Mom's Guide To Travel

Trip Planning, Expert Tips, and Fun Ideas For Family Travel.

Guest Post: 8 Things You Can’t Miss Around Washington D.C. This Summer

This is a guest post from Cher Murphy of CherMurphyPR.

Summer is a time for travel for millions of Americans, many of whom make their way to Washington D.C. With so much to do in the area, it’s a challenge for tourists to identify the best ways to make the most of their time. While some things will always top the list, such as visiting the White House, there are several other things that people will not want to miss this summer.

The White House

“The Washington, D.C. area is filled with so many amazing things to do and places to explore, it’s sometimes overwhelming for people who are coming here for the first time,” states the Janine Vaccarello, COO of the Crime Museum. “The more you can narrow down the scope of your interests when visiting the area, the more you will be able to cover. But you simply can’t go wrong by visiting this region in the summer.”

Here are eight things you can’t miss when visiting the Nation’s Capital this summer:

  1. Crime Museum. We are a nation obsessed with all things crime-related. From the nightly news to crime shows and beyond, we have a thirst for learning more and getting inside the mind of a criminal. This summer, visitors of the Crime Museum can check out the regular exhibits, including a CSI lab and over 600 artifacts, as well as new featured exhibits focused on John Wayne Gacy and the Unabomber.
  2. Walk through Georgetown. Visitors marvel at this area of the city, where people can walk down the historic streets, shop, and enjoy the atmosphere. Plan to spend a morning or afternoon simply walking around, visiting the shops, enjoying a bite to eat, and admiring the history.
  3. Take a hike. Leave the concrete behind for a few hours and take a hike at Great Falls Park. With wonderful views of the Potomac River, visitors can hike, rock climb, kayak, and more. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and see the beauty of the land around the nation’s capital.
  4. Visit Mount Vernon. Nobody can visit Washington D.C. without thinking about our first President, George Washington. Plan to visit Mount Vernon, his 14-room mansion and estate, and take your trip back to the 1770s. The history in this place will make you glad you put it on your list.
  5. Arlington National Cemetery. We all know that many soldiers have died to protect our freedom. With July 4th in mind, stop by this final resting place which four million tourists visit per year. It’s a stop you will not soon forget.
  6. African American Civil War Museum. Learn about the rich history and involvement of African Americans during the Civil War. This museum opened just a year ago and highlights their contribution, as well as their role in abolishing slavery.
  7. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. The memorial honors the late Dr. King and is located between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. This memorial officially opened last summer.
  8. U.S. Capitol Building. Taking a free tour of the capital building is a must for all visitors to the area. Just be sure to book it prior to your trip, because they tend to fill up quickly.

“Of course, there are plenty of attractions to choose from, but these are ones you will want to add,” adds Vaccarello. “In addition to providing some historical references, they will also provide you with entertainment and a great all-around family vacation.”

On top of their regular offerings, the Crime Museum also offers a variety of summer camps for kids, including a CSI Boot Camp. In May 2012, a temporary exhibit focusing on Crimes Against Marine Life will unveil within the museum. For more information on the museum, including exhibits, directions, and hours, visit www.crimemuseum.org.

National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway in the nation’s capitol. Events began a couple of days ago and run for five weeks until April 27th.

Cherry blossoms framing the Jefferson memorial

Sponsored by Safeway, the festival features Family Days, a collection of family-friendly events to encourage participation and education about cherry blossoms and Japanese culture. Family Days are free events featuring hands-on activities and performances by groups from around the globe. Activities include:

  • Creating shoji screens and pop-up architecture at the National Building Museum
  • Making cherry blossom popcorn trees with Safeway
  • Constructing wood-clothespin kokeshi doll ornaments with Howard University
  • Dressing up in traditional Japanese clothing and writing postcards with the National Children’s Museum
  • Making a cherry blossom pin out of kimono cloth with the Textile Museum
  • Listening to an interactive lesson on climate change, renewable energy, and energy conservation from Sharp Electronics Corporation’s Solar Academy program
  • Decoding blossoms with the Spy Museum

Two other events that are signatures of the festival (and ones you should make an effort to check out) include the famed National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the Sakura-Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, which both take place on April 14th. Art and cultural exhibits, as well as musical performances will run throughout the five weeks, providing an informative peak into different aspects of Japanese culture, whilst promoting community spirit.

 

Photos courtesy of National Cherry Blossom Festival.org.

Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today our family sat down to read a children’s book that spoke about the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the role that even young children played in the struggle for Civil Rights. My son and husband alternated reading this story about two little girls who would sing for Dr. King. Then we watched the History Channel to get a more three-dimensional account of his life and his journey. We sat on the couch as a family, listened and paid homage to the spirit of a man who did so much so that we could have a fair chance in the United States.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. or Baltimore, you must make it a point to travel to the Tidal Basin and visit the Memorial for Dr. King. I doubt you will leave that space unmoved. Accompanied by my mother, sister, and nephews, we visited the memorial last summer. Even under the oppression of the humidity and the crowd, my soul felt uplifted and in the presence of greatness. It was as if the spirit of Dr. King and all the soldiers that fought the good fight were there peering at us., just as we were looking at this stone likeness of him.

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