I recently relocated my parents from RI to KY to be closer to my wife and kids at a time when they will likely need assistance in the future. The first 6 months went great then their health started to fail. While we still have time (and ability) to enjoy with them, I want to take them to DC this fall. My dad was in 2 wars (Airforce) and mom was a state employee for 40 years. Both have never been to DC. It's about a 9 hour drive in the MH from where we live. So I'm looking for suggestions on many fronts and opinions on my initial plans: Thinking of staying at Cherry Hill. More for convenience to DC rather than the amenities. Anything else closer? Mom and Dad can still walk, with limited assistance. So, will taking the metro into the Mall area be wise? I figure we can rent a cab once in DC if we need to go too far. Or, should I just rent a car? Figured I'd pack a lunch (so they have the food they can eat). But what should we see? Thinking about 2 museums at the most, the Wash monument (elevator) and the WWII memorial. Maybe the Vietnam memorial? How about church? We are roman catholic and I'm sure they would like to go to Sunday mass somewhere historic. Thinking about staying in DC for 4 days. What time of year will the leaves be best when traveling through eastern KY, West Virginia, Virginia. Any other suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for your time and thoughts.
Sounds like a great idea, Cherry Hill is great. Takes you to the subway which is very easy to get around. I'd buy the pass for the people mover that takes you all around the mall - Capital to Lincoln. It would be worth the money. We bought ours after 4 pm and it was good for the next day too - this was a few years ago though. Just remember there is a A LOT of walking from place to place. The Smithsonian buildings are blocks long and huge inside. Figure out what they want to do and prioritze and do those. Maybe go in early do some sights and then take them back to rest. Slow and steady may win the race. I applaud your parents for wanting to go. They will love seeing their America!!!
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October would be good for the leaves changing and also it is cooler and more pleasant to walk around in. Cherry Hill CG is a great spot to stay in for the convenience to the Metro and DC.
Grayline tours would be an easy way to seem more of DC without walking all around. You can see more with them in a day than on your own in 3 days. I always avoided them since I lived there, but many visitors feel they are a great way to see DC.
I used to live & work in DC and found that my many, many visitors always enjoyed seeing DC at night and I drove them around in my car. I drove them around the White House, Capital Bldgs, Supreme Court, Union Station, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Kennedy Center, Mall, PA Avenue to mention a few sights. They are lit up at night and are beautiful. Much cheaper and easier than catching a taxi and you have more freedom.
The FDR Monument would be nice for them to see and it is an easy walk. Many of their generation were fans of FDR and they might enjoy seeing his monument.
Your father may enjoy the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier, JFKennedy Eternal Flame and Arlington Cemetery on the Virginia side. Easy to get to each of them. See if they have an handicap plate/card and take advantage of closer parking.
Contact your Senator/Rep early and see if you can get tickets to the White House tour.
Smithsonian Museums are great but spread out over the Mall and there would be a lot of walking to see all of them. Most of my visitors enjoyed the Museum of History & Technology the most. You could spend a whole afternoon there easily and not see it all.
Make sure you get a good map of DC if you intend to drive there. The city is well laid out and easy to get around in IF you understand it's layout.
Lots to see and do in DC and I still enjoy going downtown sightseeing.
You need to get a map of DC. They have great ones online or at Cherry Hill Park.
We enjoyed taking the Trolley tours just to get orientated. With DS/DIL, we took one where we could get on and off depending on how far we wanted to walk. We started at Union Station. Got off at the Lincoln Memorial and climbed up all the steps, but it also has an elevator. It's across from the reflecting pool. Quite a view.
From there, it's a short walk to the Korean Mem on the right, Viet Nam Mem on the left. It's a little further to the WWII Mem, but from there it wasn't far to the Wash monument.
Museums are grouped fairly well together, but we only made it to a couple of those. For us being outdoors at the Memorials was the most interesting part of the trip.
We have taken my wife's folks (95 & 93 years old) camping in our motor-home five times since fall 2006. Last trip was three nights on July 4th weekend. They are slowing down for walking but do fine in the motor-home. They might rather stay in the motor-home, and not go with your for all the walking trips. You might play it by ear for how often they wish to walk.
Mark
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
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Waiting around/walking to the Metro might be a pain for elderly folks. Cramming onto a jammed Metro car during rush hour might not be too much fun, either. Drive a rental car and park at a garage 15 blocks from your destination? No.
If it was me, I'd hire a town car or limo to take me everyplace I wanted to go. Not cheap, but easy and convenient. Let someone else do the driving and drop you off at the front door.
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Does she have a wheelchair? Or maybe you can rent one? I have not pushed a wheelchair around DC, but we did use a stroller 10 years ago when were last there. My mother also has trouble getting around and we used a wheelchair at Yellowstone and on a family cruise for her. Since we had several adults on these trips it wasn't too tiring on us to push her around. I think it helped her to last longer on outings than trying to walk everywhere. Taking bus/limo tours would ease the walking, but the museums are just too big without a wheelchair.
Gin & Mike
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