Posted on 03/19/2017 9:36:37 AM PDT by TermLimitsforAll
Planning to take my kids on a trip to DC either late May or Early June.
The metro system itself is ok but a couple of things to be aware of. There is a big effort now at playing catch up for decades of reduced or ignored normal maintenence so what used to be fairly reliable schedules and durations are sometimes less than great and if you need to be somewhere at a specific time, allow for extra time should you be on a train that is single tracking or other things causing delays. The escalators - if you are walking as you ride no problem but if you like to stand then try to hug the right side to avoid getting ran over by the always in a rush types walking and one of the ways to really annoying people is stand next to someone in your group and block both sides. The front of the metro cars are usually less crowed than the middle and rear of the metro. Street signs, traffic lights, and speed limits are treated more as suggestions than laws so be extra careful when crossing especially cabs and metro buses which are dangerous on good days. Most of the tourist type areas are safe just keep an eye out and ignore the unsavory types and don’t engage in conversation with them as you have a mix of people just begging vs the ones who are legitimately mentally ill. It is not uncommon to see the second group sleeping in the middle of a sidewalk or screaming at a stop sign and everything in between.
There is an air and space museum in dc and another one near dulles airport where they have moved a lot of the larger planes to. First thing you see when entering the one by dulles airport is a beautiful SR-71 Blackbird. The museum itself is free but the private company that owns the parking lot will charge $20 to park (unless they raised the price since last I went a few years ago). If your hotel or other tourist service has a shuttle bus to go there, certainly a great place to visit and it is different that the air and space in dc which is also a place to easily spend hours in.
Robert E.Lee home, Arlington and the Change of the Honor Guard.
Smithsonian Art Gallery
***Don’t miss the Vietnam Veterans’ Wall or the WWII Memorial***
Ditto what Tennessee Nana had to say. Those are must see!
I personally really enjoyed the National Air and Space Museum. There are so many great museums and monuments. I doubt one week is enough, but you’ll get a lot done. Prioritize your list for can’t miss things.
Big tip, wear comfortable shoes that you are used to walking in. Otherwise, blisters will make your visit very difficult.
It’s too bad the people who live in DC are in such a bubble from what the rest of us experience, but the city is really cool to visit. Good luck and God bless you.
Yes, the stacks at the Library of Congress is for researchers only, with certification. Otherwise, someone might walk out with an irreplaceable document in his socks, and unless he is a Democrat, will face charges.
That said, the public areas of the Library of Congress are absolutely gorgeous, floor-to-ceiling murals in some places with scenes from literature, and gold leaf decorations here and there. Just beautiful, and a real treat for anyone who loves literature and reading. There is also an exhibit space, with I presume a variety of exhibits that constantly change. One time when I went, they had some of Leonardo da Vinci’s precious manuscripts and sketches, as well as examples of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy.
Neither is right downtown, but a trip to one or both of the two great cathedrals is very interesting. National Cathedral (Episcopal) is up Wisconsin Avenue above Georgetown (not far from the DC Zoo). And the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic) is over in the northeast, on Michigan Avenue. They are both extraordinary buildings architecturally, with beautiful devotional works of art throughout, including interior architecture, paintings, sculptures, mosaics, glass and metalwork and sarcophagi.
One of my favorite chapels within the National Cathedral has needlepoint kneeling pads that each feature a notable American, from Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison to various presidents and other notables. Another is the very moving chapel devoted to the crossing of slaves from Africa to the New World. The Basilica has lovely mosaics, stained glass and and entire chapels donated by groups from around the world. The Irish chapel is my favorite, with its malachite walls and gold leaf lettering. Both of these great houses of worship have lunchrooms, and Christian-themed bookstores and gift shops, also.
There are also beautiful Greek, Russian and Antiochian Orthodox cathedrals in the downtown area.
I have been traveling to DC regularly (not business) since 1993.
