Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Another Trip to DC for baseball!

Search

Another Trip to DC for baseball!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11th, 2015, 03:05 PM
  #21  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
volcanogirl - here it is DC Cruises

http://www.dc-cruises.com/happy_hour_cruises.php

It was fun.
gardendiva is offline  
Old Mar 13th, 2015, 09:44 AM
  #22  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thoughts from a native & Nats fan:

Monday: Skip Capitol City Brewery / RFD ... best and friendliest tap room is Iron Horse which is very close to District Chophouse.

Tuesday: If you're all the way out at Udvar Hazy and not in a big hurry to get back to the game, see if Lost Rhino or Old Ox brewpubs are open at the time you'll be out there.

Thursday: Unless you have a special reason for wanting to do the Crime & Punishment Museum, consider Newseum or Spy Museum as alternatives, based on scope and production values.

Between Right Proper, Atlas, DC Brau, and Bluejacket you are doing spectacularly well on local beer.

(and now that I've typed this i see i put some of these in an earlier post - sorry for doubling up)
msrva is offline  
Old Mar 13th, 2015, 09:56 AM
  #23  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
msrva, We have been to the Newseum and Spy Museums so they are out right now unless we see a special exhibit announced for the Newseum.

As for the breweries near Udvar Hazy, we won't have a car to move around. Plus I have a feeling we may be going straight to the game (probably a full day at the museum) and you do not want to be anywhere near me if there is a chance that I miss first pitch...

No problem on doubling up. Thanks for the advice.
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Mar 13th, 2015, 11:05 AM
  #24  
Kal
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lost Rhino and Justin's. Some good munchies at both, too.
After watching a lot of games at ATT Park in SF and then Pitt's PNC Park, the Nats' Park was a bit of a let down. BUT...will def give it a try again next time and maybe get seats other than bleachers. See if we can get some sort of view of DC?
Kal is offline  
Old Mar 13th, 2015, 11:22 AM
  #25  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kal, you lose a lot sitting at bleachers in any stadium. The only views you get are from the Upper Deck. In RF, you get some of the river and in LF you can see the Capitol. They meant for the Capitol to be visible everywhere but some buildings went up in between them. To me, it is just a solid place to watch a game with a great team and a great fanbase. But yes, PNC and AT&T Park each rank above Nat's Park on my list.
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Mar 13th, 2015, 11:48 AM
  #26  
Kal
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thx! I was wondering why they'd build a park in DC w/o having a Cap Mall view. We also found out that even tho it could be in the 80s/90s during the day, the little breeze comes in off the river and brrrrrrr. I have a long sleeve Nats' t-shirt in my collection now!
Kal is offline  
Old Mar 13th, 2015, 11:50 AM
  #27  
Kal
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BTW...we hit Petco last year. VERY nice place with good food and beer. San Diego came a long way since I was a kid watching the old Pads in the PCL at Westgate Park!
Kal is offline  
Old Mar 16th, 2015, 08:41 AM
  #28  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How is the Crime & Punishment Museum? I am figuring 2-3 hours there for an average visit. They just announced a Terrorism Exhibit including the Boston Marathon Bombing.

The other museum we have been discussing is the Museum of the American Indian. One we keep discussing then never going to. How is it? Beyond the cafe as I know that is highly recommended.

Kal, Petco is one of my favorites and I am hopeful to get back there at one point this year. And I have a Padres sweatshirt from a night game...lesson learned there.
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Mar 19th, 2015, 09:12 AM
  #29  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just looked at the Newseum page for upcoming exhibits and there is a new one coming on the 150th Anniversary of the Lincoln Assassination and a different one on the Reporting of Vietnam.

Both these exhibits have had me add the Newseum to our list again. It is an amazing museum but we may just pick and choose when we go as we have been a few times. Probably Monday after the Nats Park tour which we just confirmed with the Nats and got tickets. Part of the tour is the Nats dugout and bullpen!
tchoiniere is offline  
Old May 18th, 2015, 04:26 PM
  #30  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We just added an extra night onto this trip so now coming Sunday to Sunday. Going to add an extra game and another brewery (Port City in Alexandria( to our trip.
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2015, 05:45 AM
  #31  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here is my updated itinerary for my trip (like having it here for a quick reference)

Sunday 8/23
Train to DC gets in at 1:30
Drop off Bags at Hotel
Portrait Gallery
Right Proper Brewing (624 T Street NW)

Monday
Nationals Park Tour 10:30. With this being an off-day, its a 2 hour tour including Field Access and CLubhouse. I am looking forward to this.

Newseum - having been here before, we are going to pick and choose what we see. They just opened a Vietnam War display and are opening a Nationals display for 10 years in the city.

