Washington DC trip (1 Viewer)

[Go for Broke]

My family and I are driving from Pittsburgh to Washington DC for summer vacation. Are there any battlefields with lots of artifacts or other interesting sites on the way over or near DC? I've been to Gettysburg, Fort Ligionier and Brandywine. When I went to Brandywine 30-years ago, there wasn't much there. Is it worth going again? Is Philadelphia closeby?

 

[theBaron]

My family and I are driving from Pittsburgh to Washington DC for summer vacation. Are there any battlefields with lots of artifacts or other interesting sites on the way over or near DC? I've been to Gettysburg, Fort Ligionier and Brandywine. When I went to Brandywine 30-years ago, there wasn't much there. Is it worth going again? Is Philadelphia closeby?

Philadelphia is another 100 miles or so to the east, traveling up I-95 from DC, so if you wanted to visit Philly, it's best to plan a good chunk of time for it. As far as preserved battlefields go, there's not much, because, well, as soon as the war was over, we got about building a country, and there wasn't much thought given to setting aside arable land for things like a monument. But there are sites to visit like Valley Forge, or in town, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, etc, and there is now the Museum of the American Revolution, https://www.amrevmuseum.org/, which opens tomorrow. We have a group taking a tour from our show on the 29th. And from the Susquehanna to the Delaware, there are lots of small places to visit, farmsteads or homesteads, where historical societies maintain exhibits. But you'd likely need more time than you'll have, to visit places like the Sun Inn in Bethlehem, or the Presbyterian church in Allentown where the Liberty Bell was hidden, or Fort Augusta up in Northumberland.

Baltimore is about a third of the way to Philly, from Washington, and there are plenty of things to see there, too.

I always like to visit Mount Vernon, though, and if you've never been there, it's worth adding that to your itinerary when you're in DC.

Hope that helps!
Prosit!
Brad

 

[lancer]

The battlefields of Manassas are just 20 or so miles south of DC, in Northern Virginia, an easy drive from DC. -- Al

 

[Go for Broke]

Thanks Brad and Al. Philly might be too far, although the new AWI museum sounds great. Is the Manassas battlefield similar to Gettysburg with museum and shops?

 

[lancer]

Thanks Brad and Al. Philly might be too far, although the new AWI museum sounds great. Is the Manassas battlefield similar to Gettysburg with museum and shops?

It is nowhere near as extensive, or as commercial. It is a relatively small and quiet experience compared to Gettysburg, but it is well layed out. You might also consider visiting the battlefield of Antietam at Sharpsburg in central Maryland. It is a very well preserved and layed out battlefield, not as commercial as Gettysburg, but more to see than Manassas. It could be done in a day trip from the DC area. I am not sure about the number of museums or shops at either Manassas or Antietam, though I know there are some. -- Al

 

[BLReed]

I would not miss Mount Vernon. The vistas alone are magnificent. Have your hotel
pack a picnic basket. I don't remember how many times I've been there. When
I lived in Washington D.C. friends and visitors always wanted to go there. Never were they
disappointed. In Washington D.C. the Vietnam Memorial is impressive. National Gallery
of Art and the White House You can get tickets from your Congressman's Office.
http://www.mountvernon.org/

 

[lancer]

I would not miss Mount Vernon. The vistas alone are magnificent. Have your hotel
pack a picnic basket. I don't remember how many times I've been there. When
I lived in Washington D.C. friends and visitors always wanted to go there. Never were they
disappointed. In Washington D.C. the Vietnam Memorial is impressive. National Gallery
of Art and the White House You can get tickets from your Congressman's Office.
http://www.mountvernon.org/

Mount Vernon is a winner. You might consider taking a tour boat to Mount Vernon. It is a fantastic way to see Mount Vernon and the Potomac River. Boats are operated out of Alexandria, DC, and the National Harbor. -- Al

 

[Go for Broke]

Mount Vernon sounds like a good idea. I would also love to go to Antietam. Thanks Al & BLReed.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Mount Vernon sounds like a good idea. I would also love to go to Antietam. Thanks Al & BLReed.

Antietam is a well preserved battlefield and worth the trip. They have a nice visitors center. It's not like Gettysburg with all of the restaurants, shops, and bars. I never really explored the town to much. They just finished a major restoration of Burnsides bridge. Harpers Ferry is not to far away either.

 

[Combat]

My family and I are driving from Pittsburgh to Washington DC for summer vacation. Are there any battlefields with lots of artifacts or other interesting sites on the way over or near DC? I've been to Gettysburg, Fort Ligionier and Brandywine. When I went to Brandywine 30-years ago, there wasn't much there. Is it worth going again? Is Philadelphia closeby?

Harper's Ferry is very nice and scenic on the river. A lot of shops and places to eat. It's also fairly close to Antietam.

 

[PreservationNation]

If battlefields are your thing, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Courthouse and the Wilderness are all about 50 miles south of DC- 100,000 combined casualties during the War of the Rebellion/Northern Aggression. 2 lovely visitor centers with driving audio tours that you can rent. It would probably be a bit much to try go get all in one day though.

 

[WBritain]

If you have not been to Fort Ligonier for some time you really need to stop to see the collection there. It is probably one of the best ones for the French & Indian War/Seven years War in the US. I also recommend visiting Harper's Ferry, Antietam and Fort Frederick.
Don Troiani was just at the new Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia and told me it is very well done. He just loaned one of his original coats for display there.
I was just in Washington with my daughter two weeks ago and we visited the DAR Museum to see a new exhibit on fashion of the young Republic. I would highly recommend it if you want to see rare original clothing in period room environments.
There is so much to see in the area I would be hard pressed to choose one over the other.
Have fun,
Ken

 

[Go for Broke]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have not been to Fort Ligonier in about 5-years, but it is excellent. The fort, wagons, cannons and museum is wonderful. They even had a wigwam for Larry Allen to look at. Its amazing how soldiers had to walk great distances to do battle. In this case, from Fort Ligonier to Fort Pitt in Pittsburgh.

 

[Combat]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have not been to Fort Ligonier in about 5-years, but it is excellent. The fort, wagons, cannons and museum is wonderful. They even had a wigwam for Larry Allen to look at. Its amazing how soldiers had to walk great distances to do battle. In this case, from Fort Ligonier to Fort Pitt in Pittsburgh.

Bushy Run and Ft. Necessity are not too far from Pittsburgh. Not a great deal to see there but a must for any French-Indian War fan. Braddock is buried near Ft. Necessity. A nice resort nearby: http://www.nemacolin.com/