Posted on 03/03/2017 5:19:27 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear
I would look at the WMATA website right before you go to see what the current phase of SafeTrack is going on. They are doing major amounts of maintenance one segment at a time to try to make up for years of mismanagement and neglect.
Unfortunately for train riders the best museum in town is the Smithsonian Air Museum at Dulles. It is huge. The one in town is great, but not as great. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the C and O canal. Good walking territory heading northwest along the river from Georgetown. A possible itinerary for a day would be to see the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, then the Kennedy Center upper deck in the morning, Grab lunch at Farmers, Fishers, Bakers on the Georgetown waterfront. After lunch go up the river and rent a kayak or paddle board from one of the vendors. That part of the Potomac is fairly clean. It does get muddy after fresh rains.
You may see some very low flying helicopters on the south side of the city. Due to the traffic around Reagan, the helicopters are restricted to 200 feet and below. It might even be me.
Ah yes, they hosted one of Podesta’s book launches?
My wife and I used to live in Northern Virginia and we’ve done countless tours there with field trips (elementary school) and relatives for many years. I’d be glad to offer suggestions on what to do. Keep in mind 4 days won’t be enough time to do everything but I’ll toss a bunch of suggestions out there to see what might pique your interest.
One of the nice things is that many of the attractions in DC are free, since they are part of the taxpayer funded Smithsonian Institution. This includes the main museums (U.S. History, Air and Space, etc.) but also the National Zoo.
The metro system is pretty good, and they offer all day passes usually after 9am on weekdays. I don’t know what they cost now, but it’s a one price ride all day deal and it’s a great way to get around the city.
Here are my recommendations, grouped by interest:
*** Museums:
- Smithsonian Natural History Museum: great exhibits and the Hope diamond
- Smithsonian U.S. History Museum: reopened several years ago after a lot of renovation. Has the original Washington Monument, which caused a scandal when it was unveiled such that it was hidden away for a time.
- Smithsonian Air & Space Museum: This is a fantastic museum in DC. They recently opened up an annex in Northern Virginia. It is well worth the trip, especially if you’re airport is Washington Dulles (IAD) as it is located right next door. The space shuttle, SR-71 Blackbird, Enola Gay and the Concorde are all there for you to view.
Here is the link for the annex: https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center
- Navy Memorial: There is a metro stop (Archives - Navy Memorial - Penn Quarter) that puts you very close to it. It’s a smaller memorial to the Navy but there is a tiny museum you can visit as well. I believe there is a small fee as it is a private museum. http://www.navymemorial.org/
- National Archives: Located near the same metro stop the Navy Memorial uses, you can find the founding documents on display. https://www.archives.gov/
- International Spy Museum: This is a private museum focusing on all manner of international espinonage. My wife visited on a school field trip and said it was a lot of fun. Their website is here: https://www.spymuseum.org/tickets/
- National Gallery: I believe this also has free admission being taxpayer funded. Quite a few nice exhibits: http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb.html
- United States Botanic Garden: This is a small building off the SW corner of the U.S. Capitol. If you are walking around the mall anyway you may find yourselves near it. https://www.usbg.gov/
*** Memorials/Monuments:
Many of the memorials are on the national mall (WWII, Korea, Vietnam). The national mall includes the Lincoln memorial as well. The Smithsonian metro station places you right in the middle of the mall. If you want a different experience, you can visit the memorials and monuments at night. They are all lit up at night, and the crowds are much lower. The Washington Monument is open for visitors and there is a new visitor center there. I don’t know if the elevator to the top is still in use for visitors.
Arlington National Cemetery is a good place to visit. The grounds used to be Robert E. Lee’s estate until it was appropriated by the Union army for it’s excellent position overlooking DC. A great place to put artillery. It’s a long climb to the top and DC can be very hot and humid. There is a tour bus that ferries people through the cemetery. The grave of JFK is one stop, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is another, where the changing of the guard occurs regularly. It is a beautiful ceremony to observe. Behind the Tomb is an amphitheater where you can get a nice picture sitting in the marble chair. Up the hill a little ways is a memorial to the Challenger astronauts. At the top of the hill is Gen. Lee’s house. As it is run by the National Park Service, tours are free.
Arlington National Cemetery has it’s own metro stop. There is also a woman’s memorial with some interesting exhibits.
Several famous people are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. WWII hero Audie Murphy can be found in Section 46, Site 366-11. The tour guide will point out some others. In the older part of the cemetery, the headstones are more elaborate. Some beautiful stonework can be found there.
Iwo Jima Memorial: You’ll have to take the metro into Virginia to Rosslyn I believe and it’s a few blocks of a walk to get there. Not too bad in the evening.
Marine Corps Memorial: It’s located at Quantico, Virginia, so it’s a bit of a drive. It opened right before my wife and I moved to Texas so we never got to visit.
