Washington DC

[sherman12]

During my visit with my DW several years back we found Arlington Cemetery and the WWll Memorial absolutely moving. The history and those who gave all to preserve this world as we know it today.

Yes anything in and around the Mall itself is striking. But also we found just walking around the area of the mall moving as well, especially going by the huge Dept. of Justice building with many famous quotes inscribed on the buildings stone (or concrete?) exterior walls.

[Flybob]

I strongly recommend parking at one of the outlying metro stations and using the metro. Driving and parking in DC is not fun if you don't live there. As for planning, I would plan 2 days ahead then adjust your sched based on your experiences, You will find that some places will require more time than allotted and other will require less. The link below will be helpful.
https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/

[ppine]

Most peoople can only look at museums and memorials foor awhile before it is time to do something else. That's why I mentioned, the Zoo, Great Falls and the Bay. Baltimore is an intersesting town to visit now only an hour away. Frederick has plenty of history, Antiedam, and other historic places. I have always liked Williamsburg.

[sherman12]

PPine, great suggestions and add to the list Gettysburg which is only 70 miles from D.C. The National Museum and battlefield tours are amazing.

During our visit we stayed in Fredrick, MD and took the subway right into the Mall area daily.

[jojoshort]

It’s a couple miles to the College Park metro station. If you take your own vehicle there, park it and take the metro into DC, when you come back you can hop into your own vehicle and get back to Cherry Hill in no time. If you take the bus, you may have to wait for an hour (if you just miss the bus). We found having our vehicle at the parking garage a relief after tromping all around DC .
Everything is wonderful there. Great bike trails nearby in College Park, too. Oh, and there was one day on the mall when it was food truck day. About 50 food trucks to choose from! I think that is a weekly thing.

[Tcgriffin52]

Originally Posted by CreativeEdge

The family and I will be staying at Cherry Hill RV Park for 7 days so we can explore DC. My sons are 16 and 13 and they love to explore new places.
There are so many things to see in DC, what are the places you guys consider as must see.
We will be there July 7, looking for any suggestions.
Thanks in advance,
Michael

If you act now you can write to your congressman or senator and ask them for tickets to the Capital and White House. Arlington and the Smithsonian museums are a must. Don’t try to drive into town. Public transit will pick you up and bring you back to Cherry Hill.

[free83118]

Highly recommend the bus/walking tour that leaves from the campground. Tour guides are very knowledgeable.

[Rebel702]

Be sure to attend the orientation. They provide great information and help schedule any tours. Made using the Metro less intimidating for newbies.
The night tour was exceptional as you visit the Korean and WW2 memorials.

[Mommajoje]

Sign up online for a visit/tour of the Pentagon. Interesting place with alot of museum quality displays.

Also visit Mount Vernon if you get the chance.

[ejw7213]

If you contact your representatives or congress men, they can get you into back area tours. You will have to have one of their aids to escort you into the Congress at a timed appointment unless you want to stand in line outside for hours. They can also get you into a white house tour if you are interested.

[Capt Kidd]

I went there several years ago and plan to go again this summer. I was in a MACS squadron Macs 25 many long years ago and then we became MATCU 72 or maybe 75. I had a neet big squadron decal but lost it in a shop fire. I want another one. Hopefully they will have one at the museum. If you know where I can get one please let me know.

[CreativeEdge]

to everyone that has responded, cannot thank you enough.
We have contacted our Congressman and have the tours booked.
I never tow a vehicle with our RV as we prefer get a rental once at the location. We get very good rates with Avis. We will only use a car on 2 of the days for areas outside of DC. The rest of the days we will be taking the public transit out of Cherry Hill RV Park. We are really looking forward to this trip..
I have read every response and again, cannot thank you enough.

[grover_yyz]

The Goddard NASA center is very close to Cherry Hill campground. Since you are renting a car its a must see.

The Washington transit system is fantastic. We took train from Greenbelt station to see Pentagon 911 tribute and then off to Argington on the Blue line. Be sure to load your transit card with enough to pay to exit the parking lot. Staff was very helpful in using the pay machine. Free wifi on subway as well. They offer a day use pass for the transit as well.

[Mina Y]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Is there a way to see a lot of this with someone who has issues walking a lot?
Note: no way to ride Segways either.

I grew up in DC and it is an amazing place for those who visit. Unfortunately, it does become far more challenging as we age and develop some mobility issues. Your best bet is to get yourself on a guided tour where you are brought to each specific spot and there will be less site walking, parking issues with walking, getting food with walking- the point is, there is a LOT of walking with tourism there! Since the Smithsonian museums contain such a huge variety of our world’s history, you might do well to just chose one that interests you the most and stick with that. Arlington Cemetery is amazing (my father is buried there) but it does require a lot of up and down walking unless you get on the tour and stay with it, no exploring. There are motorized tours that take you past all the “highlights” of government buildings, monuments, etc. and the war memorials are some of the most amazing things to see- WWII being a newer one and always touching. Because I can no longer walk any distances the mall itself is out for me, but with some pre-planning you can locate more space-friendly areas and concentrate on quality as opposed to quantity. Hope you have a wonderful time!

[CreativeEdge]

We ended up staying at Cherry Hill RV Park and loved it. We would take the bus right from the RV park and head out to the Train Station. The RV park was extremely clean with very friendly staff. While in DC we would rent bikes and that is how we would get around. Overall it was a great trip.
To everyone that made suggestions, thank you..

[Mina Y]

[sherman12]

Nice of the OP to check back in, with photos no less, of their excellent trip to D.C.