tara3056

Hi,

My DH and I will be visiting relatives who live just outside Philadelphia. We've talked about driving down to DC (I'm told it's about a 2 hour drive) for a couple of days. It's my dream to visit the Smithsonian (well, yes, I know that technically, the Smithsonian contains something like 15 different museums), but I'm not sure how much we could realistically fit in, given our time constraints and the fact that the museums are only open from 10-5:30.

Ideally, we'd love the see the Holocaust Museum (not technically part of the Smithsonian), the National Archives, the Air and Space Museum, and the Museum of National History.

If we arrived in DC by 10am when the museums opened, stayed one night, and left after dinner on the second day, is there any way we would have enough time to cover these 4 museums? Or should we just spend our time completely in Philly and save the Smithsonians for some other (perhaps very distant) trip?

For the record, we have seen other DC landmarks (memorials, White House, etc. and have no desire to re-visit those. This would be just a museum trip).

adnil1962

We "did" DC in 3 days and included the museums, memorials, monuments, White House, cemetary, etc.)

You can fit everything in in 2 days but you won't get to see everything at all the museums. You will get the highlights. Air and Space could technically take a whole day but you could see quite a bit in 3 or 4 hours. The Holocaust seemed to be a bit quicker - it was truly an amazing exhibit. I say fit in what you can on this trip knowing that you will be back some day.....

BayouGal

DD and I did 3 of those 4 last Saturday in DC, and our 4th was the Smithsonian's National Protrait Gallery. It wasn't as bad a dash as I thought it'd be, but we were tired by Saturday night. I think you'll be able to do all 4 in 2 days easily.

Don't miss reading about the polar bear photo in the hall near the escalators of the Mus of Nat History. It's an incredible, award-winning photo.

Have fun!

escargot

I would suggest going on the web pages for the Smithsonian, and seeing what is there before you go, and sort of 'mapping out a plan' of the exhibits/museums that interest you most, so you won't be trying to do that while you are there - and I wouldn't miss the Holocaust Museum.

Get your entry tix for the Holocaust Museum ahead of time online, maybe you can do that first thing, and then head over to one of your other choices and the next day do two others.

I think you can do it since you've seen the other landmarks you mentioned and are just focusing on these.

As you said, you won't see everything but you already know that, and you would still cover a fair amount of ground.

lcuy

My first time in DC was to attend a friends wedding. After all that was done, I had one and a half days to "do" Washington. This was pre-internet, but I was still able to map out not just the museums, but the specific exhibits and floors that interested me. I got there at opening time, moved quickly and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

You couldn't expect to see it all no matter how long you stay, but you'll have two days of pleasure. Why wouldn't you go?

tara3056

Thanks so much for the encouraging words! It sounds do-able

Stephanie

tara:

i could spend 3 hrs easily in just the American History bldg alone. I've spent the same at the Air & Space. I'd say if you are quicker than I you could probably do all of them however that is a bit rushed but nothing is better than a few day in D.C. touring museums that are free.

tovarich

We were in WAshington in Sept for 4 days and took one day to get an idea of the museums.It's doable for a general idea.The museum of American history is closed for two years.Try to include the museum of the A?indian.Very nice.It's the first one coming from the Capitol and close to the Air and space. Greetings from Belgium.Paul

kgh8m

You mention the "Museum of National History" - I'm assuming you mean the Museum of American History. Your itinerary will be a lot easier, because it's closed for renovations as of September 2006 through 2008. Which is good, really, because we went in the spring, and half the exhibits were closed and the ones that were open were dated and not very interesting.

The Museum of Natural History IS still open, however. I've been looking forward to touring the renovated American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery - which re-opened recently.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Whether you see all you plan to or not, just enjoy what you can.

You can always resume at a later date. I would need more time than you've alloted, but I read practically everything at any display that interests me, and especially for "technical" or mechanical things really inspect the display. Others just look at the "big picture" and can be satisfied "zooming" through.

Enjoy your trip, and revisit this thread afterwards with a trip report, ok?

tara3056

*blush* I meant the Museum of NATURAL History, I'm not sure why I typed National! Argh. LOL.