It is possible, of course, to take a purely pop culture vacation. This would mean theme parks, the ultimate in manufactured fun for the entire family. Since a worthy goal of a vacation is, in fact, fun, I do not want to put them down completely. But the best theme parks, knowing that the human spirit needs more than a roller coaster, even for fun, often bring in at least some elements from the high culture and the folk culture. Thus, one can learn about science in Epcot Center and shoot a black powder musket and watch Ozark craftsmen at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.
Vacations are a way to get up close and personal with history.
Chances are, neither you nor your children learned very much American history at school, at least not the exciting parts, such as battles. Go to Yorktown in Virginia, where you can see how George Washington trapped the British army and won our independence. Visit a series of Civil War battlefields, preferably in chronological order. Go to the Lewis and Clark sites, trace the routes of other explorers, travel the Oregon trail. Try to imagine how people back then got through those mountains without the benefit of automobiles and interstate highways.