[Prairie Pubbie]

Our Freeper family is planning a family vacation ("kids" are 20 and 17) in May or June to DC. It will be our first visit there to see our national monuments! We're planning to stay 8 nights and leaning toward the Alexandria area. We would like the excellent, trustworthy help and advice of Freepers regarding ideas about where to stay (economical but nice & safe area), which airport to use, hints about the public transit system (we don't plan to rent a car), etc. Any advice or thoughts and experiences (must do's,things to avoid, great places to eat, etc.) would be greatly appreciated! We definitely won't be in Kansas anymore! This is the first thread I've ever started, so I apologize if I've done anything incorrectly.

[SquirrelKing]

Exhaust vents make an inexpensive, warm place to sleep at night.

[theDentist]

If you want to see the White House, you need to show up very early to get tickets for the tours. And I think you're limited to 4 tickets. Call ahead. Oh, and try to time it for the height of cherry blossom time.

[eyespysomething]

Having been to DC only a few times, I would strongly recommend the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, especially with the new interest in it. Just seeing all those names really drives it home. It is such a somber experience, but one that makes you grateful for your own life, and recognize the sacrifices other made.

And the Smithsonian Museums, all of them!

Maybe a DC FReeper can help, but there was an Irish pub just a few blocks from the Mall, and the food and atmosphere was great. Gosh, what's the name? You walked in, low wall on the left, and the bar was ahead to the left, with circular booths and tables looking out the window on the front left, and tables on the right.

[ladtx]

Can't give advice on where to stay but a couple of "must see" places is the Smithsonian and the U.S. Mint (there's something awe-inspiring seeing bales of money).

[dakine]

Learn the "Metro" system, so you can see D.C. area without getting off at the "wrong" station...

I'll think of more as the day goes....

[nina0113]

bookmark for later response

[prion]

Spend all your time in the Smithsonian. You won't even scratch the surface in a week.

[dawn53]

I love Washington, D.C.

If you're into walking long distances you won't have any trouble.

If you're not, learn the public transit system, be prepared to grab taxis, or book a Grayline Bus Tour.

[Grumpy Bear]

Personally, I found the White House tour to be a snoozer. The Smithsonian and the Capitol building were much more interesting. Be sure to stop across the Potomac and check out Washington's old digs at Mt. Vernon.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Get a subway map and list of stops to plan your route to monuments.

Call you Congressman for free tickets to the White House so you don't have to wait in line.

I recommend the Omni Shoreham- Great location. Historical as well.

HERE

Have fun!

[6ppc]

Mariott Crystal City and Mariott Crystal Gateway usually have very good weekend deals. They are only a few blocks from each other and there is a Metro station next to one of them (can't remember which).

If I was going right now I would make the new Air and Space annex a must see. Also, the gem and rare coin exhibits at the Smithsonian are must see as well.

I recommend flying in to Reagan National and use the Metro and cabs for transport. You can save a bit of money flying in to BWI, but transport from BWI to DC will offset the cost savings, so Reagan National is IMHO a better choice.

[general_re]

Taking a drive out to the Air and Space annex at Dulles airport is well worth the time.

[what's up]

I find Ford's Theatre fascinating.

The National Zoo is good too...and free.

If you want a nice, quiet place, Rock Creek Park is a good bet.

[DooDahhhh]

Look in to the Holiday Inn in Old Town Alexandria. Don't know how much it is but area is nice. Arlington would be another close in area. Also, Fairfax, va. has a cue bus that goes to the metro station, and voila, you can do the whole dc area. However, Old Town also has a bus, but I am not sure of its route; surely it goes to metro as well. The Hampton Inns have good rates & breakfast as well. Look up these cities on the internet. National airport would be the most convenient. The best way to tour, I think, is to catch that tour bus that makes the rounds and you can get off at particular sites and catch the next one when you are ready. There is a new air & space deal out at Dulles Airport. There is an airport shuttle service to take for that if you like. You can get most all bus and metro schedules from the net. And I think you would need to work that out before you get here in order to make the most of your time. Need more info - email to pat.stevens@verizon.net

[6ppc]

Almost forgot...be sure to go to the International Spy Museum...great exhibit. Buy your tickets in advance. If you walk up you will wind up having to wait several hours for your time slot.

[billb]

The hottest new attraction in town is the Spy Museum. You can't go wrong staying at the Mayflower Hotel.

[Maria S]

I'm so envious of your trip to DC! I've been there several times...it was wonderful each time.

Since this is an election year, call your representative and senator's offices now! They SHOULD cheerfully get you passes to the WH and congress so you can bypass the waiting-in-line stuff. Our representative sent us tickets, and one of his aides personally escorted us through the maze between (and underneath) the house and senate. We took a little golf cart type vehicle because it's a lengthy corridor between the two houses. We passed Bob Dole in a hallway, and saw Ted Kennedy (he's a BIG 'un!) down on the floor of the Senate! Another time, our representative got us tickets to the WH...wonderful visit!

Do NOT miss the Viet Nam memorial...if you can walk past it without breaking down, you're tougher than I! Also...if you can go up in the Washington Monument, DO IT!!! Take a camera...there's a birdseye view from all four sides and you can get some spectacular pictures from waaaaay up there! Don't miss Arlington National Cemetery, and JFK's gravesite. (Look straight up the hillside to see Robert E. Lee's home...you can visit there, too!) The hourly changing of the guard is a remarkable, very moving experience...buses run continually, so it's easy to get around the Cemetery, and everyone should see it.

Lastly...ride Metro everywhere! It's very safe, incredibly clean, and you'll see lots of Washington residents go to work (and they LOVE to help visitors!)...and parking is the pits! Wear comfy shoes and have fun!

[Rummyfan]

If staying in Alexandria try for some place economical in the Old Town area, although economical and Old Town don't usually go together. Again if staying in Alexandria, flying into Reagan would be the first choice, Dulles second. The Metro provides very good transportation around DC and the suburbs but some places of interest - Mount Vernon for example - may require a taxi or bus ride too.

If you want the White House tour, try working through your Congressman to arrange tickets. Well in advance! The cherry blossoms reach their peak in early April (typically) so you will miss that.

A new museum that has opened in the last couple of years is The Spy Museum - get tickets ahead of time if interested because it has been selling out. Even newer is the aviation wing of the Smithsonian which just opened in late December 2003. It is located adjacent to Dulles Airport and would require taxi (the Metro doesn't go out that far). Admission is FREE. Although I have not been yet I have heard from other visitors it is fantastic - lots of static displays of famous aircraft, from the Enola Gay to one of the shuttles.
That's the tip of the iceberg. Let me know if you need more info.....

[mewzilla]

I'd recommend a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Here's a link to its website.

[Helen]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/metro/front.htm

Learn it. Live it. You'll love it!