Oh my goodness
thank you soooo much for the detailed info and effort you put guys put into your responses :-:
we are not American, but Australian, so we don't have a Senator to organise a tour, but looks like we have plenty to keep us occupied

we certainly want to soak up as many museums as we can, and the aviation one sounds perfect too. Some mandatory pics of us in front of monuments and we are all set

We have riden the public bus, in many US states, and across Europe, so will probably use that option

thanks again ^

if you ever come to Australia, don't hesitate to ask for sights advice