From DC, go up 295 about 40 miles until you get to MD 32. Take 32 east and look out your left window. You can wave at the NSA buildings, especially the black mirrored ones...
Posted on 06/29/2013 3:32:26 PM PDT by usconservative
Taking the family to Washington DC for the Fourth of July. We'll be there starting July 2nd through 5th. Staying 2 blocks from White House. (No, I won't say anything remotely smart-ass/smart-alecky here.)
I want to see the following:
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery. #1 on my list is to pay my respects to those who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.
#2 The National Archives where our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and the 1297 version of the Magna Carta are all stored.
#3 Lincoln Memorial
#4 Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Family served in that war, they thankfully came home.)
Here are some suggestions: (1) Take a tour of the Capitol, (2) Visit the Library of Congress. The interior, and especially the upper vaults are breathtaking and seldom visited, (3) Take the subway to King St. in Alexandria, and take the trolley to the waterfront. Then take a boat ride down the Potomac to Mt. Vernon. That’s the best way to see it. (3) Visit the National Portrait Gallery. Not only are its portraits interesting, the upper floor used to be the old patent office model room, and, once more, the architecture is spectacular. (4) Visit the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial at night. That’s when they are at their best. (5) Spend an evening at the restaurant in the Hay Adams Hotel, which is not far from where you are staying. It has a spectacular view over Lafayette Park and the White House. If nothing else, at least have a drink at the bar, just to enjoy the sight. (6) Visit the Smithsonian Museum of American History. It’s the one with the green fish-scale dome. While there, check out the gem collection, including the Hope Diamond. (7) Lastly, and please, do not leave the city without a visit to the National Gallery of Art. There are lots of galleries in D.C., the Sackler being one of my favorites, but at least visit the National Gallery.
Last time I was there was 55 years ago but the one scene that has ALWAYS stuck in my mind’s eye is the Jefferson Memorial at sunset.
Two teenage sons? By all means go see The International Spy Museum.
I’d tell you where it is, but I’d I’d have to kill you. Of course, Google and Bing have not been sworn to secrecy.
(Psst...Just between you and me and the NSA, it’s a blast.)
Old towne trolley’s map can be helpfull before you go;
http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/washington-dc-map.html
try to have a lunch or snack at Nick’s Riverside Grille in Georgetown, and maybe take a ride on the touristy boats!
Have fun.
He’s staying not far from the WH. So, metro is not really an issue for July 4. They’d just as well walk.
And maybe they can catch many of the forgotten statues along the way.
The Korean Memorial is far cooler. Very awesome.
I agree otherwise. All his choices were good.
And there really is only so much you can do in so short a time! Relax a bit and enjoy. It’s hard to fit all that in. Maybe another time.
My husband and I spent last year’s anniversary going down to the Mall to look at the big memorials, especially WWII since we hadn’t yet. It was sort of hot then, and boy did it take the time and foot! All day! Never mind if you go to a museum and really take it in. I can spend the whole day in 1.
Also, if you’ve not been to one before, maybe down toward Georgetown and visit the C&O canal sites.
I don’t know. I thought my kids said it was free. Again, this was about 10 years ago. Sorry if I passed on bad information.
I can’ believe no one person has mentioned the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks at 8th and I!!!!
Of all the sights to see it is, IMO, the single most impressive event to see in D.C. and I have seen many impressive events there.
Perhaps some other freepers can pipe in and tell us of your experiences there. It is very moving. Very.
http://www.barracks.marines.mil/Parades/EveningParade.aspx
From DC, go up 295 about 40 miles until you get to MD 32. Take 32 east and look out your left window. You can wave at the NSA buildings, especially the black mirrored ones...
-——Next time I go to DC, I want to see the tomb of the US Constitution.——
It’s not in a tomb....it’s in one of the bathroom stalls in the Capital building. ....
Where JFK's mistress, Mary Pinchot Meyer, was strangled by the CIA? Turns out her husband was big CIA and she was sister-in-law of Bill Bradlee, a la Washington Post.
There is NO way my shadow will ever darken DC.
Eat at the Old Ebbitts Grill. How about the Newseum?
Shush! Since it hasn't been reported by the media, it hain't been done offed, foo.
I’ve lived in both Chicago and DC .. trust me, by comparison Chicago is one big breeze. You are lucking out in that the present forecast is mild for a DC 4th. They are forecasting daytime t-storms, not evening (so far). Crowds assemble on the Mall from very early in the day. If there are storms, the Mall gets cleared until it passes.
The park service has a ‘plan your trip’ feature. There’s a downloadable map. http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/maps.htm
There’s also a folklife festival on the Mall that precedes the 4th, so that would be fun for your family to see. http://www.festival.si.edu/visitor/general.aspx
You will want to see the WWII memorial (kinda hard to miss).
Plan to do everything on foot. You can plot it all out on that map. The Mall is geared to tourists on foot.
Bring broad brimmed hats, sunblock, neck/shoulder coolers, and plan to buy lots of expensive water (save the bottle to refill at fountains if you want).
oops, she was shot like Vince Foster, not strangled like Chandra Levy.
And don’t forget the mosquito repel.
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