Author: Elle MacRae

Categories
United States Washington DC

5 Things Kid Can Learn About at NMAAHC

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Affectionately known as the Blacksonian, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of Washington, DC’s newest (and hottest) museums.  It is so popular that we could not get tickets during our 2022 visit.  When we went to DC in 2024, I made a point of setting a reminder on my phone to alert me when tickets were released.

I was excited to visit the museum- and judging by the line outside, so were many others.  We have been teaching our kids about black history with visits to places like Kingsley Plantation, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Gettysburg, and other historical sites.  Visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) would give us another opportunity to educate our kiddos.

The NMAAHC is an incredible place for families to learn about African American History.   

The kiddos learning about the slave trade at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

5 Things Kid Can Learn About at NMAAHC

The History of Slavery and Freedom

  • Kids can explore exhibits about the transatlantic slave trade, the lives of enslaved people, and the struggle for freedom.
  • Artifacts like slave shackles, abolitionist newspapers, and Harriet Tubman’s shawl bring history to life.

The Civil Rights Movement

  • Interactive displays highlight leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and John Lewis and the importance of protests like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington.
  • Kids can see a Greensboro lunch counter where peaceful sit-ins took place.

African American Achievements in Sports and Music

  • Learn about legendary athletes like Jackie Robinson, Serena Williams, and Muhammad Ali and their impact beyond sports.
  • Discover the evolution of jazz, hip-hop, gospel, and blues and listen to music from stars like Louis Armstrong and Beyoncé.
Oprah Winfrey display at NMAAHC

The Power of Culture and Innovation

  • Exhibits showcase the impact of African Americans in fashion, literature, art, and film, from writers like Maya Angelou to filmmakers like Spike Lee.
  • Learn about inventors and scientists, including George Washington Carver and Madam C.J. Walker, who changed industries.

Interactive Learning at the "Explore More!" Gallery

  • This hands-on area is designed for kids to ask questions, explore artifacts, and create art.
  • It helps kids understand African American history through storytelling, puzzles, and digital activities.

Best Exhibits for Kids

  • “Explore More!” Interactive Gallery

    • A hands-on space where kids can touch, create, and explore history through digital and interactive displays.
    • Kids can try oral history recording booths, artifact exploration, and storytelling activities.

  • “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” Exhibit

    • Features Jackie Robinson’s baseball jersey, Michael Jordan’s shoes, and other cool memorabilia.
    • Teaches kids how sports helped break racial barriers.

  • “Musical Crossroads” Exhibit

    • A vibrant, sound-filled exhibit showcasing hip-hop, jazz, blues, and gospel music.
    • Kids can see Prince’s guitar, Chuck Berry’s Cadillac, and more while listening to influential African American music.

  • “Slavery and Freedom” (Lower Level – for older kids)

    • Features powerful artifacts like Harriet Tubman’s shawl and Nat Turner’s Bible.
    • Helps older children understand the fight for freedom and the importance of perseverance.
    • Highlights recent history, including the Civil Rights Movement, Barack Obama’s presidency, and Black Lives Matter.
    • Engages kids with multimedia displays and real-life stories.
Cabin from the Point of Pines Plantation in South Carolina

Family-Friendly Activities & Tips

✔ “Kids’ Activity Guide” – Ask for an activity guide at the entrance to help kids engage with the exhibits.

✔ “Interactive Touchscreens” – Many exhibits have digital features where kids can play, listen to music, and explore history.

✔ “Step into History” Photo Spots – Great places for kids to take photos, such as the Oprah Winfrey exhibit and sports hall.

✔ “Cultural Expressions” Dress-Up Area – In this exhibit, kids can see and learn about African-inspired fashion and textiles.

✔ Visit the Sweet Home Café – Try family-friendly meals with a taste of African American food traditions.

Visiting Information

📍 Location: 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
🕒 Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed on December 25)
🎟️ Entry: Free, but timed-entry passes are required. Reserve in advance online here.

Must-See Highlights Based on Your Time

👉 If You Have 1 Hour:
✔ “Slavery and Freedom” Exhibit (Concourse Level) – See Harriet Tubman’s personal items and learn about the journey to freedom.
✔ “Musical Crossroads” (L4) – A quick, fun stop to see Prince’s guitar and learn about hip-hop and jazz.

👉 If You Have 2-3 Hours:
✔ Explore the “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” Exhibit – Learn about Black athletes who broke barriers.
✔ Visit the Oprah Winfrey Exhibit – Inspiring for kids and adults alike.
✔ Stop by “Cultural Expressions” – A great interactive exhibit on fashion, food, and traditions.
✔ Grab a meal at Sweet Home Café – Try classic soul food dishes like fried chicken, cornbread, or gumbo.

👉 If You Have a Full Day:
✔ Start at the Concourse Level (Slavery to Civil Rights Movement) – Walk through history in chronological order.
✔ Go up to the top floors – Explore sports, music, film, and art exhibits.
✔ Visit the “Explore More!” Gallery – Hands-on activities perfect for kids.
✔ Take breaks at Reflection Spaces – Areas designed for quiet moments after emotional exhibits.

Kid-Friendly Museums Near NMAAHC in Washington, D.C.

1️⃣ National Air and Space Museum (📍 5-minute drive / 15-minute walk)

🚀 Why Kids Love It:
✔ Walk through a real space shuttle and touch a moon rock!
✔ See the Wright brothers’ airplane and Amelia Earhart’s plane.
✔ Hands-on exhibits let kids experience what it’s like to be an astronaut.
🎟 Timed-entry passes are required. Reserve here.
🔗 Read More

2️⃣ National Museum of Natural History (📍 10-minute walk)

🦖 Why Kids Love It:
✔ Dinosaur fossils & a life-sized T. rex skeleton.
✔ The Butterfly Pavilion, where kids can walk through a live butterfly habitat.
✔ The Ocean Hall, featuring a giant whale model and deep-sea creatures.
🎟 No timed entry is required.
🔗 Read More

3️⃣ National Children’s Museum (📍 5-minute drive)

🧩 Why Kids Love It:
✔ A mix of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) exhibits.
✔ The Dream Machine – a multi-story climbing structure!
✔ Interactive exhibits on weather, coding, and space exploration.
🎟 Timed-entry tickets are required. Reserve here.
🔗 Read More

4️⃣ International Spy Museum (📍 8-minute drive)

🕵️ Why Kids Love It:
✔ Get a secret spy identity and complete interactive missions.
✔ Try real-life spy gadgets and learn about disguises and codes.
✔ Fun exhibits on James Bond, Cold War spies, and real espionage history.
🎟 Paid admission & timed tickets required. Book here.

5️⃣ Smithsonian’s National Zoo (📍 10-minute drive)

🐼 Why Kids Love It:
✔ See giant pandas, lions, elephants, and gorillas.
✔ The Kid’s Farm – an interactive farm experience.
✔ A great outdoor break after museum-hopping!
🎟 Free timed-entry passes required.

Plan Your Trip

Honestly, there’s nothing like a trip to Washington, DC.  It is the perfect destination for families.  If a museum or monument isn’t holding your kid’s attention, there’s always another one you can check out, and it’ll most likely be free!

If you’d like a little guidance for your itinerary, see our 4 Day Itinerary.  It was designed with young kids in mind and hits a lot of the most popular sights in Washington, DC, such as:

The White House
National Museum of American History
National Air & Space Museum
Ford’s Theater
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
National Children’s Museum

and so much more!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventures!

For future reference, save our post: “5 Things Kids Can Learn About at the National Museum of African American History and Culture”.  While you’re at it, browse the 10 Tips for Riding the DC Metro, 15 Must-See Places in Washington DC to Add to Your Itinerary, and  10 Practical Tips for Visiting DC with Kids.

Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

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Categories
Road Trip 101

Why Road Tripping with Kids is Totally Worth It

Let’s be honest—family road trips don’t usually start with a serene sunrise and a packed car full of cooperative children humming show tunes. No, they typically begin with someone asking if we really need five pairs of shoes, the baby losing their mind because you looked at them wrong, and a snack bag that somehow takes up more space than the actual luggage.
 
And yet, we do it anyway. Not just because we’re brave (though, yes, absolutely, we are warriors of the open road), but because road-tripping with kids is one of the most rewarding, hilarious, and memory-packed ways to travel as a family.
 
In this Family Road Trip 101 series, I’ll be walking you through everything you need to plan, survive, and even enjoy hitting the road with your crew. But first, let’s talk about the “why.” Why do parents pile kids into a vehicle and set off into the great unknown armed only with baby wipes, granola bars, and questionable optimism?
 
Well, friend. Let me tell you.

The Case for Chaos: Why You Should Road Trip Anyway

Sure, flights are faster, cruises have buffets, and staycations involve way fewer miles on your car. But road trips? Road trips give you something the others can’t: flexibility, spontaneity, and the chance to shout “Cows on the left!” with unbridled enthusiasm.

1. You Get to Actually See the Country

Planes may take you places, but road trips let you experience them. Want to stop at the world’s largest rocking chair? You can. Feel like detouring through a national park because someone saw a bear on TikTok? Go for it. Your itinerary is yours to bend, twist, or throw out entirely.
 
And your kids? They’ll remember the random roadside diner where you played Uno for an hour more than the airport security line or the all-inclusive resort buffet.

2. It’s a Built-In Family Bonding Machine

There’s something about long car rides that forces connection. You’re in a confined space together, with nowhere to hide from deep conversations or dad jokes. This is where spontaneous heart-to-hearts happen, where kids ask big questions about life and you realize your third grader has surprisingly strong opinions about road signs.
 
And yes, there will be bickering. But there will also be inside jokes, group singalongs, and that magical moment when everyone’s laughing so hard they can’t breathe—and you almost forget how long you’ve been in the car.
Almost.

