The Washington D.C. "Castle"

You see it all the time on I-495 and hear it referenced on traffic reports, take a couple hours and get a close up view of the "Mormon Temple" (11 miles, 28 minutes).

Washington, D.C. to Washington D.C. Temple (Point B)

Washington D.C. Temple

• Walk around the temple grounds
• Stop in the visitors' center and see a reproduction of the Christus statue
• In the spring and summer, go during the day and enjoy the flower beds
• During Christmas season, go in the evening and enjoy the Festival of Lights

Washington D.C. Temple at Christmas Time

THINGS TO KNOW:

The Temple Visitor Center (the picture above is the temple; as your looking at the temple from this view, the visitor center is located on your left up a small set of stairs) is open to everyone, regardless of your religion.  There is usually plenty of parking, but it is more crowded in December during the Festival of Lights.   There are permanent exhibits and there are frequently musical concerts, movies, and art exhibits - all free of charge.  Many of the performers and artists featured are local.   Check the website for a schedule of events.  There are restrooms and drinking fountains located inside the visitor center.  

Just Across the Potomac

Spend a peaceful morning on the VA side of the Potomac River.

THINGS TO DO:

1.  United States Marine Corps War Memorial

• Take a picnic breakfast and watch the sunrise over Washington, D.C. from the Iwo Jima Memorial

Sunrise at Iwo Jima

2.  Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial

• Walk the nature trails on Theodore Roosevelt Island
• Photograph the wildlife

Fort McHenry National Monument

Spend a morning at Fort McHenry National Monument, home of our National Anthem.  Fort McHenry is located just outside of Baltimore, MD and about one hour away from Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. to Fort McHenry, MD (Point B)

THINGS TO DO:

Fort McHenry National Monument

• Plan to arrive around 8:30 a.m.
• Begin your exploration at the visitors center
• If you have children, ask a Park Ranger for a Junior Ranger packet (they will earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate by completing the packet)
• Watch the short 10-minute orientation film at 9:00 a.m.  (be sure to stand at the end!)
• Make your way to the fort, arriving in the center of the fort in time to participate in the daily flag change at 9:30 a.m.
• Wander through the fort and the rest of the park

View of Fort McHenry from Outside the Visitors Center

• When you are finished with your visit, drive 15 minutes into Baltimore and eat lunch at Sip & Bite Restaurant (the restaurant was highlighted on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives"and has EXCELLENT crab cakes) 
• If you have time, explore the Inner Harbor

THINGS TO KNOW:

Fort McHenry is owned and operated by the National Park Service.  Consider purchasing an Annual Parks Pass as many of the activities suggested on our blog will take you to a National Park.  Those without the pass will pay an admission fee of $7/person for age 16 and up (15 and under are free).  While you’re at the visitor center, make sure to take note of the scheduled events for the day as there may be a ranger talk you’d like to listen to.  If you’re interested in taking part in the flag ceremony, make sure you find out where to meet the rangers to participate.  If you plan on completing the Junior Ranger Program with your kids, make sure to get your packet from the desk in the Visitor Center before you head out to the fort, as the answers to the packet’s questions can be found in the fort’s exhibits.  The packet can be a little challenging, but it makes your self-guided tour very interesting.  The visitor center has restrooms, drinking fountains, and a gift shop. 

Sip and Bite is clearly a local favorite and for good reason: the food is amazing.  The diner was highlighted on the Food Network’s “Diners Drive-Ins and Dives.”  Its always fun to eat at a place that’s been on TV, but when you begin eating your meal you’ll forget that the place was highlighted by Guy Fieri and all you’ll be able to think about is how much you’re enjoying your lunch.  The crab cakes live up to the hype they receive.  It’s a fun and casual atmosphere where the owners and employees treated us like we could be their personal friends.  The wonderful thing about this place is that they draw you in with both their food and their personalities.  

Independence National Historic Park

Explore Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, PA, birthplace of our nation.  Philadelphia is only 3 hours away from Washington, D.C. and worth the drive!

Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, PA (Point B)

THINGS TO DO:

1.  Independence Visitor Center

• Park in the underground parking by the visitor center (all "things to do" are within walking distance)
• Pick-up your reserved tickets for the Independence Hall tour (reservations are recommended - see Independence Hall website linked below)
• Watch the 28 minute film Independence
• Eat a picnic on the lawn outside of the visitor center (or buy lunch at the visitor center cafe)

2.  Independence Hall

• Take the guided tour (reserve tickets for after lunch)
• Go in and see Congress Hall afterwards

The Plaque that Proves Philadelphia
IS the Birthplace of America!

Statue of George Washington in
Front of Independence Hall

3.  Liberty Bell Center

• Go see the Liberty Bell
• Take a moment to read the history of the bell





Liberty Bell

4.  Franklin Court

• See the site of Benjamin Franklin's home
• Visit the Printing Office
• Stop in to see the Postal Museum

5.  Sonny's Famous Steaks

• Go to Sonny's Famous Steaks for dinner (order their cheesesteak with cheese whiz - it was awesome!)

Virginia Safari Park

Leave early in the morning and drive to Virginia Safari Park for the day.  The park is located in Natural Bridge, VA, 3 hours and 25 minutes away from Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. to Virginia Safari Park (Point B)

THINGS TO DO:

1.  Enjoy a Picnic Lunch

2.  Explore the Safari Drive-Thru Zoo

Feeding the Camels

• Buy one bucket of feed for each person in your car
• Drive the 3 mile loop to familiarize yourself with feeding animals from your car window
• Drive the loop at least one more time (you can drive it as many times as you like) and be more daring, feed the most exciting animals, take great pictures, and laugh

Befriending the Camels

3.  Spend Some Time in the Village Walk-Thru Zoo

• Take any left-over feed to hand-feed the animals
• Walk around the zoo

4.  Visit the Gift Shop

Visiting the Giraffes at the Village Walk-Thru Zoo

THINGS TO KNOW:

This place is a blast.  The animals are very tame and comfortable around humans.  Be prepared to hold on tight to the buckets--these animals have figured out a variety of ways to knock, push, and pull buckets out of timid hands.  Many of the animals are not afraid to make themselves at home in your car, so don't be surprised when a camel pokes his head in the car window and then reaches clear across the car to get to the bucket of food.  The road through the park is not paved, but it's fairly smooth. Driving the park loop will leave your car filthy, both inside and out.  When we went, we were surprised how much of the feed ended up inside the car: startled children spilled buckets; deer and elk shoved their noses into the buckets and pushed half the food into our car in their eagerness; camels slobbered on our upholstery while sniffing for their meals; ostriches and emus pecked on our windows expecting an offering.  However, the experience is worth the effort to clean the car afterwards.  Just be sure to leave things that can’t get dirty in your trunk or at home.

Most of the animals in the petting zoo can be fed with the same buckets of feed that you use for the park.  However, the giraffes and birds have different feed for an additional cost.  It's fun to take a treat into the Lorikeet Landing and coax the birds to land on your hand or shoulder.  Make sure that the giraffes are willing to come close to the feeding platform before you pay for a handful of food.  They’re less apt to come running from across the field just because they see a few people and you don’t want to be left standing there with a handful of food without anything to feed.