[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.

[Publius6961]

Good for you. You have a sporting chance of being able to do a lot, but not even 8 days is enough to see everything. When is the trip scheduled?
I think the mall deserves three days, much is there: the Air & Space museum, the National Gallery of Art, the Capitol, The Archives...
Try to visit Union Station, the Supreme Court building, the Georgetown Park mall; National Geographic headquarters.
Food? Once in a lifetime chance to dine at 1789 Restaurant,Georgetown, and La Bodega del Arabardero, for authentic Spanish food..

Take notes and lots of pictures!

Flying into BWI is a good alternative usually saving lots of cash and the Amtrack into Union Station is a snap. A good alternative.
Good luck!

[ReleaseTheHounds]

http://www.wmata.com/

This is a link to the very nice Washington Area Metro. Check out the route maps and especially the "Ride Guide" along the lower right of this page.

For places to stay, I'll leave that to other more experienced FREEPERS, but one suggestion might be Crystal City, VA (in the middle of Arlington -- one Metro-stop from Reagan National). Very safe and a flexible for site-seeing (there is a Crystal City Metro Stop). Also nice informal dining on 23rd Street in Arlington -- a few blocks from the Metro Stop. I'm sure there are a variety of Holiday Inns, Comfort Inns, etc. nearby.

May-June is well past the Cherry Blossom season (early April) but the city/mall is beautiful in early summer. I would encourage you to make an appointment to meet with your congressman and request a tour of the Capitol Building. Plan a walking tour of the monuments (get in line early morning for tickets for the Washington Monument -- you can then walk to the Founders Pond, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and back to the Washington Monument circling the Mall).

Plan some visits to the Smithsonians: Air & Space, etc. Plan a visit to Fords Theater: http://www.fordstheatre.org/
You can buy tickets to a performance online or just plan a visit during the day to see where President Lincoln was shot -- but they won't let you in if there is a performance going on or about to go on.

There may be public transportation (see the Metro guide) to Washington's Mount Vernon -- or you may want to rent a car for a day to take in places like Mount Vernon. If you did rent a car, you might enjoy a day trip out to Front Royal, VA and a brief ride down the upper portion of the Skyline Drive -- one of the prettiest drives in the USA. There are also vinyards out in that part of VA that are a nice relaxing time.

If you're interested in Civil War sites: Manassas (Battle of Bull Run) is about 40 minutes from Arlington, VA by car. Fredericksburg, VA is a neat town for a day-trip.

I've never been there, but the International Spy Museum is supposed to be very good... This looks like a great website:
http://www.spymuseum.org/index.asp

I'll end here... hope this helps.

[Dust in the Wind]

Union Station was an interesting place to view and eat. It is several miles around the monuments so wear good walking shoes and realize the building security detectors are more sensitive in that town than in the airports. Credit card strips will set some off.

[FateAmenableToChange]

1. Airports - If time isn't an issue and money is, lots of people fly into BWI and take the MARC train down to Union Station in DC. It's a regular train, very clean and safe, and cheap ($10-$15) and fast. From there you can go anywhere in D.C. I'd recommend taking a taxi to your hotel - you're looking at about $20 max (remember that you can haggle with D.C. cabbies if you're staying outside the district) for a fare and it takes you right to your hotel. Alternatively, you can use the Metro.

Between Dulles and Regan - National, it's almost a wash - you have to take a cab to and from Dulles, but flights into Regan - National usually average about $100 higher than flights into Dulles. On the other hand, both are closer than BWI.

2. Hotels - If money is only partly an issue, consider staying in the Holiday Inn in oldtown Alexandria. You're 7 blocks from the King Street Metro and it's a very nice walk straight west on King Street to the metro station. In Alexandria, stay within 2-3 blocks of King Street - there are sections between Alexandria and Arlington that are a little sketchy.

Alternatively, there is a hotel called the American or the Americana or something like that in Crystal City (Arlington) which is close to the pentagon and also right on top of a metro line. Also in Crystal City you have your choice of Marriott & other higher end hotels.

Don't stay in the district. You'll get hosed on hotel rates and taxes.

3. Places to see - (1) Oldtown Alexandria is an awesome place to eat and relax; (2) Mount Vernon (just south of Alexandria - you can actually walk there on a safe bike path that goes through town); (3) Pentagon; (4) Smithsonian; (5) the Cold War Museaum (run by the son of U2 Pilot Gary Powers); (6) anything else.

[ElTianti]

Wow, so much to do. If you’ve got a car and you’re a civil war buff Sharpsburg, Manassas, and Harper’s Ferry are a 45-90 minute drive from DC. George Washington’s home in Mt Vernon is a short drive as well.

The new Smithsonian Air and Space adjunct near Dullas Airport is fantastic.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

oh I just thought of something else.. you could get a really neat souvenir from your Congressman.

You can request an American Flag that has been flown over the Capitol building on one of the days you are in town, or get one for each kiddo, two separate days. I think it is $25.00 per flag. You will get a certificate with it. Just ask for a flag request for special occasions.

