Some things, like your ability to weather both heat and traffic with grace, are easy giveaways that you’re from Atlanta. But there are some baby names that are even more Atlantan than that and will let everyone know how much you love our fair city. Keep reading for a peck of perfectly peachy Georgia-inspired baby names for boys and girls that you’ll love.

Asa
Asa Griggs Candler founded the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta in 1892, and was our city’s 41st mayor from 1916 to 1919. Since he had 5 children, though, and countless grand, great-grand, and great-great grandchildren (most of whom have Asa in their name somewhere), you’re bound to run into one of his descendants at the playground sometime. Just be prepared to be grilled on your lineage.

Ansley
Atlanta’s first suburban neighborhood can be found in Midtown, between Peachtree St. and Piedmont Park. Designed in 1905 for automobile travel, it features wide, winding roads that are still as fun today to travel as they were over a century ago.

André
André Lauren Benjamin, better known as André 3000, is an Altanta rapper, singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. You might know him for being part of hip-hop duo OutKast, alongside fellow rapper Big Boi.

August or Augusta
In addition to being the city where every spring The Master’s Tournament takes place, this Georgia town shares a name with Helen Augusta Howard, who established the Georgia Woman Suffrage Association (GWSA) in the 1890s.

Bless
Another sweet middle name, not a one of us can say anything mean about anyone else without saying “bless his heart” to soften the blow.

Candler
See Asa, above. For additional inspiration, Candler Park is one of our favorite spots for a picnic, and is the site of one of our city’s best festivals.

Carter
Jimmy Carter may not be from Atlanta, but we claim him like he is.

Dex
This one’s for you, Decatur. For your funky independence and our favorite book festival of the year, we feel like you need to be honored in the next generation of Atlanta baby’s names.

Eve
Because EAV (East Atlanta Village) would cause some serious distress on standardized test forms later in life, we’ve taken the liberty of transforming one of our city’s most transformative neighborhoods into an easier-to-spell-and-pronounce baby name.

Georgia
Because, you know, we live in Georgia? Also, it’s one of our favorite girl names of all time.

Grady
Henry W. Grady was a Reconstruction-era journalist who coined the phrase “the New South,” and who helped reintegrate Georgia into the Union after the Civil War. Atlanta’s downtown hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital, is named after him, as is Grady High School in Midtown.

Gladys
The “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight—a four-time Grammy Award-winner best known for hits Midnight Train to Georgia and I Heard It Through the Grapevine— was born and raised in Atlanta.

Hot
Because it is. Right now. Atlanta is so. stinking. hot. And will be, until October.

Hartsfield
If the world’s busiest airport is worthy of being named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson, your special delivery is, too. Really, what’s cuter than a nickname of “Hart?”

Inman
One of Atlanta’s oldest and most scenic neighborhoods, first developed in the late 1800s, Inman Park is home to many historic homes and parks. It was Atlanta’s first planned suburb, connected to the city by the first of Atlanta’s electric streetcar lines along Edgewood Avenue. Today, it’s home to one of Atlanta’s longest-running and best annual festivals.

Ivy
Atlanta has its share of Blah Blah Blah, IV, so to make it easier on everyone, just name your namesake Ivy. We’ll know it means “IV.”

Jimmy
Thirty-ninth U.S. president, Jimmy Carter was born in Plains. And even though he lost the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan, we Georgians still see him as a two-termer.

King
Dr. King was born, lived, worked, worshipped, and is buried in Altanta. A Baptist minister, Dr. King advocated civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience, and was the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in Memphis in 1968.

Keisha
Our current Mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, is someone whose name you’re going to be hearing a lot of, on both our local and national political stages. Yeay for strong women!

Killer
If you want a name with an edge, naming your little one after local Atlanta musician and businessman Killer Mike (Michael Santiago Render). But don’t let the name fool you. He’s not scary.

Lanier
One of Georgia’s own literary giants, Sidney Lanier also has a pretty big pond (Georgia’s largest recreational lake) named after him—Lake Lanier.

Maynard or May
Atlanta’s first African-American mayor, Maynard Jackson, was elected in 1973, during a time that many cities were still struggling to embrace the forward momentum of the Civil Rights Movement. Also, everyone in Atlanta knows that Marietta is properly pronounced “MAYetta.”

Peachy
Peachtree just doesn’t work when it comes to a first, or even middle, name. But shorten it, and you’ll find yourself with a Peach of a name—perfect for a precious baby from the Peach State.

Simon
In the 1850s, Spanish explorers used Catholic missions along the Georgia coast to assimilate Native Americans into the colonial system spreading north from Florida. The village of San Simón on current-day Saint Simons Island was a refugee village for non-converts, and is the island’s namesake.

Savannah
Founded in the early 1700s by English colonists led by James Oglethorpe, Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and was once named Yamacraw Bluff. We think Savannah is a prettier baby name than Yamacraw, but you choose.

Ty
Georgia’s baseball player Ty Cobb was born in Narrows. Nicknamed “The Georgia Peach,” he was the first player elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1936.

Wylie
Just outside the Krog Street Tunnel, where you’ll find a constantly evolving slice of Atlanta street art, is the BeltLine and Wylie Street. It’s a cool part of town, and an even cooler boy baby name or girl baby name.

Walker
This is for all our Georgia fans, because in the world of sports, there no name more revered in this state than Herschel Walker. And it’s a great name, too.

Yonah
Just a few hours from Atlanta’s city lights is Yonah Mountain, located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest between the towns of Cleveland and Helen. Yonah is the Cherokee word for Bear, which we also love, but is a little to Alabama-y for our taste.

Make sure to capture all the pics of your little Atlantan—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

Is there anything more relaxing after a long day of parenting than settling into the couch, grabbing a cup of tea, and breaking a 30-year-old cold case? When thinking of ways to unwind, grisly murder doesn’t naturally come to mind, yet women consume true crime entertainment—whether by documentary, docuseries, or podcast—at greater rates than men, and moms are among the biggest fans. There are theories as to why.

Some experts believe women are drawn to true crime because the victims are often female. Some think consuming true crime media helps women understand the criminal mindset and acts as a primer on how not to become a victim. Whatever the reason, we’re obsessed. And with so much out there, there’s no shortage of true crime docuseries to dive into. If you’ve already watched everything about the Night Stalker or are yet to join the true-crime-obsessed, here’s a list of series you need to check off immediately.

American Nightmare

American Nightmare true crime documentaries for moms netflix
Netflix

This three-part series explains how a home invasion and kidnapping led to Gone Girl-style accusations lodged against the kidnapped woman when she reappeared two days later. From the filmmakers behind The Tinder Swindler, this docuseries delves into the issue of investigators rushing to judgment and how that ultimately impacted the case and traumatized the victims. We especially loved the badass female detective who eventually broke the case wide open.

Where to stream: Netflix

The Case Against Adnan Syed 

This four-part documentary series explores the 1999 murder of 18-year-old Hae Min Lee and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed. The hugely popular “Serial” podcast brought the story to worldwide attention, and a few years after the podcast aired, Syed’s murder conviction was vacated, and he was released from prison after serving 20 years. HBO is producing a follow-up episode to the incredible unfolding of the story that will feature exclusive footage of Syed leading up to and following his release from prison. The investigation the filmmakers did in the original series was used as evidence in the hearing to release Syed—which makes this series even more compelling.

Where to stream: Max

The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks

In the first season of this fascinating series, we met Kristine and Michael Barnett, a couple who adopted a Ukrainian orphan named Natalia Grace who has a rare dwarfism condition called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita. The Barnetts claimed that Natalia not only threatened to harm them on numerous occasions but that she was actually an adult attempting to masquerade as a child. They went through the process of having her “re-aged” so that they would no longer be responsible for caring for her.

Season 2 “Natalia Speaks” addresses this story from Natalia’s point of view, specifically how Kristine Barnett formed this narrative because she no longer wanted to care for Natalia. You’ll want to dive into this series full of twists and turns that you won’t see coming (especially the shocking revelation in the series’ final episode). We’re seriously crossing our fingers for a Season 3.

Where to stream: Hulu

Escaping Twin Flames

Who doesn’t want to find their one true love, a soulmate or “twin flame”? Jeff and Shaleia Ayan established the online community of the Twin Flames Universe with just that goal in mind. This three-part docuseries provides interviews with former members who allege heavy coercion and manipulation led them into sometimes dangerous relationships with complete strangers who they were told were their twin flame. Want to learn more about this high-pressure group? Prime Video also released a series on the topic in 2023: Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe.

Where to stream: Netflix 

Evil Genius 

Evil Genius is a true crime docuseries on Netflix
Netflix

“In 2003 in Erie, Pennsylvania, a robbery gone wrong and a terrifying public murder capture the nation’s attention, and a bizarre collection of Midwestern hoarders, outcasts, and lawbreakers play cat-and-mouse with the FBI,” reads the series description on Netflix’s Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist. But all of that doesn’t even scratch the surface of the twists and turns of this four-part docuseries. Add a small-town beauty queen turned criminal mastermind and the criminal case that came to be known as the “pizza bomber heist”—and you are in for a true crime rabbit hole you’re not ready for.

Where to stream: Netflix 

Inventing Anna 

Inventing Anna investigates the case of Anna Delvey, the Instagram-famous German heiress who quickly befriended key players in New York’s uber-rich social scene—and stole their money, too. The series was inspired by New York Magazine’s expose on the socialite—and poses the question, “Who the heck is Anna Delvey, and why was she able to trick so many people out of so much money?”

Where to stream: Netflix

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God

This series follows the life of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Amy Carlson, referred to as “Mother God” by those who worshiped her. She leads the Love Has Won group through spiritual enlightenment via live-streaming sessions with the help of a series of male partners she dubs “Father God.” Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God features interviews with Love Has Won devotees, many of whom appear to still be involved in the cult, and culminates with Carlson’s disturbing death and the police investigation that followed.

Where to stream: Max

Lula Rich 

LuLaRoe founders DeAnne Brady and Mark Stidham convinced thousands of women to buy into their pyramid scheme. They got rich while bankrupting those women they claimed to liberate with their products—predominantly poorly made leggings with questionable patterns. LulaRich is a four-part true crime docuseries that chronicles the unraveling of LuLaRoe; once known for their buttery soft leggings—now known for their terrible manipulation, questionable selling tactics, and ultimate demise.

