As children in the family gear up to head back to school and learn more historical facts about America, take them off for one last travel adventure and make it patriotic, as well. Hike one of the most famous trails in the country, visit a founding father's farm and home, rough it with Robert Redford or hit the lake or beach.
Your desire to revisit history should start at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estates in Mount Vernon, Virginia. August average temperatures at the country's first President's estate are still warm enough to allow you to take advantage of the hiking trails and outdoor activities, but are not as hot as July. Visitors can tour Washington’s 1700s period home and farm, observe activities such as "George Washington: Pioneer Farmer" exhibition, which includes a four-acre demonstration farm, and the "Hands-on History Exhibit" offering interactive activities and games. Twenty-three indoor theaters and galleries, as well as a museum, an education center, a distillery and a gristmill are also on the estate. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year, and ticket cost ranges from $7 to $15 depending upon age, with children under six getting in for free. Prices are as of January, 2011.
Hiking part of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in August helps you avoid winter's wetter and colder months. You can hike the AT solo or go in a group setting, led by an experienced AT hiker. The group effort can help provide back up for bear sightings, ensure trail safety and free you to enjoy your hike more. Hiking the AT solo has its merits as well, most notably saving you hiker-led fees, which run approximately $525, as of January, 2011. The AT, which spans 14 states, starts in Maine and winds down to its southern point in Georgia.
If your idea of roughing it is spending a little time outdoors, followed by a gourmet meal in luxurious comfort, Robert Redford's Sundance Resort in Provo, Utah is the ticket. August accommodations will help you bypass the crowds of the Sundance Festival, an annual event hosted at Redford's resort. They will also allow you to take in the celebrity-drawing location with unobstructed views. Bring your wallet, as accommodations are expensive and vary based upon room, length of stay and meal options. Redford's environmentally-conscious resort will also cater to those with more green leanings, offering up soaps made on site.
You can always opt to travel to any of the beaches littering the shores of North America, or a nearby lake for your final farewell to summer. Most beaches or lakes can be reached within an hour or two from your home and won't break the bank. Packing up the family and a day picnic, along with a tank full of gas will be your total cost, and you can be home in time for dinner.
