Help with itinerary...4 days in DC
May 11th, 2016, 01:27 PM
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Help with itinerary...4 days in DC
Hi Everyone! We are from California and traveling to the east coast with our two teenage boys. We will be spending the first part of our trip in NYC and then heading over to DC. I was wondering if you can help with our itinerary. We have about 4 days in DC in June. This will be our first visit! Very excited but overwhelmed with all the places we want to see. We kind of know the places we want to visit...but need help to make sure it makes logistical sense. Also, let me know if I'm missing something that I should check out. We are staying at the Embassy Suites near the Convention Center and plan to do a lot of walking. Day 2 is flexible since there are no scheduled events.
Day 1:
Arrive by train from NYC.
4:45 Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour
Dinner at Founding Farmers
Monuments at night...would we be able to do all the monuments at night or should we break this up for two visits?
Day 2: (Flexible day)
White House Visitor Center
Holocaust Museum, Museum of American History, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Castle
Day 3:
9:45 Library of Congress Tour (Can we do this ourselves without the tour? If so, I would move this to Day 4 after the Capitol tour)
Air & Space
Georgetown?
Day 4:
9:50 Capitol Building Tour
Botanical Garden, Supreme Court, Museum of American Indian
Lunch at Mitsitam
Day 5:
Open in morning. Be at airport by 2:00
I really wanted to get a time-stamp ticket for the Permanent Exhibit at the Holocaust Museum but it's not available any more. I wonder how long the lines will be for same day tickets? Also, tickets for Washington Monument and National Archives are not available. Is it worthwhile to go up the Washington Monument?
We also want to spend some time at Gerorgetown. Not sure what day to fit it in. Also, want to visit Dupont Circle for dinner one night. Any recommendations?
We may want to check out the Newseum or Spy Museum. If we can only do one...which one would you recommend? I've heard good things about both.
Day 1:
Arrive by train from NYC.
4:45 Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour
Dinner at Founding Farmers
Monuments at night...would we be able to do all the monuments at night or should we break this up for two visits?
Day 2: (Flexible day)
White House Visitor Center
Holocaust Museum, Museum of American History, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Castle
Day 3:
9:45 Library of Congress Tour (Can we do this ourselves without the tour? If so, I would move this to Day 4 after the Capitol tour)
Air & Space
Georgetown?
Day 4:
9:50 Capitol Building Tour
Botanical Garden, Supreme Court, Museum of American Indian
Lunch at Mitsitam
Day 5:
Open in morning. Be at airport by 2:00
I really wanted to get a time-stamp ticket for the Permanent Exhibit at the Holocaust Museum but it's not available any more. I wonder how long the lines will be for same day tickets? Also, tickets for Washington Monument and National Archives are not available. Is it worthwhile to go up the Washington Monument?
We also want to spend some time at Gerorgetown. Not sure what day to fit it in. Also, want to visit Dupont Circle for dinner one night. Any recommendations?
We may want to check out the Newseum or Spy Museum. If we can only do one...which one would you recommend? I've heard good things about both.
May 11th, 2016, 02:17 PM
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Your itinerary is doable and the sites can be accessed by Metro or on foot. You've also grouped sites together logically. On your questions:
- Without insight into your interests, it's hard to answer the question of whether or not you're missing something.
- How are you viewing the monuments at night? If on a bus, yes, seeing the main attractions at once is doable. If not, perhaps start at the Lincoln Memorial, walk down the National Mall towards the WWII Memorial, and up to the White House. You can also continue towards the Capitol Building, but it is a longer walk.
- With the Library of Congress, yes, you can see it yourself without being on a tour.
- What do you want to see in Georgetown? It's mostly the same shops you find everywhere these days. It's usually quite busy on the weekend, so go on a weekday if you to avoid crowds. You can easily access Georgetown on a Metrobus or a Circulator bus; just make sure you get on the right one.
- Washington Monument tickets get reserved very early in advance, especially in the summer. It's good for a different perspective on the monuments if you can get a ticket. If you are going to the Newseum, there's decent views from its rooftop deck too.
- Without insight into your interests, it's hard to answer the question of whether or not you're missing something.
- How are you viewing the monuments at night? If on a bus, yes, seeing the main attractions at once is doable. If not, perhaps start at the Lincoln Memorial, walk down the National Mall towards the WWII Memorial, and up to the White House. You can also continue towards the Capitol Building, but it is a longer walk.
- With the Library of Congress, yes, you can see it yourself without being on a tour.
- What do you want to see in Georgetown? It's mostly the same shops you find everywhere these days. It's usually quite busy on the weekend, so go on a weekday if you to avoid crowds. You can easily access Georgetown on a Metrobus or a Circulator bus; just make sure you get on the right one.
- Washington Monument tickets get reserved very early in advance, especially in the summer. It's good for a different perspective on the monuments if you can get a ticket. If you are going to the Newseum, there's decent views from its rooftop deck too.
May 11th, 2016, 02:51 PM
#3
You can do the Library of Congress without a tour. Tours are good but I wouldn't plan a day around it.
