We'll be staying with family in Bowie so its only about a 30 minute drive into DC. We plan on using the metro as much as we can to get around. Planning on heading to Annapolis for a day to see the Naval Academy and the shops around the town. I've always wanted to drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, so I hope to do that while we're there too.
Washington DC
- Thread starter cyadict
- Start date
Yes, it was very disturbing. But I believe they put the "roughest" stuffs behind tall walls so little kids can't see. I took my 8 year old and he appreciated it.
You'll see adults openly weeping in that place. Very moving and touching.
Definitely recommend going to National Mall in the middle of the night. No one is around, buildings are lit up just right, very serene. Smithsonian complex is amazing. Pick a couple of museums. Alexandria is a nice detour too. Also enjoyed walking around Georgetown.
If you're going to Annapolis don't bother with Georgetown, its not near a metro and not overly interesting. If you like scenic nature, go to Great Falls park a hidden treasure. Don't overdue trying to see all the Smithsonian in a day, you'll be tired and miserable, it can be an insane amount of walking if you let it. Nighttime monuments is great and easier to drive and park. Spy Museum is cool, have to pay. Plenty of places to eat if youre a foodie.
I've been to DC numerous times. The top things to do is to do are the sights in the National Mall area. The Smithsonian could take a half/full day. Next to the mall, touring the Monuments is also a must do. If you want to go up the Washington Monument, you will need to look at getting advanced tickets, I believe.
Also in the Mall area is the White House, Capitol, Library of Congress, National Archives, Supreme Court, etc. I've never got a White House or Capitol tours, however I believe you need to get them in advance and you should check them. Otherwise walk around them. National Archives should have the historical documents.
Arlington National Cemetary would be a good stop to go to.
Mt Vernon is outside of Washington and also a recommended stop.
I also really liked the National Zoo, however not a must-see. I had friends rave about hitting the National Cathedral and said they had excellent sights of the city from there.
I also went to Ford's Theater (where Lincoln was assassinated).
The Spy Museum was also interesting and I found enjoyable and popular, however I wouldn't call it must-see.
Georgetown and old Alexandria areas are good with restaurants and old shops.
If you can swing day trips, hitting colonial Williamsburg and/or Monticello is possible as is hitting Baltimore (Ft McHenry/Star Spangled Banner) were good.
Also in the Mall area is the White House, Capitol, Library of Congress, National Archives, Supreme Court, etc. I've never got a White House or Capitol tours, however I believe you need to get them in advance and you should check them. Otherwise walk around them. National Archives should have the historical documents.
Arlington National Cemetary would be a good stop to go to.
Mt Vernon is outside of Washington and also a recommended stop.
I also really liked the National Zoo, however not a must-see. I had friends rave about hitting the National Cathedral and said they had excellent sights of the city from there.
I also went to Ford's Theater (where Lincoln was assassinated).
The Spy Museum was also interesting and I found enjoyable and popular, however I wouldn't call it must-see.
Georgetown and old Alexandria areas are good with restaurants and old shops.
If you can swing day trips, hitting colonial Williamsburg and/or Monticello is possible as is hitting Baltimore (Ft McHenry/Star Spangled Banner) were good.
Great idea. I had forgotten about the embassies. If you have a car, just drive through some areas with embassies. The kids will really be impressed by the flags, big buildings, SUVs with dark windows, and security gates. Plus, you get to help them think about America in a global context.
Also for perspective, you might want to drive by Watergate and tell the kids about how crooked presidents get caught.
Visit the Supreme Court. One of the cool things about the Supreme Court is its location right behind the Capitol.
Drive by the Pentagon and all the military-related buildings in Arlington.
Also, Remember the Titans high school is in Arlington.
Maybe also visit RFK Stadium which is just a little ways farther behind the Capitol.
Sorry in advance for the long post, but wanted to help out if I can! I've lived in the DC area for over 7 years now and there are a ton of good recommendations in this chain. I will give a list of places that I always take my guests/tell them to see when here. I am a history and politics junkie, so that does impact it:
DC is very tourist friendly, so you can honestly walk or metro to pretty much any place you want to get. Most of the monuments/capitol/WH/museums are near each other and can be walked.
1) Monument walk. Absolute must. You can see pretty much all the monuments in one shot if you are willing to do some walking. Capitol building, Washington, Vietnam, Korea, Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, MLK, World War I & II.
2) Arlington National Cemetery. Really, really puts things in perspective. See President Kennedy's grave and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Also check out the Lee mansion and Civil War Tomb at the top of the hill as well.
3) White House and Capitol. You don't have to do tours if you can't get them, but definitely walk by them and take in the history. The Supreme Court and Library of Congress are over by the Capitol too. IF you have time, the Library of Congress on the inside is gorgeous.
4) Museums - I recommend Air and Space and American History. If you do American History the top exhibits are the Star-Spangled Banner (yes, the original); and the War and Presidency exhibits. If you do Air and Space the Wright Brothers exhibit is cool as is the Apollo program exhibit. Lots of stuff used on the moon and moon rocks you can touch.
5) National Archives - GO EARLY or you will wait forever in line. But, seeing the Declaration of Independence and Constitution is awesome and well worth it.
