• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
July 6, 2010

Celebrating Fourth of July in Washington, DC

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

Our 2010 Road Trip Adventure has begun!

It was a bit tricky at first. The day before we headed out our car failed us. So we ran to the nearest Hertz and rented what we could afford: a sedan. No DVD, no GPS system, no technology to entertain the kids! But we’ve been there before. 

We left this past Saturday and headed over to Alexandria, VA, where we stayed at the lovely Residence Inn by Marriott Alexandria at Carlyle for two nights, and from where we had planned to head out early on to celebrate fourth of July in Washington, DC.

I haven’t been to Washington, DC in over 13 years and honestly, I don’t remember having that much fun the last time I went. But this time, I went with my kids. And if I have learned anything, it is that my life as an uneven five is nothing like my life before them, and thus traveling with them, even to places I have already seen is like a new experience.

What I discovered, and I suppose many families knew this already, is how incredibly great it is to visit DC with kids as all the museums are free!! I know. I am acting as if I discovered gold.

I’ll write up my review of the places I visited in a few, but for now, I just wanted to mention that even after being there an entire day there is still so much we need to go back to see. We started our day watching the parade, however couldn’t watch it in its entirety as the little ones were getting hot and restless.

We visited a lot of the memorials, but not the Lincoln Memorial as this was closed off for the holiday (fireworks were going to be shot from the area). I also couldn’t get close access to the White House, as this was also closed off for a private event.

The day was hot beyond belief, and the museums really saved us. We especially enjoyed the National Museum of Natural History and found refuge and something to eat at the Ronald Reagan Building, which I thought was architecturally stunning.

That brings another point to mind. I thought the architecture in some of these buildings was amazing and themselves served as museum displays would. We loved walking through them when possible. The Environmental Protection Agency headquarters was one of my favorites from the few I saw that day.

We also happened to be there around the same time The Smithsonian folklore Festival was taking place, which was really a treat we weren’t expecting. Even the heat couldn’t keep us from tasting all of the good food and when it did, we were able to enjoy music and art from different participants.

As time approached for the fireworks display we found a spot on the National Mall area, where a stage had been set up and the United States Navy Commodores played jazz. I had put aside a nice, big, comfy blanket for the occasion, and then realized too late I had forgotten it back at the hotel. So, we sat on the ground, which was neither soft nor comfortable, but rather dusty and prickly. But the crowd was nice, and the music was great, and when those fireworks went off I almost lost my breath!

Of all the displays I have seen, even on 4th of July in NYC, I have never seen any as wonderful as the display in DC. And there, sitting on the dusty, prickly grass of the National Mall, sun set, cool breeze blowing, the sky lighting up all colors, as music played, I watched my kids and my husband smile and I realized how perfect that one moment was. I think that the fireworks were so awesome, that I would be willing to endure the heat, the completely incomprehensible DC metro card purchase system, and the INSANE crowds at the DC subway when it’s all over all over again!

Our adventure had begun. With forgotten items and scorching heat, we forged through, as a family, and saw all we could see considering the limitations of the holiday and the heat and we had an amazing time!

Here is a short video of our day in DC. I hope you enjoy watching as much as we enjoyed living it.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
4 Comments
  • Barbara
    July 6, 2010

    Thanks for sharing, Carol <>. I got to see the NYC ones from a friends terrace and was delighted – but I love you sharing your very special moment and what must have been a truly spectacular and emotional experience! I hope to see them there one day too.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Barbara
      July 7, 2010

      So great you had a good time Barbara! It's a beautiful site over the Hudson!

      Reply
  • nycgirl0501
    July 7, 2010

    I read this post on my iPhone the other day! I love it! I feel like I was there in DC with you. You're an amazing writer! And what a great picture slideshow!

    How do you this from the road…I'm just in awe!

    Can't wait to meet you at your preBlogher party!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      nycgirl0501
      July 7, 2010

      Thank you for reading! After living the adventures, sharing them with you all is my favorite part!

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Carol Cain Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
The Value of Travel
Next Post
Elmo, Roller-coasters, and Churros- Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe54 Post(s)
  • North America318 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Rainy Sunday night bliss. ❤️ Feeling grateful. Rainy Sunday night bliss. ❤️ Feeling grateful.
A perfect little roadtrip idea: Clifton Springs, N A perfect little roadtrip idea: Clifton Springs, NY to explore all the good reads available at the cutest little bookstore, @sulfurbooks. 

With its airy feel, with cozy reading nooks and friendly vibes, I could’ve easily spent hours here. Instead, I walked away with some new reads and excitement for my return.

📍Clifton Springs is a 45 min drive from Rochester and a little over 30 mins from Penn Yan, NY. 

#fingerlakes #smallrownny #newyork #roadtrip #booklover
And the mural is complete! This year, @travisjcain And the mural is complete! This year, @travisjcain was invited to participate in MuralFest hosted by @communityartselmira. His theme was in honor of the Seneca Indigenous culture and their remaining influence on the Finger Lakes and so much of North America. 

In the mural you will see depictions of a turtle at center, which is sacred and is believed to be the protector and nurturer of life. The 13 moon cycles is the traditional lunar calendar. Also depicted are long houses, traditional foods such as corn, and an eagle, which serves as a messenger to the Creator and a protector of the Haudenosaunee.

The mural is already marked by the impact of all the rain we had since he started, but today he, @liamcain._ , and @toniiocain worked throughout the day in this very hot sun to complete it. And I couldn’t be prouder or love it more! 

If you want to see the mural in person, it is located on the railway wall along Washington Ave. and Lake St. in Elmira, NY across from the old Big Lots parking lot. 

Congratulations to Travis and all the artists!

#murals #streetartist #elmirany #artist #muralist
Mi gente Latinx e inmigrante : tu felicidad, tu é Mi gente Latinx e inmigrante : tu felicidad, tu éxito, y tus esperanzas y sueños positivos hacia el futuro también son expresiones de revolución. El propósito es crear desesperación, confusión, intimidación, y tristeza. Y sí, existen. Sufrímos con nuestras familias, amistades, y comunidades. Pero, coño, nuestra gente somos resiliente y capaces de más de lo que se imaginan. Movamosnos adelante con la cara alta, dignidad, y coraje. 
…………..

My Latinx and immigrant people: your happiness, your success, and your positive hopes and dreams for the future are also forms of revolution. The purpose is to create despair, confusion, intimidation, and sadness. And yes, they exist. We suffer with our families, friends, and communities. But, above all, our people are resilient and capable of more than you can imagine. Let us move forward with our heads held high, with dignity, and courage.

#latinx
Things that make me happy: the sound of rain on th Things that make me happy: the sound of rain on the metal roof. So calming. 

#countryliving #fingerlakes #newyork
A moment in this little life I’ve created and lo A moment in this little life I’ve created and love so much. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #lakelife

Copyright © 2025 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice