Evening all,
Disclaimer; I’ve previously posted this in the Virginia subredit and had brilliant advice.
Was hoping that we could have some advice for the best hotels, on a decent budget, in and around the Chesapeake/Norfolk/Virginia Beach areas.
We are also going to have a hire car so will spend some time in DC, Philadelphia and hopefully Carolina.
We’re coming over at the end of June for three weeks to visit with family and explore again as it’s been almost 9 years since we last made it over from Scotland.
Also would greatly appreciate if anyone has any recommendations for a truly American 4th of July experience so that I can let my wee ones embrace the culture as we visit!!
Many thanks in advance,
Novice Traveller!
7 comments
DC is easy just hit the mall and the Smithsonian museums (don’t miss the Udvar-Hazy extension of the Air and Space Museum, it isn’t on the mall with the rest of them).
I also suggest Ethiopian food in DC. Dukem is the place I remember being awesome. It’s on U Street.
In DC we got a really good deal at the Morrison Clark Inn and Restaurant which is really cool.
The Spy Museum is pretty cool in DC, good for a few hours. Its a private museum so they do charge but I think its worth it.
you don’t need a car in DC proper. Just take the train (if you’re out in the burbs there’s usually a parking lot/garage to park at) or uber in and then you can use the subway and walk from there.
Be prepared for some heat. Apply sun screen frequently. Keep hydrated.
The area around the colleges in DC is full of young people and great food.
I’ve traveled for work a lot and Hampton Inns have been the most consistent on hotel quality. It may be more than you want to spend. Get some Filipino food in the Hampton Roads area.
If you’re planning to stay the whole trip in the Norfolk area and go to DC and Philadelphia during the day you’re in for a bad time, that’s a long distance and traffic in this area can be horrific.
I’d suggest if you fly in to DC you only get a hire car for the Virginia part of your trip, then take trains in DC and to Philadelphia, both cities are better without a car for tourists.
Some random things to see, in no particular order:
Philadelphia:
The penitentiary is legitimately really cool, if slightly dark and well, dank. 19th century prisons at their best.
Independence Hall is a classic. Liberty Bell too, though it’s more an “I’ve seen it”.
Reading Terminal Market. Awesome food. Try the donuts.
Maryland:
Baltimore has the best aquarium in the region and generally a top tier one. Not much else to note in particular, though if you like American sports I’d watch them there. DC and Philly are… not good for that (fans, teams, etc)
Some of the smaller towns are interesting but there’s not much to attract the tourist in them for the most part.
The Bay Bridge is really cool or really terrifying depending on who you are. Good way to avoid nightmare traffic around DC if headed down to or up from Virginia though.
There’s a bunch of cute little towns in Central MD, often they’ll have one museum open at weird hours or a covered bridge or something. If you’re into that, it can be fun.
There’s not a lot of good food on the main roads between Baltimore and DC. Not much food at all, really. Or maybe that was just my family’s experience growing up.
DC:
Pretty well covered by everyone else. Note that the city is *hot* in the summer. Hot, hot, hot.
Virginia:
Monticello. Great view, and the house of America’s most eccentric (and chronically bankrupt) president and philosopher.
See if you can get on the boat tour at Norfolk, seeing the ships is really cool.
There’s also a battleship (an *Iowa* at that), but if your littles are too small to climb the ladders you won’t have much fun there. If they are old enough to manage, though, it’s very interesting.
Williamsburg is a good day or two and is in the area, though it’s not as interesting for a visitor from the UK, at least if you’ve visited similar sites there.
Shenandoah is really pretty, but kind of out in the middle of nowhere and the weather will not be too kind to Scots (not to mention, the scenery isn’t *that* different).
Miscellaneous:
Take the littles to a pick your own farm if they haven’t been to one in Scotland (dunno about their international prevalence). You’ll be here during prime berry season, probably strawberries, raspberries and blueberries–make a trifle lol. My favorite is Larriland but it’s probably a bit out of your way (they also carry currants, a rarity, but those might be later in the season). There’s definitely plenty in Virginia and one or two others in MD though.
Also, if you can find a county fair that runs that early–Salem VA does–might be worth the trip. Eat a funnel cake and teach your littles what animals are like, and see the unique world of American farming in action.
Go to a baseball game – major league is fun, but minor league is also a blast for significantly less money (Norfolk Tides).
Both DC and Philly will be crazy fun for July 4th. DC will have a parade and concert before the fireworks, but it will be more patriotic music. Philly will have more contemporary artists. Both will be absolutely packed and have tons of museums to visit. DC is the current capital and Phillyis the previous capital, so there’s a lot of historical opportunities.
I’m actually going to recommend you *not* drive in DC and Philly. Those cities are much easier to get around walking and using public transportation and there is an intercity train connecting them.
I’m not sure what you’re interested in, but r/philadelphia has a pretty solid sidebar and our [tourism website](http://www.uwishunu.com) will have major events and deals. If there’s a certain thing you’re interested in, I’d be glad to give more detailed advice.
For DC some smaller places you can visit are The Clock Tower in The Old Post Office Pavillion, and various churches are open to tour. I don’t remember specifics because I was 14 at the time, but the churches had amazing architecture and woodwork.