Explore historic attractions, institutions and unexpected sites of Black culture where Black lives matter. These destinations will fuel fascinating conversations about race and justice that too few travelers engage in.
Highlights of African American culture and history enrich travels in many regions. We’ve picked out compelling yet surprising sites of Black culture in Virginia, Massachusetts, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Missouri, Tennessee and Washington DC to spotlight.
Road Trip Along The Civil Rights Trail To Sites Of Black Culture
Additionally, the U.S. Civil Rights Trail leads the way to more than 100 of the country’s most important Civil Rights landmarks. Instead of limiting yourself to a city visit, plan a road trip across these 15 states to monuments of this human rights struggle. Pause at historic churches, courthouses, schools, museums and more unexpected sites of Black culture, primarily in the Southern states. Each site explores the activists who challenged segregation in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond to advance social justice.
The Civil Rights Trail designates the top destinations in order of historic importance to the movement. These include Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery, Alabama; Washington DC; Greensboro, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Nashville, Tennessee. Whether your family is searching for history, context or museums, it’s time to honor the battles fought by the oppressed.
Each has stories to tell about the American Civil Rights movement when we stop and listen.
Jamestown-Yorktown, Virginia Explore Where Slavery Started
Explore the lives of colonists, soldiers, slaves and other members of America’s first settlement in Virginia. The “Historic Triangle” comprises Jamestown, Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg. America’s first indentured servants arrived at Jamestown Settlement in 1619.
Are you familiar with the “1619 Project” and the streaming TV series? Jamestown’s living history site and museum explore how the Powhatan Indian, English and west central African cultures converged in the 17th century.
The multimedia American Revolution Museum is in Yorktown. It examines how the Revolutionary War and the 1781 Battle of Yorktown impacted everyone in the colonies. This unusual Black culture site looks at settlers, indigenous tribes, and enslaved and free African Americans. All fought on both sides of the American Revolution and made contributions to establish the nation.
Boston, Massachusetts, Where Free Blacks Fought For Freedom
Thanks to a long and illustrious history, Boston’s appreciation of African American culture goes way back to pre-Revolutionary times. Start your tour on Beacon Hill. Look for the Museum of African American History and the African Meeting House (1806), America’s oldest Black church. Explore the 1.6-mile-long Black Heritage Trail of pre Civil War homes, churches, businesses and schools. Don’t miss the exhibits at the restored ca. 1835 Abiel Smith School. It’s surprising to learn that the school was once owned by free Blacks and abolitionists in this very posh neighborhood – before the 1% moved in.
Join one of the fascinating, free 90-minute tours led by National Park Rangers. They are full of Black culture and history references. The Boston Massacre site outside the State House is where, on March 5, 1770, the free Black, Crispus Attucks — credited by some as sparking the American Revolution — was the first to die in opposition to British injustice. Re-enactments of the Massacre that killed five colonists take place outside the State House on the Freedom Trail during March.
Plan a weekend at the beach to tour the African American History Museum campus on Nantucket. This unexpected Black cultural destination is comprised of a nine-stop Black Heritage Trail that features a ca. 1774 home owned by the freed slave, Seneca Boston.
Indianapolis, Indiana Commits To Black Culture And Social Justice
Indianapolis is a socially conscious city. Even the Childrens Museum, founded in 1925, empowers all ages to question and act upon social injustice. “The Power of Children,” for example, is a permanent exhibit showcasing three kids who fought the challenges of their time. Each child tackled the Holocaust, racism, or living with HIV/Aids in a powerful way. This is a very thoughtful space for adults to engage children on these complex issues.
The busy Madame Walker Theatre Center is at the site of the cosmetics and hair-care empire founded by Madame CJ Walker. One of the earliest Black business successes, she was daughter of Louisiana slaves who relocated in 1910 to Indianapolis. Take a tour of the facility to see the stage where megastars like Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Gladys Knight performed. Guides share more about one of the country’s first female entrepreneurs — how unusual that she was Black — who was an active philanthropist for African American causes.
