2024 SPRING/SUMMER SOUTHERN GUIDE TO FIELD TRIPS AND FAMILY VACATIONS
Are you looking for great field trip ideas for your homeschooled children? Searching for the perfect educational and/or recreational vacation to take with the whole family? Then the Homeschoolers Guide to Field Trips & Family Vacations is for you!
Click on the photo below to download the Guide
ALABAMA
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES & HISTORY, 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130, 334-242-4435, https://www.archives.alabama.gov/.
AMERICAN VILLAGE, 3727 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115, (205) 665-3535, javerett@americanvillage.org (school contact). Experience the stories of America’s journey for independence, liberty, and self-government. Step into the scenes and experience the risks, uncertainties, and dramatic events as they unfolded during America’s revolutionary decision to declare its independence. More than a field trip, the American Village educational programs are tied to objectives in state courses of study in history, civics, and government. Students from every grade level benefit as they participate in experiential learning. Unique in its mission to strengthen and renew the foundations of American liberty and self-government through citizenship education, the American Village is an educational experience like no other! www.americanvillage.org.
HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805, 256-830-4447, 1-877-930-4447, education@hsvbg.org, https://hsvbg.org/.
U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER. 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805, (256)837-3400 or (800)637-7223. camps@spacecamp.com. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is home to Space Camp®, Space Camp® Robotics, Aviation Challenge®, U.S. Cyber Camp®, the Space Camp Institute® and the world-class INTUITIVE® Planetarium. The Rocket Center has on display significant artifacts, including the Apollo 16 capsule and the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket. It is the Official Visitor Center for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and a showcase for national defense technologies developed at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal. rocketcenter.com.
FLORIDA
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE TREASURE COAST, 1707 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida, 34957, (772) 225-7575, outreach@childrensmuseumtc.org. Field trips and outreach programs at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast offer enriching, hands-on learning experiences tailored to diverse educational needs. These programs include interactive visits to the museum, where children can explore exhibits in our kid sized town or explore our two-story Spanish Galleon. Outreach programs bring the museum’s educational experiences directly to schools and groups, featuring expert-led workshops and engaging activities. The museum can accommodate various group sizes, ensuring personalized attention and customized learning experiences. By calling ahead, groups can schedule visits or outreach events that align with their educational goals, fostering a collaborative and engaging environment for all participants. www.childrensmuseumtc.org/fieldtrips.
FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 3215 Hull Road — Powell Hall, UF Cultural Plaza, PO Box 112710, Gainesville, FL 32611-2710, Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-846-2000 (Exhibits). The Florida Museum of Natural History is delighted to announce the opening of our spectacular new permanent exhibit, “Water Shapes Florida.” This free exhibit tells the story of Florida’s fresh water, from the aquifers underground to the clouds in the sky. The Florida Museum has worked for years to open this incredible exhibit, and we are so excited that it’s finally here! This exhibit is also bilingual, available in English and Spanish. www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/visit/plan.
HISTORY OF DIVING MUSEUM, 82990 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036, 305-664-9737, director@divingmuseum.org. Dive in for family fun and a creative learning experience. HDM is dedicated to telling the story of the “Quest to Explore Under the Sea.” Visitors venture through 4,000 years of history from early breath-hold diving to modern SCUBA. Peak into William Beebe’s lab and see what the Father of Marine Biology used to study the world below. The international collection highlights a diverse selection of early pioneers throughout the 14 core exhibits and 2 annual limited-time Featured Exhibits. Enjoy hands-on displays, fun scavenger hunts and take-home activity guides for students. The Museum is open daily from 10am-5pm. www.divingmuseum.org.
NAPLES HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 137 12th Avenue South, Naples, Florida 34102, 239-261-8164, NHS@NaplesHistoricalSociety.org. Naples Historical Society invites you to visit Historic Palm Cottage, surrounded by the Norris Gardens and Smith Exhibit Hall. https://napleshistoricalsociety.org/
NORTON MUSEUM OF ART, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, (561) 832-5196 ext. 1046, Schools@norton.org. Discover the Norton’s engaging free school tour options for homeschool families throughout the year! These school tours showcase art from our Permanent Collection or special exhibitions. Led by Norton educators, these student-centered experiences feature interactive guided discussions and activities, tailored for K-12th grade groups. www.norton.org/schools.
