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Need some tips on Washington DC/Hershey trip with 11 yo

Weimaraner

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My 11 yo has expressed interest in visiting Washington DC and Hershey amusement park/factory/Gettysburg and I'm trying to plan a combo trip if possible. We live in Michigan and Hershey just seems so inconvenient to get to - airfare to Harrisburg PA is pretty high and it's about an 8 hour drive. It would be cheaper to fly into Washington, DC or Baltimore. We've had an ongoing search for Suites of Hershey but only option has been the last week of August and her school starts before Labor Day. I have looked into staying at Marriott properties in Washington with points which is an option.

I'd appreciate any tips on planning this trip - where to stay, how long, favorite attractions, best time to go. My daughter loves learning about art, math, science and history so I like to help encourage this interest in any way I can. Thanks for your help!
 

tschwa2

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A few in S and VA, a single resort in NC, MD, PA, and UT, plus Jamaica and the Bahamas
BWI would be about 1.5 hrs to Hershey and add about an hour for the Washington area. Traffic can add an extra hour from Baltimore and 2 hours from DC.

Are you looking at this year or next? There is easily 5-7 days worth of interesting activities for an 11 year old in the DC area. 3-4 days would probably be enough in the PA area.
 

Weimaraner

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I was hoping this year but next is fine too. Maybe I should plan on two separate trips. I have read a couple reviews where people said they didnt think Hershey was worth going out of the way for so that had me concerned.
 

tschwa2

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If you have the time, I might fly into DC, don't rent a car. Stay 5-7 nights. Pick up a car either at the airport or a local dealer and then got to Hershey for another 3 nights. If you are exhausted from DC you could just do Hershey park one day, a half day taking the trolley tour around Hershey and then Gettysburg and then flying out of BWI. PA dutch country also has other attractions you can do if you feel up to doing more. There is the Turkey Hill experience- they make ice cream and ice tea. There are pretzel factory tours. There are some interesting train museums. The whole Amish farm country, etc.
 

Talent312

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We did Mount Vernon - Colonial Williamsburg - D.C. - Gettysburg - Hershey.

We rented a car at the airport, drove to Mount Vernon for lunch and a tour.
That afternoon, drove to Colonial Williamsburg for 2-3N, then back to D.C.
We left our luggage at the hotel and returned car at Union Station in DC.

After 5-6N in DC, we rented a car, again at Union Station.
From there, we drove to Gettysburg + Hershey (2-3N), including
... a short ride on the Strasburg Railroad - www.strasburgrailroad.com
Then drove back to the airport and returned the car.

.
 

Tank

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DaveNV

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You could easily spend a week just viewing the Smithsonian Museums and various other buildings in DC. (Air & Space and Natural History might especially appeal to your daughter.). The various memorials are pretty interesting, too. Lincoln, Washington, the White House. There is a Spy Museum which is kind of cool for kids. Ford's Theater. The Mint. National Zoo. Lots and lots to see and do in DC. Use the Metro to get around - don't rent a car.

Dave
 

MULTIZ321

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You could easily spend a week just viewing the Smithsonian Museums and various other buildings in DC. (Air & Space and Natural History might especially appeal to your daughter.). The various memorials are pretty interesting, too. Lincoln, Washington, the White House. There is a Spy Museum which is kind of cool for kids. Ford's Theater. The Mint. National Zoo. Lots and lots to see and do in DC. Use the Metro to get around - don't rent a car.

Dave
+1 on using Metro in DC and surrounding area (e.g. Alexandria) - for more info see https://www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/


Richard
 

"Roger"

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You could easily spend a week just viewing the Smithsonian Museums and various other buildings in DC. (Air & Space and Natural History might especially appeal to your daughter.). The various memorials are pretty interesting, too. Lincoln, Washington, the White House. There is a Spy Museum which is kind of cool for kids. Ford's Theater. The Mint. National Zoo. Lots and lots to see and do in DC. Use the Metro to get around - don't rent a car.

Dave
These are all good suggestions and I have been to all of them. Personally, if I were to recommend one thing in DC it would be the Newseum. It is more expensive ($25 for adults) but living history, much more interactive. I tend to phase out after a while in museums, but could spend hours and hours in this place.

