Explore America with Buddy and Taco's Adventures

Let's explore the United States with Buddy and Taco, highlighting the places they visit along the way.

The Journey Begins: Setting Off on the Open Road

Buddy and Taco set out on a great adventure across the United States, collecting facts and souvenirs at each stop to help their girl Maddy ace her school project. Their journey starts in our historic capital city.

First Stop: Washington, D. C.

• Capitol Building: George Washington laid the cornerstone for the original US Capitol building in 1793. The building has been restored and rebuilt over the years. Congress, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives, meets in the Capitol to debate our nation's laws. The visitor center has a variety of educational resources online and even the opportunity for a virtual tour!

• National Mall: Buddy and Taco visit the Lincoln Memorial and its reflecting pool, the Washington Monument, and see the cherry blossoms bloom along the National Mall. Nearby are the impressive Smithsonian museums and war memorials. The Trust for the National Mall offers a virtual classroom for those who wish to learn more.

• Buddy and Taco did not have time to visit the White House during this trip, but the White House Historical Association offers engaging K-12 learning resources online.

Heading to the Northeast

The duo then hops on a train to explore the Northeast, where they stop in the Big Apple before they reach the coast of Maine.

New York City

• Grand Central Station: After the two depart their train, they hit the busy streets where they see the iconic yellow taxis.

• Central Park: Buddy and Taco play in Central Park, an 843-acre, 2.5-mile man-made park built in the 1850s-1860s in the middle of Manhattan. Central Park is home to expansive meadows and trails, a lake, zoo, and skating rink in the winter. They enjoy a classic New York hot dog from a cart vendor.

• Museums: New York City is home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, among many others. The Met offers experiences for Kids & Families in-person and online.

• Broadway: The dogs attend a Broadway show, located in the Theater District centered around Times Square in Manhattan. Kids Night on Broadway is a program of the Broadway League that helps kids enjoy a Broadway show at participating theaters across the country by offering a free ticket when accompanied by a paying adult.

• Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor: A must-see on the pups' list is the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France in 1886 in celebration of US independence.

Maine

• Coastline: The iconic rocky coastline of Maine spans more than 3,000 miles, lined with historic lighthouses, many of which are still in use.

• Lobster: Buddy and Taco dive into delicious lobster on the shore. Maine supplies the US with 90% of its lobster!

Over to the Midwest

Buddy and Taco head to the Midwest next, with stops in Chicago and South Dakota.

Chicago

• Chicago River: The Chicago River runs through downtown Chicago and connects Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. The river was famously engineered to flow backwards in 1900 to keep the drinking water of Lake Michigan clean. Boat tours are a popular attraction when visiting Chicago to see the city's architecture. The city dyes the river emerald green each March in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

• Magnificent Mile: Buddy and Taco walk along the Magnificent Mile, a bustling shopping and cultural district, where they spot Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza.

South Dakota

• Mount Rushmore: Mount Rushmore is a granite carving of the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Rosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The national memorial was completed in 1941, and each head stands 60 feet tall! Kids can learn more about Mount Rushmore through the National Park Service and Travel South Dakota.

  
  

Out West

After leaving Chicago and Mount Rushmore, Buddy and Taco head further west with stops to enjoy California, Colorado, and the Grand Canyon.

California

• Pacific Coast: The Pacific Coast Highway, aka Highway 1, traces California's coast for amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific coast is a great place to admire marine life, with whales migrating along the shores and seals and sea lions calling the beaches and piers their home. The renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium has online educational videos and lesson plans showcasing their animals.

• Golden Gate Bridge: Buddy and Taco cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The famous bridge was originally opened in 1937. Its two towers stand 747 feet above the ocean, which is taller than a 70-story building!

• Redwood Forest: The Redwood Forests in Northern California are home to the tallest trees on earth. The tallest known tree, Hyperion, is 380 feet tall! Kids can learn more about these trees and the rich ecosystem they create through the National Park Service's website.

Colorado

• Rocky Mountains: The Rocky Mountains stretch 3,000 miles from New Mexico to northern Canada. Most of the range's tallest peaks are in Colorado, with the tallest being Mount Elbert which has an elevation of 14,400 feet above sea level. Colorado's terrain makes it a great place for skiing, hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and more!

Arizona

• The Grand Canyon: The Grand Canyon was carved into the earth by the Colorado River millions of years ago. It measures over 270 miles long, 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. The National Park Service offers online resources such as virtual lessons and field trips for those who want to learn more.

  
  

Wrapping up with Texas, Kentucky, New Orleans, and Florida

After leaving the Grand Canyon, Buddy and Taco hop over to the Lone Star State for a rodeo, race with the horses in Kentucky, and stop to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans, before ending their trip in outer space!

Texas

• Rodeo: The pups ride horses at a rodeo and try their luck with a lasso. Rodeos take place throughout Texas, with some of the biggest events in Houston, Fort Worth, and Austin. Rodeos generally combine livestock shows with sporting events such as barrel racing, bull riding, and other entertainment.

Kentucky

• Horses: Lexington, Kentucky, is known as the Horse Capital of the World, due to its long history as the home of champion thoroughbreds. The rolling green hills of Kentucky contain beautiful horse farms and racetracks where people from all over the world come to participate and watch events.

New Orleans

• Mardi Gras: Buddy and Taco's second to last stop on this trip is worth the wait! They join in a lively Mardi Gras parade in the French Quarter. New Orleans, known as The Big Easy, is famous for its unique culture, food, and heritage. Mardi Gras is celebrated each year leading up to the Christian practice of Lent, with Fat Tuesday occurring the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. For weeks prior, krewes take to the streets with floats and costumes, to throw beads and small trinkets to the crowds. Parades are full of music and fun for the whole city to enjoy.

• French Quarter: During Mardi Gras and throughout the year, the French Quarter is visited by tourists and natives alike, for its restaurants, shopping, music, and nightlife. Jackson Square is home to the iconic St. Louis Cathedral, Cafe du Monde, and French Market.

• Food: The food of New Orleans is influenced by its rich mix of cultures. Must-try foods include gumbo, po'boys, beignets, and king cake.

  
  

Florida

• Cape Canaveral: Cape Canaveral is located on the central Atlantic coast of Florida known as the "Space Coast" and is home to the Kennedy Space Station. For kids interested in learning more about space, NASA has online learning opportunities. Buddy and Taco take off on a rocket ship and get an amazing view of Earth from outer space before deciding it's finally time to head home!

  
  

Final Thoughts

Buddy and Taco's adventures across America showcase the beauty and diversity of the country. Whether you're planning a road trip or simply dreaming of your next getaway, let their story inspire you to explore the great outdoors and create your own unforgettable memories. The United States is full of incredible places waiting to be discovered, just like Buddy and Taco found on their journey. Happy travels!