WE'RE PLANNING A TRIP TO D.C. IN AUGUST 1999. WHAT SHOULD WE SEE WHILE WE'RE THERE? WHERE SHOULD WE STOP ON THE WAY? STATES WE MIGHT TRAVEL THROUGH: MISSOURI, ARKANSAS, TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, OHIO, WEST VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA, MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. KIDS AGES: 9, 11 & 13

DC is a great family vacation...so much to see. You didn't mention where you would be staying, but I would suggest taking the metro into the city as driving and parking is a hassle. You can look it up on the internet for routes, fees, etc.

You should visit the Space Museum. The other museums are much like any other you may have visited with your children. They just take alot of time. All is free of charge.

Also the Holocaust Musuem is a must. Very somber, but well worth the trip.

As far as visiting the Lincoln Monument, Viet Nam Memorial, The Mall, Union Station, it's better to visit at night when it's cooler and traffic and parking isn't such a hassle....since they are just walk throughs anyway.

Gettysburg is about a 2 hour trip from DC and is a good day trip.

Good luck with your vacation plans.

The kids should like the National Zoo. Hopefully there will still be a giant panda, although the poor fellow is not in good health.

Not sure where you will go through Pennsylvania (I'm not looking at a map so I could be way off), but if you are in the vicinity of Hershey Park it's a great side trip. The amusement park and the chocolate factory are great.

Amber,
If you (and the family) are passing through (or near) Pittsburgh, I'd recommend a stop. There's a science museum, natural history museum, art museum, aviary, botanical gardens, as well as a wonderful amusement park - Kennywood! (I've never been a big fan of amusement parks, but this one has lots of trees and flowers, rides for all ages, and reasonably priced food. Also there are 2 admission levels - 1)a ride all day and 2) a general admission which is perfect for those who aren't much into the rides).

That is a very broad question. First, you should do a search on this forum on Washington, DC. You will find a lot of valuable information under the questions that have already been asked. After you read through all the information, you should prioritize. What a person should see is a matter of preference. The Smithsonian is always wonderful. However, it consists of 14 different museums and facilities here in the Washington area, so you must decide which are most important. I work in DC, and am a docent at the Air and Space Museum, so email me if you want more detailed information about anything.