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Old Mar 31st, 2011, 04:49 PM
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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
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Old Mar 31st, 2011, 05:22 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 31st, 2011, 05:35 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 31st, 2011, 05:52 PM
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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!
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 07:52 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 08:01 AM
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If you like beaches, you can add the Maryland beaches (e.g. Rehoboth) and Virginia Beach to the list.
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 08:03 AM
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Darn, I wish there was an edit feature. I meant to say "Delaware" beaches (e.g. Rehoboth).
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 08:18 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 12:07 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 9th, 2011, 01:49 PM
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
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Old Apr 9th, 2011, 07:39 PM
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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?
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Old Apr 9th, 2011, 07:46 PM
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The Spy Museum is great fun esp for boys!
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Old Apr 10th, 2011, 04:00 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 13th, 2011, 01:03 PM
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I agree with these ideas and also suggest nearby West Virginia -- do the history thing at Harpers Ferry and Antietam, see Shepherdstown.
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Old Apr 21st, 2011, 10:46 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 21st, 2011, 11:54 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 21st, 2011, 12:50 PM
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Annapolis, Easton and St. Michaels were all places we enjoyed while on the East Coast. ***kim***
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