3. It’s (Mostly) Budget-Friendly

Unless your kids have developed a sudden craving for gas station sushi, road trips are one of the most affordable ways to travel as a family. You can pack your own snacks, stay in budget motels or campgrounds, and skip expensive airfare.
 
Plus, when you save money on travel, you can splurge on meaningful experiences—like a guided cave tour, a once-in-a-lifetime zipline adventure, or a comically large gummy bear from a novelty store in Missouri.

4. The Teachable Moments Are Everywhere

From geography and history to problem-solving and patience (so much patience), road trips are a rolling classroom. Your kids will learn how to read a map, how to be flexible when plans change, and how to share the backseat without causing a diplomatic incident.
 
They’ll also see the diversity of the landscape, different ways people live, and maybe even start asking deeper questions about the world around them. Or, at the very least, they’ll learn not to underestimate your ability to make up games on the fly.

What to Expect From This Series

This isn’t just a blog series. It’s your new co-pilot (minus the ability to reach into the backseat and stop your kids from fighting over the window seat).
 
Over the coming weeks, we’ll cover:
  • How to Plan the Perfect Route (without losing your mind or your map)
  • Packing Like a Pro (or at least like someone who didn’t forget the toothbrushes)
  • Using Google Maps Like a Pro
  • Feeding the Troops (snacks, meals, and strategies for avoiding hangry outbursts)
  • Entertainment Ideas for the Long Haul (with and without screens, because let’s be real—both are useful)
  • Making the Car a (Mostly) Comfortable Place to Be
  • Budget Tips Without Killing the Vibe
  • Smart Stops and Fun Detours
  • How to Handle the Unexpected Without a Meltdown (Yours or Theirs)
  • And, of course, Why All the Chaos is Absolutely Worth It
Every post will come with practical tips, personal stories, and just enough humor to make you feel like you’re not the only one who’s had to explain to your kid why we don’t collect roadkill as souvenirs.

My Road Trip Philosophy

I’m not here to pretend every mile is magical. Road trips with kids are messy, unpredictable, and occasionally make you question your life choices. But they’re also where some of my favorite family memories were made. From impromptu dance parties at rest stops to the time we accidentally ended up at a llama farm (long story), it’s all part of the adventure.
 
The mess is the magic. The detours are the stories your kids will tell someday. And the joy is in the journey—even if that journey includes five renditions of the “Baby Shark” remix.
So whether you’re road-tripping for a weekend or crossing state lines on an epic summer trek, this series is for you.
 
Let’s hit the road, snacks in hand and expectations somewhere between “total disaster” and “best trip ever.”

Final Thought Before the First Exit

No matter what your road trip looks like—whether your kids are toddlers or teens, whether your car is spotless or full of goldfish dust—know this: You’re creating something they’ll remember.
 
And in the end, it’s not about the perfectly posed photo or the Instagram-worthy destination. It’s about the time spent together, the laughs, the lessons, and the moments in between.
 
So buckle up. Turn up the playlist. And remember: you’ve got this.
 
 
See you there, road warrior.

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

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Categories
Itineraries Kentucky United States

4 Days in Kentucky: An EPIC Itinerary with Kids

Map of our Kentucky Itinerary

Kentucky is way more than just horses and bourbon trails, it’s a region steeped in history. In fact, Mammoth Cave holds 4,000 years of human history!  

With this itinerary, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Jesse James and Abraham Lincoln.  You’ll learn all about cave systems and Corvettes.  You’ll tour a few caves (one with an underground river you can explore by boat).  This itinerary takes you through the Kentucky countryside, past lovely farms to some lesser-known attractions the Bluegrass State has to offer.

Day One: Bowling Green, Kentucky

Did you know that Kentucky is the only place in the world that manufactures Corvettes?  Learn about the history of this muscle car and its part in American culture at the National Corvette Museum.  The museum has an excellent, interactive kids section that your kiddo will love!

Hop back in your own (less cool) car and head to the Aviation Heritage Park and Museum.  Even if the museum is closed, this spot is worth the stop!  There is an outdoor display that features several historical aircraft.

National Corvette Museum
Lost River Cave

Your last stop for the day is the Lost River Cave.  The cave was once a hideout for Jesse James, a nightclub!   The cave has an underground river beckoning you to explore it! 

Book a tour in advance for a guided walking tour/boat tour that you won’t forget!

The eco-park has a fun kids’ play space, hiking trails, mining and a butterfly garden.

If you have time, consider visiting the Kentucky Museum.

Day Two: Mammoth Cave

Today you’ll head to Mammoth Cave National Park.  Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world!  So far, about 400 miles of the cave have been mapped out…and they’re just getting started!  

Spend some time in the museum in the Visitor Center learning about the history of this monstrous cave.  

There are several different tour options available.  You should consider booking your family’s favorite in advance.  

If you have time to kill before your tour, visit the historical cemetery or explore one of the nearby trails.

Deep inside Mammoth Cave
The kids at Jellystone Park Mammoth Cave

Next, drive just a couple of miles down the road and check into Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Mammoth Cave.  Trust me, the kids are going to love this place!

Spend the day at the lake, at the pool, in the splash pad, and playing mini golf.  This place has endless amenities that your kiddos will love! 

There are different lodging options including camping and several different cabin options.

If you have extra days you can tack on to your itinerary, add them here! Book at least 3 nights her for this itinerary.

Day Three: Mammoth Cave Area

Today you’ll explore more of the Mammoth Cave Area.  Start your day by grabbing breakfast at Farmwald’s Dutch Bakery.  If you haven’t tried Amish food, you’re in for a treat!

Next, drive northeast to Kentucky Stonehenge, probably one of the quirkiest places in the whole state! 

Afterward, head back south to the charming town of Horse Cave. Your first stop is the free American Cave Museum where you can learn more about how caves are formed.

There’s a super awesome cave, Hidden River Cave, adjacent to the museum.  It’s well worth a visit if you aren’t all caved out.

Horse Cave, Kentucky

Spend the rest of the day enjoying the amenities at Jellystone.

Map of our Kentucky Itinerary

Day Four: Lincoln's Birthplace

Drive north about 40 miles through the Kentucky countryside.  Today you’ll visit the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.  Traipse through the 16th President’s old stomping grounds.  Visit the memorial which holds a symbolic cabin.

Travel just 10 minutes down the road to visit Lincoln’s boyhood home.

Spend the rest of the day enjoying the amenities at Jellystone.

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Afterword

While this itinerary barely scratches the surface of all of the things the Bluegrass State has to offer, it’s a great start.  You can easily sprinkle in some Kentucky Bourbon Trail and equine spots to enhance your trip. 

Our family traveled to Kentucky in the summer of 2023 and visited all of the sites listed.  This is the order I wish we visited things, but since we were on a sponsored trip our actual itinerary looked a smidge different.

Staying at the Jellystone Mammoth Cave, you have built-in entertainment each afternoon.  Our kids loved the amenities that the park had to offer.

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

For future reference,  save “4 Days in Kentucky; An EPIC Itinerary with Kids”  Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

For more inspo for your Kentucky trip, check out 8 Totally Fun Things to Add to Your Kentucky Itinerary, 6 National Parks in Kentucky, Kentucky Stonehenge, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Mammoth Cave.

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**This post contains affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you**

Categories
Georgia United States Wild Adventures

Everything You Need to Know About Wild Adventures Theme Park

Wild Adventures Theme Park

Wild Adventures is a theme park in Valdosta, Georgia.  The quaint park has it all; rides, animals, and a water park!  The park has been on our radar for a while so we were thrilled when we partnered with the park for a day full of fun!  Let me tell you, the park did NOT disappoint!

Wild Adventures is less than two hours from our home base in Jacksonville, Florida which makes for a perfect day trip!

Here are 10 essential tips to maximize your visit to Wild Adventures!

 

10 Tips for Visiting Wild Adventures Theme Park

1. Buy Tickets Online for Discounts

💰 Why: Buying online in advance is cheaper than at the gate.

🎟 Tip: Look for season passes if you plan to visit more than once—they often include free parking and discounts.

2. Arrive Early to Beat the Crowds

⏰ Why: Mornings have shorter ride lines and cooler temperatures.

🚪 Tip: The park typically opens at 10:00 AM—arrive 30 minutes early to get through security quickly.

3. Plan Your Must-Do Rides & Shows

📅 Why: Popular rides and animal shows can have long wait times later in the day.

🎢 Top Rides:
  • Boomerang (thrill-seekers)
  • Twisted Typhoon (roller coaster)
  • Swamp Thing (hanging coaster)
  • Safari Train (great for kids & animal lovers)
🐍 Animal Shows & Encounters:
  • Tiger Tales (educational tiger show)
  • Gator Feeding Experience
  • Parakeet Landing (interactive bird aviary)
💡 Tip: Grab a daily schedule at the entrance or use the park app to check showtimes.

4. Dress Comfortably & Wear Sunscreen

☀️ Why: South Georgia’s heat and humidity can be intense.

👕 Tip: Wear breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, and a hat. Apply sunscreen frequently!

5. Take Advantage of the Splash Island Water Park

🌊 Why: Admission includes the water park, a great way to cool off!

🛟 Top Attractions:
  • Hakini Rapids (water coaster)
  • Wahee Cyclone (family raft ride)
  • Catchawave Bay (wave pool)
  • Bonzai Pipelines (thrill slides)
💦 Tip: Bring swimsuits, towels, and water shoes (required in some areas). Use lockers to store valuables.

6. Use the Wild Adventures Mobile App

📱 Why: Get real-time ride wait times, show schedules, and dining options.

