Vacation advice wanted: Arkansas or Virginia?

[Duncan]

Hi. I'm hoping to get some info or opinions as I try to decide on a family vacation for later in the summer. I'm in central Ohio, and will be driving.

Option 1 is to head west through Indy & St Louis, and then south through Little Rock to the Crater of Diamonds State Park - a dig your own diamond mine. 900 miles each way.

Option 2 is to head southeast to DC (Smithsonian) and Williamsburg, then to a beach in DE or MD. Call it 600 miles each way.

I was leaning towards Williamsburg (colonial), but when I started to do research I thought it looked a bit too commercial. I was probably last there in 1983, so no surprise.

Can anyone offer input on either trip? How are the beaches in MD & DE after the hurricane? Is my impression of Williamsburg off target? Anything else?

Thanks!

[madmarva]

The diamond mine is definitely not worth a 1,800-mile trip in and of itself. If you do make it this way, though, stop at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. It is worth a visit if you are in the area.

The Smithsonian is a destination, while the diamond mind is something to do if you are in the area.

[Duncan]

Huh. That's interesting - thanks. The mine seemed cooler on TV. I heard from a friend of a friend that you can still do Williamsburg without buying tours & tickets, so we're leaning in that direction.