The Best Family Weekend Getaway in Each State

The season for seven-night summer vacations may have passed, but that doesn't mean that you and your crew can't get out of town for a couple of days. The best family weekend destinations combine recreation and education and all of the following 50 locations meet the criteria.

Make for Mobile for a weekend and the kids are bound to be talking about the trip all semester long. Explore a hands-on maritime museum at Gulf Quest before learning about the unique French history of this bayside city at The Fort of Colonial Mobile. Then-regardless of the season-pay a visit to the powdery sands of nearby Dauphin Island.

Creek Street and its buildings on "stilts" weren't always a family-friendly destination but today the galleries and gift shops are the perfect places for your crew to spend an hour two. Then-to learn about the history of the area-visit Totem Bight State Historical Park and watch the legendary Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.

Sedona is known for sumptuous spas and rugged hiking trails set among mystical red rocks, but there's plenty of family fun to be had here, too. Give the kids a taste of the Wild West at the nearby Blazin' M Ranch before picking one of the many family-friendly walking paths in town for an adventure they won't soon forget.

The whole family will be schooled at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, which offers education in our nation's Civil Rights. Other highlights of a weekend here are sure to be the Museum of Discovery (home to oodles of interactive fun) and a fun trundle on the city's fleet of streetcars.

San Diego is home to three A-List family attractions in Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and Legoland. Add this to a myriad of parks, beaches, islands and historical attractions and you have a dream Golden State getaway.

Everybody in your group is sure to have their breath taken away by the ravishing red rock formations at the Garden of the Gods, but that's just the start of the fun in this underrated town. While the famous Cog Railway to the top undergoes renovations, take a road trip to the summit of Pike's Peak to fully experience the majesty of "America's Mountain".

Maritime history comes alive at Mystic Seaport while shopping is the star attraction at Olde Mistick Village and sealife stars at Mystic Aquarium. Parents will love following in the footsteps of Julia Roberts from the classic 80s film Mystic Pizza by stopping by the real restaurant of the same name for a slice of pie.

Start out by meandering your way through the central and northern sections of the state, admiring sights included in the First State National Historical Park. This unique park tells the tale of Delaware's special heritage and arguably its most important sight is the colonial green in Dover-the spot where Delaware became the first to ratify the Constitution.

Nowhere else in Florida feels quite like St. Augustine. The kids will be in awe of the Castillo de San Marcos-the fort that protected America's oldest city for centuries-while both children and parents will get the chills on a ghost tour. And if that wasn't enough family fun, the town is home to several spectacular stretches of beach.

Atlanta has it all for all ages. In addition to arguably the nation's finest aquarium, the city is teeming with theme parks, historical attractions and foodie finds that will enthrall the whole family. The new rooftop Skyline Park features great views and countless chances to have fun as a family over a nostalgic round of skeeball or mini-golf.

Whether you reside in Hawaii or just fly over for a couple of days, Honolulu will fill your family with wonder for a weekend. Relax on the beach for a while, but also pay your respects at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Then, learn all about Hawaii's royal family at Iolani Palace and brush up on your geology on a hike up Diamond Head.

This lakeside city is getting more and more buzz and your bunch is sure to fall in love with it, too. Take a stroll on Tubbs Hill Park and Nature Trail to admire the natural beauty of its surrounds before settling in for a good old-fashioned diner lunch in town. Then, make the short drive to Silverwood Theme Park for thrills and chills.

The state capital is the place to go to learn about one of our country's most fascinating presidents: Abraham Lincoln. Here, you can visit his former home, his presidential library, and a museum dedicated to his momentous presidency. And for a bit of modern-day history, stop by the Cozy Dog Drive-In on Route 66 for a delicious 'cozy dog', said to be the country's original corndog.

Evansville is the perfect place for an affordable family break in the Hoosier State. The Mesker Park Zoo will provide above-ground thrills while a short drive to Indiana Cavern will provide subterranean fun.