Where to stream: Prime Video 

Making a Murderer 

Netflix

Making a Murderer tells the story of Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, who served 18 years in prison after a wrongful conviction for sexual assault and attempted murder of Penny Beerntsen. He was later charged with and convicted of the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach. It also tells the story of Avery’s nephew Brendan Dassey, who was accused and convicted as an accessory in the murder of Halbach. The series follows Avery’s arrest and conviction and his subsequent exoneration and release, then delves into the civil lawsuit he filed against Manitowoc County. There is so much going on here, you have to see it to believe it.

Where to stream: Netflix

Murdaugh Murders – A Southern Scandal 

Alex Murdaugh’s face has been all over the news lately, convicted last week of the murder of his wife and son and sentenced to life in prison. The Murdaughs were at one time considered one of South Carolina’s most prominent families until the death of teenager Mallory Beach in a drunken boating accident started to scrape at the veneer of the family’s facade and reveal the darkness underneath. Paul Murdaugh—the alleged driver of the boat—and his mother Maggie were found brutally murdered in 2021, and “a century of corruption, power, and cover-ups in the Low Country” was brought to light. The three-part series focuses on first-hand accounts from people on the boat and people who have never spoken about the crash or double homicide until now.

Where to stream: Netflix

Our Father 

Netflix

Jacoba Ballard was an only child, conceived via donor sperm. Her dream of having siblings led her to take one of those at-home DNA tests to see if there were any out there. The test led her to discover seven half-brothers and sisters, which raised red flags for all involved. The siblings started investigating their family tree, which landed them on a shocking discovery: the family’s fertility doctor was using his sperm to inseminate his patients—without their knowledge or consent.

Where to stream: Netflix

Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets

This one is especially for all of you who have been long-time watchers of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, a series that followed the lives of ultra-religious Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their 19 kids. Shiny Happy People delves into some of the scandals that have followed the family, their involvement with the Institute in Basic Life Principles, and what went on behind the scenes of the popular television show. Interviews with daughter Jill (Duggar) Dillard, her husband Derick Dillard, and niece Amy (Duggar) King provided an eye-opening glimpse of the financial manipulation, abuse, and religious indoctrination that went on in the family.

Where to stream: Prime Video

Take Care of Maya

Maya Kowalski and her family are the center of this story that’s every parent’s nightmare. Ten-year-old Maya comes down with some unusual symptoms and her parents, Jack and Beata Kowalski, take her to the ER to find out what is going on. Beata is a nurse and had previously taken Maya to many different medical providers to try and figure out what was going on. One physician diagnosed Maya with complex regional pain syndrome and suggested ketamine as a treatment for her pain. So when Maya is admitted to the hospital from the ER, Beata suggests to the hospital staff that ketamine be given.

Instead of listening to Beata, the hospital finds this request to be suspicious and requests Child Protective Services evaluate Maya for possible child abuse by her mother. Take Care of Maya follows what happened after Maya was taken away from her family.

Where to stream: Netflix

Waco: American Apocalypse

Netflix

In 1993, cult leader David Koresh faced off against the federal government in a 51-day siege that shook the American public. The conflict began with the biggest gunfight on American soil since the Civil War and ended in a fiery inferno—caught on live TV. It was the biggest news story in the world at the time, and viewers were hooked. In line with the 30th anniversary of the tragedy, Netflix is releasing the true crime docuseries on March 22, with unearthed footage and interviews with several people close to the case.

Where to stream: Netflix

The Way Down 

Christian diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara founded the Remnant Fellowship Church in 1999. She died with her husband and son-in-law in 2021 when her private Cessna crashed into Percy Priest Lake near Smyrna, Tennessee, shortly after takeoff. Four church leaders were with the family and were also killed in the crash. The fellowship taught its members to “turn away from the love of food and toward the love of God”—so it’s essentially a church based on dieting, which is the weirdest thing ever. The series details the truth behind Lara’s very carefully curated image and delves into the controversial practices of the church.

Where to stream: Max 

Web of Death

This series follows the investigations of online sleuths who used digital footprints, DNA databases, and crowdsourcing to solve murder cases. Each episode follows a different case, like the investigation of the disappearance of Abraham Shakespeare who won a $30 million state lottery and was reported missing three years later. We love this one so much because really, we’d all like to be investigating true crime in our spare time from the comfort of our own homes.

Where to stream: Hulu

Additional reporting by Maria Guido

Bond with your tweens and teens when you watch these must-see films

Everyone can relate to a good coming-of-age movie. Parents watch them and get nostalgic for the ups and downs of their youth. Tweens and teens look to them for guidance, advice, or at the very least, some sign that they’re not alone in what they’re going through. Better still, they’re great for helping grown-ups and their kids bond over laughs, adolescent cringe, and real-life lessons. Whether you’re looking for a film that might help you broach a difficult topic with your child or simply want to share some of the films that guided you into adulthood, here are 14 coming-of-age movies you’ll definitely want to bring up during the next family movie night.

Turning Red

This Academy Award-nominated animated film about an adolescent girl who suddenly finds herself being magically transformed into a giant red panda has quickly become a family favorite, and it’s a great one to watch, especially with tweens. Tackling the (taboo for some) topic of menstruation head-on through the lens of an Asian American family is refreshing in terms of subject matter and representation. It’s currently streaming on DisneyPlus.

Stand By Me

Rob Reiner’s film based on a Stephen King novella is a major coming-of-age classic. It follows a group of best friends on their journey to find the body of a missing child, and the challenges they face along the way that alter their lives forever. It touches on difficult topics like bullying, grief, and trauma. Starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell, watch it now on Paramount+.

Crooklyn

A semi-autobiographical dramedy co-written by Spike Lee and his siblings Joie and Cinqué, Crooklyn is a heartfelt and hilarious look at black girlhood through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl living in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood one summer in the 1970s. Starring Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, and Zelda Harris, watch it now on Peacock.

Real Women Have Curves

Real Women Have Curves is a coming of age movie for teens
HBO Films

 

Starring Superstore’s America Ferrera, this film about a young Mexican-American woman caught between her desire to move away for college and her sense of obligation to stay home and help provide for her family brings the first-generation, coming-of-age experience to life. Watch it now on HBO Max.

The Edge of Seventeen

When high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) finds out her brother is dating her best friend, her life begins to spin out. But when a new friend comes alone, she realizes not all is lost—a great lesson for every teen struggling with unwelcome changes. Also starring Blake Jenner, Woody Harrelson, and Haley Lu Richardson, it’s now streaming on Hulu Premium.

CODA

While the circumstances and details change, many teens understand what it’s like to be caught between your family’s needs and your own desires. In this Academy Award-winning film, 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) is stuck between helping her deaf family with their fishing business and pursuing her newfound love of singing. Also starring Troy Kotsur (who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Marlee Maitlin, and Daniel Durant, you can stream it with your family on Apple TV.

Related: 15 Movies Your Tweens Will Watch without Rolling Their Eyes

A Wrinkle In Time

A Wrinkle in Time is a coming of age movie for kids
Disney

 

Although we remember this as more of a sci-fi story, A Wrinkle In Time is also the coming-of-age story of Meg Murray, who travels through space and time in search of her father while making friends and growing into herself along the way. Directed by Ava DuVernay, this lovely adaptation stars Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and Chris Pine, and is available to watch on Disney+.

But I’m A Cheerleader

This black comedy from 1999 stars a young Natasha Lyonne as Megan, a high school cheerleader who gets sent to a conversion camp by her homophobic parents. It’s not as depressing as it sounds—instead, the film highlights why these camps don’t work and helps LGBTQ+ youth feel seen (plus RuPaul is one of the counselors!) Also starring Clea DuVall, it’s now streaming on Paramount Plus and Showtime.

Morris from America

When Morris, a young American teen with dreams of becoming a hip-hop star, moves to Germany with his widowed father, he’s quickly faced with the reality that he’s essentially a fish out of water. It’s a comedy that delicately but still hilariously touches on everything from romance and drug experimentation to racism, grief, and living as an ex-pat. Starring Craig Robinson and Markees Christmas, stream it on HBO Max.

Little Women

Little Women
Sony Pictures

 

Louisa May Alcott’s tale about the trials and tribulations of four sisters growing up during and after the Civil War remains a timeless treasure. Despite being a period piece, the themes of family, love, rejection, loss, and forgiveness continue to make fans hundreds of years later. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Florence Pugh, stream it with the kids on Starz.

Mean Girls

This hilarious coming-of-age movie is a must-watch for any femme tween or teen dealing with the inevitable mean girl at their own school. When Cady finds herself in a new school dividing her time between the it-crowd and her “nerdier” best friends, she quickly finds out popularity comes with a price. Stream on Paramount+ or Pluto TV.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

The quintessential movie about skipping school with your best friends and trying to have the best time of your life was one many of us grew up with and can now share with our kiddos. There are art museums, parades, fancy cars, mistakes, regrets, and epic chases throughout this John Hughes classic. Watch it now on Showtime or Paramount+.

Related: The Best Family Movies to Stream for Your Next Movie Night

The Half of It

The Half if It
Netflix

 

Loosely based on Cyrano de Bergerac, this story about a quiet Chinese-American girl—who helps a local jock write the love letters she wishes she were brave enough to write for a girl named Aster—is chock full of heart. It’s a wonderful film that can be especially helpful for young tweens and teens starting to navigate the world of unrequited love. Watch now on Netflix.

Almost Famous

Directed by Cameron Crowe, this film follows a 15-year-old aspiring music journalist named William (Patrick Fugit) who lands a dream assignment profiling a rising rock band Stillwater for Rolling Stone Magazine. While his mother reluctantly allows him to go on tour with them, it’s William who eventually recognizes he’s got a lot more growing up to do. A solid coming-of-age movie with a stellar ’70s rock soundtrack, this one is best left for teens. Catch it on Paramount+.

There are a handful of essential people kids learn about in school and during Black History Month: Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and George Washington Carver, just to name a few. But while these African American heroes in history have certainly made significant cultural contributions, there are many more that have fallen under the radar. To give your kids an ever-widening view of the world, learn about (and share!) these important Black history figures that have left a legacy for generations to come.  

Alvin Ailey Jr.