Niagara Falls, Unexpected Champion Of Black Rights And The Underground Railroad
Although New York abolished slavery by 1799, out-of-state travelers could keep slaves up to nine months while vacationing at the famous Niagara Falls. Thousands of 18th and 19th-century visitors -– many from the South -– actually did. At the Cataract Hotel and other tourist spots, sympathetic staff would help guests’ slaves. The Cataract Hotel celebrates those who escaped by boat or on foot to Canada while their masters slept.
The small port along the Niagara River became a final stop for freedome seekers because Canada was just a ¼-mile away. Blacks who could get away paid 25 cents for ferries heading to Ontario. Some freedom seekers lost their lives trying to swim across. A footbridge (now destroyed) at the site of today’s Whirlpool Bridge allowed Harriet Tubman to walk to freedom.
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center recounts this history and more, with a focus on what the local citizenry did. The tiny space is not much bigger than the barns with false floors and homes with hidden doors that sheltered so many along the Underground Railroad. Yet the museum effectively conveys Niagara Falls’ outsized impact on the movement and makes it a worthwhile Black culture destination.
North Carolina Celebrates A Black Rosenwald School
For those who don’t know, Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) was a German-Jewish immigrant who made his fortune as president of Sears Roebuck. After helping to fund YMCAs for African-American communities in Alabama, in 1911 he met Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), a Black educator who founded the Tuskegee Institute. They discussed educational projects for young Black children and in 1913, opened the first Rosenwald school.
The unusual schools used a successful formula — matching Rosenwald’s money with local government and community funds — to foster collaboration in each community. By 1932, more than 5,350 Rosenwald schools, teachers’ housing and workshops had opened in 15 states.
With 813 schools, North Carolina once had more Rosenwald facilities than any other state. Ironically, after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1957 outlawed segregation, many fell into ruin. An estimated 60 buildings are said to survive.
The Panther Branch Rosenwald School, designed by America’s first accredited Black architect, Robert R. Taylor, served grades kindergarten through six from 1926-1957. Today, the Wake County community of Juniper Level in partnership with the local Baptist Church and the Juniper Level Botanic Garden, is restoring it to its original design.
Kansas City, Missouri Honors Unexpected Sites Of African American Heritage
The stories of Black lives and legacy are stored at the Black Archives of Mid-America. This collection guarantees that Black culture is woven into the rich cultural fabric of Kansas City, one of the nation’s largest railway hubs and a Midwest melting pot. Ease into city life with a slab of barbecue ribs and burnt ends at Arthur Bryant’s. The fluorescent-lit space has fed the hungry, presidents, and celebrities since 1940. Bryant, a celebrity chef in his time, is considered the scion of the “low and slow” method of grilling.
Around the corner at 18th and Vine is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, where guides bring the story of segregation to life. Kids love the replica baseball field inside with life-size statues of the greatest players. The adjacent American Jazz Museum is packed with memorabilia and listening booths. Pause to appreciate Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Charlie Parker, among others. Check the schedule at the Blue Room, a family-friendly jazz club attached to the museum.
Don’t miss the World War I Museum, the nation’s most complete collection of that era, with some momentos from the 371st Infantry Regiment, part of the Colored Infantry that served in the war.
Black Culture Sites In Memphis, Tennessee And The Civil Rights Movement
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis while making a speech in support of fair wages for Black workers. The site of his death, the Lorraine Motel, now houses the comprehensive National Civil Rights Museum. Their collection includes a segregated bus, a lunch counter and other painful symbols of the Civil Rights movement. This must-see museum includes dozens of new films and interactive displays, making it even more engaging for young visitors.
Start a Memphis musical tour at the W.C. Handy Memphis Museum, home of the celebrated African American composer known as “father of The Blues.” Head past the clubs on Beale Street to see a century of music history at the Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is named for the Stax studio where the masters of soul recorded their hits. Every beat brings you a little closer to rock ‘n’ roll, the sound popularized by the famous shaking hips of Elvis Presley, whose home at Graceland is one of the city’s top attractions.