Cedar Rapids is home to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library-which shines a fascinating light on the culture of many of the region's ancestors-and the enthralling African American Museum of Iowa. In addition to these educational sights, the eclectic NewBo City Market is making waves as the place to see and be seen.

Everyone in your gang will relish the chance to play outlaw for the day in Dodge City. This once lawless town still feels like a true porthole to the past with the spirit of the Wild West sticking with you long after the weekend is over.

The biggest city in the Bluegrass State provides a scintillating Friday to Sunday experience for families. Walk along the riverfront before crossing over to Ohio on foot via the Big Four Bridge or taking a cruise on the Belle of Louisville riverboat. Then, head for the Kentucky Science Center or the Louisville Slugger Museum to continue the fun-yet educational-activities.

The residents of Lafayette love life and you are invited to join the party for the weekend. Bounce between mouthwatering meals at the city's roster of fine restaurants and then learn all about the special Cajun culture of the region at the Acadian Cultural Center.

Maine's biggest city is home to the Portland Head Light-one of the country's most famous lighthouses- and is also located a stone's throw from a handful of other coastal beacons. Enjoy fresh seafood and shopping in town as a family before taking a short drive to Old Orchard Beach for boardwalk delights.

There is simply nowhere else in the country like Assateague island. Here, you can camp near the beach and witness wild ponies running free among pristine coastal scenery.

Get a proper lesson in American history in this coastal town. See the spot were the Pilgrims first stepped foot on North American soil (symbolized by Plymouth Rock) and walk through a recreation of a Pilgrim village at Plimoth Plantation.

With an excellent Children's Museums and a Children's Garden, Grand Rapids proper is sure to keep the pack entertained for 48 hours. But just in case you race through your to-do list, gorgeous beaches and the cute "Dutch" town of Holland are just a short drive away.

Appreciate wildlife at the Lake Superior Zoo and Great Lakes Aquarium before settling in by the water to watch the container ships navigate the local canal. The grand finale? When the awesome Aerial Lift Bridge splits to make way for the vessels.

Start an educational weekend in Jackson out at the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, which shines a light on the African-American experience in the Deep South. Then, continue your history lesson at the Mississippi Museum of Civil Rights before taking a fantastic Southern foodie adventure at the city's myriad of sizzling venues.

This small town on the Mississippi River was the boyhood home of author Mark Twain and it provided the inspirational backdrop for characters like Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher. Here, you can visit the writer's home and even see Tom Sawyer's famous white fence.

Butte offers a family experience like nothing else in the state. The World Museum of Mining is a must-do as it is home to over 60 major exhibits a striking re-creation of a 19th-century mining town. And if your family enjoys oddball attractions, Butte is home to the otherworldly Berkley Pit-a former open-pit mine filled with kaleidoscopic acidic water.

Nebraska's biggest city can't be beaten when it comes to weekend diversions. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a fine place to start learning about the world around us, an education that can be continued with a flair for fun at the Omaha Children's Museum. The Mormon Trail Center provides a lesson in pioneering and you can't beat the selection of restaurants in Omaha anywhere on the Plains.

The capital of the Silver State is located tantalizingly close to both Lake Tahoe and the old mining mecca of Virginia City. In Carson City proper, your family will find a host of historic Native American and Western historical sights.

Head for this spectacular swath of the state for a weekend spent getting back to nature together. Ride the cog railway to the summit of Mount Washington for stunning views and the quintessential White Mountains experience.

Wildwood is home to a lively boardwalk that will keep your family busy all weekend long. And if your crew arrives in winter when much of the entertainment has been shut down, then that just means you will have more of the beach to yourself.

You might get lured in by the promise of alien kitsch, but you'll leave in love with the small charm town of Roswell. That and the new blow-up alien doll riding in the middle of the backseat.

Witnessing the natural beauty of Niagara Falls will stay with your family for a lifetime, especially if you view it from the water on an up-close-and-possibly-soaked cruise. Then, see the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, which tells the tale of how and why this region became a dramatic stop on the road to freedom from slavery.