[Swanks]

Avoid the typical lunch madness at the Nat. History Meuseum, etc. Go to the cafeteria between the East and West wing Art Galleries(Downstairs). (Not many think to go there so you avoid the touoristy crowds.) Nice sized cafeteria (but everywhere is DC is costly.

Make 'em tour the Art Gallery while there. Just the architecture alone is impressive.

The gardens to the left, right and behind the origional Sandstone Castle is nice to. Good place to get away from the crowds. The kids will like the waterfall / fountains.

[Non-Sequitur]

Contact your congressman and senator. They can often get you tours of the White House and Capitol where you are not part of a massive heard. My Senator, Sam Brownback, actually had an aide shepard a group of about a dozen of us through the Capitol. He even took us on the floor of the Senate.

[Alissa]

Washington DC is my hometown, so I have lots of opinions:) Besides all the above good advice, plan to go to the Holocaust Museum, which is walking distance from the Smithsonian. You have to reserve a time to go through the major exhibits. I showed up at 10:00 for a 1:00 entry.

Also the Supreme Court and Library of Congress are all right there on Capitol Hill and only takes a few minutes to drop by. (I took my daughter to the Capitol, Supreme Court and White House as the 3 branches of gov't tour.)

You definitely want to fly into Reagan National Airport. Dulles and BWI are quite a distance out. If you don't have a car, be sure your hotel is within walking distance to a Metro stop. In Alexandria, the Embassy Suites is right across the street from the Metro station. While in Alexandria, be sure to spend a little time in Old Town. Great restaurants! Eat lots of good seafood.

If you're into art, the Phillips Gallery is fantastic. I like it more than the National Gallery.

You might want to go to Georgetown as well. A lot of politicians live there, once you get on the side streets, and it also has good restaurants.

The Pentagon has tours. Also, you can prearrange with your Congressional representative to visit their office and a staffer might even give you a personal tour of the Capital.

Even though the Metro is wonderful, bring comfortable walking shoes! May would probably be a better month. Summer starts in June in DC and it can get very hot.

[SquirrelKing]

Okay. My wife and I love DC, her grandmother was from Springfield. One of our favorite things to do is to stay in Alexandria and ride bicycles into DC along the parkway. There is an excellent paved trail and an incredible view along the river. Bring a good lock and a pack to carry helmets, etc. One one trip we ended up ringside to Jackie Onassis' funeral procession into Arlington.

[xp38]

I found the USMC War Memorial worth a visit. Dedicated to all the fallen of all wars US Marines have been in. A long list of those wars is engraved around the base.

[Johnny Gage]

Self ping for future reference

[conserv13]

The DuPont Circle Area and 17th St. Are really great, especially after dark. Great nightlife.

Just kidding.

[Capriole]

1. Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac from DC. Gorgeous, historic, and easy to walk around. You can eat dinner by candlelight at Gadsby's Tavern, where George Washington used to dine, and go to services at Christ Episcopal Church, where he bought a pew; you can walk along the Potomac, visit Lee's house, and pop into fascinating shops.

2. A short, scenic drive down the road from Old Town is Mount Vernon, which every American should visit.

3. Take a boat ride on the Potomac from Alexandria down to Mount Vernon or upriver past the great monuments.

4. Do Not Miss Arlington. (My father will be buried there the first weekend in May.) Arlington is very beautiful and moving. It's crowned on Arlington Heights by Robert E. Lee's house which is worth a visit.

5. Annapolis, Maryland, another short drive.

6. The battlefields of the Civil War--all of Northern Virginia is one big battlefield but there are strip malls on most of it except Manassas. If you can spare a day for it, every American should visit Gettysburg, which is 2 (scenic) hours away.

7. A self-tour starting on upper Connecticut Avenue at the Washington Cathedral, proceeding to the gardens of Dumbarton Oaks, in Kalorama, and then down to the shops and lovely houses of Georgetown.

8. The Library of Congress--gorgeous!

[Prairie Pubbie]

You Freepers are the best! We knew that we would get the most EXCELLENT information from all of you! Thanks for all the interesting ideas and input! Keep it coming!

[the OlLine Rebel]

where to stay (economical but nice & safe area)-

I'm not much up on this, but Alexandria is just fine, and Arlington isn't too bad, either - but in the "good area", possibly way too expensive.


which airport to use-

Stay away from National Airport if you can. Nice to be rite there in the city but nasty, nasty, squeeze w/crowds and smallness tucked in there by Arlington and rite by the city - and like everything else in DC, you won't understand where it is you're supposed to go next, esp. if you got a car. Dulles is far out but easy to navigate, and you have time to get your wits about you before you hit the real city area. BWI WAS a great airport but it's not only far, you'd have to figure out how to get into DC. I work rite next to BWI and believe me, they have screwed it up some both since the "security above all" and they constant reconstruction they're doing.

hints about the public transit system (we don't plan to rent a car),

Use the Metro subway as much as possible, then walk. Great system. You can catch it in Arlington and Alexandria, too.

