Growing up as a military kid meant moving every two years, but it also meant exploring the country from coast to coast. If you are headed on a road trip, trying to stay busy, or want to be a tourist in your own city, here are some of my favorite things to do and see in some of my favorite cities.
Boston:
- Freedom Trail historic sites
- Lunch at Faneuil Hall
- Every cannoli flavor possible at Mike’s in the North End
- Tour Fenway Park
New York City:
- Color Factory interactive art museum in Soho
- NIKE x KITH dessert and clothing store
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum
- 360 skyline views from Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza
- Award winning cheesecake and deli food at Juniors
- World renown art at the MET & Guggenheim
Philadelphia:
- Go into haunted prison cells at the Eastern State Penitentiary
- Visit the Liberty Bell and tour Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House
- Climb the Rocky steps at the Museum of Art
- Grab food and dessert in Reading Market.
Washington D.C:
- Connect with your inner James Bond at the Spy Museum
- American History Museum
- MLK and Lincoln Memorial
- See space shuttles at the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum
Savannah:
- Haunted city ghost tour
- Visit the Forrest Gump bench
- Eat and shop your way through the Historic District
Atlanta:
- Taste your way through World of Coke
- See the MLK Historical Sites
- Shop at Atlantic Station
- Visit the High Museum of Art (where Black Panther was filmed)
Orlando:
- Feed alligators right outside the city at Gator World
- Disney World (Star Wars Land just opened!)
- Travel to Cape Canaveral to see the Kennedy Space Center launch site
St. Louis:
- City views from the top of the Arch
- Explore the endless turns of the City Museum
- See sculptures and splash around the City Garden
Memphis:
- Eat authentic BBQ on Beale Street
- Explore the costumes in the Elvis Themes Hard Rock Café
- Rock out while touring the Gibson Guitar Factory
- Visit the Jungle Room at Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home
- Stand on the Historic Lorraine Motel Balcony at the National Civil Right Museum
Amarillo:
- Bring spray paint and leave your mark on Cadillac Ranch right outside the city
- Have a bigger and better Texas experience at the Big Texan Steak Ranch
Dallas:
- Get in touch with former President J.F.K at the Sixth Floor Museum
- See a replica of the Oval Office at the George W. Bush Presidential Library
San Diego:
- Take a short trip to La Jolla to see the seals
- Explore the San Diego Zoo and take a gondola ride over the animals
- Wander through an aircraft carrier at the USS Midway Museum
- Go to Coronado island for pizza at the ferry landing or Moo Licks blue vanilla ice cream
- Try the San Diego based chain Burger Lounge for the BEST grass fed beef burgers
