Must-see Destinations for Kids
April 25, 2007. Budget Travel published a list of places every child should visit called "15 before 15." That apparently assumes that once your children turn 16, they'll be way too cool for family vacation.
It's not surprising New York City showed up twice on the list. The magazine suggested landmarks from two different times: Ellis Island, the gateway for immigrants, and Ground Zero, site of the country's most devastating attack on homeland soil.
A less famous, though equally important, pick was the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. This is also the home of Graceland, a Mississippi River museum and some very delicious barbecue.
Although most of the suggestions offer historical perspectives, the list also offers destinations that will fill your children with awe and reverence for the natural world.
Redwoods National Park in Northern California has the tallest trees on the planet in lush forests with mosses and ferns. Young adults will recognize the scenery from the Star Wars installment "Return of the Jedi." The Pacific Coast also has breathtaking scenery.
Not everything on the list has such a serious educational slant, however.
Disney World finishes the itinerary. As the article says, "…they're not going to be kids forever. Make them happy."
