Washington DC Trip Summary
Nov 12th, 2008, 10:33 AM
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Washington DC Trip Summary
I wanted to write a summary of our trip to Washington DC because I got so many good ideas from postings on this message board. My husband and I, senior citizens, took an 11-year-old grandchild to WDC for the week of June 14-20.
I started planning about seven months in advance in order to get better prices. I built our itinerary in the TripIt website which allowed our grandchild and his parents, who lives in another state, to help plan the trip. Six months in advance I notified our Congressman that we wanted a tour of the Capital, White House, and Library of Congress. I bought tickets for the Spy Museum and Washington Monument, and got tickets for the National Archives at that time. I picked out a hotel and made reservations. I used the Washington Post dining guide to pick out restaurants and made reservations using the Open Table website.
Once I had our itinerary planned I went to the DC Metro website to figure out how we were going to get around town. We did not rent a car and wanted to use public transportation as much as possible. The Metro website not only will plan your route on the subway or the bus, but will tell you how much the trip will cost. We were staying at Washington Circle near the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. We were on the DC Circulator route and several Metro bus routes. Because we would end up using the busses and the subway about equal amounts, and because we were only there for 5 days, it was not cost effective to buy a week pass for any one form of transportation. I ended up buying 3 Metro SmarTrip cards, total $15, and putting $20 on each one. They are good for all 3 forms of transportation, and were very easy to use.
I also chose to purchase one day passes on the Old Town Trolley to take a complete tour of the city. There are several tour services to choose from, and the only thing I could tell from the web sites was that Old Town went up to the National Cathedral and the others did not. What I did not know was that one of the busses is run by the park service and they get to go places that are off limits to the private companies.
We stayed at the Washington Suites Georgetown. It is an apartment building that has been converted to a hotel. Our room had a bedroom, bath, full kitchen, dining area and a living room with a fold-out couch. There was a flat screen tv in the living room and in the bedroom. Laundry facilities are in the basement. Across the street is a Trader Vic’s grocery store, there are several places that serve take-out nearby, and a restaurant next door. The DC Circulator stops in front of the hotel and goes to the main part of Georgetown. The hotel serves a breakfast that includes fruit and eggs. My husband and grandson had as much fun shopping at Trader Vic’s as they did at the Smithsonian. We ate breakfast at the hotel, packed a lunch, and ate out only for dinner.
On our first morning we started at the Washington Monument. I had tickets for the first time slot so there was no problem with crowds. It also allowed us to look over the entire city before starting our tour. We walked down the mall to the Lincoln Memorial, viewing the war memorials along the way.
I was not prepared for the transportation dilemma we faced once we got to the Lincoln Memorial. There are no Metro bus stops, Circulator stops, subway, or taxies. The park service has a snack stand and a bus that will take you to Arlington. The only other transportation is a private tour bus company, the Old Town Trolley. It was hot, and my husband and grandson were dragging. Our plan was to ride the Old Town Trolley to Arlington, so off we went.
Once at Arlington we had one hour to tour before the bus picked us back up. We started walking up the hill to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In the heat, this turned out to be too much of a hike for my husband. It is a long ways up a very steep hill. My grandson and I made it in time to see the changing of the guard, and then headed back. My grandson was getting heatstroke and my husband was limping badly. We did catch our bus back to the Lincoln Monument. My husband and grandson were tired, hot, and hungry and could not take any more touring. He managed to flag down a taxi and went back to the hotel. I spent the afternoon riding both Old Town Trolleys, getting a great tour of DC without having to listen to them whine. They spent the afternoon watching golf at the hotel. Everyone was happy.
If I could do it differently, I would not have gone to Arlington. We should have taken the Park Service bus over there and taken the Park Service bus tour. I just did not figure it would take 2 hours to see a cemetery. My bad.
That evening we ate at Clyde’s of Georgetown, a moderately prices restaurant recommended by the Washington Post. It was Father’s Day, but I had made reservations using OpenTable and we had no problem getting in. It was half-price wine night, and we three ate for under $90 including a bottle of wine. We rode the Circulator to and from the restaurant, which stopped across the street from our hotel.
The second morning we had a Capitol tour scheduled for 9:30. We showed up early and were allowed to join the 9:00 group. We went to our congressman’s office and were taken by an aide underground to a tunnel that goes into the Capitol. You stand in this tunnel with thousands of other people, go through security, and wade in mass through the Capitol. We had boned up on our Capitol trivia before going, and we seemed to know more than our very young Congressional Aide. It was crowded, but enjoyable.
After lunch we toured the Library of Congress. This was one of my favorite things we did. Our tour was not till 1:45, but again, they let us in with an earlier group. After our tour we tried to beat a thunderstorm, racing down the hill to the Museum of the American Indian. We got caught in the storm and waited it out in a tent on the lawn of the Capitol. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the museum we were soaking wet and cold. We had brought rain ponchos to DC, but had not packed them that day. We never left home without them after this. We ate an early dinner at the museum while drying out, and caught the Metro bus back to our hotel.
One thing we noticed was that the Circulator that was supposed to go around the Mall was not running. We had planned to ride that bus several times and were forced to find other busses. I don’t know if it was just that week or if the bus has been cancelled. You might call before you go and check.
We rode the Circulator from our hotel into Georgetown and ate at Pizzeria Paradiso. We got enough to take home and eat for lunch the next day. Dinner was under $50 with wine.
Day three, we rode the Metro to the Spy Museum. We had 9 am tickets, and were in before the crowd could build up. My husband and I could remember most of the events shown in the museum, but it was all news to our grandson, and he loved it. We ate lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant called Zaytinya. It was wonderful. Then we went to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. Once again, it was quite a hike from the Metro stop with no busses stopping near there. It was not one of my favorite things to see, and for the time and energy it took, we should have stuck to the museums at the mall.
Day four we went to the Zoo. Folks on this web site suggest going early and watching them feed the animals. We got there at 7:30, having taken the metro to the Cleveland Park stop. There were no animals being fed anywhere. The zoo was under construction, and many exhibits were closed. We wandered down to the panda house, and to our amazement, the doors were open. We went in and were able to watch the pandas wander around in their pens. We were the only people there so we got some good pictures. We walked down the hill to the rain forest exhibit and waited for it to open at 10 am. At noon we were done.
This is when we had another educational moment. The Zoo is built on the banks of Rock Creek. You walk in at the top of the hill, walk down the hill to see everything, and end up at the bottom of a very steep hill. There is an exit at the bottom of the hill, but you cannot walk out of that exit and go to the subway. It is a busy road with no side walk. You have to get back up to the top of the hill. There is supposed to be transportation up the hill that runs once an hour. I expected a little train. They have a car that, if you are lucky and beg and plead, maybe they will show up and drive you up the hill. It did not run once an hour. If they are using the car for something you will be ignored. We waited about an hour and a half for a ride. I was learning that DC was not very friendly to the mobility impaired. If I had to do it all over again we would have walked to the panda house and left. The rest of the zoo is not worth the time and effort.
We then took a city bus to the National Cathedral. I loved it. We rode back to our hotel on the Meto bus and had a great time talking with the bus driver.
Day five we went to the Postal Museum, Science Museum, Museum of Art, and Air and Space, and the National Archive. We had expected the Air and Space Museum to be open till 7:00, so we showed up at 4. They were setting up for a private party that was starting at 5:30, so they closed early and kicked us all out. If I could do it over again, I would have skipped the National Archives and stuck to the museums.
From here, we went on to Jamestown, Williamsburg, Charleston and Savannah. As difficult as it was for us to get around it was worth the effort. If we go back, we will go when it is cooler, less crowded, and without child in tow.
I started planning about seven months in advance in order to get better prices. I built our itinerary in the TripIt website which allowed our grandchild and his parents, who lives in another state, to help plan the trip. Six months in advance I notified our Congressman that we wanted a tour of the Capital, White House, and Library of Congress. I bought tickets for the Spy Museum and Washington Monument, and got tickets for the National Archives at that time. I picked out a hotel and made reservations. I used the Washington Post dining guide to pick out restaurants and made reservations using the Open Table website.