Paterson, New Jersey’s Unexpected Black Cultural Site Honors Baseball
Did you know that Alexander Hamilton founded Paterson as the country’s first planned industrial city? It was 1792, he was Secretary of the Treasury, and there was potential in the city’s Great Falls of the Passaic River to produce cheap electricity. Quality products made in this thriving manufacturing mecca ranged from locomotives to cotton, beer and the finest silk fabrics.
Factories attracted foreign immigrants and African Americans fleeing the South. In 1932, the town built Hinchliffe Stadium for its multi-ethnic high school’s sports teams. Then it hosted the 1933 Colored Championship of the Nation. In its heyday, the stadium hosted Negro League games by the New York Black Yankees, New York Cubans, and the Newark Eagles.
When hometown graduate Larry Doby earned a spot on the Newark Eagles, it launched a career that sent him to the MLB in 1947, right after Jackie Robinson. Learn more about Paterson’s history and hero Larry Doby at the on-site Charles J. Muth Museum.
Small yet informative, this Black cultural site is packed with memorabilia and exhibits about the Negro Leagues. Learn about Hinchliffe Stadium’s role in the Paterson community, where 24% of the population is Black. Be sure to see the short film, a very interesting history of Paterson. From the theater’s windows, you can look out and see the Great Falls where it all began. New Jersey Tourism maintains its own list of Black heritage sites in the state.
Washington, DC Honors African American Culture
Did you know Washington DC was the first major city run by an African-American mayor (Walter Washington in 1967)? Of course, it’s also the former home of arguably the most powerful Black man in the country, President Obama. The $120 million Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to the Civil Rights leader is the first D.C. memorial dedicated to a person of color. Sites that celebrate the contributions of African Americans to this country abound.
Foremost is the National Museum of African American History and Culture, an incredibly rich collection about the African American experience. Dive deep into Black culture from slavery through the Civil War, to Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement and up through recent times. Get free timed-entry tickets online for same day entry on weekdays, or see if any walk-up tickets are available.
The National Cultural Heritage Center lists African American Heritage sites by neighborhood, with links to historic details. We suggest you begin at the luxurious Willard-Intercontinental Hotel, where Lincoln stayed prior to his inauguration. Dr. King wrote his “I Have a Dream” speech in the lobby. Print out and use the comprehensive African-American Heritage Trail guide to explore more of Washington’s Black culture.
Unusual Sites Of Black Culture Around Washington DC
The nation’s capital is packed with Black culture sites. Spend an afternoon at the African American Civil War Museum. This unusual African American culture site is the place to learn how the war shaped the lives of free blacks who served in the Union Army. Pause for a hot dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl U Street location. It was a favorite of President Obama and the site of many civil rights protests. Nearby is the museum home of the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass. View the original Emancipation Proclamation at the National Archives.
Catch a show at the Howard Theatre. It was built in 1910 along DC’s “Black Broadway” to showcase vaudeville stars, musicians and the Howard University Players. Recently renovated, the theatre attracts The Roots, Mos Def, Esperanza Spalding and others to its famous stage.
Spend a day in the countryside at Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s home. You might not think of it as a Black culture site, but it showcases the lifestyle of Washington’s 316 slaves and their role at his estate. The first President’s will proclaimed that all his slaves should be freed after his wife Martha’s death. It never happened, but you’ll learn why at Mt. Vernon.
That gesture, nevertheless, was a first for the Founding Fathers, a sign that Black culture and Black lives mattered to the new nation.
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On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop selling the Google Glass product to consumers — who became its “Explorers” — while it makes more improvements to the technology and hardware. Simultaneously, the product will move from its test phase at Google X and become its own department within the giant technology company.
For complete details, please see this story: Google Glass Sales Halted.
