baysidegirl

I am visiting Washington DC for 3 days in early May with a group. We have already planned to visit the Capitol Building, Library of Congress, Arlington National cemetry, Monticello, University of Virginia, State rooms, National Gallery, National Cathedral and a performance at the Kennedy Centre.

We have one half day free and I would like some suggestions as to what else I should see or do. Is there anything included that really isn't worth doing? Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks

longhorn55

Do you realize that Monticello and the University of Virginia are in Charlottesville, Virginia not in Washington, D.C.?

JJ495

("Do you realize that Monticello and the University of Virginia are in Charlottesville, Virginia not in Washington, D.C.?" And that Charlottesville is at some distance (not a suburb) - about 2 1/2 hrs. each way?)

You might be surprised at how interesting the National Portrait Gallery is. Another possibility is Dunbarton Oaks in nortern Georgetown, which has lovely gardens, historic mansion, and a small but excellent museum (with a beautiful all-glass gallery for the PreColumban stuff - view out to gardens). Not far (though not walkable) from Cathedral as well as downtown G'town. Consider having a lunch or dinner in the Adams-Morgan area for a somewhat different WashDC experience.

Grcxx3

What about some of the other Smithsonian Museums - Air and Space, American History, American Indian, Natural History? Then there are all the monuments. Lots to do and see in DC.

And did you mean Mt. Vernon rather than Monticello? If I'm not mistaken, Monticello is near Charlottesville.

tchoiniere

Definitely second the Portrait Gallery. Look at the Holocaust Museum. I assume you want to see the monuments. Take your time going through each one.

tovarich

Take the Old Town Trolley.You can get on/off all day,the drivers are great guides.Paul

zootsi

Plan on spending at least a day on the Mall visiting the Smithsonian Museums - possibly the most interesting grouping of museums in the world. Valley Forge would also be a beautiful outing in May. As others have mentioned, some of your choices are quite a distance away, you'll spend a lot of time just driving. There is sooo much do see and do within the city or close by.

Michael

The Freer Gallery on the Mall is definitely worth a visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7624646683566/

Gretchen

Bookmarking. Thanks.

nytraveler

All of the Smithsonian Museums are interesting - but you won;t get far in 1/2 of a day. Also you haven;t listed any of the major monuments - which IMHO are the first things you should see Lincoln, Washington, Viet Nam and all of the others around the mall. To me the Lincoln Memorial is the single most impt't thing to see in DC. Also you haven;t listed the White House -which the group would have to organize, nor the Supreme Court.

While Monticello is fascinating - I don;t know what there is at the U of V - I would ignore that day of the tour and do Mount Vernon (a suburb of DC) and major sights in the city itself instead.

JJ495

See the monuments at sunset or early evening - when they're lit up. May be worth getting a tour or cab to do that if you're flummoxed by DC driving (and of course, avoid rush hour if it's a weekday).

Nelson

Consider the National Museum of American History. Something for everyone there:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/index.cfm

Here are the highlights they recommend if you only have a short time:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/visiti...highlights.pdf

The mentioned National Portrait Gallery and attached American Art Museum are also absolutely superb.

Nelson

P.S. I forgot to mention I am an ex-Bayside guy, if we are talking Bayside, NY. So my opinion counts a heckuva lot.

DancingBearMD

I assume Zootsi meant Mount Vernon and not Valley Forge (which is outside of Philadelphia).

baysidegirl

Thank you all so much. Really appreciate your suggestions.
Yes I do realise that Monticello and the University of Virginia are a long way out and personally I don't know why they are included as there is so much more to see and do in DC itself. I am seriously thinking of opting out of that day and spending it in town.

I really want to do some of the Smithsonians and the monuments are a must for me. The portrait gallery appeals as does Dunbarton Oaks thanks JJ495. That alone will easily take up my free day and a half I reckon.

JJ495 we are doing the monuments at night just forgot to mention it.

No Nelson not a baysidegirl from NY but from Melbourne Australia, however your opinion still counts for a heckuva lot!

Thanks everyone. Really looking forward to my visit to DC

tenthumbs

The Museum of American History is my absolute favorite. You could easily spend an entire day there, although it would be overwhelming. Also keep in mind that 3 days in DC is not nearly enough time to see and do all it has to offer. I have a family member who attends a conference every year in DC the week after Mother's Day, and I am fortunate enough to get to tag along. This will be year number 7, and there are still many things I haven't seen!

Rohan76

Hi Check this page out:

http://district365.com/portfolio/

You'll find a host of things to do in DC all on that one page.

sf7307

I've been in DC many times (I'm guessing 10 times, mostly as a tourist), and never got to the Charlottesville area until last summer! I'm glad we did finally make it, but I certainly wouldn't give up an entire day in DC in exchange! (Fwiw, last summer was also the first time we visited the National Portrait Gallery, and we can't wait to return for another visit)

baysidegirl

Thanks Rohan76 for that link - it's great. I definately do not have enough time in DC.

cferrb

I love Mt. Vernon. The house is interesting, the gardens are lovely and the view along the Potomac is just wonderful.