Once I had our itinerary planned I went to the DC Metro website to figure out how we were going to get around town. We did not rent a car and wanted to use public transportation as much as possible. The Metro website not only will plan your route on the subway or the bus, but will tell you how much the trip will cost. We were staying at Washington Circle near the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. We were on the DC Circulator route and several Metro bus routes. Because we would end up using the busses and the subway about equal amounts, and because we were only there for 5 days, it was not cost effective to buy a week pass for any one form of transportation. I ended up buying 3 Metro SmarTrip cards, total $15, and putting $20 on each one. They are good for all 3 forms of transportation, and were very easy to use.
I also chose to purchase one day passes on the Old Town Trolley to take a complete tour of the city. There are several tour services to choose from, and the only thing I could tell from the web sites was that Old Town went up to the National Cathedral and the others did not. What I did not know was that one of the busses is run by the park service and they get to go places that are off limits to the private companies.
We stayed at the Washington Suites Georgetown. It is an apartment building that has been converted to a hotel. Our room had a bedroom, bath, full kitchen, dining area and a living room with a fold-out couch. There was a flat screen tv in the living room and in the bedroom. Laundry facilities are in the basement. Across the street is a Trader Vic’s grocery store, there are several places that serve take-out nearby, and a restaurant next door. The DC Circulator stops in front of the hotel and goes to the main part of Georgetown. The hotel serves a breakfast that includes fruit and eggs. My husband and grandson had as much fun shopping at Trader Vic’s as they did at the Smithsonian. We ate breakfast at the hotel, packed a lunch, and ate out only for dinner.
On our first morning we started at the Washington Monument. I had tickets for the first time slot so there was no problem with crowds. It also allowed us to look over the entire city before starting our tour. We walked down the mall to the Lincoln Memorial, viewing the war memorials along the way.
I was not prepared for the transportation dilemma we faced once we got to the Lincoln Memorial. There are no Metro bus stops, Circulator stops, subway, or taxies. The park service has a snack stand and a bus that will take you to Arlington. The only other transportation is a private tour bus company, the Old Town Trolley. It was hot, and my husband and grandson were dragging. Our plan was to ride the Old Town Trolley to Arlington, so off we went.
Once at Arlington we had one hour to tour before the bus picked us back up. We started walking up the hill to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In the heat, this turned out to be too much of a hike for my husband. It is a long ways up a very steep hill. My grandson and I made it in time to see the changing of the guard, and then headed back. My grandson was getting heatstroke and my husband was limping badly. We did catch our bus back to the Lincoln Monument. My husband and grandson were tired, hot, and hungry and could not take any more touring. He managed to flag down a taxi and went back to the hotel. I spent the afternoon riding both Old Town Trolleys, getting a great tour of DC without having to listen to them whine. They spent the afternoon watching golf at the hotel. Everyone was happy.
If I could do it differently, I would not have gone to Arlington. We should have taken the Park Service bus over there and taken the Park Service bus tour. I just did not figure it would take 2 hours to see a cemetery. My bad.
That evening we ate at Clyde’s of Georgetown, a moderately prices restaurant recommended by the Washington Post. It was Father’s Day, but I had made reservations using OpenTable and we had no problem getting in. It was half-price wine night, and we three ate for under $90 including a bottle of wine. We rode the Circulator to and from the restaurant, which stopped across the street from our hotel.
The second morning we had a Capitol tour scheduled for 9:30. We showed up early and were allowed to join the 9:00 group. We went to our congressman’s office and were taken by an aide underground to a tunnel that goes into the Capitol. You stand in this tunnel with thousands of other people, go through security, and wade in mass through the Capitol. We had boned up on our Capitol trivia before going, and we seemed to know more than our very young Congressional Aide. It was crowded, but enjoyable.
After lunch we toured the Library of Congress. This was one of my favorite things we did. Our tour was not till 1:45, but again, they let us in with an earlier group. After our tour we tried to beat a thunderstorm, racing down the hill to the Museum of the American Indian. We got caught in the storm and waited it out in a tent on the lawn of the Capitol. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the museum we were soaking wet and cold. We had brought rain ponchos to DC, but had not packed them that day. We never left home without them after this. We ate an early dinner at the museum while drying out, and caught the Metro bus back to our hotel.
