Family Fun at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington DC

Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC is one of the best zoo's on the east coast. Since we live in south central Pennsylvania, we can reach the zoo in about 3 1/2 hours (depending on traffic). If you're looking to go down on a day trip we recommend leaving early in the morning to avoid rush hour traffic. Plus, it will give you several hours to spend at the zoo before traveling back home.

The zoo is open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas) and offers free public admission. The zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum and research complex. It sits on 163 beautifully landscaped acres with more than 1,500 animals residing there.

When you visit the zoo you'll see all kinds of different animal species: Cheetahs, Lemurs, Oryx, Frogs, Orangutans, Tortoises, Alpaca, American Alligator, Bison, Beavers, Andean Bear, Asian Elephants, Bald Eagles, Otters, Howler Monkeys, Prairie Dogs, Bobcats, Pelicans, Varies Species of Snakes, California Sea Lions, Leopards, Crocodiles, Gazelles, Emu's, Foxes, Marmosets, Giant Panda, Gila Monsters, Tamarins, Gray Seals, Hedgehogs, Zebra, Armadillo, Lions, Mini Donkey's, Red Panda, Sloth Bear, Two-Toed Sloth, Tigers, Western Lowland Gorillas, Gibbons, Whooping Cranes and more.

One of the things that we love about this zoo is that we can bring our own food into the park. When we visit and take the kids down for the day, I pack a nice picnic lunch for the entire family to enjoy. Throughout the park you'll find picnic areas that you can enjoy. Not interested in that? You can buy food and beverages there. No alcohol is allowed on the premises.

A few personal tips: We recommend that you dress appropriately for current weather conditions and wear comfortable walking shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking! If rain is in the forecast you may want to bring along a rain jacket and umbrella. We also recommend that you apply sunscreen before entering and may want to reapply it throughout the day. You'll want to leave bags locked up in your vehicle. You're subject to bag searches & security checks. Only bring in what you actually need!

Throughout the year they schedule various special events and educational experiences that you may enjoy. You can find the complete schedule located directly on the zoo's website. They welcome school groups, scouting troops, etc. Please contact them directly if you plan on visiting as a large group.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC. 20008. If you need additional information or to inquire about educational programs, you can reach the zoo at 202-633-4888 or visit their website online.

Note: You can double click on each photo in this travel feature to have it automatically open up in a new browsing window & in an enlarged size. This will allow you to see the smaller details up close.

Fun and Exciting Washington Redskins Football Game at FedEx Field

The Washington Redskins have been my favorite NFL football team for the past 40 years. I'm one of those guys who picked his favorite football team during his teenage years and stuck with that team all of his life. I'm such a fan that I have two Redskin tattoos!

Living in south central Pennsylvania gives us fairly easy access to FedEx Field in Prince George's County, Maryland where they play all of their home games. The stadium is roughly 5 miles east of Washington, D.C. our nation's capital. It takes us 4-5 hours to get there by car, depending on traffic and the route that we take. If you're unfamiliar with the area, the stadium sits right off of the Capital Beltway.

Every year I try to get down to FedEx Field at least once to see my beloved Washington Redskins play football. If you're a fan, you'll want to plan ahead and buy your tickets ahead of time. I like to purchase mine at least 1 year in advance, so that I get the seating that I prefer. The best seats are typically sold out for years in advance.

Like all professional sporting events they can be expensive to attend. To save money you want to buy tickets early, pick seats that aren't in the most desirable sections, eat before you go (food there is expensive), and try to go early in the season. If your team is doing really well that year...I notice that the ticket prices will climb as the season goes on and towards the end of the season. It will cost you money to park, so if several of you are going try to carpool to save on parking fees.

Here are a few additional tips: Check the weather forecast before you go. If there is a chance of rain you'll want to take an umbrella or a light-weight rain jacket. If its later on in the fall season when it's colder, you may want to dress in layers and wear a heavier jacket. During the summertime it can get sweltering hot. You'll be doing a lot of walking and going up and down stairs. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

We always have a great time when going down to FedExField to catch a Washington Redskins home game. You can visit their website to see their current game schedule and to obtain ticketing information.

Visiting the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington DC

The Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington DC is one of the best zoo's on the entire east coast. Since we live in south central Pennsylvania, we can reach the zoo in about 4 hours and it makes for the perfect day-trip with the kids.

The zoo is open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas) and they always offer free admission. Yes, you read that correctly, FREE admission! It's part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum and research complex. It sits on 163 beautifully landscaped acres and more than 1,500 animals call this place home.

