Educational Vacations with a Biblical Worldview

“Mama! We should go visit there!”

We had been watching an episode from Hike & Seek Season 3 about Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains on Answers TV.

That was two summers ago.

And last summer, we got to go!

Our family’s last three vacations have been inspired by Hike & Seek Season 3 episodes. We’ve been to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, and the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. And because it’s close to where we live, we’ve enjoyed a couple of hikes in the Red River Gorge area in Kentucky.

The Hike & Seek episodes gave us a list of locations we wanted to see for ourselves, a better understanding of the area and its history from a biblical perspective, and even a downloadable companion guide to take with us on the drive.

So if you want to plan an educational vacation that includes subsidiary material from a biblical worldview—and fantastic views and experiences—I recommend the following:

The Smoky Mountains in Tennessee

Based on Hike & Seek Season 3: Episodes 1, 2, and 3

• Cades Cove
• Abrams Falls Hike in Cades Cove
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
• Rainbow Falls
• Grotto Falls
• Kuwohi Observation Deck (this was called Clingmans Dome in the show, but has been renamed)
• Mingus Mill
• Oconaluftee Visitor Center
• Mountain Farm Museum
• Soco Falls
• Mingo Falls
• Cataloochee Valley
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Richland Balsam Overlook
• Richland Balsam Trail
• Roy Taylor Forest Overlook

While in the area, take a virtual reality 5D time-travel adventure through several significant moments of biblical history at Truth Traveler Pigeon Forge. Our kids especially loved the planetarium show!

The Appalachians/Red River Gorge in Kentucky

Based on Hike & Seek Season 3: Episodes 4 and 5

• Gray’s Arch
• Natural Bridges
• Kayaking (Red River Gorge Adventure—Slade, Kentucky)
• Chimney Top Rock
• Moonshiners Arch
• Copperas Falls
• Sky Bridge

Ozark Mountains in Missouri

Based on Hike & Seek Season 3: Episodes 5 and 6

• St. Louis Zoo
• Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum
• Endangered Wolf Center
• The Mark Twain Wilderness Area
• Greer Spring
• Richard’s Canoe Rental

In this area as well, you can take a virtual reality 5D time-travel adventure through several significant moments of biblical history at Truth Traveler Branson! And while there, don’t miss the immersive film, Fear Not, an especially wondrous telling of Christ’s birth from Mary’s perspective.

Rocky Mountains in Colorado

Based on Hike & Seek Season 3: Episodes 7 and 8

• Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
• Tunnel Drive Trail—Cañon City, Colorado
• Pikes Peak
• Road to the Summit
• Crystal Creek Reservoir
• South Catamount Reservoir
• Devil’s Playground
• Garden of the Gods
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Trail Ridge Road (we stopped at so many overlooks, but I will include some of the more featured ones below)
• Forest Canyon Overlook
• Tundra Communities Trailhead—Mushroom Rocks
• Rainbow Curve
• Many Parks Curve Overlook
• Hidden Valley Creek
• Medicine Bow Curve
• Morain Park
• Alberta Falls
• The Loch
• Andrews Tarn
• Lake Haiyaha
• Emerald Lake
• Dream Lake
• Nymph Lake
• Sheep Lakes
• Coyote Valley Picnic Area
• Milner Pass (Continental Divide)
• Alpine Ridge Trail—“Huffer’s Hill” (Alpine Visitor Center)

Additionally, consider:

• The Creation Museum and Ark Encounter
• Training for Eternity: A Family Homeschool Experience (May 14–16, 2026)
  View schedule, events, speakers, and details here.
• Hands-on science programs at the Creation Museum
  More information and available dates here.
• 40 Days of Christian Music at the Ark Encounter
  (July 28–September 5, 2026)
  More information here.
• High School Lab Intensives
  More information and schedule details here.
• The Museum of the Bible
• Canyon Ministries Tours & Adventures

Staycations

It is not always financially an option to travel far and wide and pay for admission tickets, let alone hotel costs. If that’s the case for your family, I encourage you to build another list!

My family investigated what was within an hour’s drive of our home. We looked for historically significant places, national and state parks (especially the free-entry ones), library and town events, museums, zoos . . . and, of course, the ever-important unique coffee and ice cream shops. We also tried to “travel vicariously” to places we can’t go—like into the vast cosmos, the depths of the ocean, and even a tiny mushroom spore with unit studies, books (fiction and nonfiction), TV shows, and films—all while encouraging the kids to use logic and apply the biblical worldview to what is being taught.

Wherever your adventures take your family this year, may they deepen your faith as you explore together!