It's January, which means it's time to plan this year's summer vacation. That is, right after you plant a garden with the seeds you ordered earlier this month from all those seed catalogues, that is (you did order them, didn't you?).  And after you let that gym membership lapse after not going for two months. For the fourth year.

But the point is, it's time to think about Vacation Destinations, ones that hopefully are at least somewhat Friendly to Kids. Thus, this list.

Thanks to the magic of MSNBC, we can now turn our attention to the historical destinations and other endroits d'amusement that are interesting to kids/accessible/free or cheap/nearly unavoidable. Shall we have a look?

1. Ellis Island, New York. A yawn unless the kids are at least 10; helpful if you know of ancestors who came through this portal. Oh, and free. If you're already in New York throwing your money away on things like hotel rooms the size of a closet having a wonderful time you might as well go here too.

2. Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. Um, free. And magnificent. To little kids it will just be a lot of steps with a big guy at the top but bigger kids will get a sense of the grandeur.

3. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. NOT free. Want an overpriced explanation of how, say, harnesses were made by someone in a costume? Then this is your place. I know people swear by this place and arrive in droves and busloads, but it didn't do much for me. And oh, if you just want a flavor of it and don't want to listen to the minitours, you can get in for free by just walking in from the town; don't be daunted by the huge signs directing you to where you pay $37 each.

4. USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor. Free, if you happen to already be in Hawaii. Though I would rather be at the beach.

5. Grand Canyon, Arizona. Not free, but you can pay by the carload. Here's a hint: it's a BIG hole in the ground. If you're weirdly overprotective about such things and have premonitions about your kids falling from precipices, this is not the place for you. Which is why I have been there but my kids have not. Go at your own risk.

6.  National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis. Not free, but not bad as such things go. Wonderful if your kids are into history and you want them to understand what things were like in the not-too-distant past (and are just better-hidden now).

7. Redwood National Park, California. Free. And trees, really big trees. What kid doesn't understand trees? If I was making the list this would be at the top.

8. Monticello, Virginia. Not free. Also frowns a bit on smaller kids (who might touch things). The tour's not overly long and there is space to run around a bit outside.

9. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Free, but zillions of dead guys! Into history and don't mind the dead guys? Then it's awesome. Me, I couldn't get past the dead guys. But if you're the type who likes to tramp out there in the mud or whatever and pretend you're charging with Pickett, be my guest.

10. The Alamo, San Antonio Texas. Free. Same with the dead guys, except some of them spoke Spanish and it was inside a building. But not far from The Alamo is The Riverwalk, which if you can avoid the allure of shopping/boat rides, is also free. And people-watching while eating cheap-but-good Mexican food is not a bad thing at all.

11. Ground Zero, New York City. Free. The dead-guy thing being within your kids' lifetime (not to mention your own) changes it a LOT.  Emotions run high about this one. It would be too intense for my kids, I think.

12. Niagara Falls, New York/Canada. Free. Awesome, even in winter when the water is largely frozen. The thing with the precipices applies here too, though, so if you're squeamish about heights, think twice.

13. Freedom Trail, Boston. Not free, but fairly cheap. Involves walking (good), and knowledge of history helps.

14. Independence Hall, Philadelphia. Free. Can be combined with other historical stuff in Philly, like the National Constitution Center, Betsy Ross' house, and cheesesteaks. 

15. Disney World. NOT FREE. Didn't get enough fun burning your money in New York? Then you need to go here too.  

Photo: tripadvisor.com