Washington, D.C

Our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., is the main location for learning about our national government and how it functions. At the U.S. Capitol, children can see how our senators and congressmen craft bills that are voted into law, or visit the U.S. Supreme Court, where visitors may watch the justices hear and vote on cases with national implications.

However, this district also is a treasure trove of American history. At the National Archives and Records Administration, visitors can see the original documents that shaped the basis for the American government: the Charters of Freedom, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the announcement of Independence.

The Smithsonian Institution alone covers more topics than you can assimilate in a single visit: American history, American Indian history, air and space, arts and industries. The material is so vast it fills 19 museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoological Park.

Then there are the memorials and monuments that honor many of our great leaders, along with the many men and women that gave their lives in service to our country. Many of these attractions are located along the National Mall, although several more are spread throughout the city. And, of course, there's the White House, where the president lives and conducts business.

Of special note: Although not based in U.S. history, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum should be included on every family's route. At this museum, kids will get a deeper considerate of the persecution and murder of the Jewish people in Europe before and during World War II.