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City breaks are brilliant for families. You can squeeze in museums, restaurants, parks, famous landmarks, and plenty of ice cream without needing to plan a two-week holiday. But sometimes, the standard sightseeing checklist can feel a little… well, standard.
If you’re looking for something that will have the kids talking about your trip long after you’ve returned home, why not swap a few traditional attractions for something completely unexpected? From exploring Civil War history to walking through the footsteps of historical icons, these unusual family experiences prove that city breaks can be much more than ticking landmarks off a list.
1. Discover the Women of Gettysburg
Copyright US Ghost Adventures
Gettysburg is famous for one of the most important battles of the American Civil War, but how much do you know about the women who lived through it? The Wonder Women of Gettysburg: Hidden Valor Tour explores the often-overlooked stories of women who faced the horrors of war and played vital roles in protecting their families, communities, and country.
It’s a fascinating way to introduce older children and teenagers to a different side of American history. Rather than simply learning about generals and battle strategies, your family can discover the courage, resilience, and contributions of women whose stories don’t always make it into the textbooks.
2. Go Wild in the Black Hills and Badlands
For a family adventure that feels worlds away from an ordinary city break, head to South Dakota’s Black Hills and Badlands. Imagine enormous bison herds roaming across the landscape, dramatic rock formations rising from the prairie, and miles of trails waiting to be explored.
The region also offers plenty of opportunities to delve into Wild West history. Kids can experience the landscape rather than simply reading about it, while parents get the chance to enjoy some spectacular scenery. It’s a wonderful reminder that sometimes the best family attraction is the great outdoors.
3. Uncover the Secrets of Colonial Williamsburg
History doesn’t have to mean standing quietly in front of a display case while the children count the minutes until lunch. The Secrets of Colonial Williamsburg Tour takes a different approach, exploring the hidden aspects and lesser-known stories of life in one of America’s most significant historic communities.
You’ll learn about everyday people, early colonial life, challenges faced by the community, and the complicated realities of the period. There are stories about the nation’s founding fathers, but also plenty of insight into the ordinary people who helped build and sustain the community. It’s history with a little mystery thrown in and a great way to get children asking questions about what life was really like hundreds of years ago.
4. Step Back in Time on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island, Michigan, offers something you don’t encounter in many modern holiday destinations. Here, motor vehicles are banned. That means your family gets around the old-fashioned way: on foot, by bicycle, or in a horse-drawn carriage.
Suddenly, getting from one attraction to another becomes part of the experience. Cycle along the island’s scenic roads, explore historic buildings, take a carriage ride, and enjoy the feeling of stepping into another era. For children accustomed to cars, buses, and traffic everywhere, Mackinac Island can feel like a real-life time machine.
5. Take a Ghost Tour
A family-friendly ghost tour – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
Every city has a story. After dark, those stories can become even more interesting. A family-friendly ghost tour blends authentic history, local folklore, famous hauntings, and plenty of atmospheric storytelling. Instead of simply visiting a historic building, you may hear about the people who lived there, the tragedies that occurred there, and the legends that have grown around it.
Whether your family consists of dedicated skeptics, enthusiastic ghost hunters, or history buffs, a ghost tour offers an entertaining way to see a familiar city from an entirely different perspective. Just be sure to choose a family-friendly tour like US Ghost Adventures over an adults-only experience featuring graphic stories or very late-night activities.
6. Go Behind the Scenes at NASA
Forget ordinary museums. How about standing inside the room where history was made? At NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, families can book a VIP behind-the-scenes experience that includes the historic Apollo Mission Control room and a close-up look at a massive Saturn V rocket.
If your children are fascinated by space, science, engineering, or astronauts, this sort of experience can turn an abstract school lesson into something tangible. Standing beneath a real Saturn V is a much more exciting experience than seeing a picture of one in a textbook.
7. Eat Your Way Through Savannah
Sometimes the best way to understand a city is through your stomach. The Savannah Savory Foodie Tour takes families through the city’s historic district, combining delicious Southern food with stories about the people, cultures, and traditions that shaped Savannah’s cuisine. Rather than simply sitting down for a meal, you’re exploring the city one bite at a time.
It’s particularly fun for families because everyone gets to participate. Children can discover new foods, parents can learn about Savannah’s history, and the whole family gets an excuse to sample several different dishes without committing to one enormous restaurant meal.
8. Spend the Night in a Castle
Why stay in an ordinary hotel when you can sleep in a castle? In Colorado Springs, Glen Eyrie Castle offers families the opportunity to stay in a stunning English-style castle surrounded by the dramatic scenery of Colorado. Located beside the towering red rocks of Garden of the Gods, Glen Eyrie combines historic atmosphere with a spectacular natural setting.
For children, the novelty alone makes it memorable. For parents, it’s a chance to turn accommodation into part of the holiday rather than somewhere you simply return to at the end of the day.
9. Walk in the Footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr.
Some family experiences entertain you. Others stay with you. The MLK Jr.: Walking in His Footsteps experience in Atlanta introduces visitors to pivotal moments in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and the people and places that influenced his commitment to justice and equality.
You can explore the community that helped shape his vision, visit the church where he preached as a young man, and stand in places connected to his powerful message of hope and unity. Experiencing history in the actual places where it happened can make a profound impression, especially on older children and teenagers.
10. Discover Michigan City, Indiana
Looking for an unusual getaway that doesn’t require a trip across the country? Put Michigan City, Indiana, on your list. Located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Michigan City offers families a surprisingly beachy escape. You can climb towering freshwater sand dunes, visit the Old Lighthouse Museum, and spend time on broad sandy beaches.
And unlike the ocean, Lake Michigan gives you all that beach holiday atmosphere without the saltwater. It’s an underrated destination for families who want outdoor adventure, history, and plenty of space to explore without the crowds of some better-known holiday destinations.
Make Your Next City Break One to Remember
The best family holidays aren’t always the ones where you see the most famous attractions. Sometimes they’re the ones where you discover something completely unexpected.
You might learn about forgotten heroines in Gettysburg, eat your way through Savannah, sleep in a Colorado castle, stand beneath a Saturn V, or discover what it’s like to travel without cars on Mackinac Island. These experiences give children something more valuable than another photograph beside a famous landmark: a story they’ll remember.
So, when you’re planning your next city break, don’t just ask, “What should we see?” Ask, “What could we experience that we’ll still be talking about years from now?”
