Sort of FR - Start to plan vacation for July in DC area....

[music-city-missy]

My 14 year old daughter is going to be in a program at Univ of Maryland for 11 days and DH wants us to take our vacation at the same time and stay in the general area so we'll be up there almost two weeks. So we are looking to vacation in Maryland, DC, Delaware, maybe a little in PA and NJ and someone suggested we at least make a day in NYC.

You know what my interests are - food! Any suggestions of restaurants, markets, etc.? Any other suggestions welcome too.

 

[durward]

If you are there over the July 4th holiday the festival on the Mall is terrific

Festival of American Life I think it is called. They feature one state and one Indian tribe (or that is how it used to be).

 

[music-city-missy]

No - we'll be in that area from about the 18th - 30th so lots of time to explore surrounding areas!

DD refused to miss her missions camp so we are going towards the middle of the month through the end of the month. Thought we would spend a few days in Washington doing things - of course I HAVE to see Julia's kitchen at the Smithsonian. But we are planning to check out Maryland some since SIL lives there - quick visit to them since we haven't seen them in YEARS.

Me - rather than worrying about hotels, I've been checking out food places. Been on RoadFood a good bit today.

 

[andreaindc]

There's loads to do...

I lived in DC and around DC more or less from early 1979 until the end of last year (in the city, in VA, and in MD).

If you are looking for a market and you go to the Hill, you might check out Eastern Market. It's the last operating market in the city - a nice market with crafts on Saturdays and a big flea market on Sundays. (Easternmarket.net) There are a number of nice wineries in Virginia within a couple of hours. Lots of great restaurants and nice ethnic areas in the city. I know more about the moderately priced restaurants than the super-expensive.

If you are looking for drinks with a bit of a view, go to the upper terrace of the Hotel Washington near the treasury building at the end of the day - very nice!

There are loads of great museums, many of which are free. In addition to the usual fare, the Spy museum is fairly popular and pretty interesting too. The FBI used to run tours, although I don't know if they resumed them completely after 9/11. The Holocaust museum also is something else, although it's a harder visit. In Baltimore, the aquarium is wonderful.

If you like history, the water, and seafood, you might head over to Annapolis. Old Town Alexandria is also a nice nearby town with loads of history (metro-accessible, with a bit of a walk or a quick cab ride down to the river); lots of shops and the Torpedo Factory, where local artists exhibit.

Many beautiful parks to check out. I'm particularly partial to Great Falls on the Virginia side. (But then that's where I'm from!) You can go paddle-boating on the Tidal Basin, but it will probably be way hot to do that, unless you go early in the morning.

The scenery outside the city - especially out toward Loudon County on the Virginia side and out toward Frederick County on the Maryland side is very pretty. There are lots of historic sites out this way (Oatlands in Loudon is a gorgeous house with nice gardens.) Lots of Civil War history, as well, which I must admit isn't my thing, but attracts a lot of attention in the area.

I could go on and on. If you are looking for additional recommendations, let me know. (Can you tell how much I miss it?! I LOVE LOVE LOVE DC!)