Alternative to Holocaust Museum in DC
 

We will be visiting DC for the first time in June, as part of a group, with a scheduled 3 hour visit to the Holocaust museum on the second day. Instead of going to the H. museum I'd like to do something else Is there anything near the Holocaust museum that we're not already scheduled to see on the list below?
Smithsonian Zoo
Arlington National Cemetary
911 Memorial, Jefferson, FDR, MLK
White House
Library of Congress
Supreme Court
National Archives
WA Monument
Ford's Theater museum
National gallery of art
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
Capitol

Smithsonian American History, Natural History, American Indian, American Art, Portrait Gallery or Postal museums. Spy Museum (pay), Museum of Crime & Punishment (pay), National Building Museum (pay). Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam Memorial.

When visiting the Holocaust Musuem we also visited the Newseum, about 2 blocks from the Holocaust Museum.

http://www.newseum.org/

Unfortunately most of the points of interest that are "near" the Holocaust Museum are the same ones that are on your list so if you want to visit someplace else you'll probably need transportation.

You should know that even points of interest that are "near" may not be as "near" as you think. We found that many places that looked near on the map were quite a long walk from each other.

We found the Newseum to be very interesting and well worth a visit. It's located a couple of blocks from the National Gallery of Art which is diagonally across the National Mall from the Holocaust museum (figure about a 5 minute walk or 7 minute cab ride).

I think Bette is a bit confused about the location of the Newseum. It is not 2 blocks from the Holocaust Museum.

Oops! My first post should read the Newseum is about a 25 minute walk from the Holocaust Museum (not a 5 minute walk).

Newseum is a great suggestion. And while it isn't 2 blocks from the Holocaust Museum, the majority of the places on the OP's list aren't either. She's got three hours. She can walk (mostly), cab or metro to any of the places listed here.

Add to the list the Smithsonian Castle, as well as the Freer & Sackler Galleries. The OP could easily spend three hours wandering in and out of the museums on the mall.

You're not visiting the Freer Gallery (Asian art) or the Hirsshorn Museum (a modern art museum). Both are near the Holocaust Museum, but if you don't like art museums, these would not be good destinations. In that case, I think a visit to the Smithsonian Castle and a stroll around the mall would be a nice way to while away a few hours if the weather is nice.

Unfortunately, three hours is not nearly enough time for the Newseum. (I spent 8 hours over 2 days on my first visit and 6 hours in one day on my 2nd visit.)

I would recommend visiting one of the closer Smithsonian museums or galleries. The closest ones to the Holocaust Museum are the American History Museum and the Freer and Sackler Galleries. To get to these from the Holocaust Museum would each be a 7 - 10 minute walk. And since admission to the Smithsonian museums and galleries is free, you could spend as much (or as little) time as you like in any or all of them.

YOu don't have to spend 9 hours in the Newseum. I'm sure I didn't spend over 3 hours there. It is a great job, but the fact is, it is a museum about "news". Now it's hard to make exhibits that are lively about news, and they do a great job, but a lot of it is reading. There are no absolutes that you MUST spend more time there, that was enough for me. I can only take so many hours in any museum. I enjoyed my visit and have no regrets. It is pricey, though, so that's the main issue, if you'll feel it not worth the price if you don't spend so much time there. I didn't view any films in there, either, I think there are those options.

There isn't anything right near there other than the things on the list except the Freer, Hirschhorn and Castle.

Depending how near you mean, I"d suggest the History or Am Indian museums as not too far and pretty interesting. And neither is just hte kind of staring at art on the wall.

May I ask why you don't want to go to the Holocaust museum? That would be my first choice- I found it both very well done and powerful.

But if it's that you've already been, I liked the Hirsshorn as well (for the sculptures more, as I'm not much into modern art.) I'd also choose to wander around the memorials if that isn't part of your itinerary already- I really liked FDR but Lincoln and Korean were probably my favorites. And being outside is a nice break from the museums:)

Next door to the Holocaust Museum is the United States Forest Service Information Center. You can stop in and wish Smokey Bear a happy 70th birthday.
It is a red brick building that looks out of place among all that marble.

Actually we do love art so your suggestions to visit the Freer/ Asian art museum and/ or the Hirsshorn sound like a perfect match!

If you go to the Freer, do not miss Whistler's Peacock Room. Beyond beautiful!

The Hirshhorn always has something interesting.

Also, not on your list, but IMHO, not to be missed

Vietnam Memorial Wall

The Old Patent Office Building.
Called the noblest of Washington buildings, it is amazingly beautiful inside and has huge collections of interesting things. Just google some images. It is not so well known as other places because renovations were in recent years. Old glass vaulted ceilings were re-discovered, uncovered and restored.

<i>The Old Patent Office Building. </i>

Now known as the American Art Museum & Portrait Gallery. Agree with you it's a beautiful place.

One advantage to visiting the Freer & Sackler during June is those two galleries tend to be less crowded than the more popular Smithsonian museums. They are connected underground and above ground they share a beautiful garden with the Smithsonian Castle. A nice respite from the crowds.

Lincoln, Jefferson, Korean, Vietnam

The Newseum is one place I will always send out of town guests. It's unique.

We just got back from a trip to D.C. and we loved the Newseum. There's a great FBI exhibit, a moving 9/11 exhibit, pieces of the Berlin Wall, and a gorgeous display of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs. Doesn't sound like it for this trip, but if you ever have a spare day, Mount Vernon is spectacular and was one of our favorite things.