The Whale Museum of San Juan Island

If you have a deep liking for Orcas or otherwise known as Killer Whales, then you would have to make time to come visit The Whale Museum which is a special outfit dedicated to everything Orca. Located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States in a small and relatively unknown side of Washington called Friday Harbor of San Juan Island. Bring the kids out of the humdrum of downtown city center and come connect with nature and learn about these amazingly gentle creatures of the sea.

Unbeknownst to many of our bus charter trips visitors who are coming into San Juan Island Washington DC for the very first time, the museum has been opened since 1979. In fact, it is the first museum of its kind. This amazing attraction has since been steadfastly promotes stewardship programs dedicated to whales and Salish Sea ecosystem. If you are a school teacher or an educator, we reckon that you should find out more about the museum’s extensive list of educational and outreach programs.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that the exhibits and attractions at The Whale Museum are for kids. We assure you, we were quite smitten by the museum on our visits. It met my expectation because being a whale lover, we thought it was rather thought-provoking because it gave us an insight about how humans and whales can coexist together on planet earth without destroying each other.

The kids, however, will be taken in by the huge, massive whale skeleton mounted atop the museum’s lobby.

As much as it is about teaching visitors about whales, their life and evolution, it is all about history of these huge animals too. On top of that, there is a great deal of information being put out about whale conservation, things being done to prevent the extinction of Orcas.

Visiting this museum will be more meaningful if done right before you book yourself a whale watching tour at sea. This way, you have all the information about what these people are trying to do with their efforts and when you catch sight of one of these magnanimous creatures (yes, the word magnanimous is used because you can’t help but be awed when they decide to make an appearance).

As touristy as this is going to sound, visiting and buying something from the gift shop is a must. We are saying this because the prices are reasonable and all profit goes towards supporting the museum and the effort that they are making. If it makes a difference, it is worth the money.

Family-friendly Activities in Washington DC

We have all heard how Washington DC is not only the capital of the country, but it is also a melting pot of culture. This does not mean that you have to spend an incredible amount of money during your visit, there is plenty of family-friendly and almost-free activities going around all year round in the capital and metropolitan city and here, we will give you some ideas on some unique places and activities that you and your family and friends can indulge in.

For one thing, instead of ‘spending’ money, why not come for a free tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing...of money. This is the only place in the country that you get to see this being done. Although the bureau is open all year round, we will have you know that peak season is usually the summer months, more specifically somewhere between March to August. The tour is absolutely free of charge (nothing can beat that, for sure) and the tickets go on a first-come, first-serve basis so, this can only mean one thing for tourists.....you have to come early. The office, thankfully, opens their doors early at 8 in the morning. Some of our charter bus Washington DC tourists and customers lament that there is usually a long line early in the morning and although the office opens up at 8am, the tickets take less than an hour to finish being handed out.

Most kids find it easy to fall in love with Washington DC’s absolutely surreal Metrorail system. It gives them a taste of what a traditional train ride is like and of course, if you are visiting during the summer months, the experience will serve as a respite from the punishing summer weather. The day passes are a real steal, for your information and you can use the day pass for rides in the rail all over the city so, if you are not already chartering a Washington DC tour bus, taking the day pass would be a great alternative. But for large groups, we would strongly recommend renting your own party bus, charter bus, shuttle coach or mini bus in order to make the most out of your time here in Washington DC.

When you are done with all those wonderfully free activities in the large metropolis Washington DC, then it is time to bring the rented charter bus to Rock Creek Park at night. It is an expansive, rustic park that measures right up to more than two thousand acres which includes Peirce Mills, The Old Stone House, a nature center, golf course, tennis court, kids’ playing area and stable. It is Washington DC’s equivalent of Central Park. At night, people come here to watch the stars...and we think you might want to do that when you are here too.

United States Botanic Garden, Washington DC

The United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC is a great place to visit if you have a couple of hours to spare as you plan your itinerary for a day’s trip to Washington DC in a charter bus. It is a huge garden with three complexes – two outdoors and one indoors. It is a really neat and interesting building with a variety of themes inside and totally worth your time visiting.