Leave the city behind for a couple of days in Transylvania County and your family will return refreshed and ready for the week ahead. The reason? The gorgeous scenery and scores of waterfalls in this true hidden gem of western North Carolina.

Start out your adventures in Fargo at the Children's Museum at Yunker Farm, which is set in a historic farmhouse and features bushels of fun for the young ones. Head back into the city for a turn on the Ferris or a walk through an aquarium (yep, they've got both) inside sporting goods megastore Scheels.

Since it's never too early to get your kids into appreciating good music, a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a fine way to spend a Saturday. Afterward, head right next door to the Great Lakes Science Center to have a ball learning about a plethora of scientific phenomena.

The family fun begins with Brickopolis-a three-story center for good times and games-and keeps going through the Adventure District, home to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Newport is Oregon's beach town but even if the weather is dicey on your weekend here, don't worry, because there are still plenty of indoor attractions for the family to enjoy. For starters, there is the Oregon Coast Aquarium and scores of galleries and shops and if you drive about an hour you will find the wild, woolly and beloved by kids fun of Sea Lions Cave.

The entire family will be fascinated by the step back in time offered by a weekend visit to Amish Country in Lancaster County. Stay in a quaint B&B, take a buggy ride and shop for artisan crafts & snacks before you reconnect to the modern world on Sunday night.

In addition to having a wealth of parks and community outdoor spaces, Providence is home to one of the hottest outdoor art installations in the country: WaterFire. It features hundreds of bonfires that burn just above the water level of the city's rivers, providing scores of memorable sights and sounds.

Beaufort is the best base in the Palmetto State to bring your family in order to learn about Gullah culture and enjoy Lowcountry cuisine. After an education in town, take to the beautiful beaches of the nearby Sea Islands.

Admire the patriotic wonder that is Mount Rushmore together before checking in on the progress on the statue of Sitting Bull and bedding down in historic Deadwood. Then, explore the barren land of the nearby Badlands or even drive into Wyoming to spot the geological wonder that is Devil's Tower.

Hardly any family can resist pulling the car over at Rock City (located on the outskirts of Chattanooga in Georgia), as this kitschy attraction had entered American roadside lore. Admire Lover's Leap waterfall there before heading into town in order to learn through play at the Creative Discovery Museum and admire aquatic life at the tremendous Tennessee Aquarium.

The Fort Worth Stockyards is shorthand for fun in this neck of the woods as twice-daily the cattle are driven through the streets of town. After that thrill, head to the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame to see a different side of the legendary character of the West.

Pick up where history class left off at the Natural History Museum of Utah, where there is seemingly always something going on that is geared toward kids. In addition, this metropolis offers the chance to connect with its unique Mormon founding.

Shelburne is home to one of the best collections of Americana in the country: the Shelburne Museum. Explore the entire grounds for a day before taking the short drive to the flavor-tastic Ben & Jerry's factory-always a hit with the entire family.

With its collection of historic buildings, actors and artifacts, Colonial Williamsburg offers an unparalleled insight into American history and will certainly provide a surprise or two for your crew. After you've taken your step back into the past, then head to Busch Gardens for a myriad of modern-day thrills.

This beachside town lies at the center of a spectacularly wild stretch of coast and is known far-and-wide as a mecca for kite flying. Visit the Kite Museum before walking in the footsteps of America's utmost inland explorers on the Lewis & Clark Discovery Trail.

In addition to owning a scenic position on the Appalachian Trail at the confluence of the Shenandoah & Potomac Rivers, Harper's Ferry is alive with history. The town is listed as a National Historic District and here you can learn all about the pivotal role it played in events leading up to and during the Civil War.

Bring your bunch to Circus World Museum to learn all about local legends the Ringling Brothers before trotting down one of the kid-friendly paths at Devil's Lake State Park.

Take science lessons out of the classroom at this Wyoming wonder. Thermopolis is home to a wealth of hot springs and you can visit the thermal waters at the Hot Springs State Bathhouse before taking a spin down the waterslides at Star Plunge. Also, the enthralling Wyoming Dinosaur Center is located right around the corner.