Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom OK, everyone!!! I'm going to DC and I want some help. First off anyone who wants a special post card please let me know. I'll be more than happy to send you a post card while I'm on vacation. Now that this is squared away. I plan on staying in Fredricksburg, VA and commuting in for maybe three/ four days. I plan on visiting the Smithsonian Museum again ( a few Musuems were closed last trip ). I am wondering what might be some fun places to eat. I was told that Rachal Ray did her $40 a day show on DC this past saturday. I missed the show and really didn't find anything appealing on her website from the program notes. Anyone know of any good places to eat in DC. Oh and I hate steak so... thats off the menu. Oh and I plan on "finding" some potential gifts for my secret pal while there. So just a heads up; if anyone receives little statues of the Washington Monument, or figurines of Abraham Lincon. I could be your Secret Pal <smile>.
Originally Posted By DlandJB What kind of food do you like? There is a wonderful tapas restaurant (Spanish "small dishes" like Spanish dim sum) up on 7th Street near the Shakespeare Theater <a href="http://www.jaleo.com/downtown.html" target="_blank">http://www.jaleo.com/downtown. html</a> It is only two blocks from the Archives/Navy Memorial station. There are lots of good restaurants in that area, which isn't far from the museums on the Mall. (I just looked at Rachel Ray's site and saw she did Jaleo. It really is very good.) Generally the food at the museums and on the Mall is not good to non-existant. But you only have to go a couple of blocks away to find good food. Another good place for eating is at Union Station. There is a food court which has standard fare, but also some unusual choices, and there are a couple of very nice restaurants on the regular level. You can check out the beautiful architecure, do the shops and choose between America or B. Smiths (and lots in between.) America has a huge menu. <a href="http://www.unionstationdc.com/default.asp" target="_blank">http://www.unionstationdc.com/ default.asp</a> Also, We used to take friends on the D.C. Ducks tour which is a sightseeing tour in an amphibious vehicle. You go around DC then over to VA and into the Potomac down near National Airport. Fun when it isn't too chilly. Do you think you will get to Georgetown? One of my favorites there is Bistro Francais on M Street. Reasonable prices and intimate. Very nice place. <a href="http://www.bistrofrancaisdc.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bistrofrancaisdc.co m/</a> Washingtonian Magazine does an annual best places to eat guide as well as a cheap eats guide and recently a "dirt cheap" guide to restaurants. The cheaper restaurants are more of the Thai, Chinese, and other Asian cuisines so hopefully those appeal to you. But everything is represented here... <a href="http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/default.asp" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonian.com/d ining/default.asp</a> Are you going to be driving in or taking the train in from Fredericksburg? The drive up 95/395 is as bad as any in the L.A. area, so if you can take the train, it will buy you a lot more free time. Be warned too that cabs in D.C. do not have meters, but use a zone system. Some cabs can manage to get you 3 blocks by going through 3 zones which can get pricey. Also, they can jack up the price at rush hour. Before you get in the cab, ask the drive to tell you what it will cost to go from where you are to where you want to be. Take Metro whenever possible. Happy to share more, and I think at least trekkeruss is still a Washington area local, so I'm sure he'll weigh in. Have fun!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I think at least trekkeruss is still a Washington area local, so I'm sure he'll weigh in.>> Yup, I am here... and sadly, I weigh in at 215 on my 5'6" frame. LOL. I'd give you some good restaurant recommendations, but I can't even remember the last time I ate out. I defer to the recommendations of Washingtonian magazine. As for communting in from Fredricksburg, the train is a good idea. Not only can the traffic on I95/395 be horrid, parking in DC is bad as well (just like any major city.) DC's Metro rail is clean, fairly efficient, and gets you to most places a tourist would want to go. There is also a new bus service I have see, but I can't vouch for how well it works: <a href="http://www.dccirculator.com/" target="_blank">http://www.dccirculator.com/</a> I don't know if you had a chance to visit the Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Annex out by Dulles airport. If not, I highly recommend it. Like all Smithsonian museums, it's free, but sadly the parking is not... and it's $12.00. If you don't want to pay the rather hefty fee, you could park at Dulles Town Center and catch a VRTA Shuttle to the museum. <a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/" target="_blank">http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/ udvarhazy/</a> D.C. is a very pleasant place to walk around, but it's more fun on a bike, and there are Segway tours too... I bet a night tour would be especially fun: <a href="http://www.bikethesites.com/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.bikethesites.com/in dex.htm</a> <a href="http://www.citysegwaytours.com/washington/" target="_blank">http://www.citysegwaytours.com /washington/</a> There is a small tribute to Disneyland's 50th on the first floor of the American History Museum, with Teacup and Dumbo ride cars on display. There is also a Disney Store Outlet at the Potomac Mills Outlet Mall... perhaps a place you might want to pop into on the commute from D.C back to Fredericksburg.
