Friday, April 16, 2010

In the mail today...

Yay! I love to plan vacations almost as much as I love the actual vacation. This year Rob, Robbie and I are going to D.C. We're hoping to take each of our kids on a trip with just Mom & Dad for their twelfth birthday. Robbie's been studying colonial America this year in school, so Washington and Williamsburg will be perfect. If you've been there, please share your favorites...

5 comments:

Marsh Mayhem said...

If you can get onto an FBI tour, they are amazing! Other than that, I love Arlington, the Holocaust Museum and the Newseum are my two favorite museums (and just across from the cemetery), Union Station is amazing, as well.

The FDR monument is extraordinary ... and a beautiful walk as well. Really, I could go on and on ... it's one of my most favorite places in the world. Can I come, too?

gbknaub said...

Oh can I come and be a tour guide? Contact Hatch's office for tours of the capitol, White House (if they still do them) and FBI. You could spend a whole day in each of the Smithsonians. My favoritea are History museum, Air and Space Museum and the art museum. One place that is often missed is the National Archives (it has a copy of the Declaration of Independence.) It is close to the art museum. Of course you need to hit all the monuments (Lincoln and Jefferson are my favs). The Library of Congress is very impressive. If you get to Williamsburg (it is very pricey but oh so worth it) take a side trip to Monticello and if you have time the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia(I love Jefferson)I think that is my all time favorite place back there. Oh I am so jealous and now I have a bit of homesickness coming on. Have a great time planning and visiting that great part of our country. So much to see and so little time. Just a little bit of advice visit Mount Vernon (Washington's home) before going to Monticello. gbk

Julie said...

My kids loved the Bureau of Printing and Engraving - I'll share all our other fun tips when I see you next!

Jodi said...

Can I come in your suitcase? I have been thinking about this since you posted it. My number one suggestion for the boys would be the Spy Museum. It is one of the few museums that charges, but they, and you, would probably really enjoy it. Having said that I should disclose I have never been to it, but have heard it is cool.

If you want to get tickets to go up the Washington Monument you have to get to the ticket office VERY early in the morning. All the other sites around, Jefferson (my personal fav), Lincoln, FDR, WWII, Vietnam, and Korea(cool at night) are fabulous. If you can take a little trip out to The Awakening (it is near Jefferson). It is a really cool sculpture coming out of the ground. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Awakening_%28sculpture%29 Wear good walking shoes. How long are you guys planning on staying?

GO SEE *ALL* THE MONUMENTS AT NIGHT! Some great photo ops at night! FDR is really cool at night.

Eat dinner at sunset at the Washington Hotel Sky Terrace. It overlooks the White House and you can see the guys patrolling the roof. Very cool way to see the White House and other nearby monuments. The food is OK and a bit over priced for what they serve, but worth it.

I loved Mount Vernon. If it is a lovely day sit out back on the rocking chairs or the grassy hill while you enjoy the Potomac. It is lovely!

As for Williamsburg, go! As stated above it is pricey, but fun none the less. I have heard the old town dig that is off site is not really worth it. We didn't make it out there.

If you make it up to Baltimore, I can recommend a fabulous restaurant and Italian bakery in Little Italy just a couple of blocks from the Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor is fun and has a submarine, Coast Guard, and other boats to tour. You've just got to be careful of certain neighborhoods. But don't let that keep you from going. It is a fun and great city! I am totally biased though.

I have a box of information if you are interested. Have fun!! Sorry to be so long winded.

Michelle said...

Thanks for all the great ideas—I'm getting really excited about this trip!! I wish we could go for a month and take you all with us...