How's this sound for a summer vay-cay? About This Page:

[pflamingo]

Bear in mind, I figure I can sleep late and do nothing at home on the weekends -- for free. When I travel, I want to see and do as much as possible in the time I've got -- especially since "travel" = spending my hard- earned-and-limited money.

Okay, so I've been teaching 7th grade American History all year with a really cruddy book (stuck w/ it, sad to say), and although I find the parallels between then and now fascinating, my students are rather bored (as in, to tears). I got to thinking about how long it's been since I visited any historical places, and how maybe I could make the class more interesting if I had a little first-hand info from some of these places, so here's my idea:

Amtrak from Atlanta to Philly, Boston, and DC (for like, $285 total), and visit as many historical sites as I can in 2 weeks.

The questions, for those who live in/near or have recently visited any of these cities:

What sites should I definitely hit? (Need to focus on Amer history to the Reconstruction, emphasis on stuff to "wow" 7th graders.)

Where should I stay? (Need clean, close to public transport, and as cheap as humanly possible w/o sacrificing safety.)

I'm thinking Priceline might be the way to go for accomodations, but an "insider's" view would be most helpful, since I haven't had a lot of luck finding anything other than huge, expensive, chain hotels on the 'Net.

Any ideas out there?

Thanks!

[BostonTeaParty]

Pat, as you know, Boston is nothing if not teeming with historical places to visit. Places I would not miss:

Paul Revere's House in the North End of Boston
The Old North Church
Bunkerhill Monument
The Freedom Trail
U.S.S. Constitution aka Old Ironsides
Kings Chapel
Granary Burying Ground
Boston Massacre Site

So many, many more. PM me if you have any questions. I'd be happy to help. Also, will you only be visiting Boston proper? There is Lexington and Concord, with many historical sites to visit.

Hope this helps.

[Californiakids]

pflamingo, We are also interested in your request for information on historical sights. After our cruise my brother and his family are flying us up to the Philly area where he just got transfered by his company. We already had a rental car and plane tickets flying out of Miami (his old job location) so this will be a vacation of a lifetime for us. We'll be visiting Philly, Washington DC, NYC (catch a Yankee game)in 7 days. This may sound crazy but a least we can say we saw the sights! Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, The White House, Capital Building, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Yankee Stadium, Statue Of Liberty, WTC site, Empire State Building, Times Square, etc, etc. I figure we can rest when we get home. We are going to take a family picture at all these sights if possible. My wife is also a teacher (third grade) wish us luck.

[Colexis Mom]

Welcome back to the boards Pat How's Dennis doing?



Well, I grew up north of Boston in "witch" country, so I'm partial to that. Salem and Danvers have some great sites for the witch history: Witch Museum, House of Seven Gables, The Peabody Museum, The Rebecca Nurse House. There's lots to do. I'd also suggest (if you have a car, there's a train from Boston to Salem and also a water launch) maybe heading out towards Lexington and Concord to visit the attractions out there. Such a great area for early American History.



I don't know much about Philly, but DC is also a great place with the Smithsonian, George Washington's house, Thomas Jefferson's house. There's a lot going on there too.







Pat, here's an article I found on MSNBC which might be helpful click here

[DouglasE]

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection!

Philadelphia is the birth place of the United States of America. It was here at Independence Hall (MUST SEE) that the Declaration of Independence was signed.

I believe you can still see the recreation of the building in which Jefferson wrote it.

It's also in Philadelphia that the Constitution was drafted and signed.

Franklin Court is great for fans of Benjamin Franklin, another Philly boy.

The Liberty Bell rang at the top of Independence Hall, but it now has a brand new spankin' home so you can see it better.

The NEW National Constitution Center is a MUST SEE (incredible interactive exhibits).

Elfreths Alley is the oldest residential street in the nation that has had people living in it continuously. At different points in the year you can tour people's homes.

The Fireman's Hall Museum is a 19th century firehouse. Kids love the bells, whistles, and sirens.

