best tips for D.C. Visitors

Stay in the city--Dupont, Georgetown, Penn Quarter, Foggy Bottom--rather than in the close-in suburbs like Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Alexandria, Arlington, Crystal City or even Rosslyn (though Rosslyn is convenient albeit lacking in soul).

When riding an escalator (any escalator!), stand to the right and walk to the left. Please.

Order tickets for the Washington Monument on line in advance of your trip. Take advantage of the "walk down tour" if given the opportunity - you'll get to see the insides of the granite blocks used to build the structure. They are all carved by the states and organizations that donated the blocks.


http://www.reservation.gov

If you're staying in central DC, eg, Dupont Circle, the $22 weekly Metro Pass is good all day. Bring something to keep it from disintegrating (it's paper). You can add exit fare if you're coming from Dulles during peak times.

The Kimpton chain will price-match any lower price that you find on line for the same stay.

I've got two:

1. Don't park illegally. You will be ticketed and, if in a tow-away zone, you're pretty likely to be towed.

2. When entering Metro cars, don't stop and stand at the door. There are other people behind you and they can't walk through you. (Frankly, doing this makes you a local, but it's obnoxious nonetheless.)

You can get a pretty good view of DC from the "Old Post Office" tower in the Pavillion and don't have to wait, as you do for the Wash. Monument.

Don't drive anywhere unless you have no choice, get a good map, and assume that how you got there isn't how you're going to get back. Too many one-way, one-access, or non-continuous streets.

bookmarking, great list so far!

Use washingtonpost.com or the City Paper to find out about free cultural events in the city. It is not just the Smithsonian museums that are free.

Panda bed-time is earlier than the rest of the zoo closing.

Call your Congressman or Senator (with plenty of notice) for a free, private tour of the Capitol.

The Virginia wineries make a lovely day trip. The ones in Northern Virgina are only an hour away.
http://www.virginiawines.org/

The Daughters of the American Revolution building and library are open to all and have an amazing amount of geneology material to search easily. It is also just a beautiful building.

Park. The. Car.

also bookmarking.

Check to see what events are on display at key D.C. public and private galleries, like the Corcoran, the Phillips, and ...(please, other posters, fill in the blanks).

I recently took a visitor to the wonderful Ansel Adams AND Annie Lebovitz exhibit at the Corcoran. For the price of admission that was a GREAT bargain and a once in a lifetime event for this friend!

Make reservations to visit the National Archives! That is KEY if you are going to that place and the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, etc.

I can't imagine coming to D.C and not seeing those. And I can't imagine trying to see those without reservations!

http://tinyurl.com/2wmecy

Please stop and pay tribute to the women who have served our country. Visit the Women In Military Service for America Memorial. At Arlington National Cemetery.

http://www.womensmemorial.org/

Great stories and pictures of women in service dating back to the Revolutionary War. I am a charter member and my story is there, along with thousands of others.

You will laugh, you will cry. You will appreciate the 2.5 million women who have served their country.

Paula

PS As with most other large cities in America, there are some BAD parts of town. Please be aware of where you should NOT be going.

When you arrive at the Air and Space Museum, go directly to the IMAX ticket booth and book seats for the films you want to see later in the day. Same for the planetarium. Then enjoy the museum.

Take the old town trolley.You can get on/off all day and the drivers are great guides.Paul

Plan to see the monuments at night. Not only are they all beautifully lit, but almost everything else closes early (by 5:30 in winter, 7 in summer) so this will make better use of your time.

About the Zoo. The Conn. Ave entrance (closest to the Metro) is up a considerable hill from the Rock creek Park entrance (where there's parking. If you don't know this, you can set yourself up for an arduous uphill walk at the end of a longish (hot) afternoon.

If driving, suggest parking at the lower entrance, take tram to top, and work your way slowly down. If taking Metro, suggest orienting your visit to wander downhill and then take tram to the top.

Beware Metro buses. They fly through red lights at the drop of a hat in downtown Washington. Not only is nothing done, the Metro board probably encourages such behavior for scheduling reasons. So when you cross a street in DC, look both ways. You never know who might be careening through your right-of-way.

The area around the zoo is indeed hilly.

The official Metro stop for the zoo, Woodley Park, is downhill from the zoo entrance on Connecticut Ave. So for your arrival, it's better to get off at the next stop, Cleveland Park, and walk downhill (about the same distance) down Connecticut Ave to get to the main zoo entrance. Then when you're leaving, turn left and walk down CT Ave to the Woodley Park Metro. Downhill both ways, who could as for anything more.

If you have a car, check out Old Rock Creek Cemetary near Catholic University. You can visit the Basilica at the same trip. Arlington Cemetery is a must. Be sur eyou get off the tram or walk to the Lee mansion. The view from the far sisde of the building is back over the bridge and the best in DC.

If you have the time, you should see "non-tourist" Washington and see how people who live here see their city. Go to DuPont Circle, Adams Morgan, U Street, Logan Circle or Capitol Hill (but not Georgetown). These are all very tourist-friendly areas which will give you a sense of how people (or at least some) live.

Please stay near a Metro line and don't bring the car at all. Parking is expensive and can be difficult to find; traffic is bad and the routes are confusing. Just wear sneakers and enjoy the fact you're burning off pounds.

-- Thank you, the Commuters

D.C. has a nice Chinatown. It is not too far off the Mall- you can walk through the Penn Quarter area to get there. There's a nice Chinese Arch, some good restaurants (both Chinese and other types, some of the Chinese have dim sun on weekdays at lunch), a cool neon-lit bowling alley, some funky shops that sell oriental items, foods and candies (kids love looking in those stores).

Btwn. Penn Quarter and Chinatown, don't miss the National Portait Gallery, which is in a new space, the wonderful old restored patent bldg. It shares space with the new American Art Museum (also very good) and its wonderful Folk Art exhibit (very cool). The official portraits of the Presidents are just great to see on a D.C. trip. From April to Nov., eat at the Portico cafe, an outdoor dining area that has very nice views and is architecturally stunning- a great place for a glass of wine or coffee and pastry.

