This July 4th, Americans will celebrate our nation’s glorious 250th anniversary. In today’s culture, it is imperative that parents take the responsibility to teach the history of the United States to their children. In today’s blog post, I will provide some recommended activities and family trips for the Dallas area as well as throughout the United States. I’ll also share some personal memories and why I can help parents with family etiquette as well as etiquette classes for kids and teenagers.
Family Trips to Washington D.C.
Let the story begin…In 1996, I packed the car and picked up my 6 children from school (their school would dismiss at noon on the last day before summer break).
From Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia, we traveled towards Washington D.C. with no stops or games until we reached the Virginia line. My children were given a pre-journey brief with travel details that went like this…
You must read given summer reading assignments while we drive to the Virginia line. At that point, we will stop rest, eat and you will have free time from Virginia to Washington D.C.
Prior to this yearly trip, I would contact the Senators and Congressmen from our district and book one room at The Ritz Carlton Washington D.C.. Yes, seven people stayed in one room because my children were all under-age.
After driving into town, we would attend morning breakfast the next day and began our tours. Our tours would include the following…
We would visit both the Senate and House of Representatives, where we would discuss how laws are made and changed during our private tour of Congress. Wow! Let me tell you, learning occurred here. I always stayed with the children, and at the end of the day, everyone would be required to recap the day’s activities and what they learned.
Next was Mount Vernon, where we would spend the day. The garden was a big hit to see and learn about all that George Washington contributed to gardening. If you visit Mount Vernon today, you will see the newly restored gardens. Mount Vernon is a must for all to see. Click to read about the Mount Vernon Summer 2026 activities.
We enjoyed a sack lunch there, as well as dinner at the wonderful Cask & Cleaver Steakhouse. At the end of the day, everyone would share what they learned at Mount Vernon and their favorite thing about George Washington.
In addition, we would purchase souvenirs so that on Halloween, my children could wear costumes that represented a positive influence in America. My boys loved their tricorn (three-cornered) hats that they would wear while carrying wooden rifles. At Halloween, they would have a story to tell behind their costume. My girls would buy copies of games played by George Washington’s grandchildren.
Next, we would travel to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. We would stay from 10 AM until closing to see and do as much as possible. Thomas Jefferson contributed greatly to our country. Click here to learn about special America 250 activities at Monticello.
You Can Also Learn about America as a Family in Dallas, TX
- JFK Assassination Tour with Oswald’s Rooming House. This tour includes stops at Dealey Plaza, Oswald Rooming House and the Texas Theatre, and ends at the Sixth Floor Museum, where you can purchase tickets to go through the exhibits there. Teenagers will appreciate the way an important historical moment is made much more clear by visiting in person versus a textbook knowledge of the topic.
- A unique way to enjoy afternoon tea with your daughter is to sign up for Tea Around Town Dallas. You’ll sit in a beautifully-decorated double-decker bus while sipping tea and eating lovely treats.
- Celebrate Christian Dior fashion and tea at Café Dior by Dominique Crenn. The presentation at Dior Café is fabulous and I also offer Afternoon Tea Etiquette classes here upon request.
- Historic Downtown Grapevine offers shopping, dining, glassblowing and many other options for entertainment.
- The Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium Tour is something you don’t want to miss. Your whole family will enjoy this tour that includes an art museum as well as the field where the Dallas Cowboys play football.
This is only the beginning of historical and educational opportunities for you and your children in Dallas. I encourage parents to study the timeline of Dallas to its current date. This provides strong talking points for your child so they can grow in good conversation skills with others.
Etiquette Expert Offers Family Etiquette Classes for Kids and Teenagers
Manners expert, Lisa Burdette, loves working with families in Texas to help them learn proper etiquette for their interactions at school, work and the home. She has trained in London and Paris and has experience with teaching social graces, business etiquette and table manners / dining etiquette. Her private and group etiquette classes for kids and business professionals have helped many individuals with increasing their self-confidence.
You can also purchase a digital copy of my Rules of Civility for the Young Gentleman.
For more information or to request a custom etiquette session for your child, contact Lisa via her Contact page or Book Online today!
