drive, its elderly motels and kitschy tourist attractions have a certain mystique that can’t be matched by the slick chain accommodations and dining options that line our interstates. Plus there’s lots of must-sees along the way, from the Grand Canyon to the Cadillac Ranch.

Lovers of the great outdoors are likely to be in their element in Big Sky, Montana. Tucked in between Bozeman and Yellowstone, Big Sky offers biking, hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing at levels geared from beginner to experienced. Fishing, hunting and golf are also on the outdoor activities menu, as is river rafting, from the mellow to the heart-pounding. If you can tear your youngsters away from the ziplines, rope courses, and bungee trampolines, you may want to check out Big Sky’s guided tours of Yellowstone.

Known as Music City, Nashville is paradise for music lovers young and old. Kids are welcome at the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium and other renowned music venues, some of which offer backstage tours. Take a deep dive into the genre and its icons at the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum and elsewhere. There’s lots of shopportunities for anyone who wants to dress like a country star, including the famed Nashville Flea Market and numerous thrift shops.