Is the 17 year old looking at colleges? Perhaps incorporate college visits.

Depending on what you enjoyed in D.C., I'm thinking Philadelphia! History, art, shopping, food, parks, etc.

Only looking at ohio colleges. Is there enough to do in Philadelphia for a 7yr old? But that Is an idea.

You have this tagged "Ohio". Is that the state you are want to visit or is that the state you mean you are coming from?

Is Chicago in the 8 hr drive from you? Might be a choice along with some time on the lake.

I'm going to assume you mean you live in Ohio.

How about Gatlinburg, TN

Perhaps stop at Abraham Lincoln home, Mammoth Cave, Corvette Museum in Kentucky.

In Gatlinburg you have Smoky Mountains, Zipline, Parrot Mountain, Dollywood, and much much more. You might even consdier driving thru the Smoky's one day to visit The Biltmore.

Maybe return thru Nashville-see Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, The Hermitage(Andrew Jackson Home).

I live in ohio. We don't want to drive more than 8 hours if possible. I am going to Google gailinburg Tn. To much country theme would make my teenager unhappy.

Chicago

Where are you in Ohio? NYC is within 8 hours of a lot - and has tons of things for everyone to do.

spiro, her first sentence of the OP was "We live in Ohio"--sheesh!

If you liked DC, I also suggest Philly. Lots of museums, cool neighborhoods, historic sites outdoors, food of various ethnicities, parks... If the 7 year old enjoyed DC last year when s/he was younger, I think Philadelphia would be great.

Excuse me NewbE. It was tagged Ohio, that was what I didn't completely understand. I did miss the first sentence. I think this is the last straw. This is my last post for a long time.

spiro, please just ignore it. I have benefited from your posts in the past.

I know how tough it is to please all (I have 16, 13 and 8 yr. old boys) . However since teenagers really don't always like much of what we do...here are some ideas....someone put Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg...I agree with them .To please thou teenager you may want to take him to Pigeon Forge (go carts and all that stuff kids like like Dollywood). We are not fans of Pigeon Forge as parts of it remind me of a boardwalk on the highway...but I am only suggesting as I have kids too and we try to compromise...give us a little nature we give a little "non'nature" And as stated above visiting the Biltomore estate in Asheville was kind of cool..they have segway rides which your teen could probably do. Even my kids thought the mansion was kind of cool. ALso there is a little area called the Sliding ROck and my kids had a blast (if warm enough). May I also mention a very cool state park...Chimney Rock Park in NC...very nice and only need a short time there!!!!! ALso, again not sre of weather there is a the Cherokee area of Smoky Mountains on NC side and near there is tubing...again...check temps there!!!

Philadelphia is huge with history for everyone. Gatlinburg is the kitsch capital of the south and Pigeon Forge wall to wall shopping and more kitsch. BUT the Park is beautiful.
If you go to Asheville, there is a lot to do. You could drive up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Chicago is certainly "there" with all there is to do there.
You could tour parts of NC. Winston Salem has Old Salem for history and great AAA baseball. Charlotte has the NASCAR Hall of Fame as well as terrific art museums and other things.