Washington, Boston, Newport trip, some advice please
Discussion
I am planning to take the family (Mrs Mad + 2 boys, 10 and 7) to visit various members of extended family in Washington DC and Newport RI next summer (flexiblish dates but probably summer holiday period).
Now looking for some advice on best airline, things to do in Washington, Newport and probably Boston.
Initial plan is to fly to Washington, stay with family for a week, visit the obvious sites with the Smithsonian Air and Space being the favourite with me and the boys. Then not sure whether to get internal flight to Boston or if its worth taking a couple of days to drive up if there are some interesting places inbetween.
Then about a week based in Newport again with family so any top ideas around there would be great.
Cheers
Now looking for some advice on best airline, things to do in Washington, Newport and probably Boston.
Initial plan is to fly to Washington, stay with family for a week, visit the obvious sites with the Smithsonian Air and Space being the favourite with me and the boys. Then not sure whether to get internal flight to Boston or if its worth taking a couple of days to drive up if there are some interesting places inbetween.
Then about a week based in Newport again with family so any top ideas around there would be great.
Cheers
With kids that age, you have to go to the Spy Museum in DC
http://www.spymuseum.org/
It's excellent entertainment and they will love it.
As a counter to that, the Holocaust Memorial Museum should be seen by everyone.
IT's very cleverly done so that anything too graphic is shielded from children's eyes, but it's a fascinating place and very child friendly.
http://www.ushmm.org/
As well as these things, a trip to the 9/11 memorial at the pentagon is worthwhile, as is the Washington monument, White House, Supreme Court etc, though some of those the kids may find a little boring.
Boston's a fantastic city, loads to do there for kids, the rides on Navy Pier, the excellent bus tour of the city, Willis Tower, I loved the architecture boat tour.
Take the family for dinner at the Grand Lux cafe, it's fantastic.
As far as attractions on the way to RI goes, I'd drive it of course, NYC is a good stop, and nowhere near as daunting to drive in as you'd think, I liked Providence RI and Connecticut has some nice places on the coast to stop for a leg stretch a picnic.
http://www.spymuseum.org/
It's excellent entertainment and they will love it.
As a counter to that, the Holocaust Memorial Museum should be seen by everyone.
IT's very cleverly done so that anything too graphic is shielded from children's eyes, but it's a fascinating place and very child friendly.
http://www.ushmm.org/
As well as these things, a trip to the 9/11 memorial at the pentagon is worthwhile, as is the Washington monument, White House, Supreme Court etc, though some of those the kids may find a little boring.
Boston's a fantastic city, loads to do there for kids, the rides on Navy Pier, the excellent bus tour of the city, Willis Tower, I loved the architecture boat tour.
Take the family for dinner at the Grand Lux cafe, it's fantastic.
As far as attractions on the way to RI goes, I'd drive it of course, NYC is a good stop, and nowhere near as daunting to drive in as you'd think, I liked Providence RI and Connecticut has some nice places on the coast to stop for a leg stretch a picnic.
Me and MissGTi got the Amtrak from Boston to NYC, the route continues to DC and you can either get the fast Acela Express or the slower North East Regional trains. It may be worth looking at as an alternative to flying or driving - You get to see loads and the carriages are quite comfy and spacious.
There's plenty to do in Boston itself too - the revolutionary trail and all that, the Boston Public Library is gorgeous inside, big museum, Harvard Yard and loads of other things.
There's plenty to do in Boston itself too - the revolutionary trail and all that, the Boston Public Library is gorgeous inside, big museum, Harvard Yard and loads of other things.
I always stay in the Mill Street inn RI. It's in the center and you can walk to the mansions from there. It isn't the most luxurious hotel but you can book a 2 floor town house and have the kids stay downstairs. Bring your own alcohol though because there is no bar.
If you are landing in Washington and going to Boston you are doing a US road trip! Stop in at Philidelphia on the way. Also go to 6 flags in NJ which is like Alton towers. You can do a night in Atlantic city where you can see Vegas style casinos. Remember AC was popular before Vegas because the mafia went from AC to Vegas.
Moving north go to NYC. You can stay in Jersey city cheaper and get the PATH in. This is an underground train system the locals use. If you are a fan of cake boss go to Hoboken and see his bakery. (Buddy is a nice guy and made my wedding cake). Head north again and ignore your GPS so that you drive over the Geprge Washington bridge. Stay on this road to Newport. From Newport head to Boston. I stay on the common (it may look like and sound like a park but the locals call it a common). The original Cheers bar is on the common. Look at it from the outside but don't bother going in. It's not Cheers inside. The hill behind Cheers has some fantastic restaurants and if you go a little further you will hit a converted prison which is now a hotel and restaurants.
Road trip over and fly from Logan. Don't bore the kids with relatives and you will be their hero.
If you are landing in Washington and going to Boston you are doing a US road trip! Stop in at Philidelphia on the way. Also go to 6 flags in NJ which is like Alton towers. You can do a night in Atlantic city where you can see Vegas style casinos. Remember AC was popular before Vegas because the mafia went from AC to Vegas.
Moving north go to NYC. You can stay in Jersey city cheaper and get the PATH in. This is an underground train system the locals use. If you are a fan of cake boss go to Hoboken and see his bakery. (Buddy is a nice guy and made my wedding cake). Head north again and ignore your GPS so that you drive over the Geprge Washington bridge. Stay on this road to Newport. From Newport head to Boston. I stay on the common (it may look like and sound like a park but the locals call it a common). The original Cheers bar is on the common. Look at it from the outside but don't bother going in. It's not Cheers inside. The hill behind Cheers has some fantastic restaurants and if you go a little further you will hit a converted prison which is now a hotel and restaurants.
Road trip over and fly from Logan. Don't bore the kids with relatives and you will be their hero.
Don't forget the NYC Grand Prix course. It's on the NJ side of the Hudson river and you can drive most of it. Granted not that exciting for non-race fans as it isn't quite Monaco but you have NYC in the background.
Also, you can book a NASCAR drive in Conneticutt. These are real cars that have raced in NASCAR. Costs about $300 for 20 laps.
Oh another good one! Get a sample helicopter lesson. I flew a helicopter over the Tapenzee bridge which is just north of NYC. Cost was about $150 and I was lucky because I flew for about 30 minutes. The pilot takes you up and says "all yours".
Also, you can book a NASCAR drive in Conneticutt. These are real cars that have raced in NASCAR. Costs about $300 for 20 laps.
Oh another good one! Get a sample helicopter lesson. I flew a helicopter over the Tapenzee bridge which is just north of NYC. Cost was about $150 and I was lucky because I flew for about 30 minutes. The pilot takes you up and says "all yours".
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