Well, the OP said she was looking at a trip in the spring or the fall. And in any event, DC ican be terribly uncomfortable I'm the summer, too.
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Not like Charleston. I have lived in VA and NC all of my life and think I have a good handle on heat and humidity. Charleston is like living in a steamy bathroom, climate wise.

The fact remains that they doesn't intend to travel in the summer but thanks for pressing the point.

No problem indyhiker.

thanks everyone. I can see that perhaps I am overthinking this a little (not a shock, I do that a lot...) We were originally thinking about maybe Maine (midcoast or Bar Harbor) or Charlestown in the fall, so it seems that they should work out just fine. I think the biggest adjustment is finding lodging for 3 and also adjusting our dinner expectations. Our normal adult dinner spots probably won't fly when half her food ends on the floor!

Fran - I assume your daughter will still sleep in a pac n' play? I would just bring it or ask the hotel if they have one. Really no issues at this point for room for three.

Yup, well at least now she will. Who knows what's in store for us in a couple months :)

As a mom to a 20 month-old, and one who loves to travel and loves art and architecture stuff, I can tell you traveling with a a year-old will be quite different than your pre-baby days.

Your DD will be 15 months in Fall, or close to 2 next Spring. Things I would consider are:

Is the city a stroller-friendly city?

Is the city compact so you won't spend lots of time getting from point A to point B?

How will you get from point A to point B? Can you walk or do you have to take public transit or drive? If public transit, imagine how you will manage with a stroller (unless you wear your DD). If you drive, what's the traffic like and what's the parking like?

Your dd will probably still be on a 2-nap schedule in the fall! but 1-nap by Spring, is she one who can nap in a stroller in a noisy environment, or can only nap in a quiet room in a crib/PnP?

Are there parks/open space for your dd to roam around? How about zoos, aquariums, children's museum?

Our first trip with DS (@ 6m) was to Philadelphia, because I know it is a very walkable city (DH and I used to live there). We basically went out for a walk, back to hotel for nap, out for another walk, back to hotel for nap, then out for another walk, back to hotel for bed. We stayed at Residence Inn by city hall, which is an all-suite hotel. We walked all over the city in every direction. With the suite hotel, we were able to get take out and eat back at our room. Best thing is after DS went down at night, we could still stay up and watch TV in our bedroom (he slept in the PnP in the living room).

Our second trip with DS was just this past week (@20m). It's easier to travel with him now that he is down to 1 nap. We went to Portland Maine and rented an apartment (I just wrote a trip report here). On this trip, we went to the children's museum, to parks, and did more walking.

I think DC is an okay suggestion. But you need to consider where you will stay, and how you will get to the places you want to visit. By the time you drive/park, or take subway etc, you lose a good chunk of 'awake time'. Unless your DD can nap well in the stroller, otherwise you'll find yourself turning back to the hotel for naps as soon as you get to your destination.

I would suggest Boston as a getaway (we live here). It is a short flight from Philadelphia, and the city is so compact that you can walk from one end to the other in 30 mins or under. Lots of toddler-friendly spaces such as the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Boston Public Gardens, the Aquarium, and the children's museum, just to name a few.

As for lodging, definitely splurge on a 1br suite at a hotel (Residence Inn is an affordable one), preferably one that comes with a kitchenette. Or look for a 1br apartment to rent. Eating out isn't too big of a deal for us, though our DS is used to eating out 2-3x a month. But it's still nice to be able to eat breakfast and some meals in, instead of eating out 3x a day.

Hope this helps.

Great post yk!

a lot of kids remember things from before the age of 4 or 5 - and I'm sure many of us can list things we remember.

Maybe, maybe not. We may remember those things because they have been recalled by parents and grandparents SO many times as we grow up, we "remember" them. However, even that is good.

In spite of what Ack points out (which is true), the beach is a perfect place for a pleasant family vacation.
And YK has it nailed.

P.S. We drove on both vacations - it was just the most efficient and convenient way for us to travel with a baby/toddler. If you fly, you'll have to consider the amount of luggage you can bring on the plane. Also, how will you get from the destination airport to your lodging? Will you be renting a car? If so, you'll most likely have to lug your car seat on the plane, as well as your stroller. Even though kids < 2 fly free as a lap child, most parents I know recommend buying a seat for their child so they can put the car seat in the seat and strap their child in. If we fly, that's what we'll do because it's no fun trying to hold a squirming child in your lap for any length of time.

For both of our trips, our lodging provided a PnP so we didn't have to bring our own. Our recent rental also has a booster seat so we didn't have to bring our own travel high chair. If you don't have one already, it's worth investing in one. We have both the Inglesina fast table chair (hooks on to tables) and the FP booster seat. The Inglesina is more compact but it doesn't work with tables that have an apron. I remember squinting my eyes while looking at hotel/apt photos to see if their tables have an apron or not.

