Hi

I am possibly making a 2/3 week visit with family (kids!) August 2001! This will be our first visit to Washington, from the UK. Can anyone help with ideas and advice on best areas to visit.

Is it possible to have a vacation of this length in Washington and area?

Thanks

Anything is possible, I guess, but I think you'd start to get a little tired of D.C. after a week to 10 days. See if your embassey can help you with tickets to the VIP White House tour. Or call a small state senator's office (Sen. Chuck Grassley from Iowa would help, I'm sure). I'd use the reliable train service on the east coast to spend some time in Maryland (Baltimore and Annapolis), visit the Civil War battlefields in Pennsyvlania, etc. You also are fairly close to other metro areas if you don't mind a three hour train ride. If might be fun to do a Revolutionary War-themed tour with a few days in Boston or Philadelphia. I know that war didn't exactly turn out in Britain's favor, but it still would be interesting. Be sure to take your kids to the Newseum in suburban Washington and do go to the Holocaust Museum in Washington. You can also spend a couple of days at the Smithsonian and a half-day at the National Portrait Gallery. Have fun!

Hi JWagner

Thank you for responding.

To be more precise, we would probably fly into Washington and spend approx. 3 days before driving out and touring. Can you advice on a suitable tour (circular) that would take approx. 15 days. We prefer to stay in certain areas for around 2-3 days and have a longer stay in a highly recommended area.

Also, what climate can we expect and is the area safe?

Thanks.

August will be HOT (probably). Crime in DC, like most US cities, seems to be more a problem of being in the wrong places at the wrong times- if you only go where most of the other tourists are going, you should have no problem.
As for an exact itinerary, I'm not sure, but I'll add to what the above poster recommended. Since it will be hot, why don't you spend a few days at the beach. Virginia beach, Rehobeth, or Ocean City might be a fun few days for you and the kids- plan to do this during the weekdays as weekends will be crowded. Also, from DC you'll be close to a theme park, King's Dominion, which I have never been to but I've heard good things (if you like theme parks, that is). A few days exploring Baltimore and Annapolis might also be nice. If you spend a little time researching these places on the web I'm sure it will help you decide if they are for you and how much time to spend at each.

Williamsburg, Virginia, is a restored colonial town, very crowded with tourists in the summer but fun. You can eat at the Trellis restaurant where they serve a dessert called Death by Chocolate. Also, from Wmsburg, you can visit the site of Jamestown, the first Virginia settlement; and if you are not sensitive about how the War of Independence turned out a couple of hundred years ago, go to Yorktown where Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. From the area, it is a fairly short drive to Virginia Beach.

Hi Connie. Washington is a difficult place to visit IF you stray off of the beaten tourist track. I lived there off an don for 12 years, but when I go back, I find that I don't always feel comfortable there.

As a general rule do not venture out of the mall area after dark. The area north of the National Gallery, about 2 blocks after you cross Constitution Avenue, is to be avoided. Most of the area between 14th street and North Capitol all the way up is a good area to stay away from, too.
Another problem is that the Metro does not serve all of the sights. For example, I think Dumbarton Oaks and the National Cathedral are two very interesting places. But the Metro does not go near either place. For the Cathedral, perhaps you can find a tour that goes there. It is a very beautiful building even if it is new as cathedrals go. Also Mount Vernon is best visited with a tour, or in your own car. I am sure public buses go there, but I always drove my own car down there, so I don't know about the bus service.

I really think the length of time you state is too much time for DC. A week or less should be plenty!! I guess some of the consideration is a function of how much time you want to spend in the various museums. If the National Gallery is on your list, then a full day there should be sufficient. The Museum of Natural History is interesting, but to be honest, I run out of enthusiasm for that place after about 4 hours.
The Air and Space Museum is interesting, but again, after about 4 hours there is a decided lessening of energy.
The monuments and memorials such as the Jefferson and the Lincoln are not going to take up much more than an hour each.
There are some smaller art galleries around such as the Corcoran Gallery and the Philips Gallery. (Both of these may be private; not sure.)
Both are of more than passing interest.
Because of the transportation situation, DC is one town where I think a tour might worthwhile. If you are with a bus tour, you are provided transportation AND parking, with emphasis on the latter!