Alvin Ailey
Wikimedia Commons

Alvin Ailey Jr. was a dancer, choreographer, and activist. Born in Texas during the Great Depression, he moved to Los Angeles in 1946 and saw his first dance performance, and in 1949 he took his first dance class at Lester Horton's Melrose Ave. studio. When he formed the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in 1958, he wanted to honor Black culture through dance. The company's first performance included Ailey's masterpiece, Blues Suite, and his most critically acclaimed work, Revelations, premiered in 1960. The company fused theater with modern, jazz, and ballet, and brought a multi-racial cast of dancers to the stage. Due to rampant racism at the time, few of these dancers would have found opportunities to perform with other companies.

In addition to choreographing pieces for his own company, Ailey created ballets for the American Ballet Theater, the Joffrey Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet, among others. He received numerous awards and honors over the years, including a Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in 1968, the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP in 1977, Kennedy Center Honors in 1989, and in 2014, he was posthumously awarded the Presidental Medal of Freedom. 

John Lewis

John Lewis is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

John Lewis was born as the son of sharecroppers in rural Alabama in 1940. He studied at the American Baptist Theological Society in Nashville and helped to organize sit-ins against segregated restaurants; during this period, he coined his iconic phrase, "Good Trouble," and was jailed on numerous occasions. One of the original 13 Freedom Riders, his most memorable contribution to the Civil Rights Movement was "Bloody Sunday," when in 1965, he led a group of 600 over the Edmund Putts Bridge in Selma, AL. Beaten and left unconscious, Lewis caught the eye of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who joined them on another march from Selma to Montgomery, AL. John Lewis was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Georgia's 5th congressional district in 1987 and was re-elected to the office until he died in 2020. Among many honors and accolades, one of the most prestigious was the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. 

Daisy Bates

When the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional, Daisy Bates stepped up to help a group of Black students integrate into an all-white high school—that group is known as The Little Rock Nine. In the face of constant fear and intimidation, Bates worked tirelessly to escort those young men and women to school every day and protect them from violent crowds. Daisy Bates was a lifelong civil rights activist, and her work is still recognized today. In the state of Arkansas, every third Monday in February is observed as Daisy Gatson Bates Day, and in 1999 she was Posthumously awarded the Medal Of Freedom.

Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

Ruby Bridges was the first Black student to integrate into a white elementary school in 1960. At only six years old, Ruby walked by protesters screaming awful slurs and angry words at her every day. And yet, she never missed a day of school. Ruby became a lifelong civil rights activist, and in 1999, she established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to help fight racism and promote tolerance and change through education. 

Charles Drew

Charles R. Drew is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

Charles Drew is considered a pioneer of blood plasma research and the modern blood bank. While in attendance at Columbia University, Charles Drew discovered the “shelf life” of blood could be extended by as much as seven days by separating and storing whole blood and plasma separately. Before that, blood could only be stored for up to two days. Charles Drew also wrote a dissertation Banked Blood: A Study in Blood Preservation, where he described the technique he developed and the logistics involved in the long-term preservation of blood plasma. Today Charles Drew is revered as the Father of Blood Banking. 

Bessie Coleman

Wikimedia Commons

Look to the skies, and you'll be reminded about Bessie Coleman, the first Black and Native American woman pilot. Known for her amazing flying tricks, "Queen Bess" worked as a manicurist in Chicago when her brothers returned from World War I. When her brother John teased her that women in France were allowed to be pilots, Bessie took it as her mission to do just that. When no American flight school would take her, she learned French and moved to France to take flight lessons there. 

When Bessie returned to the United States, she gave speeches and eventually performed her aviation tricks in air shows around the country. She famously refused to perform at any show where there was segregation or discrimination against African Americans. Bessie Coleman died in an air accident at age 34, and she was eulogized by the famous activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett. 

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglas is an important Black history figure kids need to learn about
Wikimedia Commons

Frederick Douglass was a freed slave who spent his life outside of bondage as an author, an orator, and a leader of the abolitionist movement. Even after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, Douglass continued to champion equality, human rights, and even women’s rights. Douglass authored dozens of speeches and five autobiographies, the most notable of which is Douglass’ 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Here are 19 other interesting facts about Frederick Douglass.

Claudette Colvin

Claudette Colvin was an early activist in the Civil Rights Movement
Wikimedia Commons

Claudette Colvin was an early activist in the civil rights movement in Alabama. Nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white woman, Claudette Colvin did the same. At the young age of 15, Colvin was later arrested; violating the city’s segregation laws was among the many charges leveled against her. Colvin later told Newsweek, “I felt like Sojourner Truth was pushing down on one shoulder, and Harriet Tubman was pushing down on the other—saying, 'Sit down girl!' I was glued to my seat.”

Wilma Rudolph

Wikimedia Commons

As a young child, Wilma Rudolph battled a series of debilitating illnesses including double pneumonia, scarlet fever, and polio. She was forced to wear a leg brace, and doctors even told her she would never walk again. But Rudolph overcame her disabilities, and she was intent on pursuing her dreams. Her determination and natural athleticism eventually brought her to the 1960 Olympics, where she became the first woman to win three Gold Medals in Track and Field in a single Olympics.

Henry Ossian Flipper

Wikimedia Commons

A former slave, engineer, author, and American soldier, in 1877, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African-American to graduate from West Point. Upon his completion, Flipper was also the first Black man to be commissioned in the Army (or any military branch, for that matter). After his commissioning, under the command of Captian Nicolas M. Nolan, he became the first Black man to lead buffalo soldiers of the 10th Calvery. 

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks is one of the most important Black history figures kids need to know about
Wikimedia Commons

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white woman. This act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and created an impetus for change. One year after Parks' trial, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Northern (Montgomery) Division, declared racial segregation laws (commonly known as "Jim Crow laws") unconstitutional. Considered to be one of the most important Black history figures, the United States Congress has called her "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement."

Daniel Hale Williams

Wikimedia Commons

In 1891, Daniel Hale Williams opened Provident Hospital in Chicago, IL. It was the first hospital with a racially integrated staff, a school for nurses, and also a training residency for doctors. In 1893, Williams was one of the first people to perform open-heart surgery, and he accomplished this feat outside of modern medicine and without the luxury of blood transfusions. He was also a co-founder of the National Medical Association, and in 1913 he was selected to be a charter member (and the only African American) of the College of Surgeons. 

Alice Allison Dunnigan

Alice Dunnigan was the first Black female White House correspondent, and she is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

Alice Allison Dunnigan was the first Black female White House Correspondent. She was also chief of the Associated Negro Press, and in 1948 she became the first Black woman to follow a Presidential campaign (Harry Truman’s) on the road. Years later, Alice Allison Dunnigan served as an education consultant on JFK’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.

Robert Smalls

Robert Smalls
Wikimedia Commons

In 1862, during the Civil War, Robert Smalls commandeered a Confederate transport boat freeing himself, his crew, and their families. He sailed the ship to the Union-controlled region of Hilton Head, where it then became a warship. He was instrumental in convincing President Lincoln to let free Blacks serve in the Union Army. During the Reconstruction Era, Smalls was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives and the United States House of Representatives, where he authored legislation that would allow South Carolina to have the first free public school system in the United States. 

Jane Bolin

Jane Bolin was the first Black female to graduate from Yale Law School and she is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

Jane Bolin was the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School, and in 1939, she became the first Black female judge. She was a huge advocate for children's rights: she served on the board of the Child's Welfare League, the National Urban League, and the NAACP, among others. Bolin also worked closely with then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to establish the Wiltwyck School, a program to help eradicate juvenile crime among boys. Upon retirement, she volunteered as a reading instructor in New York public schools and served on the New York State Board of Regents. 

Arturo Schomburg

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

Arturo Schomburg was a writer, historian, and activist. As a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Schomberg collected art literature and other artifacts belonging to people of African descent. In 1926 his collection was purchased by the New York Public Library, and today the Schomburg Center is a research division of the NY Public Library. With more than 11 million items in the collection, the Schomburg Center is devoted to the preservation and exhibition of Black history and the arts and culture of the African diaspora.

Matthew Henson

Matthew Henson was an arctic explorer and he is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

Matthew Henson is best known for his participation in a series of Arctic explorations between 1891 and 1909. But his claim to fame was the expedition that culminated in April 1909, where the team he was with finally reached the North Pole. Through these expeditions, Henson made significant contributions to the field of exploration. To honor those contributions, Matthew Henson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

A true pioneer in both race and gender, Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress representing NY’s 12th District. In 1972, she was also the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. During her time in Congress, Chisholm fought for improved education, health and human services, and women's rights. Chisholm famously said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

Fred Jones

Wikimedia Commons

In 1938, American inventor Fred Jones designed and patented a portable air-conditioning unit for trucks primarily used to transport perishable foods. Jones’ invention became invaluable during WWII when refrigeration units were used to preserve and transport food, blood, and medicine to hospitals and soldiers on the battlefield. In 1944, he became the first African American member of the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers. He was awarded 61 patents throughout his life, and in 1991, he was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Technology, the first African American to do so. 

Dr. Rebeccca Lee Crumpler

Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first female African American doctor
Wikimedia Commons

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first female African-American physician. She also wrote the Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts in 1883, which is considered one of the first medical texts written by an African American author. After the Civil War, Dr. Crumpler also worked for the Freedman’s Bureau for the State of Virginia, the federal agency that helped over 4,000,000 slaves make the transition from slavery to freedom. 

Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks was an American teacher, poet, and author. During her life, Brooks authored over 20 books of poetry and one novel. In 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize. Among countless other honors and awards, in 1968, she was named poet laureate for the state of Illinois, in 1976, she became the first African American woman to be inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, she was the U.S. Poet Laureate for the 1985-86 term, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1988, and in 1995, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts. 

Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson is an important Black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

In 1962, Katherine Johnson's brilliant math skills were called upon to help put John Glenn into orbit around the Earth. John Glenn requested that Katherine herself double-check the orbital trajectory of the Friendship 7 from liftoff to splashdown; only then would he carry on with the mission. Later in her career, Johnson also worked on the Apollo Moon Landing project as well as early plans for a mission to Mars. Katherine Johnson also co-authored 26 scientific papers, which can still be found in the NASA archives. 