(I am hoping that someone like bardo will do a post here about the various areas to stay in just outside of d.c., pentagon city, alexandria, arlington, silver spring, etc.)

(also, can someone post about calling congressman ahead for a tour? those are things I think people need to know, but I don't know enough to do the post!)

I'll give the "congressional contact" thing a shot.

Go to your blue pages in your phone book and look for the offices of your local Representative and/or your Senator. Call the local office and ask for an appointment to talk to the person while in Washington.

No, I'm not kidding. I know you just want a good tour of the Capitol or some such, but there are two reasons to ask to meet the person. First, it's a really interesting experience to do that -- find the office, meet the staff, and even meet the person. They are far more interested in meeting you than you think. Even if they aren't there, the offices often make an effort to have you come in just to say hi. Really interesting to do that. Second, it will short-cut the process of getting set up for the tour.

There are "regular" tours, unsponsored, of the Capitol that will do exactly what you'd like -- you get docents who tell you what's what about the various chambers, etc., so you don't REALLY need a sponsored tour. But it's always nice to feel cared for.

Senator vs. Representative: The Senator represents the whole state, has more status, is busier, has a longer term and therefore less worried about the next election unless they're up for re-election in 2008. Representatives represent a much more local area -- YOUR area -- and need to be re-elected every 2 years, so they want to be really cordial to visiting constituents. Easier to get to see them, but offices much less imposing. (Senate Office BuildingS come close to a major monument.)

If you can't figure out how to reach the local office, go to www.senate.gov for your Senator, and www.house.gov for your Rep. -- their office contact numbers should be there once you enter your state and zip code.

How's that?

DC has some great music venues.
Find out who is playing before your trip:
www.930.com
www.blackcatdc.com
www.rockandrollhoteldc.com
www.velvetloungedc.com
www.birchmere.com (in VA)
www.iotaclubandcafe.com

The 930 Club will have most of the popular touring bands. The Black Cat will get the slightly smaller ones. Rock and Roll Hotel and Velvet Lounge are definately geared toward a younger crowd. The Birchmere is a sit-down dinner and concert hall--they get big names, though. And Iota is a bar that has shows...but it's clean and more upscale.

Wow casandra that's really useful about congress. So is everything else here, and I'd like to bookmark it but I don't know how you do that. Can someone explain?

You already have bookmarked it in the only way I know: By posting anything at all (even just the word bookmarking) you have put this thread on the list that will come up when you click on your own name, either within a thread or at the very top of the screen where it says, "Welcome: JJ495."

You shouldn't drive in DC.

However, if you are driving to DC watch for traffic light locations. Not all lights are hanging in the middle of the intersection. A good number are on a pole at the corner. Easy to miss if you're not used to street lights on a pole at the intersection.

and do not drive in d.c. if you don't know how to drive relatively fast (not at a crawl) and safely around traffic circles. There are lots of those, and lots of barricades and closed streets due to safety for numerous public bldgs like white house, supreme ct., capitol, etc.

Take advantage of the great ethnic food offerings in d.c. and the surrounding areas. There is great Ethiopian food (Mezkerem), Vietnamese (lots in the VA suburbs, and Vietnam Goergetown is very good), Latin (lots in Adams Morgan area), Thai (Sala Thai on P St., Haad Thai close to Chinatown), Cuban (try Banana Cafe near Eastern Market- very fun colorful place), Moroccan (Marakesh), Indian (Bombay Palace). Try something new, this area is a real melting pot.

Taste of D.C. is a big food festival downtown each year.

No one can really figure out when the cherry blossoms will bloom, sad to say, so don't expect to get full bloom blossoms because your tour bus operator says they have it figured out when the blossoms are opening. And very rarely does the cherry blossom festival coincide with the blossoms being open or at full bloom. But it is spectacular when it happens- sometimes you get lucky. Otherwise, just have a good time anyway and try again next yr.

Mt. Vernon is worth an entire day. There is a new museum there, a great interactive farm-type outdoor area, etc. besides the house, tomb, detached kitchen, and other bldgs.

The National Park Service publishes a very entertaining 'Cherry Blossom Watch", complete with a chart (at the bottom of the page) showing the dates for various stages of blossom for the past 16 years. Peak bloom can be as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).

http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/cherry-blossom-bloom.htm

A friend is going in April and I'd like to pass on some information. I know I heard/read about some political-spoof shows, anyone know the name or locale?

The Capitol Steps

http://www.capsteps.com/live/

thank you!

Great advice! My tip is that if you like to shop and have a car, head south on 95 to the Potomac Mills Outlet Center!

Any advice for finding a cheap hotel near a metro station? I can find hotels through travel websites, but I can never tell if they're within walking distance of the metro.

"I can find hotels through travel websites, but I can never tell if they're within walking distance of the metro."

You might have to go to the hotels website and look around there. also, this map at WMATA might help if you know the cross street of the hotel.

http://www.wmata.com/maps/metrorail_street_map.cfm
Hop stop might help also.
www.hopstop.com

Check out this website shortly before your trip:
www.goldstarevents.com
DC has lots of great local theatre. The tickets are often half-price on that site.

"I can find hotels through travel websites, but I can never tell if they're within walking distance of the metro."

Do a search for any hotel on Google Maps, then zoom in for the nearest metro stop(s).

Also:
http://www.stationmasters.com/

Your Congressperon can also generally arrange for other tours as well -- the FBI, White House.

In addition, ask if she/he is hosting any events when you're in town.

I spent a summer in DC in college and went to several talks and breakfasts and other events (bill signings, etc.) courtsey of my Congresswoman.

Your Congressperson/Senator can also arrange for gallery seats to watch the action in Congress/the Senate.

Especially if you are of "a certain age", the Vietnam Memorial can take your breath away.

Be careful where you wonder off to at night. Unless you are packing an Uzi.