🔍 Tip: Enable notifications for updates on weather alerts, show start times, and special offers.

7. Pack a Small Bag with Essentials

🎒 What to Bring:

✅ Reusable water bottle (free refills at stations)
✅ Poncho (for water rides or rain)
✅ Snacks (allowed in limited quantities)
✅ Sunglasses & hat for sun protection

8. Save on Food with Meal Plans or Outside Dining

🍔 Why: Park food can be expensive, but there are ways to save.

🥘 Tips:
  • Buy the All-Day Dining Pass if you plan to eat multiple meals.
  • Eat at off-peak times (before 11:30 AM or after 2:00 PM) to avoid long lines.
  • Exit for a picnic—there are nearby fast-food options if you want to save money.

9. Visit on a Weekday for Fewer Crowds

🏖 Why: Saturdays and holidays get very busy, with long wait times.

📅 Best Days to Visit:
  • Tuesday–Thursday (shorter lines, more relaxed experience).
  • Sunday afternoons (many guests leave early).

10. Check for Seasonal Events & Concerts

🎉 Why: Wild Adventures hosts concerts, holiday events, and festivals throughout the year.

📅 Popular Events:
  • Summer Splash Nights (extended water park hours)
  • Great Pumpkin LumiNights (fall festival)
  • Wild Adventures Christmas (holiday lights & winter fun)
🎶 Tip: Some concerts are included with park admission, but reserved seating costs extra—buy early for the best spots.
By following these tips, you’ll save money, avoid crowds, and have an unforgettable experience at Wild Adventures Theme Park! 🎢🐅🌊

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

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Categories
United States

The 50 State Challenge: A Quest to Visit Every State

A map of where I've visited (2024)

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an innate love of travel.  When I was in my early 20s, I sat down and typed out my bucket list.  The first item I jotted down was “Visit all 50 States”.  

My parents got me started on this goal when I was younger.  With them, I visited:

  • Virginia
  • New York
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Pennsylvania
  • Mississippi
  • Louisiana
  • Wisconsin
  • Florida

Although, to be quite honest, I don’t remember most of those trips. 

Once we had kids, my desire to visit all 50 states (including revisiting the ones I went to as a child) grew.  Fortunately, our kiddos love traveling just as much as I do, and they’re always down for a road trip!

We’ve been tracking our travels on 5suitcases.com since 2020. In this post, we’re finally compiling a list of where we’ve been and our progress towards visiting all 50 states.  We’ll also help you set up your own 50-State Challenge!

Most Visited States in the US:

Least Visited States in the US:

Start Your Own Quest to Visit All 50 States!

Pick Your Path

Your first step is to set a goal.  Do you want to visit all 50 states before a certain age?  Or do you want to set an open-ended goal?  This part is entirely up to you.  If you want to quest to be a true challenge, you can set a specific age for which you want to achieve this feat.  Many people select milestone ages for this, such as 50 Before 30, 50 Before 40, 50 Before 50, etc. 

50 Before 50 has a nice little ring to it, but I opted for an open-ended goal instead.   

Decide What Qualifies as "Visiting" a State

This is another fun part of planning your 50 State Challenge.  Your next task is to determine what qualifies as visiting a state.

  • Will you count a state if you drive through it?
  • Do you need to do an activity in the state to count it?
  • Do you have to spend the night in the state to mark it off your list?
  • Will you need to purchase something in the state to receive credit?
  • Do states that visit on a layover in the airport count?

We decided early on that we needed to do something in a state for it to count as visiting it.  This means that although my kids drove through Tennessee in 2023, since we didn’t do anything there, we can’t count it as one they have visited. 

We also follow the general rule that airports don’t count.

Bonus Quests

Adding a Bonus Quest to your 50 State Challenge makes it even more fun!  Consider what your interests are in this step.  

Some ideas:

  • Visit all the National Park Sites
  • Visit all of the ballparks/football stadiums
  • Run a marathon in each state
  • Hike a trail in each state

We’re trying to visit all the National Park Sites in addition to our 50 State Challenge.  This is a huge challenge considering there are more than 430 National Parks Sites!

How to Visit All 50 States

Now that you’ve nailed down how to approach the 50-State Challenge, it’s time to start planning some road trips! This is my favorite part!

Start by planning road trips that are close to home.  If you’re from Tennessee or Missouri, you’re in luck because your state shares a border with 8 other states!  If you’re from Hawaii or Alaska…this will be more challenging.  Same for our friends from Maine.

We are from Florida, which shares a border with Georgia and Alabama.  There is only one other state, Washington, which shares a border with only 2 states.

The other 45 states share a border with at least 3 states, giving them a little advantage.

Decide how far you’re willing to drive.  Our kids have been going on 6+ hour road trips since they were knee-high to a grasshopper.  Driving with them from Florida to North Carolina is a breeze.  Now that they are older, we’ve bumped our radius to 12-hour drives. This means we can cover about 800 miles in one day.

Fun Fact: The average American visits 12 states in their lifetime.

A map of the places they kids have visited (2024)

The map above shows the states our kids have visited (in red) over the last 3 years.  Based on this radius, there are 4 more states that we can road-trip to: Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Ohio.  

All the other states will take a bit more creativity, such as flying or breaking our driving up into 2 or more days.

Our kids have visited these states over a series of different road trips.  We have family in North Carolina, so we travel through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina frequently.

2022- Road trip from Florida to Virginia.  Flight to DC.
2023– Road trip from Florida to Kentucky
2024-  Road trip from Florida to Alabama.  Mason-Dixon Road Trip from Florida to West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and DC.  See our full itinerary here.

Fun Fact:  More people visit North Dakota as their 50th state than any other state!

How We Select Our Destinations

On January 1, 2024, we added a bit of spontaneity to our road trips.  We placed the names of all of the states the kids have not visited into a hat and selected one at random.  Each kid got to pull a state from the hat.  We then placed only those 3 states into a hat, and a grownup selected a state.  

The kids selected West Virginia so I quickly went to work to plan a road trip to West Virginia.  Since we were so close to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, we crossed those off our list, too.

While this spontaneity might not be for everyone, we love the idea and decided to make it our New Year’s tradition!  This year, the kids pulled Arizona, New Mexico, and Tennessee.  I was really hoping for New Mexico (since it is the only one from those 3 that I haven’t been to, yet), but we ended up drawing Tennessee.  Within hours, we booked flights to Tennessee.  

Download your Printable US State Cards!

Our Adventures (Thus Far!)

Alabama

We took the kids on a road trip to Alabama to visit a friend.  We visited the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site and explored Auburn University.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop ✅
  • Stinky ✅

Alaska

Ashley and I went on a cruise to Alaska with friends and family in 2017.  We hiked and visited neighboring islands via rib boat in Ketchikan, strolled around the town of Skagway, and hiked to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Arizona

In 2011, I flew to PHX with my mom and Nana for a West Coast road trip.  We visited Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and the Hoover Dam.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

California

On the same West Coast road trip, we hit up San Diego, La Jolla, and Calico, California.  We visited Mission San Juan Capistrano and Balboa Park.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Delaware

One of the stops on our 2024 Mason-Dixon Road Trip was New Castle, Delaware.  We toured the historic New Castle Courthouse, an old cemetery, and the historic district.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop✅
  • Stinky ✅

Florida

We call the Sunshine State home.  Despite looking smaller on the map, Florida is huge.  It takes about 8 hours to go from northern Florida to the southernmost point in Key West and just over 5 hours to cut across the state to the western border.

We’ve spent most of our time exploring north and central Florida.  We plan on exploring more of the panhandle and Gulf Coast next.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop✅
  • Stinky ✅

Georgia

We live about 10 minutes from the Georgia border, so we visit the Peach State frequently.  

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop✅
  • Stinky ✅
A map of where I've visited (2024)

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa

Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos from my visits to these 3 states.  We lived in Illinois when I was young.  While we lived there, my parents took me to Indiana and Iowa, but I have only vague memories of the states.  Looks like I’ll have to revisit with the kids and add photos at a later time!

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Kentucky

We visited Kentucky in 2023 on our first sponsored trip.  We visited Mammoth Cave National Park, Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace, the National Corvette Museum, and other popular attractions.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop✅
  • Stinky ✅

Louisiana

I visited Louisiana with my parents when I was a teenager.  We spent a few days exploring the Latin Quarter and the Garden District.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Maryland

We visited Maryland in 2024 on our Mason-Dixon Road Trip.  We visited Baltimore, where we learned about the War of 1812 and the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop✅
  • Stinky ✅

Mississippi

On our road trip to Louisiana, we made a pit stop in Biloxi, Mississippi.  We spent time enjoying the beach, as a family.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Nevada

One of my West Coast Road Trip stops was in Las Vegas, Nevada.  We hung out on The Strip and visited the Hoover Damn.

I visited Louisiana with my parents when I was a teenager.  We spent a few days exploring the Latin Quarter and the Garden District.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

New Jersey

We visited New Jersey on our 2024 Mason-Dixon Road Trip.  We stopped by Fort Mott to explore the post-Civil War fort.

I visited Louisiana with my parents when I was a teenager.  We spent a few days exploring the Latin Quarter and the Garden District.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop ✅
  • Stinky ✅

New York

My parents are both originally from New York.  Growing up, I would spend my summers staying with both sets of my grandparents in upstate New York. Over the years, I’ve explored several places, such as Niagara Falls, Syracuse, and the Women’s Rights National Historical Park.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

North Carolina

Fun Fact:  North Carolina was the first state our kids visited outside of Florida!  It is also Ashley’s birth state.

Ashley and I have family in Western North Carolina, so we visit often.  

