where to go when you have 7 US-days?

p.s.: OP, the Peabody-Essex Museum in Salem, Mass. is a great place. I am constantly recommending it to people who are visiting Boston. But it is not</i> something to base a trip on. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington operates a couple of dozen museums covering every conceivable endeavor. If there's one place for a history teacher to go in the United States, it is to to Smithsonian museums (note the plural) in Washington, D.C., which when you consider the totality stand head, shoulders, kneecaps and toenails above anything elsewhere. You have to see it to believe it.

The entire northeast corridor would suit you fine. Look first at the FAQ Willy posted about public transit for the DC to Boston ocrridor. Let that be your guide to what you want to see. BUT I strongly advise not trying to see ALL of it. Impossible in 3 months, let alone a week. Remember that DC to Chicago is almost as far as Paris to Moscow (IIRC its only around 70km less), plan accordingly.

Either do mostly DC or mostly NY with a day in Philly would be my advice.

Ed

To #1-

Your trip is not only rip roaring- it's exhausting! (whew)

As noted in #9, Colonial Williamsburg is indeed something of a theme park, but in part that's because it's fallen victim to the public's loss of interest in house museums, short attention spans, and expectations of spectacular entertainment. So it's no wonder that there's a real theme park nearby. Colonial Williamsburg has done a lot of work in recent years to bring institutions like slavery into focus, and yes, they aim a lot of their activities at kids.

The Smithsonian's history museum is indeed closed for renovations until 2008. Of course there's plenty of history in the Air and Space Museum (which is more popular anyway). http://www.si.edu/museums/</a>

The history museum is one of many Smithsonians. Small example: The Smithsonian "castle," which I believe is their original building, holds the contents of the 1876 Centennial exhibition. All of the states of the time sent exhibits. I spent half a day there when I visited for the first time. Another one: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, located in the Renwick Gallery across from the White House, has an incredible collection of American craft. A friend of mine has something in their permanent collection. It's the best of the best at the Renwick. And on and on.

New York is fine, too. I love the place. Can't get enough of it. But I do think that a history teacher's first destination really ought to be Washington. Oh, and did I tell you that my undergraduate college major was in history? Washington, D.C. is a history major's wet dream.

Willy gives some good advice, I think. DC is beautiful in spring and would be a nice place to spend a week. NYC is the other place I would think of dropping in on if you wanted to hit another city, but a week in DC would be good. Maybe more fun to relax in DC than to travel too much.

Maybe I'm biased, because I live in DC, but I agree if you've got an interest in history, it's a great place to be! And early May is a gorgeous time to be here, the weather is perfect and the azaleas are in full bloom - I think it's actually prettier than cherry blossom season!

My insider tips, which maybe already in those links above, are: don't waste any time on the American Indian museum, but do eat lunch there, the cafeteria is fantastic; visit the Building Museum, often overlooked, but worth it for the gift shop and building alone; the National Arboretum is off the beaten track, but worth exploring, and accessible via bus from Union Station; and visit some of the memorials at night, I think they're far more lovely (and less crowded!) than during the day.

In addition to the sites mentioned in the posts above, you might consider a day trip to Gettysburg, for the Civil War battlefied, or Charlottesville to see Monticello, Jefferson's home. Here's one example of an organized tour to go there, but there are probably many others:

Gray Line tours

I also love Harper's Ferry, it's one of my favorite escapes from the city, and steeped in history - especially if you have a John Brown fixation - but not sure how easy it is to get to by public transport...

And if you do get sick of DC (although it would be very easy to fill 7 days) - it is very easy to spontaneously decide to take an overnight or 2-3 day trip to New York City or Philadelphia via train or bus. The trains leave from Union Station, which is accessible via the subway system as is the main bus station, or there's a cheap bus from Chinatown (also accessible by subway) that will get you to NYC.

Wherever you decide to go, enjoy your visit!! cheers, Carrie

If you want American history you HAVE to visit Philadelphia. The downtown is absolutely full of history and it is located within a several-block radius. It is pretty inspiring, and I am not much for American history! I can give you a lot more suggestions for Philly as well if yu want them. Also, one of the cheapest ways to travel between the cities in the American Northeast is by the Chinatown bus. Some trips between major cities can be as low as $10.00. Check it out http://www.apexbus.com/. If you don't like this company there are many others. The buses will drop you off in the respective Chinatowns of each city, which is a good thing in it's own right, as there is some great Chinese food to be had there - if you do go to Philly check out Sang Kee at 9th and Vine and have their roasted duck wonton noodle soup!

I'm not generally much of a fan of Philadelphia, but I agree with #17 about a history buff going there. The place to go is called Independence Square, and it's magnificent. I disagree with #17 about Chinatown buses. You might save money (I say "might" because Greyhound has been matching their fares lately -- see FAQ post 200 for more about that), but the well-known safety problems with the Chinatown lines would make me advise using other means of transport even if they were more expensive.

p.s.: Chinese food in Philly? Maybe, but it would be a shame to go there and not have one of these exuberantly disgusting things.