chip

We have some scheduled tours/shows and we need help filling in our itinerary so we are covering sights without bouncing all over town...

spring break(I know!)...
Wed.-arrive...hotel near Capital

(national cathedral?)

2:45 tour of Diplomatic Recetion rooms at the US Dept. of State

metro line? to Folger's Theater

quick bite to eat before show...any comments on the concession there? or any other suggestions?
6:30 pre-show tour of Shakespeare library...Macbeth at 7:30

thurs.-
early-get in line for tickets for washington monument
(air and space museum)
2:00 or 3:00 self-guided reservation entrance ticket to national archives

moonlight monument tour...time?company? do we need to get tickets ahead of timee?

friday-
(spy museum)
(portrait gallery?)

(Natural History Museum?)
(evening-IMAX then smithsonian jazz cafe?)
sat.-(tour capital building)
(Native American Museum?)

(cherry blossoms?
mall...kite show?)


suggestions for early-bird dinner nearby
7:30 tickets to see Capital Steps at the Ronald Reagan Building

sun.- mass at Shrine of Im.Concep.
depart


on our must do list...just trying to figure out where they would fit best...

spy museum (should we pre-book)
air and space museum
washington monument (if we can get ticket...sold out prebook on line)
kennedy center 6-pm free concert
IMAX?
*have called congressman...can get morning tour of capital building any morning...thinking friday or saturday?
national catherdral

thanks for any suggestions

bardo1

Wed.-arrive...hotel near Capital
(national cathedral?)

Yes, Nat'l Cahtedral is worth seeing - take bus, taxi,, Metro to Tenleytown and then take a taxi. Ask if there is an Evensong service at 5:30 that day while you are there - GREAT music.

metro line? to Folger's Theater

Take a Blue or Orange Metro train to the "Capitol South" stop.

quick bite to eat before show...any comments on the concession there? or any other suggestions?
6:30 pre-show tour of Shakespeare library...Macbeth at 7:30

Plenty of spots to choose from along Penn. Ave between 2nd and 7th Sts. Should be no problem. Don't rule out the pubs, sandwich places, and coffeshops on that stretch - quick and not bad. The fine dining places could take a while.

thurs.-
moonlight monument tour...time?company? do we need to get tickets ahead of time? Tourmobile and Old Town Trolley are both good and about the same - pick one that matches your schedule.

cherry blossoms?

Absolutely, don't miss the blossoms if they are in bloom while you are here - and pack a picnic to relax and enjoy them somewhere around the Tidal Basin - there are some areas to spread out near the paddle boat rental area. Plan to circumnavigate the Tidal Basin on your walk.

suggestions for early-bird dinner nearby. 7:30 tickets to see Capital Steps at the Ronald Reagan Building

Les Halles or Ten Penh

http://www.leshalles.net/

http://www.tenpenh.com/main.htm

sun.- mass at Shrine of Im.Concep.

Take the Red Line Metro to the "Brookland" stop and exit through the Catholic University side. Also check out the gift shop beforehand if you have time.

Devonmcj

I think your plan sounds pretty good as it is. You've given yourself plenty of wiggle room to make decisions based on how you feel at the time. The only suggestion I have is that you plan to see the IMAX movie while you are visiting the Air & Space Museum since that is where it is shown.

You can check the Kennedy Center's website to see if you prefer their Friday or Saturday show at the Millenium Stage. I would try to get there by 5:00 to get in line for a good seat.
http://www.kennedy-center.org/progra.../schedule.html

Devonmcj

An evening show at the IMAX theater in the Museum of Natural History would work, too. I just think you'll have time to see a movie in the A&S during the day and go to the jazz show in the evening.

Ruff

Depending on what time you arrive in DC, there may not be enough time to do justice to the National Cathedral and then get back to the State Department for the 2:45 pm tour. You might want to do something closer to either the Capitol or State. This might be a good time to see the Cherry Blossoms.

Are you going to the Folger Theatre and Shakespeare Library on the Hill or the Shakespeare Theatre in Penn Quarter? If the latter, then bardo1's suggestions of eating places are fine. I like Teaism on 8th.

Love Ten Penh or Les Halles before the Capitol Steps. For a more casual option, try the Elephant & Castle right next door. Food isn't nearly as interesting or good, but it is less expensive and more casual.

TravelinAnn

They said they were going to the Folger, which indeed is offering Macbeth, Feb. 28 - April 13.

Ruff

...then eating in Penn Quarter is probably not a good idea. I don't get to the Hill very often, so I don't have any restaurant suggestions.

DancingBearMD

I assumed Bardo was suggesting Pennsylvania Ave SE.

longhorn55

Entry is timed for the International Spy Museum and I think they recommend advance reservations during peak times (which Spring Break will be). If you are planning on doing the Operation Spy exhibit (extra fee), you will definitely need to book ahead.
If you are interested in the Portrait Museum, note that Stephen Colbert's "portrait" is on display near the 2nd floor bathrooms until April 1st.

DancingBearMD

Definitely should book ahead online for Spy Museum, ASAP. Can also book online for IMAX at the Natural History or Air and Space Museums, although you'd be fine doing that a day in advance generally.