5 Things for Homeschoolers to Learn about before Traveling to a New State

If you’re planning on traveling to a new state for some homeschool travel, you probably want the kids to know a thing or two about their destination before arriving. As I’ve been traveling more and more with my own family, there are a few things we like to do before heading off on a trip to a new place.

This is part 9 of a 10-day series of Homeschool Travel Tips! If you’re anticipating homeschool travel with your own family, definitely give the series a look. I’m always happy to share tips and tricks for making both parenting and homeschooling full of meaningful, memorable, and fun experiences!

Whether traveling near or far, it’s always fun (and oftentimes necessary) to learn a thing or two about the new-to-you place, so let me share with you a few things for you and your kids to do and learn about before your trip!

Before your Homeschool Travel Adventure…

…you might want to look into:

Local History

You wouldn’t know it from my indifference in middle and high school history classes, but I love to learn about the history of locations I’ll be traveling to. There’s just something special about knowing that I’m in a place where something monumental happened.

Currently, my family and I live about 20 minutes across the bridge from Philadelphia. You can only imagine the thoughts and feelings going through my head when I walk the very same streets our forefathers walked so many years ago.

It’s kind of like wanting to be in the room where it happened if you catch my drift. #hamiltonfan

Before traveling to a new state, definitely read up on the history of the state. It’s nice to know where you’re going, but it’s also like to know where the world has been, you know?

To learn the local history of a city or state, I totally recommend visiting the department of tourism website for the state. Many states will even mail you brochures and such in case you’re more of a hands-on family (we are – give us all the brochures!). Just make sure to request them with enough time for them to arrive in the mail.

If you want to visit New Jersey, this is the NJ tourism website. I’ve heard otherwise, but I think I live in a pretty awesome state. (Did you know I have a tattoo of the state of NJ on my ankle? True story.

YouTube Videos

If I’m being honest, my family and I could watch YouTube tourism videos for hours on end. So many tourism and educational bloggers on YouTube share their travels and it’s so nice to experience their outings through video.

In addition to it just being “nice” to watch videos, previewing various locations on YouTube can also help to ease any anxieties you or the kids may be feeling before a big trip.

It can be overwhelming going to a new place! I get it.

Knowing the layouts of travel spots and getting to see places before actually visiting can certainly be a huge help.

Bucket List

When traveling, you’re bound to return home at some point, right? You’re not going to be in your travel destination for too long so why not make the most of your trip and make a bucket list.

This is where the state tourism websites come in handy!

Let the kids help plan the trip by making a list of the things you and your family “must do” while on your trip. It’ll help to keep you focused while traveling as well as give the kids specific things to look forward to.

Our set of travel printables includes a bucket list printable just in case you’re in the market!

Popular Foods

Listen, if you haven’t noticed yet, I’m totally a foodie. OF COURSE I’m going to suggest checking out popular foods while traveling.

Before traveling to a new state, do a little research on the popular local foods. The dishes that are native to that area. The dishes that the locals enjoy and miss when they’ve moved to a new state.

Do a Google search for “best places to find {said food} in {said area}” and read the reviews.

There’s plenty to learn while traveling, but there’s also plenty of “new” foods to try.

Pork Roll, for example, is a very popular food in New Jersey. Or, is it Taylor Ham? Google the history and find out what I’m talking about. (for what it’s worth…if you ask me, it’s called “pork roll.”)

Notable People

Do you have any favorite “famous” people? An author? Movie star? Musician? Before traveling to a new state, do some quick research to find out if any notable people are from the area you’ll be visiting.

As with historical areas, I just think there’s something cool about being in a place where someone famous grew up or once lived.

You could always plan homeschool travel based on the location of a notable person or two, too!

I am a huge Beatles fan. Always have been, always will. Before my husband and I became parents, we had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel overseas anywhere in Europe (my husband won airfare for two at work. Amazing, right?).

You know where we I picked? London with a day trip to Liverpool. My dream-come-true trip. I walked across Abbey Road, rode past Strawberry Fields, listened to Penny Lane while driving down the actual Penny Lane!

It was amazing. If you have the opportunity to visit your dream-come-true location, definitely do it!

Feeling Better about Traveling to a New State?

I hope you and your family make so many amazing memories during homeschool travel and beyond. Take the time to do the planning and enjoy the moments!

I’m curious – if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Leave a comment!

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy quality time with your family,