Mae C. Jemison

Wikimedia Commons

Mae C. Jemison is an American physician and astronaut. In 1987, Jamison was the first African American woman to be accepted into NASA’s astronaut training program. In 1992, Jemison was also the first African American woman in space, flying there aboard the spaceship Endeavor with six other astronauts.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an important writer and activist
Wikimedia Commons

With more than 30 bestselling titles, Maya Angelou wrote 36 books, not the least of which was her first book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Although she died in 2014, Maya Angelou is remembered as a brilliant writer, poet, and civil rights activist. Oprah Winfrey said of her friend, “Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, it’s how she did it all. She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence, and a fiery, fierce grace and abounding love.”

Ron Finley

As a young man growing up in South Central LA, Ron Finley was all too familiar with the lack of fresh produce. Determined to change that, Finley started a garden on a dirt patch on the sidewalk outside of his home. When the city cited Finley for gardening without a permit, he rallied other “green activists” and petitioned for the right to grow food in his neighborhood. Finley won, and today he is affectionately known as “The Gangsta Gardener.” Now a community leader, Finley is determined to help urban communities break out of their "food prisons." Finley has traveled extensively speaking publicly on the topic, and he has even done a TEDTalk that has been watched by over three million people. 

Alice Coachman

Alice Coachman is a famous black history figure
Wikimedia Commons

Alice Coachman was the first Black woman to win an Olympic Gold medal from any country. Born on November 9, 1923, in Albany, Georgia, she was the fifth of 10 children born to Fred and Evelyn Coachman.

At the time, it was considered "unladylike" for women to be interested in sports. Her parents agreed with this thinking and often punished Coachman for participating in activities like running and baseball. While she never considered a career in sports, by the 7th grade, she was one of the best athletes in Albany, boy or girl. Since the South was still segregated at this time, Coachman often ran shoeless and created her jumping equipment, as she was unable to use public facilities reserved for white kids. 

She transferred to the Tuskegee Institute during her sophomore year of high school, and as a member of their track-and-field team, Coachman won four national championships in the high jump and sprinting categories. As one of the best track-and-field athletes in the country, she continuously won titles in the 50m, the 100m, and the 400m relay, although her favorite was the high jump. 

She tried out for the 1948 US Olympic team and broke the World Record for the high jump during the trials. In August of 1948, she became the first Black woman and the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal.

Even though her Olympic career ended with an injury at 24, Coachman went on to finish college and become an elementary and high school teacher and a track coach. She was inducted into multiple Hall of Fames for her abilities and founded the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation to help athletes and former competitors in financial need. Coachman died in 2014 at the age of 90. 

We found cities to explore and beaches to relax on

With nearly 70% of families hitting the road over summer break, America’s favorite summer pastime just might be the family road trip. If gas prices make you hesitant to invest in this summer tradition, consider these kid-friendly destinations you can travel to with one tank of gas. From the coastal city of Norfolk, VA where you can combine beach time with city exploring to the Amish town of Lancaster, PA teeming with rural adventures, here are our picks for summer getaways under 4 hours from Washington, DC.

Fredericksburg, VA

Angelica Kajiwara

What to See
Start at the Children's Museum of Richmond, filled with interactive exhibits where kids can climb, tinker, and play through the educational fun. Sunny days call for farm fun, of course, and your crew will love their visit to Braehead Farm. Get close to friendly farm animals, and take home some delicious farm-grown treats. Explore the historic town on an old-fashioned trolley ride downtown and learn more about where George Washington grew up. 

Where to Eat
Snack time means you must find a family-friendly spot with treats for all. Italian Station is the answer. Sweet and savory Italian treats and delicious coffee are the best way to start or end your day. 

Where to Stay
Plan your getaway where you can connect with nature and each other. Wilderness Presidential Resort invites you to bring an RV, rent one, or a log cabin, lakeside cabin, or tent site.

Distance: 1 hour 45 minutes (53 miles)
Online: fxbg.com

Norfolk, VA

Ship in port of Norfolk, VA
Nathaniel Villaire via Unsplash

What to See
If you can't decide between a city adventure or some R&R at the beach, head to Norfolk, VA, where you can have both. Explore Virginia's oldest zoo, be awe-struck at the Wonder Studio, an interactive space at the Chrysler Museum of Art (free to visit!), tour the battleship USS Wisconsin and take a boat ride at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. When you're ready to relax, head to Ocean View to enjoy Chesapeake Bay-front beaches.

Where to Eat
There's a lot to see and do in Norfolk, so you'll want to power up at downtown Grilled Cheese Bistro. You'll find gourmet versions of everybody's favorite sandwich elevated with foodie toppings like olive tapenade, grilled pineapple, fried apples, and more (they also have gluten-free and vegan options). If you find yourself in the NEON district, pick up a sweet treat at La Brioche. After a long day of sightseeing, watch the sunset over the Chesapeake Bay at the Ocean View Fishing Pier

Where to Stay
Stay in the center of the action at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. With so many things to see and do steps away from the hotel, you can keep your car in the garage.  

Distance: 4 hrs. (195 miles)
Online: visitnorfolk.com

Leesburg, VA

Angelica Kajiwara

What to Do
You don't need to travel far to find a quaint town with a ton of family fun. Visit Temple Hall Farm burn off energy on the giant jumping pillow, or run around with a few chickens. Escape to a picturesque, family-friendly winery with outdoor space and delicious local food and treats. Drive a short distance to Dulles, VA, to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an incredible museum full of full-sized aircraft. 

Where to Eat
Stop by Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers for a juicy create-your-own burger. Then, if you're ready for some sweets, grab a homemade pie from Mom's Apple Pie with delicious flavors from rhubarb to sour cherry.  

Where to Stay
Whether hiking along the Potomac, enjoying sunrise yoga, tackling the hardest mile in golf, or trying a new massage, there are endless choices for your family at Lansdowne Resort.

Distance: 48 minutes (40 miles)
Online: visitloudoun.com

Philadelphia, PA

The Franklin Institute

What to Do
If you have a Disney-lover in your home, now is the time for the Franklin Institute for the 100-year celebration of The Walt Disney Company, Disney100: The Exhibition. Go on a journey through the beloved stories that dazzled fans since 1923. But Disney fun isn't the only reason to head to this historic city. Be sure to add these highlights to your Philly bucket list when visiting the city of brotherly love: The Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Please Touch Museum and Reading Terminal Market.

Where to Eat
Carnivore kids (and their grown-ups) would be remiss for not grabbing a cheese steak from Campos, known for their shredded steak and super-soft bun. Not into submarine sandwiches? Try the fried cheese curds from Bud and Marilyn's or over-the-top ice cream sandwiches from Weckerly's. Bon appetite!

Where to Stay
Located in the heart of the City Center, Logan Hotel is within walking distance of The Franklin Institute, and a quick Lyft ride away from the Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum, and the Reading Terminal.

Distance: 3 hrs. (150 miles)
Online: visitphilly.com

Rehoboth Beach, DE

Skimboard champion giving lessons at Dewey Beach
Alley-Oop Skim

What to See
Just a quick 3-hour trip from Washington, Rehoboth Beach ranks as the #1 beach destination for DC residents. So many people drive from DC to Delaware that this small town is often called the nation's "Summer Capital." From boardwalk staples like Funland amusement park and Zelky's Arcade to natural attractions like the free public beach and Gordon's Pond, it's no wonder families flock to this beach destination.

Where to Eat
Salt Air, a local upscale restaurant, offers fresh, inventive dishes using local ingredients and sustainable fish. Despite catering to foodie adults, this restaurant has a children's menu for kids with grown-up tastes. Just a short walk away, DC restaurateur Chef Todd Gray owns Federal Fritter, where you can carry out corn fritters as a beach-side snack (or eat them as you stroll the boardwalk) when a hot day has you yearning for a scoop (or two), head to The Ice Cream Store.

Where to Stay
A couple of hotels line Rehoboth Beach's boardwalk, like the Atlantic Sands and the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel. Still, one of the best-kept secrets is the family-friendly Avenue Inn & Spa, tucked along one of the side streets downtown just one block from the beach and boardwalk.

Distance: 2 hrs. 45 minutes (120 miles)
Online: visitrehoboth.com

Baltimore, MD

National Aquarium

What to See
When a staycation won't due, Charm City is just a little over an hour away. The Inner Harbor is a hub of kid-friendly experiences, including the Maryland Science Center, the National Aquariumand paddle boats. The Port Discovery Children's Museum, the American Visionary Art Museum, and the B&O Railroad Museum are not far from the waterfront.

Where to Eat
Joe Squared is a family-owned pizza restaurant that serves coal-fired, thin-crust sourdough pizza; it's casual, family-friendly fare is not far from the waterfront attractions (and just a dough ball toss from Port Discovery).

Where to Stay
The Four Seasons Baltimore offers harbor views in almost all its 256 rooms. Its location makes it ideal for anyone exploring the Inner Harbor area. The hotel can arrange babysitting services if you want to explore the city sans kiddos. The hotel also offers cribs, high chairs and playpens free of charge. They even have pint-sized bathrobes and toiletries for their littlest guests.

Distance: 1 hour (40 miles)
Online: baltimore.org

Harpers Ferry, WV

Angelica Kajiwara

What to See
This quaint town in West Virginia has beautiful paths that wind through the National Park. Your family can stand where Thomas Jefferson stood when he said it was a view worth crossing the Atlantic Ocean for. Stop by the Visitors Center so your kiddos can pick up the Jr. Ranger packet. They’ll get the most adorable badge from a park ranger. Don’t forget to hop on the shuttle into Lower Town. It is stroller-friendly and the only stop with easy parking.

Where to Eat
This town is all about ice cream. There are many cute places to grab a bite, but ending your day with a frozen treat is a must. Check out Creamy CreationsScoops Ice Cream or Cannonball Deli and don’t forget to ask for sprinkles on top.

Where to Stay
Connect with nature around the area and get more of the great outdoors by staying in one of Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA’s cabins. There is room for the whole family and your sweet fur baby too. 

Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes (67 miles)
Online: nps.gov

Wilmington, DE

What to See
Brandywine Valley offers many scenic outdoor spaces, like Longwood Gardens, a sprawling, 1000-acre botanical garden. For fairy-themed gardens, head to the Enchanted Woods at Winterthur, where 3-acres are dedicated to fairy tales and magical forest creatures. Check out the Stratosphere, a large-scale (30-foot in diameter) climbing structure that makes the Delaware Children’s Museum a standout.