One thing we noticed was that the Circulator that was supposed to go around the Mall was not running. We had planned to ride that bus several times and were forced to find other busses. I don’t know if it was just that week or if the bus has been cancelled. You might call before you go and check.
We rode the Circulator from our hotel into Georgetown and ate at Pizzeria Paradiso. We got enough to take home and eat for lunch the next day. Dinner was under $50 with wine.
Day three, we rode the Metro to the Spy Museum. We had 9 am tickets, and were in before the crowd could build up. My husband and I could remember most of the events shown in the museum, but it was all news to our grandson, and he loved it. We ate lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant called Zaytinya. It was wonderful. Then we went to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. Once again, it was quite a hike from the Metro stop with no busses stopping near there. It was not one of my favorite things to see, and for the time and energy it took, we should have stuck to the museums at the mall.
Day four we went to the Zoo. Folks on this web site suggest going early and watching them feed the animals. We got there at 7:30, having taken the metro to the Cleveland Park stop. There were no animals being fed anywhere. The zoo was under construction, and many exhibits were closed. We wandered down to the panda house, and to our amazement, the doors were open. We went in and were able to watch the pandas wander around in their pens. We were the only people there so we got some good pictures. We walked down the hill to the rain forest exhibit and waited for it to open at 10 am. At noon we were done.
This is when we had another educational moment. The Zoo is built on the banks of Rock Creek. You walk in at the top of the hill, walk down the hill to see everything, and end up at the bottom of a very steep hill. There is an exit at the bottom of the hill, but you cannot walk out of that exit and go to the subway. It is a busy road with no side walk. You have to get back up to the top of the hill. There is supposed to be transportation up the hill that runs once an hour. I expected a little train. They have a car that, if you are lucky and beg and plead, maybe they will show up and drive you up the hill. It did not run once an hour. If they are using the car for something you will be ignored. We waited about an hour and a half for a ride. I was learning that DC was not very friendly to the mobility impaired. If I had to do it all over again we would have walked to the panda house and left. The rest of the zoo is not worth the time and effort.
We then took a city bus to the National Cathedral. I loved it. We rode back to our hotel on the Meto bus and had a great time talking with the bus driver.
Day five we went to the Postal Museum, Science Museum, Museum of Art, and Air and Space, and the National Archive. We had expected the Air and Space Museum to be open till 7:00, so we showed up at 4. They were setting up for a private party that was starting at 5:30, so they closed early and kicked us all out. If I could do it over again, I would have skipped the National Archives and stuck to the museums.
From here, we went on to Jamestown, Williamsburg, Charleston and Savannah. As difficult as it was for us to get around it was worth the effort. If we go back, we will go when it is cooler, less crowded, and without child in tow.
Nov 12th, 2008, 11:05 AM
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Thanks for the detailed trip report. It sounds like your research paid off and you squeezed a lot into your days there. And thank you for frankly sharing your lessons learned. At the Spy Museum, with one guy in "been there" mode and the other one in "New to me", that must have been a wonderful opportunity to share.
The DC Circulator Bus is alive and well, but the loop around the Mall, called the "Smithsonian/National Gallery of Art" route, runs only on weekends.
Another transport tip: The $5 SmarTrip cards are a good investment for locals, but unnecessary for visitors; you can just buy a paper farecard at any vending machine for any amount you like, for no additional fee. The 7-day ShotrTrip pass, at $26, is a good value for many visitors.
The DC Circulator Bus is alive and well, but the loop around the Mall, called the "Smithsonian/National Gallery of Art" route, runs only on weekends.
Another transport tip: The $5 SmarTrip cards are a good investment for locals, but unnecessary for visitors; you can just buy a paper farecard at any vending machine for any amount you like, for no additional fee. The 7-day ShotrTrip pass, at $26, is a good value for many visitors.
