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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> Trip to the US
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09/06/2006 07:55:05 AM · #1
Hi all,

We're travelling over in the US for two weeks, just arrived yesterday. The main purpose of the trip is a wedding at Hillsborough Vineyard, VA, but we thought we'd make a real trip of it and our itinerary is:

4 nights in NYC
???
Cape May?
Rehobeth Beach 3 nights
Crystal City, Washington DC 7 nights.

I'm either adventurous or mad depending on your point of view, but we've come over with our kids aged 8 months and 3 (birthday on Thursday), so we won't be hitting many of the nightspots, but it should be a blast. Ethan has become slightly obsessed by dinosaurs, so taking him to the MONH on Thursday so he can see the dinosaur bones, as he has been constantly referring to the fossils!

What I'm after from your collected wisdom is twofold:

Where would somewhere nice or vaguely interesting be to to break up the journey from NYC to Cape May? 160 miles in a day is feasible, but since we've got time it would be nice to break it up a little bit more, and then it also gives us a bit longer in NYC.

Secondly, in the few nights I've got in NYC, I would love to get some pictures of the skyline and brooklyn bridge like I have seen so many times in this site. Can anyone provide any tips as to when and where ar e the best times to get such pictures, and also the safest way of getting there from Manhatten?

Many thanks to all,

Jamie

PS Also have a shiny new Nikon 18-200 VR to play with so *very* excited.
09/06/2006 08:08:55 AM · #2
drop pawdrix a pm .. he lives in NYC and maybe able to tell you all you need to know about NYC and the Brooklyn Bridge... (check out his portfolio)

Between Cape May and NYC is Atlantic City with it s boardwalk. I'm not sure how exciting that would be, but its on the ocean and would give the 3yr old a place to run. Philadelphia is between too, with historial buildings etc in the city.

I'm sure others will have better ideas...

But have a great time on your holidays!

09/06/2006 08:17:57 AM · #3
NJ Coastal Heritage Trail website will give you some ideas.

Following are a Island Beach State Park website and a Barnegat Lighthouse website.

Long Beach Island is where we go to escape the city heat.

Families that I know enjoy Ocean City.

The places above are along the direct path between New York and Cape May. Definitely go to Cape May and take the ferry to Delaware.

Philadelphia is off the direct path between New York and Cape May but if you decide to visit several of us from here can give you advice.

Message edited by author 2006-09-06 09:43:21.
09/06/2006 10:07:38 AM · #4
If you're in that area, the Smithsonian is a "something for everyone" must see.
09/06/2006 10:11:58 AM · #5
A stop off in Philadelphia's Please touch museum would be just the ticket to burn off some energy for the young ones.
09/06/2006 10:21:44 AM · #6
The next time I go to Philly, I can't wait to visit The Mütter Museum.

Not for the faint of heart, though.
09/06/2006 10:34:14 AM · #7
When you are in DC, I highly recommend the National Portrait Gallery, it just opened this year and it is fantastic. Mostly paintings and scupture, some photography. The setup on the 4 floors is phenominal, its very intimate and almost feels like you are walking thru someones home. The architecture in the building is ripe with some interesting picture opportunities and while no flash photography is allowed, the place is pretty well lit and I was able to capture several sharp photo's without worrying about blur.

Having little children might not make it feasible, but shooting the monuments at night is another great experience. Good luck and enjoy your travels!
09/15/2006 10:57:29 PM · #8
Many thanks to all for the advice - we had a wonderful few days in New York. I was really surprised just how child friendly, and friendly people generally were.

We managed to get to the zoo, AMNH (which Ethan LOVED) as well as taking a walk all the way down from Times Square to Battery Park. Didn't get as many great photos as I would have liked, but kind of restricted when you're carrying or pushing the kids around with you.

Travelled down the NJ coast to Rohobeth Beach, where we had a nice stay, and we're now in Washington DC for the wedding we're going to tomorrow. Smithsonian is on the schedule for Sunday most likely. Will try to sneak out on Sunday night possibly to shoot the monuments once the kids have gone to bed.

Looking forward to sorting and uploading 5 GBs of photos when I get back!

Jamie

Message edited by author 2006-09-15 22:57:48.
09/15/2006 11:03:35 PM · #9
Originally posted by Jamester:

Smithsonian is on the schedule for Sunday most likely. Will try to sneak out on Sunday night possibly to shoot the monuments once the kids have gone to bed.

Good luck with the Smithsonian... you can barely scratch the surface of the place in only one day... For a foreign visitor the Air and Space Museum is a highly recommended place to go.
09/15/2006 11:04:11 PM · #10
wish I had seen this last week. I would have told you to go here:
Dinosaurland

My son (5 at the time) loved it and it was pure camp for me. Hope you enjoy DC. The kids may enjoy the Air and Space Museum. You also might hit the National Zoo - Pandas and the tiger cubs...
09/15/2006 11:10:17 PM · #11
Courtenay,

You may have just persauded us to keep the rental car an extra day. That would be an awesome place to go on Monday or Tuesday....

Have heard lots of great things about the air and space, but Ethan has only just turned 3 and while the planetarium in NYC held his attention he is more of an animal/sealife/dinosaur fan at the moment. The zoo looks pretty cool as well, be nice to see the pandas.

Jamie

PS I know Washington can have a pretty dodgy reputation, but is it generally safe to shoot the monuments after dark on your own? Guess they are still fairly busy in the evening?
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