(must do's,things to avoid, great places to eat, etc.)-

Hogate's on Maine, by the water south of the capitol/monument area. (Must-have is the rum-buns, but I think they've dumbed them down a bit the last few years!) There are also some other nice places on that waterfront; Phillip's is good for MD seafood as it IS a MD institution (DON'T *ever* get "MD crabcakes" OUTSIDE MARYLAND BORDERS!!!! YES, I MEAN DC TOO - UNLESS IT'S PHILLIP'S!). Also, there is Blackie's place closer to downtown; that's pretty famous and more on the steak side.

I'm sure you've heard all about the standard things to see, most are centered on the Mall. I'll mention some less-standard things (please forgive for bad recollection of official names) - the Navy museum at the Navy Yard, the National Shrine ("Episcopal", basically), the Catholic Shrine & Monestary (marvelous traditional Catholic cathedral w/replicated Holy Sites). Gee, I'm having a hard time thinking of everything - if I can I'll get back to it!

[freedom4ever]

We usually fly Southwest Airlines from Louisville to BWI. Cheapest airlines and a straight, non-stop flight. Take the Marc Train from BWI to Union Station in Va. Since you'll have baggage, take a cab. They line up outside the Union Station front door. Cost will be about $8.00 to Alexandria if that's where you're staying.

THen ask at the desk for a Metro Schedule and go to the nearest stop. I believe the one in ALexandria is above ground and outdoors. Ask one of the workers how to use it. It's really easy once you figure it out. Spend your first day, or afternoon at the Vietnam Memorial, then walk to the Lincoln Memorial, then don't forget the Korean War Memorial. These are all on the same end of the Mall and within a 10 minute walk of each other.

After you finish here, grab a cab to the White House and Pennsylvania Ave. Check out the White House Complex area. It's all an easy walk. Say hi to Consuela, the nuclear war protester, across from the White House in Lafayette Park.

A couple of suggestions for eating would be Old GLory BBQ in Georgetown. You'll have to take a cab to Georgetown. Another place in Georgetown to eat is Tony and Joe's. If it is warm you can sit outside on the Potomac.

There is also Arlington Cemetary. You must see the changing of the guard and the Tomb of The Unknowns. It is an awesome ceremony. YOu can also walk to JFK's gravesite. This could be day 2 morning agenda. After this, go to the Air and Space Museum. You can see this building in an afternoon.

On day 3, start with American History Museum, at the Smithsonian. If you finish here, go to the Natural History. I liked it, but wouldn't spend a lot of time here(personal opinion). You can visit the Capitol also, but you have to have a guide for an inside tour. There is a lot of construction and so forth going on. You can also visit the House Office Bldgs. and Senate Office Bldgs. It depends on security. Contact your Congress critter. This will get you started and by this time, you'll be ok with a lot of the city and will be able to get around fairly easily. I'll be happy to answer any other questions if you have any. Freep mail me.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Re: transportation: The last time we went we drove -- it's a nice trip up from Alabama with lots to see along the way -- through the Smokey Mts., etc., and we took our own car into Washington. We had our son, his expectant wife and our grandson with us so the Metro was not a good option for us, although we used it on an earlier visit and it was great.

We had no problem parking, etc., although we were there in Oct. 2001, just a month after 911, and there were NO crowds anywhere. In fact, we were there the Sunday we began bombing in Afghanistan.

We went to Mount Vernon -- which is a little drive from D.C., but to me, it's a must see. Also Monticello, in Charlottesville, VA.

We walked by the White House, and I was 3 feet from the President's little scotty. The Capitol Building, the Smithsonian, the Wall, and also the Korean War Memorial, Arlington -- there is so much to see that shouldn't be missed.

I wasn't in great physical shape when we went, and I got winded going up through Arlington to the Lee House, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. So, double up on the treadmill!

[Born Conservative]

bttt

[eyespysomething]

Want to know the exciting stories from our trip?

A homeless man took us under his wing during our stay. Yes, we gave him a few dollars. He was a vet, showed us his papers, he carried all his papers around in his wallet, ssn, discharge, family photos. His life story.

We stayed on the edge of the, for lack of a better word, ghetto. He shooed people away from us, gave us advice on DC, and generally acted as a goodwill ambassador for the city. Ironic, huh?

There was a shooting a block from our hotel one afternoon, he waited for us to get back to fill us in on the details LOL.

For those who think we were being played as country bumpkins, trust me, we weren't. My husband sat and talked to him for about an hour one day, and then wrote a column on him when we got back. Michael. He was a Vietnam veteran, and we were proud to make his acquaintance, and our son learned a little about life outside our small town.

We were in DC when the Capital policemen got shot. We had left the Capital about, oh, 10 minutes before. Had only walked a few blocks when all hell broke loose. Got back to the hotel later and found out what had happened. Needless to say, we had many messages from family members wanting to know if we were ok.

All in all, a fun exciting time for some southern folks in our Nation's Capital.

Have fun!