Hit The Road: Best Educational Road Trip Destinations For Your Students Or Youth Group

A charter bus ride to an educational destination along the East Coast is a perfect excursion for a group of students or a youth group. Whether the point of origin is Boston, Connecticut, New York or Philadelphia, there are a wide variety of historic sites and entertaining venues to see and experience.

Mystic Aquarium

55 Coogan Blvd.
Mystic, CT, 06355
(860) 572-5955
www.mysticaquarium.org 

The Mystic Aquarium is a haven for those interested in marine science. The only beluga whales in New England reside at this interactive aquarium, along with 300 species of animals including African penguins, sharks, stingrays, sea lions and more. There are several opportunities for close encounters with the animals, an entertaining sea lion show and a 4-D National Geographic Theater for visitors to enjoy.

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Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd.
Sturbridge, MA, 01566
(800) 733-1830
www.osv.org

Old Sturbridge Village is a living history museum where life in the 1830's is well-preserved and recreated by costumed farmers, craftsmen, shop keepers and housewives who stay in character at all times. There are 40 antique homes, buildings and water-powered mills where visitors can experience what life was like in New England 200 years ago for blacksmiths, coopers, potters and farmers. As visitors walk around Old Sturbridge Village, they can interact with the cast members and learn about the nation's history.

Mt. Washington Auto Road

1 Mount Washington Auto Rd.
Gorham, NH, 03581
(603) 466-3988
www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com

Mt. Washington is a 6,288-foot mountain that offers a spectacular view of parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Canada and the Atlantic Ocean when the weather is clear. A summer road trip up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, America's first and oldest man-made attraction, travels through several different terrains and potential weather changes. Each trip is different due to the changing conditions on the mountain. There is an "Extreme Mount Washington" and "World's Worst Weather" experience to view at the summit. Children can even become Auto Road Rangers. When winter prohibits driving up the mountain, a 75-minute SnowCoach provides the transportation.

Philadelphia Historic Center

Philadelphia, PA
http://www.historicphiladelphia.org

The historic sites of the city are conveniently located in the Philadelphia Historic Center. There are interesting exhibits at many locations, including Betsy Ross' House and the Liberty Bell. The National Constitution Center is an interactive museum about the Constitution and U.S. history, while The Franklin Institute houses interactive scientific exhibits, including a walk-through of a giant heart-like structure. Lancaster, home to the Amish population is also just short 80-mile bus ride away.

The Freedom Trail

Visitor Information Center
139 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02111
www.thefreedomtrail.org 

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk through Boston's historic sites. There are 16 indoor/outdoor locations to visit, all of which had a dramatic effect on U.S. history. There are burial grounds, meeting houses, churches and monuments to visit. Some of the sites include: Massachusetts State House, King's Chapel, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution. Visitors can jump on the trail at any juncture as a self-guided tour or opt to join a public walking tour of The Freedom Trail. Guided tours are led by 18th-century costumed players for an added historical experience.

This article was written by Nancy Burgess of Examiner.com for CBS Local.