Three things if you are driving: 1. Don't drive. Take Metro.
2. It is illegal to turn right on red.
3. If you have a disabled placard from your home state, it is not valid in DC. You will get ticketed if you do not get a placard.
http://dmv.dc.gov/serv/plates/handicap.shtm

As I write this I am in my office in Northwest DC (also where I live) and I must say that the Washington National Cathedral and Hillwood, the home of Marhorie Merryweather Post are lovely and worth seeing.

As for cheap hotels near metro,(they do not really exist) I say forget the hotels and go for the B&B's there are a few in DuPont Circle and Kalorama and they aver very well done.

After dark forget walking unless in Georgetown and take a cab--ditto to all who tell people NOT to drive in DC. I am a local and I shudder if I have to leave Northwest to go down to the monuments by car. I nearly always take the bus to the metro.

As for parking--make no mistake if you even suspect it is an illegal spot do not attempt to park there. Use a parking garage--it is worth the expense and peace of mind. Our meter maids are very efficient and will ticket you in a heartbeat or worse yet, have you towed! You will have to pay a hefty fee to get your car back and it most likely will be shipped to an unsavory part of town.

Since so many of us originate from other parts of the country and the world, we are sympathetic to travelers so do not hesitate to ask for help. Most of us are very friendly--the only frustration you will find is if all you find is other tourists...happens a lot near the Zoo.

Jen

It is NOT illegal to turn right on red in DC.

Also, some posts give the impression that DC is an unsafe city -- it is just a big city. It is no more or less safe than any other big city. There are plenty of safe areas in which to walk after dark --not just in Georgetown.

You can walk from the Smithsonian Metro stop to most of the main Smithsonian museums. They are free admission, but (of course) security-checked, so travel as light as you can to save time.

For an interesting lunch, do the Native American food cafeteria on the ground floor of the Natl. Museum of the American Indian. At least all the kids will like the fry bread (or a buffalo burger) and you can experiment with regional native dishes -- better than the traditional fast food at many museums.

BEWARE of people around the White House and monuments who are soliciting to give you private car tours of the city!! This is a huge rip-off. You might get lucky and find someone who's legit., but most of the time, they're scammers. They will promise to drop you off at various points of interest and return to pick you up at a designated time, but don't be surprised if you never see them again. They will charge outrageous fees for this "service". I warned a friend's mom about this and begged her not to go for it, but it was in the 90's, hot and humid one day, and she thought it would be nice for all not to have to walk in the heat. Well, we ended up walking in the heat anyway, but with less dollars in HER pocket! Pay the extra to take a legitimate hop-on hop-off service. I recommend Tourmobile, which is also authorized by the National Park Service. It might be pricey, but it's dependable. Info. and tickets here: http://www.tourmobile.com/tickets.php. They have whole city routes, night time routes, and other special tours in and around DC. They also have special needs accessible vehicles. AAA members can get a discount. Ask about senior pricing too. Enjoy our great city!

I just moved away from DC after working there for about two years - I already miss the city so much.

I recommend three things (among many others) that I haven't seen mentioned on this thread yet:

1. Eastern Market - a local farmer's market, art show and flea market combined. Since the original Eastern Market building burned last year, they've opened a temporary food hall that's filled with everything from local produce, meats and sausages, fresh fish. Get a crab cake sandwich from the stand in the hall before checking out antiques and picking up prints and handmade purses and hats from the neighboring flea/art market. Get an afternoon pick-me-up at Murky Coffee (delicious, and very artfully presented coffee drinks) and pick up some Uncle Brutha's award-winning hot sauce, available for sale at the hot sauce emporium and also often outside in a stall at the market. Tunicliff's Tavern is great for brunch, too - try the crab eggs benedict.

2. The FDR Memorial - features "rooms" following FDR's four terms in office. It's beautiful, but in an less conventional way that the massive white stone of the other monuments. It's located near the tidal basin but can be a little tricky to find. Probably best to hope off on an Old Town trolley or look up directions there in a guidebook.

3. U Street - great little shops (vintage clothing and furniture, shoe and accessory boutiques, art galleries...)and wonderful eating all along U and down 14th Street as well. Try Cafe Saint-Ex for amazing sustainable meal or a glass of wine. Metro up one stop on the green line to Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant for a coffee at Mayorga or Sticky Fingers vegan bakery. Check out some flamenco dancing or a current show at the Gala Latin Theatre.

...As far as Smithsonians go, the Hirshhorn is my favorite, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea - very modern. I love the modern wing of the National Gallery as well.

I love DC.

Another tip on the scammers -- don't talk to the people outside the touristy metro stops (near the capitol, white house etc). they will try to sell you maps that you can get for free from the visitor centers.

some very good advice, especially about parking and taking public transportation! I have found that DC is an overwhelming city, with so much to see and do; I could easily spend an entire day wandering the 4 floors of the Museum of American History.......the Smithsonian Museums are incredible! Choose what is most important to you (my daughter wanted to see the Air and Space Museum, my son wanted to see the Museum of Natural History), and allow yourself plenty of time. The monuments on the Mall are beautiful at night as was mentioned in a previous post. Just paying tribute to these can be a wonderful downtime activity. Also, take GOOD walking shoes, and enjoy!

"Be careful where you wonder off to at night. Unless you are packing an Uzi."

This is utterly absurd. DC has crime, like most large cities, but it is focused in areas where tourists are almost never going to find themselves. The only way to "wander off" at night into an area with significant violent crime is if you wander--at a minimum-- 10 to 20 blocks from places like Adams Morgan or U Street or the Capitol.

b'marking

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is undergoing a complete renovation, and is expected to reopen later this year.

1. Food concessions in most all the Smithsonian Musuems.((Indian Museum food court is awesome))

2. Food court at Union Station. Downstairs.

3. National Archives - busy during tourist season....visited first week of Dec. ...had all the time I needed to read, ask questions.

4. Trip to Mount Vernon (President Washington's home).....Trip can be made from D.C. via Metro and bus. Bus drops and picks up at Mt. Vernon Estate.