*** Tours/Buildings:
Supreme Court of the United States: This is an interesting tour, as you get to see the actual chambers where the justices sit. It’s a free tour and really interesting: https://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/visitorservices.aspx
U.S. Capitol: They built a new visitor center and it’s an amazing building: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/ You used to be able to get gallery passes and get to tour the gallery’s where guests sit during a State of the Union address. I’m not sure if they do that anymore but you would request them from your U.S Representative or Senator. I’d contact their offices to see what the new procedures are.
White House: I read an article that our new First Lady is going to reopen the White House to tours. It’s a great tour and definitely one to talk about. In the past you had to get tickets through one of your representatives, but I’m not sure what the new protocol will be. I’ll look into it for you.
Pentagon: This is one of the most interesting tours I have been on. Most people are not aware you can tour the Pentagon. You have to reserve in advance but it’s a fascinating tour. I highly recommend it: https://pentagontours.osd.mil/Tours/
FBI Tour: I’ve been on this tour and it’s quite interesting. It does require about a month of advance planning to reserve a spot. You may have to do it from your Congressional office as well. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/fbi-headquarters/fbi-education-center
Your representatives / senator: While they maybe away from DC during the summer, their offices are still open. You might try contacting them and seeing if you can drop in — assuming you like your representatives. I’ve heard some representatives give out gifts to visitors, like a coffee mug or trinket for stopping in.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing: This is one I’ve always wanted to do but never got the chance: https://moneyfactory.gov/washingtondctours.html
Holocaust Memorial Museum: A more somber experience but the museum is supposed to be very good: https://www.ushmm.org/
Mount Vernon: George Washington’s house. It’s run by a private organization and it’s in Arlington so it’s at least a bus or car trip. A bit off the beaten path. It’s a very interesting tour though.
Montecello: Way off the beaten path in Charlotteville, VA, this is Thomas Jefferson’s house. Probably not something you’ll get to visit but I thought I’d toss it in there.
Old Post Office Building: This has been turned into the Trump International Hotel but much of the historic architecture has been preserved, including the exposed trusses. It’s a great building even before it was a hotel and certainly something to visit, especially if you want dinner as well. I’m dying to take my wife to the BLT Grill there.
Union Station: The main train station for DC also houses some restaurants and shops. It was renovated a little over a decade ago.
Ford’s Theatre: https://www.fords.org/ Tour includes a visit where Lincoln was assassinated and the building he was removed to during the incident. Still does performances.
*** Restaurants:
While I worked in DC I didn’t visit too many of the eating establishments there. Hopefully you’re getting some options from others!
We the Pizza: Good lunch place. Located just SE of the Capitol, they have some delicious pizza. http://wethepizza.com/
The Palm Restaurant (pricy): Delicious crab cakes. Frequented by DC types. I’ve seen Greta Van Susteren and got William Bennett’s autograph there. http://www.thepalm.com/Washington-DC
Right next to the Pentagon Metro stop is a stop for Pentagon City. You can exit at the base of a multi-story indoor shopping mall. The lower level houses the food court. A great place to go after touring Arlington Cemetery as it gets you away from the heat and humidity so you can recharge.
*** Evening Activities:
Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks: I’ve seen this program on multiple occasions and it is always amazing. Reservations fill up but the Marines are incredibly precise and talented. The marching bands are superb. Late enough you can grab dinner beforehand. Friday nights only: http://www.barracks.marines.mil/Parades/Evening-Parade/
Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial: I’ve been to this one too. It’s earlier and there’s a free shuttle from the Visitors Center at Arlington National Cemetary. You can also metro to Rosslyn on the Orange Line and walk: Tuesdays only: http://www.barracks.marines.mil/Parades/Sunset-Parade/
*** Theatres:
Warner Theatre: http://www.warnertheatredc.com/
National Theatre: http://thenationaldc.org/
Shakespeare Theatre: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/tickets-and-events/calendar/
Kennedy Center: http://www.kennedy-center.org/ <— this is a neat place to visit for a number of reasons. There is usually something interesting going on, whether a play, musical, opera, ballet, or concert. The building is beautiful and the terrace level is a very romantic spot to view DC. If you want something more casual, the ongoing performance of Shear Madness is really funny ( http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/event/TRMAD ). There are a number of other events going on there as well. The Sound of Music, The King and I, and Cabaret are all scheduled to run there this year.
*** Religious:
National Cathedral: https://cathedral.org/about-the-cathedral/mission-and-vision/ This is where many Presidents have attended services. It is in the Gothic style and is quite remarkable. There is an alcove with a bronze statue of President Lincoln kneeling in prayer which is really wonderful. Not easily accessible by Metro, it may require a bit of a walk.
National Shrine: http://www.nationalshrine.com/ As my wife taught Catholic School we had an field trip here every year. This is the largest Catholic Church in the United States and the 8th largest in the world. The architecture is stunning, both in the upper church and the lower “crypt” church. Artisan’s from the United States contributed to its construction. All the walls and ceilings are decorated in mosaic tile. Group tours are free and very interesting. The Catholic University metro stop is the closest metro. There is a cafeteria on site.
* * *
I hope you are getting a bunch of good responses! While I grew up an Army brat I spent enough time around DC that I really consider it my home. I love taking friends and families on tours there. There is so much to see and due to height restrictions (buildings must be no higher than 12 stories) the city feels more open than others like NYC.