Originally Posted By DlandJB don't know if you had a chance to visit the Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Annex out by Dulles airport. If not, I highly recommend it. Like all Smithsonian museums, it's free, but sadly the parking is not... and it's $12.00. If you don't want to pay the rather hefty fee, you could park at Dulles Town Center and catch a VRTA Shuttle to the museum.>>> I'll second that. I'm a space junkie and being that close to a Space Shuttle Enterprise was heaven for me. Not to mention one of the concords. Loved it. Good IMAX there too. Potomac Mills Mall is a great shopping mecca. Ikea is there too. We used to live about 10 minutes from there in Woodbridge.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling My, what great timing you have, KT. One of my girlfriend's just got back from D.C. today. I made her promise to e-mail me her itinerary so I could shoot you off a copy. That girl plans some great trips so I'm kinda excited to be able to pass along the info to you. <<Oh and I plan on "finding" some potential gifts for my secret pal while there. >> LOL. I am SO relieved to hear that I am not the only person who does that! LOL. I was started to think I was a creepy person for thinking of LPers and buying little gifts for them all through the year. LOL.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Lets see I visited the Smithsonian Musuem this time last year and stayed in Fredricksburg with my brother and his family. For some reason all the hotels in the DC area were booked. I already checked and the hotels in the DC area are again all booked. Last year while staying in Fredricksburg I took VRT in and out. You have to get up early and get to the train station by at least 7 am ( yuck! I'm on vacation ). But it only costs $8 one way. So thats a great bargain. Taking the commuter rain in/ out of DC worked out real well. My sister-in-law is a speech pathologist for the Spotsilvania school system. So she and my nephew and neices are up and out of the house for 7 am anyway. The commute in/ out of DC is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!! BEST VIEWS OF THE AREA. The journey goes through woods and the Potomic River the entire route. The train cars are not that comfortable. But if you happen to get on one of the Amtrack trains... what a ride!!! I love Potomic Mills <smile>. Oh and since the Smithsonian doesn't open till 10 am anyway and closes at 5 pm. Communting is a great option. I visited Union Station and heard that any of the resturaunts on the main level are extremely good. Last trip I visited the DAR building. I want to do see the John Singer Sargent painting "the Oyster gathers of Cancale". Its hanging in the gallery of College ( I forget the name ) immediately accross the street from the American Red Cross building. I saw the Disneyland 50th display!!!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I also got my Secret Pal Winter Bash big gift at the Smithsonian. It was really neat looking at the "auto train" in Lawton, VA each moring loading for it daily trip to FL ( all those people heading out for Disney ). I love DC. I called one of my sisters on my cell phone while at the Smithsonian Space and Avaition Musuem. This siter is the one who married her flight instructor! Two years ago I visted the "new" Smithsonian Space and Avational Musuem over by Dulles. I took well over a hundred pictures.... and later on that trip visited one of my buddys up in NJ. I put my cameras flash card in his pc and it promptly erased most everything on my flash card. My other half didn't tell me about this till I got home to Georgia. I really like the sound of taking the amphibious trip around DC .... thanks JB!!! This past sunday ( yes I worked! ) I did a repair for a family what moved to the Atlanta area from Manassas, VA. The family said that any of the restaurants on the main floor of the Union Station are great. They also said that I absolutely had to visit the Native American Museum. I'm not sure if they were talking about the one that is a part of the Smithsonian Museum or something else? They said that there is an incredible restaurant in the Native American Museum. I'm still doing research! Thanks for the tips!!! Anyone want a post card while I'm there? Oh I was thinking of going to the National Aquirium, National Portrait Museum and Smithsonain Musuem of Industry as they were closed last trip. I thought that the Museum of American Culture at the Smithsonian was their best Museum ( thats where the Disneyland 50th was ).