6) Ford's Theater - where Lincoln was assassinated. Get a tour, you can see the box he was shot in, as well as the Peterson House that he died in across the street. The museum below also has the gun Booth shot Lincoln with. Pretty haunting to see.
7) Nationals Games - go check one out if they are home while you are here. Nationals Park is beautiful and it is just a fun experience. Plus, your kids will love the President's race in either the 4th or 5th inning.
As far as restaurants etc, feel free to PM me if you want some suggestions. I'm always happy to help, and there are TONS of places to eat. Literally any kind of food you want, there will be a place.
One other thing I will tell you, observe tourist protocol. When you ride the metro, if you are going to stand on the escalators - stand on the right side, and let people walk up the left side. The locals will get agitated if you block up the whole escalator. Also, I highly recommend not riding metro before 9:30 AM and not between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM. That is rush hour and not only is it jam packed, but the locals just want to go to/home from work. Don't take up space. Most of the museums don't open until 10 AM anyways, for that very reason.
DC is very tourist friendly, so you can honestly walk or metro to pretty much any place you want to get. Most of the monuments/capitol/WH/museums are near each other and can be walked.
1) Monument walk. Absolute must. You can see pretty much all the monuments in one shot if you are willing to do some walking. Capitol building, Washington, Vietnam, Korea, Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, MLK, World War I & II.
2) Arlington National Cemetery. Really, really puts things in perspective. See President Kennedy's grave and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Also check out the Lee mansion and Civil War Tomb at the top of the hill as well.
3) White House and Capitol. You don't have to do tours if you can't get them, but definitely walk by them and take in the history. The Supreme Court and Library of Congress are over by the Capitol too. IF you have time, the Library of Congress on the inside is gorgeous.
4) Museums - I recommend Air and Space and American History. If you do American History the top exhibits are the Star-Spangled Banner (yes, the original); and the War and Presidency exhibits. If you do Air and Space the Wright Brothers exhibit is cool as is the Apollo program exhibit. Lots of stuff used on the moon and moon rocks you can touch.
5) National Archives - GO EARLY or you will wait forever in line. But, seeing the Declaration of Independence and Constitution is awesome and well worth it.
6) Ford's Theater - where Lincoln was assassinated. Get a tour, you can see the box he was shot in, as well as the Peterson House that he died in across the street. The museum below also has the gun Booth shot Lincoln with. Pretty haunting to see.
7) Nationals Games - go check one out if they are home while you are here. Nationals Park is beautiful and it is just a fun experience. Plus, your kids will love the President's race in either the 4th or 5th inning.
As far as restaurants etc, feel free to PM me if you want some suggestions. I'm always happy to help, and there are TONS of places to eat. Literally any kind of food you want, there will be a place.
One other thing I will tell you, observe tourist protocol. When you ride the metro, if you are going to stand on the escalators - stand on the right side, and let people walk up the left side. The locals will get agitated if you block up the whole escalator. Also, I highly recommend not riding metro before 9:30 AM and not between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM. That is rush hour and not only is it jam packed, but the locals just want to go to/home from work. Don't take up space. Most of the museums don't open until 10 AM anyways, for that very reason.
In American History, if they still have the ice cream parlor, might be worth a snack. My husband bought some ludicrous sundae that was so enormous that us and two kids had a hard time polishing it off.
They also used to have a pleasant restaurant in whatever the main Smithsonian art museum is called, on a lower level with some kind of water feature.
My kids liked wandering around and that is how they came across the Einstein Memorial at the National Academy of Sciences. They liked having lunch there, grabbing some vendor dogs. Did that a couple of days.
They also used to have a pleasant restaurant in whatever the main Smithsonian art museum is called, on a lower level with some kind of water feature.
My kids liked wandering around and that is how they came across the Einstein Memorial at the National Academy of Sciences. They liked having lunch there, grabbing some vendor dogs. Did that a couple of days.
I would be camping at Vice President Underwood's house and just hope to get a look at the VP and his wife. Too bad Freddy's BBQ Joint closed down would have been killer to try the ribs.
I witnessed it myself in the Verizon Center metrostation, one gal yelled at couple of people for standing on the left side LOL.
I'll just throw in my two cents worth and say that I personally loved the Air and Space Museum out at Dulles Int'l Airport. I really like that type of thing and if the kids are into it, they should love this place.
http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/
http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/
I hope you are happy, I spent the last half hour trying to look up this delicious burger place I used to go to near Metro Center and I can't find it for the life of me.
Not near Metro Center but I really like Good Stuff Eatery for burgers which is a few blocks off the Mall southeast of the Capitol.
Been to DC five times. My favorites are Arlington, the Library of Congress, the National Cathedral, and the Holocaust museum. I highly recommend them.
If nothing else, don't miss the Library of Congress. It was the first building in DC with electricity. They also have the map that first says America on it. It was recovered from a German castle. Dates back to 1509 or something. Plus they have the Guttenburg (sp) bible. Very cool.
If nothing else, don't miss the Library of Congress. It was the first building in DC with electricity. They also have the map that first says America on it. It was recovered from a German castle. Dates back to 1509 or something. Plus they have the Guttenburg (sp) bible. Very cool.
