Sales Tax Trip Tuesday Time - March 2025

"On the road again…" even if it's via tour bus this time. That's right, folks, it's time for another in my Avalara Sales Tax 'Trip' Tuesday series. This month, we are taking a tour of a couple of the most famous Civil War battles with excursions from and back to Washington, DC, as our home base. I also want to let you know that this month's edition won't be the only Civil War history we will explore during our year-long sales tax explorations.

Before ever arriving in Washington, DC, we had purchased tickets for a single-day tour to Gettysburg. The tour includes our round-trip transportation from Washington to Gettysburg and admission to the National Military Park for a 'guided tour.' We paid $1300.00 per tour ticket, which saved us the cost of a multi-day rental car. Even though we purchased these tickets over the Internet, we were charged 6.0% in sales tax. According to Avalara, 6.0% is Washington, DC's single, district-wide general sales tax rate.

We checked into our hotel, The Hay Adams, "where stories become traditions," or so they say.

From the moment you pass through the front doors, you are breathless with the sophisticated charm and luxury that is this hotel. Everything about it is impeccable. I mean, how lavish is this?

The views of the hotel rooms, dining areas, and amenities are nothing compared to the breathtaking views offered through every window or balcony. Where else can you step onto your balcony and view the White House like this?

So, next time you are in Washington, DC, splurge a little; you’ll only regret it when your AMEX bill arrives.

I'm glad we're staying only three nights because our Deluxe Room is a mere $839 per night (base rate) with $133.82 in taxes and fees at $15.95%. That's a total of $2,918.46 for our stay.

Following our inclusive breakfast at The Hay Adams, we begin our exploration of American History, traveling from Washington, DC to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on a luxurious tour bus.

We head north from the nation's capital to the home of the Gettysburg National Military Park to learn about the Civil War and the 1863 battle on those grounds.

This day-long tour provides us with a guided journey into history, culture, and landmarks as we transition from one location to the next. Our first stop provides a short time to see portions of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania. This town is renowned for its pivotal role in the Civil War and the place where President Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address.

I couldn't resist stopping by a souvenir shop to purchase a t-shirt and a few snacks before heading into the park, and the tab for our purchases was $32.30 before tax. According to Avalara, Gettysburg's 2025 sales tax is 6.0%. There is no city or county tax, only the 6.0% State Sales Tax. So, my t-shirt and snacks cost $34.24 total.  

Our group tour includes admission to the Gettysburg National Military Park, so we don't have a separate charge to enter the park. This park preserves and protects the site of the Battle of Gettysburg,  one of the most pivotal conflicts of the American Civil War.

During our tour, we heard about the history of the July 1863 Battle as part of our guided experience. The Battle saw the Confederate Army, led by General Robert E Lee, attempt to invade the North to gain recognition and potentially end the war on favorable terms; however, the Union forces under the command of General George Meade, successfully repelled the Confederate advance, forcing Lee to retreat to Virginia.

The Battle of Gettysburg began about 8 a.m. west beyond the McPherson barn as United States cavalry confronted Confederate infantry advancing east along Chambersburg Pike. Heavy fighting spread north and south along this ridgeline as additional forces from both sides arrived.

From Culp’s Hill, you can view much of the battlefield. To the north and west is the first day’s battlefield. To the west and south, the Union troops positioned themselves from the Round Top up Cemetery Ridge to Cemetery Hill. Across the field from Cemetery Ridge was the Confederate position at Seminary Ridge.

We also explored the preserved battlefield and viewed thousands of Civil War artifacts at the Museum and Visitor Center, where we watched a short film. President Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg was to dedicate a National Cemetery. 

While there, Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address, which he hoped would redefine the purpose of the Civil War and emphasize the fight as being one for freedom and equality.

We took in the breathtaking Cyclorama Painting and the place where President Lincoln read his Gettysburg Address. Undoubtedly, the Battle of Gettysburg was a major turning point in the Civil War. The Union victory halted the Confederate invasion of the North and marked a shift in the war’s momentum in favor of the Union.

The park has been on the National Registry of Historic Places since October 1966, but it seems like it should have been included almost two hundred years earlier.

I could show you a lot more pictures of this place, but if I did, I am afraid you might decide you don't need to see it for yourself. Nothing could be further from the truth; everyone in the United States should visit these hallowed grounds.

Upon our return to Washington, DC, we decided to splurge for dinner. I heard an Asian-fusion restaurant here served breakfast, lunch, and dinner (most unusual in my part of the Oklahoma plains). So, we ordered up some Grubhub for delivery to our room. We started with some 'crispy veggie rolls', followed by some Singapore Noodles with spicy shrimp. That prepared us nicely for the main courses… a large order of Taiwanese Braised Pork with Rice and Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken with Rice. We also had two Vietnamese iced coffees.

With Service Fee, Tip, and Sales Tax, plus a $17.39 tip, the total came to $105.00. The vendor's website calculated the Sales Tax perfectly at $7.87. They must be using Avalara because there is a 10% sales tax on prepared foods, including the delivery charge. It was well worth the cost. If you think about it, we would have spent that much on a taxi to get there or half that amount on an Uber each way. As is, we got to relax, recover from all our walking, and enjoy this yummy dish along with the others.

Now for another night's rest in the splendor of this extra comfy bed.

Bright and early, we are up, and our complimentary continental breakfast is served in our room.