Originally Posted By DlandJB If you haven't been to the National Archives, I'd recommend that -- it was closed for many years to be refurbished. One of my regrets was that I didn't see it before we moved but I hear it looks wonderful. The Museum of the American Indian is supposed to be wonderful. It opened around the time we were moving and it was impossible to get tickets. As far as I know, you don't need tickets to get in anymore. It is on the Mall, up nearer to the Capitol next to the Air and Space Museum. If you head up that way, I'd also strongly recommend checking out the National Arboretum, which is right up even closer to the Capitol building. I had never been there all the years we lived there and then Doug took me there on one of his visits -- it is magical. The JSS painting of the Oyster Gatherers is at the Corcoran. That is a wonderful museum. It is not a Smithsonian museum, so there is an admission fee. It is a lovely museum, and also has a very nice cafe. On Sundays they have a Jazz brunch that is very popular. Another gem of an art gallery, but off the Mall area, is the Phillips Collection. It is up near the Dupont Circle Metro ("The Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Renior is their signature painting) Worth the side trip if you have time. <a href="http://www.phillipscollection.org/" target="_blank">http://www.phillipscollection. org/</a> The aquarium is nothing special -- but it is unique in its location inside the Commerce building. Even DC folks bow to Baltimore when it comes to an Aquarium worth a visit. If you are walking up that way, though, go up and check out the lobby of the Willard Hotel. They used to have an exhibit of Lincoln-era artifacts. (Lincoln stayed at the Willard before his inaugural). But the hotel next to the Willard (The Hotel Washington) has a wonderful "Sky Terrace" lounge which has absolutely amazing views of the city. Just go for coffee and dessert or a light lunch. Totally worth it. <a href="http://cityguide.aol.com/washington/bars/sky-terrace-lounge/v-111377" target="_blank">http://cityguide.aol.com/washi ngton/bars/sky-terrace-lounge/v-111377</a>
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom JB thanks. I heard that the National Archives was flooded this past spring. I'm not sure what kind of shape its in now. My customers from sunday thought that it is reopened. I know last year when I was in DC there was a display going on on the Mall of energy efficient homes. I was able to see some of it while walking around to the various buildings of the Smithsonian. What was funny was that this past spring I was watching an episode of "This Old House" and they had an episode on that very display on the Mall. How is that for, I was there! I love painting. So I will check out the Renoir. Yes it is indeed the Cocoran ( I knew it had a familuar Star Trek name in it ). The problem last year was that I was visiting DC on a monday, tuesday and wednesday. The Cocoran gallery is not open Monday and tuesday. I never had the chance to check it out on Wednesday. So this year I want to see it!!!
Originally Posted By DlandJB <a href="http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/visit/visit.html" target="_blank">http://www.archives.gov/nation al-archives-experience/visit/visit.html</a> Looks like the National Archives is open again. Sounds like you have a great trip shaping up!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I want to thank everyone for all their Washington DC advise! I am having an icredible time in the Washington DC area right now. Today I visited the National Native American Museum, National Arborium, The Museum of Natural History. Which are all part of the Smithsonian. I have so many pictures to post I can't wait. Tomorrow I plan on visiting the Capatiol Hill area around Union Station and the National Portrait Gallery. Thanks for the advise JB!!! The arborium was incredible!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom The best part is that not only did I have the inside scoop on some of the good things to do at the Smithsonian. But I was also giving advise to some British tourist today as well. Incredible day here in DC!
Originally Posted By avromark <- when I visited washington in 03 we somehow ended up in a Pentagon parking lot. Did you do your obiligatory salute on Pennsylvania Ave?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Gotta say, you are being blessed with great weather! You know, I have heard good things about the International Spy Museum. I don't know if you have all you time budgeted already, but it's very close to where you will be tomorrow. It's $15; here's a link to their site: <a href="http://www.spymuseum.org/index.asp" target="_blank">http://www.spymuseum.org/index .asp</a>
Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819 We haven't been to DC in about 5 years, don't you just love it there? We stayed in MD at some cheap hotel and took the hotel's shuttle to the metro station each day. For $5 we got an all day pass and would follow that color coded system to all of the places we wanted to go throughout the day. Union station was amazing. I loved eating there in that underground Utopia of fast food places. (The hardest part was finding a person that understood English to take our order! and they were all cranky and mean! lol I felt like I was in NY!) The place I would not miss going would be Ford's Theater and the House where Lincoln died. There was a wonderful guide at the theater that we learned so much from. He was so interesting and he kept the audience mesmerized. There was a large display in the basement of the theater with cases containing the clothing Pres. Lincoln was wearing, I think the gun that he was shot with was there, even the pillow that his head was on when he died, still covered in blood. It sounds creepy. I know, but it was a weird feeling to see all of these things in person, after having read so much about him through the years. I guess it made him seem more real. (It's hard to explain, but you'll know the feeling if you go!) If you see the house where he passed away, which is across the street from the theater, you'll feel the same feeling.
