Family Vacation - Driving from Chicago to Washington DC

Niagara Falls, New York

Pictures of Niagara Falls

I never realized that Niagara Falls was about 20 minutes from Buffalo, NY. So as one of our stops prior to going to Washington DC, we decided to stop near Buffalo, NY and go to Niagara Falls.

We arrived about 5pm and took the Maid of the Mist boat to the falls. At 5pm, there were no crowds, there were about 50 people on the boat, and everyone had a front row view. And the view from the observation tower is just excellent.

I have friends that went to Niagara Falls recently and have been told that the Cave of the Winds is excellent as well.

Click the link to learn more about Niagara Falls State Park.

Pictures of Gettysburg Monuments from Flickr

Assateague Island, Maryland on the Atlantic Ocean

pictures from Flickr

If your looking for a beach on the Atlantic Ocean. The kids and I had a whole lot of fun here. For those not familiar with Assateague Island, it is on the southern tip of the strip of land between the Cheasapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Assateague Island is home to a heard of wild ponies that rome the island, in fact driving in and out of the National Park there, we saw many ponies off in the distance.

Click here to learn more about Assateague Island, Maryland.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Pictures are from Flickr of Colonial Williamsburg

We spent a couple of hours roaming around Colonial Williamsburg not realizing how much there was to actually do and see. You could take a week and go to Williamsburg by itself. There's a huge amusement park, Yorktown Revolutionary War battlefields where the British surrendered, and historic Jamestown where John Smith landed in the seventieth century.

Not far from Williamburg is Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson; Virginia Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

Williamsburg Vacation Made Easy.com is a great way to plan your visit.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington, Virginia

Arlington National Cemetery sits across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. You can easily spend 2-3 hours walking through Arlington National Cemetary. While there be sure to visit:

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watch the changing of the guard.
The Eternal Flame which is the burial site of John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy.
President William Howard Taft Monument.

Kennedy and Taft are the only two Presidents buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

If you've never been to Washington DC while the cherry trees are blooming, it is a real treat. In late March or Early April for about two weeks the approximately 3,700 cherry trees located along the tidal basin, around the Washington Monument, in Hains Point (East Potomac Park), and West Potomac Park bloom with these magnificent pink and white blossoms.

The cherry trees were a gift of friendship from the people of Japan in 1912. First Lady Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first two cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin near the John Paul Jones statue at the south end of 17th Street.

Mount Vernon, Virginia

The home of George Washington

Mt Vernon sits on the banks of the Potomac River and was the home of George Washington. I always love the peaceful setting of Mt Vernon and walking on the back porch.

Ford's Theater in Washington DC

where President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth

As a resident of the state of Illinois, I find myself shocked and dismayed that I have never been to Ford's Theater to see where President Lincoln was shot, or the house across the street from Ford's Theater where he died. It's on my list the next time I am in DC.

The National Zoo in Washington DC

pictures from Flickr

The main attraction at the National Zoo are the Panda Bears. If your lucky they will be out and you will get to see them. And of course, a Bald Eagle or two.

National Cathedral in Washington DC

pictures from Flickr

Yes, there is a National Cathedral. For the religious folks on the trip, it is a great place to visit. It takes a couple of hours to walk through and look at all the beautiful stained glass windows, and alters.

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is the home of the Naval Training Academy and a great little town along the Chessapeake Bay to do some shopping and dining.