They tell me the fastest way to get where we are headed is via Amtrak, but we won't be taking another train trip this week. Instead, we are boarding the tour bus again this morning and headed west-southwest of DC for Manassas, Virginia.

I am happy I had the forethought to bring an extra-large to-go coffee since, if everything goes well, this is at least a 75-minute trip.

As we did at Gettysburg, we will briefly visit the town before heading to the park. One thing of note is the town's museum and museum store, 'Echoes'. There is a lot of post-Civil War history here.

While Manassas is known as the site of two major Civil War battles memorialized by the Manassas National Battlefield Park, it is also home to what is today called 'Liberia,' a home built in 1825 along lower Bull Run Creek. This plantation home served as an encampment for the Union and Confederate armies during different times of the Civil War. While the grounds are open daily for free strolls, the home is only open for special events or pre-arranged tours.

Even though Liberia had already been built, the town of Manassas didn't exist at the time of the Civil War, rather it was a railroad junction, which was one key reason for the battle. If either side could secure control of the railroad junction then they would be able to regulate supply lines in favor of their forces.

Another key location in the Manassas area was a ‘stone bridge’ that crossed Bull Run. While the original bridge was destroyed (as shown in the Library of Congress image below) when Confederate forces evacuated Northern Virginia in March of 1862, a rebuilt version of the bridge lies at the eastern entrance of the National Battlefield.

An equally important objective of the skirmishes was to capture the stone bridge in addition to the railroad junction. In the aftermath of both battles they came to be known based on their proximity to 'Bull Run Creek.' So, even to this day, many historians refer to them as the First and Second Battles of Bull Run.

After about 45 minutes in town, we head to Battlefield Park. The First Battle of Manassas was the first major battle of the Civil War. It occurred on July 21, 1861, and was a sounding defeat for the Union army. The National Battlefield Park preserves the site of this battlefield along with the Second Battle of Manassas.

When the tour bus stops, we immediately proceed to a walking tour on Henry House Hill. The park tour guide discusses the major offensives of the First Battle of Bull Run on the very ground where the battle was fought. We visit various landmarks where you can almost hear (in your mind) the sounds of cannon and musket fire as the ranger narrates the skirmishes of the Confederate and Union Infantries.

After the formal tour, we take about 45 minutes to stroll in the footsteps of those who perished in this first battle of the worst war in American History. We then gather outside the visitor center by Rickett's Battery. This first major battle of the Civil War shattered the illusions for both sides of a ‘quick’ and relatively painless victory. Both armies quickly learned just how fierce and brutal this war would be, and how many casualties would be realized. It would be a far bloodier and longer war than either side had contemplated.

At the second battle of Manassas, fought over 3 days in late August 1862, General Robert E. Lee's Confederate army defeated Union forces and forced them to retreat back into Washington, opening up the way for Lee to cross the Potomac River.

Our tour of the second battle is given by a retired park interpreter whom the tour company now employs. He takes us into battlefield areas and explains how both sides of the battle unfold. It makes you wonder how the number of those killed was as low as it was. The Union suffered 13,800 casualties out of 62,000 soldiers engaged, while the Confederacy had around 8,400 losses out of 50,000 soldiers engaged.

Contemplating the outcome of these two battles helps me understand why, as a young boy visiting my family's cemetery plots, I always saw so many Union or Confederate memorials nearby.

As we gather up to board the bus, it's evident that everyone is stressed and tired; I guess that's normal for this tour because the bus driver has a dinner stop for us along the way. We are heading to "The Black Sheep", which is located in a two-story dairy barn built in 1929. The restoration is magnificent, with exposed-beam vaulted ceilings and plush semi-round booths capable of seating six people comfortably.

The restaurant is committed to supporting local farmers and ranchers and delivering the finest ingredients to the table, which are prepared as world-inspired dishes. To accommodate the tour, the restaurant has reserved one side of those big round booths, more than enough space to seat the 50+ of us. 

By the way, this dinner was not included in the actual tour price, but we were notified when making tour reservations that on the 2nd night, there would be a dinner stop with an average price of $75 to $90 per person (depending on selections).

To start things off, I ordered three orders of the Deviled Eggs topped with candied Nueske bacon for the group in our booth. That was 12 egg halves for six people, which was a good start, especially since another individual at our table ordered three orders of Fried Green Tomatoes with spicy remoulade.

I ordered the Diver Sea Scallops for my companion and the New Zealand Lamb Chops for myself. She and I split the Truffle Mac and Cheese as our side dish; however, there was plenty that we also shared with two additional people at our table.

The bill for my dinner was $146.00 for the food and $8.76 for the sale tax, which checked out perfectly with my Avalara resource. Apparently, Manassas has only a 6% sales tax for the State of Virginia. I was so impressed with the quality of the food, the ambiance of the restaurant, and the superior service that I felt $200.00 was the appropriate amount to leave on the silver tray. 

After a dinner like that, you can enjoy a tour bus ride back to Washington, with comfy wide reclining seats. The bus returned us to the hotel around 11:00 pm. I was delighted that my hotel stay included a late check out by 1 pm the next day.  

In wrapping up this month's historical journey, I must remind you that if you are looking for a source of tax information broken down by address and zip code for everything from sales taxes to motor fuel taxes to food and grocery taxes, entertainment taxes, and almost anything else you can pay in the way of 'at the point of sale' tax... then Avalara is your source of tax information. Head to the Avalara Accountant Partner website for more information and tell them, "Murph sent ya."

Till next month, safe travels, and keep paying that sales tax!