Nancy:
Congrats on your trip.
I've found that visiting a museum is usually one of the easiest and friendliest venues you can readily access. I've visited the National Gallery of Art and several of the Smithsonian Museums in DC with no concerns at all. No food court issues; no museum shop issues; and no restroom issues.
I urge others to consider this as an easy way to venture out and mingle with little to no risk - far less than the shopping mall, or late night strolls in parks or dark neighborhoods. I also agree that a road trip is a great confidence builder.
Best, Rhonda
