Our Homeschool Field Trip Recap: Real-Life, Road Trip Edition 🚗
Hey friends! I’m Shanna from Making Everyday Magic, and today I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at our most recent homeschool field trip—which was also a mega road trip with our family of four. If you’ve ever wondered if a big travel adventure can double as learning, this post is for you.
Spoiler alert: it absolutely can. But not without a few bumps, real talk, and fast talking along the way. Let’s dive in.
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Why We Took This Trip
End-of-the-year burnout is real. We were tired, ready for a break, and itching to get out of the house. So we did what any slightly overachieving homeschool family might do—we packed up and hit the road. It wasn’t a lesson plan–aligned unit study, and I didn’t prep a printable for every stop. But the kids learned, we connected, and the memories? Totally worth it.
🗺️ Where We Went (Yes, It Was A Lot)
We covered a lot of ground, y’all. Here’s a list of the places we stopped—and yes, I’ve linked them for you in case you’re planning your own epic homeschool field trip:
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🚻 Buc-ee’s — because it’s basically a rite of passage for road trippers.
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🎷 New Orleans, LA — we strolled the French Quarter, soaked up culture, and let the kids experience real-world geography and music.
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🍰 Little Debbie Park — the most charming snack cake-themed park you’ve ever seen.
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🦜 Parrot Mountain and Gardens — absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and educational in the best unexpected ways.
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🎡 Pigeon Forge, TN — a homeschooler’s dream town with all the entertainment.
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🌲 Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show — part food, part show, all fun.
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🏨 The Inn on the River — super family-friendly and conveniently located.
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🎢 Dollywood — rides, culture, music, and yes, learning.
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🛶 Big Bear Rafting — we conquered the rapids!
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⛳ Fantasy Golf — because mini golf = math and strategy (right?!).
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🎄 The Incredible Christmas Place — a magical off-season Christmas wonderland.
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🏁 The Track – Go Karts — fun, fast, and surprisingly great for teamwork.
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🎶 Nashville, TN — music, history, and lots to explore.
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🏛️ The Parthenon (Nashville) — a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Greece!
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🕺 Graceland — Elvis, baby.
What We Loved ❤️
Honestly, it was a lot. But it was also amazing.
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The kids stayed engaged most of the entire time.
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Every stop sparked some kind of question or connection.
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We learned through doing, not just reading.
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It didn’t feel like “school,” but learning still happened. A lot of it.
What I’d Do Differently
Real talk? Here’s where I’d tweak things next time:
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Build in more rest. We vacation fast, but a few more chill hours would’ve helped everyone reset.
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Prioritize hiking. I wish we would have done a better job getting out into the woods.
- More Memphis! The unexpected favorite deserves more time.
Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend This Homeschool Field Trip?
Yes, yes, and YES. If you’re thinking of turning your travel plans into a learning adventure, I’m here to tell you: do it. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be traditional. It just has to be yours.
This trip reminded me that homeschooling is about freedom, flexibility, and finding the lessons in everyday life. Whether it’s Elvis’ mansion or a roadside mini golf game, the memories are the magic.
Let me know if you’ve visited any of these places—or if you have field trip favorites we should add to our next itinerary!
Thanks for being here with me,
