Another Trip to DC for baseball!
 

Having found out over the weekend that a few of us had $70 credit on Amtrak that was going to expire due to an unused ticket from last year, we decided to book another trip to DC.

This pretty much has been a yearly tradition so we are coming with absolutely no agenda and just doing whatever we feel like. Obviously we will do some tourist stuff but mostly there for Nationals games. We chose the end of August (realize it will still be hot but it was based on the Nats schedule more than anything).

We booked rooms at Americana again for August 24-28 (have stayed here before and price cannot be beat but will keep an eye open for deals).

Any recommendations for breweries within DC (other than Capital City)? How busy is DC at this time - week before Labor Day?

Mobbed near the museums was always my experience. Some of the locals will be at Rehoboth and Ocean City.

Things will be busy and crowded, but not as bad as July or early August since some schools in the country have started classes by this time.

Go Nats!

Breweries: Atlas, DC Brau, Right Proper, 3 Stars, and Bluejacket.

Good Places for Craft Beer: District Commons (Foggy Bottom), ChurchKey (Logan Circle), Jackpot (Chinatown), Bier Baron (Dupont Circle) I like the food in all of those places except Bier Baron.

The city won't be empty but it won't be mobbed. Out of town families will have kids already in school or will be preparing to start the Tues after Labor Day. Congress and associated biz is gone. Short of a mega convention, hotel rooms will be cheap. Locals don’t tour hometown in August.

See you at the ballpark!

There is one bar at the Park that has half priced beer until first pitch - it is in the center of the main concourse, between center and right field (that useful info from my daughter and her friends)

Obxgirl, thanks for that list of breweries. I think you caused us to add a day onto our trip to leave on Sat rather than Friday as some of those are only open on Fridays...and we have been getting some of DC Brau's beers in CT so I definitely want to go there.

Bluejacket is definitely on our list for before one of the games.

This trip is definitely going to be a different focus than most trips to DC but we will mix tourist stuff in so its good to know about the crowds.

Gail, that is one part of Nationals Park I haven't been to. Even though I have been to 10 games there, we tend to sit in the same area every time (3B side)

Definitely go Nats here and this season. They have become my 2nd favorite team behind the Red Sox. I have tickets to the Nats @ Sox for the Fenway opening series. It will be fun. Friends of mine were wondering if I was going to bring both my Nats and my Sox hat to Fenway and change depending on who was winning...Maybe I will finally see Strasburg pitch (haven't seen him yet)

How is the Crime & Punishment Museum?

Bluejacket indeed!!! Best beers in town and it's just a few blocks from the ballpark.

I also really like Justin's Cafe which is closer to the ballpark and has an awesome beer list.

Another great bar is Iron Horse near the Verizon Center -- again, not making its own beers but a really nice list.

Another really great option is to take a day out at Dulles at the extension of the Air and Space Museum (Udvar-Hazy) and then go up to Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn. They've recently gotten into a dust-up with Red Bull over copyrights (google "Red Bully") and their beers are awesome.

Good luck and Let's Go Nats!

If you want to go to the game on August 25, get your tickets now. It's "Anthony Rendon Garden Gnome Night" and the gnomes (and tickets) go fast.

Udvar Hazy is a must for us again this trip. All 3 of us work on jet engines so we go there every trip!

Friend of mine actually heard about the expected crowed for the Garden Gnome Night and bought our tickets already. I am not happy with the seats he chose - too far down the LF Line...Section 303 if anybody has sat there. Probably not bad seats but I try to go closer to Home Plate.

I'm bookmarking for our upcoming trip. We'll be seeing our first Nats game!

Enjoy the Nats game! It is a great park that I have always enjoyed. They should be one of the best teams this year too making it fun.

If you have not been to the zoo, it really is worth a trip. I had been a few times before but never ventures past the panda exhibit. Last fall we ventured further. It really is a nice zoo.

We're really looking forward to the game. I saw that there's a boat you can take from Old Town Alexandria to the stadium - that looks like a fun way to go. Has anyone done it before?

gardendiva, we have been to the zoo a few times. Its definitely a great zoo to visit. Not on our list this time but if we end up with time, we will go (unless its very hot - have made that mistake in the past)

Volcanogirl, I have heard about that boat but have never taken it.

Here is the itinerary we have laid out. Its nice and laid back with plenty of open time and subject to a lot of change as we go but I like the planning aspect of trips (I can't help making itineraries)

Sunday
Train to DC (get in around 1 or so)
Air Force Memorial / 9-11 Memorial
District Chophouse (drinks)
Capitol City Brewery (maybe)
RFD

Monday
Nationals Park Tour (have never done this)
Right Proper Brewery

Tuesday
Udvar Hazy
Game

Wednesday
Arlington Cemetery (planning on more time here than in the past)
Bluejacket
Game

Thursday
Wash. Monument 10:00
Monuments after the WM tour
Crime & Punishment Museum
Game

Friday
American History Museum
DC Brau
Atlas Brewing

Saturday
Marine Corp Memorial
Train home (train leaves at 4)

Thanks, t - if we do it, I'll let you know how it is. Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned.

We took a happy hour cruise on the Potomac that was fun. The boat left from the dock in Georgetown and the cruise lasted about 90 minutes. We were there in September so it was more of a sunset tour with a light tour at the end.

Unfortunately, I cannot find the contact information. I want to say it was through DC tours but they do not have a happy hour cruise on their website. They may only have them in the summer.

Hey tchoiniere - You've probably been to or know about the Sunset parades at Iwo Jima, one night a week, not sure which one. There is also the weekly music and parade at the Marine Corp Barracks on 8th Street in SE DC. Love your loose itinerary -- looking forward to your trip report.

Tchoiniere, this looks like a great itinerary! I agree that Nats Park is a great ballpark and, hopefully, the Nats will have a great season this year.

garden, if you find the contact info., please do post it. I'd love to know. That would be right up our alley.