Yeah, with so many great museums nearby with no admission charge, I'm wondering if Tussaud's is going to make it.

We live in the DC Va suburbs and are 30 year veterans of DC driving... don't drive during the day if you are unfamiliar with DC. Period. A (planned out)drive past the monuments at night when the commuters leave town and the monuments are lit up beautifully, is a good idea.
To start your tour during the day, you may take the Metro to Foggy Bottom station and walk down 23rd street about 6 blocks to the Lincoln Memorial ,Vietnam wall,Korean War Memorial and Reflecting pool. If you stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (where MLK gave his famous I have a dream speech) you can see all the way down the National Mall to the US Capitol and get a perspective on where you want to go from there. It's a huge stretch from the Lincoln to the Capitol, so you will quickly learn the convenience of the Metro system or Tourmobile!

If you can manage it, carry what you need for the day in your pockets. Backpacks, purses, and camera bags will be examined at the entrance to every museum. The White House will not let you carry them in at all.

Try to visit the museums along the Mall first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive (sometime around 11:30). The crowds won't matter as much at most of the monuments and memorials (other than the Wasington Monument).

Don't be afraid to visit DC during the winter. If the weather is bad, you can spend a lot of time in the museums and take a shuttle tour to the monuments. It's not that unusual to get a beautiful warm day in the winter (like last Sunday). You'll have the place almost to yourselves.

If you're bringing kids, check out the Smithsonian's websites for children's activities - they always have something going on. During the winter, take the kids ice skating at the Sculpture Garden next to the Natl Gallery of Art. It will break up the forced march feeling. During the summer they can kick a ball around the Mall or take a paddle boat ride in the Tidal Basin.

Look for free music and films offered by the Smithsonian, too.

The Kennedy Center offers free shows every night of the year at their Millenium Stage - a different show every night. Get there early because it is very popular. You can take a free shuttle bus to the Kennedy Center from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro station.

Take advantage of the free docent-led tours of the musuems and other places, such as the Library of Congress. The docents are very knowledgeable and make your visit so much more enjoyable than a quick run through the building. You can join a tour or step away from it anytime you like.

Stay downtown if possible. If you plan your visit for a weekend when Congress is not in session, you can get fantastic rates at great hotels that would otherwise be very expensive.

One other thing - a big, bulky stroller is going to be a royal pain everywhere you go. A small umbrella stroller will be a lot easier on everyone. It's also a good idea for toddlers and small children, too.

Hello,

Here is a building lookup map of central DC. Good for finding buildings when in town.

http://www.cccarto.com/dc_landmarks/index.html

For same day 1/2 price theater tickets try http://ticketplace.tranguard.com/tx_...7:574619835615 We were pleasantly surprised with a very good performance!

Great information for my possible September trip. Thank you all.

Just bookmarking this.

This excellent website that answers that question, "How far is X hotel from Y Metro stop."

www.stationmasters.com

Also helps first time visitors with orientation, if you get familiar with the buildings around the station (they have elevation photos too)>

As an example, here's the specific link for Dupont Circle:

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../dupontci.html

I'm sure that stationmasters link will help those who haven't read the whole thread ...

bookmarking - great thread!

Repete, if you'e being snide, FYI the stationmasters link was more useful for me than Googling every blasted hotel that I was thinking about. The format of the maps allows a much easier side by side comparison of the alternatives around a metro stop.

And it's very fast-loading.

So go stuff yourself.

repete was referring to the fact that he had already posted the stationmasters.com link, on January 23.

great info

Thanks!

Some of my favorite spots:

Dumbarton Oaks

National Building Museum

Haines Point, "The Awakening" statue

National Cathedral

Albert Einstein statue

Walk along the C&O canal in Georgetown

Have lunch at the Tombs in Georgetown. Have dinner at 1789, next door.

Old Town Alexandria. Fabulous walk from the King Street metro stop to the Potomac. Get coffee at Misha's. Have lunch at Bilbo Baggin's (Queen Street?) or Union Street. Poke around all of the artist studios/galleries at the Torpedo Factory. If it's warm, take a boat trip back into Georgetown

The Rayburn House Office Bldg- across from the Capitol- has a cafeteria- good place to stop for lunch.

Thank you all for your wonderful tips and suggestions.

thereyet

Much to the great dismay of Washingtonians, the Awakening sculpture at Haines Point is being moved this week to be installed somewhere in the new National Harbor complex.

Bookmarking, planning a trip in early April and this will help alot.

Great thread; thanks!