XIMENEZ-FATIO HOUSE MUSEUM, 20 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Fl, 32084, (904) 829- 3575. emily@xfhouse.org. Visit our museum to learn about the 225+ years of history of our house. Beginning, in 1798 with the construction of the home during the Second Spanish Period by our first owner, Andres Ximenez, explore how townsfolk lived in Colonial Spanish Florida. As you move into the American Territorial Period beginning in 1821, discover how early American Floridians created a new industry: tourism. Meet our first woman owner who converted the residence into a fine boarding house for visitors. We will tell you about the women who own this building and property, the people who ran it, and the guests who frequented it. Ximenez-Fatio House Museum – Every Room Has a Story (ximenezfatiohouse.org).
GEORGIA
DUNWOODY NATURE CENTER, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody, GA 30338, 770-394-3322, info@dunwoodynature.org. The Dunwoody Nature Center is a non profit organization located in the Atlanta Metro area, based in a 22 acre forested park. The Nature Center offers a variety of nature=based education programs for children, teenagers, and adults of all ages. Programs include drop off camps for children ages 5 – 12, family nature days in the park, My Parent & Me classes for toddler aged children, forest preschool for four-year-olds, and much more! The park is free & open to the public 7 days a week, 365 days a year, allowing anyone to explore at their own pace. https://dunwoodynature.org/education/homeschool-nature-classes/.
FOLK POTTERY MUSEUM OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA, Sautee Nacoochee Center, P.O. Box 460, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571, 706-878-3300, folkpotterymuseum@snca.org,
snca.org.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MIGHTY EIGHTH AIR FORCE, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402, (912) 748-8888, education@mightyeighth.org. Immerse students in the historic journey of the Eighth Air Force in this guided tour. In January 1942, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Eighth Air Force was formed with 7 men and not a single aircraft. By the end of the war, the Eighth Air Force became the largest air armada in the world, with the goal of crippling Nazi Germany. Learn about the airmen and the men and women who supported them during one of the most significant conflicts in history. Try our night at the museum experience as students stay overnight and partake in educational activities, including our nighttime flashlight scavenger hunt. www.mightyeighth.org
STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA, 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, Ga 30605, sbgeduc@uga.edu. https://botgarden.uga.edu/.
TELFAIR MUSEUMS, 207 York Street, Savannah, GA 301401, 912-790-8800, salleyb@telfair.org. In July 2023, Telfair Museums welcomed the public to its newest addition: the Telfair Children’s Art Museums in the Jepson Center. The culmination of a years-long project, the museums partnered with Savannah design firm FREN Inc. to create a transformative space that ignites creativity and inspires children of all ages. On the museum’s third floor, visitors access CAM through an engaging Tunnel Gallery that tells the story of Impressionism, before proceeding through an interactive, digital Portrait Gallery that overlooks the Family Lounge, the Oglethorpe Street windows, and the south historic district. On the second floor, CAM visitors can enjoy hands-on activities in the open play spaces of the Family Lounge and the Toddler Area, before immersing themselves in the state-of-the-art, interactive Landscape Gallery, which brings the concepts of Impressionism to life. Admission to CAM is included with regular admissions. telfair.org
THE COLUMBUS MUSEUM, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus, Georgia, 31906, (706) 748-2562, info@comuga.org. Founded in 1953, The Columbus Museum is one of the largest museums in the Southeast. The Museum invites visitors to celebrate creativity and culture through the experience of American art, regional history, tranquil gardens, and more. As a destination for people of all ages and interests, the Museum has something for everyone – from the art enthusiast to the history buff, the nature lover to the leisure visitor – it’s free and it’s all in one space. comuga.org.
KENTUCKY
NEWPORT AQUARIUM, 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY 41071, (859) 815-1478, groupsales@newportaquarium.com. SEA, TOUCH AND EXPLORE…TOGETHER! Take your homeschool students beyond the glass where they can experience hands-on learning, build a special bond with the animals through touch opportunities, gain an appreciation for sea life and learn how they can join in conservation efforts all while exploring an underwater world! Call Newport Aquarium Group Sales at 859-815-1478 to book your next field trip or vacation and to learn more about our annual Homeschool Days! https://www.newportaquarium.com/groups/school-groups/
NORTH CAROLINA
CAPE FEAR MUSEUM, 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, 910-798-4370, CFMprograms@nhcgov.com. A visit to Cape Fear Museum is a fun way to enhance your student’s learning with interactive history and science exhibits and hands-on field trip programs aligned with North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Field trips are available for homeschool groups with a minimum of 10 students. Schools in New Hanover County are $6 per student and schools outside of New Hanover County are $7 per student, ages 6 and up. Admission is free for teachers and chaperones. All field trips also include admission to the museum. The museum offers a variety of programs including Prehistoric Cape Fear, Forces & Motion, Weather Wonders, Cape Fear People, Electricity & Magnetism, Simple Machines, and more! www.capefearmuseum.com
NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516, 252-504-7759. The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort welcomes countless students into the museum to explore coastal North Carolina through creative, hands-on experiences. These educational programs provide an additional means for students to learn abut the state’s natural and maritime history. Programs are offered year-round. All grade levels from preK-12 are covered. All programs are free but do require pre-registration. For info or to register, call 252-504-7759, mail countney.felton@dncr.nc.gov, or visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/group-tours.
OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS,.600 South Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, 336-721-7350, jupper@oldsalem.org. Discover all that authentic living history can offer at Old Salem Museums and Gardens! Encounter old world craftspeople and costumed staff in historically-restored buildings and learn more about a unique early American identity! oldsalem.org. Old Salem History Lives Here!
SULLENBERGER AVIATION MUSEUM, 4108 Minuteman Way, Charlotte, NC 28208, finleigh@sullenbergeraviation.org. Join us for an exclusive series of discovery and exploration tailored specifically for homeschool families! Our Homeschool Days offer an immersive learning journey, where students dive deep into the fascinating world of aviation. Each of the three Homeschool Days builds on the previous one, providing a comprehensive experience that expands on the last, ensuring students gain a deeper understanding with each visit. Throughout the gallery, hands-on learning stations will engage students in interactive exploration, making these days both educational and unforgettable. Don’t miss this opportunity to spark your student’s curiosity and inspire their future in aviation! Contact us for more information. https://www.sullenbergeraviation.org/.
SOUTH CAROLINA
CHARLESTON COUNTY PARKS, 861 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-795-4386, customerservice@ccprc.com. Charleston County Parks in Charleston, SC feature a variety of ecosystems just waiting to be explored by young learners. The Homeschool in the Parks series teaches natural and cultural history through games, exploration, and hands-on activities. Each program is led by a professional interpreter and highlights an ecosystem, animal, or culturally significant story in the parks. https://www.ccprc.com/110/Youth-Activities
FORT MILL HISTORY MUSEUM, 107 Clebourne Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715,(803) 802-3646, admin@fmhm.org, group_tours@fmhm.org. https://fmhm.org/.
HUNLEY, Friends of the Hunley, 1250 Supply Street, North Charleston, SC 29405, 843-743-4865, info@hunley.org, A visit to Hunley is remarkable and an entertaining educational experience. During the Civil War, the Hunley became the first submarine in world history to sink an enemy ship. After completing the mission, she mysteriously vanished. Lost at sea for over a century, the Hunley was raised from the ocean floor in 2000. A visit includes viewing the Hunley in her 90,000-gallon conservation tank, artifacts found onboard the submarine during excavation of the crew compartment, and 8,000 square feet of interactive exhibits covering the history, archaeology, engineering, and conservation sciences used in the Hunley project. www.hunley.org.