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop ✅
  • Stinky ✅

Ohio

It’s been nearly 20 years since my last visit to Ohio, and I haven’t stumbled across any photos.  I was supposed to visit again in 2024, but my trip got canceled.  I’m sure we’ll make the trip with the kids sometime.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Pennsylvania

I’ve visited Pennsylvania on numerous occasions.  My most recent trip was with the kids in 2024.  We visited Gettysburg, Eisenhower’s Home, and Hersheypark.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop ✅
  • Stinky ✅

South Carolina

South Carolina is another state that we have visited countless times.  Some of our favorite places to explore are Charleston, Beaufort, and Congaree National Park.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop ✅
  • Stinky ✅

Tennessee

Despite having visited Tennessee many times, I don’t have any photos from my trips.  We are flying to the Volunteer State for Thanksgiving this year so the kids can cross it off their list.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Virginia

Fun Fact:  I was born in Virginia!

The kids have now visited Virginia twice.  Our favorite trip took us to Williamsburg, where we got to see, firsthand, what life was like during colonial times.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop ✅
  • Stinky ✅

Washington

Ashley and I spent some time in Seattle before our 2017 Alaskan cruise.  

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

West Virginia

In 2024, we took the kids to West Virginia, where they experienced real snow for the very first time!  We went sledding on the longest sled run on the East Coast and spent some time at Blackwater Falls State Park.

Fun Fact: 2 weeks after they saw snow for the first time, it snowed at our home in Florida!  It was the first time it has snowed here since 1989.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✅
  • Smiley ✅
  • Scoop ✅
  • Stinky ✅
  • Blackwater Falls State Park: Home to the Longest Sled Run on the East Coast

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is another state I visited when I was younger.  I honestly don’t have any recollection of visiting…so I almost can’t even count it.  Looks like I’ll have to make new memories with the kiddos when we go.

  • Elle ✅
  • Ashley ✖️
  • Smiley ✖️
  • Scoop ✖️
  • Stinky ✖️

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

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Categories
Europe Iceland Itineraries

How to Experience the Best Iceland Has to Offer in 8 Days: An Itinerary

Bruarfoss

Our trip to Iceland was, hands down, the most incredible experience of my life.  The 8-day trip, touring the Ring Road, was the perfect way to celebrate my 40th birthday.  During the week, we visited countless waterfalls, snorkeled between the tectonic plates, and explored the gorgeous countryside.  To summarize our trip in one word, it was unbelievable. 

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I said, “Wow!” on our trip.  Every time we turned a corner, my jaw dropped to the floor.  Iceland is truly the most beautiful place I’ve ever experienced.  I would love for you to have a similar experience, so I’m sharing our jam-packed 8-day itinerary of Iceland.  

Below, you’ll find our 8-day itinerary that took us all around the Ring Road.  Each day, I’ve included suggestions of things for you to do, what we did, where we stayed, and what we ate.  To help keep the article as brief as possible, I didn’t go into a ton of detail about each stop, but there are links embedded throughout the post that will help you learn more about what we saw, what we did, and where we stayed.  We hope that sharing this information with you will help you plan for what will surely be one of the most incredible adventures of your life!

Rainbow Road, Reykjavik

Day One: Arrive in Iceland

When we arrived in Iceland, I was underwhelmed.  The airport, located in Keflavik, is on a peninsula in the western part of Iceland.  This is the least attractive part of Iceland.  Don’t worry: it gets better!  Much better.

Your first stop is the Blue Lagoon.  What better way to unwind after a long flight than by relaxing in a geothermal pool?  Stop by the mud mask bar (or the regular bar) to enhance your experience.

Related Post:  Visiting a Pool or Lagoon in Iceland for Newbies

After you’ve been rejuvenated at the spa, it’s time to head into the city.  In Reykjavik, you’ll find plenty of places to explore.

You can spend the rest of the day:

  • Walking along the harbor (start at the Sun Voyager Statue and make your way to the Harpa Concert Hall)
  • Shopping on Laugavegur 
  • Stopping by the Penis Museum
  • Snap a selfie at the Rainbow Street
  • Join a walking tour
  • Go into the tower of Hallgrímskirkja (Iceland’s tallest church)

Suggested lodging:  Sand Hotel by Kea Hotels
Suggested Eateries: Rossopomodoro (Italian), BrewDog Reykjavik, Ísbúðin litla Valdís (ice cream), Sandholt (bakery)

Our Experience

We arrived at the airport early in the morning and picked up our rental car.  We immediately went to the Blue Lagoon where we had reservations to enjoy the lagoon.  Our package came with a total of 4 different masks and 2 beverages.  Despite the early hour, we grabbed some local beer to try while we indulged in the masks.

We spent about 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon before showering off, getting dressed, and driving to Reykjavik.  Our post on the Blue Lagoon goes into detail about the various packages and what you can expect at the lagoon.

The drive to Reykjavik was a breeze.  We quickly found a parking garage near Harpa Concert Hall (Arnarhóll, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland) and set out to explore the harbor area.  Our first stop was the Penis Museum which…was…interesting.   

Next, we walked to the Harpa Concert Hall.  We stepped inside to marvel at the incredible glass structure.  We walked along the seawall down to the Sun Voyager sculpture. 

Realizing we were close to our hotel, we walked that way and checked in.  Our hotel was surrounded by a bunch of shops, so after dropping off our luggage, we did a bit of shopping. We stopped by the iconic Rainbow Road before grabbing dinner and calling it a night.

Day Two: Golden Circle

You better double up on your caffeine this morning, today’s going to be a busy day!  Say “Bless” (goodbye) to Reykjavik and drive to the Golden Circle.  Your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, one of the most important sites in Icelandic History. 

Suggestions for Thingvellir: 

I cannot emphasize how awesome snorkeling between the tectonic plates was!  I was nervous leading up to the experience, but oh man, all that anxiety was worth it.  It was such a magical experience!

Next, you’ll head deeper into the Golden Circle, heading towards Vik on the southern coast.  There are several places you can stop along the way, including Geysir, Brúarhlöð, Secret Lagoon, Kerid Crater, and Laugarvatn Fontana (to make geothermal bread). 

Our stops included:

Suggested Lodging: Black Beach Suites

Pro Tip: If you have an extra day that you can tack on to your trip, this is an excellent place to do it.  We missed a lot of things in the Golden Circle because we only had 1 day in this region.

Our Experience

Our first stop was Thingvellir National Park.  We were in the park by 9:15, which ended up being perfect.  Had we gotten there any later, we would have had to nix a few things later in the day due to time constraints.

I really wish we had more time to spend exploring the Golden Circle.  Had we not spent as much time as we did at Thingvellir National Park, we would have been able to squeeze more in.  However, we booked a 12:00 tour to snorkel between the tectonic plates at Silfra that lasted about 3.5 hours.

If you skip the snorkel tour (don’t), you’ll have time to squeeze in a few extra things like Brúarhlöð, Secret Lagoon, Kerid Crater, and Laugarvatn Fontana. 

Snorkeling Silfra at Thingvellir National Park

We got on the road around 4 to visit Geysir Geothermal Area.  It was kind of neat to see the OG Geysir (this is the natural phenomenon where all other geysers get their name), but after seeing it erupt once or twice…you can pretty much just move on.

Iceland is home to thousands of waterfalls.  As we made our way down to Vik, we passed tons of them.  We made pitstops at some of them; Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Kvernufoss.

One of the benefits of visiting Iceland in the summer is the extremely long days. Take a guess at what time it is in the photo above.  I’ll reveal the time in just a minute.

Our last stop of the day was Skogafoss, one of the more popular waterfalls along the route.  What’s neat about Skogafoss is that it is 1) close to the parking lot, so it’s easy to access and 2) you get the view the waterfall from the base of it.  You can literally feel the spray from the falls hit your face or dip your toes in the pool at the base of the fall.  

What many people don’t realize is that there’s another (perhaps even more incredible) waterfall right next door!  Kvernufoss (pictured above) was my favorite waterfall in all of Iceland!  Not only can you view it from below, but you can also walk behind the waterfall!  When we visited, there were several sheep grazing along the trail leading to the waterfall.  It was a really neat experience.

And now…to answer the question…the photo above was taken at 10:48 PM!

Our hotel was about 30 minutes east of Kvernufoss, which meant we didn’t get in until about midnight, which made for a really long day. If I were to do this itinerary again, I’d tack on an extra day at Black Beach Suites and backtrack to Gljufrabui, Seljavallalaug swimming pool, Skogafoss, and Kvernufoss. We also didn’t get to visit the famous Reynisfjara Beach, which is right near the hotel, so I’d add that on, as well.

Day Three: Southeastern Coast

Today is all about ice!  Book a tour of the Katla Ice Cave.  The cave is everchanging, so  each visit/tour is a unique experience.  You’ll start your tour with a walk through a lava field before arriving at an ice cave.  Your guide will lead your group across a series of planks and into the ice cave.  It’s a pretty cool experience!

Afterward, drive to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park.  Here, you’ll embark on one of the most incredible hikes we experienced on the trip: the trek to Svartifoss.

From Vatnajökull National Park, you’ll continue east to the world-famous Diamond Beach.

Suggested Lodging: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Suggested Eateries: The Soup Company, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Our Experience

After a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we drove 10 minutes down the road to the meeting spot for our tour.  We were escorted in a Superjeep through an old lava field to the base of the ice cave.  After a safety briefing and an overview of our equipment, we followed our guide into the Katla Ice Cave.  

Walking on ice, and using crampons, was new for us Florida girls, but once we adjusted we had a great time.  It was neat to hear the Icelandic folklore about the cave, and the science behind how it was formed.  Because it is constantly melting/freezing, the cave is continuously changing.  No two tours experience the same cave.  In fact, the entrance to the cave changes every couple of years due to this process.

