Around USA in 12 Days: Family-Friendly Itinerary Including NASA Museum

  • Day 1: Arrival in Chicago
    40 minutes (20 miles) from Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    Begin your trip in the windy city of Chicago by visiting the iconic Navy Pier, where you can enjoy various attractions like Ferris wheel and many indoor and outdoor activities with Lake Michigan in the background.

  • Day 2: Chicago to Detroit
    4 hours (280 miles) from Navy Pier

    Start early and head over to the Motor City, Detroit. Visit the Henry Ford Museum, an indoor and outdoor museum with a vast collection of Americana that celebrates the history of the United States.

  • Day 3-4: Niagara Falls
    4.5 hours (285 miles) from Detroit Institute of Arts Museum

    Visit the natural wonder of the world, Niagara Falls. Explore the Maid of the Mist tour, Cave of the Winds tour, and Niagara Falls State Park. You may choose to spend an extra day here to enjoy the natural beauty of the falls at a more relaxed pace.

  • Day 5-6: Washington D.C.
    8 hours (435 miles) from Niagara Falls State Park

    Discover the monuments, museums, and famous landmarks of the USA capital, Washington D.C. Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum where you will be awed by the amazing collection of space objects and spacecraft including the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia that went to the moon in 1969.

  • Day 7: Pittsburgh
    4 hours (240 miles) from National Mall

    Drive to the city of Pittsburgh to explore the towering skyscrapers, Pittsburg Zoo, and PPG Aquarium with a unique underwater tunnel. A visit to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is a must for a fun, educational experience for children and their parents.

  • Day 8-9: New York City
    6 hours (380 miles) from Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

    Visit the city that never sleeps, New York City. Get your adrenaline pumping in Central Park, and go on a thrilling tour of the city's skyline. Take a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty up close or visit the American Museum of Natural History. In the evenings, watch a Broadway show and see the city's sites lit up at night.

  • Day 10: NASA Museum
    4.5 hours (200 miles) from New York City

    Finally, visit the NASA Museum in Washington D.C, the most significant collection of space artifacts in the world. You will see the world's largest collection of robotic spacecraft, machines that are exploring our solar system.

  • Day 11: Free Day

    Consider an extra day in Washington D.C to experience some less touristy attractions or even the offbeat and weird museums that Washington D.C has to offer, like the International Spy Museum or Newseum, or to revisit any of the places on this itinerary that you enjoyed most.

  • Day 12: Departure Day
    30 minutes (6.2 miles) from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

    Depart from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with all of your unforgettable memories of your family trip around the USA.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Navy Pier (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Henry Ford Museum (3-4 hours, $25)
  • Niagara Falls State Park (Half-day, $10 or 2-day pass for $15)
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (3 hours, Free)
  • Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (2-3 hours, $16)
  • American Museum of Natural History (2 hours, $23)
  • NASA Museum (2 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs for attractions: $84

Transportation

Consider renting a car or RV to experience the American countryside in comfort. Public transportation is available in most cities on this itinerary but may take longer than driving.

  • Estimated total distance: 1,548 miles.
  • Estimated total driving time: 27 hours.
  • Estimated total fuel cost: $200-$400 (depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency)

Useful Tips

Consider adding an extra day in Niagara Falls to experience the falls at your own pace or eliminate visits to some of these attractions if you have less time. Alternatively, consider spending extra days in Washington DC to explore the city more.

Airports

The primary airports for this itinerary include; Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) 14 miles from Downtown Chicago, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) 5 miles from Washington D.C., and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) situated about 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan in New York City.

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