50 States, 50 Unusual Landmarks

When families take to the road for vacation, they tend to concentrate on big tourist attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and the Empire State Building. But there are plenty of quirky pleasures to be found just off the beaten track. We've gathered a list of don't-miss family attractions in every state.

ALABAMA: Helen Keller's Birthplace
Gain inspiration from visiting Keller's home in Tuscumbia, which includes the pump Anne Sullivan used to teach her the meaning of "water." www.helenkellerbirthplace.org

ALASKA: The Aurora Ice Hotel
Bundle up for a tour of this chilly but spectacular new ice structure at Chena Hot Springs Resort, which -- thanks to cutting-edge technology -- hopes to remain open year-round. www.chenahotsprings.com/icehotel.html

ARIZONA: Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
Little cowboys and cowgirls can relive the Wild West at this 12,000-square-foot museum, chock-full of artifacts from the mining days of yore. www.azstateparks.com

ARKANSAS: Crater of Diamonds State Park
It's finders keepers at this diamond mine in Murfreesboro, as visitors are allowed to take home their geological finds. www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com

CALIFORNIA: The Redwood Forests
How big are they? Drive or hike the Avenue of the Giants at Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Weott to find out, or visit any of the redwood groves in Northern California. www.redwoodvisitor.org

COLORADO: Dinosaur National Monument
Junior paleontologists will thrill at seeing dinosaur bones and other fossils embedded in the rock wall at the Quarry Visitor Center. www.nps.gov/dino/dinos.htm

CONNECTICUT: Mark Twain House and Museum
Twain's lovingly restored Hartford home -- where he is believed to have penned the adventures of young Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn -- also boasts a museum with scheduled events and activities. www.marktwainhouse.org