Any Suggestions for Family Trip??

[mamalove]

We are going on our first looooong family trip---1 month---in May. Our plan is to go to Maine to see some close friends of ours and sight see on the way. We are so excited!

We are definetly going to be going through Virginia, New York, and also visit DC. So, do you all have any suggestions on where to go sight seeing?? Also, where are the best family sight seeing places that targets history??

Any advice or suggestions ya'll have???

TIA!

[BlessedMama]

Oh you definitely need to come through Mentone, IN where there is THE Lawrence Bell museum! And a 12 ft. 3,000 lb "big egg", the famous Richardson barn swing :) and we can even have a T-Tapp bash! ;)

Really, the Lawrence Bell museum, although not huge, is very interesting! He was the youngest of 10 children, born here, and he got into aviation at a key time right before WWII. He didn't invent the helicopter, but he sure put it on the map! (As well as putting Mentone on the map! LOL!)

And for more there's the Billy Sunday museum in Winona Lake (which also has lots of quaint little shops), and I'm sure we could find even more interesting and educational things for you to see! (Hey! WE are educational and entertaining and interesting! :laughing: )

[ayj67]

Nothing is going to beat visiting the 7 sisters' farm in Mentone, IN. Just thinking about the T-Tapp tweaks you can get makes me sweat and smile.

[mamalove]

We just Map Qwested(sp?) Mentone, IN and we are only going to be 45 min. from there coming back!! So Trisch, I am almost positive we'll be able to see you all! I can't belive I'm going to be meeting you......all the way in IN! I am so excited and a TTapp bash sounds like loads of fun, btw!! My mom is excited to meet you too.....as is everyone else! :D

Ayj, I can't wait to meet the "farmgirl sisters" and learn TTapp tips and tweaks!! Gosh, to think Mentone is only 45 minutes away! I'm to excited now! LOL!

[mamalove]

We just Map Qwested(sp?) Mentone, IN and we are only going to be 45 min. from there coming back!! So Trisch, I am almost positive we'll be able to see you all! I can't belive I'm going to be meeting you......all the way in IN! I am so excited and a TTapp bash sounds like loads of fun, btw!! My mom is excited to meet you too.....as is everyone else! :D

Ayj, I can't wait to meet the "farmgirl sisters" and learn TTapp tips and tweaks!! Gosh, to think Mentone is only 45 minutes away! I'm to excited now! LOL!

[BlessedMama]

Oh you HAVE to come by here! :)

What's funny is we'll be in CT over the first weekend in May! LOL! Maybe we'll pass somewhere along the way! (We'll be home by 5/8)

That will be TOO much fun! And if you need a place to stay, we'll work it out! ;)

[carrieayers]

I highly recommend Arlington National Cemetary if you will be in the DC area. There is a ton to do in DC - and most of it is free! The Air and Space museum is a good family museum. My niece was really interested in the Holocaust museum too. One word of caution. Many things in DC require you to get there early and get tickets in order to get in now. The treasury and the capital, for example. You have to be in line early in the morning and then you get tickets for specific tour times that day.

Not free in Virginia, but really fun, is Busch Gardens (check the schedule though, as they aren't open every day in May). And Colonial Williamsburg for the history side of things.

If you'll be going through Massachusetts, Boston is full of historical spots like the Freedom Trail and the USS Constitution. And Faneuil Hall for shopping (and some history). Harvard is in Cambridge (next town over from Boston). A very nice campus to visit and Harvard Square is just an interesting area in general. There is also Olde Sturbridge Village (West of Boston - right off of route 90). Similar to Colonial Williamsburg.

New Hampshire has caves and gorges to explore.

I live in MA and my sister and brother live in VA, so let me know if there are specific things you have questions about in those areas and hopefully I can get you an answer.

Carrie

[Vanetta]

IN addition to what Carrie has said, you have to visit the Library of Congress in DC. You're going to have SO. MUCH. FUN!!! There is a TON of stuff to see in D.C.

[Ollie]

While in DC, I highly recommend visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and being there for the changing of the guard. A VERY moving experience. So much dedication on the part of the soldier. I get goose bumps just remembering our time there.

[Vanetta]

Yes! I forgot about that. The changing of the guard IS an awesome thing to see. It is very moving, I totally agree.

[pamelaw]

I can't advise you, but wish you a WONDERFUL trip.

I think it'll be awesome if you and Trisch get to meet!

I personally love museums and such. Isn't there something really cool in Indianapolis I remember hearing about? I'm fascinated by distilleries and breweries and those ancient processes and the modern takes on them. Maybe that was it. :D

[seibert7kids]

Abbie.....when did you say you all were going? Isn't there a new baby set to make an appearance in your family SOON????

[JoyfulMomof6]

Abbie- I grew up in CT so I spent alot of time in the neighboring states, too.

If you can, try to get to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. It is really fun for kids and adults. http://www.vermontteddybear.com/Static/Factory-Tour.aspx

The Freedom Trail in Boston is wonderful, too.

And the boys in your family might enjoy the Groton (CT) Naval Yard. It's a little out of your way, on the shoreline, but CT is so small that it's not that far. They used to have launches of the submarines that the public could watch.

If I think of some more, I will post.

I don't think you can top going to Trisch's Farm, though :)

[mamalove]

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions!! I'm gonna pass on everything to my dad.....he is so excited! :D

Yea Nanci, I don't think anything is gonna compare to Trisch's farm! Can you tell I'm excited?!? LOL!

[mamalove]

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions!! I'm gonna pass on everything to my dad.....he is so excited! :D

Yea Nanci, I don't think anything is gonna compare to Trisch's farm! Can you tell I'm excited?!? LOL!

[mamalove]

LOL Carrie, I just saw your comment and I laughed!! Yes the baby is due in 3 weeks, but my mom is certain she will be able to get up and going 3 weeks after the baby's born. So, we'll see I guess! She only stays in the hospital for a day, and that's cause she "has to" or else she would be outta there right after she delivers! LOLOL!

Anybody else have any suggestions??

[Callicrowe]

Someone mentioned Colonial Williamsburg, but there are two other nearby cities that have a lot of history as well. Here's a link. http://www.history.org/foundation/historic_triangle.cfm

[BlessedMama]

Oh DO the Freedom Trail! We only could do half of it due to time, but we loved what we did do! We felt like the country hicks came to the city for sure!

Liberty Bell in Philadelphia--it made me cry! Oh, and have a REAL Philly Cheesesteak while you're there! :licklips:

We went to Arlington Cemetery, too. Amazing and moving.

Niagara Falls! :)

[seibert7kids]

LOL Carrie, I just saw your comment and I laughed!! Yes the baby is due in 3 weeks, but my mom is certain she will be able to get up and going 3 weeks after the baby's born. So, we'll see I guess! She only stays in the hospital for a day, and that's cause she "has to" or else she would be outta there right after she delivers! LOLOL!

Well, I sure can't blame her! I'm one to zip out of the hospital as soon as I can. And hey, after this many babies, she definitely knows her body and her limitations!

[mamalove]

Does anyone else have more suggestions? :thinkingabout:

[JoyfulMomof6]

Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT is another good place to go.