We would usually suggest to our Washington DC charter bus visitors to consider taking up a guided tour whenever they visit the United States Botanic Garden. This is because they will be able to learn more about the Garden’s plants with a guided tour compared to just going round the whole place by themselves. The guided tour takes about forty five minutes and it is free – all that you need to do is ask for it at the Visitor Information Desk upon arriving at the grounds of the Garden. However, if you intend to make this a trip for a big group, you will need to call them up in advance, at least four weeks in advance of your date of visit to book for a guided tour.

At the United States Botanic Garden, they have permanent exhibits as well as different kind of exhibitions and displays at different months of the year. This only means that whenever our Washington DC charter bus visitors go at any one time of the year and return on a different occasion, they can expect to see something different here and they will not get bored seeing the same exhibits again and again. In the Conservatory Terrace of the United States Botanic Garden is where they keep their permanent exhibits that would make you feel as though you are traveling around the world in there, with plants that are found in subtropical, tropical and arid regions in the world as well as medicinal, economic and endangered plants. Every year, from late May right up to mid-October, the Conservatory will put on thematic displays of plants. The other two complexes that you can find more interesting and unique plants are the National Garden and the Bartholdi Park. Both the Conservatory and National Garden are open daily from 10am till 5pm, while the Bartholdi Park is open from dawn to dusk and they are all open on weekends and holidays too - which means visitors can go any time of the year without the fear of being disappointed.

National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia

Conveniently located right on the Independence Mall in Philadelphia is the National Museum of American Jewish History and for many serious museum goers, this is a “must visit museum” whenever they are visiting Philadelphia. Hence, many bus charter passengers in Philadelphia will never hesitate to ask for a trip to visit this museum when they are visiting this part of the city.

Some of the National Museum of American Jewish History’s permanent exhibits are the Hanukkah Lamp from Lodz (Poland), engraved Kiddush Cup from Russia, Hanukkah Menorah from Russia and a portrait of Joyce Mears Myers by Edward Green Malbone. These are just some of the many Jewish traditional items on display at the museum. For those traveling for the first time to the museum in a Philadelphia charter bus, the museum is open from Tuesdays until Fridays, from 10 in the morning until 5 in the evening, while on Saturdays and Sundays, they are open from 10 in the morning until half past five in the evening.

If you happen to be visiting the National Museum of American Jewish History on Wednesdays over the summer, they have a special offer – “Pay What You Wish” and we believe that this is a very good deal for all Philadelphia chartered bus visitors! In fact, it would be really wise to take full advantage of this offer while you can, so don’t miss out on planning a trip here with your friends this summer!

Usually, Philadelphia chartered bus visitors would sign up for a guided tour by a docent at the National Museum of American Jewish History and they always come out of the tour telling our bus drivers how much they have enjoyed themselves at the museum because of how well they were treated at the museum by the museum staff as well as how much they have learned just listening to the docent guide sharing about the museum and the history of the American Jewish. Do give yourself a least a few hours to fully enjoy all the exhibits and displays in the museum.

The efficiency and knowledgeable museum staff at the National Museum of American Jewish History is something to be praised – it is something that we almost always hear our bus charter passengers whenever they leave the museum grounds. Also, not to forget, the exhibits in the museum itself are also something that they talk a lot about too, during the journey home in the chartered bus.

Zaytinya - Turkish Fanfare in Downtown Washington DC

Thinking of looking around for a good and affordable restaurant to celebrate a special day with your loved ones? Or maybe you are an event organizer racing up and down the cyber spine for a good place for an important meeting for your client. Whatever the occasion, one can expect exemplary service from Zaytinya, much-loved celebrated Turksih restaurant managed by renowned group of companies under Think Food Group. The chef is none other than Chef Jose Andres whose first-hand experience in delivering mouth-watering dishes is renowned in this part of the country. The dishes are inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese recipes - a refreshing change from what you can find in other downtown eateries and cafes by Bus Charter Trips.

