15 Before 15: Grand Canyon, Ariz.

15 Before 15: Grand Canyon, Ariz.

 Two years ago, Budget Travel picked 15 American landmarks every kid should see, from Ellis Island to Redwood National Park. Budget Travel’s new and improved 2011 lineup takes that challenge even further, by highlighting how our country’s top sights cater to kids’ abbreviated attention spans. From roasting marshmallows around a campfire to playing dress-up at Monticello, these cool, interactive activities ensure that the younger set will enjoy these must-see spots as much as their parents do.Grand Canyon, Ariz.: During the day, stroll the 4-year-old Skywalk, a U-shaped, glass-bottom observation deck that juts 70 feet over the canyon’s West Rim and sits 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Come sunset, hit Grand Canyon Apache Stables, where, for $25.50 per person, you can hitch a one-hour ride on a horse-drawn wagon that ends around a campfire.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2011

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2011: Siesta Beach

 Coastal scientist Stephen P. Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research and known as "Dr. Beach," announced his 21st annual Top 10 Beaches list on May 27. He has compiled the list annually since 1991 using 50 criteria. Here are his top 10 picks for 2011.1. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.: “Siesta Beach in Sarasota boasts that it has the finest and whitest sand in the world, and I cannot argue with this claim; the powdery sand is nearly pure quartz crystal,” Leatherman said. The water is blue, clean and clear, making it particularly inviting to bathers and swimmers.