I have the good fortune of having a sister living in Old Alexandria, and I have never felt unsafe taking the bus transit system to the nearest DC metro station. It is efficient, clean and the people are all helpful and pleasant, and the trip is very short and quick.
I assume you are familiar with the metro system, also. That system seems overwhelming at first but it's simple once you experience it a few times.
During the day, I feel safe anywhere in DC and surrounding communities, although I've never traveled alone. The only time I ever felt nervous, was at night, visiting restaurants. Even La Teberna del Alabardero, Authentic Spanish, on I Street (in the heart of DC,) and 1789 (Restaurant) one block from Georgetown University I would not go to alone at night. Violent crime is rare, but no area is risk-free 100% of the time, as is true of any large city.
Being in a central hotel is somewhat handier if you need to see everything in one or two days; taxis are everywhere and reasonable.
For a longer more relaxed stay Alexandria is a charming place to stay and visit DC, the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetary, the Smithsonian, The National Gallery of Art, etc.
As to places not to visit, I would google that.
On my first trip in '93 the area north of the mall more than 4 blocks was mostly abandoned structures and burned out dwellings, but I can't remember the name of the neighborhood. I am sure there are a few other no-go areas, but I never went there.
Our last visit to the DC area was in Jan, 2016.
Hope this helps.
Agree 100%. So many great museums, monuments and most all are free. The art museum has history of United States in form of marvelous paintings. Gen Robert E Lee’s mansion is impressive and has great views of the city. Arlington cemetery is mind boggling huge. But the place which made most impression on my mind was Mt Vernon, which is George Washington’s estate. It is preserved to look like during his time. It is right on banks of the river (Patomac?) with it’s own family cemetery and housing for 250 slaves. And the White House of course.
I agree.
Unfortunately, Dulles is a l-o-o-o-n-g ways from the DC mall.
Even today, after so many visits, I would not want to visit DC for less than a week.
We did the (Thur PM) National Archives and Natural History. (Fri) Space museum, walked up to the Capitol building, walked to the Washington Monument. Did a 3 hour bus tour that took us to or past all the monuments (Lincoln and Iwo Jima memorials). Went past the White House. Learned a lot of about the city as a whole. On Saturday, spent most of the day at Arlington National Cemetery. Changing of the guard (Noon changing) at the tomb of the Unknown Solider. We had a friend who passed last year who is Interment'd there and we found his spot. Finished it off with the Vietnam War Memorial and Korean War Memorial.
We stayed in VA, about a half hour drive into town. Parking is tricky but can be had cheaply if you work at it.
Cabs and Uber vehicles are everywhere. You can walk to all of the stuff on the mall, which can take 2 days or more to see it all. IMO, a week might be a bit much but to each his own. This was enough for these two mid to late 50's geezers.
Most of the museums open at 10-10:30 and close at 5:30 but the monuments stay open 24/7 so plan your day around that. You sound a bit more trusting being in a city you don't know but I wouldn't put myself in that spot so I cannot help you on the public transportation. They have the hop on hop off buses going around, you could do that.
PM me if you have specific questions.
Here is a link to a website I am building in case a big Washington DC pro-Trump rally is ever on the horizon.
I included a page with info about getting around DC.
I’ll link you to that page - just down past the getting there section - it should help.
http://www.rebuildingmiddleamericarally.com/getting-there-getting-around/
Six to seven days should be plenty. You should include the Old Town area of Alexandria, and Washington’s Mount Vernon as well. The only places that were a bit of a disappointment for us were the American Indian Museum, and The Spy Museum. Now, if you HAD to do one of them, the Spy Museum is the better of the two, but has a entry fee.
If you want more suggestions than you already have, I would be happy to help. From a tourists viewpoint.
I don’t know if your question was already answered - I don’t know if that area is different, but when we went in to view microfilms, we had to first sign up for a library card. It took a few minutes - I think you need photo ID, get your picture done,pay a small fee. But you can call ahead, or ask the Librarian online in their chat window.
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