We just came back from a 2500 mile camping trip where we took the fiver and we have 3 kids. One of the legs was DC. I discovered a very well kept secret. Washington DC is a excellent camping trip for both entertainment and economy. I was amazed how little we spent. Everything there is free and if you eat out of the camper and use the Metro, youll be astounded how much fun you can have and how cheep. It has to rank at the top of the list for the most "Bang for your buck" with kids.. period!
Where did you stay while in the DC area. The DW and I are going to DC in October. She in running in a 10 mile race. We decided to stay in a motel and scout the area so we can bring the kids over on a school break.
I have a trip to D.C. planned for October of this year and we are staying at Cherry Hill Park located in College Park Maryland. Have heard only good reports about this campground and looking forward to trip.
Not everything is Free, but all the Smithsonian Museums and monuments are free to enter. We enjoyed our trip there a few years ago. We didn't mind taking the Trolleys or DC Duck for some extra entertainment and transportation. And staying at Cherry Hill Park enabled us to leave the F450 at home by the 5er for Free!
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I go to DC almost every year now, for a couple of weeks. The 'secret' is to purchase 7-day, unlimited ride, passes on the metro and same type of thing for parking. Then, as others have stated, the Smithsonians are all free and a great number of other attractions are yours for the walk or metro ride. I enjoy walking through Woodley Park (and Zoo), and the Rock Creek trails in that area when not going to museums. National Cathedral is very impressive (you don't have to be religious to enjoy the architecture) and just walking down Embassy Row is phenomenal. Plus, there are free concerts, 5 nights a week, in Kennedy Center. So, you got days and evenings covered, all free.
I camp out in Fairfax County Park --- a whole lot less in cost than Cherry and you actually get a 'camping experience'.
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25 years tent camping, 4000+ miles of hiking, lots of biking
We are lucky to live near DC and enjoy all the free stuff year round! It really is a gret place! And things are always changing so there is always something new to see!
We stayed at a KOA in fredricksburg. EXCELLENT! Scale from 1-5 give them a solid 4, probably $35 a night. What you do is drive your tow vehicle into an area you can pick up the metro. My advice... drive as far in as you can before you catch the metro, its slower than moses, but still not as bad as DC traffic.
Also, if your into civil war, theres more sights in fredricksburg as anywhere, most of the war happened right there.
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