This is a great summary of emerging family travel trends in 2015. I am very excited to see ecotourism evolving to include the youngest travelers as well as multi-gen travelers. Very interesting to see uber attempt to dig into the family market. As for all-inclusive hotels, after years of resisiting, I am finally a convert. My kids have always loved them and now their parents finally see the ease and economy of the pay-one-price concept. Happy Travels in 2015!
great feedback on what we’re seeing for 2015; agree that ecotourism has become so mainstream that it’s time all ages and all abilities (including those with disabilities) are included in nature-focused travel.
And yes, disruptive technologies like uber and airbnb are usually started by young people and grow by appealing to young travelers, but as we all know, they too will settle down and have kids and then look at new ways to make their services more “family-friendly.” So that’s an area where we see tremendous growth potential and hope for fresh ideas.
excited about what’s coming in 2015! Thanks for your comments.
I’m in, would love to win a stay at the Camelback water park in Pennsylvania. Close to my NJ home and sounds like a fun snowy or rainy day break with my boys. Sign me up!
After returning from a vacation with her daughter, C.S. shared this review of the Dreams Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic.
“Hi, we did not get sick at Dreams Punta Cana, stuck to bottled water, they were nice there not really attentive at concierge or lobby not knowledgeable and internet not working well, entertainment was okay and food just okay beach nice, tours not organized very well for swim with dolphins and no shopping for malls provided.
Yes the food was not great at all, hoping for better at gourmet restaurants, they always burnt the steak and not great the food, the world café was fine, buffet.
Kids club for my 8 year old she was bored, most of the kids were younger and not a lot to do for the 8 to 9 year olds, riviera maya dreams does a better job with kids club and takes them out to the real pool for kid games that is always nice.
I like Riviera Maya Mexico still a lot better.”
“The Singing Tower.” Bok Towers Gardens. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.
The Vera Bradley outlet sale sounds like a midwestern version on Filene’s Running of the Brides! It sounds like a paisley lovers dream and a fun Mother/Daughter bonding event. Thanks for sharing!
How’s the weather up there now? Would it be warm enough to swim outdoors in late April, or still chilly? Seems like a fun spring break getaway since we only have a few days. Thanks for sharing.
I love Rocky Mountain National park! It’s great for all Colorado seasons. In the winter, when other parts of the park are closed down, they open up sledding areas. When I went, we shared the hill with just one other small group. A great afternoon for all ages!
In spite of all the cold weather we have been experiencing, this story makes me want to head up to Montreal for a frosty weekend of fun. The Montreal en Lumiere festival sounds like a winner, as does the hotel. Thank you for the terrific seasonal suggestions!
Skiing is such a wonderful way to experience Colorado’s beauty! There is such pride in that state and I love that so many resorts really cater to children too.
Eldora Mountain Resort wasn’t mentioned on this list, but on Saturday, March 8, they are hosting a scavenger hunt to raise money for Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to teaching people to take care of the world around them, while also having fun. How awesome is that?! Can’t wait to hear more about it.
This is an excellent article. Well researched, thoughtful and motivating. I know as a parent right now considering a family cruise this Spring Break in March, kids drowning will be on my mind even though my son is on a swim team and swims two miles five nights a week for practice. Drowning can happen to anyone, any time, at any age. As a former swim instructor and lifeguard myself for many years to earn summr spending money and put myself through college, I know how water is dangerous — whether in a pool, lake, baeach or bathtub. But we all need reminding and education about what drowning looks like. And that is what you’ve done for me today. Thank you.
As a teen life guard, I saved a kid at our local pool who was “just floating.” It was a crowded pool on a sticky, hot Midwest day. A swimmer in the middle of the packed giant kids’ pool started yelling at me and pointing to the child “floating.” I’ll never forget doing mouth-to-mouth, his wide vacant eyes, his limp body, and then him catapulting upwards, spitting, sputtering to life. I tear up as I write this. What if he hadn’t lived? The guilt, the fright, the parents, the park district, the system…who to blame if the child had died? Would I be blamed for not seeing him inactive sooner? Would the pool be blamed for allowing too many people in? Would the park district be blamed for booking the swimming event? Did anything change after this incident? Yes. I got fired. And went to work for another pool heading up their swimming lessons program.
