This stop is all in the planning. First, you have three choices for tickets: pay full price online (and pick up tickets there at kiosk so you skip the ticket lines), pay less than full price in person (the admission prices are suggestions based on what the museums costs are so please pay the full price if you will be there all day and can afford to; you will have to wait in lines for this option), or get a city pass (they are available on the museum's website). Second, consider each child's age and interests. Visit the website to see the exhibit choices. If one of the special exhibits would interest your group, pay extra and see it, their special exhibits are amazing. This museum can not be seen in its entirety in one day, don't even consider it. Older kids will be able to see more, little legs will need the help of a stroller (and by little I mean under the age of 7 years old) to make it across the museum. Their website is amazing (this is not a quick visit type of website, there is lots to see and do, so allow yourself some time to explore. They also have "ology" for kids which my 10 year old son loves, he has been checking it out since he was 7). You can download maps before going to figure out the best route based on interests. They also have a free app for the iphones and ipads (this is a lifesaver, so download it if you have such a product, there is a you are here feature that literally will walk you from where you are to where you want to go). Hands down my whole groups favorite was the Rose Center. I'm a huge fan of space exhibits and this one is the best I have seen in the world so far. They did a great job setting it up, the Big Bang timeline walk is amazing. I could go on and on about it. The Discovery Room was a huge hit too (and this you won't notice unless you know about it before hand). If you have kids ages 5-12 (this is per them, I would say maybe 5-10 for sure) go here first. It is free, it is a time ticket though (40 minutes, which will fly by), so you will want to pick up your tickets to make sure you get in. Our next favorite was a special exhibit that ends in Jan. 2012 so I won't go on and on about it, but I will say this, the special exhibits are extremely well done, they have interactive parts, hands-on parts, etc. They really go all out. Remember the goal here is not to see everything (unless you have older kids and several days), the goal is to explore and have fun while learning. If you live near NYC you are very lucky. The museum puts on all sorts of workshops, overnights, and camps for kids, adults, and teachers. (If you are a homeschooler or like to expand on what the kids learned go to their website and print the teacher guides, very nice). I know I always say visit the website first, but you have to visit this website first. Otherwise this great museum could overwhelm you. Also, keep a city pass in mind if you're in NYC for a couple days, its a huge money saver.

First, start with this website: http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/ (check out the one listed above in the details too, but start here, they are mostly the same, but this link is more user friendly I think). Click on Calendar and Special Events. This is what is going to make the difference between a good trip and a trip that will knock your socks off. We went in July (with 18 family members and we had four kids with us 12, 9, 7, and 4) and every child had a blast. I'm not going to lie to you, this trip was already expensive and the calendar events range from free (they are included with your price of admission) to $15 per person depending on the event. Usually I'm the do it for free, bring a coupon, figure out how to pinch a penny girl. However, I would spend every penny again here. No regrets.
For the kids the daily events range from story times, dance and music programs, pirate experiences, ghost walks, Revolutionary and Civil War events, etc. We were there 2 evenings and 1 day (not enought time at all). The second night the two boys (12 and 9) attended the "Join the Continental Army" event. During the day we took the girls (7 and 4) to a dance class and everyone went on the ghost walk (we went on the one geared towards the younger crowd). There are free historic walks offered throughout the day which you can pop in and out of, you don't have to stay for the whole presentation (and you won't with a 4 year old). These events are on top of the parade, the living history demonstrations, shops, taverns, Governor's Palace and Capitol.
Take the kids to the Governor's Palace, you don't have to go inside (though the older kids loved the tour), there is plenty to do in the gardens...like the maze! The kids had a blast. Unless you have kids that love history (and the boys and older girl does so they went) skip the Palace and Capitol indoors tours. They can be long and the younger crowd will get bored fast. My son, the 9 year old, loves Revolutionary War history and he adores Patrick Henry, so he loved every minute of the Capitol tour. Explore the kids section of this webiste with your children to get them interested http://www.history.org/kids/games/index.cfm before you go.
This is a living history experience, there are tons of things for both kids and adults. Eat at the taverns for at least one meal (note: the taverns are like the taverns of old, so there are limited menu choices, you get what they are serving that day so if you have really picky eaters try Huzzah BBQ Grille-they have more than just bbq) or take the bus to Merchants Square (the bus is free) for a diner or regular American restaurant type choices. Make reservations at the taverns, so plan ahead. They usually play live music or have a dance tutor teach a measure or two. It is very fun and the kids enjoyed it.
We stayed at the Williamsburg Lodge, walking distance to Main Street (and it is on the bus stop too). Again, it was pricey, but again worth every penny.
Colonial Williamsburg has now partnered with Jamestowne (another fabulous living history site), so you can get discount tickets to fold that into part of your trip. Check the website listed here for specials and discounts on hotels and tickets. There is so much to do and see in this area (fold it in with a trip to the beach and Jamestowne or fold it into a trip with Mount Vernon, Jamestowne, Bus and Yorktown, the choices are endless). There is also the Great Hopes Farm and Plantation, but we didn't have time to visit. You can rent costumes by the day if you're interested and there are carriage rides daily.
There is a lot of walking, even with the bus stops, so be mindful and use the buses wisely when you can if you have little legs with you. The roads are hard packed dirt or brick, so bring the jogging stroller for an easier experience.
Even the most history resistant child will enjoy the silversmith shop, so make sure to make that shop a stop.

