Homeschooling for 6 Months in DC

[TKDmom]

Our family will be moving to NoVA in June for at least 6 months. I've never been to the area, but I'm excited about the homeschooling possibilities and field trips. My older two kids have just started reading American Odyssey. The last time we did American History, those two were in 2nd and 4th grade. DD14 got exited about field trips after she read ch. 1 yesterday. She's ready to chart out weekly field trips for the next 6 months.  :laugh:  She's already planned a trip to St. Augustine before we move so we can get the Spanish exploration before we go.

 

What are the must-see sights within 2-3 hours of DC? Assume I know nothing about the area (other than vague ideas about Jamestown, Mt. Vernon, and the Lincoln memorial).

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

Here are my must sees:

 

Washington monument

Mt. Vernon

Memorials (most can be seen in a day)

Smithsonite, particularly Air and Space (DC, not Dulles), Am. History and Nat. history and maybe an art museum

Holocaust museum (esp. Older kids)

Library of Congress

Arlington Natl Cemetary

Call Congressman for tours of: U.S. Mint, White House, and Capitol Hill

Maybe Spy Museum

Old Town Alexandria, some cool things are Torpedo Factory Art Gallery, Gadsbys Tavern, and Masonic Temple

Great Falls

Luray Caverns and apple picking in fall near Shenandoah

Montpelier

Monticello

Colonial Williamsburg

Maybe a trip to Philadelphia

 

Most of the things in DC are free. Enjoy!

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

For the record, I think Colonial Williamsburg is the best place to spend the Fourth of July out of all of these locations. Also, check out Grand Illumination the first weekend of December. Beautiful!

[Farrar]

A few things not mentioned above:

 

Lincoln's Cottage

Ford's Theater

Clara Barton's House

Claude Moore Colonial Farm

Manassas Civil War sites

Frederick Douglass's House

Building Museum

The Arboretum

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (best at the end of summer/early fall)

Botanic Gardens

NGA

The art museums not enough people visit - the Kreeger, the Phillips, African History, SAAM, Portrait Gallery, Freer/Sacker, Hirshhorn, Renwick (though it's not suffering at the moment!)

 

Actually, never mind what I said about the art museums... I sort of love going to sit in the Freer or the Hirshhorn in the middle of July and finding it quiet. Stick with the unchanging exhibits at Air and Space. ;)

 

Also, it's funny to me that above a trip to Philly was suggested, but not to Baltimore, which is super close and also has a huge number of cool things to see - the AVAM, the Aquarium, the Walters, etc. etc. Of course, if you think art is a "maybe" then I guess Baltimore is skippable unless you're into fish or historic boats?

 

In addition to Great Falls (on both sides - the canal boat ride is fun to do once, either in Georgetown or at the Falls), Calvert Cliffs to fossil hunt is one of our favorite day trips. And, actually, if you're into fossils, there's Dinosaur Park in PG as well - open twice a month. In addition to Williamsburg, there are also a lot of plantation homes along the James River if you're history buffs.

[Insertcreativenamehere]

That sounds like a dream!

 

We just spent a week in DC and didn't see nearly enough -- I'd love to go back!

 

I'd also suggest the Manassas and Gettysburg Battlefields. The Air & Space Museum at Dulles is also fun. 

[basketcase]

The Newseum - the kids liked their interactive sections, but I loved their huge section of the Berlin Wall and their 9-11 artifacts. The whole 9-11 section focuses on the news teams on site. Very cool for older kids.

[lmrich]

I am not from there - and have no advice, just super jealous. I would spend a day at each Smithsonian if not more. It is so nice that they are all free. 

[Farrar]

Here's what I'll say about taking advantage of the city stuff too - NoVa can be far away if you're not in Alexandria City or Arlington. I think you really have to commit yourself to come into the city and do something regularly if you're going to get the most out of that half year. I've met a lot of NoVa homeschoolers who come into town a couple or maybe three or four times a year and that's it. So it's easy to get settled and not take advantage of having all these resources nearby. Just something to think about.

[TKDmom]

Here's what I'll say about taking advantage of the city stuff too - NoVa can be far away if you're not in Alexandria City or Arlington. I think you really have to commit yourself to come into the city and do something regularly if you're going to get the most out of that half year. I've met a lot of NoVa homeschoolers who come into town a couple or maybe three or four times a year and that's it. So it's easy to get settled and not take advantage of having all these resources nearby. Just something to think about.

I think it helps that we know it's temporary. There's a certain amount of urgency to see things when you are somewhere you may never come back to. I figure I'll be doing a lot of driving or public transportation. The goal is to go on a field trip at least every other week, if not weekly.

[Chris in VA]

The National Cathedral is really lovely, and the tour is quite interesting.

 

If you are coming to see Mt. Vernon, you can also tour the Gristmill (and buy cornmeal made there) and I will pm you about another place.

[momacacia]

Military band and choir concerts are free, really well done and fun. Often held on the mall by Washington monument. Of course if you're there over the 4th there's the whole fireworks and concert in front of the capitol which is fun in person.

Edited April 30, 2016 by momacacia