best tips for D.C. Visitors
Feb 28th, 2008, 05:14 PM
#102
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Coming in April? Go and see the house and gardens at Hillwood, the home and museum of Marjorie Merriweather Post....especially if you love gardens and /or have an interest in Russian art and icons....the most fabulous collection there that Mrs Post purchased when she was in Russia w/hubby and /or when items came on the world market...for example, Faberge, the Russian Coronation chalice, the Hapsburg bridal veil (only displayed at intervals) It's on Linnean Ave NW just off Connecticut Ave, they have a great cafe, too and gift shop. Make reservations online early,. It's also possible to just visit the gardens which are great. Read a recent post about Chinatown, and I would say that pretty much all that's left of CHinatownin the Arch and a coiple of restaurants...it's been engulfed by the Penn Quarter and Verizon Center development. ALso worth a trip, The Kennedy Center tour is interesting, and at 6PM everyday there is a free performance at Milennium Stage. The National Cathedral (Episcopal) on Wisconsin Ave is very impressive and just full of history lessons. If you have time check their website and have "Tea in the Towers" if available....The National Gallery is wonderful and children love the underground passage and waterfalls on the lower level. The zoo is sad and half empty, but Bread and Chocolate Cafe across the street from the main entrance has great croissant and the best Hammentaschen south of NYC.
DC, like most world capitals, is a great city for walking. Save where you can and stay downtown...
DC, like most world capitals, is a great city for walking. Save where you can and stay downtown...
Mar 8th, 2008, 10:37 AM
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We go to DC once a year and is on of my favorite cities on the planet.
My tips are:
- Walk the mall, take a nap in the sun, watch people play soccer, get involved in a touch football game, it happens every year, all within th shadows of our capital.
-Visit thr=e holocaust museum, go early and reserve your time later in the day- and don't plan on doing much the rest of the day because you won't want to.
-Arlington cemetary is a must.
-I would also suggest atrip to Annapolis.
Thats just a few.
My tips are:
- Walk the mall, take a nap in the sun, watch people play soccer, get involved in a touch football game, it happens every year, all within th shadows of our capital.
-Visit thr=e holocaust museum, go early and reserve your time later in the day- and don't plan on doing much the rest of the day because you won't want to.
-Arlington cemetary is a must.
-I would also suggest atrip to Annapolis.
Thats just a few.
Mar 17th, 2008, 07:10 AM
#111
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Several thoughts:
In my experience, distances are a bit deceptive in Washington, particularly along the Mall. It's two miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. In the summer heat you can really wear yourselves out just walking from the National Gallery to the Holocaust Museum. Bite off smaller pieces and group your visits around clusters. For example, the National Gallery, Archives and Natural History Museum are close together.
Also the Smithsonian stop is not the best stop for all of the museums. Try Archives for National Gallery, Natural History and the Archives; Gallery Place for Portrait Gallery, American Art and Spy Museum; Metro Center for Ford's Theater and National History; Federal Center SW for American Indian, Botanical Gardens, Rayburn Building or Air and Space, etc.
It's great to visit the monuments at night. Day or night, however, note that most of the monuments are not very close to Metro, and it's not easy to find parking, except around the FDR memorial. The hop-on, hop-off busses (Old Town Trolley and Tourmobile) might be good options.
The Einstein Statue mentioned earlier, Vietnam war Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Lincoln Memorial are grouped together. If you visit FDR go through the "rooms" in chronological order, then return back by walking along the Tidal Basin--just lovely.
Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial and WWII Memorial have bathrooms open into the night. For some reason the bathrooms on the Ellipse close early, although lots of folks come there after dark for the view of the South Lawn of the White House, and there are no easy alternatives nearby.
Get timed tickets in advance on-line for the International Spy Museum and the Holocaust Museum, and for the Washington Monument. Also you can buy IMAX tickets online in advance for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
Long lines form at Ford's Theater due to busses full of school groups and such; make it your first stop of the morning and arrive early (opens at 9 a.m.).
As others said above, you can certainly turn right on red in DC, unless otherwise posted. Also the areas where tourists generally find themselves (generally the NW quarter of town) are pretty safe, not just Georgtown. There were some assaults in the Mall area (generally in the wooded areas between the Lincoln and WWII memorials) a couple of summers ago but the National Park Service stepped up enforcement there.
The Newseum reopens in its new space on Pennsylvania Avenue on April 11. The American History museum is supposed to reopen in Fall of '08.
In summer, try to make reservations to see the Evening Parade Friday evenings at the Marine Barracks. Very impressive. There is also a Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima memorial on Tuesdays, no reservations required.
Remember we've got a new downtown baseball stadium opening at the end of this month.
Check out the DC Circulator buses, a good, cheap way to get around, particularly over to Georgetown, which is not convenient to Metro.
Throughout the summer months, the military bands have free outdoor concerts at the Capitol, Jefferson Monument, etc.
The skating rink at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden was mentioned earlier. In the summer this is a fountain. The adjacent cafe is a nice lunch stop.
In my experience, distances are a bit deceptive in Washington, particularly along the Mall. It's two miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. In the summer heat you can really wear yourselves out just walking from the National Gallery to the Holocaust Museum. Bite off smaller pieces and group your visits around clusters. For example, the National Gallery, Archives and Natural History Museum are close together.