Originally Posted By beamerdog My SIL and son visited the spy museum and gave it a B+. Has the FBI openned their tours yet? I had two good tours before 9/11. The National Cathedral is a great place, too. We also like the Hirshorn museum on the mall. Sounds like you're having a super time!
Originally Posted By DlandJB <<Thanks for the advise JB!!! The arborium was incredible!>> My pleasure, but I wouldn't have even known how wonderful it was if Dug hadn't taken me there -- I only lived there 33 years before I saw the inside of the place!! (of course it was closed for a few of those) Spy Museum -- I hear it is good but it isn't cheap -- and you do get spoiled with all the Smithsonian museums just letting you walk in for free. I miss the awesome gift shop in the Museum of American History. Glad you are having a great time!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I visited the International Spy Musuem last year. Its well worth the trip. I have already done it so I really don't plan on doing it this trip. <<I miss the awesome gift shop in the Museum of American History.>> I was actually disappointed with the Museum shops at the American History Museum. I want to go back to the Native American Museum and do some shopping ( for my Winter Bash Pal ). While in the Capital Hill area I want to check out the Art Gallerys at the Cochran. I promised my Mom I would call her from the DAR building. I also promised I would call my sister from the Air & Space Museum building back on the Mall. I plan on eating lunch again at the Native American Museum. The place in incredible!!! Yesterday I had smoked rainbow trout salad with pickled greens on wild rice bread for lunch. My other half had the buffalo shank with the grilled smoked butternut squash and dried raisans. I had started the day with Mexican Hot Chocolate..... Hot Chocolate with chili powder in it!!! Hands down that museum has the best food in DC. Skip Thanksgiving.... eat here!!! I knew I was going to go crazy taking pictures of everthing so monday night I went to Costco and bought a 2 gig flash card for my Kodak digital camera!! I was taking pictures of all the food in the cafateria. The employees were very pleased and impressed. The people trying to eat were a bit mistified and bewildered. At least I got great pictures of the food. The employees said their head chef had moved to Atlanta to open a restaurant there ( Lucky me)! And yes we are having incredible weather!!! I wore jeans yesterday and was sweating. So today I plan on wearing shorts. Yesterday, I had planned on taking VRE up from Fredricksburg into DC. Unfortunately the parking lots were filled. So we decided to drive up to Springfield ( massive parking deck there not to mention the mall for parking ) and rode Metro in from there. It was much more convient taking Metro... the trains run every 10 minutes or so. As opposed to VRE which only runs during select times. Oh course we did get stuck in traffic on the way back down 95 from Springfield to Fredricksburg. But no big deal!!! We are on vacation!!! DC is so much fun!!! I don't know why but I LOVE the Smithsonian. I don't think I have ever spent that much time looking at the fossils and gems in the Musuem of Natural History. OH and a side note. The Smithsonian really needs to get their men's rooms fixed. About the only one operational ( if you can believe that ) was the single occupant one over by the Imax theatere and there was a line for that one. So bottom line is that no Institution is perfect. I can't believe that the Smithsonian ( especially their largest Musuem building ) would have so many Men's rooms out of commission. I am craving smoked butternut squash and Mexican Hot Chocolate!!! Let me get ready for today!!! Later, I will keep you all posted!!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss If you get hungy today, I recommend Full Kee in Chinatown. A real authentic Chinese restaurant... meaning the place is a dump but the food is great. LOL.
Originally Posted By avromark <<A real authentic Chinese restaurant... meaning the place is a dump but the food is great.>> That describes all the restaurants I frequent. I take it Tom likes museums.