Ditto standing to the right on the escalator.

And please, DON'T try "holding" the metro doors open for the next person. It doesn't work that way.

Just to clarify the suggestion about holding Metro doors. They don't have electric eyes so that they might retract if you put your arm, etc. in to "hold" them. Your good outcome is that they might bounce off of you. In any event, they'll leave a bruise.

bookmark

Regarding Food Courts, there is also a good insideat the Shops at National Place, next door to National Theater.

There are people downtown in spring, summer, and fall (and maybe winter but I don't walk around downtown as much then so don't know), who dress in BLue, red, and white, and they have patches on their arms. They have stands on many street corners. Thier job is to help tourists- they exist to help you in a BIG way! Trust them, they have lots of resources!


These people are the D.C SAM! Check it out here:

http://tinyurl.com/37wqc3

Some cheap but good eats:

Old Ebbitt's Express: For $4 you get a great daily pasta takeout, (There are tables). Also salads, sandwiches and cheap plates.

New food cards downtown: It's not just hotdogs and half smokes these days. Among the best are new "SmartKarts" flanking the Portrait Gallery. At 7th and H, it's Julia's Empanadas and great $2 tacos. At 7th and F, (across from the Verizon Center metro entrance), it Rocklin's BBC. The great guys who run them say coming soon at 12th and G is a cart with Teaism chow.

As mentioned, the Market Lunch at Eastern Market with its bluebuck pancakes and crab cakes.

food carts, of course.

As for finding cheap lodging near Metro outside of DC, Ill take whack ... with a few givens:

1) Unless you have a compelling reason not to, it's almost always best to stay in the city.

2) It's all about balance and priorities, if you're a budget foody and staying in College Park allows you that extra dinner at Central ... then that makes sense for you.

I put those out because I was roundly flamed by comforting a cash-stretching questioner that you can still have a decent DC visit even if you have to stay on the outskirts.

So here goes, there are other areas but I'm not going to make stuff up about places I don't know well. (Others can do that )

-- Rosslyn, a top choice just across from Georgetown. Also has easy access to the gem that is Roosevelt Island.
-- Old Town Alexandria. A truly fun place to stay and stroll.
--Crystal City and Pentagon City area. Convenient, safe but not a lot of charm IMO.
--Arlington--???? (many other folks are more familiar)
--Chevy Chase. Wonderful neighborhood on the Red Line. Great shopping and Embassy Suites sits on station. But for price of the ES you could probably Priceline it in the city.
--DT Silver Spring: Hopping area with improved dining scene (esp. Ray's the Classics and Mandalay). American Film Institute. Don't get a cheap hotel here but the new Marriott Courtyard plus the Hilton and Crown Plaza are good values for the DC area.
--There's also a Days Inn off the UDC Red Line stop in NW DC.
--Bethesda. Nice city with lots of good but not great dining.
--College Park: Out of the way and not very Metro convenient
--Rockville: Is there a hotel in the new Town Square? There ought to be. (Love the Fractured Prune treats.) If not, there are a few places (Doubletree now Hilton?) right on the Twinbrook stop and a Marriott near the White Flint stop.
--Gaithersburg: You're getting a long ways out but several have shuttles to Shady Grove.

Plenty of gaps here for others to fill in.

As I mentioned, it's a balancing act but if you don't have the bucks to do it all, you can still make tradeoffs to do the things you like.

I find many of these tips cute and amusing. Here are my tips.

If it has "Smithsonian" in its name, it's free. But not all museums are free in DC.

Don't throw away your Metro card! You need it to go out.

(This is for the hardcore public transit rider tourist) Remember to get your bus transfer ticket before you get on that train! Immediately after you go through the turnstile, there will be a little brownish gray drab looking machine. Push the button to get your bus transfer, which is good for $0.90 off the bus fare.

If you want a map of where the trains go, it's not called the metro map, it is called the system map. And you can get it at almost every station, right near the turnstiles.

When staying at the Hotel Monaco, near Gallery Place, you can request a pet goldfish for your room. They will feed and clean the bowl, so all you have to do is stare at the fish.

Best burger in DC? Five Guys. One is in National Airport (US Air shuttle terminal), the other is at H Street and 9th Street, right in Chinatown.

I'll think of more...

Library of Congress - near the Capitol - a very interesting building and free tour also a small gallery with rotating exhibits from their collection. You can see a Guttenburg Bible - where else ya gonna do that? But the building and ornate interior is the real draw. Certainly not a style that's in vogue today. Worth two hours of your time.

Re Pentagon City as an area to stay: It is much beter now than it used to be. I think it is a great area to stay. There is Pentagon Row dining (13 restaurants, some pretty good ethnic ones too. Vietnamese, Irish, Thai, Lebanese, Italian, Mexican, Spanish, Asian bistro and wine bar) and shopping area, centered on a courtyard type place and a lot of the action is outside, people watching, etc. Also there is a pretty nice row of restaurants in Cyrstal City now, by Mortons and Jaleos, etc. And Pentagon City Mall is right there.

The Residence Inn in Pentagon City will give you lots of space if you have several people in the rm (they even have two queen bedrm, two bath quites; studios have 2 doubles and a sofabed)and their price is relatively reasonable for the space and what you get (incl. hot breakfast). All rms have kitchen, living area, and you are close to the metro, 2 metro stops from Arlington Cemetary, 2 stops from D.C. at L'Enfant Plaza, and very close to DCA airport.

The speed limit signs on the Capital Beltway indicate the minimum speed when traffic is not jammed.

Bookmark

Thanks for all the tips. ttt

fabulous! thanks to all.

