One of the best ways to teach kids about history is for them to experience it first hand. A great way to do this is by visiting a National Park. National Parks aren't just about hiking and camping. The National Park system has also designated some of their 390 parks as National Monuments, National Historic Sites, National Historical Parks, National Battlefields, and National Military Parks, to name a few. Families can visit Presidential homes, walk on battlefields, and experience important moments in our country's history. Of course, don't mention to your kids that they'll be learning something. Let them get there, experience it, and see for themselves how fun history can be!
Gettysburg National Military Park is getting ready for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in 2013, making it a great time to visit. Gettysburg is known for being the bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties during the Civil War, and also for President Abraham Lincoln's famous "Gettysburg Address." The Battle of Gettysburg was in important turning point in the Civil War, making this National Military Park very educational, indeed!
Gettysburg National Military Park is getting ready for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in 2013, making it a great time to visit. Gettysburg is known for being the bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties during the Civil War, and also for President Abraham Lincoln's famous "Gettysburg Address." The Battle of Gettysburg was in important turning point in the Civil War, making this National Military Park very educational, indeed!
So what can a family expect to do there? In addition to touring the battlefields, they have re-enactments, museums, and special activities to get kids excited about history. One program is called Join the Army where kids learn what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War. The Rangers at Gettysburg National Military Park want children to enjoy history so they plan programs with them in mind. They also have bicycle, horses, scooters and Segways to help get the kids onto the battlefield in an interesting and engaging way.
And, as long as you are in Gettysburg, you need to go next-door to Eisenhower National Historic Site. This site is the former home and farm of General and President Dwight D Eisenhower. To get kids engaged, they offer a Junior Secret Service Agent Program where kids can learn what it was like to be a Secret Service agent protecting the President. Kids participating in this free program receive a training manual and are sent on special assignments that must be completed for them to receive their badge and certificate.
The town of Gettysburg also has plenty of kid-friendly lodging and restaurant options:
Quality Inn Motor Lodge. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s a great family motel, with a large pool, free breakfast and they have several rooms with three, yep three, queen beds. Families love those rooms especially. It’s priced right and right in the heart of the action, along with a stone’s throw from the battlefield.
The Eisenhower Hotel. This is a great and inexpensive hotel that’s a few miles from town, but worth the drive. It’s got an indoor pool under a glass ceiling that opens and closes, depending on the weather. It’s a larger property with restaurants on site.
Gettysburg Eddie’s. Eddie Plank, for whom the restaurant is named, is the area's only non-Civil War claim to fame. He’s a Hall of Fame baseball player from the early 1900s. This baseball-themed restaurant is great for sandwiches, platters, wraps, and more.
Tommy’s Pizza. Best pizza in town and it's located in the heart of museums and stores; this is a great place to take kids.