If I had any additional tips, since it will be the summer, it’s to take a good pair of walking shoes and always have water available. DC is hot and humid in the summertime and the way things are spread out you’ll be doing a lot of walking. There are some driving tours (e.g. tourmobile, etc.) which I hear are good. Arlington Cemetery is on a hill, so it’s a long serpentine path to the top, although you can west at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier.
Many of the things to see that require tickets are still free, but you have to obtain a ticket beforehand. I believe the Bureau of Engraving and Printing issues tickets. Some other attractions may as well. The museums are mostly open to walk in however.
Please let me know if you have any questions. You can Freep mail me anytime. :) If it’s easier, I can send you my main email.
-Chad
I remember being in grade school, and using calamine lotion and cotton balls to create kid-art of cherry blossoms!
Hehehe...calamine lotion!
Suggest doing your “outdoor sites” early in the morning, followed by “indoor sites” during mid day and afternoon when it’s hot and humid. The circulator bus (I think it’s called “jitney”) is a good idea and value.
Gadsby’s Tavern (Old Town Alexandria) is a fun dining experience.
Avoid the food trucks and trailers on the Mall and other places; it used to be known for poor sanitation with, obviously, no running water or toilet facilities for their workers (don’t ask what the bucket is used for).
Your congress critters will treat you like long lost friends. Use that to get tickets to the White House (early morning tour) arranged in advance of your trip to DC, and anything else.
Be situationally aware and stay where others are. Don’t engage with the occasional screamer or street urchin crazy who wants “spare change” or a tip for holding a door open to a public place.
Bottom line—enjoy the magnificence and history of our young country.
There were some troubling things,but I was very young and resilient,plus those majestic buildings and our nation’s history practically in one place made me feel alive.
Oh my it is a wonder you did not poison yourself. I guess you would call that kid ingenuity.
Enola Gay is now at the Udvar-Hazy (spelling?) annex to the NASM. Much bigger than the NASM, it has a whole lotta flyin’ machines!
*what to avoid*
DO NOT use your car. Traffic is horrendous. Use the Metro.
Must see: Arlington. Tomb of the Unknown. The Wall. At Arlington, [if you have kids] try to get into Ft. Meyers to see the stables of the caisson horses; the young soldiers who take care of them are darling.
Try to get to Mt Vernon; or Natural Bridge; or Lauray ...if you want to get out of the city.
If you have kids, they love the Bureau of Engraving and Printing . Getting in, takes some finesse. Kids love the peddle boats in the basin and the zoo. But if it’s hot...the zoo may not be so nice, b/c of the smell. Checkout the pandas, if they still have any.
There are a lot of great food trucks around for a quick bite. We also had a nice lunch in the Congressional dining room; Food was fresh and not that expensive.
When I took my GD, the Washington Monument was closed for repairs; and the WH under sequester. So they offred us a private tour of the Rose Garden...I said, *NO* b/c I was so angry at the situation. :(
Our neighbor’s brother died in WW2 and his name is inscribed at the memorial. He has asked us to find it. Do you think theh allow stone rubbings at the memorial? I will try to get pictures, regardless.
Go to the Smithsonian for certain. Take a sightseeing bus tour. Try some festoon Georgetown.
Helpful tourist tip: Washington DC has four quadrants, NE,SE,SW and NW. Stay in Northwest as much as possible.
Welcome and have a great time.
I remember calamine lotion. It’s harder to find now but I used to practically wear that stuff when I was a kid.
Between mosquitoes and the poison ivy I’d go through bottles of that stuff.
I know rubbings are common on the Vietnam Memorial but I’m not sure about the WWII memorial. I don’t recall names inscribed at the WWII memorial. It’s design is more symbolic compared to the Vietnam memorial.
SBA, yes, is small bus admin
When I was young & resilient a felt alive without any stimuli, but I know what you mean. 8>)
When I was young & resilient a felt alive without any stimuli, but I know what you mean. 8>)
Guenevere suggested I contact you...I am on the way to a MARCH 4 TRUMP RALLY, but will think about the ages you are trying to please and send a private message when I get time to think!! Many things for adults will leave the boys very bored. Walk...walk I can hear them complaining now.
I have gone for 15 years in the summer and spent them with a grandson so may have some ideas. Advance reading and planning photo ops may help to understand the entire area.
Arlington is an example...study the persons who are buried there and find the graves, Arlington House reconstruction as past times is a beautiful view of DC, but will bore them unless they want a picture and a very different small gift shop...Audie Murphy and Astronaut graves are near the Tomb and may make the waiting for the ceremony bearable for them...
I will try some more ideas later.
Duck Boats still running on the Potomac?
Spy Museum definitely...not too pricey if I remember correctly.
Please research Air and Space Museum Annex out in Fairfax VA. Near Dulles Airport. Parking is expensive but admission free. Local food is chain priced in that area.
Best Metro stop for what?
TY!
The donut place mentioned earlier
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