DC Advice, our white house tour was just canceled

[Architectlink]

We will be taking 75 kids from our homeschool to DC next week and just found out that our White House tour was canceled.

Does anyone have any experience with tours or this administration on what to do instead?

Your prayers are appreciated. We have been working on this tour for over a year, and so last minute changes are frustrating, but I am sure there will be plenty to do anyway.

All advice is welcome on touring DC with 8th grade homeschoolers.

[happymommy728]

I love going to DC....there's sooo much to do and so much to learn. Don't know if you're planning on doing this or not but utilize the metro system...it cuts down on time sooo much and they'll be able to see a lot more in the time you have.
When I started taking trips to DC as an adult I went to Barnes N Noble and found a travel guide with the metro map in it. BIG help on what to do and when.
I would check out the different smithsonian websites and see if they have any special exhibits, tours, etc. goign on the week you are there. Also I've been a few times when they've had festivals, etc. going on...just get online and start searching.
One place that I believe everyone needs to visit is Arlington National Cemetery...my suggestion...don't walk around on your own. You can take a tour bus around the cemetery for 5 or 6 bucks. It will highlight different parts of the cemetery, the history as well, take you to the Lee house (great view of DC.) and the changing of the guard as well. Once you've finished the tour you can always walk around and view things afterward.
A lot of memorials you can view at night...they're gorgeous at dusk! If you plan to view some in the evening that will free up a lot of time for smithsonians, etc. during the day.
Hope this helps!

[TakeMeHome]

I do not homeschool but their are several museums. Arlington National Cemetary is a good place to go. They have lots to see there including John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onasis' graves, Military graves, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, monuments, etc. I went to D.C. summer of eighth grade and the museums took a lot of time. There are other tours that are wonderful. We also went to Mt. Vernon.

I'm sorry to hear your tour was cancelled but their is a lot more to D.C. than just the White House.

[Rebekah]

The others have given a lot of great suggestions. The Streetwise (that's a brand of map) DC map is one of the best--it's laminated and is easy to read. You can still visit the Capitol. The Smithsonian Museums alone would fill up a trip to DC. The new 911 memorial is open at the Pentagon, and it's worth the visit. Someone already mentioned Arlington. The Korean War Memorial is one of the most touching in my opinion--all those soldiers, so realistic.

I don't know where you are coming from or what kind of timeline you are working with, but do you have time for anything outside of DC? (There's more than enough to do in DC, but I'm just trying to offer additional suggestions). If you have time for a day trip outside of DC, I'd suggest going to the Smithsonian Air and Space location in Chantilly, Virginia. (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport). It would probably be less crowded than the location in DC proper. Not very far, either.

[Architectlink]

thanks! We will be there 5 days and we just finished our report on the Arlington Cemetary, so that will be on the target.

Praying for rain...it seems odd to be going to DC at a turbulent time like this, but we have to go sometime! Blessings