Nov 13th, 2008, 04:46 AM
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It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and your trip report will be helpful for future visitors.
However, I would like to point out that the National Park Service does not run buses to Arlington National Cemetery nor do they give tours of the cemetery. This is done by a private company called "Tourmobile". Tourmobile is a hop-on/hop-off tour bus similar to Old Town Trolleys and they operate in D.C. and at Arlington National Cemetery. (They are the only bus company allowed to operate at the cemetery.)
Your dilemma is good evidence of why I often suggest that visitors to Arlington National Cemetery take the Tourmobile if they have mobility problems. It's a hilly place and is especially challenging in hot weather. If you are doing the Tourmobile tour of D.C., the tour of Arlington Cemetery is included in your ticket. If you just want to do the tour of Arlington Cemetery, then you get the bus at the cemetery's Visitor Center. The cost of the cemetery tour is $7.50 for adults with lower prices for children and seniors.
However, I would like to point out that the National Park Service does not run buses to Arlington National Cemetery nor do they give tours of the cemetery. This is done by a private company called "Tourmobile". Tourmobile is a hop-on/hop-off tour bus similar to Old Town Trolleys and they operate in D.C. and at Arlington National Cemetery. (They are the only bus company allowed to operate at the cemetery.)
Your dilemma is good evidence of why I often suggest that visitors to Arlington National Cemetery take the Tourmobile if they have mobility problems. It's a hilly place and is especially challenging in hot weather. If you are doing the Tourmobile tour of D.C., the tour of Arlington Cemetery is included in your ticket. If you just want to do the tour of Arlington Cemetery, then you get the bus at the cemetery's Visitor Center. The cost of the cemetery tour is $7.50 for adults with lower prices for children and seniors.
Nov 17th, 2008, 05:21 AM
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Our grandson is 11. He really liked the Spy Museum, the Air and Space Museum, the Pandas at the zoo, and the Washington Monument. What he liked best was Williamsburg. We thought he would enjoy DC more than he did. I will not be taking any more of my grandkids untill they are at least 15.
I was under the impression that the Tourmobile was owned by the Park Service. They definately have access to places run by the Park Service that no one else has.
The paper passes, from what I could tell on the web, were only good for the Metro Bus and subway, not the Circulator. That is why I bought the SmartCard.
It is hard to tell from the internet just what things really are. That is why sites like this are so valuable.
Thanks for all your replies.
I was under the impression that the Tourmobile was owned by the Park Service. They definately have access to places run by the Park Service that no one else has.
The paper passes, from what I could tell on the web, were only good for the Metro Bus and subway, not the Circulator. That is why I bought the SmartCard.
It is hard to tell from the internet just what things really are. That is why sites like this are so valuable.
Thanks for all your replies.
Nov 17th, 2008, 08:39 AM
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I will not be taking any more of my grandkids untill they are at least 15.
Texmati, obviously, only you know your grandkids, but we took our kids for the first time when they were 6 and 8 and they loved it - the monuments, Mount Vernon, the White House, in fact, there was very little they didn't like. Our favorite museum is the American History museum (which I realize is closed right now) - just seeing the original "star spangled banner" (in the repair room) was a highlight of the trip. Just pointing out to others that I think most 12 year olds will LOVE Washington DC.
Texmati, obviously, only you know your grandkids, but we took our kids for the first time when they were 6 and 8 and they loved it - the monuments, Mount Vernon, the White House, in fact, there was very little they didn't like. Our favorite museum is the American History museum (which I realize is closed right now) - just seeing the original "star spangled banner" (in the repair room) was a highlight of the trip. Just pointing out to others that I think most 12 year olds will LOVE Washington DC.
May 13th, 2009, 08:21 AM
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Washington Monument tickets:
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/
Bureau of Engraving:
http://www.bep.treas.gov/locations/section.cfm/20/21
http://www.bep.treas.gov/locations/section.cfm/20/478
I found both of these by googling.
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/
Bureau of Engraving:
http://www.bep.treas.gov/locations/section.cfm/20/21
http://www.bep.treas.gov/locations/section.cfm/20/478
I found both of these by googling.
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