Beyond fun and relaxation, vacations also provide opportunities to explore, learn, and grow. While these sights are breathtaking at any age, there's something extra special about seeing them as a child—or just through the eyes of one. (Use discretion: Some places simply aren't appropriate for younger kids.) Plus, see family trip photos from readers in our slide show.

Ellis Island Museum, New York City: About 40 percent of Americans are descended from someone who immigrated through this station. Visiting is a powerful experience, thanks to the smartly curated exhibits—and you get a terrific view of the Statue of Liberty on the same ferry ride (ellisisland.com, free guided tours, audio tours $6).

Grace Muratore, 5, of Beaufort, S.C., at the Statue of Liberty in June 2006. (courtesy Heather Muratore)

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.: This is a city of inspiring sights: the Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Jefferson and Vietnam Veterans memorials. Still, the 19-foot marble statue of our 16th president is a can't-miss (nps.gov/linc, free).

Marley Jordan, 9, of Nottingham, N.H., at the Lincoln Memorial.

Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.: Kids growing up with e-mail and iPods might not believe it, but there was life before electricity, and even before a United States. The 301-acre open-air museum features hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings, and costumed guides tell the stories of the men and women of the 18th-century city (history.org, $37, kids 6-17 $18).

Nicolas Hamm, 5, of Burke, Va., at Colonial Williamsburg in June 2005. (courtesy Jennifer Hamm)

USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: Sunk by a surprise attack on December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona remains six feet below the water as a lasting monument to World War II veterans. A memorial that spans the sunken battleship was dedicated in 1962 (nps.gov/usar, free).

Jessica Davi, 13, and her brother Kyle, 10, of Leominster, Mass., at Pearl Harbor in July 2006. (courtesy Steve Davi)

Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz.: Look at what wind, water, and erosion can do: At 5,000 feet deep and an average of 10 miles across, it's the most magnificent natural wonder in the country, and perhaps the world (nps.gov/grca, $12, vehicles $25, kids 15 and younger free).

Erica Love, 5, of Brookhaven, Pa., with her grandmother at the Grand Canyon in April 2005. (courtesy Lisa Love)

National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis: The motel where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed is a museum chronicling the African-American struggle from slavery to Rosa Parks and beyond (civilrightsmuseum.org, $12, $8.50 kids). Also highly worthwhile: Alabama's Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (bcri.org, $10, kids free) and Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (freedomcenter.org, $12, kids $8).

Redwood National Park, Calif.: Everyone feels humbled, in a good way, when exploring in the shadows of 300-foot-tall trees—many of which are more than 1,000 years old (nps.gov/redw, free).

Monticello, Va.: Besides the Declaration of Independence, one of Thomas Jefferson's other masterpieces is the estate he designed and tinkered with over the course of five decades, located seven miles from the University of Virginia—which Jefferson also founded (monticello.org, tours from $15, kids over 6 $8, free for children 5 and under).

The Hamm family, of Burke, Va., at Monticello in September 2006. (courtesy Jennifer Hamm)

Gettysburg, Pa.: It's never too early to learn about the sacrifices of those who came before: In the bloodiest war in our nation's history, this Civil War battlefield was the bloodiest of all. Visitors can also see the spot where President Lincoln delivered his famed Civil War speech in 1863 (nps.gov/gett, free).

Elliott Mueller, 7, of LaFayette, N.Y., at Gettysburg in April 2004. (courtesy Nancy Mueller)

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas: The stories of courage in the face of overwhelming forces will be remembered (thealamo.org, free).

From left: Sarah Bridges and her sister Brittany, of Midland, Tex., at the Alamo. (courtesy Becky Bridges)

Ground Zero, New York City: The hole in lower Manhattan is sacred ground. The nearby Tribute-WTC Center exhibits crushed firefighter helmets and other recovered items (tributewtc.org, $10 suggested donation).

Niagara Falls, N.Y.: The most powerful falls in North America, with as much as six million cubic feet of water plummeting over the gorge every minute, were awesome when your grandparents honeymooned there and remain awesome today. It's worth crossing into Canada to see them from the other side (nysparks.com, free).

From left: Elizabeth Bolton, 11, and her sister Sarah, 13, of Baltimore, Md., at Niagara Falls in 2006. (courtesy Kathryn Bolton)

Freedom Trail, Boston: Visit Bunker Hill, Paul Revere's house, and other spots pivotal to the American Revolution. Walk the trail on your own for free or book a tour with a guide in 18th-century garb (thefreedomtrail.org, $12, kids $6).

Independence Hall, Philadelphia: It's where George Washington was appointed commander of the Continental Army, the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the founding fathers truly laid the nation's foundation, in the form of the U.S. Constitution (nps.gov/inde, free but tickets for timed tours are required from March 1 to Dec. 31).

Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Fla.: For more than 35 years, this resort destination—it's more than just a theme park—has been bringing the magic to kids and their grown-ups. For tips on navigating its 47 square miles, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World With Kids is a great place to start (disneyworld.com, $60 for kids 3-9, $71 for 10 and older).

Emma Hills, 6, of Kettle Falls, Wash., at Walt Disney World in February 2004. (courtesy Jackie Fisher)

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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