If it hasn't been said enough, don't have a car while in Washington, but use the Metro.
 

VegasBella

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We are going to DC and then Williamsburg week after next. My son is 8 and isn't as excited about history and math as your daughter but he likes science and we have other reasons for going. Anyway, I plan to post a trip report when we get back. We only have a few days in DC so I think we will want to go back next year or the year after.

One benefit of planning your trip for next year is that some museums will be easier to get into. For instance, if you want to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture then mark your calendar for 6 months prior to your visit so you can get tickets. Otherwise you have to wait til the day of your visit and TRY to get in without any guarantee.
 

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I don't want to make this thread religious, but the new Museum of the Bible in DC is wonderful. You can spend a day there. Many different types of things. Also if you go, pay the extra for the Fly Over DC. Sort of like Soaring at Disney. Museum is free, but get tickets online in advance.
 

"Roger"

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One more suggestion ...

Of all the buildings in Washington, the one that I think has the most beautiful interior is the Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson building). They have a self guided tour that won't take long. I would leave about a half hour to view it. That would give you time to view the main reading room (with its ceiling) and take a quick look at the Gutenberg Bible that they have on display.
 

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One more suggestion ...

Of all the buildings in Washington, the one that I think has the most beautiful interior is the Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson building). They have a self guided tour that won't take long. I would leave about a half hour to view it. That would give you time to view the main reading room (with its ceiling) and take a quick look at the Gutenberg Bible that they have on display.
+1 for a visit to the Library of Congress - very impressive.

Richard
 

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My 11 yo has expressed interest in visiting Washington DC and Hershey amusement park/factory/Gettysburg and I'm trying to plan a combo trip if possible. We live in Michigan and Hershey just seems so inconvenient to get to - airfare to Harrisburg PA is pretty high and it's about an 8 hour drive. It would be cheaper to fly into Washington, DC or Baltimore. We've had an ongoing search for Suites of Hershey but only option has been the last week of August and her school starts before Labor Day. I have looked into staying at Marriott properties in Washington with points which is an option.

I'd appreciate any tips on planning this trip - where to stay, how long, favorite attractions, best time to go. My daughter loves learning about art, math, science and history so I like to help encourage this interest in any way I can. Thanks for your help!

There's absolutely no need for a car around D.C. Learn which museums and attractions don't allow backpacks, and be prepared to not have any "weapons" such as a pocket knife on you !Use the bus system and Metro, and get student passes in advance by mail or in person.There is a Wyndham Resort (National Harbor) and a Marriott across the Potomac from Alexandria in National Harbor, Md. Excellent bus connection to Metro, and from there you can get anywhere. The Smithsonian complex is worth a week, but a day trip to Mount Vernon either by bus or boat from Alexandria would probably be needed as a break. The Newseum, Holocaust Museum, Mint, Supreme Court, Capitol building escorted tour (call your Representative and make an appointment), Library of Congress, the various memorials around the Mall (WW2, VietNam, Korean, Lincoln), and be sure to take "The Circulator" bus, which is a cheap hop-on, hop-off bus which runs to Jefferson Memorial and around the Mall. I think it still costs $1.00 for like 2 hours. The Washington Monument is closed for elevator repairs until 2019, so no access there this year. The Daughters Of The American Revolution (DAR) HQ is just across from the ellipse, and is worth a tour. This is just a weak hint of what's available in that area. BTW, bring COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES!!
 

DaveNV

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There's absolutely no need for a car around D.C. Learn which museums and attractions don't allow backpacks, and be prepared to not have any "weapons" such as a pocket knife on you !Use the bus system and Metro, and get student passes in advance by mail or in person.There is a Wyndham Resort (National Harbor) and a Marriott across the Potomac from Alexandria in National Harbor, Md. Excellent bus connection to Metro, and from there you can get anywhere. The Smithsonian complex is worth a week, but a day trip to Mount Vernon either by bus or boat from Alexandria would probably be needed as a break. The Newseum, Holocaust Museum, Mint, Supreme Court, Capitol building escorted tour (call your Representative and make an appointment), Library of Congress, the various memorials around the Mall (WW2, VietNam, Korean, Lincoln), and be sure to take "The Circulator" bus, which is a cheap hop-on, hop-off bus which runs to Jefferson Memorial and around the Mall. I think it still costs $1.00 for like 2 hours. The Washington Monument is closed for elevator repairs until 2019, so no access there this year. The Daughters Of The American Revolution (DAR) HQ is just across from the ellipse, and is worth a tour. This is just a weak hint of what's available in that area. BTW, bring COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES!!