P.P.S. Obviously, there are many flexible toddlers and easygoing parents out there, who just go with the flow and not worry much about their child's schedule. I am not one of those. I am a stickler for schedule and DS naps best in a crib/PnP. I'd much rather go along with his schedule than vice versa, so that I know we have a well-rested, happy toddler when we are out and about which minimizes the number of tantrums he throws in public. But if your DD is a lot more easygoing and flexible, can nap anywhere and is happy even when tired, then you will have less to worry about.

I used to travel a lot pre-baby (solo trips and w/DH), but having a baby gave me lots of pause & anxiety about traveling. In the end, I'd say, just do it. I was/am a planner but I learned to be much more flexible now with a toddler, always with plan B or C as a backup. Another thing with a growing child is, you'll never know what he/she will be like in a few months from now, and it's hard to plan with not knowing. But I'd say, just do it and have a good time!

Since you like history and architecture and are from Philadelphia, DC would make sense for a 3 day long weekend. I don't understand someone's comment that DC doesn't have good scenery, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the US, IMO. Spring is beautiful with all the flowering trees. Because of the Federal govt., the main center is really kept up well in terms of plantings and kept clean. And there are no skyscrapers or industry, which also helps the scenery. October is wonderful with the changing color of leaves. But if you are from Phladelphia, those things won't be so new and different (or history) so you might want something different. But you can't rule it out because it has no good scenery.

I think the biggest adjustment is finding lodging for 3 and also adjusting our dinner expectations. Our normal adult dinner spots probably won't fly when half her food ends on the floor!

It is a double room with a crib, I believe, which is available at any hotel/motel in my experience.

As for dinner, offer things that won't be rejected. We've been able to take our grands to most restaurants we frequent without a problem--they started 'way earlier than we did with their parents!!

>> I can see that perhaps I am overthinking this a little<<

You wouldn't be the first first-time parent to do it. We all have. Think of a 1-year-old on vaca as a 20-lb. sack of potatoes, but one that has to be fed, changed and bathed, and which requires periodic sleep. Entertainment not required, other than an occasional song and a kiss from Mommy.

>>adjusting our dinner expectations.<<

Pick a place that has lots of informal restaurants, preferably with outdoor seating if the weather cooperates. Midcoast Maine is a good choice (Portland?) I know you said you don't want the beach, but a beachside community in spring or fall might be perfect for you -- maybe the Lewes, Rehobeth, Cape May area. You'll have an easier time finding accommodations at a beach area in the off season. Plus, you said it's onlt 3 nights, so I don't think you want to spend a lot of time in transit each way.

>>Who knows what's in store for us in a couple months<<

Scratch "months." Insert "decades." Good luck and enjoy.

I think Washington is SO underappreciated on SO many levels it isn't even funny by travelers in the US and foreign visitors.. It's our nation's captital and has more to offer than you can do in a vacation time. Scenery? How about the Lincoln Memorial, and SO much more. Gee.

We travelled a lot with our little one(s). Even to Ireland. Now, both kids are great travelers. As for dinners, we found casual dining, room service and the occasional fancy meal at a hotel restaurant (at the earliest seating) worked best. Most of our short trips were west coast but Chicago was fun.

A few travel tips: we brought our travel pack and play. Once the hotel said they had one and didn't, another time it was so old and gross we didn't use it. In the beginning, we totally overpacked for every trip but we got better with time as we learned that most things could be picked up as needed (and most things were not needed). Except for pajamas, always bring more pajamas than you think you need. Bring some basic medicines (like fever reducers). We kept a travel medicine kit but had to always check before leaving for expiration dates and the things that go missing along the way. A good travel stroller is key -- We tried the backpack stroller, which was good at airports and shopping malls. Use the snap and go or other car seat combo stroller while you can. We always brought a car seat and bought a seat for air travel. So much easier.

Give each other time apart too. I always watched baby while DH explored a bit and he always made sure I could visit the spa. Shopping, museums, parks with the baby and other strolls (city or small town) were easy and a great way to see the sights. We rarely planned anything specific for baby until they the kids were old enough to toddle confidently then we looked for the things they enjoyed at home - zoos, parks, farms, beach. A cup of tea (or other beverage of choice) on a balcony with a view while baby sleeps can be a great vacation in itself. Try to keep as close to normal schedule for the little ones. Keeps everyone happier.

Have a terrific trip.

I guess I define scenery different than standing in front of a monument. I LOVE DC. But when I picture scenery I picture sweeping ocean vistas or mountains. Did not mean to offend.

I think Boston is a great idea as it is pretty compact.
When my son was young we always stayed at suite hotels with a real second room so we could stay up after 7 and we liked having a pool because he could play in the wayer( check diaper rules) or one of us could swim while he napped.
We did not adhere to his schedule while traveling; he often slept in his stroller if we were out and about.
A one year old, if walking, needs to run around and play.
Driving was by far the best mode of transport.

We brought lots of snacks and always the sheepskin he slept on, if he had it he could sleep anywhere.