Thank you for writing this and your call to action for everyone to take responsibility for children around water at all hours of the day and night. Your “unthinkable” article has given us all much to think about.
Would be a fun vacation if you could really save money by doing it too!
What an adventure, I would love to do embark on a journey like this with my teens. The flora and fauna seem incredible, the guides professional. Thank you for sharing!
We’ve heard the Boeing factory tour is really interesting – wondering now if there any exhibits or parts areas that relate to the new Dreamliner. Would love to see one up close, especially being assembled after all the battery snafus.
Wish we all could have been there, Morocco looks fabulous and during the winter it would be a very productive coder’s retreat.
Congratulations to ALL of the students who entered in the FTF Writing Scholarship contest :3 Of course a big "congrats" should be merited to our winners, but I think every student who entered deserves a pat on the back–hopefully they'll be inspired to continue writing, too!
This sounds like a great resort for my all-inlusive loving teen children, who have a " bigger is better" attitude. I love that it is so close to the Cancun Airport, so you can get right to the fun as soon as you land.
I love the idea that guests at the hotel can "assemble" their own favorite meals from a variety of healthy offerings. Sounds like a great idea. If only I had time to cook so many different options every night at home!
This looks like a fascinating experience to remember and to go too! I have always wanted to go to Dubai and going there is a vacation never to forget!
Enjoy
One of the best states to come visit!
You make me want to go there and spend weeks on end, reconnecting with nature and making friends. And blobbing too. Thanks for sharing this.
Cincinnati, Ohio. Just another city in the Mid-West, right? Wrong. Cincinnati is one of the greatest cities in Ohio. With our stunning river front view, our bustling downtown, and the newly gentrified Over-the-Rhine, what else could we have in store?
For starters, Cincinnati has the 7th best zoo in the nation.Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a great location for exploration and learning. People of all ages can appreciate the wide variety of animals found in the Zoo. Not only are the animals astounding, but guests get the chance for a hands on experience with many of the animals. For example, in Giraffe Ridge, guests can purchase a snack for the Giraffes and then feed them over the balcony. These moments will be remembered and cherished for the rest of a person's life.
Another great accessory Cincinnati has is the new, urban planned area called "The Banks. The Banks features apartments on the second floor of the buildings and restaurants and music venues on the first floor. This is a great area for younger couples to hang out at night.
Findlay Market is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or weekend. Findlay Market is the oldest public market in the state of Ohio. The market is open every day but Monday and is one of the best places to find locally and organically grown foods. Another great feature about Findlay Market is that the area surrounding the market is newly gentrified, meaning that it has been refurbished. This makes the area even more desirable.
The Newport Aquarium</a>is not located in the city of Cincinnati itself but it is an awesome place for family fun. Newport, Kentucky is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Cincinnati and has other amenities. Other places to visit while in Newport would be Dewey's Pizza, Brothers, Brio, and the Haufbrau House. All these restaurants give a different essence to the name "Cincinnati". Dewey's is a local pizza joint that runs the gamut in available options. Clever names and quick service make for a great time. Brothers and Brio are Italian restaurants that serve authentic Italian cuisine (Brothers is the less expensive option). The Haufbrau House is a German Bier Garten style restaurant that offers a large selection of beers and sandwiches. Along with normal options, the HaufBrau House also provides authentic German food. After you eat, the chicken dance is played, giving patrons the opportunity to dance on the table tops.
Other Cincinnati food traditions are Goetta and Skyline. When German immigrants came over to America, they settled along the Ohio River, then called the "Rhine". The Germans created a meat similar to sausage called Goetta. Goetta consists of ground pork or beef, oats, and a variety of spices. This specific meat can only be found in Cincinnati and occasionally there are large festivals for Goetta and German heritage. On the other hand Skyline is chili, created by Greek immigrants. The name "Skyline" originates from the owner believing that the Cincinnati skyline was the most beautiful he had ever seen. Skyline chili has a unique flavor due to the large amount of chocolate used in the chili.