Where to Eat
Woodside Farm Creamery is a destination unto itself. Approximately a 30-minute drive from downtown Wilmington, this dairy-fresh ice cream shop is considered to serve the best scoops in the state. In addition to dairy deliciousness, the farm hosts family-friendly activities, like children’s story time and telescope nights.

Where to Stay 
Downtown’s Courtyard Wilmington is within walking distance of the historic district and waterfront. Rooms feature mini-fridges and microwaves. If you want to unwind from the day’s activities, relax by the hotel’s fire pit or dip in the outdoor pool.

Distance: 2 hours (120 miles)
Online: visitwilmingtonde.com

Lancaster, PA

Angelica Kajiwara

What to See
Arriving in Amish country invites your family to step back to a more peaceful time. Take a leisurely ride on the Strasburg Rail Road, or visit the Hands-On House for fun interactive learning. Children aged 2-10 will love this stop on your trip. A bicycle is the best way to see the PA Amish countryside; Let's Roll Columbia provides a unique way to explore the area.

What to Eat
Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant has been serving delicious food since 1929. They offer multiple dining options and tons of delicious dishes. Many of their ingredients come from local farms. Check their website for family specials and coupons.

Where to Stay
Have you ever wondered what living in a tiny house would be like? Tiny Estates offers a one-of-a-kind experience in one of their many tiny houses. You can go tiny with room for two or spread out in one of the gorgeous houses that accommodate six.

Distance: 2 hours (110 miles)
Online: discoverlancaster.com

Williamsburg, VA

Angelica Kajiwara

What to See
History never gets old in this almost 400-year-old town. Help your child “get into character” by renting an adorable period costume. The stories will come alive and make the whole experience more authentic. Hop on a horse-drawn carriage for an original way to see the city. Drive 30 minutes up the road to the Powhatan Indian Village to learn about Pocahontas and her way of life.

Where to Eat
Stop by Dubois Grocer to satisfy that afternoon sweet tooth. The friendly store attendant will be more than happy to send you home with some rock candy. At Food for Thought, you’ll dine surrounded by thought-provoking quotes. Cute discussion cards are left on the table to help with dinner conversation. Pick an eclectic dish from the gluten-free or senior’s menu. The kid’s menu is little foodie heaven with salmon, ribs and pot roast, to name a few. 

Where to Stay
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Williamsburg Resort features two and three-bedroom villas with fully-equipped kitchens and in-unit laundry. A home away from home with everything your family needs to kick back and relax.

Distance: 2 hours and 45 minutes (153 miles)
Online: visitwilliamsburg.com 

Franklin, VA

Angelica Kajiwara

What to See
Peanuts, peanuts and more peanuts! Southampton County is known for its peanut farms, shops, and museums. Stop by Hope & Harmony Farms to grab a few gourmet bags. Visit Ballyshannon Equestrian Center for a pony or horse ride around their beautiful property. Take a guided kayak tour with Blackwater Outfitters Nottoway River Guides. Meet the locals at the Saturday morning farmers market and take home a few homemade treats for your crew.

What to Eat
Fred’s Restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Franklin. It has been a local tradition since 1945. Saturday mornings draw a crowd for the all-you-can-eat buffet and fish fry. Grab a seat on their “secret garden” patio, complete with a wrought iron fence and brick fireplace. The slightly overgrown foliage offers a fairy tale moment.

Where to Stay
Check in to PandA Homestead for an authentic farm stay experience. Your kiddos can help with farm chores by hand-feeding their friendly goats, cuddling baby chicks and trying out their best turkey calls. 

Distance: 3 hours 15 minutes (185 miles)
Online: visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com/

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

What to See
This city should be renamed Kidsburgh because it has lots of kid-friendly activities and family-centric restaurants. If you’re in town for just the weekend, these attractions make the shortlist: The Phipps Conservatory Botanical GardensCarnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Science Center. The Duquesne Incline offers magnificent views of the city. Fans of Daniel Tiger will love its striking resemblance to the television trolley.

What to Eat
Schenley Plaza — a five-acre community space in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood — offers a dining plaza with four food kiosks, including Waffallonia, which offers authentic Liège sugar waffles with delicious toppings. The Porch is a full-service restaurant with a children’s garden and stage area. Before your meal (because who wants to spin around post-nosh), check out the PNC Carousel.

Where to Stay
The Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh features the Kimpton Kid program, which includes a welcome gift, a pet goldfish during your stay, complimentary cribs and more. Mom and Dad will appreciate the rooftop Biergarten!

Distance: 4 hours (242 miles)
Online: visitpittsburgh.com

Annapolis, MD

two children standing near steering wheel of boat in annapolis
Angelica Kajiwara

What to See
If long road trips are challenging, you can still get away to a historic town full of family fun, and you’ll only have to drive 45 minutes. The best place to start your getaway is downtown. A stroll down Main Street ends at the gorgeous harbor overlooking the Naval Academy. You can take a water taxi across the Chesapeake Bay to the Charthouse for a piece of their famous mudpie. Or, hop on a Watermark Cruise for a 40-minute ride around the area.

Where to Eat
Breakfast all day is always a good idea, especially at Iron Rooster. Your kiddos can dive into an order of French toast sticks while you enjoy a local specialty, crab cakes over pancakes. Ask for a table with a view. The harbor is gorgeous by sunset.

Where to Stay
The Westin Annapolis is in the perfect location to explore downtown Annapolis and the surrounding areas. You don’t need your car if you’d rather not drive around. A local trolley circles around town and makes getting where you want to go pretty easy. 

Distance: 41 minutes (32 miles)
Online: visitannapolis.org/

Additional reporting by Meghan Yudes Meyers and Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Did you know that Frederick Douglass was nominated to be Vice President of the United States? Educate the kiddos (and re-educate yourself) on this founding father whose outstanding contributions to society broke ground, broke color barriers, and changed the course of history. Here are facts about Frederick Douglass you might not know. To continue the conversation with your kids, check out 25 Black history figures kids should know

Frederick Douglas is an important Black history figure kids need to learn about
Wikimedia Commons

1. He chose the last name Douglass from a poem.
Frederick Douglass was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. He was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818. Although both of his parents were enslaved people, Frederick never really knew his mother as she worked on a different plantation, and he never met his father. Later, when Frederick married, he chose the last name Douglass after the hero clan in Sir Walter Scott's famous poem, Lady of the Lake

Tip: For younger kids who don't know the history of slavery in the United States, have a conversation with them on a level they will understand. We recommend reading a few (or all) of these books that encourage open discussion about racial injustice and inequality.

2. He taught himself to read and write.
A widely known fact about Frederick Douglass is that although he did not attend school (Black children were not allowed), he understood the power and value of literacy. And so, he taught himself to read and write at a young age.

3. He disguised himself as a sailor to escape slavery.
Young Frederick read avidly and educated himself on the rights of every person to be free. After several unsuccessful attempts to escape slavery, he finally managed to, thanks to a free Black woman named Anne Murray. She helped him pay for a train ticket north. Disguised as a sailor, he escaped on Sep. 3, 1838. He was 20 years old.

4. He picked his birthday.
Here's a fact about Frederick Douglass you might not know: After he was freed from slavery, Douglass chose February 14th as his birthday.

5. He married the woman who helped him escape.
Not long after his successful escape, Frederick married Anne Murray, and they took the last name, Douglass. They moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, and together had five children.

6. Douglass was an abolitionist.
An abolitionist is a person who wants to get rid of (abolish) a practice or institution. Specifically, the abolitionist movement sought to be rid of slavery.

7. Despite the risk of recapture, he was an active speaker and employed by the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. He traveled throughout the northern and midwestern states, speaking on behalf of the anti-slavery movement. Once, he had to travel to Ireland and England to avoid being recaptured. But he never stopped speaking out.

8. He was a prolific author.
Frederick Douglass was an excellent writer and wrote several works during his lifetime, including three autobiographies: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845), My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881). These are still considered today to be of unparalleled value to the historical narrative of our country.

9. He was also a publisher and an editor.
In addition to being a speaker and author of books, he published a paper for more than 16 years. He owned his own printing press and started the publication of The North Star. (Remember, he taught himself to read and write!!)

10. He fought for women’s rights and desegregation in the North.
While there was no active slavery in the northern states, segregation was rampant, and African Americans were still considered second-class citizens. Douglass challenged this in his speeches and his publications.

An interesting fact about Frederick Douglass is that his second wife was white.
Wikimedia Commons

11. His second marriage broke ground, too.
Sadly, Douglass’ beloved wife Anna died in 1881 of a stroke. Several years later, Douglass remarried activist Helen Pitts. Helen was white, and their interracial marriage was widely criticized. Undeterred, Douglass and Helen continued traveling and advocating on behalf of equality and justice everywhere. He died of a heart attack in 1895 at the age of 77.

12. He met with President Abraham Lincoln.
During the Civil War—which erupted in 1861 over the issue of slavery— black soldiers were given lesser pay and non-equal treatment. Douglass met with Lincoln to advocate on behalf of the soldiers. Douglass had two sons who served in the Army, and he actively recruited African Americans to fight in the Civil War. Douglass, along with many others, spoke out for equal citizenship and the emancipation (freeing) of all slaves. After the war, Douglass fought for the 13th Amendment (which abolished slavery), the 14th Amendment (which granted citizenship to those born in the United States as enslaved persons), and the 15th Amendment (giving voting rights to men of all color—women would not gain the right to vote until the 19th Amendment in 1920).

13. There are plaques in his honor in Ireland and England.
In 2012 the Imperial Hotel in Cork, Ireland, has a plaque commemorating Douglass’ visit. The Waterford City Hall (in Waterford, Ireland), where Douglass once gave a speech has a plaque. And in South Kensington, London, you can visit the Nell Gwynn House, where Douglass stayed during his visit.

14. In 1965, Douglass was honored on a USPS stamp.
The stamp was designed during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s by Walter DuBois Richards and was based on a photograph provided by Douglass' family.

15. Washington Douglass Commonwealth?
Although Washington D.C. is part of the United States, it is not considered a state. In November 2016, voters passed a measure that would petition for statehood. The new state would be known as the State of Washington D.C., but D.C. will no longer stand for the District of Columbia. It will stand for Douglass Commonwealth (named after Frederick Douglass).

16. He never gave up.
Douglass worked tirelessly for justice. He served council in many prestigious positions, including legislative council member of the D.C. Territorial Government, President of Freedman’s Bank, Recorder of Deeds for D.C., Minister Resident, and Consul General to Haiti.