Our next stop was probably the most challenging/exhilarating part of our entire trip.  Yes….it beats snorkeling between the tectonic plates in freezing cold water and exploring an ice cave.  The hike to Svartifoss is one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.

Now hear me out…the hike itself was about 2 miles round trip (1 mile in and 1 mile back), but man, was it tough. It probably didn’t help that I had an asthma attack before we even started our hike.  I’ve read several people’s accounts of the hike, and most have said it’s an easy/moderate hike.  They’re all damn liars.  I’mma keep it real with you.  The hike was tough.  And that’s not just because I’m 40 and overweight, I saw many people struggle.  Hell, Ashley didn’t even end up finishing the hike.  She went back to the car while I finished it solo.

Much of the trail is uphill and the trail is rather steep.  What made things worse was that we were all layered up from our ice-cave experience, so despite the fact it was less than 60 degrees (15 degrees Celcius), it was hot as hell.  Like, to the point where I stripped down to my undies on the trail and removed a couple of layers.  

Arriving at the waterfall, marveling at the hexagonal columns, and cooling off with the refreshing water made the trip so incredibly worth it.  I’m glad that I toughed it out!

After meeting Ashley back at the car we drove about 45 minutes east to Diamond Beach.  The beach was beautiful.  The contrast between the black sand and the crystal-clear ice was stunning.  

Our hotel was about 20 minutes west of the Glacier Lagoon, so we had to backtrack a little, but it wasn’t a huge deal.

When we arrived at the hotel, we reserved a time for the sauna and made dinner reservations.  Dinner was scrumptious- one of the best we had in Iceland!

Day Four: The East Coast

Today will be your first long driving day. Don’t worry, it’s an incredibly scenic ride.  At times you’ll be hugging the coastline high up in the mountains.  Oh, and I should probably mention that the Icelandics don’t believe in guardrails.  

The drive is about 4.5 hours.  We didn’t make any stops along the way, aside from a few unnamed roadside waterfalls (which you’ll find plenty of). 

In Egilsstaðir, you can:

  • Visit the East Iceland Heritage Museum
  • Hike to Fardagafoss
  • Scope out Heavier Mountain
  • Hike to Gufu Waterfall

Suggested Lodging: Hotel 1001 Nott
Suggested Eateries: Askur Pizzeria 

Our Experience

The drive up to Egilsstaðir was absolutely breathtaking.  Could this be my favorite corner of Iceland?  Our four-hour journey took us along a windy path tracing the Icelandic coast. We zoomed through tunnels, scaled mountains, and passed through charming little villages.  One interesting thing about Iceland is that the 820-mile long Ring Road doesn’t have any guard rails.  There were times when the road was dangerously close to a cliff, and there was nothing to stop you from going over.

We didn’t make any stops along the way, choosing instead to take in the beauty of the countryside.  Since we missed out on the amenities at our previous hotel, we wanted to take advantage of the ones at today’s hotel.  We got checked into the hotel, and within 10 minutes, we were in the hot tub.

We didn’t have any big plans for the day, so we each went online to find things to do in the area.  Ashley found a reindeer sculpture and a waterfall for us to check out.  

The hike to the waterfall, Fardagafoss, was easy.  I’m glad we had waterproof hiking boots because we had to cross a little creek a couple of times to get to the falls.  

Leading up to our trip, I saw countless photos of women posing topless in front of waterfalls.  So, there, in the light rain, with no one else around, I started removing layers of clothes until I was exposed.  You’ll have to DM me for that pic (LOL kiddddddinnnnnngggg……).

Each morning of our trip, I’d grab fruit from our hotel and bring it with us in hopes of running into some of Iceland’s famous horses.  We passed a least 14,249,843,216 sheep along the Ring Road, but we had yet to see any Icelandic horses.  It turns out the sheep wanted nothing to do with me, so I was holding on to the hope of seeing the horses.

Today was finally my chance to feed Icelandic horses!  Near our hotel, there was a pasture with horses practically begging me for a treat.

I should probably note that I’m not really a horse person.  My only real experience with horses was horseback riding in St. Maarten and that ended with me being covered in horseshit.  But that’s a story for another time.  

The horses were gorgeous!  But man, was a a bit intimated by them.  I approached them cautiously, and after dropping the apple about 46 times, I was finally able to feed one.  Lemme tell you, feeding apples to a horse is nothing like feeding apples to my labrador.  

Day Five: The Northeastern Coast

Today, you’ll make your way from Egilsstaðir to Akureyri, the capital of the north.  It’ll be a busy day, so you’ll want to get on the road early.

There are plenty of places that you can stop along your way, including:

  • Dettifoss waterfall
  • Lake Mývatn
  • Mývatn Hot Baths
  • Husavik
  • Godafoss
  • Akureyri

Husavik and Akureyri are both well-known for their whale-watching opportunities.  Consider booking a whale-watching tour.

Suggested Lodging: Hotel Kea
Suggested Eateries:  Húsavík öl Brewery, Restaurant Salka

Whale Watching in Husavik

Our Experience

 The tricky thing about booking tours in Iceland is ensuring you have enough time to get from Point A to Point B.  Everything is pretty spread apart, so you have to account for the drive time.  In addition, if there is any kind of accident on the Ring Road you’re pretty much screwed because it’s just a two lane road.  The weather in Iceland is also unpredictable and constantly changing, so it’s always best to give yourself plenty of time to get somewhere.

We had a 3:00 whale-watching tour in Husavik, a 3-hour drive from Hotel 1001 Nott. We were on the road by 8:30, battling the rain as we headed north.  

Whale Watching in Husavik

Our first stop was a trio of waterfalls called Hafragilsfoss, Dettifoss, and Sellfoss.    Dettifoss is the second most powerful waterfall in Europe.  The hike to both falls was a breeze and a welcome break from being in the car.  It was a great stop!

Next, we made a pit stop in the Lake Mývatn area.  Honestly, I don’t see the hype behind this region. Mývatn is a volcanic lake with some geothermal hotspots.  Don’t get me wrong, the lake is pretty, but we didn’t end up lingering in the area.  Instead, we chose to continue making our way up to Husavik.

Husavik made up for everything that Mývatn lacked. Husavik is renowned as being the whale watching capital of the north.  It’s a charming, busy little town filled with vibrant restaurants, bustling shops, breweries, and impressive views.  

After a quick picnic lunch along the shore, we set out to explore Husavik on foot.  We stopped by the old Husavik Wooden Church and grabbed drinks at Húsavík öl, a small brewery. 

While at the brewery, we noticed a Pride Parade was kicking off outside.  We downed our drinks and joined in on the fun.  After exploring the town (via the parade route), we made our way to the port, where we met up with our whale-watching guide.  

We were outfitted with gear and given a brief rundown of what to expect before we headed out on the rib boat.  Our guide scanned the horizon, looking for the spray of a humpback.  As soon as he spotted it, the captain would race in the direction of the whale(s). We chased whales for well over an hour, anxiously hoping one of them would jump out of the water. 

We grabbed dinner at a local restaurant before heading to our hotel in Akureyri.

Húsavík Wooden Church

Day Six: Akureyri & The Troll Peninsula

You’ll spend day six exploring Akureyri, the capital of the north, before driving west to Siglufjordur.

While in Akureyri, you may want to:

  • Stroll through the Akureyri Botanical Garden
  • Soak in the Akureyri Geothermal Pool
  • Browse the Christmas House
  • Visit the Home of writer Jon Sveinsson
  • Go horseback riding

Suggested Lodging: Siglo Hotel by Keahotels
Suggested Eateries: Seagull 67 Brewery, Torgid Restaurant

Akureyri Rainbow Stairs

Our Experience

We learned early on into our trip that we enjoyed the Icelandic countryside more than we did the towns, so we didn’t spend too much time in Akureyri.  Our hotel was off the main shopping thoroughfare, so we spent some time popping in and out of the shops and walking along the waterfront.  

Our favorite part of Akureyri was the stunning botanical garden.  The park is home to more than 7,000 different plant species, which is pretty impressive considering how harsh the Icelandic weather can be.  We spent well over an hour strolling through the beautiful free garden before getting on the road to Siglufjörður.  

Fortunately, today’s drive was the shortest one yet!  Our hotels were only 70 minutes apart, so we arrived in no time. 

It turns out that Siglufjörður is an incredibly sleepy town on Sunday mornings.  Since it was too early for us to check into the hotel, we hopped back in the car and drove to the town of, Hofsos.

Akureyri Botanical Garden
Hofsos Geothermal Pool

Hofsos is known for 3 things: the cute church with a blue roof, the Staðarbjörg basalt columns that plummet into the sea, and the geothermal pool.  Ashley didn’t want to get wet and deal with the wind, so she read near the pool while I took a dip.  The warm weather was incredibly relaxing.  I loved being able to look out at the sea from the infinity pool.

One of my favorite things about Icelanders is that they have a folktale for everything! Every waterfall and every landmark has a story behind it.  The basalt columns are no different.  

The story goes that a group of trolls were building a bridge or a fortress along the coastline. While they were working, they were caught by the rising sun, which turned them—and their unfinished construction—into stone. This explains the eerie, geometric appearance of the columns, as if they were carefully crafted but never completed.

Staðarbjörg basalt columns
Siglufjörður

Back in Siglufjörður, we walked along the harbor.  We visited the newly erected sculpture, “The Herring Girl,” and enjoyed dinner at Torgid.  After exploring the small fishing village, we checked into our hotel and took advantage of the hotel’s hot tub and sauna.  It was refreshing to have a day to relax and take it easy, especially since many of our days involved quite a bit of driving.

Day Seven: The West Coast

If you have an extra day, you could tack on time in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula here.