Also the Smithsonian stop is not the best stop for all of the museums. Try Archives for National Gallery, Natural History and the Archives; Gallery Place for Portrait Gallery, American Art and Spy Museum; Metro Center for Ford's Theater and National History; Federal Center SW for American Indian, Botanical Gardens, Rayburn Building or Air and Space, etc.
It's great to visit the monuments at night. Day or night, however, note that most of the monuments are not very close to Metro, and it's not easy to find parking, except around the FDR memorial. The hop-on, hop-off busses (Old Town Trolley and Tourmobile) might be good options.
The Einstein Statue mentioned earlier, Vietnam war Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Lincoln Memorial are grouped together. If you visit FDR go through the "rooms" in chronological order, then return back by walking along the Tidal Basin--just lovely.
Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial and WWII Memorial have bathrooms open into the night. For some reason the bathrooms on the Ellipse close early, although lots of folks come there after dark for the view of the South Lawn of the White House, and there are no easy alternatives nearby.
Get timed tickets in advance on-line for the International Spy Museum and the Holocaust Museum, and for the Washington Monument. Also you can buy IMAX tickets online in advance for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
Long lines form at Ford's Theater due to busses full of school groups and such; make it your first stop of the morning and arrive early (opens at 9 a.m.).
As others said above, you can certainly turn right on red in DC, unless otherwise posted. Also the areas where tourists generally find themselves (generally the NW quarter of town) are pretty safe, not just Georgtown. There were some assaults in the Mall area (generally in the wooded areas between the Lincoln and WWII memorials) a couple of summers ago but the National Park Service stepped up enforcement there.
The Newseum reopens in its new space on Pennsylvania Avenue on April 11. The American History museum is supposed to reopen in Fall of '08.
In summer, try to make reservations to see the Evening Parade Friday evenings at the Marine Barracks. Very impressive. There is also a Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima memorial on Tuesdays, no reservations required.
Remember we've got a new downtown baseball stadium opening at the end of this month.
Check out the DC Circulator buses, a good, cheap way to get around, particularly over to Georgetown, which is not convenient to Metro.
Throughout the summer months, the military bands have free outdoor concerts at the Capitol, Jefferson Monument, etc.
The skating rink at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden was mentioned earlier. In the summer this is a fountain. The adjacent cafe is a nice lunch stop.
Mar 31st, 2008, 03:04 AM
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At the top of each Fodor's thread, including this one, are 3 links: Post a reply, Jump to most recent post, and Share with a friend.
The "Share with a friend" link sets up a separate little screen that makes it easy to send anybody (including yourself) a direct link to this thread. The link in the e-mail can also be "boomkarked" in the usual brower way. If you are a frequent contributor to the boards, this might be an easier way of finding your way back to this or any other thread.
The "Share with a friend" link sets up a separate little screen that makes it easy to send anybody (including yourself) a direct link to this thread. The link in the e-mail can also be "boomkarked" in the usual brower way. If you are a frequent contributor to the boards, this might be an easier way of finding your way back to this or any other thread.
Mar 31st, 2008, 05:31 AM
#114
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If you can get great rates, don't hesitate to fly into BWI. An easy bus ride to the train and for around $7.00, a train to Metro station. From there you can easily take a cab to your hotel.
If you really do feel the need to drive around, early Sunday morning is a great time. Little traffic and you can drive by all the monuments. Any other time, park and ride the metro and walk.
If you really do feel the need to drive around, early Sunday morning is a great time. Little traffic and you can drive by all the monuments. Any other time, park and ride the metro and walk.
Apr 1st, 2008, 06:04 AM
#116
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Be careful if you're using BWI on a weekend late night or early morning. The $7 train they're talking about doesn't run on the weekends.
And I'm not sure about the Bus, but I know I was stuck at BWI once because I flew in at an odd time and the bus was either a long wait or didn't run at all. (I can't remember which; I ended up taking a taxi.)
And I'm not sure about the Bus, but I know I was stuck at BWI once because I flew in at an odd time and the bus was either a long wait or didn't run at all. (I can't remember which; I ended up taking a taxi.)
Apr 1st, 2008, 06:16 AM
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Well, yes, if your timing is bad you can end up waiting 39 minutes for the B30 bus. But it does run from 7 AM weekdays and 9:30 on weekends:
http://www.wmata.com/timetables/md/b30.pdf
As noted, the MARC train ($7) is a commuter train and doesn't run at all on weekends, though you could probably get a pricey Amtrak ticket if you wanted to take the shuttle from the BWI terminal to the train station. You'd end up at Union Station right in downtown DC, rather than out at Greenbelt as you would with the B30.
When I was checking the B30 timetable, I noticed that the fare is now $3 if you're using a SmarTrip card, and $3.10 for cash.
http://www.wmata.com/timetables/md/b30.pdf
As noted, the MARC train ($7) is a commuter train and doesn't run at all on weekends, though you could probably get a pricey Amtrak ticket if you wanted to take the shuttle from the BWI terminal to the train station. You'd end up at Union Station right in downtown DC, rather than out at Greenbelt as you would with the B30.
When I was checking the B30 timetable, I noticed that the fare is now $3 if you're using a SmarTrip card, and $3.10 for cash.
