Following our plan to see 48 states before our kids graduate high school, we planned this trip around baseball and history. 16 days, 11 states, 2300 miles, 23 National Park sites, 4 Major League baseball parks, the baseball Hall of Fame, an amazing Boston fireworks show, great food, toll roads, unique experiences and awesome family time. Join us day by day on our trip.
Day 1
Day 1 was technically our drive to Baltimore, but I will skip that day in our blog. So, we started the trip in Baltimore, Maryland at Fort McHenry National Monument. This is where Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem. It is a good lesson on the War of 1812 and the famous flag from the battle (now at the Smithsonian). I had been there before, but the museum was redesigned and it is fantastic. Make sure you are there for a flag change, the kids got to participate in raising the flag. We also learned about many other stories from the Civil War to WWII.
For lunch, we headed to one of the longest-running markets in the world, Lexington Market. At the time it was not in the best part of town and was kind of run-down, but it has recently undergone some renovations. We didn’t mind the atmosphere because we were there to eat at the award-winning Faidley Seafood. Founded in 1886, Faidley Seafood is one of the oldest and best-known seafood spots in the Chesapeake region. The Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes were some of the best we have ever had.
Next, we headed to the Inner Harbor to go on a free tour from Heritage Walk. It doesn’t look like to tour is free anymore, but it was very interesting. We enjoyed the guide who took us to Baltimore’s oldest neighborhoods: The Inner Harbor, Little Italy, and historic Jonestown. We passed by the USS Constellation, Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum, and many other historic points.
One of our missions on this trip was to attend as many major league games as we could. That evening we had tickets for the Orioles games. Camden Yards is on the must-see list of baseball parks in my opinion. It was built in the 90s but feels old-fashioned. We started at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum only two blocks from the park, then headed to the game. We chose tickets that included all-you-can-eat. This was a good choice for our kids, they had fun going back to the concession stand as much as they wanted. We also enjoyed the games and activities for kids at the stadium.
Day 2
The next morning we were back in the car on our way to Wilmington, DE. The first stop was Black Lab Breads, we love to stop at bakeries and this one did not disappoint. The focaccia bread was yummy.
The plan for the next stop was Fort Christina. This was the first Swedish settlement in 1638. Although not on the list of things you must see, I thought it would be a fun stop since my name is Christina. Too bad for us, after weaving through the neighborhood roads to get there, it was closed. You can also check out the Wilmington Riverfront.
After Wilmington, we drove to Philadelphia. I dropped my husband and son at the afternoon Phillies game. They enjoyed the many activities for kids and the wonderful view of the Philadelphia skyline from the stadium.
While they were are the game, my daughter and I headed down to the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn’s Landing. It had very interactive exhibits and we even climbed aboard the oldest floating steel warship.
When in Philly, one must eat a cheesesteak. Our dinner was a Cheesesteak taste-off. We chose the two most famous cheesesteak restaurants in the city and got a sandwich from each. Pat’s King of Steak and Geno’s Steak are across the street from each other After getting our sandwiches, we did our own taste test. There was no clear winner…two of us liked Pat’s, two of us liked Geno’s. Both were wonderful and what a fun memory.
Day 3
We spent the morning at Valley Forge National Historical Park which was the encampment site of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. We learned about George Washington’s leadership during the American Revolution.
We love going to markets, in Philadelphia they have a wonderful famous indoor farmer’s market. The Reading Terminal Market is an enclosed public market with over 100 merchants. For lunch, I had one of the best tastes of the trip, a roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe at DiNics. This sandwich is iconic and has been served up for over 40 years. It has been named as the best sandwich in America by multiple people. We definitely added it on our list.
The afternoon included exploring downtown Philadelphia. There is so much to see! Some of our stops included the Benjamin Franklin National Monument, the pipe organ concert in the shoe department at Macy’s, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (to run the stairs like Rocky) and the Fairmount Waterworks, Boathouse Row and Sculpture Garden.
Day 4
Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States, where our Founding Fathers met, discussed, debated, and formed a new country. It is amazing that so much of Philadelphia’s history has been preserved. Today was full of historical sightseeing. We started at the Independence National Historical Park visitor center to pick up our tour tickets for Independence Hall. Then stopped to see the Liberty Bell which was in a newly renovated building and is a beautiful display. The highlight of our tour of Independence Hall was the Assembly Room (where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed) on the first floor of the building. This was an amazing educational moment for our children.
After the tour, we also checked out Franklin’s Print Shop and met a costumed Ben Franklin in Franklin Court. There were lots of costumed characters around town sharing stories and allowing the kids to interact. One fun activity was the Military Muster where the kids participated in drills and marching and learned musket etiquette. We met a consumed Betsy Ross at her house and saw several performances while there.
We continued our exploring at the free tour of the US Mint. We learned about the history of the facility and saw the current coin design and manufacturing processes. Then we walked down Elfreth’s Alley, an example of early American structures built between 1720 and 1830. Next we checked out the Fireman’s Hall Museum a 1902 restored firehouse displaying local firefighting tools & machines.
We finished the afternoon with ice cream at Franklin Fountain where Bow-tie-wearing staff serve classic ice cream parlor/soda fountain treats in an old-fashioned shop.
Day 5
It is never too early to start looking at universities. Since this part of the country has so many beautiful campuses, we stopped in New Jersey at Princeton University on our drive to New York. It was a beautiful campus and a nice stop on our drive. Then we made it to NYC and started our New York experience with pizza. We ate some slices at Majestic Pizza an old-school, counter-serve pizzeria near the World Trade Center site.
While we were in town in 2011 the new Freedom tower was still under construction. We were able to see some of the makeshift memorials and temporary museum.
More history was in our future as we headed to Wall Street to see the Federal Hall where George Washington was inaugurated and the bill of rights was introduced.
Then down to the battery to check out Clinton Castle, the first immigration station. After some time at the battery, we stopped at the South Street Seaport to see the Brooklyn Bridge.
The boys went to the Yankees game. Although they never got to visit the original Yankee Stadium, the newer stadium was a great place to watch a game.
My daughter and I skipped out on the game and instead went to the New York Public Library. My daughter loves books and we spent a few hours enjoying the children’s area. After a quick walk through Grand Central station, we did a little shopping then met a friend for dinner.
For our lodging, we chose to stay in Jersey City instead of Manhattan. It was a cheaper option, with easy parking, and quick access to the city by train. I would argue that the views of the city were better than being in the city. It was amazing to wake up to a view of the statue of liberty from our hotel room window.
Day 6
The plan for the morning was to go to Levain Bakery for some of the best cookies I have ever had. Then we were planning to walk around Central Park. Because I was not feeling well, the morning got started too late for those plans. Once I felt better we headed to the Plaza Food Hall (Todd English Market) and did a little shopping including FAO Schwartz, an iconic children’s toy store.
Lunch was the Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien Hotel (now the Thompson Central Park). They were named one of the best burgers in the country. There is a long line in a “hidden” location in the hotel. It was a fun experience and delicious burgers. Be prepared for the long lines and crowded restaurant.
The rest of the day we spent exploring the iconic stops of NYC. We couldn’t miss shopping on 5th Avenue and a visit to the American Girl Store. Later we walked through Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall and Times Square.
After a long day of touring, we hit the pool at the hotel. We always seems to make time for a little relaxation and fun in the pool in the evenings before bed.
Day 7
In the morning we went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Because we stayed in Jersey City it was very convenient for us to get on the boat from the Jersey side at Liberty State Park. The security was quite an ordeal to get to the Statue and to climb the pedestal, so allow extra time for security checks. There are 215 steps to climb to the top of the pedestal. Plan ahead when purchasing tickets. The tickets for both the pedestal and to the crown sell out quickly.
After our Statue of Liberty visit, we headed out of the city. Our next stop of the day was Weir Farm in Connecticut. This was a historic home of an artist. It was a beautiful home and grounds. We really enjoyed the visit and the kids did a scavenger hunt around the property.
Next was New Haven where we drove down Hillhouse Ave (considered “the most beautiful street in America”), then drove on Temple St. looking at the old Colonial Churches. After driving around Yale University we drove by Louis Lunch, where the hamburger was invented. We decided not to eat because we were more excited about dinner at The Place Seafood in Guilford, CT.
The Place was wonderful and another one of our favorite eating experiences of the trip. It had outdoor seating where you could watch your fresh seafood cooking. We ordered steamed Bluefish, clams and corn on the cob. You are supposed to bring your own drinks and other side dishes. We picked up some drinks and salads at a store on our way in. We still talk about this restaurant today.
Day 8
The next day we headed to Providence, RI. There were so many places I wanted to eat in Providence, but I had to make a decision. We decided on Liberty Elm where we ordered the chowder, Johnny cakes (a Rhode Island specialty), and something called coffee milk. It was a cute restaurant and we enjoyed the food.
We visited the Roger Williams Memorial to learn about the beginnings of the separation of church and state and Rhode Island. Continuing with our tour of colleges, we drove through Brown University and its observatory..
New Bedford was the next town. While we were in New Bedford there was a street fair going on. We walked the streets and enjoyed the festival, then visited the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Before we got to town I read part of Moby Dick to the kids and learned the references to New Bedford. We enjoyed the cute town.
Day 9
The next day we had a great experience at the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA. It is now called Plimoth Patuxet Museums. It is an immersive, outdoor living history museum with great views. We visited the 1627 English Village, the Wampanoag Homesite, Crafts Center, Nye Barn and had lunch at the Patuxet cafe eating several traditional dishes including the mayflower ale.
After the Plantation, we headed over to the Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the tall ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620. We toured the ship with the costumed characters. The kids had a good time interacting with the characters on the ship.
After checking out the town and what is considered the actual Plymouth “rock”, we went to Quincy. We toured the John Adams National Historic park and home. It was the home of two American presidents and subsequent generations of their descendants from 1720 to 1927.
Next up was Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. It is the site of the first integrated ironworks in North America. My son enjoyed this park saying he had learned some of the some things on a game he was playing called Minecraft.
Our final stop of the day was Salem, an old sailing port, and the Maritime Museum. Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres and twelve historic structures along the Salem waterfront. The kids were excited to earn their Junior Ranger badges. This town is also where the witch trials took place, but we skipped that tour with the kids.
One way we save money on our road trips is to eat in the car our in the hotel room. It is a nice change to eating out so much.
Day 10
In Concord, MA we visited the Minute Man National Historical Park where the shot was heard ’round the world to start the Revolutionary War. We learned that the men who fought here were farmers who left their plows, grabbed their weapons, and ran to their meeting spot so quickly that they became known as the Minutemen.
We had lunch in Cambridge at another restaurant with a top-rated burger, Christophers. We ordered the English Burger which is marinated in ale, with melted cheddar & Applewood smoked bacon on an English muffin. It quickly became a favorite for us.
We stopped by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s home, but it was closed to visitors at the time. The Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site preserves the home of Henry W. Longfellow, one of the world’s foremost 19th century poets. The house also served as headquarters for General George Washington during the Siege of Boston.
To check out more of the area, we walked around Harvard Square and drove by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other stops were JFK’s birthplace (John F. Kennedy was born upstairs in this house in 1917 and lived there his first three years) and JP Licks ice cream for some homemade ice cream.
After checking into to our downtown Boston hotel, we walked part of the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail teaches about the Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, Paul Revere and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Several of the historic sites had activities for the kids and costumed characters. Our stops included: Boston Common, State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, Kings Chapel, Boston Latin School, Old Corner Book Store, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Site of Boston Massacre and Feneuil Hall.
Then we headed over to the festival area for the 4th of July celebration. We sat by the river and listened to the music and stayed for the fireworks. We were not in the main area (those people lined up very early), but we did have a decent view of the music.
