If I were to begin planning a trip to Washington DC Next Summer....

[Corey_Baker08]

When and Where would be the best place to go. I will be 17 next summer and I have always wanted to go to DC. I would love to go for the Rally on September 24 but i just dont think it will work out.

However if I plan out well in advance for next summer I believe I will save money on flights,hotels and will have a great schedule of touring.

Any Suggestions on where/when the best time to go would be?

[longship]

1. Some must sees from which to pick.

Write your Congressman well in advance and get in on a White House tour. It's a must see, if you have time to arrange it.

The Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress is arguably the most beautiful building in all of DC. The interior architecture is stunning, with frescoes, statuary and other art all over the place. You won't regret it.

Capitol building. I think you have to arrange a tour.

National Archives.

Smithsonian. Has so many museums that you could spend weeks just doing them alone. If you have time, take in one or two.

Any of the other government buildings might have tours.

The memorials are great. Jefferson is my favorite of the old ones.
Of the newer ones, the FDR memorial is great and, of course, the Viet Nam is a must see.

Georgetown is interesting place to walk around. Lots of expensive shops and restaurants, if you like that kind of place. (You might even bump into Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame.)

---Away from DC---

Monticello, in central Virginia. Worth the trip. Jefferson's home. A must see.

Mount Vernon, just around the corner from DC. Washington's home. Also very nice.

Montpelier, in Virginia. James Madison's home. Under heavy restoration. Interesting, probably lightly visited.

Lots of history, old forts (McHenry!), civil war battlefields, and other sites nearby in Virginia and Maryland.

Gettysburg is a drive, but worth the trip. You can get a personally guided tour, it's worth the cost.