LONG BAY SYMPHONY, 1107 48th Avenue N, STE-310E, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, 843-448-8379, info@longbaysymphony.com. Founded in 1987, the Long Bay Symphony (501c3) is a professional symphony orchestra located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As a nonprofit, its mission is to enhance the cultural and artistic environment of the Grand Strand area by providing the highest quality musical performances and programs which entertain and educate patrons of all ages. It is the largest performing arts organization in the Grand Strand area and the largest professional orchestra in the region. www.longbaysymphony.com.
SAVANNAH RIVER SITE MUSEUM, 224 Laurens Street, Aiken, SC 29801, (803)-648-1437, The Savannah River Site Museum and staff are dedicated to educating the public on the history and scientific endeavors of the Savannah River Site (SRS). The SRS Museum is an interdisciplinary space where history and science collide! We are excited to organize, and schedule guided tours throughout the museum tailored to your educational goals. We provide pre-, formative, and post-assessments using modern education theories and related STEM activities. Our staff is flexible and willing to work with you and your students to create the museum experience that best fits your needs. Please contact us via email at SRSMuseum@gmail.com, phone at (803) 648-1437, or visit us in person at 224 Laurens St. SW, Aiken, SC 29801 so we can customize a field trip plan that works best for your group. www.srsheritagemuseum.org.
SOUTH CAROLINA PHILHARMONIC, 1704 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201, 803-771-7937, info@scphilharmonic.com. The SC Philharmonic entertains, educates, enriches and excites diverse audiences through live symphonic music. Don’t miss our family programs: Halloween at Hogwarts (Oct. 27), Home for the Holidays (Dec. 19) and Family Time with the Phil (March 30). The SC Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (SCPYO) offers exceptional orchestral playing experiences for young musicians throughout SC. Annually, more than 200 students participate in our four orchestras, comprised of the very best student musicians. Membership in the SCPYO program is open to students throughout the state, ages 8 through high school, on an auditioned basis. All SCPYO Concerts are at 4:00 PM at Koger Center. Student: $5, Adult: $15: Oct. 20, Jan. 19 and April 6. https://www.scphilharmonic.com/education/
TENNESSEE
BELLE MEADE HISTORIC SITE, 5025 Harding Pike Nashville, TN 37205 (mailing), 110 Leake Avenue Nashville, TN 37205, (615) 356-0501, education@visitbellemeade.com. Belle Meade is dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee’s history, architecture, hospitality, and equestrian legacy. Guided & Interactive Tours. Homeschool Days. Homeschool History Club. https://visitbellemeade.com/school-homeschool-programs/.
MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN, 750 Cherry Road, Memphis, TN 38117, 901-636-4100, info@membg.org. Nature is your classroom at the Memphis Botanic Garden! The 96-acre property includes 30 specialty gardens and a Level 4 Arboretum. The Garden offers a range of opportunities for homeschoolers. Homeschool groups can sign up for field trips, festivals, or programs. Sessions are offered on a diverse range of topics and are scheduled to fit your calendar. Not in a homeschool group. The Garden also offers fall and spring semester-based opportunities for children aged 6-12. Help bring your curriculum to life with these engaging & exciting lessons for your homeschool students https://membg.org/.
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART, 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis. TN 38104, 901-544-6200, edu@brooksmuseum.org. Homeschool Days at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art are fun for the entire family! As one of our most popular programs, your child can look forward to being surrounded by their peers, engaging in educational art-making activities, and more. Please contact us for information and dates of programs. https://www.brooksmuseum.org/.
VIRGINIA
BARTER THEATRE, 127 W Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, 276.628.3991, groups@bartertheatre.com Barter Theatre offers: Exclusive ticket pricing for student groups; Experiences for kindergarten through college; Exclusive talkbacks with actors, directors, staff, and crew; Behind the scenes tours; Custom educational workshops; “Ticket-Free” seating for groups; Bus friendly parking; Parking attendants and crossing guards. https://bartertheatre.com/student-groups/.
