Planning Spring BReak - MT. Vernon worth it? For Teen?

[scottmel]

I am having trouble with our DC trip this year. Can't seem to make it all fit!!!
A DIS'er suggested Georgetown, which we loved last year, but then boating over to VA for shopping in Old Town. Trouble is the only way I can make this work is if I gave up Mt. Vernon...

DD15 - would she be interested in Mt. Vernon? I don't know..anyone take a teen there?

Here is what I DO have for sure on the trip:

1. Arlington Cemetary
2. Newseum (again if you took a 15 year old and they thought it was boring please let me know)
3. American History Museum
4. Georgetown
5. DC Ghost Tour
6. Looking at monuments at night
7. Mt. Vernon????

We are staying right near the Verizon Center....

 

[auralia]

DH and I went to Mt.Vernon a few years ago (I was 25 i think). We really enjoyed it. That said I LOVE old things, antiques, and old houses and History. I prefer british history, but you work with what you have right?

We have been to all the smithsonian museums and the spy museum. I didn't like the spy one at all (I was probably 19 or 20 when we went there). I always prefered the natural history museum and the air and space to the others. DH loved the big airplane hanger museum they have there (we were in our early 20's then) but I was very board.

Mt. Vernon was very pretty. I would take the history over shopping any day, even as a teenager, but I almost never buy anything anyway!

 

[auralia]

We also really enjoy Arlington (DH is military) and Robert E. Lee's house (it is in Arlington).

 

[bookluvingbabe]

Mount Vernon is a lot of fun but it does take up most of the day.

What does your DD want to do?

Is she into any of the tv reality shows? Will she want to see Georgetown Cupcake? Does she like Spike Mendelsohn from Top Chef? Will she want to eat at his Good Stuff Eatery? (Both you can do in Georgetown...)

 

[scottmel]

Mount Vernon is a lot of fun but it does take up most of the day.

What does your DD want to do?

Is she into any of the tv reality shows? Will she want to see Georgetown Cupcake? Does she like Spike Mendelsohn from Top Chef? Will she want to eat at his Good Stuff Eatery? (Both you can do in Georgetown...)

Thanks. We loved Georgeown Cupcakes last year - will repeat for sure! We don't know Spike so guessing not a must do for her! Her FAVORITE highlight of the last trip was Crime and Punishment Museum.....and the cupcake stores. So we aren't exactly history people per say...I think she will enjoy the Arlington Cemetary and Mt. Vernon looks of interest. She is VERY easy going but I like to make sure things will interest her....KWIM?

 

[buckirj1]

I loved Mt. Vernon, but the hill from the river up to the house was KILLER! Mt. Vernon has a surprisingly good restaurant. Personally, I'd ditch Georgetown, and maybe do Adams Morgan instead. More diverse area with better restaurants, and much less expensive. Depending on your interests, I'd consider the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian (again, making sure you visit the restaurant) and the Holocaust Museum.
I've never been, but I hear the Marine Corps. Museum is great, but pretty much requires a car.

 

[scottmel]

I loved Mt. Vernon, but the hill from the river up to the house was KILLER! Mt. Vernon has a surprisingly good restaurant. Personally, I'd ditch Georgetown, and maybe do Adams Morgan instead. More diverse area with better restaurants, and much less expensive. Depending on your interests, I'd consider the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian (again, making sure you visit the restaurant) and the Holocaust Museum.
I've never been, but I hear the Marine Corps. Museum is great, but pretty much requires a car.

thanks! We did American Indian and Holocaust last year! I will definitely look into Adams morgan...I have to ask though the hill concerns me at Mt. Vernon! I have a bad knee but can walk far and fine on flat land! Is there a tour or a shuttle that can help on that hill?

 

[Megkel]

Thanks. We loved Georgeown Cupcakes last year - will repeat for sure! We don't know Spike so guessing not a must do for her! Her FAVORITE highlight of the last trip was Crime and Punishment Museum.....and the cupcake stores. So we aren't exactly history people per say...I think she will enjoy the Arlington Cemetary and Mt. Vernon looks of interest. She is VERY easy going but I like to make sure things will interest her....KWIM?

If she really enjoyed the Crime and punishment museum she would probably like the Spy Museum. Not to give you something else to debate about lol Also check Groupon, they have tons of coupons for the spy museum, madame tussauds, ect....

 

[dougsmom98]

We did Mount Vernon a few years ago and did the National Treasure tour. I am not sure if it is still available, but they took us through the areas of the property that were part of the movie National Treasure 2 with Nicholas Cage. The tour was fairly inexpensive. We had a 12 year old, two 10 year olds, and a 6 year old. The movie with the falling "snow" in the theater was also cool. We enjoyed Mount Vernon a lot and we would definitely recommend.

 

[bookluvingbabe]

I've been here 26 years and I think I've gotten too old for Adams Morgan. Used to get my drink on their all the time. Ate at lots of dive places and tons of obscure cuisines. And now it just feels dirty to me. Georgetown is crowded and expensive but there is always something to see or do there. And I love to walk down by the river.

Right by the Key Bridge in Georgetown is a little park commemorating Francis Scott Key that is cool.

(Not trying to be contrary. Just adding my perspective...)