17. He worked for five different U.S. Presidents.
Starting with President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877, he then worked for Presidents Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and Harrison as the U.S. Marshal for D.C.

18. He was once nominated for Vice President.
In 1872, he found himself on the ballot with Victoria Woodhull, who picked him as her Vice Presidential running mate for the Equal Rights Party—without his knowledge. He never acknowledged he was even chosen to run, likely because he had already backed another presidential candidate.

19. There are over 160 different portraits of him.
Another interesting fact about Frederick Douglass was that he was the most photographed man of the 19th century. He called photography a "democratic act" and gave away his pictures at lectures he held to normalize seeing Black people as humans rather than possessions.

7 Ways to Honor Douglass' Legacy Today

J Dean via Unsplash

1. Identify injustice. Ask your kids to find an issue they feel is unjust or an instance where someone has been treated unfairly. Talk about how it makes them feel and what they can do to change it.

2. Write a speech. Have the kiddos write or recite a few words advocating their point of view on an issue they feel strongly about.

3. Read to them. Douglass knew his key to freedom was education. Spend some time reading and writing with the kids. Here’s our current list of Black History books for kids; a great place to start. 

4. Talk with Douglass. Ask your kids to imagine they can ask Frederick Douglass a question. What would it be? What do they think the answer would be?

5. Draw Douglass. There are several excellent photos you can find of Douglass online. Look at the ones in this post or draw a scene of Douglass giving a speech.

6. Find an Example. Is there a modern-day Frederick Douglass your kids can identify with? Talk about the qualities that make someone a fearless leader and activist.

7. Visit Living History. Rochester, NY, was home to Douglass from 1847 to 1842. This is where he published his newspapers and where you will find his grave (in the same cemetery as Susan B. Anthony). Click here to learn more about finding Frederick Douglass in Rochester. You can also visit the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C. 

 

What better way to teach kids about powerful women like Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman than by visiting places that honor their contributions?

It’s Women’s History Month, and what better way to celebrate O.G. power girls like Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman than by visiting places that honor their contributions to women’s history? These unique vacation ideas and educational trips are perfect for families because not only will your kids be inspired by these incredible people, but they’ll be sure to remember a family vacation that meant more than fighting the crowds and waiting in line. Keep reading to see our top picks for the best places to learn about women’s history in the United States.

National Susan B. Anthony House & Museum | Rochester, NY

Learn all about Susan B. Anthony with a visit to her former home. The famous civil rights leader was arrested here when she voted in 1872, and it was the home of the headquarters of the National American Woman Suffrage Association while she was president. Take a tour of the house, learn the story behind her legendary life, and be inspired by her “Failure is Impossible” speech.

Onlinesusanb.org

Rosa Parks Memorial | Montgomery, AL

Rosa Parks Memorial

Smack dab on the corner where Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks boarded a public bus and where she was infamously arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, this museum focuses on Parks' story and its place in the Civil Rights Movement. The Museum includes a permanent exhibit, “The Cleveland Avenue Time Machine,” a replica city bus that uses fog, lighting, sound, hydraulics, and a robot bus driver to guide visitors on a series of “time jumps” from Jim Crow to “Separate But Equal.”

Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum | Washington, D.C.

Born over 200 years ago in 1821, Clara Barton’s humanitarian legacy continues today with the American Red Cross. In 1881, at age 59, she founded the American Red Cross and led it for 23 years. Prior to establishing the Red Cross in the United States, Barton dedicated years of her life to the soldiers of the Civil War. 

After the Civil War, Barton established the Missing Soldiers Office to locate Union soldiers who hadn’t returned home. She and her team initiated searches on behalf of the women who were looking for their lost husbands or sons. Barton and her team wrote more than 100 letters a day to contacts in the U.S. Army and family and friends of the missing. By December 1868, she and her team had located more than 22,000 missing soldiers.

Visit the preserved rooms where Barton lived and worked during the Civil War and where she and her team spent thousands of hours in the Missing Soldiers Office.

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum | Santa Fe, NM

One of the greatest American artists of the 20th century, O’Keeffe’s museum is perfect for budding artists and history buffs alike. Wander through over 3,000 pieces of the artist’s work, and learn about her creative process and the local landscape that inspired her. It’s a stroller-friendly museum, and there are plenty of other fun things to do with kids in Santa Fe, click here to see more

Online: okeeffemuseum.org

Sacajawea Center | Salmon, ID

Idaho is a gorgeous state to visit any time of year, especially for families who love outdoor adventures: hiking, biking, rafting, and more. Enrich your trip with a stop at the Sacajawea Center, located in Salmon, which is in the Lemhi Valley, the birthplace of the sole female member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 

Online: sacajaweacenter.org

Helen Keller Birthplace | Tuscumbia, AL

The life of Helen Keller was full of hard struggles and amazing accomplishments. When Keller was just 19 months, she suffered a severe illness that left her blind and deaf. Keller became one of history's most remarkable women. She dedicated her life to improving the conditions of the blind and the deaf-blind around the world, lecturing in more than 25 countries. Wherever she appeared, she brought courage to millions of blind people.                                                                                     

When visiting Keller’s birthplace, do not miss the water pump where Keller had her life-changing breakthrough. While cool water gushed over Keller’s hand, Sullivan spelled “water” into her other hand. Suddenly, Keller connected the spelled word with the flowing liquid. Keller immediately began touching the elements around her, wanting to learn their names. Keller’s home includes her complete library of Braille books, her original Braille typewriter, plus mementos and gifts from her travels around the world.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park | Church Creek, MD

Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program

Visit the area in the Chesapeake Bay where the Underground Railroad’s most famous conductor—Harriet Tubman—spent her early days as a slave. The 10,000-square-foot visitor center has exhibits about Tubman’s life, the Underground Railroad, and the surrounding lands. There’s a Junior Ranger program for kids, and with a 17-acre state park to explore, it's a great place for the whole family.

Online: dnr.maryland.gov/tubman

Home of Laura Ingalls Wilder | DeSmet, SD

Visit Mr. Loftus’s original store, rest in the shade of Pa’s cottonwood grove, and discover other pieces of the Little House trail in DeSmet, SD, the final settling place of the Ingalls Family. Several Little House-themed events are hosted in DeSmet, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. At the Ingalls Homestead, there are regularly scheduled activities: going to school in a one-room schoolhouse, feeding farm animals, and even twisting hay sticks as Laura did in The Long Winter.

Online: desmetsd.com/laura-ingalls-wilder

 

Boston Women’s Heritage Trail | Boston, MA

Boston is home to a number of self-guided tours where you can learn about the amazing women that have shaped our nation's history. Head to the Back Bay where you can see sculptures from women artists and then to Chinatown for information about Mary Soo Hoo, a longtime Chinatown community activist. 

 

Ontario County, NY

Best known as a wine and leisure destination, Ontario County in the Finger Lakes region of New York is also the epicenter of the women’s rights movement over 100 years ago. Visitors can follow the Ontario County Women’s History Trail to learn more about the history of women’s suffrage at the Ontario County Courthouse, where Susan B. Anthony was famously tried for voting, strides in higher education at Hobert and William Smith College, where the first doctoral degree was issued to a woman, and the traditions of the native Seneca and Haudenosaunee, who operated in a matrilineal society at the Ganondagan State Historic Site.

Bennington Museum | Bennington, VT

Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses (1860–1961) started painting in her seventies and within years was one of America’s most famous artists. Moses, known as a folk artist, painted scenes of rural life that captured an idyllic, bygone era of the United States.  

The Bennington Museum has the largest public collection of paintings by Grandma Moses and a collection of artifacts from her life, including an 18th-century tilt-top table she used as her painting table and her paint-stained apron. In addition, the museum is now home to the schoolhouse where she studied as a child.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett House | Chicago, IL

See the home of the famous journalist, suffragist and civil rights activist on your next trip to Chicago. Now a National Historic Landmark, Wells-Barnett and her husband bought the home in 1919 and lived there until 1922 (it is not open to the public). Want to know what else to do while you’re in the Windy City? This massive list will get you started. 

Online: nps.gov/travel/civilrights

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front | Richmond, CA 

Learn about the women who kept the factories running and the war supplies coming during World War II. Explore the visitor center, which includes interactive exhibits and daily films, or wander the Rosie the Riveter memorial, which includes two gardens and photos and quotes of working women from all over the United States. 

Online: nps.gov/rori

Wyoming House for Historic Women | Laramie, WY

The Wyoming House for Historic Women contains displays of the thirteen honored women and is the site of various conferences and lectures pertaining to women's history and issues. In the plaza, you'll find a life-sized bronze sculpture of Louisa Swain, who on September 6, 1870, became the first woman to cast a ballot under laws giving women full equality to men. Her ballot was cast just one block from the plaza.

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame | Fort Worth, TX

Craig Kuhner for the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum

The only museum in the world dedicated to the women who helped shape the West is a must-see the next time you visit Fort Worth. There are interactive exhibits, two theaters, and features the legacy of many women on this list, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Sacajawea, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Online: cowgirl.net

Amelia Earhart Museum | Atchison, KS 

One of the most famous early aviators was also a woman, and you can learn all about her at the Amelia Earhart Museum, located in Atchison, Kansas. The childhood home of the record-breaking airplane pilot has been preserved and welcomes visitors to wander the floor and see not only the furniture that belonged to her family but also mementos and historical artifacts from her life as an aviator.

Online: ameliaearhartmuseum.org

National Women’s Hall of Fame | Seneca Falls, NY

Quite possibly one of the best places to learn about women’s history in America is the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Located in Seneca Falls, New York, which is the birthplace of the American Women’s Rights Movement, you can wander the rooms filled with information on incredible women like Maya Angelou, Julia Child, Emily Dickinson, Billie Holiday, and many more. 

Online: womenofthehall.org

Cheyenne, WY

Not only is Cheyenne a great place to go for outdoor adventures with kids, but the Wyoming territory was the first in the US to grant women the right to vote. Cheyenne is the home of Wyoming’s first women judge, Esther Hobart Morris, as well as being the capital city, so whether your family wants to have a cowboy adventure, outdoor thrills or explore a historic city, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. See our insider's guide to the city to help you plan your trip.

Online: Cheyenne.org

Additional reporting by Gabby Cullen

What was the original filling in the Twinkie? How fast can an L train go?

