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bfarmmom
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| Posted: July 16 2008 at 7:33pm | IP Logged
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We are going to be in DC and Virginia soon. About how many days would you spend in each city? In DC we would like to see the museums and of course the major attractions there. In Williamsburg and Jamestown I am wondering how many days we would need there to do the settlement and to walk around and see the sites? We only have about 5 days which I am sure is not going to be enough 
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Kirsten
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Maddie
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| Posted: July 16 2008 at 8:01pm | IP Logged
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I lived there 17 years and it wasn't enough time! Enjoy the visit. Will you be going in the fall? August is beastly hot in DC.
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~Maddie~
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bfarmmom
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| Posted: July 16 2008 at 8:58pm | IP Logged
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We will be there in less than two weeks. I am bummed about the heat also but we have to cram in this vacation before our cow comes in milk again. We are kind of used to the heat being in Fl. Although during the summer we are mostly in the ac  
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Kirsten
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RamFam
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| Posted: July 16 2008 at 9:06pm | IP Logged
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I have lived here a year now and am so glad I didn't have to cram it all into five days! When my family comes I try to cram everything I can into their short visits and am usually successful. Everyone is beat by the end of it, though.
One thing I just happened upon is recreation.gov where you can reserve tickets for things like the Washington Monument elevator ride. I thought everything was same day tickets. It does cost a small fee, but is better than missing out on something you really wanted to do.
To beat the heat, you might try to visit the memorials on the mall at nighttime. It is cooler, more picturesque and there are a lot fewer people. And they are open 24/7.
Just a few thoughts.
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SusanJ
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| Posted: July 17 2008 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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We just moved from DC and I would definitely agree to do the monuments at night. Pick a museum or two for during the day (they are all air-conditioned) and definitely consider a trip to the National Shrine (also air-conditioned). The weather is miserable and the Mall is a lot of walking in the heat of the day.
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Lara Sauer
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| Posted: July 17 2008 at 2:52pm | IP Logged
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I would spend 3 days in DC and two days in Williamsburg/Jamestown (and don't forget Yorktown!)area...unless you want to add a fun stop to a very small beach called Buckroe Beach which is south of Jamestown by about 1/2 hour. It is at the mouth of the James River and the Chesapeake, so it is tidal and salty, but not overwhelming for little ones. If a trip to a small beach sounds fun, then I would spend two days in DC and 3 in the Hampton Roads area.
In DC, I would do Museums by day and Memorials by night. The Smithsonian is free, but I have hear good things about the Spy museum. Arlington Cemetary is a great stop. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is unforgettable.
Both Jamestown and Yorktown have really nice National Parks with great visitor centers. The National Park at Jamestown in the real thing. They have archeological digs going on and there is a really neat glass blowing demonstration. Jamestown Settlement on the other hand is a re-creation of what the settlement might have looked like. Williamsburg is very expensive if you want to go in and out of the buildings, but free if you want to simply wander around outside. Depending on the ages of your children, your money might be better spent there on fun souvenirs like wooden rifles and tricorn hats...and ice cream...than going in and out of the historic buildings...just something to think about. Yorktown has a neat visitors center as well as a neat river walk area.
My husband and I lived in the Newport News area for nearly 2 years, and we really liked visiting all the history down there! If you have any other questions about either area, feel free to pm me!
Have a great vacation.
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Leslie
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| Posted: July 17 2008 at 4:59pm | IP Logged
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If you are in DC on a Tuesday evening you might want to check out the Marine Sunset Parade. The backdrop is a breathtaking view of DC and the drill team and Drum and Bugle Corp kept even my 2 year old captivated. There is a shuttle from the Arlington Cemetery Visitor's Center and it was a nice walk (if you choose not to use the shuttle) down the hill back to our car.
I think 3 days in DC and 2 in Williamsburg is what I would do. It will be fun and exhausting to try to pack it all in!
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Maddie
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| Posted: July 17 2008 at 6:05pm | IP Logged
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We always enjoyed visiting here. It's just around the corner from the Basilica.
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bfarmmom
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| Posted: July 17 2008 at 7:03pm | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone. We are really looking forward to this. And yes I have to fit the Basilica in there also. When I was up for the IHM conference one of my favorite things was visiting the Basilica. I didn't want to leave! I definately want my children to see and experience that. That used to be my husbands old stomping ground. He spent his freshman year at Catholic U. And Maddie I have heard the the Monastery is wonderful. We will have to fit that in also. While in DC we are going to stay with my SIL and BIL. They live in Woodbridge so we will drive into DC each day.
Are the museums in Williamsburg worth the money for the younger kids? I think we may just enjoy strolling down the streets. I also think the Jamestown settlement is a must.
Thanks for letting me think out loud here and for all of the great input!
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Kirsten
ds13,dd12,dd10,ds7,dd6, dd 4, ds 2
Sonlight Garden
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cheesehead mom
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Can I jump in here with a DC question...anyone have experience with the Hotel Harrington or any other of the downtown hotels?
Laura
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teachingmom
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 12:20am | IP Logged
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bfarmmom wrote:
Are the museums in Williamsburg worth the money for the younger kids? I think we may just enjoy strolling down the streets. I also think the Jamestown settlement is a must.
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We stop in Williamsburg twice each year - on our way to and from our vacation at the Outer Banks. Up until this past year, we have only strolled the streets. That would give you enough of a taste of things, if the normal admission price is too steep - which it always has been for my family.
But last year, we attended their reduced price homeschool week, and it was so worth it! Seeing everything was a great experience. We spent two and a half days in Williamsburg,and another day in Jamestown Settlement.
You can do Jamestown Settlement in one day, but I recommend leaving enough time for the museum. It is huge with tons to see! We spent too much time outside and didn't leave enough time to do it justice.
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Topic: How many days for DC/Williamsburg?