Come one come all! Memphis is the breeding grounds to fun and adventure!
I truly love my City of Houston. Though I don't know where my education will take me, Houston will always be my home.
Austin is a great place to live, love, and visit. It has wonderful sites, people, and things to do. Everybody should visit Austin.
Say what you will. An open mind is insightful.
Thank you for this spot-on mini-review of Greve and Panzano, two of the most scenic and charming towns in Chianti. Daniel Ferro's summer music program only adds to the area's beauty, with music in the piazza to entertain locals and visitors alike. The rental property sounds like an excellent choice for families who choose to vacation in and explore the area. Thanks for sharing!
Ames, Iowa provides many opportunities to experience American culture and become immersed in American history. Since the mid 1800s, Ames has become a booming college town. Culture has had lots of time to flourish in this time, and evidence of the age of this town can be found everywhere. Tourists coming to Ames can also feel safe and enjoy Ames' attractions without fear of crime. Gun fights in Ames are practically unheard of, and the friendly people never hesitate to wave, even at newcomers to the area. Any tourist can appreciate the age and personality of Ames, as well as its safety.
To experience the culture in Ames, tourists must visit Stephen's Auditorium on Iowa State University's campus. This theater hosts a variety of concerts, plays, musicals, and other theatrical performances. Comfortable seating and awesome acoustics make this location a worthy contender for a relaxing night out. Big acts such as Bill Nye the Science Guy and the band Needtobreathe have to known to reserve this venue so one feels included in a special and popular event, but the space does not have an overwhelming size, so overcrowding and overheating will not deduct from the experience. Stephen's Auditorium will help in discovering the culture of Ames.
Tourists wishing to discover some of Ames' culture would greatly benefit from attending Ames' Farmer's Market on Saturdays on Main Street. Vendors have local and homegrown produce, meat, eggs, pastries, jewelry, art and many other items for sale that offer a taste of Iowan culture. Musicians often perform for shoppers, so they can be entertained while shopping. Ames' Farmer's Market provides an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of Ames and Iowa.
Evidence of Ames' history can be found in a visit to Iowa State University's campus. Founded in 1858, Iowa State University was the sight where George Washington Carver decided to do much of his botany research. Visitors to the college will see evidence of the age of this college in the buildings from this era that still exist. Iowa State University also housed the master minds who created the first computer. Tourists to Ames can take a trip to Durham Center in Iowa State and view the replica of this first computer. Main Street offers a taste of history also. The buildings in this area of Ames give a taste of what architecture looked like back in the early 20th century. A mural on Main Street depicts some of the founders of Ames. History holds great importance in Ames, and tourists can experience this without too much trouble.
To curb tourist's hunger, Ames offers many excellent places for dining. No tourist should visit Ames without eating at Hickory Park. This restaurant is famous not only for its deliciously moist chicken but also its tangy barbecue sandwiches. After the main meal, enjoy sweet and creamy ice cream. Dublin Bay offers wonderful Irish cuisine for tourists to enjoy. Try the moist Shepherd's Pie with perfectly salted fries for contentment. For fans of Mexican food, El Azteca guarantees friendly service, free chips, and delectably flavorful food. Many restaurants with amiable service and food that delights the taste buds are available for hungry tourists.
Though a relatively small town, Ames offers visitors a chance to learn about the history and culture of not only Ames, but the state of Iowa without fear of crime. Numerous attractions exist for this purpose. Visitors can also talk to the mayor of Ames, Ann Campbell, about the culture of history of Ames. City council members happily will answer questions from tourists. Tourists will not be sorry for visiting this town.
Northern Nevada never stops to amaze.
