1 week in DC area
 

We have a week to spend near Washington DC. If we spend three full days in Washington itself, what places would you drive to (and stay at) the other 4 days? We're flexible on time on airports.

Thanks

I would be reluctant to leave DC because there is more there than you can see in a week! How many people and what are the ages?

You have all the monuments.
You have all the Smithsonian museums.
You have the Holocaust and Spy museums.
You have Arlington National Cemetary (with changing of the guard at the Tomb on the Unknown Soldier - awesome).
You have the National Cathedral.
You have Embassy Row.
You have just hanging out on the Mall.

Give some more background and that will help with the responses.

Mt Vernon is worth the drive, about 16 miles from DC. If you've never been to DC, you can easily spend a week there and not see everything. Deb15July gave a weeks' worth of sightseeing in her post! Take in a performance at the Kennedy Center while you're there as well.

One more thing...I don't know when you have your trip planned, but if you are interested in touring the White House or Congress contact one of your senators or representatives now. Both are very interesting but must be arranged in advance!

Charlottesville, Shenandoah National Park, Annapolis, Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown, Harpers Ferry, Appomattox (sp?)....there are so many places within a 3-4 hour drive of DC.

That said, I agree, you could spend a whole week right in DC and not exhaust the sightseeing opportunities! Add Newseum to Deb's list.

If you like beaches, you can add the Maryland beaches (e.g. Rehoboth) and Virginia Beach to the list.

Darn, I wish there was an edit feature. I meant to say "Delaware" beaches (e.g. Rehoboth).

longhorn~I say we lobby for an edit feature.....as soon as I hit "submit," I invariably find a typo.

Gettysburg is also a good day trip. We rode to the top of Little Round Top on horseback, overlooking the Valley of Death. It was eerie, looking down and trying to imagine how many soldiers lost their lives.

I am planning my third four day trip to DC and still have plenty more to see. However, to breakup your trip, a day trip on the train to Baltimore is nice. The train leaves from Union Station and takes about an hour. Baltimore has a nice aquarium, the American Visionary Museum and the Inner Harbor.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

What time of year? If it's summer, mountains or beach. If it's fall or spring Williamsburg and some of the other suggestions. Do you want to actively tour the whole time or would you like some down time?

The Spy Museum is great fun esp for boys!

I agree that DC easily merits a whole week. But if you want to see another area, Charlottesville/Shenandoah park are quite close and beautiful.

I would probably go to Monticello for a first visit to that area, but Montpelier in nearby Orange (James Madison's home) is also very interesting. There are vineyards, too!

I stayed last summer at the Big Meadows Lodge in the Shenandoah park and enjoyed that. There are also many inns.

I agree with these ideas and also suggest nearby West Virginia -- do the history thing at Harpers Ferry and Antietam, see Shepherdstown.

Annapolis is a nice day trip, not too far. And I would agree with the Eastern shore and beaches. We love Bethany and vacation there every year. Quaint little boardwalk/downtown area.

Gettysburg is also nice, to the north. Also, Mt. Vernon is always a great visit to see where Washington lived and artifacts.

Depending on where you are coming from, You could come into DC on Amtrak. Inner Harbor in Baltimore including the National Aquarium is worth a day. Camden Yards is within walking distance of the Inner Harbor if you wanted to catch a baseball game.

Annapolis, Easton and St. Michaels were all places we enjoyed while on the East Coast. ***kim*** ((#))