Chef Jose bases creates each of his dishes based on his deep understanding about Mediterranean cooking during years of traveling and learning about the roots behind the many different diverse cultures in the cities that he visited in the past. The same goes for the menu that boasts of creative cocktails and unique wine brought in from the same Mediterranean cities as well. The deep understanding about the culture and cuisine is apparent in every single delicious bite that is brought out from the kitchen and onto the table.

Since its opening in 2002, Zaytinya has been consistently named as top dining destination by popular travel and food-based magazines.

Zaytinya enjoys loyalty from its customers and suffice to say, it is packed during dinner and lunch hours. The restaurant managers encourages its customers to book a table by making a reservation ahead of time. Reservations can be made either by phone call or on their website. The great thing about Zaytinya is that they will make every possible attempt to accommodate its customers by providing them with the number of tables that they require. This is not to say that they do not accept walk-in customers but be forewarned that there could be a long waiting line as they serve walk-in customers on a first come first serve basis. There is ample space for group gatherings of twelve or more people - for such gatherings, consultation with the in-house event managers is preferred.

Zaytinya is the perfect place for girls night outs and bachelor parties as well, as friends and loved ones can spend a relaxing evening or lunch hour simply catching up with what each other’s been doing over fantastic drinks and palate-pleasing dishes.

Our bus charter trips customers contend that everyone should at the very least give their green salad and Maroulosalata a shot - to-die-for is their review.

Washington spy games

As the center of America’s political power, Washington D.C. has long been a draw for visitors and tourists through the years. One of the best ways of seeing Washington D.C. is with a charter bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coach or school bus chartered from Bus Charter Trips.  Most charter bus visitors come to Washington D.C. to see the sights, and one of the more obscure museums in town is the International Spy Museum. Get your friendly, reliable charter bus driver to take you over to this museum in your stylish and comfortable charter bus.
Established in 2002, the International Spy museum is an intriguing look into the world of international espionage. Located just six blocks east of the White House, and easily reached by charter bus in Washington D.C.’s museum district, this museum is favored with a good location and very interesting presentation. At one point, during the Cold War, it was rumored that Washington D.C. had more international spies per square mile than any other place on earth, including Berlin.
The museum is much larger than it appears from the outside, and offers a blend of slick design and lots of real spy gadgets. Charter bus visitors enter through a crowd-control airlock where they're invited to adopt a "cover" ID, then enter the "Briefing Room" where visitors are asked, "Did you ever wonder if you could be a spy? What is it that might attract you?" Then the doors open and, whoosh, you're dumped into the rest of the museum to find those answers on your own. The International Spy Museum is one of the new wave of loud museums, much closer in decibel level to a video arcade than the Smithsonian. Speakers broadcast a constant cacophony of spies telling their stories, barking news clips, sirens, blaring music, etc. There's no opportunity for hushed reflection, which perhaps mimics the noisy, multi-tasking brain of the average spy.
Exhibits in the museum cover a wide range of topics in the realm of international espionage. There is a “School for Spies”, where charter bus visitors will feel like they’re walking into the metal clad walls of a super villain's lair, the “Incredible Shrinking Bug” displays show the development and miniaturization of eavesdropping devices through the decades, and the “Threat Analysis” interactive exhibit compels charter bus visitors to determine a threat level of red, orange or green based on rapidly flashing images on a screen.
Fictional spies are also well represented in the International Spy Museum, allowing charter bus visitors to get up close and personal with familiar figures like James Bond, Get Smart, The Man From UNCLE, and Austin Powers. On display is James Bond’s Aston Martin DB-5, as featured in the movie “Goldfinger”, along with demonstrations of all the working spy gadgets in the car, like machine guns and the ejector seat.
For a thrilling and intriguing visit to the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., give Bus Charter Trips a call to find out how they can help you plan your trip with a selection from their fleet of charter buses. We promise that none of their charter buses have an ejector seat.