Your Opinion: What is on your must see list for a DC vacation?

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[IamConservative]

I am planning on taking the family to DC this year for Spring Break. As a bonus, we will be there during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Family consists of spouse and two teens, a 14 year old boy and a 17 year old girl.

Thanks in advance for your opinions on stops that made your DC trip memorable. My family will appreciate it and perhaps others going in the future can benefit from your experience as well.

My kids would certainly rather go to Florida, but I think the DC experience is an important part of being an American.

[gate2wire]

All of the above are great suggestions. Arlington a must. Once there, do not cross back over the bridge without going to the Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima).

Also, I would highly suggest driving from Arlington to the Capitol (or vice versa) at night. Absolutely beautiful.

Anyway, have fun, stop by Walter Reed on friday night and say hello to the D. C. Chapter. They're great people.

[DakotaGator]

Tour the USF CONSTELLATION in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It's great and there are quite a few more attractions at the Inner Harbor. Here's your link:

USF CONSTELLATION

Enjoy!

[elc]

Dear Lord. You had me right up until the Manassas part.

Ok. I'm sure you are talking about the Civil War aspect of it. But, ugh. Manassas?

[hattend]

Air and Space Museum
White House Tour
Smithsonian

[Kaylee Frye]

One thing to keep in mind is that some places you will want to go will only be open during the week (not many, but a few), so check on the schedules before planning what to do on what day. Also, I suspect that popular tours like the White House are easier to do during the week than on the weekend (especially midweek).

I always wanted to tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, but I was always there on the weekend and they were closed. I have no idea if it's a worthwhile visit or not, but it always looked cool.

[Hoodlum91]

Manassas battlefield is very cool! And pretty!

[elc]

I know. Been there many times. Just a shame it's in Manassas.

[R. Scott]

The entire Smithsonian Museum.
When I was stationed in that area I made it up at least 4 or 5 days a month for a year, and still didn't take it all in.

[Rebelbase]

"I always wanted to tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, but I was always there on the weekend and they were closed. I have no idea if it's a worthwhile visit or not, but it always looked cool."

I'ts impressive. Stacks and Stacks of uncut sheets of $20's, 4' tall laying around on pallets. Literally hundreds of millions of dollars behind the security glass.

[Kaylee Frye]

Cool, maybe someday I'll make it there!

[Cecily]

In addition to everyone else's suggestions, you could spend part of a day in Annapolis, MD. The town is pretty, and you can visit the US Naval Academy there. Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown are good for shops, restaurants, and looking at lovely old houses and gardens.


http://www.usna.edu/visit.htm

[jan in Colorado]

My kids would certainly rather go to Florida, but I think the DC experience is an important part of being an American.

I am having the same argument at my house. My kids want to go to Florida and I want to return to DC!

Last summer I went to DC for a week and one of the highlights was FReeping in front of Walter Reed! Your kids are old enough to participate and I would strongly suggest you do that. The DC FReepers are wonderful Patriots and will help you with directions etc. It will be a memorable experience for your entire family. Check out some of their threads...they are out there supporting our troops EVERY Friday night, no matter what the weather!

Walter Reed FReep Feb 24th

My teenage son's favorite was the Air and Space Museum. I loved the American History Museum!

As others have suggested, contact your Congressman and Senators now. Going through your representatives you get a "free" tour of the Capitol, and you see much more of the "behind the scenes," than if you do the public tour.

In one day you can see the Vietnam Memorial, the WWII Memorial, the Korean Memorial and this statue of Einstein isn't too far away and fun to see in person!

I can't wait to go back! Have fun!

Thanks for the ping, USF!

[linda_22003]

Definitely Arlington National Cemetery; especially if it's cherry blossom time, you'll see trees as beautiful all over the cemetery as you will in any of the more congested spots, like around the Tidal Basin.

[js1138]

I took my family to D.C. in 1989. We toured the Capitol building on the 200th anniversary of the great compromise that created the two houses of congress.

No one was home. The place was empty.

[zzen01]

Buy a multi-trip Metro Pass and park your car and ride the Metro.

[Hoodlum91]

Are you planning on a DC trip too? Same offer for you...FReepmail me if you need dining suggestions or have more questions!

[RockinRight]

I might take you up on that. I already have a personal tour guide...

[Responsibility2nd]

Let me second this suggestion.

The only thing worse than parking in DC is driving in DC.

I'm sure by now you've already booked a hotel, but I strongly suggest you stay in a hotel near a metro stop.

But if not, use the metro as much as possible anyway. It's really good.

[Gondring]

Directly under the fireworks, looking up at them against the Washington Monument and the black night sky is another perspective I've enjoyed. It was interesting to compare the "Mall View" to that one.