Even with tickets, lines for the Washington Monument will be long. IMO, not worth the wait for a view. Check out a map of the Mall memorials -- unlikely you can cover them all unless on a bus tour. There are segway tours as well. Between the Lincoln and the WWI memorials, you'll also see the Vietnam and Korean War memorials. The Jefferson is really the outlier so you might want to leave that for another time. Check out the DC Circulator bus for the National Mall -- it's the only public transportation to the Jefferson. (Your Smartrip metro card will work on all DC buses)
I really wanted to get a time-stamp ticket for the Permanent Exhibit at the Holocaust Museum but it's not available any more. I wonder how long the lines will be for same day tickets? Also, tickets for Washington Monument and National Archives are not available. Is it worthwhile to go up the Washington Monument?
There are some same day tickets you can grab on line starting at 6 am the day of. That is new this year. If that doesn't work, you can get in line at the museum an hour or so ahead of time to get same day tickets. I'd send someone in your group over around 8:30 with a good book or iPhone charge to wait for 10 am opening. Your plan is to be in the vicinity of that museum for the day so that is good -- you should have some flexibility.
We may want to check out the Newseum or Spy Museum. If we can only do one...which one would you recommend? I've heard good things about both.
I'd vote Newseum. Their tickets are good for two days visit so you could split it up amongst yourselves. Both places are worthy -- Spy Museum requires a fair amount of exhibit reading and that is more difficult with bigger summer crowds. Go first thing to avoid that.
Even with tickets, lines for the Washington Monument will be long. IMO, not worth the wait for a view. Check out a map of the Mall memorials -- unlikely you can cover them all unless on a bus tour. There are segway tours as well. Between the Lincoln and the WWI memorials, you'll also see the Vietnam and Korean War memorials. The Jefferson is really the outlier so you might want to leave that for another time. Check out the DC Circulator bus for the National Mall -- it's the only public transportation to the Jefferson. (Your Smartrip metro card will work on all DC buses)
I really wanted to get a time-stamp ticket for the Permanent Exhibit at the Holocaust Museum but it's not available any more. I wonder how long the lines will be for same day tickets? Also, tickets for Washington Monument and National Archives are not available. Is it worthwhile to go up the Washington Monument?
There are some same day tickets you can grab on line starting at 6 am the day of. That is new this year. If that doesn't work, you can get in line at the museum an hour or so ahead of time to get same day tickets. I'd send someone in your group over around 8:30 with a good book or iPhone charge to wait for 10 am opening. Your plan is to be in the vicinity of that museum for the day so that is good -- you should have some flexibility.
We may want to check out the Newseum or Spy Museum. If we can only do one...which one would you recommend? I've heard good things about both.
I'd vote Newseum. Their tickets are good for two days visit so you could split it up amongst yourselves. Both places are worthy -- Spy Museum requires a fair amount of exhibit reading and that is more difficult with bigger summer crowds. Go first thing to avoid that.
May 11th, 2016, 03:23 PM
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I also vote for the Newseum. I believe they have AAA discounts if you are a member.
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (an annex to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum) at Dulles is very worthy of as visit. It houses the Space Shuttle Discovery, the Enola Gay and an Air France Concorde just to name a few. I found it as fascinating as the Air & Space Museum in DC.
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (an annex to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum) at Dulles is very worthy of as visit. It houses the Space Shuttle Discovery, the Enola Gay and an Air France Concorde just to name a few. I found it as fascinating as the Air & Space Museum in DC.
May 11th, 2016, 04:15 PM
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I always recommend Segway tours for DC. I live in Northern VA and have seen all the monuments a zillion times but seeing them by Segway was really fun! My friend and I went with Capital Segway but there are several companies that do these tours. We covered a ton of ground and it's a nice way to get an overview of the monuments and surrounding area. Our tour lasted about 3 hours and cost (I think) about $60. Worth every penny.
If you go to the Newseum, consider eating at The Source, the restaurant that's attached. Their dim sum is fantastic, especially the fried rice.
If you go to the Newseum, consider eating at The Source, the restaurant that's attached. Their dim sum is fantastic, especially the fried rice.
May 11th, 2016, 05:11 PM
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Great itinerary. Only thing missing that I think is important is a trip to Arlington Cemetery to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It does take a couple hours.
Another place is the zoo. The zoo opens early so your last day it may be an option.
Another place is the zoo. The zoo opens early so your last day it may be an option.
May 11th, 2016, 07:05 PM
#8
Another vote for the Newseum! We really enjoyed it and went with our early 20s kids. They do offer AAA discount and I believe a college student discount.
Holocaust Museum was very moving.
Hop on hop off buses take you around town pretty easily.
Holocaust Museum was very moving.
Hop on hop off buses take you around town pretty easily.
May 11th, 2016, 07:36 PM
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We (Mr. Pickle, teenage PickleDude, and me) did a monuments at night walking tour with DC by Foot, which we all enjoyed very much. It looks like they call it the National Mall tour now. http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/washi...nal-mall-tour/
We didn't have time to visit the Newseum, but we went to the Spy Museum and thought it was very interesting.