Mad Fox Brewing Company - Fells Church in VA. Meeting friends here.

Tuesday
Crime & Punishment Museum - first time here
Museum of American Indian - lunch and first time here
Padres @ Nationals game

Wednesday
Arlington Cemetery
Some of the Monuments if not too hot
Bluejacket Brewery
Padres @ Nationals game

Thursday
Monuments - friend is having foot surgery next week so walking will be limited (trip is within the recovery time for his ankle - same friend who had a broken leg on our first trip) so we may split the Monuments to also limit the heat and utilize the new Circulator route

Natural History Museum and maybe some of the American History Museum

3 Stars Brewing Company (6400 Chillum Pl NW)
Churchkey for dinner

Friday
National Zoo - first thing in the morning to try to avoid some of the heat. Will be flexible with the zoo and maybe try to find a cool day to do it

DC Brau Brewing (3178 Bladensburg Rd NE)
Atlas Beer Works (2052 West Virginia Ave NE #102)

Saturday
Air Force Memorial
Pentagon for the 9/11 Memorial
Port City Brewing (3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA)
Marlins @ Nationals game - just got our tickets and we are right behind the Marlins dugout (closest we have been to the field at Nats Park)

Sunday
Train home

I have it fairly well organized but any suggestions? Fairly laid back itinerary and
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2015, 08:04 AM
  #32  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
None, except to say Blue Jacket is a fun place, and the hamburgers are very good!
sf7307 is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2015, 08:38 AM
  #33  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SF, I am looking forward to Bluejacket. Been there for a beer in the past but we were in a rush at that point. This will be a lot more relaxed.
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2015, 09:23 AM
  #34  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24,846
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I wanted to post back about the Baseball Boat that I mentioned above. We did end up taking it, and it was a lot of fun. It picked us up right at Old Town, and everyone was dressed in Nats gear; they have beer, etc. for sale on the boat, and everyone was in a great mood. The Potomac Riverboat Company is the one we used - very convenient way to get to the game if you're in Old Town. We ate at Ben's Chili Bowl at the game - mmmm, good stuff, and the Nats won in extra innings! Thanks to everyone who helped us plan our trip. If you're up for a good burger, we thought Good Stuff Eatery had fantastic ones.
volcanogirl is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2015, 10:49 AM
  #35  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You probably know this already, but the Tuesday 8/25 and Saturday 8/29 games are both premium/giveaway games. Tuesday is the Anthony Rendon Garden Gnome and Saturday is 80s night with the Nats Rubiks Cube. So get there early if these items are relevant in your planning.

And if you do go early, the Red Porch bar in center field has the best tap list in the stadium. If they are pouring "Bloodline" by Flying Dog Brewing Co. (Frederick, MD), get yourself a pint of that. It's not widely available, and it's really really good. They'll also be pouring at least one selection by Deschutes (last time it was their Black Butte Porter) which was a rarity in these parts but now is pretty easy to find.

Enjoy the trip and Let's Go Nats!
msrva is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2015, 02:24 PM
  #36  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,718
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Hey tchoiniere! You asked on another thread about the new Circulator bus National Mall route. It is officially up and running!

Your next DC trip is not all that far away....
obxgirl is online now  
Old Jul 11th, 2015, 01:16 PM
  #37  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
obxgirl, I always walk or use the Metro when I'm in DC (I logged 13 miles walking one day on my most recent trip), BUT I'd love to know about the Circulator - where do you pick it up? Is it $1.00 every time you get on? Can you use your Smartrip card?
sf7307 is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2015, 01:31 PM
  #38  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
http://nationalmall.dccirculator.com

SF, you can use Smarttrip cards. If you get back on within 2 hrs it's free. Friend of mine used it a lot a few weeks ago and said it was great
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Jul 12th, 2015, 08:43 AM
  #39  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,718
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
sf7307 - Agree with you, DC is a very walkable city.

The Circulator system is an especially good choice on weekends & holidays when the Metro trains run less frequently and traffic is lighter.

Circulator to Georgetown (Union Sta-G/town route or Dupont Circle/Rosslyn route) is definitely worth a look if your travels takes you to Georgetown.

I recall you saying that your family lives in the Dupont Circle area. You might find the L1 and L2 buses pretty useful too. It runs North-South on Connecticut Ave. Bus stop signage is well marked. Most all have electronic scrawls tracking incoming bus numbers and travel times (like SF if I recall correctly?).
obxgirl is online now  
Old Jul 12th, 2015, 08:54 AM
  #40  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
obx, yes, San Francisco has electronic boards but they are wildly inaccurate!!
sf7307 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -