Advice on trip to Raleigh, NC, to Charleston or DC

[MoneyGuy]

The missus and I may be making a trip to Raleigh, NC, in June for a conference and would add on a side trip either up to Washington or down to Charleston for several days. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has visited those areas. I do like Civil War history so going down to Charleston would be cool (the war started there) but there is lots of that history elsewhere (Virginia, etc.). Washington has considerable appeal with the seat of government there, history (historical museums, etc.). Should we go up to Washington or make a trip down to Charleston? Why? It's a nice problem to have. Charleston is closer (looks to be a full day's drive) but there is so much in Washington that going there has considerable appeal for me. We (I) like history, obviously, and interesting places.

[SportsJunky]

I've done Greensboro and Raleigh before and the whole area is beautiful. It was work related so I didn't get to do much extracurricular stuff but I got to a Hurricanes game and I remember some great furniture shopping. I've always wanted to get to D.C. and spend a few days at the Smithsonian. Do you have the time to through it properly?

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

There's a BBQ place in Durham (part of the Raleigh area) called Hog Heaven.
Some of the best BBQ I've ever had in my life. You should go there.

[Displaced Flames fan]

My Mom moved to Charleston recently. She adores it. She hasn't been to Fort Sumter yet which is difficult for me to understand!

[Beefcake]

No contest: DC. I'm not sure if you need several days there, but doing the museums, the capital building and the rest of "the mall" is very worthwhile. From there, you're less than 2 hours from Gettysburg (PA). You could get your civil war fix in there. Then, depending on how much you want to see, you could drive a couple hours east to Philadelphia (see the Rocky statue, Liberty Bell, get a Philly Cheesesteak on South Street), and then work your way back along the I-95 through Baltimore (where there's nothing that's a "must see" in my opinion).

[Reggie Dunlop]

Head down to Mayberry, have some pie at the Bluebird Cafe, then pop over to the cop shop and say howdy to Andy and Barney.

[Tilley]

I've been in the Raleigh/Durham area for 1.5 years now and would be happy to provide any info I can about the area as well as things to see and do.

Depending on how long you are planning on being in the area there are a number of historical places you can visit in addition to DC and Charleston. Between those two however I would choose DC (a four hour drive from Durham). There's just so much to see and do and all the Smithsonian museums are free.

The American Tobacco campus in Durham is great. A lot of interesting historical sites to visit with great restaurants and bordering the Durham Bulls Athletic park. The Bull's park is a fantastic place to watch a game, particularly in June before it gets too bloody hot.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Tilley

I've been in the Raleigh/Durham area for 1.5 years now and would be happy to provide any info I can about the area as well as things to see and do.

Depending on how long you are planning on being in the area there are a number of historical places you can visit in addition to DC and Charleston. Between those two however I would choose DC (a four hour drive from Durham). There's just so much to see and do and all the Smithsonian museums are free.

The American Tobacco campus in Durham is great. A lot of interesting historical sites to visit with great restaurants and bordering the Durham Bulls Athletic park. The Bull's park is a fantastic place to watch a game, particularly in June before it gets too bloody hot.

I may take you up on the offer. Thanks. The wife and I haven't decided yet, but if we do this trip D.C. is looking like the far better option. There is just more to see and do up there. We would have several days the Smithsonian, for example, looks great. I'll send you a PM with my email address so we can exchange addresses. If we do this trip northward, I'd probably deviate west-ward a bit to take in some of the Civil War history that is in those areas.

[habernac]

DC is phenomenal. I had a 3 month work term in Richmond, VA a few years back, spent 3 weekends in DC and barely scratched the surface.

do all the Smithsonians that you can. Don't know if they do White House tours again, that would be cool. check out Arlington National Cemetary as well.