Don't forget Great Falls just into Maryland--one of America's most beautiful water fall. Not far by car, easy to get to, wonderful walkways over the falls, nice walk along the historic canal. Also, I can't remember the name, but we stopped at a restaurant/bistro while driving up. It was elegantly informal, tasty, and affordable. The Virginia side is also worth seeing, but not as well developed.

bleason

OK here's my two cents:

Visit The National Museum of Women in The Arts to see the building as well as the art; any Smithsonian you choose, Imax (get tickets as soon as you enter Air & Space museum) Indian Museum great food Use the Old Town Trolley to get around, its well worth the fare when you don't have a clue, stay away from the restaurants on the waterfront ( Maine Ave) Do stay in downtown area if you can; metro around if you feel comfy; If you park your car in a Metro lot know that you must pay by prepaid ticket as you exit; Be carfeul if you decide to do the monumnets at night; DO NOT eat from the vendors (good advice anywhere)
Make advance reservations for the Spy Museum which is really fun but NOT cheap; visit the newly re-opened Newseum; there's a good food court at the National Gallery West wing basement level and a cool underground fountain, facing the Capitol is East and the Washington Monument is west;numbered streets go up east to west; Union Station is magnificent; as is the small Botannical garden at the foot of the Capitol (on the right facing east) My personal favorite is The Vietnam Memorial for its personal, haunting and unforgettable impact. There's a directory of the Wall at the Lincoln Monument side path to look up anyone whose name you would like to touch, and usually someone around to help you. Its a beautiful city....make a plan because there's a lot to see. Oh, and Alexandria is charming, Mt Vernon is lovely....

Oh, and by the way, Eastern Market had a significant fire, but I understand some part is open again,
perhaps the outdoor vendors.

Great thread-- thanks to all.

The Eastern Market has an indoor site now as well. I think it might be temporary while they fix the old building, and Market Lunch (that food place where there is always a big line for lunch and breakfast) is there. I think the outside vendors started up again a few week after the fire.

A branch of Madam Tussauds Wax Museum opened recently in downtown D.C. It is located on a corner of the old Woodie's dept store. Actually, the museum is all underground, only the entry lobby and exit lobby are above ground.

We had been to the one in NYC, which we thought was amazing and very extensive and worth the $$. I took a friend to the one in D.C. a few weeks ago. It is very small, and the figures are almost all political and military figures. Not nearly as many wax figures, and nothing at all like the "party room" at the NYC location, or the section w/music stars and sports figures that they have in NYC. The D.C. location is more "interactive' (exhibits where you can listen on a phone to a narration or play a trivia game on a screen) but really was a big disappointment after the NYC location.

Yeah, with so many great museums nearby with no admission charge, I'm wondering if Tussaud's is going to make it.

We live in the DC Va suburbs and are 30 year veterans of DC driving... don't drive during the day if you are unfamiliar with DC. Period. A (planned out)drive past the monuments at night when the commuters leave town and the monuments are lit up beautifully, is a good idea.
To start your tour during the day, you may take the Metro to Foggy Bottom station and walk down 23rd street about 6 blocks to the Lincoln Memorial ,Vietnam wall,Korean War Memorial and Reflecting pool. If you stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (where MLK gave his famous I have a dream speech) you can see all the way down the National Mall to the US Capitol and get a perspective on where you want to go from there. It's a huge stretch from the Lincoln to the Capitol, so you will quickly learn the convenience of the Metro system or Tourmobile!

If you can manage it, carry what you need for the day in your pockets. Backpacks, purses, and camera bags will be examined at the entrance to every museum. The White House will not let you carry them in at all.

Try to visit the museums along the Mall first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive (sometime around 11:30). The crowds won't matter as much at most of the monuments and memorials (other than the Wasington Monument).

Don't be afraid to visit DC during the winter. If the weather is bad, you can spend a lot of time in the museums and take a shuttle tour to the monuments. It's not that unusual to get a beautiful warm day in the winter (like last Sunday). You'll have the place almost to yourselves.

If you're bringing kids, check out the Smithsonian's websites for children's activities - they always have something going on. During the winter, take the kids ice skating at the Sculpture Garden next to the Natl Gallery of Art. It will break up the forced march feeling. During the summer they can kick a ball around the Mall or take a paddle boat ride in the Tidal Basin.

Look for free music and films offered by the Smithsonian, too.

The Kennedy Center offers free shows every night of the year at their Millenium Stage - a different show every night. Get there early because it is very popular. You can take a free shuttle bus to the Kennedy Center from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro station.

Take advantage of the free docent-led tours of the musuems and other places, such as the Library of Congress. The docents are very knowledgeable and make your visit so much more enjoyable than a quick run through the building. You can join a tour or step away from it anytime you like.

Stay downtown if possible. If you plan your visit for a weekend when Congress is not in session, you can get fantastic rates at great hotels that would otherwise be very expensive.

One other thing - a big, bulky stroller is going to be a royal pain everywhere you go. A small umbrella stroller will be a lot easier on everyone. It's also a good idea for toddlers and small children, too.

Hello,

Here is a building lookup map of central DC. Good for finding buildings when in town.

http://www.cccarto.com/dc_landmarks/index.html

For same day 1/2 price theater tickets try http://ticketplace.tranguard.com/tx_default.asp?tgs=596032:11060151&cart_id=59997:574619835615 We were pleasantly surprised with a very good performance!

Great information for my possible September trip. Thank you all.

Just bookmarking this.

This excellent website that answers that question, "How far is X hotel from Y Metro stop."

www.stationmasters.com

Also helps first time visitors with orientation, if you get familiar with the buildings around the station (they have elevation photos too)>

As an example, here's the specific link for Dupont Circle:

http://www.stationmasters.com/System_Map/DUPONTCI/dupontci.html

I'm sure that stationmasters link will help those who haven't read the whole thread ...

bookmarking - great thread!

Repete, if you'e being snide, FYI the stationmasters link was more useful for me than Googling every blasted hotel that I was thinking about. The format of the maps allows a much easier side by side comparison of the alternatives around a metro stop.

And it's very fast-loading.

So go stuff yourself.

repete was referring to the fact that he had already posted the stationmasters.com link, on January 23.

great info

Thanks!