Breathtaking skyline with never-ending Lake Michigan views, freakishly unpredictable weather, sports-hungry locals. . . these are some of the obvious well-knowns about Chicago. But what about the lesser-known or forgotten facts? From super helpful or delicious inventions to fascinating Chicagoans, here’s a Chicago history lesson to share with the family over dinner.

1. Chicago got its name from the French translation of the Native American word shikaakwa, known in the plant world as allium tricoccum. Which is a reference to the wild garlic that grew in abundance in the area. Yikes! Anyone have a mint?

2. How about some gum? While gum has been plentiful for thousands of years, the first to sell it flavored and packaged the way we know and love was Chicago-based Wrigley's. The originals were Wrigley's Spearmint and Juicy Fruit in the 1890s.

3. When we get one of those beautifully clear days in Chicago, shoot to the tippy-top of Willis Tower (Sears Tower to the loyalists). You can see Lake Michigan and 4 states Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Hi-de-ho, neighbors!

4. The Ledge at Willis Tower's Skydeck is the highest observation deck in the United States, standing 1,353 feet in the air and extending 4.3 feet from the Skydeck.

5. The L train travels at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour and carries over 800,000 people per day.

6. Kids likely never heard of Josephine Cochrane, but their lives are made easier by her existence. Frustrated that her circa 1600 heirloom China kept getting chipped while being hand-washed, she threw her brains into developing a cleaning mechanism that used water pressure and was safe on dishes: a.k.a. the dishwasher. Thank you much, Josephine!

7. Our city's skyline wouldn't be the same without the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. Designed by George Washington Gale Ferris to rival the majesty of France's Eiffel Tower, the first Ferris Wheel in the world debuted December 16, 1892, as part of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. While the original was destroyed by dynamite in 1906, we get to enjoy Navy Pier's nod to the wheel's original Chicago roots.

8. Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, a time capsule at the top of the building formerly known as John Hancock contains a piece of the Tower.

9. This lil tidbit is for the parents. Pabst's Blue Ribbon used to be Pabst's Best Select until it won an actual blue ribbon at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. In a show of marketing genius, Pabst's started selling their bottles with silk blue ribbons attached, and the name PBR stuck.

10. The Chicago World's Fair is the gift that just keeps on giving. Do you know that zipper on your pants, your jacket, your backpack? Came from the Chicago World's Fair and was originally called a "clasp locker". Glad they went with zipper.

11. Okay, maybe don't share this one with the kids, but Chicago was also home to the first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, and he opportunistically used the Chicago World's Fair to lure his victims by building a hotel with soundproof rooms. We recommend reading Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City for all the fascinating details and a healthy dose of Chicago history.

12. Not only is Barack Obama the first Black President in U.S. history, but he was also previously an Illinois State Senator who laid roots with his family in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

13. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed over 17,000 buildings and 2,000 square feet and many locals like to hold on to the utterly tall tale that it was caused by Catherine O'Leary's cow knocking over a lantern in her barn. But the fact is, the true cause has never been determined.

14. At the point of the Great Chicago Fire's origin now appropriately sits a training facility for Chicago firefighters and a bronze sculpture entitled Pillar of Fire.

15. As a show of sympathy and kindness for the Great Chicago Fire, Londoner A.H. Burgess suggested England present a free library to Chicago. The first Chicago Public Library opened on January 1, 1872, in a circular water tank that survived the fire at the southeast corner of LaSalle and Adams Street and consisted of 8,000 books. Cheerio, England!

16. Grant Park, a.k.a. Chicago's front yard, is home to big-time notables Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum Campus and plays host to some of our most-attended fests. It was named after the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, who along with former President Lincoln, led the Union Army to a victory over the Confederates in the American Civil War.

17. The centerpiece of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, uses up to 15,000 gallons of water per minute and runs Apr.-Oct. Visit after sunset and you'll be treated to a spectacular light and music display that runs every hour on the hour.

18. Many a joke is made about the longevity of a Twinkie. But, did you know, they were invented right here in Chicago in 1930? They were first filled with banana cream, but that was replaced with vanilla flavor during WWII when you couldn't slip on a banana peel even if you wanted to because of the scarcity of the yellow fruit.

19. A researcher at Schaumburg-based Motorola was the first to successfully develop the cell phone. The first brick-sized phone weighed close to 2 1/2 pounds and 10 hours of charging bought you 30 minutes of talk time. Next time your kids complain about how fast their devices lose power, drop that little info nugget on their brains.

20. Born in the Lakeview neighborhood, Jane Bryne became the first female elected to the office of Mayor in the U.S. in 1979, at a time when Chicago was the second largest city in the country. Absolute legend!

21. Chicago Bulls mascot "Benny" the Bull is one of the longest-tenured and most recognized mascots in sports history, getting his name from Ben Bentley, the Bull's first Public Relations Manager and Stadium Announcer.

22. The Chicago River runs right through the city and is one of the reasons Chicago is of geographic importance, as it is a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin, and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. It has a place of honor on the Flag of Chicago represented by two horizontal blue stripes. It's also a feat of civil engineering, as the direction of its flow was reversed in 1900 in an attempt to protect the city's water supply.

23. Black Chicagoan and physician, surgeon, and medical researcher Charles Drew worked with Red Cross on critical discoveries around blood transfusions and played a major role in developing the first blood banks and blood plasma programs.

24. My bologna has a first name, O-S-C-A-R! German immigrant, Oscar Mayer made his way to Chicago and laid the groundwork for one of the most well-known names in the food industry on the near-northside. And, blessed the USA with hot dogs, the super dope Weinermobile and the longest-running tv commercial to date that starred a 4-year-old singing about bologna. Just don't forget to ALWAYS forgo the ketchup on your hot dog, please.

25. Not only did Chicago gift the world with the hot dog, but we're also responsible for deep-dish pizza. Thanks to Pizzeria Uno for your contribution to the history of deliciousness.

26. The beloved brownie was invented in Chicago at Palmer House Hilton. And, good news! We have the recipe.

27. The Field Museum is home to SUE, the most complete T-Rex skeleton in the world. And, SUE got a new home at Field a few years ago to help make room for Máximo. At 122 feet across and 28 feet tall, it's modeled after a titanosaur (the largest animal that ever lived) excavated in Argentina. Fun tip: If you go to the second story of the Field, you can snap a selfie with the remarkable Máximo.

28. M-I-C-K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E! The pioneer of American animation who holds the record for most Academy Awards won by an individual at 22, Walt Disney was born in the Hermosa neighborhood.

29. Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes (when measured by surface) and the only Great Lake located entirely in the U.S. It touches 4 states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, and is sometimes referred to as the "third coast", behind Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

30. Chicago has a ton of nicknames (some of which highly annoy the natives): The Windy City, Chi-Town, City of Big Shoulders, The Second City, The White City, The City That Works—just to name a few—but our favorite name to call it is: HOME! (Insert block of cheese emoji.)

 

From colorful murals to lavishly painted historic homes, Key West will surprise your family with a new adventure around every corner. A buzzing seaport rich with arts and culture, Key West isn’t just a warm place to chill in the sand (though there’s plenty of that, too).

Combining a laid-back beachy vibe with a wild, vibrant history, it’s one of the most exciting historic cities in the U.S. Think your kids don’t love history? Shipwrecks and snorkeling will soon have them thinking otherwise.

Read on for six of our favorite historical attractions in Key West, sure to create memories that will stand the test of time.

1. Hemingway Home & Museum

Although passages from A Farewell to Arms might not be on the bedtime story list, there’s still lots to love about visiting the Key West home of author Ernest Hemingway. Not only do you get eyeballs on the home, gardens, and writing studio where one of America’s greatest writers lived, kids will love a visit here for one other very cool reason: the Hemingway cats.

Home to around 60 six-toed (polydactyl) cats, the descendants of Hemingway’s own six-toed cat named Snow White, you’ll spot these cats everywhere. Although friendly, visitors are asked not to approach the cats. Should they approach you, however, you are welcome to pet them. Sit in the beautiful gardens for a few minutes, and don’t be surprised if more than one friendly feline comes swishing against your legs.

Tip: Don’t skip the gift shop, where book lovers and cat aficionados will find plenty of unusual souvenirs.

  • Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • No reservations, cash only.
  • Visit: hemingwayhome.com

2. Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

A literal treasure trove of items salvaged from shipwrecks, the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is an interactive museum that takes visitors back in time to the 1850s when being a “wrecker” was a thriving industry: collecting items left behind on the shore after shipwrecks. After you’ve explored the lively and sometimes dark history of Key West’s early pioneers, climb to the 65-foot lookout tower for one of the best views in town.

Tip: You can bundle tickets to the Shipwreck Museum and the Key West Aquarium for reduced admission.

  • Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • No reservations; buy tickets online or at the kiosk at Mallory Square.
  • Visit: keywestshipwreck.com

3. Key West Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters

Almost directly across the street from the Hemingway Home, you’ll find the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters. Not only is the lighthouse from 1848, it holds a cool piece of Key West history: the first Keeper was a woman, a rare occurrence at the time. Climb the 88 steps to the top for excellent views and roam the grounds and quarters to explore what life was once like as a lighthouse keeper.

Tip: Groups of 2-8 can book the lighthouse for a special Lighthouse Sunset Experience, which includes snacks, treats and wine.

4. Historic Ships

Let your inner pirate board a historic ship for a sailing adventure you’ll never forget. Keep in mind Key West offers dozens of sailing and boat excursions, many of which leave from the same harbor in the historic district, so when booking, be sure you’re getting the one right for your family. For swashbuckling types, we recommend taking one of the historic ships like the Schooner Jolly Rover, a red-sailed tall ship, complete with cannons, or the smaller-but-just-as-mighty Schooner Appledore, which makes its way from Camden, Maine, to spend the cooler months in Key West. It’s a pirate’s life!

Tip: Pack medicine for motion sickness for any would-be sailors who haven’t gotten their sea legs yet.

5. Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Park

If you love the idea of spending a day swimming and building sandcastles, head over to Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Park. From rambling nature trails to white sand beaches to shallow waters teeming with fish, this is the local’s secret for a perfect tropical playground. And while there are plenty of shady palms, when you want to get out of the sun, take a narrated tour of Fort Zachary Taylor, a pre-Civil War era red-brick fort that also houses the world’s largest arms cache of the Civil War (more cannons!).