Lee Ann
We didn't have time to visit the Newseum, but we went to the Spy Museum and thought it was very interesting.
Lee Ann
May 11th, 2016, 09:20 PM
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I have two recommendations for dinner in or sort-of-near Dupont Circle. Right in DuPont Circle, we like Circa. In case it comes up, we definitely do NOT like Tomate. About 3/4 mile north of DuPont Circle (a nice walk), we really liked Mintwood Cafe. About 3/4 of in a different direction (also a nice walk), on 14th St. There are any number of good restaurants. Ted's Bulletin is really good for breakfast if you're in the neighborhood.
May 12th, 2016, 09:47 AM
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Thanks for all your help! I'm so excited!
I'm going to squeeze Library of Congress with Capitol Hill to not waste time going back to the same area.
As far as the monuments...we assumed we were going to walk it. But Segway or bus tour would be a great idea.
Will put Newseum on our itinerary! And plan to eat at Source and check out the observation deck. Thanks for the tip!
We are considering Arlington Cemetery...seems to take a lot of time to get there and experience it.
Our schedule is a bit museum/capitol hill heavy. That's why I wanted to venture to Georgetown and Dupont Circle to get a different feel of the city. I would enjoy walking around Georgetown and checking out the boutiques. Eating a good places.
I'm going to squeeze Library of Congress with Capitol Hill to not waste time going back to the same area.
As far as the monuments...we assumed we were going to walk it. But Segway or bus tour would be a great idea.
Will put Newseum on our itinerary! And plan to eat at Source and check out the observation deck. Thanks for the tip!
We are considering Arlington Cemetery...seems to take a lot of time to get there and experience it.
Our schedule is a bit museum/capitol hill heavy. That's why I wanted to venture to Georgetown and Dupont Circle to get a different feel of the city. I would enjoy walking around Georgetown and checking out the boutiques. Eating a good places.
May 12th, 2016, 09:52 AM
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Pizzeria Paradiso in Georgetown is very good.
On one trip, we rented bikes near the mall and rode to the Jefferson Memorial, to Georgetown (University and village), and back to the mall. It was really great (but it was also a Sunday - no traffic at all downtown)
Just a head's up (not sure if anyone mentioned it) that Newseum is private (not part of the Smithsonian) and there's an entrance fee - I think it's about $20 per person.
On one trip, we rented bikes near the mall and rode to the Jefferson Memorial, to Georgetown (University and village), and back to the mall. It was really great (but it was also a Sunday - no traffic at all downtown)
Just a head's up (not sure if anyone mentioned it) that Newseum is private (not part of the Smithsonian) and there's an entrance fee - I think it's about $20 per person.
May 12th, 2016, 10:10 AM
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If you want to get a "feel" for a different part of the city, and the weather is decent, I'd spend an hour in the DuPont Circle area and then I'd walk from 19th and R up either 19th Street or Corcoran to 14th Street, and eat somewhere on 14th (Etto, Doi Moi, Amsterdam Falafel Shop, Ted's Bulletin, so many choices). I'd do this late afternoon/early evening, when there's loads of people about.
A quieter but really nice walk through very nice residential neighborhoods (DuPont Circle, Kalorama, Adams Morgan) to Mintwood Café - walk from DuPont Circle up 19th to Columbia Road, bear right on Columbia Road.
A quieter but really nice walk through very nice residential neighborhoods (DuPont Circle, Kalorama, Adams Morgan) to Mintwood Café - walk from DuPont Circle up 19th to Columbia Road, bear right on Columbia Road.
May 12th, 2016, 10:27 AM
#16
If you want to get a "feel" for a different part of the city, and the weather is decent, I'd spend an hour in the DuPont Circle area and then I'd walk from 19th and R up either 19th Street or Corcoran to 14th Street, and eat somewhere on 14th (Etto, Doi Moi, Amsterdam Falafel Shop, Ted's Bulletin, so many choices). I'd do this late afternoon/early evening, when there's loads of people about.
There are loads of people around all evening, not sure why you'd specify late afternoon or early evening. That part of 14th Street from Logan Circle up to the U Street corridor is one of the busiest parts of the city at night. The different "feel" is that the crowd is younger, more 20s and early 30s than Dupont Circle.
There are loads of people around all evening, not sure why you'd specify late afternoon or early evening. That part of 14th Street from Logan Circle up to the U Street corridor is one of the busiest parts of the city at night. The different "feel" is that the crowd is younger, more 20s and early 30s than Dupont Circle.
May 12th, 2016, 01:43 PM
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Agree with sf7307 and gardendiva that Arlington National Cemetery is a must see. So much history there. Great views to DC. My mom is buried there and being from California, I don't visit DC nearly as much as I would like.
May 12th, 2016, 02:30 PM
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obxgirl, I only specified "rush hour" because on the walk from 19th to 14th, it always strikes me how many people are on the street (my DH decided that the dress code after work hours requires yoga pants and a yoga mat for 20s-ish women in those neighborhoods). I know 14th St. and the area around DuPont and U Street themselves will always be lively at night.