Some of my favorite spots:

Dumbarton Oaks

National Building Museum

Haines Point, "The Awakening" statue

National Cathedral

Albert Einstein statue

Walk along the C&O canal in Georgetown

Have lunch at the Tombs in Georgetown. Have dinner at 1789, next door.

Old Town Alexandria. Fabulous walk from the King Street metro stop to the Potomac. Get coffee at Misha's. Have lunch at Bilbo Baggin's (Queen Street?) or Union Street. Poke around all of the artist studios/galleries at the Torpedo Factory. If it's warm, take a boat trip back into Georgetown

The Rayburn House Office Bldg- across from the Capitol- has a cafeteria- good place to stop for lunch.

Thank you all for your wonderful tips and suggestions.

thereyet

Much to the great dismay of Washingtonians, the Awakening sculpture at Haines Point is being moved this week to be installed somewhere in the new National Harbor complex.

Bookmarking, planning a trip in early April and this will help alot.

Great thread; thanks!

bookmarking - thanks!

Coming in April? Go and see the house and gardens at Hillwood, the home and museum of Marjorie Merriweather Post....especially if you love gardens and /or have an interest in Russian art and icons....the most fabulous collection there that Mrs Post purchased when she was in Russia w/hubby and /or when items came on the world market...for example, Faberge, the Russian Coronation chalice, the Hapsburg bridal veil (only displayed at intervals) It's on Linnean Ave NW just off Connecticut Ave, they have a great cafe, too and gift shop. Make reservations online early,. It's also possible to just visit the gardens which are great. Read a recent post about Chinatown, and I would say that pretty much all that's left of CHinatownin the Arch and a coiple of restaurants...it's been engulfed by the Penn Quarter and Verizon Center development. ALso worth a trip, The Kennedy Center tour is interesting, and at 6PM everyday there is a free performance at Milennium Stage. The National Cathedral (Episcopal) on Wisconsin Ave is very impressive and just full of history lessons. If you have time check their website and have "Tea in the Towers" if available....The National Gallery is wonderful and children love the underground passage and waterfalls on the lower level. The zoo is sad and half empty, but Bread and Chocolate Cafe across the street from the main entrance has great croissant and the best Hammentaschen south of NYC.
DC, like most world capitals, is a great city for walking. Save where you can and stay downtown...

As everyone has already mentioned, take the metro train everywhere!!! Also go to Generous George’s Positive Pizza and Pasta Place in Alexandria.

bookmarking

Wait two seconds before walking across a street even when the cross sign comes flashing on. And then look both ways. Running red lights is a pandemic in DC.

bookmark. thank you for the great tips!

We go to DC once a year and is on of my favorite cities on the planet.

My tips are:

- Walk the mall, take a nap in the sun, watch people play soccer, get involved in a touch football game, it happens every year, all within th shadows of our capital.

-Visit thr=e holocaust museum, go early and reserve your time later in the day- and don't plan on doing much the rest of the day because you won't want to.

-Arlington cemetary is a must.

-I would also suggest atrip to Annapolis.

Thats just a few.

bookmarking ... thanks!

and a question:

Planning a trip in Oct. or early Nov. Any reason we might want to be in DC on the day of the general election? Or not?

Election day will be a normal sort of a day in Washington. You'll just see a few prigs with election stickers sanctimoniously stuck to their jackets.

bookmarking. =D Planning on going in early Nov.

Several thoughts:

In my experience, distances are a bit deceptive in Washington, particularly along the Mall. It's two miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. In the summer heat you can really wear yourselves out just walking from the National Gallery to the Holocaust Museum. Bite off smaller pieces and group your visits around clusters. For example, the National Gallery, Archives and Natural History Museum are close together.

Also the Smithsonian stop is not the best stop for all of the museums. Try Archives for National Gallery, Natural History and the Archives; Gallery Place for Portrait Gallery, American Art and Spy Museum; Metro Center for Ford's Theater and National History; Federal Center SW for American Indian, Botanical Gardens, Rayburn Building or Air and Space, etc.

It's great to visit the monuments at night. Day or night, however, note that most of the monuments are not very close to Metro, and it's not easy to find parking, except around the FDR memorial. The hop-on, hop-off busses (Old Town Trolley and Tourmobile) might be good options.

The Einstein Statue mentioned earlier, Vietnam war Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Lincoln Memorial are grouped together. If you visit FDR go through the "rooms" in chronological order, then return back by walking along the Tidal Basin--just lovely.

Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial and WWII Memorial have bathrooms open into the night. For some reason the bathrooms on the Ellipse close early, although lots of folks come there after dark for the view of the South Lawn of the White House, and there are no easy alternatives nearby.

Get timed tickets in advance on-line for the International Spy Museum and the Holocaust Museum, and for the Washington Monument. Also you can buy IMAX tickets online in advance for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.

Long lines form at Ford's Theater due to busses full of school groups and such; make it your first stop of the morning and arrive early (opens at 9 a.m.).

As others said above, you can certainly turn right on red in DC, unless otherwise posted. Also the areas where tourists generally find themselves (generally the NW quarter of town) are pretty safe, not just Georgtown. There were some assaults in the Mall area (generally in the wooded areas between the Lincoln and WWII memorials) a couple of summers ago but the National Park Service stepped up enforcement there.

The Newseum reopens in its new space on Pennsylvania Avenue on April 11. The American History museum is supposed to reopen in Fall of '08.

In summer, try to make reservations to see the Evening Parade Friday evenings at the Marine Barracks. Very impressive. There is also a Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima memorial on Tuesdays, no reservations required.

Remember we've got a new downtown baseball stadium opening at the end of this month.

Check out the DC Circulator buses, a good, cheap way to get around, particularly over to Georgetown, which is not convenient to Metro.

Throughout the summer months, the military bands have free outdoor concerts at the Capitol, Jefferson Monument, etc.

The skating rink at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden was mentioned earlier. In the summer this is a fountain. The adjacent cafe is a nice lunch stop.

bookmarking

At the top of each Fodor's thread, including this one, are 3 links: Post a reply, Jump to most recent post, and Share with a friend.