Tip: You can rent snorkel gear right at the beach!

  • Open 8 a.m. to sunset every day. Fort Taylor closes at 5 p.m.
    Park fees are by vehicle ($6.50) or by pedestrian ($2.50) if you arrive on foot
  • Visit: floridastateparks.org/fort-zachary-taylor-historic-state-park

6. Dry Tortugas National Park

For an epic day of history and outdoor adventure, visit Dry Tortugas National Park. Made up of seven keys—Bush, Garden, Hospital, Loggerhead, Long, and Middle—it’s on Garden Key you’ll find the historic 19th-century Fort Jefferson National Monument. In addition to the beautiful historic fort, hit the waters for gorgeous swimming and snorkeling abound.

Ponce de León named these islands Las Tortugas for the many sea turtles present, but it was not long before explorers discovered there was no viable drinking water on the islands, hence the name Dry Tortugas. As such, parents should know there is still no drinking water and very limited amenities. Board the high-speed Yankee Clipper catamaran in Key West’s historic seaport, and then prepare for a 2-hour one-way journey to arrive at Fort Jefferson. Fort Jefferson does have a visitor’s center and bookstore, but no drinking fountains or restrooms.


Tip: You can use the facilities onboard the ship and the Yankee Freedom provides a breakfast snack and box lunch on day trips, as well as water. 

  • The Dry Tortugas is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Garden Key Visitor Center inside Fort Jefferson is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day.
  • Visit: nps.gov/drto

 

Key West is home to dozens of other amazing attractions families will love, nearly all of which are within walking distance of one another. Visit fla-keys.com/keywest to plan your next family getaway.


RELATED STORIES

5 Top Natural Wonders to Discover in Key Largo

Cross These Islamorada Water Sports Off Your Bucket List

Marathon: 6 Eco-Tourist Destinations Your Family Will Love

The Lower Keys Will Get Your Kiddos Back to Nature

Let’s celebrate the incredible women in Chicago’s history who have shaped our city.

Mark your calendars for International Women’s Day: Monday, March 8! Now an annual celebration, the first International Women’s Day was held in 1909 in honor of the garment worker’s strike in New York, where women protested against unacceptable working conditions. Progressive-minded, powerhouse women of Chicago have long been shaping local policy and the unique culture of our city, sometimes in ways that have proliferated across the country.  Read on to hear how Chicago women have impacted our city’s history and share these inspirational women with your kids!

Jane Byrne

Alan Light via Wikimedia

Born in the Lakeview neighborhood, absolute legend, Jane Bryne became the first female elected to the office of Mayor in the US in 1979, at a time when Chicago was the 2nd largest city in the country.

Things to Do: Jane Byrne only served one term, but in that short time she spearheaded and originated many of the activities we enjoy today. She helped to create what is now the Taste of Chicago, lead the revival of Navy Pier to become a popular tourist attraction and was the first mayor to march in the Gay Pride Parade. Look ahead to a well-spent summer in Chicago enjoying the activities laid out for us and supported by our first female mayor. 

Kittahawa

"A group of Potawatomi people exhibiting a variety of dress, including a war bonnet", ca. 1920

A Potawatomi woman named Kittahawa was the first-known permanent settler in Chicago, arriving around 1790. Married to Haitian-born immigrant Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, Kittahawa's strong relationships with Native American groups was integral in the success of the family's trading post. Their home and trading post, which was once a flourishing trading hub between Europeans and Native Americans, is commemorated by Pioneer Court at 401 N. Michigan Ave. 

Things to do: Visit Pioneer Court at 401 N. Michigan to see where the Kittahawa's family home and trading post originally stood. Also, Field Museum is home to more than 300 Potawatomi artifacts and they began a 3-year renovation project in 2018 to create a more meaningful Native North American Hall.

Maggie Daley

things to do with kids in chicago maggie daley park
Mack Male via wikimedia

Maggie Daley was the wife of Chicago's longest-serving mayor, Mayor Richard M. Daley, who held the position for 22 years. Well known for dodging the spotlight, but staying highly involved, she started the successful After School Matters. The non-profit provides high school teens with after-school and summer opportunities in the arts, leadership, sports and STEM fields. In her honor, Chicago created Maggie Daley Park, one of the coolest urban parks in the country with both lake and city views, mini-golf, a climbing wall, skating ribbon, green space and climbing structures.

Things to do: Winter, spring, summer or fall, visit Maggie Daley Park. The skating ribbon is perfect for newbies because of the railing that lines the path. During warm weather months, it's a hub of activity with golfing, a massive park and a climbing wall. Learn more about After School Matters, how to get involved or participate in their programming, via their website

Oprah Winfrey

Wikimedia

How lucky are we that Oprah chose Chicago to host her now-iconic Oprah Winfrey show? She has amassed a beautifully positive legacy that will transcend generations, and any kid would be lucky to carry her name. But, boy, are those some big stilettos to fill.

Things to do: Although Oprah is no longer in Chicago, her former personal chef, Art Smith, opened a farm-to-table oasis in Gold Coast named after her former Indiana Property, Blue Door Farm. Blue Door Kitchen & Garden lets the seasons dictate the menu and dedicates itself to cultivating strong relationships with responsible, sustainable purveyors. Kids will devour Chef Art Smith's famous fried chicken.

Catherine O'Leary

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed over 17,000 buildings and 3.3 square miles and many locals like to hold on to the utterly tall tale that it was caused by Catherine O'Leary's cow knocking over a lantern in her barn. It's fun to speculate, but we'll never know the real cause of the fire and Catherine O'Leary and her framed cow are forever cemented in our history. 

Things to do: Help from all around the world came in to support the 100,000 people left homeless by the famous fire, including the United Kingdom. Their generous donation spurred the establishment of our beloved Chicago Public Library. Up until that time, paid membership libraries were the common practice. Whenever you visit the library, think of Catherine and her infamous cow. 

When you're bopping around town, reference this great Smithsonian Magazine article that documents places you can still see remnants of the Great Chicago Fire. 

Ida B. Wells

Lawson Andrew Scruggs via Wikimedia

Ida B. Wells was an African-American wife, mother, investigative journalist, educator and early leader in the Civil Rights Movement, having been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War at the age of 16. She was arguably one of the most famous black women during her time, working to combat prejudice and fight for the equality of African-American women. She started the Negro Fellowship League, which helped find housing, jobs and provided a social and political outlet for black people in Chicago. Her work to educate black women on their voting rights helped to elect the first black alderman in the city, Jessie De Priest in 1951.

Things to do: Due to the profound impacts Ida had on the Chicago community, the city voted to rename Congress Parkway to Ida B. Wells Dr., in 2018. It runs from the Jane Byrne Interchange, where it insects the Kennedy, Dan Ryan and Eisenhower expressways, and ends at Columbus Drive in Grand Park.

Incorporate Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told by Walter D. Myers into family reading time and celebrate the legacy of this remarkable Chicagoan. 

Gwendolyn Brooks

Kingkongphoto via Wikimedia

Chicagoan Gwendolyn Brooks has the honor of being the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. She was Poet Laureate of Illinois, 1968-2000, and poetry consultant to the Library of Congress. 

Things to do: You can see Gwendolyn Brook's typewriter on display in the Tools of the Trade exhibit at the American Writers Museum located on Michigan Ave. Read A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks by Alice Faye Duncan, which celebrates the life and voice of the celebrated poet. 

Mary Bartelme

Bain News Service via Wikimedia

Mary Bartelme was the first female judge in Illinois and she devoted her life to reforming the treatment of women and children in the state court system. Her career began as a Chicago Public School teacher before she worked to become one of the city's first female lawyers. Three years after being admitted to the Illinois Bar, she was appointed Public Guardian of Cook County and established America's first juvenile court system. She donated her own home in Chicago to establish Mary's Club, a group home dedicated to teaching young girls important life skills. 

Things to do: Visit Mary Bartelme Park in West Loop. They 2.71-acre park features a fountain plaza, a children's play area, a sunken dog park, an open lawn area, a viewing hill and enclosed seating area. Five stainless steel gates at the park's northwest entry act as a gateway to the park and emit a fine mist of vaporized water. A perfect cool-down opportunity for families on hot summer days. 

Jeanne Gang

Kramesarah via Wikimedia

Jeanne Gang forever changed the second-to-none Chicago skyline with her design of Aqua Tower, currently the largest building in the world designed by a woman. This Chicago native also designed the beautiful Nature Boardwalk in Lincoln Park, the Writers Theatre and the new Solstice on the Park in Hyde Park. 

Things to do: Take a drive by Aqua tower at 225 N. Columbus Dr. to see Jeanne Gang's creation. The 82-story building is home to a hotel, offices, apartments, condos and one of Chicago's most expansive green roofs. Take the kids to Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago for indoor camping. They'll love the new toy and coloring book they receive, eating sweet treats and sleeping in their very own tent in the room. The third-floor terrace offers s'mores by a fire pit to add to the camping experience. 

Margaret Burroughs

Margaret Burroughs was a visual artist, writer, poet, educator and arts organizer who co-founded the DuSable Museum of African American History with her husband in 1961and helped to establish the South Side Community Art Center. The DuSable Museum of African American History is one of the first museums in the country dedicated to black history and culture. 

Things to do: The Southside Community Arts Center is hosting From the Center, a retrospective of works created by Faheem Majeed over the last 20 years. As the former Executive Director and Curator, Majeed's works are especially attuned to the history and legacy of this 80-year-old arts institution. Visit the DuSable Museum of African American History in person when they reopen and in the meantime, check out their list of virtual events

Jane Addams

Bain News Service via Wikimedia

In 1931, Jane Addams became the first female American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded Chicago Hull House, one of America's most famous settlement houses, and is recognized as the founder of social work as a profession in the United States. She was also co-founder for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). At Hull House, she established a kindergarten for children of working mothers, created the first public playground and public gymnasium and worked on social reform issues including juvenile courts, immigrant issues, women's rights, public health & safety and child labor reform. 

Things to do: Until they're ready to reopen, virtually visit the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, which serves as a memorial to social reformer Jane Addams. The Museum utilizes two of the original house buildings: The Hull Home and the Resident's Dining Hall, which has seen some of the world's most prominent thinkers, artists and activists. Its vibrant programming makes connections between the influential residents who once called Hull House home and present-day social issues.