Brahmama

We are taking Amtrak in to Washington on Thursday early June, arriving about 11:30 AM. We are staying with friends but they aren't picking us up until 6ish. We thought we might take in a couple of the sights walking distance (bad knee - can't do the metro because of stairs). Maybe walk .5 mile to a museum/place of interest and then another .5 mile to another and then cab back to Union Station (where our luggage will be) Last time we were in DC, we mostly rode on the trolley - saw most of the art museums/White House/Capitol/Arlington so want to see something different. We will be coming in later to see American Museum of Natural History and the Building Museum with our friends.
What would you suggest that's within our limitations? We'll pick up a bite to eat at Union Station for lunch.
Thanks for your help!

tchoiniere

Portrait Gallery isnt too far away.

sf7307

That would be a good choice, and you could have lunch there, or many places in the Gallery Place/Chinatown area nearby.

ellenem

The Library of Congress is nearby.

terryb900

I love love love the National Portrait Gallery ... it has all the official Presidential portraits ... wonderful. And always has compelling special exhibits. And the covered courtyard is one of the most peaceful spots in the entire city. It's never very crowded or noisy ... I highly recommend it!

terryb900

(Speaking of lunch, I usually buy a sandwich at Potbelly's and take it into the courtyard and eat it there.) Here's the website for the Gallery ... http://www.npg.si.edu/

Brahmama

Well, I checked to be sure, but the official Presidential Portraits comment jogged my memory and nailed it for me. (There were a couple of them that we really didn't like and stood in front of them trying to figure out why or rather "why not"!)

This was one of the museums we visited in Oct 08! From my Trip Report: "We took the Metro to the National Portrait and American Art Museums. We also bought some stained glass for the girls, Georgia O'Keefe postcards and the Ken Burns Jazz CD and then sat outside listening to jazz."

We didn't get to the Library of Congress, but just now took a look and it's so BIG! 3 enormous buildings. The Jefferson is closest to the station and has an accessible entrance very handy. The Bob Hope Exhibition sounds interesting and I have to admit I spent a good while listening to the tapes I discovered on the "National Jukebox". Then I got caught up in the Civil War exhibition. We could spend the whole afternoon here.

I also spotted the National Postal Museum right across the road from Union. Any comments on that?

Thanks for all the replies.

tomfuller

You should be able to make it to the Newseum at the corner of 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue.
I thought there was an escalator down to the METRO from Union Station. Many years ago, I saw mice eating dropped french fries in the Mickey D's in Union Station.
You will be paying by the hour for luggage storage until you get back to the station.

Brahmama

Yes, I think you're right. Last time, we took the Metro from the station to get to our hotel. At that stop (not too deep) there were stairs to the street. You never know whether the escalator or elevators are working - depending on where you are going.

Yikes! I hope that was MANY years ago that you saw the mice. And yikes again - paying by the hour? 6 hours could be a hefty price.

This quote is from 3 years ago:
"Store bags at Best Lockers located at Gate A. Pay up front in cash. ~ $25"
I guess I better check that out.

Thanks for the heads up, Tom.

sf7307

Easy enough:

http://www.tiburonlockers.com/storag...-bag-check.php

sf7307

(Note that it does says daily rates are available)

fourfortravel

The postal museum (a Smithsonian museum) is adjacent to Union Station; it's more interesting than it might seem, too.

tomfuller

My first trip on Amtrak was about 5 weeks after 9/11/01. My cousin dropped me off with my 44 lb. pack at a Virginia METRO station because he had a firearm and could not risk going into DC. I rode the METRO to Union Station exit and rode the escalator up to ground level. My Amtrak train did not leave for New York until 3AM. I ate at M D's and saw the mice. This was the start of my first 30 day North America Rail Pass. I've been hooked on rail travel since then.
It's about a 10 minute walk from Union Station to the east steps of the Capitol Building. You walk past the Senate Office buildings.

obxgirl

The postal museum is a hoot and well worth a visit. We went many times with kids but there is a lot to engage adults as well.

I concur with suggestion for the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum which are in the same neighborhood as the National Building Museum. They are absolute gems and tend to be somewhat less crowded than the places along the National Mall. There is currently a Civil War exhibition at the NPG. As already noted the courtyard between the two museums is a haven of serenity and a pleasant place to eat lunch or have a coffee.

My only comment about the Newseum is I have found it a bit overwhelming if it's super crowded. There aren't as many places to sit and rest if your knee needs a break. It's a fabulous place to see and you could easily spend your entire afternoon there.

sf7307

>>

True, within the exhibit areas themselves, although you could always go to the areas where filmclips are being shown - plenty of seats there, and there's a decent cafeteria downstairs too.

Brahmama

sf:
Thanks for the link and nice to know there is a daily rate!

tomfuller:
We like the train too! One of our longest trips was to celebrate the Millenium. We left Ft.Worth, changed trains in Chicago, spent the night in NYC, took another train up to the Canadian Border and ended up in Halifax, Nova Scotia! Stayed 4 nights and returned a different route but all the way to Ft. Worth.
Then in 08 we left FW for 4 nights in Chicago, 3 nights at Lake Michigan, 4 nights in D.C and trained down to New Orleans. We flew home from there - rather than back-tracking to Chicago.
LOVE THE TRAINS!

tomfullerl / sf7307 -
I have to admit that I'd never heard of the Newseum but will look it up. Is it a Smithsoniam?
Thanks for the ideas of a place to sit for a bit!

obxgirl -
We have already visited the National Portrait and American Art Museum on a previous visit. Good to know that the Postal Museum is indeed worth a visit!

Thanks for the replies and ok, guys, stop with the rain for a couple of weeks. On our 11 night trip - 9 days are forecast thunderstorms!

sf7307

The Newseum is not part of the Smithsonian - it's a $20.00 entry, which covers two (I think two consecutive) days. It's well worth it, particularly if you're a news junkie. I'd say you need about 6 hours to see it thoroughly.

Louiseee

The Postal Museum is more interesting than you'd expect . . . and so close to Union Station.

There are escalators and elevators down to the platform in the Union Station Metro (assuming, of course, they are working on the day you are here).

The Library of Congress has great exhibits. If you do decide to go there, do also just step into the Main Reading Room -- it is gorgeous!