The "Share with a friend" link sets up a separate little screen that makes it easy to send anybody (including yourself) a direct link to this thread. The link in the e-mail can also be "boomkarked" in the usual brower way. If you are a frequent contributor to the boards, this might be an easier way of finding your way back to this or any other thread.

If you can get great rates, don't hesitate to fly into BWI. An easy bus ride to the train and for around $7.00, a train to Metro station. From there you can easily take a cab to your hotel.

If you really do feel the need to drive around, early Sunday morning is a great time. Little traffic and you can drive by all the monuments. Any other time, park and ride the metro and walk.

From BWI, you can also take the B30 express bus straight to the Greenbelt Metro station. It runs every 40 minutes, 7 days a week, and costs $3 (bring dollar bills).

Be careful if you're using BWI on a weekend late night or early morning. The $7 train they're talking about doesn't run on the weekends.

And I'm not sure about the Bus, but I know I was stuck at BWI once because I flew in at an odd time and the bus was either a long wait or didn't run at all. (I can't remember which; I ended up taking a taxi.)

Well, yes, if your timing is bad you can end up waiting 39 minutes for the B30 bus. But it does run from 7 AM weekdays and 9:30 on weekends:

http://www.wmata.com/timetables/md/b30.pdf

As noted, the MARC train ($7) is a commuter train and doesn't run at all on weekends, though you could probably get a pricey Amtrak ticket if you wanted to take the shuttle from the BWI terminal to the train station. You'd end up at Union Station right in downtown DC, rather than out at Greenbelt as you would with the B30.

When I was checking the B30 timetable, I noticed that the fare is now $3 if you're using a SmarTrip card, and $3.10 for cash.

Apologies if it's posted above in this long thread (the posts seem to run together), but if you're using cash in the Metro card machines they only allow a limited amount of change ... about $5.

But, to be clear, in each station there are farecard machines that take credit cards.

"if you're using cash" which implies a choice seems fairly clear ...

I'm trying to plan a trip to D.C. Only problem I can't walk too long at a time. I know you can rent scooters but do you know if you can get around to very many sites BY scooter? Thanks for any tips by anyone who has experienced this..

Hillwood is one of the few museums in Washington that requires an entrance fee and it is NOT for children, but it is just magnificent. You must have reservations for the tour and, if you choose, lunch. Really a treat. I live here and I make a point of visiting at least once a year.

Also, love the free concerts on the Mall throughout the summer. Pack a picnic and listen to the military bands play under the stars. (Thursday nights at the zoo too -- and everything is free which is really a treat considering the cost of everything else!)

Mayhem,

I agree that Hillwood may not be for very young children. However, with all attractions, it's best to know your children and their limits. We have a Hillwood membership, and our daughter looks forward to the visits we make. She visited Hillwood for the first time at age 4 and fell in love with the Faberge eggs and the koi pond. Our family visited Japan in February and she, now 6, recalled that the gardens in Japan were like the one she saw "at home."

Good to know. Maybe I'll take my 15 year old soon.

BM, thanks

bookmarking

I am trying to find something to say that has not already been covered and that might be helpful. I have lived in the DC suburbs all of my life (and am now in my forties). Please do not drive here if you are unfamiliar with the roads. It will ruin your visit. Also, people are usually shocked at how lousy our weather is most of the time. We have a very short beautiful spring followed by a very long, hot humid summer and then a short beautiful fall followed by a winter that is mostly cold and humid (and occasionally dry or mild). Finally, there is so much to do here that you will benefit from a lot of advance planning to make the most of your time and opportunity. One person's dream vacation is another person's nightmare. Although Washington is an expensive city it is still a good value compared to New York and San Francisco. Be realistic in your price expectations. Enjoy!

bookmarking

bookmarking

bookmarking

At the top of the thread is a link called "Share with a friend." If you "share" this thread with your own e-mail address, you'll have a handy link that you can bookmark. IMHO this is better than just making sure that this thread shows up when you click on your ID, since you won't have to search through a list of threads to find it.

For a fantastic view at a DC hotel go to the L'Enfant Plaza and get a "city view" room. The room will have a balcony, and from it you will see the Washington Monument to the left and the Capitol to the right. We have stayed there several times on July 4, sitting on the balcony sipping wine and watching the fireworks.

Bookmarking

Great tips for anytime. But for those coming for the Inauguration, please read them and make your visit to DC an easier one.

Bookmarking. Thanks!

Bookmarking

Metro manners:

Wait to let people exit the train before you enter

as someone said above- STAND to the right on escalators, walk on the left. We commuters often walk up the escalators to save time and it is so frustrating to have an entire tour group blocking the way.

When exiting, get your farecard out before you get to the turnstile instead of making everyone wait.

No eating in the metro (and they will bust you for it)


Smithsonian tips:
If you like Asian art, the Sackler is fabulous and the gift shop is amazing.

The castle building of the Smithsonian opens earlier than the rest of the museums and has bathrooms and a small cafe for you early risers.

Have your purse/backpack open and ready as you approach any Smithsonian entrances as they almost always check inside. I try not to bring one to speed things up.

Looking for nature:

Second the recommendation for Great Falls. Truly beautiful- good hiking around there on both sides of the river too.

If you have a car or are willing to take a bus, the National Arboretum is a beautiful park for hiking/walking. It's out on New York Avenue, off the tourist track. They have an awesome koi pond, a large bonsai collection, the gorgeous photo op of the rescued Capitol columns, and a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs. The azaleas are phenomenal in the spring. They have a tram tour with a docent that is really interesting and my senior citizen mom loved it.
http://www.usna.usda.gov/

Walk on the towpath out of Georgetown, into Maryland, along the Potomac. A great place for runners visiting the city. http://www.geocities.com/madeads/towpath.html

Another great spot for runners is to go around Hain's Point. It's about 3 miles around, with views of the water all the way.