BEDFORD MUSEUM & GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY, 201 East Main St., Bedford, VA 24523, (540) 586-4520, bccm-info@bedfordvamuseum.org. The Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library is a nonprofit museum that is dedicated to preserving and protecting Bedford history for future generations to learn from and enjoy. Through our website we are able to bring some of our history into the digital age. Those with a membership are able to access various historic documents and records that we continue to upload every day! Additionally, our website helps us inform the community about the exciting things we have planned, like new exhibits and programs. One of our newest programs, the Bedford Junior Historian program, allows our young visitors to complete a fun activity book, sign the Junior Historian pledge, and gain access to special events just for them. Visit our website for more information on our museum! bedfordvamuseum.org
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S FERRY FARM, 268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, 540-370-0732, learn@gwffoundation.org. George Washington’s boyhood home at Ferry Farm in Stafford County, Virginia, is the site of the legends of the young boy who “could not tell a lie and the storied stone throw across the Rappahannock River. Tour the hands-on interpretive replica of the Washington House and outbuildings, while viewing historically accurate architectural details, construction techniques, and replicated furniture and 18th-century accessories. Ferry Farm sits on 113 acres of meadow along the river. The Visitor Center displays permanent and tactile exhibits as well as artifacts found in archaeological digs on the site of the childhood home of our nation’s first president. Ferryfarm.org.
HISTORIC KENMORE, 1201 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, 540-373-3381, learn@gwffoundation.org. Historic Kenmore is a beautiful, Georgian-style brick mansion built by George Washington’s sister, Betty Washington Lewis, and her husband, Fredericksburg merchant Fielding Lewis, reflecting their pre-Revolutionary War wealth and gentry status. The home is renowned for its ornate plasterwork and is fully restored to its 18th-century appearance. The guided tour focuses on the Lewis family and the sacrifices it made to support the American cause during the War for Independence. Eighteenth-century furniture and accessories accurately depict Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis’ gentry-level wealth. Visitors may also tour the grounds and gardens on their own. Kenmore.org.
MASSANUTTEN RESORT, 1822 Resort Drive, Massanutten, VA 22840, 540-417-2214. Massanutten Resort offers a customizable unique field trip experience to learn more about your sustainability/science curriculum. We will work directly with you to set up an interactive opportunity for students to learn about Resort operations. We can focus on renewable energy, the natural world, energy efficiency and so much more! In addition to learning, we have many fun activities for students to enjoy. https://www.massresort.com/.
VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, 150 Boush St, Suite 201, Norfolk, VA 23510, (757) 892-6366, marketing@virginiasymphony.org. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents more than 150 concerts and events annually for more than 100,000 Southeastern Virginia residents and visitors. The family friend PB&J Sunday matinees are always popular—October’s Spooktacular concert and December’s Jingle Bell Jam often sell out. New for the 24/25 season, the orchestra will perform hour-long Friday morning Coffee concerts featuring iconic symphonic repertoire. Homeschool groups are also invited to be a part of our Young People’s Concert: The Orchestra Moves on February 20th. Group rates are $10 per student with one free chaperone ticket per every 10 students. For more information visit virginiasymphony.org/fieldtrips.
WEST VIRGINIA
TIMBERLINE MOUNTAIN, 254 Four Seasons Drive, Davis, WV 26260. Timberline Mountain is a West Virginia ski resort. Nestled between the Monongahela National Forest and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, visitors can enjoy spectacular views while enjoying world-class skiing and snowboarding terrain.Timberline Mountain is a family friendly resort that encourages new skiers and snowboarders of all ages. The Snow Sports School offers both group and private lessons every day of the week with the goal of helping guests have fun while improving their skills on the slopes. Because the only thing more fun than hitting the slopes is being there with your friends or family, Timberline Mountain offers discounted tickets for pre-registered groups of 15 or more. Additional information on group registration and group perks can be found at Timberlinemountain.com