Originally Posted By RokNRollaCosta Hello all, I am traveling to Washington D.C. for a small weekend vacation for the first time next weekend and was wondering if all of you who have been there have any advice on what to do, not do, where to go, etc... Thanks so much.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss You're in luck... the weather here is supposed to be gorgeous. There is a LOT to see and do here in Washington; you will definitely have to pick and choose what you want to see. I would rent a bike from Bike The Sights, so you can cover all the monuments and the like in a short period of time. The Mall area is a wonderful place to walk, but it's 1.9 miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial; 10 miles easily if you want to see all the major sights. Alternatively, there is the Tourmobile buses, which you can hop on and off all day, but bikes are more convenient, IMO. Some of the biggies: Lincoln Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Washington Monument Jefferson Memorial (It's currently closed for renovations... you can only walk around the outside) White House Tour (you have to get up early to make a reservation I believe) Capitol Tour National Archives Smithsonian Museums (could occupy your entire visit; they're that good... and FREE!) National Holocaust Museum Some other options: Supreme Court Library Of Congress U.S. Botanical Gardens The International Spy Museum Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where they make money) The National Zoo Ford's Theater (where Lincoln was assasinated) Other area sights not in the city: Old Town Alexandria George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate Arlington National Cemetery
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh You left out FDR's memorial. I really enjoyed it. Ford's Theater was really interesting. The White House tour, however, now requires contacting your Congressperson several months in advance. Although the visitor center is worth some time.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I left out the FDR on purpose... but since you mentioned it, I would throw in the Korean War and WWII Memorials as well... these are all in the same general vicinity; with bikes you could see them all within acouple of hours.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Our family loved Washington DC... probably one of our best vacations ever. Be sure to see the Lincoln Memorial area. The Lincoln, Viet Nam Veterans and Korean Veterans Memorials are all in close proximity and are ALL very worthwhile. The Viet Nam memorial is far more well know, but the Korean War memorial is very moving as well as being extraordinary sculpture. Sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and looking out over the reflecting pool down to the Washington Monument is one of those iconic experiences that you just can't miss. In my opinion the time required to go inside the Washington Monument is not really worth it. The view from a distance is gorgeous. It does not gain anything by seeing it up close. The Smithsonian Museums are unbelievable. As trekkeruss noted, they could easily occupy your entire visit. They could easily occupy a TWO WEEK visit. Our favorite was the Museum of American History. The National Galleries of Art (by the Smithsonian’s but not one of their museums) were fantastic, as was the Hirshhorn Museum (Modern Art... I believe it IS a part of the Smithsonian group). One of the unexpected highlights of our trip was the Library of Congress. We probably would not have bothered with this except for our future librarian daughter. It is a very beautiful building and well worth the time to see it. Go everywhere you can on the Metro. It is convenient, fast and safe.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<In my opinion the time required to go inside the Washington Monument is not really worth it. The view from a distance is gorgeous. It does not gain anything by seeing it up close.>> I agree... not worth the time. <<The Smithsonian Museums are unbelievable.>> All the museums on the Mall are fantastic. The most popular are the Air and Space, the American History, and the Natural History. I highly recommend the free tours given by volunteer guides... they are very interesting. <<Go everywhere you can on the Metro.>> If you use Metro, spend $20 on a SmartTrip card instead of a regular farecard... you won't save much money (you get 10% free with $20) but they are much more convenient than the regular card.
Originally Posted By PlainoLJoe I didnt read all of those by my parents would suggest one thing. NO FLASH IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES!!!!!! Pops thought the flash was off. The armed escort out of the building was an indication that it was not.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<NO FLASH IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES!!!!!! Pops thought the flash was off. The armed escort out of the building was an indication that it was not.>> Good point, and it does pay to ask everywhere you go. I was rather shocked to find that flash photography WAS allowed in the National Galleries of Art and the Hirshhorn.
Originally Posted By ecdc Have fun! My dad lives in Georgetown and I've been back many, many times. I love DC. I think all the high points have been hit. The Washington monument now requires passes to go up to the top and forget about getting them unless you line up early. It isn't worth it. I think the Spy museum and Ford's theatre are excellent; hey, pick up the new book "Manhunt" on Lincoln's assassination and the chase for John Wilkes Boothe and read it on the plane then go to Fords The Iwo Jima memorial with the marines raising the flag is nice to see but out of the way of the mall. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is fun, the Holocaust Museum is sobering and you could spend all day there with everything. Kennedy's grave at Arlington is neat, and you can get there directly from the Metro. The Metro in DC is your best friend; it's an excellent service. I love the Archives and seeing the Constitution. It's the historian and preservationist in me that flips when the flashes start going off If you only have a day or two, you really could just show up at the Mall and spend your day there and feel like the time is well spent. In that little two mile space of land is the Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial, WWII, Korea, reflecting pool. A stones throw is the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress, which is beautiful inside.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Washington DC is an incredible vacation spot. As stated you are going to have to choose just what to visit during your short stay. You will find really good restaurants with a huge variety of food (with a slant on the healthy side ). I would also recommend the Smithsonian ( its free ). My favorite and the one with the best food court as Road Trip said is the Museum of American History. They even have a 50th Anniversary tribute to Disneyland. Julia Child's kitchen is not to be missed. You might also want to check out the Daughters of the American Revolution Building up near the White House. They have a museum, libary and FREE. They give tours. Union Station is INCREDIBLE!!!! DC is a pedistrian city so wear good walking shoes. You can get anywhere in the city either on foot, by bike or by subway. Trailsend recommended The Spy Museum to me and I went. You have to pay but it was fun. Definatley the Smithsonian is going to be your best bet. I can't wait to go back. Have fun.