Today, you’ll start making your way back down to Reykjavik.  It’s about a 5-hour jaunt from the northern coast to the capital city.  

Along the way, you can stop at:

  • Kolugljufur Canyon
  • Grabrok
  • Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
  • Krauma Health Spa
  • Hraunfossar
  • Barnafoss
  • The Cave Vidgelmir
  • Selgil Hot Spring

Our Experience

Today we traveled south down the west coast and began our journey back home.  Our first stop was the Deildartunguhver Hot Spring.  Deildartunguhver is known as the highest-flow hot spring in Europe, producing around 180 liters (47 gallons) of boiling water per second at a temperature of about 97°C (207°F).  It was kind of neat to see the bubbling hot water shooting from the Earth’s crust.

While we were there, I tried something I hadn’t eaten in about 35 years…a hot dog.   Leading up to our trip, I kept reading about how incredible Icelandic hot dogs are.  Hot dogs have always grossed me out, so I nixed the idea of trying one.  While we were at the spring, Ashley spotted a food truck that sold hot dogs, so she grabbed one.

Deildartunguhver Hot Spring

I cautiously grabbed the hot dog from her and took a little nibble.  It wasn’t horrible.  The rémoulade that it was served with had a bit too much mustard for my liking, but I tried it.  And for me, that’s huge. 

Hraunfossar

20 minutes down the road, we made a stop at Hraunfossar.  Hraunfossar is unique in that it doesn’t flow from a river.  Instead, the water comes pouring out of a lava field before cascading down to the river.  It’s a pretty cool sight and well worth the stop.

If you make the pit stop, make sure you walk over to the neighboring waterfall, Barnafoss, as well.

In retrospect, I wish we had visited The Cave Vidgelmir while we were in the area instead of heading down to the city.  Vidgelmir is Iceland’s largest lava cave.  

 

Instead, we drove the rest of the way to Reykavik, where we shopped and looked for souvenirs to bring home to our loved ones.

Day Eight: Reykjavik to Keflavik

Today’s plans depend on your departure time. 

You could:

  • Explore more of the city
  • Spend some time at a geothermal pool
  • Relax at the Blue Lagoon,
  • Tour the Reykjanes Peninsula
  • Sleep in

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Categories
Delaware Itineraries Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania Travel Tips United States Washington DC West Virginia

Explore 5 States in 6 Days: A Complete Itinerary for West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and DC

Crossing New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland off of our list of places we've been!

On our quest to visit all 50 states, we embarked on a road trip that would take us to 5 states and Washington, DC.  Over 6 days we visited West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington, DC while hugging the Mason-Dixon Line.  

Fun Fact:  The Mason-Dixon Line separates 4 states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia.  It later became known as the border between the Southern slave states and the Northern free states.

All five states would be new destinations for the kids, and New Jersey and Delaware were new for me.  We tacked on a day in DC since it’s the kids favorite city (so far!).

Our itinerary has all of the elements of an epic family road trip:

  • Adventure
  • Rollercoasters
  • Waterslides
  • History
  • Culture

Seriously, what more could you want?

How We Ended Up Visiting These States

Each year we gift the kids a trip as part of their Christmas gift.  On January 1st, we randomly select the name of a state the kids haven’t visited and plan a trip to that destination.  For this trip, the kids pulled West Virginia.

Our family of 5 took a road trip from Florida up to West Virginia.  Since we were already in the area, it only made sense for us to visit a few other neighboring states so we could add them to the list of states we’ve visited.

Related Post:  How to Plan a Road Trip the Whole Family Will Love!

Using the strategy outlined in the post above, our itinerary quickly began to take shape, and Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington, DC were added to our trip.

Day One- Davis, West Virginia

The kids at Blackwater Falls State Park

After a long drive from Florida to West Virginia, it was time for a bunch of Florida kids to experience some snow! The first stop on our road trip was Blackwater Falls State Park, home to the longest sled run on the East Coast.  

The park has a conveyor belt, called the Magic Carpet, that carries passengers to the top of a hill.  From there, it’s a quick 1/4-mile descent to the bottom.  What an adventure!  Smiley, Stinky, and I had so much fun!  Scoop and Ashley didn’t love it, but they took advantage of the hot cocoa bar and fire while we went sledding.

West Virginia is known for having wooden “Almost Heaven” swings (pictured left) that are sprinkled throughout the state.  We hiked the short, but icy, trail that led to the swing and the gorgeous Blackwater Falls.

Next, we went back to the Canaan Valley Resort.  There was plenty of snow on the ground and the kids were dying to go sledding again.  Lucky for them, we brought along a set of roll-up sleds.  They spent hours zooming down the hills surrounding the resort.

Even Scoop had fun this go around!  What a great way to kick off our epic winter road trip!

Dining:  Canaan Valley Resort, Mama Mia Pie & Pasta
Lodging: Canaan Valley Resort

The kids glimpsing at their first blanket of REAL snow

Day Two- Gettysburg & Hershey, Pennsylvania

The kids posing with Abraham Lincoln Statue at Gettysburg

We got up early and made the 3-hour trek to Gettysburg.  Not only are we trying to visit all 50 states, but we’re also trying to hit up as many National Park Sites as possible.    

Gettysburg was the site of the bloodiest battle in US History.  The Battle of Gettysburg was a three-day battle in the American Civil War between July 1 and July 3, 1863, where an estimated 50,000 people lost their lives.  The battle is considered the turning point of the Civil War- where the odds turned from being in favor of the Confederacy to favoring the Union forces.

While we were at the Gettysburg National Military Park we:

  • Visited the Museum and Visitor Center
  • Paid our respects at the National Cemetery
  • Saw where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address
  • Saw the battlefield

About a mile away from the famous battlefield is another National Park Site- the Eisenhower National Historic Site.  This was the home of the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his wife, Mamie.  The home was closed for tours during our visit (tours are seasonal), but we were able to explore the grounds.  It was nice having the whole place to ourselves.

While we could have spent longer exploring Gettysburg, we had more fun on the agenda for the day so drove an hour to Hershey.

The kids exploring the battlefield at Gettysburg
The Kids at Hersheypark

Our final stop of the day was Hersheypark.  Our daughter is a total theme park junkie, so I knew we had to visit Hersheypark, a place I visited when I was about her age.  When you purchase a regular ticket to the park, you can preview the park the evening before your visit.

After checking in to our hotel, we told the kids we were going out to dinner and surprised them with a nighttime visit to Hersheypark.  They thought we were sneaking in (lol) so it made it EXTRA exciting for them.

Check out the video below for their adorable reactions!

Dining:  The Chocolate Avenue Grill
Lodging:  Holiday Inn Express, Harrisburg

Day Three- Hershey, Pennsylavania

Day three of our trip was all about Hersheypark!  Since we visited during the winter months, and on a holiday, the park had limited hours.  However, since we previewed the park the night before, we didn’t feel like we missed out on anything.

The park opened a little later that day, so we started our day at Chocolate World which is a large shop that had a few add-on experiences for visitors to enjoy.  There’s also an eatery and a free ride that tells how chocolate was made, which we rode multiple times until the park opened.

We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the theme park.  The kids had a blast on the rides!  Unfortunately, the rollercoasters were all closed due to the cold temperatures, but we made the best of it!

Later in the day, we purchased tickets for the drive-thru light show.  We slowly crept through the 2-mile trail of holiday lights.

Dining: Applebee’s
Lodging:  Holiday Inn Express, Harrisburg

Day Four- Perryville, Maryland

The next morning was Christmas Day!  We got up bright and early and drove about 90 minutes southeast to Perryville, Maryland.

Originally, I considered visiting Philadelphia after our time in Hershey, but with it being a holiday (and many places would be closed), I opted to add a day at the Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, Maryland to our itinerary, instead.  The Great Wolf Lodge is a massive, indoor waterpark and kid’s entertainment complex.  They have an arcade, bowling alley, mini golf, ropes course, and much more.  What better place to celebrate Christmas?  

Sure, it was un-traditional, but the kids had an absolute blast, and in the end, that’s all that matters!

Day Five- Pennsville, New Jersey; New Castle, Delaware; and Baltimore, Maryland

William Penn statue, New Castle, Delaware

With New Jersey and Delaware so close, we couldn’t NOT visit.  I went back and forth between visiting Camden, New Jersey, and Pennsville, New Jersey before ultimately deciding on the latter.  Although Camden had way more things to do, it was a little further away. Since we would be backtracking to Baltimore, timewise, it made more sense for us to go to Pennsville.

Pennsville is the home of Fort Mott, which is one of the very few things to do in this part of the state.  Fortunately for us, we love a good fort so our kids were thrilled to check it out!  Fort Mott is a post-Civil War outpost located on the Delaware River. There was plenty of signage for us to learn about the fort…mostly our kids just enjoyed running around with the muskets they bought in Gettysburg. 

Afterward, we drove to New Castle, Delaware.  Oh my gosh, ya’ll, it was the CUTEST colonial town!  Our first stop was the New Castle Court House, which is part of the First State National Historical Park.

At the courthouse, we learned how Delaware declared independence from Pennsylvania and Great Britain and became the first state.  We also learned about the famous Americans who once called New Castle their home.

Afterward, we strolled around the town making stops at the Historical Society, a colonial cemetery (Immanuel on the Green), the old pillory, and other key sites around the courthouse.  I seriously could have spent an entire weekend checking out this charming town.  It reminded me so much of Williamsburg, Virginia.  I guess that just gives us a reason to return!

