Washington DC to Boston road trip? Any suggestions?

Hi, we are thinking of flying into Washington DC in early Apr 09 for a few days then hiring a car and driving to Boston. We would like to stop along the way - any suggestions?? We plan on 4/5 days for the trip from DC to Boston. We have 3 kids - 11, 8 %26amp; 4 so we would like some suggestions for their age group also. Would anyone have recommendations on

1) where to stay in Washington with kids

2) places to visit/stay along to route to Boston

Thanks

Washington DC to Boston road trip? Any suggestions?

There are dozens of possible places to stay in DC that are kid-friendly. The Embassy Suites seems to get the most positive reports. The one on 22nd Street or the one downtown on 10th Street are the best locations for getting to the sights.

The shortest route to Boston from DC can be the trip from Hell. Too much traffic and very little scenery. You need to plan to go up a route that skips Philadelphia and NYC if you want a nice drive. And it can still be pretty cold up in New England in early April.

(I was in Cork just a couple of weeks ago taking the QE2 on her final visit to Cobh. Lovely area you live in.)

Washington DC to Boston road trip? Any suggestions?

If you%26#39;re interested, I can give you a route that will keep you off I-95 as much as possible. This route will also have some possibilities for places to visit along the way. Let me know.

SIGHTS OF INTEREST TO CHILDREN:

1. Sesame Place theme park, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania (due north of Philadelphia) - modeled after the ';Sesame Street'; television show (read more about the park on this website)

2, The Crayola Crayon factory tour, in the town of Easton, in northeastern Pennsylvania (read more about the factory on this website)

3. The Hershey Chocolate museum tour, in the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg (read more about it on this website). (the actual factory itself has been closed to tours)

3. The very large Aquarium, and the Maryland Science Center adjacent to it, both in Baltimore Maryland, on the harbour downtown.

4. The Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. - it claims to be the World%26#39;s most popular museum, is free of charge, but there is no queue to enter. Exhibits on astronauts, space flight, astronomy, warplanes, etc.

5. The Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian - was recently renovated, and is more colourful and attractive than before - dinosaur bones, zoology exhibits, stuffed animals, thousands of colourful gemstones and minerals - free of charge.

6. Sturbridge Village, in central Massachusetts, west of Worcester - a reconstructed 19th century American pioneer village with craftsmen re-enactors, primitive houses, etc. Read more about it on this website.

7. Plimouth Plantation, in Plymouth, Massachusetts -again, a reconstructed 17th century pioneer (Pilgrim) settlement with re-enactors in authentic costumes. Read more about it on this website.

8. New England Aquarium in downtown Boston.

9. Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut.

The Franklin Institute science museum in central Philadelphia

Any ';Toys R Us'; department store -- they are in many places all over America

some major Amusement Parks:

1. Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania

2. Six Flags (I think that%26#39;s its name?), in central New Jersey

3. Six Flags, in Mitchellville, Maryland (just east of Washington D.C.)

Maryland has covered almost all of the kids%26#39; interests, but why by-pass NYC? It is an amazing city (ok alittle expensive for hotels) but just a trip to Chinatown for dim sum or a boat ride around Manhattan Island would be very interesting for a day. Go outlet shopping at the Woodbury Commons-an hr from NYC. In Philly, they can see the Liberty Bell and there is a Please Touch Museum (for the youngest)and the Franklin Science Museum is very nice. Enjoy.

Wondering how your plans are coming along?

I would be interested in your info for a Boston to Washington and back road trip. Thanks