Battlefields and Historic Attractions of the Mid-Atlantic

Day One: Start with a day in Colonial Williamsburg, VA, touring historic buildings and trying your hand at colonial chores and games. Overnight in Williamsburg area.

Day Two: Drive southwest about 20 minutes to Jamestown, site of the first permanent English settlement in America. It's celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, so there are special events going on all summer (see Jamestown2007.org for details). There's a living history museum there as well as a fort and reconstructed settlers' ships. In the afternoon, drive east about 40 minutes to Yorktown, the site of a major Revolutionary battlefield. Overnight in Yorktown area.

Days Three and Four: Drive north about three hours to Washington D.C., where you'll find historic attractions in spades. Spend this day and the next exploring the various museums and monuments there, such as the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the Washington Monument and the new WWII Memorial. Kids will also have a blast at the International Spy Museum. Need a break from history? Visit the National Zoo, which is most famous for its pandas -- one of whom is on pregnancy watch this summer. Spend two nights in the Washington D.C. area. For more ideas, see Washington D.C. Essentials.

Day Five: Drive northwest about two hours to Gettysburg, PA, site of the Civil War's most famous battle. In addition to touring the battlefield, kids can also visit the nearby American Civil War Museum, which offers life-size dioramas and a reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg. Overnight in the Gettysburg area.

Day Six: Drive southeast about two hours to scavenger hunt through the Old Town to learn about George Washington and other historic figures. If the kids are overloaded on history, head to Cameron Run Regional Park (also in Alexandria area.

Day Seven: Drive south about 20 minutes to Mount Vernon, VA, George Washington's gracious mansion home. Tour the mansion and gardens, walk along the forest trail, and meet the farm animals. Kids get a colorful map with their ticket that guides them around the estate to solve a series of nine puzzles. Drive south about 2.5 hours to return to Williamsburg.