Originally Posted By trailsend There is a touring tram/bus and I'm so sorry I cannot remember the name, maybe someone can, but it has the most complete tour. You pay, then you are free to get off and spend as much time as you want at any of the places that interest you the most. If you work it right and get there in the morning, you could easily be taken to all the memorials and so much else. I agree about the Washington Memorial ~ pass on this to catch something else. And take the Metro ~ just too easy. Hey KT, I'm glad you enjoyed The International Spy Museum! My husband's shirt he bought there that says "DENY EVERYTHING" gets reaction every where we go!
Originally Posted By DlandJB Everyone ahead of me has done a great job with all the not to miss things. The only tip I would add is that down near the museums and the Mall, there are very few restaurants and food choices (lots of funky hotdog carts, but I don't mean "funky" in a good way.) You don't have to go far to find good food, but if you plan on staying close to the mall, you will likely have to stick to the museum restaurants which can be pricey and not so great. Great food options in Georgetown (although no Metro is right there, but Foggy Bottom isn't far) and there are some places there that are not as pricey as you might think. Up near Ford's theatre there are some great restaurants. Have a wonderful time!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<you will likely have to stick to the museum restaurants which can be pricey and not so great.>> Yes, the food is as expensive (or more) than Disney food, and not half as good. As DlandJB mentioned Georgetown is great, and there are a few restaurants not at all far from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop that we thought were very good.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss We've got an abundance of restaurants here in the D.C area, but near the Mall it's rather slim pickin's. Washingtonian magazine publishes two lists each year, one of the 100 very best restaurants, and another of the 100 best bargain restaurants: <a href="http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/05vbcontents.html" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonian.com/d ining/05vbcontents.html</a> <a href="http://www.washingtonian.com/Dining/cheapeats/05.html" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonian.com/D ining/cheapeats/05.html</a>
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh We ate at the ESPN Zone by Ford's Theater. It was not as good as the one in DTD. Next time, if there is one, I think I'll try the Hard Rock - I've always had a good experience with them.
Originally Posted By DlandJB The Hard Rock Cafe in Washington is pretty disappointing...and way over priced. There are some wonderful local alternatives up the same street. Try Jaleo, a terrific Spanish tapas restaurant, and there are several great steak places in the same part of town.
Originally Posted By DlandJB I just thought of this too -- a lot of the tour bus tours leave from Union Station (including the wonderful DC Ducks) Union Station, along with being fun and lovely, has a very wonderful food court in the lower level with just about every kind of food you could possibly want at a good price too.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip We really enjoyed a restaurant that was about two blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. The restaurant is Marshall's at 2524 L Street Northwest. The menu offered a nice variety, the food was well prepared and the prices were modest. A link to their menu: <a href="http://www.marshallsbarandgrill.com/dinner_menu.asp" target="_blank">http://www.marshallsbarandgril l.com/dinner_menu.asp</a>
Originally Posted By trailsend I forgot to mention how much we enjoyed Union Station. We went back several times and ate at 2 specific restaurants and thoroughly enjoyed both. Thunder Grill (202) 898-0051 Street Level - Main Hall Full service restaurant which is a visual and culinary celebration of the American Southwest. Uno Chicago Grill (202) 842-0438 Mezzanine Level Full service restaurant with pizza, soups, salads, pastas, burgers, sandwiches and more. Our dining experience at the Mall was great. We had excellent food. I cannot tell you where we were because I was totally into our visit and lost complete track of time and we just happened upon a place to eat and in we went. The museum experience was such a good one and one we did not have time to complete. Trying to get so much in, I had no idea where I was and it's one exhibit after another. It's such a great time.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I just thought of another good place to eat. The Old Post Office Pavilion has many good places to eat, most of them counter service. You can also take an elevator to the observation deck at the top of the building’s 315 foot bell tower. The view is fantastic (only the Washington Monument is higher) and you don't have to do all the waiting that you do at the Monument.