On our way home from Omaha we decided to swing by Ashland to see the Strategic Air and Space Museum. It was a fantastic idea and worth every minute!
I was surprised by how many jets this museum had and the number of exhibits. My son had a blast. Some of the exhibits are interactive, the kids can climb inside or sit at the command center/flight trainer center. There is a small area for younger kids (slide, things to climb in and on) so this place gets a cool for all ages (assuming they are space or aircraft lovers).
The docents are friendly and full of information. There are restrooms, parking is free, there is a cafe inside (think quick service). We drove on to Ashland to eat before heading home so I can't comment on the prices or quality of food.

We went to Omaha to see the zoo and on the way home we decided to detour to the Strategic Air and Space Museum. On our way across I-80 towards the museum we saw a couple signs for the Holy Family Shrine. Being Catholic we are always ready for a shrine opportunity, so we followed the signs off the highway to what appeared to be a road that led us to the middle of nowhere. When we were nearly pulling into the parking lot we saw it, perched on the hill, just stunning. The architecture is amazing. I don't have the words to do it justice. You enter through the visitors center, which is build into the earth and feels like a tomb, then outside on a short walk to the chapel. This place is rich in symbolism at almost every step. I have been to many shrines, but the peace and overwhelming simple beauty of this one was breathtaking. It is worth an hour detour (or more) if you are in this part of the world.
There are restrooms, but no food or drinks. There are natural trails/paths to explore if you have time or want to stretch little legs before heading back to the car. Kids are welcome and the docents are eager to share what they know.

If you read my review's you know I am most interested in interactive experiences and scavenger hunts. These things keep my child (and the kids we take with us) engaged and excited. The Henry Doorly Zoo wins my greatest respect for providing both!
When you arrive make sure to stop just inside the main gate to pick up the scavenger hunt guide (the kids will check off certain animals, fill info about how many of something they see, or fill in a fact/answer a question. These are fun and keep the kids racing to the next exhibit when they would normally start to flag.
There are 3 exhibits that are worth seeing if you have limited time, all by the main gate: the Desert Dome (including the desert kingdom and Kingdoms of the Night), Scott Aquarium, and the Lied Jungle. My son thought the Kingdoms of the Night was amazing, especially the cave. We were lucky enough to catch the feeding of the penguins in the aquarium (make sure to ask at the main gate when feeding times are of the penguins, because it is amazing to see). The underwater archway in the aquarium was amazing too. The Lied Jungle is newer and the rainforest exhibit. Not all parts of this one is stroller friendly (like the rope bridge) so keep that in mind. There is a butterfly and insect house next to the aquarium. On busy days this can have quite a wait time, but is worth it if you child has never been in one before (it is very large).
Like most zoos, the food is quick service quality, even at the cafe and generally overpriced. There are restrooms throughout the zoo and they are well marked both on the map and in signs around the zoo. The parking is free and there is plenty. The zoo itself is stroller friendly (with elevators in exhibit areas when needed). This zoo has a petting zoo part as well, which I think is a nice touch more and more zoos are adding to their parks. The skyfari is very cool, there is an extra fee, but it is totally worth it since it takes you over animal exhibits. There is also a tram and train, also at extra fees. The zoo offers an all day ride pass for $13 at the writing of this review, this pass is good for all the rides and the carousel, so we thought it was worth it. The zoo also has an imax. We spend one and half days here and never got to the imax because we loved the exhibits so much.
Animal presentations are offered at different exhibits throughout the day during the summer months. There is no extra charge and these are very cool, we caught as many as we could.
Many of the exhibits are indoors, so even if the weather outside is bad (whether too hot, rainy, or cold) there is still more than a days worth to enjoy at this zoo.
We can not wait to go back! We are big zoo people and this zoo is our number 1 favorite.
There is a Comfort Inn literally just down the street, which is nice enough (rooms with couch beds, rollaways available too, small indoor pool). If you want to go all out there is a Coco Key in the Ramada just minutes down I-80 from the zoo.