 

[wishesuponastar]

OP we are going to Virginia this year too so I am following the replies you get. Also can you tell me if there is parking at the cupcake store and do you have to order your cupcakes ahead of time?

 

[danygirl]

Marine Corps museum is pretty far down 95, would probably take all day

Try gold star.com and travelzoo for tour bus discounts.

Mt Vernon is interesting if you are a history buff.

You could catch a Nats game in the evening.

National harbor has fun restaurants and shops - they have a Peeps store! You can get there by water taxi. My teenagers love it

Instead of the Newseum I would suggest touring the capital

 

[scottmel]

OP we are going to Virginia this year too so I am following the replies you get. Also can you tell me if there is parking at the cupcake store and do you have to order your cupcakes ahead of time?

you CAN order the cupcakes ahead of time, we did not...We waited in line at night about 45 minutes but didn't mind it..went almost close to close...We parked in a lot for 20 bucks (I know ripoff!) and walked Georgetown and did spend about 4 hours there...went to SPRINKLES too....and just shopped etc. Definitely going back this year!

 

[scottmel]

OP here!

THanks for the great replies! I have decided to do Mt. Vernon. Why not?? We had done A LOT last April (our favorite was Crime and Punishment Museum!!). Well worth it!

I honestly prefer to pay b/c it really does keep the crowds at bay! I think Newseum for us, Cemetary Tour and Mt. Vernon. And the free one I will endure is the American History. I am rope dropping there! LOL!

Clydes in Georgetown was very good and we will go back there again this year as well. DD put Georgetown on top of her list so wont be able to fit in Alexandria or Adams Morgan....

Am also doing the ghost tour in DC that got very good reviews....We are staying downtown and that helps. Last year we stayed about 30 minute metro ride from city and it was a pain!!I vowed to be on top of the action this trip!

 

[Jridou]

OP here!

THanks for the great replies! I have decided to do Mt. Vernon. Why not?? We had done A LOT last April (our favorite was Crime and Punishment Museum!!). Well worth it!

I honestly prefer to pay b/c it really does keep the crowds at bay! I think Newseum for us, Cemetary Tour and Mt. Vernon. And the free one I will endure is the American History. I am rope dropping there! LOL!

Clydes in Georgetown was very good and we will go back there again this year as well. DD put Georgetown on top of her list so wont be able to fit in Alexandria or Adams Morgan....

Am also doing the ghost tour in DC that got very good reviews....We are staying downtown and that helps. Last year we stayed about 30 minute metro ride from city and it was a pain!!I vowed to be on top of the action this trip!

We're DC natives and the Newseum is my kids (15, 13, 9) favorite museum.

Clydes is a chain and the one by Verizon is, in my opinion, better than the one in Georgetown. That frees you up for something like Luke's lobster or Unum in Georgetown.

I assume you have a car? Mt Vernon is a giant pain without one.

 

[scottmel]

We're DC natives and the Newseum is my kids (15, 13, 9) favorite museum.

Clydes is a chain and the one by Verizon is, in my opinion, better than the one in Georgetown. That frees you up for something like Luke's lobster or Unum in Georgetown.

I assume you have a car? Mt Vernon is a giant pain without one.

Thank you for the great input! So Clydes is near the Verizon center in downtown dc> That is where I am staying near the Verizon Center so if I did Clydes there that would be great. We do have a car but just scratched Mt. Vernon from the list last night. Just not enough time and that really is a long time there etc...

THanks for the tips on Georgetown! so you think Luke Lobster or Unum are the best? THANKS!

 

[scottmel]

We're DC natives and the Newseum is my kids (15, 13, 9) favorite museum.

Clydes is a chain and the one by Verizon is, in my opinion, better than the one in Georgetown. That frees you up for something like Luke's lobster or Unum in Georgetown.

I assume you have a car? Mt Vernon is a giant pain without one.

ANOTHER question....I took a look at Lukes and Unum...Lukes looks great to me but I can't see DD15 there. Do they have fried shrimp etc. or is it all lobster roll type things - we don't eat Mayo...is that involved in all food do you know? Unum looks good! Can I have a backup suggestion in case?

Also have you ever done the DC Ghost Tour if so what do you think? The one I really wanted to do was in Old Town but we aren't there for the weekend and that is the only time Old Towne does them....the DC one is during the week...

 

[Jridou]

ANOTHER question....I took a look at Lukes and Unum...Lukes looks great to me but I can't see DD15 there. Do they have fried shrimp etc. or is it all lobster roll type things - we don't eat Mayo...is that involved in all food do you know? Unum looks good! Can I have a backup suggestion in case?

Also have you ever done the DC Ghost Tour if so what do you think? The one I really wanted to do was in Old Town but we aren't there for the weekend and that is the only time Old Towne does them....the DC one is during the week...

Another fun place in Georgetown if you like Italian is Il Canale

We've never done any ghost tours ~ I didn't even know DC HAD Ghosts!

 

[scottmel]

Another fun place in Georgetown if you like Italian is Il Canale

We've never done any ghost tours ~ I didn't even know DC HAD Ghosts!

thanks the Italian place looks PERFECT!!!

 

[mrsp1030]

Another great Italian place is near verizon center also, Carmine's.