I like the overnight sailing trip idea! They all love the water! If anyone has experience with this, I’d love to hear it!
Oh, I know you are looking for a more affordable idea. Just saying if you someday can do that (or maybe Quebec?)… try to get the timeframe agreed to long ahead of time.
My kids loved Gettysburg- not an adventure trip, but a very moving experience which they still talk about.
Doesn’t sound like you’ve done DC? Further driving than you want- but you could spend two weeks there and never exhaust everything. And because all the Smithsonian’s are free (and it’s more than just Air and Space…) the actual costs of being/doing are surprisingly low. Great ethnic food of all types, so meals can be an adventure without breaking the bank…
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This is something I’d like doing
But that’s partly because I grew up in NY state. In music class we used to sing “Erie Canal”. Low bridge, everybody down. Low bridge, yea we’re coming to a town. And ya’ll always know you neighbors, ya’ll always know your pal… if you’ve ever navigated on the Erie Canal
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We all loved Williamsburg. If you’re a history buff there’s quite a bit to see and do. We have been there several times. My sibs have varying reactions—some find it boring and move on after a very short stay.
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Me too—both the song and the desire to do this trip!
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We’ve done Gettysburg twice when the kids were younger and we all loved it and were very moved by it. Shockingly, we haven’t done DC and that’s another thing I’m looking into!
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You are so close to NYC and it has so much to offer……I think there must be another adventure there for you! How important is it that you go somewhere you haven’t been before??? Logistics wise it seems it’s easy for you all to get to.
Especially if you’re just looking at a couple of nights you don’t want to waste any time traveling!
I could see focusing on the far West side- starting with a walk on the High Line and then Little Island, pick up Citibikes and head north and ending up at the Cloisters! So day 1 full of physical activity (and ending in contemplation in the herb garden), day 2 late brunch and then bargain TKTS tickets? Or day 2 in a neighborhood nobody has explored yet- Lower East Side for the Tenement Museum, ChinaTown (Museum of the Chinese in America is fascinating), and then a dumpling house for dinner?
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It’s may already have been suggested by what about Afternoon Tea & Broadway Show? Make it a special day in NYC.
Or create (or find) a scavenger hunt closer to home that ends up with a family dinner out somewhere.
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Then I would strongly suggest you research this. We happen to have friends and relatives in the greater DC area and have been there numerous times. Even with that, there are still things we have not seen. There really is something for everyone there. The many museums on the mall are so varied, that everyone should find something interesting. And you don’t necessarily need to stay together while you got to various museums.
There are fun things…and there are serious ones. If you go, I would suggest two things…and they are polar opposites.
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If you go when there is a production of any kind at the Kennedy Center, go to it. The place is amazing, and everything they do there is wonderful. Our family thinks that’s a must see.
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As a family, go to the Holocaust Museum. It is one of the best curated museums I have ever been to…not cheerful by any means, but an important part of world history not to be forgotten.
The food scene in DC is amazing as well.
You can easily take a train to Union Station in DC. Flights to Baltimore usually aren’t that pricey. You can stay just outside of DC, and use the Metro to get into DC.
If you have never been to DC, I would recommend that over Williamsburg (personal preference).
Really…DC is amazing!
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Thanks, that’s helpful! I should clarify that my oldest (who lives in NYC) has been to DC to visit friends, but she’s not done any of the museums, etc. and we toured Georgetown and GW with my 2 oldest for college visits, but that’s really the extent of it. My husband went to DC a few times as a kid/teen, but it’s been awhile. Youngest has never been. I’ll heavily research this for sure.
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Agreed, however, with my oldest living and working in NYC, we go several times a year, either as a family, or my other two take the train and visit their sister. We’ve spent a lot of time and done A LOT in NYC over the years; Highline, Broadway, museums, UN, Citibikes, Brooklyn Bridge, etc. etc. Now, I have looked at doing something novel in NYC, but the only thing I came up with was a private boat tour, and many of those seem very gimmicky.
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Well depending when you plan your trip (what month to actually take it) I think DC is a great idea. I am NOT a history lover or previously was not very politic aware but have been a few times and it is always an outstanding trip. The magnitude of the buildings and the layout of the city is truly impactful. You could definitely do a bike trip, kayak the Potomac, explore the neighborhoods/night life of Georgetown, Capital Hill area, see a museum or two, see the monuments at night… makes me want to go again!
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My niece used to do jet ski tours of NY harbor. Maybe you could try that some time.
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Also think DC is a great idea. Love the city and so much to do.
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If I remember correctly, you’ve talked about both DC and doing an overnight boat thing. You used to be able to spend the night on a schooner ship in Annapolis, which is only about an hour from DC. Not sure if that might be too much to squeeze in, but figured it was worth a mention.
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That sounds so cool!!
In DC, I loved the IMAX film To Fly in the air and space museum. Must have seen it at least 15 times (I used live nearby).
Also the Vietnam veterans memorial is one of the most moving places I’ve ever been. When I realized the names of the fallen were inscribed in the order of death, it brought (and still brings) me to tears.
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Agree! I first saw it a LONG time ago, maybe the year it was started.
The National Museum of American History is my favorite. The one where the First Lady inauguration gowns are displayed. It’s also where the Ruby slippers and original puppets like Howdy Doody, Kermit, etc are displayed. They used to have an exhibit called the Smithsonian attic which had things donated that were a bit unusual. A fun exhibit that changed frequently.
Really…something for everyone there!
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+1 for DC and want to put in a plug for Planet Word. I think the cc crowd would love it.
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