By Isabella Brady
As COVID-19 restrictions lighten, an increasing number of travel opportunities are materializing–just in time for summer! Unfortunately, the pandemic indefinitely canceled many vacations, one being the renowned 8th grade East Coast trip. However, the opportunity is not lost! This summer might be the perfect opportunity to travel with classmates or family and invent a personalized East Coast trip. Pre-quarantine, my parents gave us an East Coast trip for Christmas; they bought the plane tickets and my brother and I planned it–now it is one of my favorite trips of all time. Here are some awesome destinations and travel tips (from a real itinerary!) for anyone planning on visiting New York City and/or Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Monuments and Memorials:
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Vietnam War memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
Jefferson Memorial
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial–my personal favorite, especially well lit and beautiful to see at night
World War II Memorial
U.S. Air Force Memorial
Some of the best things in life are free, Smithsonian museums are both! Whether you want to spend a few hours or the whole day, these museums hold some of the best collections in the world and are all within walking distance of each other.
Smithsonian Institution Offices
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
National Museum of American History
National Gallery of Art
Arts and Industries Building
Here are some other great attractions my family and I enjoyed visiting:
Ford’s Theater–a bit ominous, however, houses a very detailed museum
Arlington Cemetery
Mount Vernon
The U.S. Capitol
The White House
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives–be prepared to handover your purse, jackets, phones and any loose items before entering either one of these famous spaces
Dining Favorites (great for food allergy options)
Legal Sea Foods $$$
The Old Ebbitt Grill $$
Next time…(Even more ideas!)
Monticello
Gettysburg
The Pentagon
National Museum of African American History and Culture
National Museum of African Art
National Museum of the American Indian
Archives of American Art Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery
National Museum of Asian Art
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
The National Zoo
International Spy Museum
And much, much more!
The ‘Inbetween’:
Many people are tempted to use a rental car to travel between NYC and D.C. …to put it plainly: don’t. Rental cars are a headache in New York City and trying to navigate new highways after a very fun (but admittedly tiring) few days can be a lot of unnecessary stress. I recommend kicking back and enjoying the beautiful scenery and spacious seating of a comfortable train ride. Using Amtrak, this is only $21 per person and about 3.5 hours —ample time to read a book, scroll Tik Tok or take a nap. Another plus, experience some historic train stations and have the option to stop through Philadelphia.
New York City:
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty–take a tour inside the symbol of America and one of the first immigration centers
Wall Street–take a selfie with the Bull!
Trinity Church–See the graves of Alexander Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton and Angelica Schuyler
The Empire State Building–See Manhattan from above
9/11 Museum and Memorial–Heartbreaking, but a very moving destination
The New World Trade Center
Central Park
The Guggenheim–Beautiful, interactive architecture and amazing artwork!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (“The Met”)–See everything from rare Tiffany windows to ancient mummies
Mean Girls–see a show on Broadway!
Times Square
M&M’s New York
Hershey’s Factory New York–touristy, but fun to see if you visit Times Square
The Flatiron Building
Ride in a NY Yellow taxi cab
Ride the subway–one of the most affordable and entertaining ways to experience the city, also subway stations often have some talented street performers and live music
Dining Favorites (great for food allergy options)
Carmine’s Italian Restaurant $$
Tips: Need a reservation, formal and a bit noisy at rush times. In the theatre district–a good option right before an evening show.
Shake Shack $
Tips: Chain restaurants might be the way to go in NYC depending on budget, plus great if you’re on the go.
A La Mode Shoppe $
Tips: If you have allergies (like myself) this is a must see! This single location shop has nut free and gluten free ice cream and other treats at reasonable prices! For once, you can taste and choose anything your heart desires!
Next time… (even more ideas!)
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Greenwich Village
Soho
Coney Island
The Bronx
Harlem
And much, much more!