When you visit the zoo you'll find all kinds of different animals. You'll be able to see Cheetahs, Lemurs, Oryx, Frogs, Orangutans, Tortoises, Alpaca, American Alligator, Bison, Beavers, Andean Bear, Asian Elephants, Bald Eagles, Otters, Howler Monkeys, Prairie Dogs, Bobcats, Pelicans, Varies Species of Snakes, California Sea Lions, Leopards, Crocodiles, Gazelles, Emu's, Foxes, Marmosets, Giant Panda, Gila Monsters, Tamarins, Gray Seals, Hedgehogs, Zebra, Armadillo, Lions, Mini Donkey's, Red Panda, Sloth Bear, Two-Toed Sloth, Tigers, Western Lowland Gorillas, Gibbons, Whooping Cranes and more!

One of the things that we love about this zoo is that we can bring our own food into the park. So, when we visit and take the kids down for the day, I pack a nice picnic lunch for the entire family to enjoy. Throughout the park you'll find picnic areas that you can enjoy. Not interested in that? You can certainly buy food and beverages there. Please note: No alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Throughout the year they schedule various special events that you may enjoy. You can find the schedule of special events located directly on the zoo's website. In addition, if you are really looking forward to seeing a particular animal on exhibit, you may want to check to their website to make sure the exhibit is open to the public. They're always doing construction and improving the animal's enclosures, so if you have your heart set on seeing something in particular, you may want to check ahead.

Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC. 20008. If you need additional information or to inquire about educational programs, you can reach the zoo at 202-633-4888 or visit their website online.

Note: You can double click on each photo in this travel feature to have it automatically open up in a new browsing window & in an enlarged size. This will allow you to see the smaller details up close.

Domestic Terrorism and Hate Crimes’ Exhibit Opens at Crime Museum

Photo Courtesy of Crime Museum

Nearly every week there are news headlines sharing stories that are considered “hate crimes.” Being a fairly new term in the country, many people are not sure what exactly a hate crime is. Now they can learn more about hate crimes, which is a part of domestic terrorism, at a new exhibit at the Crime Museum, located in Washington, D.C. The new exhibit, titled “Attack on America: The Fight Against Terrorism & Hate Crimes,” opened in March and provides people a thorough look at the history of such crimes, including offering them artifacts to view.

“Hate crimes and domestic terrorism are things that all of us see in the news daily, and we all feel the impact; whether we have been a victim, know a victim or have been impacted through legislation,” states Janine Vaccarello, chief operating officer of the Crime Museum. “Being able to learn more about this type of crime, which happens here on our own soil, is powerful for everyone.”

Photo Courtesy of Crime Museum

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), hate crimes add an element of bias to traditional crimes. The violence involved in the crime targets someone specifically for their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc. The victims of hate crimes and domestic terrorism may be individuals, businesses, institutions, etc. Hate crimes cover a wide variety of news headlines in recent years, ranging from those being targeted for being gay, to crimes being committed against someone because of their race.

Artifacts in the new “Attack on America: The Fight Against Terrorism & Hate Crimes” exhibit at the Crime Museum include a runner’s medal and bib from the Boston Marathon Bombing, a Ku Klux Klan ceremonial robe, a noose from a lynching, and the gun used in the 2012 attack aimed at the politically conservative Family Resource Council in Washington, DC.

Other notable artifacts include:

* A rifle confiscated from the Virginia Jihad Network in 2003, after its failed attempt to train assassins at the Paintball War Games facility in Spotsylvania, VA.

* Letters from the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, who was a serial murderer.

* World Trade Center rubble and other 9/11 artifacts.

Photo Courtesy of Crime Museum

The bust recreation of prisoner Vinson Harris, who was suffocated and killed by prison security guards in 1986, while serving a 20-year sentence for bank robbery. The bust was used at the trial to visually illustrate to the court how Harris had been suffocated with elastic bandages and duct tape.

“This exhibit is an emotional journey for those who visit it,” adds Vaccarello. “But it provides an historical look at these crimes, as well as helps understand hate crimes more. Hopefully this can help us learn to be more tolerant and to raise awareness about this important issue in the country.”

The Crime Museum also offers a variety of other temporary and traveling exhibits, summer camp programs, walking tours, educational hands-on exhibits, and more. For more information to purchase tickets, visit their site at at www.crimemuseum.org.

About the Crime Museum: Crime Museum is located in Washington D.C. The mission is to provide guests of all ages with memorable insight into the issues of crime, crime fighting, and the consequences of committing a crime in America, through an interactive, entertaining, and educational experience. The museum offers walking tours, summer camps, galleries, a crime library, temporary and traveling exhibits, and more.

Commemorate Lincoln’s Assassination with DC Walking Tour - Assassinations in the Capital

Navy Memorial - Photo Courtesy of the Crime Museum

April 15th will mark 150 years since President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. All these years later we are still a country fascinated with the man who changed the course of history and managed to keep the nation intact. A great way to commemorate the assassination is to take the new walking tour, titled “Assassinations in the Capital,” being offered by the Crime Museum, located in Washington, D.C.

“Through the years we have always put guest suggestions into action. Often tourists ask us if there is an assassination walking tour in DC, so I am glad we can finally fulfill this request” states Janine Vaccarello, chief operating officer of the Crime Museum. “It seems appropriate to launch “Assassinations in the Capital” during anniversary of Lincoln’s death and guests will experience not only Lincoln’s story, but other presidential assassinations in a unique Crime Museum fashion, and I have no doubt our guests will enjoy it.”

FBI Building - Photo Courtesy of the Crime Museum

The new walking tour being offered at the Crime Museum lasts 90 minutes and covers a two-mile stretch. Those who take the tour will experience a fascinating journey to locations such as the site of President Garfield’s assassination, sites related to the conspiracy to kill President Lincoln, the site of an attempt on the life of President Truman, the Navy Memorial, FBI Headquarters, the White House, and Lafayette Square. The tour is designed for ages 10 and up.

In addition to offering the “Assassinations in the Capital” walking tour, participants can visit the Crime Museum, to learn a wide variety of other notable crime history. They will see temporary and permanent exhibits covering topics ranging from domestic terrorism to wildlife trafficking (coming soon). The museum also offers hands-on exhibits and interactive forensic workshops.

To purchase tickets for the walking tour, or get more information about this or other exhibits at the Crime Museum, visit their site at www.crimemuseum.org.

About the Crime Museum: Crime Museum is located in Washington D.C. The mission is to provide guests of all ages with memorable insight into the issues of crime, crime fighting, and the consequences of committing a crime in America, through an interactive, entertaining, and educational experience. The museum offers walking tours, summer camps, galleries, a crime library, temporary and traveling exhibits, and more.

Old Town Trolley Tour in Boston, Savannah and Washington DC

My husband and I have 6 full vacations planned for this year with our very first one coming up the beginning of May. One of the cities we will be visiting on our vacation in May is the beautiful city of Boston and we are hoping to take the Old Town Trolley tour while visiting there. Have any of you taken the tour yet? We heard that it's gorgeous during this time of the year.

Since we are traveling on a budget with this particular trip, I got online to look around for an old town trolley coupon code and within a few minutes, I found one! Yeah!!! I love how you can save some money while traveling and doing the tourist thing with just a few quick clicks of your computer mouse!

I just had my hip replaced a few weeks ago, so this type of tour is perfect for me since I can't do a lot of walking. Not only that, I think it's fun to ride and tour...which is a lot better than walking miles upon miles to get where you are going.

While we are in Boston, we are hoping to take a tour of the Ghosts and Gravestones (heard it's a very popular tour) and at the top of my "must see" list is a visit to the New England Aquarium. I think our little grand daughter will love visiting the aquarium since she loves animals and loves to visit zoos. My daughter is going to babysit our grand daughter when hubby and I go out for our whale and dolphin watching cruise as I don't feel comfortable taking a 4 year old on a boat!

Then in late June we are going to head on down to Savannah Georgia and check out all of the Southern Charm that Savannah has to offer. We want to check out the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, have dinner and tea at the famous Savannah Tea House and I definitely want to check out all of the great shopping opportunities that downtown Savannah has to offer.

In July we will be heading down to Washington D.C. and visiting the D.C. Zoo. During one evening during our trip we want to do the Washington Monuments by Moonlight Tour and I bet that is beautiful seeing all of the famous monuments lit up at night. We are hoping we have enough time during our 4 day Washington D.C. trip to stop in to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum as hubby has that on his to-do list and has wanted to visit the wax museum for the past 15 years or so.

Since we will be visiting Boston, Savannah and Washington D.C. I need to find several old trolley tour coupon online to help us save money while we are vacationing.

I would love to know if you have visited any of those three cities and if so, what kind of tourist attractions do you suggest we try to do and/or visit?