New Castle Courthouse, First State National Historical Park

Related Post:  How to Spend a Day in New Castle, Delaware

The kids learning about the history of Fort McHenry

After a couple of hours in New Castle, we backtracked to Maryland.  We took the Fort McHenry Tunnel (our kids’ first tunnel experience) and made a pitstop at Fort McHenry.  Fort McHenry was the scene of one of the most influential battles in American History.  The Battle of Baltimore was a conflict between the British and the Americans during the War of 1812.  The battle was a turning point in the war.  After the British invaded DC (and torched it!), they headed north to Baltimore.

The Brits pounded Fort McHenry for 25 hours, but the Americans were able to defend their brick fortress successfully.  From this point on, the Americans had the upper hand during the war.

During the battle, Maryland native Francis Scott Key witnessed the chaos at the fort from afar.  At dawn, he looked out and saw a large American Flag waving over the fort, which inspired him to write a poem that would later become our national anthem.

We really enjoyed the National Park’s Junior Ranger Program.  It was a great way for the kids to learn what happened at Fort McHenry.  They completed several different activities in an activity book and earned a Junior Ranger badge for their efforts.

By the time we finished with the fort, it was about 4 PM.  We planned to check in to our hotel and walk around the Baltimore Harbor.  However, after driving around, we realized that might not be the safest idea.  We noticed an increase in police presence, including 2 armed guards at Chick-fil-A.  It turns out, the harbor becomes a totally different place at night.  We took our dinner to go and walked back to the hotel to hunker down for the evening.

Dining: Chick-fil-A
Lodging: Staybridge Suites- Baltimore Inner Harbor

Map of the National Mall

Day Six- Washington, DC

The kiddos learning about the slave trade at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

On the final day of our Mason-Dixon Road Trip, we drove south to Washington, DC. DC is our kiddos’ favorite city to explore, so since we were in the area, we just HAD to make a pitstop.

On our last visit, we spent 4 days exploring the capital. This time, I wanted to hit some of the
sites we didn’t get to see last time.

We started our morning off at the National Museum of African American History and
Culture,  one of the newest museums in DC. The museum’s collection focuses heavily on the
slave trade, the lives of slaves, the Reconstruction Era, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Learning about this part of our nation’s history was an extremely somber (but necessary)
experience.

From there, we headed to the National Mall, also known as America’s Front Yard. The National Mall has more than 100 monuments, memorials, and museums. We started at the far end of the Mall and worked our way back toward the National Museum of African American History and
Culture.

Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial. It was a cool spot to tie in our visit to this morning’s
museum and our time in Gettysburg (the monument has the Gettysburg address engraved in it).

The Lincoln Memorial

Related Post:  5 Inspiring National Monuments Every American Should See

From there, we made our way along the north side of the National Mall. We stopped by the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Constitution Gardens, Signers’ Memorial, and the
Lockkeeper’s House. Next, we cut across to the World War II Memorial before seeing the
Washington Monument.

Our last stop of the day was National Archives where we saw the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. Although we could
have easily popped next door to the National Museum of Natural History or the National
Museum of American History, we chose to get on the road instead. We knew traffic would be
heavy and our hotel was two hours south.

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

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  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Planning an Epic Road Trip

Now that you’ve seen how we spent 6 days traveling through West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and DC, we hope that we’ve inspired you to take your own road trip.

Here are some handy posts to help you start planning your own road trip!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

For future reference,  save our “Our 6-Day Itinerary for West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and DC.”   Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Read about how you can start your own 50 State Challenge! Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

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Categories
Delaware National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States

How to Spend a Day in New Castle, Delaware

The colonial architecture in New Castle, Delaware

When we visited New Castle, Delaware, I had very little expectations.  In fact, we only visited to collect another stamp for our National Park Passport.  To say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement.  The town of New Castle is incredibly charming and full of history and culture.  In this post, we’ll outline how to spend a day in New Castle.

How to Spend a Day in New Castle

You’ll find that most things in New Castle don’t open until 10 AM, so sleep in and take your time getting ready this morning.

9:15- Snag a parking spot near the New Castle Courthouse.  Start your morning off at the  Dream Bakery for a delicious croissant, cinnamon roll, or breakfast pastry.  

10:00- Tour the Amstel House Museum.  When successful physician Dr. John Finney built this home in 1738, it was the largest and most elegant home in New Castle.  George Washington and the Marquis de LaFayette attended a wedding here in 1784.

When the home was built, it looked out onto the New Castle Courthouse, which was a sign of Finney’s prestige within the community.

Attorney Nicholas Van Dyke Sr. rented the home from the family during the American Revolution.   Van Dyke was a member of the Second Continental Congress, a signer of the Articles of Confederation, and Governor of Delaware.  Many of the discussions about the formation of the state of Delaware (and even the United States itself!) happened in this house.  

9:45- Visit The Green.  This common area was likely used for markets during Colonial times.  In 1809, a U.S. arsenal was added.  Later in the century, a whipping post and pillory were installed near the courthouse.

 

New Castle Courthouse, First State National Historical Park

10:00- Next, you’ll tour the New Castle Courthouse, constructed in 1732.  The courthouse is where Delaware declared their independence from Pennsylvania and Great Britain.  It was also the site of the trial that inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

 11:00- Walk along E. 3rd Street towards the Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green.  You’ll pass the Rodney House (16 E. 3rd Street, built in 1831 by US Representative George Brydges Rodney), Wiley House (built in 1798 by lawyer John Wiley), Dutch House, and the Gas Lamp (the last original gas lamp).

11:15- Your next stop is the Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green, the oldest Anglican parish in Delaware.  The church was been operating continuously since 1689. 

The church suffered a fire in 1980 as a result of a nearby marsh fire.  All that remained were the church’s masonry walls.  The current structure is similar to the church that stood here in 1820.  

If the church is unlocked, you are welcome to walk in.

Take time to visit the grave sites of parishioners from the 17th to 21st centuries.  Several are from the Revolutionary War and were signers of the Declaration of Independence.  

William Penn statue, New Castle, Delaware

11:45- Stop by the New Castle Historical Society to learn more about the history of this colonial town.  They offer a short (less than 10 minutes) video that summarizes the importance of New Castle and its role in our nation’s independence.  

 Walk down the cobblestoned Market Street.  You’ll pass by a statue of the influential Quaker, William Penn.  Penn was a writer, religious thinker, and the founder of Pennsylvania.  

12:30- Make your way back to Delaware Street and enjoy a delicious lunch at Jessop’s Tavern & Colonial Restaurant.  The pub dates back circa 1724 and is known for its servers doting period costumes.

1:30-  Pass by William Penn’s 1682 landing spot and head up The Strand to Packet Alley.   This alleyway was an important route for Northern and Southern states to communicate and was a hub for international trade.  Many of history’s most famous figures (such as Henry Clay, Davy Crockett, Andrew Jackson, Lord Ashburton, Louis Napoleon, Chief Osceola, and Chief Black Hawk) stopped here en route to other destinations such as Washington DC, and Baltimore.  

Snap a selfie in front of the giant Ivory Soap mural.

2:00- Next, tour the Read House.  The home was built in 1804 for George Read II, son of one of Delaware’s signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.  The 14,000-square-foot home is a National Landmark and is one of the best examples of domestic architecture from Philadelphia’s Federal Period.  At the time of construction, it was the largest home in Delaware.  

The home boasts an impressive garden that was laid out in the late 1840s by the home’s third owner, William Couper.

 

3:30- Slowly make your way from the Read House, up The Strand, and turn left on Harmony Street.  Walk down Market Street or E. 3rd Street and admire the colonial architecture as you make your way back to your vehicle.

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

For future reference, be sure to save our “How to Spend a Day in New Castle, Delaware”   Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

See how we squeezed in a visit to New Castle on a trip that hit up 3 states in one day!  Learn more about the New Castle Court House and see all of the other cool places we visited on our Mason-Dixon Road Trip!  See our full itinerary here.

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National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States Washington DC

5 Inspiring National Mall Monuments Every American Should See

Lincoln Memorial- Washington, DC

Can you believe there are more than 100 monuments and memorials at the National Mall in Washington, DC?  The National Mall, known as “America’s Front Yard”, is a park in the heart of downtown DC.  It is home to several museums, memorials, monuments, sculptures, and statues.  The monuments and memorials along the National Mall honor former Presidents, Veterans, and people important to our nation’s history.

The National Mall receives more than 25 million visitors annually and spans from the United States Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.  It also includes the White House, Ford’s Theater, and the parks along the Tidal Basin and Washington Channel.

The National Mall was originally drawn up by Pierre L’Enfant in 1791.  He envisioned a 1 mile long garden-lined “grand avenue”, much like you would find in prominent European cities.  In his plan, it was flanked by the Congress House (now the United States Capitol) and an equestrian statue of George Washington. 

The Landmarks, Museums, Monuments, Memorials, and Features of the National Mall

  • National Museum of American History
  • National Museum of Natural History
  • National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
  • West Building of the National Gallery of Art
  • East Building of the National Gallery of Art
  • National Museum of the American Indian
  • National Air and Space Museum
  • Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
  • Arts and Industries Building
  • Smithsonian Institution Building “The Castle”
  • Freer Gallery of Art
  • Arther M. Sackler Gallery
  • National Museum of African Art
  • Joseph Henry statue
  • Andrew Jackson Downing Urn
  • Smithsonian Carousel
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Library of Congress
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Jamie L. Whitten Building: U.S. Department of Agriculture Administration Building
  • United States Capitol
  • Union Square (Capitol Reflecting Pool & the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial)
  • Peace Monument
  • United States Botanic Garden
  • James A. Garfield Monument
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • WWII Memorial
  • Washington Monument
  • American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
  • Jefferson Memorial
  • Lockkeeper’s House, C&O Canal Extension
  • Constitution Gardens
  • Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence
  • District of Columbia War Memorial
  • Sylvan Theater
  • George Mason Memorial
  • John Paul Jones Memorial
  • John Ericsson Memorial
  • The Arts of War and The Arts of Peace sculptures
  • Jefferson Pier
  • Tidal Basin paddle-boat dock
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
  • Vietnam Women’s Memorial
  • Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument
  • Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site
  • Petersen House
  • Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • National Park Service Stables
  • German-American Friendship Garden
  • A Prayer for the Nation Memorial

Our 5 Must-See National Monuments on the National Mall

I’ve spent countless hours walking up and down the National Mall, popping in and out of museums, visiting some of our nation’s most important buildings, and viewing the numerous monuments and memorials.  Even after all of my visits to the capital city, these are the monuments that I never get enough of. 

The Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is located at the western end of the Mall.  Each year, the monument sees more than 7 million visitors making it one of the most visited monuments in the United States.  It honors one of America’s favorite presidents, Abraham Lincoln.  The memorial features a massive sculptor of our tallest president and is inscribed with two of his most famous speeches: the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address. 

The memorial was the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech”.  The step where King stood during the March on Washington is marked so visitors can stand in the spot where King gave this iconic speech.

The Kids at the WWII Memorial in DC

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial is centered between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The 56 granite pillars, adorned with bronze laurel wreaths, represent the 48 states (that were in the union in 1945), Washington DC, and the US territories.  The pillars line an oval-shaped plaza and reflecting pool flanked by two triumphal arches. 

The Freedom Wall, located on the western side of the plaza, is dotted with 4,048 gold stars.  Each star represents 100 Americans who died in the war. 

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

One of the most underrated memorials is the Korean War Memorial. Perhaps it’s because, for many, this has become a forgotten war. The memorial, located just south of the Lincoln  Memorial Reflecting Pool, memorializes those who served in the Korean War (1950—1953).  It’s a showstopper.  It includes 19 statues that depict soldiers in battle.  The sculptures are gorgeous.

In 2022, the Wall of Remembrance, a series of long black granite slabs, was added.  The slabs list the names of 36,634 Americans and 7,174 South Koreans who died under US Command.  Unfortunately, due to errors in the list submitted by the Defense Department, the wall includes more than 1,000 spelling errors and lists 245 servicemen who did not die in the war.  An additional 500 names should have been added but were not.  Corrections are slated to take place soon.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

A massive granite statue called Stone of Hope stands tall at the center of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.  The memorial was inspired by a line from King’s famous “I Have a Dream Speech” where he said, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” 

The memorial lines up with the Lincoln Memorial, the location of King’s 1963 speech.  King was the first African American to be honored with a memorial at the National Mall, and only the fourth non-President to receive such an honor. 

The memorial includes an Inscription Wall which has 14 quotes from King’s speeches.  Take time to read his words of wisdom and reflect on how far America has come, and how far we still need to go.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

While other memorials and monuments on the National Mall are more elaborate, it is the simplicity of this memorial that makes it so remarkable.  The memorial features two massive black granite walls that are engraved with the names of service members who died or went missing during their service in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.  In total, there are 58,320 names listed.  

There are directories of the names and their locations on podiums near the memorial.  It is not uncommon to see people using a pencil and paper to create a rubbing of their relative’s names.

 

Washington Monument

...Wait....What About the General?

You might be wondering why the Washington Monument didn’t make our list.  In all honesty, it’s because that sucker is 555 feet high and can be seen from pretty much everywhere in this area. While visitors are able to ride to the top of the monument to witness sweeping views of the Mall, it’s incredibly difficult to get tickets.

Planning Your DC Trip

No lie…DC is my FAVORITE city on the planet!  Despite making several trips, I’ve barely scratched the surface.  There are so many incredible things to see and do in DC.  We’ve compiled some of our favorites in our 4-Day DC Itinerary.

If you need tips on how to schedule a tour of the White House, Visiting DC with Kids, or Riding the Metro, we’ve got you covered!  Check out our Ultimate Guide to the National Mall or 15 Must-See Places in Washington DC for more great things to do on your trip!

Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program invites visitors to explore, learn about, and protect national parks. Participants complete activities in a special Junior Ranger booklet, then take an official pledge and receive a Junior Ranger badge or patch.

🗺️ How It Works

  1. Visit a National Park
    Head to a participating national park, monument, historic site, or recreation area. You can ask a ranger at the visitor center for a Junior Ranger activity book.

  2. Complete Activities
    Activities vary by location and are tailored to the park’s unique features. Common tasks include:

  3. Meet a Park Ranger
    After completing the booklet, kids (and adults!) show their work to a ranger. They may ask a few questions or have a quick chat.

  4. Take the Junior Ranger Pledge
    Participants promise to protect parks, learn about nature, and share what they’ve learned.

  5. Earn a Badge or Patch
    Every park has a unique Junior Ranger badge, making it a fun collectible!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

For future reference, save our post “The 5 Most Incredible National Mall Monuments.”  

While on our Mason-Dixon Road Trip, we also visited Gettysburg, the nearby  Eisenhower National Historic Site, and Hersheypark.

Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

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Categories
Maryland National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Fort McHenry with Kids: Fun for the Whole Family

Stinky exploring Fort McHenry

Are anyone else’s kids completely obsessed with visiting forts? Our kids have visited forts up and down the eastern seaboard and throughout the Caribbean and let me tell you, they haven’t met a fort they didn’t like!  When mapping out our Mason-Dixon Road Trip, I knew we had to add Fort McHenry to our itinerary.

Not only do the kids love forts, but they also collect National Park Passport stamps.  Visiting the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine was a no-brainer!

I know what you’re thinking, “Okay, cool… your kids like forts.  But what is there for them to do at a fort?” Believe it or not, there’s plenty for kids to do at forts.  Here are our kids’ favorite things to do at Fort McHenry.

5 Things to do at Fort McHenry

Watching the movie at the Visitor Center of Fort McHenry

Watch the Film

Your first stop at Fort McHenry should be the Visitor Center, where you can watch the film about the Battle of Baltimore.  The entertaining 13-minute video is a great introduction to the Battle of Baltimore on September 13th and 14th, 1814.  This famed battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner, which would later become the National Anthem.

The must-see movie is free to watch and runs every 30 minutes.  Even our kids, 7, 7, and 10 enjoyed the feature.  Be sure to stick around for the impressive ending!

The kids learning about the history of Fort McHenry

Visit the Museum

After watching the movie, spend time in the Visitors Center museum.  They have a great collection of artifacts including models, weaponry, and uniforms from the War of 1812 to World War I. 

Tour the Fort

The Star Fort is open daily from 9 am to 4:45.  Admission is free for ages 15 and under, and $15 for ages 16 and up.  Learn about the fort’s history from the War of 1812 through World War I.  Visitors can walk through the buildings and bastions to see what life was like for American soldiers during this time.  Our kids pretended to be soldiers and enjoyed popping in and out of the various rooms that were open to explore.

The kids getting sworn in as Junior Rangers at Fort McHenry

Become a Junior Ranger

The Junior Ranger program is a fantastic way for kids to learn about a National Park site.  Children can complete a series of tasks to earn a Junior Ranger badge.  These tasks can range from drawing a badge, word searches, BINGO, fill in the blanks, and locating facts about the site.  The number of tasks required to collect the badge varies based on the location, so be sure to ask the Park Ranger for specific details.

Don’t be jealous, grownups can earn badges too!  The Junior Ranger program is open to everyone!

The view of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge from Fort McHenry

Walk the Seawall Trail

Take time to walk the Seawall Trail and Ravelin Trail.  The grounds that the fort was built on offer beautiful views of the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor.  From the southern tip of the fort (and the Seawall Trail, you can see the now-collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Where is Fort McHenry located?

Physical Address:

2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Read How We Visited 3 States in 1 Day! (Including a visit to Fort McHenry).

Other Cool Information

Distance From Major Cities

  • Washington, DC- 42 mi
  • Philadelphia, PA- 104 mi
  • New York City, NY- 190 mi
  • Pittsburgh, PA- 249 mi
  • Akron, OH- 375 mi
  • Buffalo, NY- 373mi
  • Cleveland, OH- 397 mi
  • Charlotte, NC- 443 mi

Distance from Nearby National Parks

  • Shenandoah National Park- 109 mi
  • New River Gorge National Park- 338 mi
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park- 353 mi
  • Congaree National Park– 535 mi

National Parks Sites in Maryland

  1. ◽ Antietam National Battlefield
  2. ◽Appalachian Scenic Trail
  3. ◽Assateague Island National Seashore
  4. ◽Catoctin Mountain Park
  5. ◽ Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
  6. ◽Chesapeake Bay Watershed
  7. ◽Clara Barton National Historic Site
  8. ◽Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
  9. ◽Fort Washington Park
  10. ◽ George Washington Memorial Parkway
  11. ◽Greenbelt Park
  12. ◽Hampton National Historic Site
  13. ◽Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
  14. ◽Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
  15. ◽Monocacy National Battlefield
  16. ◽Piscataway Park
  17. ◽Thomas Stone National Historic Site
  18. ◽Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail

FAQ About Fort McHenry

Is Fort McHenry worth visiting?

Fort McHenry is an excellent place to learn about the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner.  The fort is well-preserved and certainly worth a visit.

How much time do you need at Fort McHenry?

Plan on spending at least an hour at the fort to really enjoy it.  

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

For future reference, save our post: “5 Things to Do in Gettysburg with Kids”.  Get inspo for your next trip by browsing the Ultimate National Park Bucket List.  Plan your trip around Free National Park Days and learn about The National Park’s Awesome Junior Ranger Program.

While on our Mason-Dixon Road Trip, we also visited the nearby Eisenhower National Historic Site and Hersheypark.

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