Just a reminder that this trip is being prompted by OP's 11 year old daughter, who is a fan of art, math, science and history. Overdoing things is going to lose a lot of the fun of a trip like this.

To OP: Choose your battles. The museums in DC are fascinating, but they are huge, and things are much further apart than they appear on any map. Plan accordingly, and be sure to leave lots of break time in between things. Keep it fun, educational, but not too deep. She's only 11.

Dave
 

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Since I am a teacher, the thought occurred to me why not put your daughter in charge of the itinerary?
It would be a great reason to use the internet for useful purposes ....
Just sayin'.....Give her some time frames, budget amounts and any other info she needs to loan this and let her have a go at it.
 

DaveNV

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Since I am a teacher, the thought occurred to me why not put your daughter in charge of the itinerary?
It would be a great reason to use the internet for useful purposes ....
Just sayin'.....Give her some time frames, budget amounts and any other info she needs to loan this and let her have a go at it.

Nice idea. Most museums in DC are free, but the privately-owned ones (Newseum, Spy Museum, and such) have a fee. Do some research. Also, take note of which museums close at what time - some are open later than others.

Dave
 

bbodb1

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Nice idea. Most museums in DC are free, but the privately-owned ones (Newseum, Spy Museum, and such) have a fee. Do some research. Also, take note of which museums close at what time - some are open later than others.

Dave

And don't forget that Bank of America holders can participate in the Museum on US program if you hold an account there. The Newseum is a participating location!
 

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Wow talk about a lot of great info - I knew I could count on TUGgers to help figure this out. I am definitely going to do this as two separate trips. I’m thinking of flying into Philadelphia as an option for Hershey trip. And I like the idea of letting her plan the trip to DC. There were some suggestions I never even heard of so I think I’ll let her read the thread and prioritize her interests, plan the schedule and budget. She just completed 5th grade but her school has allowed her to take math and science with the middle schoolers so I know she’s up to the challenge of taking over the planning. Her Catholic school probably won’t even mind if we miss a couple days of school especially if she shares info with classmates about the Bible Museum, which I didn’t even know existed. Flying to DC is affordable so I know we can save some attractions for future visits. Thank you again!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DaveNV

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If you can figure out how to stay at Wyndham's Old Town Alexandria, it is a very comfortable place, literally across the street from the King Street Metro station. That's two stops from National Airport, and the lines go the other direction right into DC. Very, very easy to get around from there without excess walking. I've stayed there twice, and would gladly do so again.

Dave
 

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From BWI to Hershey Park ~ About a 2 to 3 hour drive ~ Depending on Traffic


BWI has a very nice rental car facility - Passengers arriving/departing on flights take the free gray and black shuttle buses from the lower level terminal for a ten-minute ride to the new facility

To drive to Pa. Head north to the Baltimore Beltway,
then I-695 north to I-83. Follow I-83 north to Harrisburg
and turn onto US Rt 322 East. Continue on Route 322 to
Hersheypark.


Hershey Park Special
EVERYONE PAYS KIDS' PRICE

Purchase online by 6/30.
Tickets valid all summer.

Ages 3-54.
1 day $44.95 2 day $66

Parking $15

Hershey Chocolate World is free!

When you’re in the Hershey area, schedule time
to visit the world - renowned AACA Museum...
 

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When our niece visited us in DC, she had watched a travel video about DC and knew exactly what she wanted to see. She was about your daughter's age.
 

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Family Fun @ National Harbor in Maryland


The Capital Wheel

Hop into a climate-controlled gondola and see the DC skyline
like never before, soaring 180 feet over the Potomac.

Urban Pirates
Learn pirate lingo, blast water cannons and
search for treasure on this fun family adventure.

Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream
Build-A-Bear Workshop

Art

National Harbor has whole gallery’s worth
of outdoor art lining the plaza and streets.


MGM @ National Harbor

Casino, Hotel, Restaurants with
free parking and beautiful Views
 
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