The National Liberty Museum reminds us what makes this country great and how it started right here in Philadelphia!

The American Philosophical Society presents the finned and the furred, the stuffed and the mounted, the bizarre and the beautiful are all on display in the country's first major natural history museum.

The Civil War Museum is a house museum displaying artifacts, uniforms, flags, weapons and period art and telling of Philadelphia’s role in the Civil War.

Where did the Founding Fathers worship? Why at Christ Church, of course. The burial ground is the final resting place of 1,400 men and women, including five signers of the Declaration of Independence, the founders of the American Navy, America's early medical pioneers - most notably Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Benjamin Rush and Commodore William Bainbridge.

Observe war and peace at the site of the October 1777 Battle of Germantown, and of one of America’s finest colonial homes at Cliveden House.

Lining the hillside of Fairmount Park, 18th- and 19th century mansions are fine examples of early American homes. Visit via car or trolley tour.

See the documents of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society that gave birth to the Civil Rights Movement at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Visit Betsy Ross' house and Carpenter's Hall to learn more about the beginnings of our country.

The Lights of Liberty Show is a light and sound show that retells the Revolutionary story. See historic buildings aglow with five-story projections; hear rifles crackle, horses gallop and patriots debate, via headset. Performances nightly, outdoors. Open Seasonally, closed Sunday and Monday.

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church has a museum and worship space of the oldest piece of land owned continuously by African Americans.

William Penn’s 1690’s country estate, Pennsbury Manor, faithfully reconstructed with a manor house, outbuildings, gardens and livestock. Summer Sunday programs include colonial crafts and living history theater. Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.

So that's just some of the historic sights at Philadelphia. The best time to see all of this is the week leading up to and including July 4.

[pflamingo]

Thanks for the info!



I was wondering how easy it would be to get to Salem from Boston, since I/we (if I let Dennis come with) won't have a car. It's not really in the school's curriculum, but I'd love to see it! (BTW, my mom, the tax preparer, tells me some of this just might be deductible, since it's "research" for my job. Gotta love that!)



I knew there was tons to do in Philadelphia - narrowing it down to 4-5 days will be the hard part.



Now, what about where to stay? It looks like I'm not going to get away too cheap on this. Even Priceline hotels are going for $75+ -- which isn't bad, I guess, for big cities, but it's going to stretch the budget just a bit. Any advice on areas to avoid, or particularly bad hotels? I've stayed at allegedly high-quality hotels only to find the carpets dirty and the bathrooms worse (and I try not to be hyper-critical, so these were definitely bad).



I'd like to do this in early June since I'm probably going to be teaching a course in summer school this year.



PS Hi Donna!

[NancyW2]

Pat, if you stay just outside of the city it will most likely be a little cheaper. Public transportation is very accessible around Boston. I'm going to PM you my email address so if you have any more Boston/Salem questionS you can talk to me anytime. When are you and Dennis planning to be here? I'm thinking maybe we could do a Boston Passporter meet and hook up with you guys - if you have the time and we can arrange something. I'm always up for a meet!

Salem is a fantastic place to visit. I highly recommend it. Summer is actually better than fall, particularly October, when Salem is crawling with tourists.

[JoanW]

I was exhausted reading Douglas' places to see (but have added them to my list of things to maybe do in the future). As you get closer to dates for DC and pick a hotel, post with what you got and I can tell you if it's an okay one or not one. We see tourists all the time who come down and end up in the skanky hotels in bad neighborhoods because they don't know any better.

[DouglasE]

I've also been in the process of creating a sight seeing guide for Washington D.C.



Surf to Destination: Washington, D.C.



Keep in mind that the items listed for Philadelphia above were the ones that were historical. There are tons of frivolous fun things to do. If you and Dennis would like a tour guide during your stay, just let me know. I'm happy to show folks around Philadelphia. Philly is very easy to manage without a car. I don't own one myself. As far as a good hotel in Center City or University City, I would fully expect to pay no less than $60-80/night bare minimum.



Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. I saw that you intend on travelling in early June. Please be aware I will be away June 1-7. I will be in WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

[pflamingo]

Joan,

I found one place that looks intriguing (though it's $90-100/nite). It's a guesthouse called the "Bloomingdale Inn Hostel", though it looks (and costs) nothing like any hostel I crashed at in the UK. According to MapQuest, it's at the corner of 1st St. NW and Bryant St. NW.

Looking at BiddingforTravel.com, it looks like people are getting fairly decent prices at the Renaissance Mayflower, the Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Crystal City, and the DuPont Circle Hilton (stayed there on a trip many moons ago, when my employer paid for it). They all seem to be going for around $60-$80/nite on Priceline. Looks like someone just got the Hyatt Regency in Convention Center/Capitol Hill area for $45/nite right around the same time I'm thinking of going. Melrose, Wyndham & Marriott in Georgetown/Foggy Bottom area (can't help it, that name always makes me grin!) also seem to be going for good rates. With Priceline, you bid on the area and rating of the hotel. I usually stick with 4* and 3* (their ratings) places. Know anything -- good or bad -- about any of these?

[denwol]

Hi Pat,

Looks like you've gotten some really good responses so far, and Douglas definitely covered everything I could and more about Philly (in this post) and DC in his other thread.

I just wanted to add one more possible stop to your trip...Have you considered Gettysburg? It isn't too far from DC, and we love it. Lots of history, and much of it very interesting to our 10 year old and his friends.

Anyway, have a great trip!

[JoanW]

They are all great prices for the downtown hotels. Georgetown is not on the Metro Subway system, but the rest of the hotels downtown are within walking distance to the metro. You don't want to drive while you sightsee, take the Metro. The suburbs are pretty good too, except they are becoming less and less suburbs and are part of the city now too. Crystal City (Arlington, VA) is a good option as it is close to Arlington National Cemetary, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials too and is on the metro system. And they have a great shopping area too (we have girls, we must include shopping on every vacation to bribe them with the historical sightseeing parts).

I'd personally stay away from the Capital Hill hotels, it is further from the rest of the sights and the night time there is not as nice.

Foggy Botton (makes me laugh too) has George Washington University and it's full of college kids and business people and the State Department all in one area. I laugh when I see it as it's sweat pants and business suits in the winter and then shorts and tank tops and business suits in the summer! This is where the Watergate building is (which is getting old now).

My dad grew up in Foggy Bottom in the 1930's and my mom grew up in Georgetown (where I was born) and it is still a gorgeous area of DC.

One of the new fun places to visit is the Spy Museum on 9th Street near the FBI Headquarters Building. I think you can get tickets online ahead of time to avoid any kind of waiting. Now that tours of the FBI are limited to schools, it's a nice alternative to missing that tour.

[Fortissimo]

[ QUOTE ]


(BTW, my mom, the tax preparer, tells me some of this just might be deductible, since it's "research" for my job. Gotta love that!)


[/ QUOTE ]

Hi, Pat!!!!

Yes, you can write off a portion of your trip as it is related to what you teach. I always get to write off a protion of my WDW trips and because DH teaches about Canada, we got to write off a portion of our road trip last summer.

This is one of the perks of being an educator.

[GoofyMom]

I've got no info to add, but I did want to say: Hi Pat! Good to see you again!

[Shell_of_the_South]

Sounds like a good trip, Pat! My mom went with her church on a trip last year. They went by bus and visited D.C., Philly, Hershey, and Amish Country. Don't you think your teaching skills would be greatly enhanced by trying the chocolates out in Hershey, PA?

You may have your itinerary all finished by now, but Williamsburg came to mind - there would be a lot of historical places to visit near there also! Oh well, that may be next year's vacation! And then there are all the national parks out west, I could just go on and on. Don't we have a great country!