We’re just back from a long weekend in DC over the holiday and here’s a mini trip report. To start, the weather was fabulous …. The best I’ve ever had there and so it was a pleasure walking all over the place! We loved the Metro and it worked seamlessly (except for the afternoon when all the Virginia Tech/Boise State football fans took over the trains on the way to the game).
Our hotel was the Palomar in Arlington. My preference is to stay outside the city but close to a metro stop and this fit the bill. Two quick blocks to the Rosslyn Metro. It’s definitely a very dead area over the weekend. Dining options were limited to Cosi (which we loved for breakfast), McDonalds, Starbucks, Chop T, and I think a Mexican restaurant. There was also a CVS nearby.
We got a great package that included parking, but no room upgrade. However, the standard room really was fine. Beds were great; bathroom is a little strange (toiletries in the wall instead of individual bottles) and a sliding door; very few towels (we had to ask for more and they gave us 1 additional towel each day). They supposedly provide turndown service although we only had it the last night. Ice machines are on even floors. We didn’t go to one of the wine servings (from 5-6 pm) since we never made it back to the hotel by then and really aren’t big drinkers. If you’re a member of their frequent stay club, you get 2 free items from the minibar ($10 value) which is always nice! The fitness center was small, but nice and well equipped and there wasn’t a pool (which wasn’t an issue for me but everytime I was in the fitness center people kept asking me about this…).
Restaurants: This wasn’t a big trip for fine dining and the nicest place we went was Ebbitts Grill for brunch on Sunday. Their featured special of poached eggs with crab cakes was wonderful and service was also very good. It’s a huge place but was very crowded (and I was glad we had reservations).
Tourist Attractions: Some of our favorite sites were the Portrait Gallery (especially the Norman Rockwell exhibit); Madeline Albright Pins exhibit at the Smithsonian Castle, the First Ladies Dress exhibit at the American History Museum (which I haven’t seen in years and has been nicely updated) and the Newseum.
Loved the Newseum. Yes….it’s expensive (but you get a $2 discount with a AAA card) but it is for a 2 day ticket and we definitely could have visited for two days. The movie on Katrina and related exhibit were excellent, as were the exhibits on September 11 and Tim Russert’s office. Lots more to see as well and the food in the café looked great.
There’s never enough time in DC and I’m looking forward to our next trip.
Washington DC - Mini Trip Report
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I haven't yet been to the Newseum~I could never see paying that steep price when so many fabulous things are free!~but yours is the third trip report in a few days touting this particular museum......I think I may have to try it out on my next trip!!
Thanks for the report.
tenthumbs - I was thinking the same thing. We didn't go to the Newseum in favor of going to the free stuff (didn't pay for any activities in DC) but am thinking we should go next time around.
As a frequent visitor to all the free museums here in D.C., it's hard for me to recommend that anyone pay to go to a museum. But I have to say that the Newseum is definitely worth the money, especially if you can devote 2 days to it. (The tickets are good for 2 CONSECUTIVE days). You might want to skip it if you are here for the first time and only have a limited amount of time to sightsee, but I would put it at the top of your list for a second visit to D.C.
And, yes, the food in the cafe is excellent and reasonably priced. (The menu was developed by Wolfgang Puck.)
I'm one of those who was touting the Newseum a few days ago. I do think it's wonderful, but I've been to DC on numerous occasions so we were looking for something NEW to do (of course, we also visited the free and fabulous National Portrait Gallery for the very first time -- can't wait to return, probably next summer).
Had forgotten about the Albright pins-do you know how long they'll stay? Dian Rehm interviewed her and it was a cool show.
Update - We went back to DC this past weekend for the rally and I also wanted to include info on a couple of our activities. Favorite places during this trip were the Library of Congress...amazing building, really informative free tour and great exhibit on Thomas Jefferson's Library, editing of some of the original documents, and Bob Hope. I'd love to have an excuse to conduct research there!
The Renwick also has a very interesting exhibit: Art of Gaman: Arts and Crafts from the Japanese American Interment Camps. There's an informative movie showing in a room just off their gift shop.
We did also see Capitol Steps. Very entertaining evening and timely (updated to very current events). Well worth the ticket price.
In terms of restaurants, we liked Papa Razzi in Georgetown and Elephant and Castle on Pennsylvania Avenue (by the Reagan building). Interestingly, both are chains (and we have a Papa Razzi in one of our local malls) but the food was very good, service was great and prices were reasonable.
During this trip, we also stayed in Arlington again, but this time at the Hyatt. Definitely did not like this hotel as much as the Kimpton but given all the activities in DC over the weekend...we were happy to get the room!
I just looked into Newseum ticket prices and discovered there is an early bird discount Saturdays and Sundays until December 26
If you buy one general admission ticket between 9 a.m. and 11 you can get another one free.
MP07950: Great update! Yes, the Library of Congress is spectacular-visually and intellectually. I don't want to brag, but I have a LoC card! Got it before 9/11 so don't know if it's still valid (plus my hair is gray now!)-was looking for a genealogy book and they required a card.
Have always wanted to see Capitol Steps. Did you see them in Annapolis or DC? They come to St. John's College every so often.
Vttraveler: Gotta get good info from someone out of state! Need to visit more often. It's a gift to have DC at my back door. DH and I took our honeymoon there in 1978-never tire of visiting.
I saw the Capitol Steps years ago (during the Clinton administration) in D.C. There is an added dimension to seeing them in person as opposed to just hearing the songs. I had thought about trying to go next weekend when I will be in D.C. but I think I am too depressed about the election right now. I will focus on the Newseum instead.
TDudette -- We saw the Capitol Steps in DC. When looking into the tickets, I was surprised to learn how much they toured and will definitely try and see them again if they're in our area.
VT - thanks for mentioning about the Newseum ticket deal. It really is a great deal because you still get admission for two days.
It's been years since I visited D.C. (and even longer since I worked there), so I've been trying to think of some places to go that I haven't already seen. The Newseum sounds interesting; thanks for the info on the ticket deals. Is the spy museum worth a visit? Are there any tickets one can purchase that provide admittance to several different museums?
I'm not aware of any tickets that u can buy that combine admission to more than one museum. Definitely check online for discounts -- both the Spy Museum and the Newseum offer them often. I was surprised that I liked the Spy Museum --if you're interested in that sort of stuff u will really like it. I got half priced tickets so it wasn't too bad price-wise. I love the Newseum and thinks its one of the best museums in DC.
flsd: Check online for Spy and Newseum tickets. Advance can be the way to go at Spy as it gets crowded in the good weather. The entire area near Spy is really exciting. The rehabbed Portrait/American Art Museum is awesome and nearby.
Newseum is very close to Art Museum also. Enjoy your re-visit!