If you like farmers' markets:

The Dupont Circle farmer's market on Sundays is excellent for organic produce, handmade cheeses, breads, etc.

Flying:
The Five Guys (best burgers ever) at National Airport is open early and has breakfast sandwiches and their superior burgers I think starting at 6:00am. Yum. (Yes, the burgers are so good I will eat one at 6:00 am.)

The massage chairs at BWI are soooo worth the money.

If you love colonial

Oops- accidently pressed enter.

I meant to finish with: If you love colonial architecture, come out to Old Town Alexandria on the water taxi or metro. My hometown is charming and great for walking.

This is an excellent thread.

I did notice some mention of Hillwood. You need to have advance reservations for Hillwood. Don't just go there thinking you can walk into the mansion. Tours fill up well in advance.

On the old routine of getting a reserved Capitol tour from your Congressman, please do not do that anymore. Many of the interns who give those tours simply know nothing. Get a regular tour from the Capitol Guide Service. With the opening of the new Capitol Visitor's Center, you can reserve one from them in advance. Then visit your Congressman only if you want passes to the House/Senate. Remember, you cannot go into the Senate at all unless they are sitting.

Take either a hop on/hop off tour or one where the guide and the bus stay with you from On Board Tours. There are advantages to either style of tour and pick what you want. There can be unpleasant waits for buses on hop on/hop off tours (including the Tourmobile), so you might want to consider the other sort of tour. Up to you!

If you have limited time, concentrate on the free museums. There is no reason to pay for the Spy Museum, Mme. Tussaud's, the Crime and Punishment Museum or the Newseum if you only have 2-3 days. The Newseum is, by the way, hands down the best of the "pay" museums.

If you like art, go to the Phillips Collection and see Renoir's "Afternoon of the Boating Party". There is a charge for this gallery, but it is worth every penny (Dupont Circle on the Red Line; exit NORTH).

At Arlington, if you are in moderately decent shape, walking to the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Kennedy graves is faster then the Tourmobile (same problem as the hop on/hop off bus services).

If it is too hot or too cold, concentrate on museums because schlepping around outside in unbearable weather is, well, unbearable.

The best celebrity sightings are in the US Capitol. Nancy Pelosi is not only speaker, but, unlike some other speakers, she is often presiding.

Do not expect to see the president. I have lived here since 1971. The last president I saw was Richard Nixon, but, then, I don't actually run around looking for them. They tie up traffic. The president's car, by the way, has tinted windows and you cannot sneak a peek.

Do not visit DC for any inauguration--or for the Cherry Blossom Festival--and expect to see much of anything.

The worst time to come is in spring when DC is innundated with kids on school trips. The best time to come is in the fall.

Thanks for all the great info. I'll bookmark this for my possible trip in May.

>>Do not expect to see the president. I have lived here since 1971. The last president I saw was Richard Nixon, but, then, I don't actually run around looking for them.<<

Any chance you could be a little less condescending? That's like telling visitors in London that they probably shouldn't count on seeing the Queen. Gee, no kidding.

Some people travel to DC in order to see the Cherry Blossoms or experience Independence Day. And most of them can deal with the crowds and the weather and whatever else goes along with a packed city on a busy occasion.

When I went to London I was expecting to see the Queen and I did. And I saw the Queen Mum. And Prince Andrew. All of them together a couple of times. It was in the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot, they appeared all four days IIRC!

It is actually easier to see the royals in England than it is the President in DC. The best presidential sitings are accidental. If it is planned, that means tons of others plan to see the celebrity as well and you end up in a crowd seeing nothing.

I have seen Queen Elizabeth II twice in England as well as some of the other royals. That is easy. The president is not.

bookmarking for trip in 2 weeks, very last minute but this will save loads of time in research!! tia.

bookmarking

And I did finally see Obama a couple of weeks ago. It was just a drive by. I was standing on Pennsylvania Ave., NW, by the East Building of the National Gallery preparing to cross the street. I noticed the traffic was stopped and you couldn't cross. I asked the police officer if Obama was going to go by. He was evasive--which told me that the Prez was "loose" (The police say "He's loose" whenever the Prez leaves the White House in a car).

The motorcade went by. A word to all of you: The president is always in the SECOND limo in the motorcade. The first car is a decoy. The person standing next to me looked in the first car and missed it. Obama was in the second car plain as day.

No, he didn't wave to me. To tell the truth, my son got more excited than I did when I told him about it. I was just trying to get to my car and drive home.

As I mentioned before, the best of these presidential or celebrity sightings is always accidental--and they are very rare. When I am at the White House as a tour guide, tourists will ask me if the president is in. I always answer that I have no idea because the President does not consult me about his schedule. That always brings a laugh--which is why I say it. The flag over the White House flies all the time, so if there is a flag that does not mean that the President is in (or not in).

Good luck trying for a sighting!

Lauren do you know how far in advance the white house is notifying congress members about the tour list? We requested a tour two months ago for the week after next, March 16-22nd and our representative said she still hasn't heard from the white house about that week. Does anyone know how far in advance they are letting people know, because it obviously isn't 2-3 weeks ahead like we were originally told.

NEW WHITE HOUSE INFO ok I answered my own question. Today, March 9th, the White House just put out the list for tours next week March 16th. (inconvenient for scheduling advance tickets to other things.) I talked to two different congressional offices about our request. One office said she just sent out denials to 15 groups. One of them had even requested their tickets over six months ago!! I would be curious to walk around the visitors center at the white house and ask how long ago all the requests were made...haha She said the approval ratio is very very low. (I did ask if already having a party of 10 put together would help and she said no.) By the way trying to buy advance tickets for the Washington Monument is sold out 9 weeks ahead this spring. Guess we are getting in line early for that one.

sarge56, my bag from the Women in Service at Arlington is still pristine- and I was just going to break it out and start using it every day this spring.

If you want a long trip report filled with some real tips, click on my JJ5 and view my D.C. trip report.

If you don't get into the White House, go to The Capitol. The Capitol is a lot more interesting--honest.

Bookmarking