Sunday River has been on my radar for a potential family ski trip for quite a while. This story is so loaded with good information, it seems like it is worth the extra time spent in the car to ski at such an excellent family resort. Thanks!
Wow, this sounds likea great merging of chocolate and history, two of my favorite subjects.
I am looking forward to experiencing this for myself, thank you for the informative post.
I love this post so much! I hope I will come here one day!
This is a terrific article that I am so glad to have read. I didn't know there was a car-free way to appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a fun, scenic and eco-friendly option.
Your essay moved me to tears. I am also a finalist in the scholarship and I wrote about visiting Poland’s concentration camps. I would love your opinion on my essay.
I wrote this essay hoping to bring people closer to understanding, as close to understanding as we can get. I want to share an experience that had an impact on me. This trip truly changed me, and what I want do with my life. I suggest if you have the means or are able to visit Poland or go on March of the Living. I know there are teen and family trips with BBYO.
Thank you so much for what you said. I truly appreciate what you said. I also visited the picture of your family. Your family is beautiful and I am so glad that they were able to make it through such a devastating time.
I loved reading about your romantic return to what sounds like a beatiful and vibrant island. Thanks for sharing some of its treasures.
This is a great story, thank you for sharing the glories of Octoberfest in lesser known Nerumberg. My mouth was atering reading about all of the regional delicacies that accompany the beer!
Oh goodness, this is so sad! Thanks for sharing all of this information, a lot of these things I did not know until just now. We're taught about the Holocaust at school, but I'm sure that there is nothing like actually being at a concentration camp to understand how it actually was. Thanks for sharing.
wow! This sounds like such a wonderful experience. I'm sure it was very enlightening, and it really makes me happy to read that last paragraph. I think it's beautiful that you see things that way, and I hope to some day personally come to that realization through my own experiences. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Hi Debbie,
You will want he Medical Authorization Form from each child's parents with a photocopy of their insurance card.
Then you can use the last form which is for group tours, school outings etc. It is fine for domestic travel, Include travel info for each child so that parents assign you guardianship for certain period of time only.
Get these forms notarized. Make several photocopies in case an adventure tour operator wants to keep one. Or, if you all travel on same flights, get one long form, like a petition, and be sure both of each child's parents or guardians sign it.
You should be fine with it. Does the hotel know? Many states say it is illegal for a minor to occupy a room without an adult present. You may need connecting rooms guaranteed.
Enjoy the trip and write about what you did!
JaguarZ writes to the Admin with a very good question:
I will be traveling to Hawaii, originating on the eastcoast, with 4 minors (only 1 is my child) – they will all be 17 at the time of travel. I need to be able to "act as their guardian" — for example, sign waiver forms for activities, seek medical coverage if necessary.
I found a form or two on the site, but they seem geared toward international travel and do not seem to include the ability to "sign the waiver forms" I mention above. Any suggestions? I realize I may be able to get some of these forms signed before we leave, BUT for those activities they decide on when we are there — H E L P!
Thank you so much for your anticipated support
Debbie
This is really incredible. It is a dream of mine to visit Alaska, and I hope that if I ever do get to go, that I can experience what you did. My dad and I are avid kayakers, so it was somewhat relatable, although I doubt that Miami waters are NEARLY as cool (haha) as those in Alaska.This truly sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
I wanted to add that I loved the way you described everything, it was so beautiful and real.
Aw, I'm so sorry that happened to your dad but I'm glad something good came out of it. My family was actually planning on going to Gatlinburg next summer but we're all way too chicken to do this white water rafting haha. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this! That sounds like a truly beautiful experience. I love the bit about never underestimating yourself the most, very true.
*2009 not 2008
This is about my trip to South Dakota.
This trip was indeed and enriching expreience.
If you copy and paste the URL at the bottom of the post into your browser, it will take you to a video clip of the event, and if you skip to the last 12 seconds of the video you will see myself and one of my good friends sprinting in to the finish. We ended up tieing for 9th place.