Let Freedom Ring: 4 Fun Facts About the Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is a symbol of our nation’s independence, and it dates all the way back to the late 1700s. This beautiful icon is rich with American history, and even non-history buffs will appreciate its inspiring story. Here are a few key facts about the Liberty Bell.

The bell was originally cast in 1751.
The Pennsylvania colonists were so pleased that William Penn gave them the freedom to choose their own religion that the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the bell for the State House.

The original bell cracked and had to be replaced.
The first bell was cast in England, but cracked soon after arriving in Philadelphia. Two local craftsmen cast a new bell in 1753 out of metal from the original.

The Liberty Bell traveled around the country on tours.
In the late 1800s, the bell was such a symbol of freedom that it traveled around the U.S. to fairs and expositions to help unite the people after the Civil War. It returned to Philadelphia in 1915.

The bell weighs approximately 2,000 pounds.
It is made of 70% copper, 25% tin, and traces of lead, gold, silver, zinc, and arsenic. It still uses its original yoke, which is made of American elm and weighs 100 pounds.

3 Unique Family Travel Ideas

Planning a family vacation doesn’t have to include life-sized cartoon characters or expensive amusement park trips. These unique family-oriented trips will help you find the perfect travel destination for everyone in your family.

  1. Park City, Utah. Full of what is commonly hailed as the best snow on earth, Park City is an ideal travel destination for the ski bunny family. Sign the little ones up for a ski lesson, set the older kids loose on the slopes, and relax at night in any one of the area’s luxurious lodges or amenity-packed cabins.
  2. Playa del Carmen, Mexico. If beach vacations are more your style, this one offers the best of the ocean for family members of all ages. Playa del Carmen is one of the top dive destinations in the world, and it also offers gorgeous golf courses, a hip downtown community, and even ancient ruins just asking to be explored.
  3. Boston, Massachusetts. For the family of sports lovers, Boston is an all-American vacation spot with some impressive teams. The kids will love going to a game at Fenway Park, and the large number of historical sites are so interesting, they might not even realize that they’re learning something along the way.

Best Family Friendly Vacations – Anywhere [Trip Advisor]
Family [Travel Channel]

Best Family-Friendly Resorts Around The Country

If you’re planning a vacation with the whole family, you need to make sure that your destination has activities for adults and kids alike. Thankfully, there are a number of awesome resorts that have something for everyone. Here are five of the best.

The Inn At Schoolhouse Creek
This awesome Mendocino Coast bed and breakfast is set in some of the most gorgeous country in California. With nine acres of lush gardens and forests, lodgings are split up across a number of cottages and cabins. It’s the perfect mix of pampering and wilderness.

Beaver Creek
Winter vacations are magical at Beaver Creek. Widely regarded as the best family ski resort in the country, this Colorado paradise features a wide selection of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Outside of Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida, this is a destination for any family that loves the wild kingdom. The hotel replicates the thatched-roof look of an authentic safari lodge, and the surrounding park boasts wildebeest, giraffes, and more.

The Breakers
Florida luxury is everywhere at this sumptuous Palm Beach resort. Even better, it boasts tons of activities for kids to do at the attached kids camp, from arts and crafts to outdoor fun. Spend the days doing grown-up activities and then get the whole family back together for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants.

Enchantment Resort Mii Amo Spa
Located two hours north of Phoenix in the striking town of Sedona, this is one of the most beautiful resorts in the country. A huge range of activities are available, from hikes in Boynton Canyon and Native American art classes to spa-style pampering.

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