Last-Minute Memorial Day Plans

Use this Memorial Day
Weekend to make a special connection between your children and American
history—especially with all the great, landmark wars that the holiday is meant
to commemorate. We’ve assembled a list of history-minded attractions from near
and far, whether you’re road-trip minded or staying in the city. We hope this
list inspires! —

GO LOCAL

Looking for free fun in Queens? Head to Sunnyside Gardens for their Annual Memorial Day Fair, chock full of BBQ,
field games, a silent auction, baked goods, and two wonderful words: bouncy
castle.

Quick, get to the
docks—it’s Fleet Week in
the city! And The Intrepid Museum has enough activities (from air to sea) to
keep us busy all weekend long. Check out the roster of fresh air fun.

You are never too young to enjoy a perfectly composed symphony! (Especially when it’s performed by the New York Philharmonic) Come early and snag a seat to the orchestra’s FREE holiday concert.

Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island, NY: Established in 1958, Historic Richmond Town is a joint project of
the Staten Island Historical Society, independent nonprofit cultural
organization, and the City of New York. Visit NYC’s living
history village and museum complex for a true sense of what it was like to live
in colonial times. The Town is situated on over 100 acres and is home to the
City’s oldest continuously operating farm.

Exhibits: Check out
R-Town’s collection of children’s furniture from 1780 to 1925. These antique
highchairs, baby carriages, and cradles depict how furniture changed as
childrearing practices evolved throughout the century. The museum also has a
display of children’s toys dating back to the 1840s. For
more information, call 718-351-1611 or visit historicrichmondtown.org. 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY.

Hyde Park, NY: The infamous home of Franklin D. Roosevelt is a fitting
place to spend the weekend. Daily tours of the house and its serene
surroundings are available for a nominal fee. On Memorial Day (3 pm), Hyde Park will hold its Rose
Garden Memorial Service where various local organizations will present wreaths
in honor of President Roosevelt. For more
information, call 800-FDR-VISIT or visit nps.gov/hofr/index.htm.

ON THE ROAD

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA: More than four million people visit the Cemetery annually to
pay their respects to the multitudes buried there. The Tomb of the Unknowns
overlooking Washington D.C., is a fitting place to
start Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day
Wreath-Laying Ceremonies: On Monday (10 a.m.), The U.S. Army
Military District of Washington will lead an Armed Forces Full Honor
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknowns, to be followed by an
observance program hosted by the Department of Defense in Arlington‘s Memorial Amphitheater.
Make sure to get there early, both the ceremony and the observance program are
free and open to the general public. No tickets are needed to attend. For
more information, call 877-907-8585 or visit arlingtoncemetery.mil.

Colonial Williamsburg, VA: Mosey back in time and experience the people and places of
18^th century Virginia. See re-enactors
inhabit the roles of merchants, slaves and statesman as they introduce you to
the taverns, family homes, and gardens of the 1700s Virginia. All military personnel
and their families get free admission this weekend (just don’t forget to bring
I.D.).

Historical Weekend: Upon
arrival, take a Children’s Orientation Walk—a 30-minute walking tour (specifically
designed for guests and their families) of the village with the volunteers and
costumed staff. Visitors can then participate in a local court session to
witness how the rights of Virginians were maintained. Over the course of the
weekend, the vast array of programming (including a spooky late night Tavern
Ghost Walk) will entertain the whole family. On Monday (10-10:45 am), join Colonial Williamsburg for their Memorial
Day Commemorative Program, no ticket required. A procession with Fife and Drum support will
begin the proceedings followed by musket and cannon volleys. For
more information, call 800-HISTORY or visit history.org.

The Freedom Trail, Boston, MA: Explore the sights and sounds of the American Revolution via
this 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads you to 16 nationally
significant historic sites. See the sights on your own or take the various
tours, as described below, are offered many times throughout the weekend. Check
the schedule
and buy tickets here.

Walk Into History Tour:
Start your weekend with the Freedom Trail Foundation’s 90- minute public
walking tour. Led by an 18th Century Costumed Guide, the tour mixes humor,
history and fun. Be transported back to the days of the American Revolution and
have a hands-on revolutionary experience. 148 Tremont Street, Boston Common, Boston, MA.

The North End Tour: go
through Boston’s historic North End,
Paul Revere’s home, and the Old North Church while hearing the
stories about the colonists who challenged Britain and helped establish
the U.S.

Pirates & Patriots
Tour: Beginning at Faneuil hall Marketplace, the tour goes down the Long Wharf and traces the
expansion of Boston’s waterfront, visiting
18^th and 19^th century buildings as the tour guides tell
all about the events that happened on the shores. The tour continues through
the modern harbor and ends at Griffin’s Warf, the infamous
location of the Boston Tea Party.

Gettysburg, PA: Spend the weekend in the historic town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. There’s a lot to see
and do; what’s listed below is just a taste of what the city has to offer. See
what else there is to do here.

Living History: The
celebration begins on Saturday a demonstration of Civil War tactics by The
Voices of the Confederacy, a Civil War Living History group. A display of Civil
War artifacts and first-person portrayals of soldiers are just a few of the
many highlights. For more information, call 717-334-3134.

The Underground
Railroad: Learn about the significance of the Underground Railroad and hear
stories of escaping slavery. This one-hour walking tour of the McAllister’s
Mill site on Rock Creek will allow you to discover a part of the battlefield
that is rarely seen. For more information, call 717-334-5185. The Historic GAR Building, 53 E. Middle Street,Gettysburg, PA.

145th Memorial Day
Parade and Ceremonies: On Monday, May 28 the 145th annual Memorial Day parade
will begin at 2 p.m. and will conclude with
the Service at the Soldiers National Monument in the Gettysburg National Cemetery at 3 p.m. For more information,
call 717-334-6274.

West Point, NY: The town of West Point, NY is most famously
known for The United States Military Academy. The Academy’s grounds make for
excellent sightseeing especially for war history enthusiasts.

Daily Tours: The Academy offers
daily guided tours of the campus and scenic views of the Hudson Highlands.
Additional sites include the Main Cadet Chapel, Trophy Point, Battle Monument, and the Plain.
Visitors may choose either one- or two-hour tours. Everyone 16 years of age and
older must bring a photo ID. To book a tour, call 845-446-4724.

West Point Museum: No trip to West Point is complete without a
visit to the West Point Museum, which houses what is
considered to be the oldest and largest diversified public collection of
military artifacts in the Western Hemisphere. Its collections
include nearly all aspects of military history ranging from the founding of West Point to the development of
the American Armed Forces.

One final thought: Sometimes the best
"attraction" is right in the family. War heroes are typically
reticent about their experience, but sometimes they really do want to talk about it, particularly if
their grandchildren ask.