Heading to D.C.

[frontrangeclone]

forget about the white house if you're only there for a week, my brother is a congressman and the best he could do was a 6 week waiting list.

The war memorials are a must, to me each of them evoke a certain emotion or "feel"... the Korean War memorial is probably my favorite, the way they imprinted images of soldiers into the marble was just amazing.
Besides the usual stuff mentioned in other posts, I'll suggest a few other tips... Check out Mt. Vernon, G. Washington's mansion and plantation, about 15 mi. south of the district. For a local pub fav, check out the Hawk'n'Dove on PA avenue a few blocks east of the Library of Congress. Great food and atmosphere. Also, you can rent sea kayaks in Georgetown and kayak the Potomac, which is a blast and a unique way to see the monuments. One of my other favorite non-governmental buildings is Union Station, just a beautiful structure, it's just north of the Capitol. And, last but not least, get a burger and fries at Five Guys, the famous east coast burger chain joint. There is one in the DuPont Circle area near a metro stop.

Have comfy walking shoes when doing the mall and museums, and avoid the metro at rush hour times.

 

[LetsPlay2]

The monuments--but try to see if the people you are with are interested in going at night. They're cool during the day, but when they're lit up at night they're awesome! FDR Monument is a big open space that you can walk through, and one of my favorites out there.

Arlington National Cemetery--watch the changing of the guard. They do it every half hour IIRC.

I love DC...so much to see, so little time!

This...Arlington is sweet and the changing of the guard is pretty awesome to watch. I think you are right about the half hour deal.

I like how all the museums are free to get in to.

 

[The_Architect]

Try not to get The HIV. There are freakishly high HIV rates in the DC area.

 

[CIVILCY]

Try not to get The HIV. There are freakishly high HIV rates in the DC area.

well I guess that would make for a memorable trip

 

[jumbopackage]

A week isn't nearly enough time to take in just the Smithsonian museums, IMO, let alone all the other stuff to see.

I highly recommend going to the national archives if you've never been.

 

[isucyc]

I liked the Iwo Jima Statues Exhibit. I thought it had the most memorable exhibit. It isn't too far from Arlington if I remember. It seemed so real.

 

[cybsball20]

There's a sweet bar called the H street country club that has a mini golf course in it...

 

[CIVILCY]

There's a sweet bar called the H street country club that has a mini golf course in it...

Is that an actual bar where you have to be 21. My youngest sister-in-law is only 17, but that sounds fun and I know my wife and her family would like that.

 

[cybsball20]

Is that an actual bar where you have to be 21. My youngest sister-in-law is only 17, but that sounds fun and I know my wife and her family would like that.

Ya, its a bar,probably not the most 'family friendly'.

actually, just went on the website. They serve food and minors are ok if accompanied by an adult.

 

[CIVILCY]

Ya, its a bar,probably not the most 'family friendly'.

actually, just went on the website. They serve food and minors are ok if accompanied by an adult.

I'll have to see if I can get the family to go.

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

 

[capitalcityguy]

If you want to catch the Capital and/or Washington Monument tours, the tickets are free but are all gone within 15-20 minutes of starting to hand them out.. and the line forms before hand so if you get in line at 8 (or whenever it is they start handing them out), you are already too late

That is how it used to be for Capitol tours, but not any longer since the new vistor center opened. They now offer many, many more tours. In fact, I was just in DC and got to the visitor's center after 2:00pm and was on a tour by 2:30pm.

 

[Cyclonepride]

The Smithsonian is fantastic. Arlington is a place that everyone should visit at least once, and definitely see the changing of the guard. Also, the Vietnam Memorial........that will leave you at a loss for words.

 

[swammi]

The Lincoln Memorial. There is simply nothing like it anythere in the world. For me, it is always a moving experience to stand in front of that great statue and read the words on the walls to the left and right.

Vietnam Wall. A long line of black panels bear the names of those killed in Vietnam in chronolical order of their deaths. From a distance, it looks like a scar on the land; up close, it is moving. Relatives and friends of the fallen obtain a book which helps them locate the name(s) they seek on the wall. They search, then find the name(s), reach out and touch it, often they make an impression with paper and a lead pencil. It is a touching and somewhat painful experience to watch this play out again and again at the wall.

 

[Sparkplug]

Ford's Theatre reopened this summer after being remodeled.

The boat ride to Mount Vernon is a great and relaxing.

Portrait Gallery - always great

Restaurants in Chinatown - crowded but good

 

[Flag Guy]

That is how it used to be for Capitol tours, but not any longer since the new vistor center opened. They now offer many, many more tours. In fact, I was just in DC and got to the visitor's center after 2:00pm and was on a tour by 2:30pm.

I'm glad to hear that :yes:

Last couple of times I've taken people to DC it is hit one or the other... I haven't made the Capital tour since moving back to the area



And yeah there is no way to hit everything in a week. Like someone else said I recommend the National Archives (the portion of it with the Magna Carta, Decloration of Independance, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights)

I also recommend stopping by the Museum of American History atleast long enough to see the Star Spangled Banner (the flag that was flying over Ft. McHenry in Baltimore that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to our national anthem... or atleast what is left of the flag)