Day 11
Today we traveled more of the Freedom Trail, we walked down Union Street past the outdoor stalls at Haymarket to the Paul Revere House in the North End, on to Old North Church where the “one if by land, two if by sea” lantern signaled. Of course we worked in bakeries stopping by Mike’s Pastry and other Italian bakeries in North End.
Then we headed to Charlestown to the Navy Yard and the USS Constitution and museum. The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Launched in 1797, she is the world’s oldest ship still afloat.
We then walked over to the Bunker Hill Monument. It was a warm day and after walking up the 294 steps we had a man pass out on us as we were looking out the windows. It was a pretty scary moment for the kids, but my husband helped out until the paramedics climbed the 294 steps.
A highlight of the trip on the baseball side of it was Fenway Park. Fenway Park remains, much like it did the day it opened on April 20, 1912. We went that night for the Red Sox game. We decided to go very early for batting practice, which allowed us to get very close to the field and explore the stadium. This was such a great experience and worth the entire trip.
Day 12
Back on the road the next day, we went to Springfield, MA. We visited the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. The armory was more interesting than I thought it would be, we learned about the manufacturing and storage of our nation’s weapons. For nearly two centuries, the U.S. Armed Forces and American industry looked to Springfield Armory for innovative engineering and superior firearms. My daughter really enjoyed the Dr. Seuss garden. We had some fun taking silly photos.
Next was a quick stop at Martin Van Buren’s home. Van Buren was the first future president born a citizen of the United States. We didn’t stay long before heading to Cooperstown the “Mecca” of this trip. Many wonder why the Baseball Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown, NY. According to history, Abner Doubleday – a decorated Union Army officer who fired the first shot in defense of Fort Sumter at the start of the Civil War and later served at the Battle of Gettysburg – invented baseball in 1839 in Cooperstown. We visited the museum for hours; in the summer they stay open late. We took a break in the middle of the visit for a meal at Alex and Ika’s cafe (which I think is now closed). We went back to the Hall of Fame and stayed until closing, I am not sure what else to say about the Hall of Fame, except it is a mandatory vacation for any baseball lover.
Day 13
The next day we headed to Pennsylvania to visit Scranton and the Steamtown National Historic Site, a railroad museum and heritage railroad located at the site of the former Scranton yards. This was a nice museum and would have been more fun for our family if our son was still into trains as much as he was when he was a little boy.
The next stop was Pottsville, PA to go on the Yuengling beer tour. This was interesting for the kids and adults. We were surprised that they really allow you to get close to the production lines.
Next up was Hershey, PA for Hershey’s Chocolate World and all things chocolate. The kids enjoyed designing their own candy bars the most, but we had fun with the all various activities.
Day 14
This day was all about the Civil War. Gettysburg National Military Park was our morning stop. The visitor center had been completely redone since my last visit here and is still a great Civil War battlefield to visit. The kids got to participate in several interactive programs and we especially appreciated the cylcorama. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War and was the Civil War’s bloodiest battle. It was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln’s immortal “Gettysburg Address”.
Our next stop was Antietam National Battlefield another Civil War battlefield that is considered the bloodiest day of battle in US history with 23,000 soldiers killed, wounded or missing in just twelve hours of combat on September 17, 1862.
Harpers Ferry is one of my favorite National Park sites. I have been several times, but this was the first visit for the kids. It was a rainy day, so it limited some of the walking tours, but we enjoyed learning about the armory and arsenal, John Brown,’s raid (what ignited the Civil War) and Stonewall Jackson. It really is a place considered a confluence of history and nature. The views of the Blue Ridge mountains and the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers are breathtaking.
Day 15
Our final day was mostly spent driving home. We did stop for lunch at Dogtown Roadhouse for hand crafted, wood-fired pizza in Floyd, VA (considered one of the best pizza places in the country). This was an amazing trip and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for baseball and history lovers like our family. But most important of all, we made memories.
