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Thanks to Uncle Sam's tax refund, we are finally able to take a nice long vacation this summer.
My wife has never really been to the East / Northeast, and I have, for years, wanted to move there.
So we are finally taking a trip up there this summer. 5 days in DC to see the sights there, then a nice drive from DC to Concord, NH (with a stop for a private tour of West Point along the way), for another 5 days of sightseeing, scenic drives and generally hoping my wife will fall in love with New England like I did so long ago.
We are staying in Concord, and we'll probably go see a bit of Vermont, Mystic Seaport, maybe venture into Maine a bit, see Harvard, etc.
I can't wait. Work is terribly difficult at the moment, I feel completely disconnected as I count down the days. It's been too long since I had a real vacation.
Be sure to go to Mt. Vernon near DC (Washington's Home- go to the education center; see all the movies) as well as the new Udvar Hazy Center of the Air & Space Museum (it's out by Dulles Airport and there is a bus from the main Air & Space Museum in DC). I'd also suggest the Marine Corps Museum by Quantico if you have time...
Up here- Concord & Lexington are worth a stop in MA for sure if you you like history. The cemetery in Concord has "authors row" and many notable folks buried there. Additionally the North Bridge & Battle Road are worth checking out...as is the Minuteman Visitors Center along the battle road (see the movie).
Those are some gems that many folks miss that I wanted to share...
Yikes, 5 days isn't a long time to explore New England! Are you staying in Concord every night?
What route are you taking from DC to NH? Are you doing it in one day?
At any rate, I would recommend at least 1 full day in the White Mountains! The Lakes Region is also within easy access of Concord (Weirs Beach, Meredith, Sandwich, Castle in the Clouds, Wolfeboro), where you could easily spend another day or so.
A jaunt towards the coast is always recommended - Portsmouth, NH is not to be missed, and you can head up into Maine to see Nubble Light, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, and Portland Head Light. The North Shore in MA is also nice - Newburyport, Ipswich, Rockport, Salem, etc.
Boston is always a wonderful place to visit.
Vermont is beautiful, but it's hard to recommend a specific place to visit -- it's practically gorgeous everywhere. Woodstock is a charming town within a reasonable distance from Concord. The northern part of the state is probably even nicer; Route 100 is a popular drive through the Green Mountains. It would be an ambitious daytrip but it's doable.
Mystic is nice and I love Newport, RI, but those places are kind of a trek for a daytrip from Concord.
Not to critique your plans or anything , but personally I would spend no more than 3 days in DC, and use the extra time to see more of New England. Unless your reservations are already made.
Have a great time. We will be visiting right after you in July-Cant' Wait!!!
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, but personally I would spend no more than 3 days in DC, and use the extra time to see more of New England. Unless your reservations are already made. 
