best tips for D.C. Visitors
Apr 2nd, 2008, 07:53 PM
#121
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I'm trying to plan a trip to D.C. Only problem I can't walk too long at a time. I know you can rent scooters but do you know if you can get around to very many sites BY scooter? Thanks for any tips by anyone who has experienced this..
Apr 3rd, 2008, 06:33 AM
#122
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Hillwood is one of the few museums in Washington that requires an entrance fee and it is NOT for children, but it is just magnificent. You must have reservations for the tour and, if you choose, lunch. Really a treat. I live here and I make a point of visiting at least once a year.
Also, love the free concerts on the Mall throughout the summer. Pack a picnic and listen to the military bands play under the stars. (Thursday nights at the zoo too -- and everything is free which is really a treat considering the cost of everything else!)
Also, love the free concerts on the Mall throughout the summer. Pack a picnic and listen to the military bands play under the stars. (Thursday nights at the zoo too -- and everything is free which is really a treat considering the cost of everything else!)
Apr 3rd, 2008, 08:11 AM
#123
Mayhem,
I agree that Hillwood may not be for very young children. However, with all attractions, it's best to know your children and their limits. We have a Hillwood membership, and our daughter looks forward to the visits we make. She visited Hillwood for the first time at age 4 and fell in love with the Faberge eggs and the koi pond. Our family visited Japan in February and she, now 6, recalled that the gardens in Japan were like the one she saw "at home."
I agree that Hillwood may not be for very young children. However, with all attractions, it's best to know your children and their limits. We have a Hillwood membership, and our daughter looks forward to the visits we make. She visited Hillwood for the first time at age 4 and fell in love with the Faberge eggs and the koi pond. Our family visited Japan in February and she, now 6, recalled that the gardens in Japan were like the one she saw "at home."
Apr 7th, 2008, 08:09 PM
#127
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I am trying to find something to say that has not already been covered and that might be helpful. I have lived in the DC suburbs all of my life (and am now in my forties). Please do not drive here if you are unfamiliar with the roads. It will ruin your visit. Also, people are usually shocked at how lousy our weather is most of the time. We have a very short beautiful spring followed by a very long, hot humid summer and then a short beautiful fall followed by a winter that is mostly cold and humid (and occasionally dry or mild). Finally, there is so much to do here that you will benefit from a lot of advance planning to make the most of your time and opportunity. One person's dream vacation is another person's nightmare. Although Washington is an expensive city it is still a good value compared to New York and San Francisco. Be realistic in your price expectations. Enjoy!
Nov 9th, 2008, 03:05 AM
#131
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At the top of the thread is a link called "Share with a friend." If you "share" this thread with your own e-mail address, you'll have a handy link that you can bookmark. IMHO this is better than just making sure that this thread shows up when you click on your ID, since you won't have to search through a list of threads to find it.
Nov 12th, 2008, 10:35 AM
#132
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For a fantastic view at a DC hotel go to the L'Enfant Plaza and get a "city view" room. The room will have a balcony, and from it you will see the Washington Monument to the left and the Capitol to the right. We have stayed there several times on July 4, sitting on the balcony sipping wine and watching the fireworks.
Jan 15th, 2009, 06:26 AM
#137
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Metro manners:
Wait to let people exit the train before you enter
as someone said above- STAND to the right on escalators, walk on the left. We commuters often walk up the escalators to save time and it is so frustrating to have an entire tour group blocking the way.
When exiting, get your farecard out before you get to the turnstile instead of making everyone wait.
No eating in the metro (and they will bust you for it)
Smithsonian tips:
If you like Asian art, the Sackler is fabulous and the gift shop is amazing.
The castle building of the Smithsonian opens earlier than the rest of the museums and has bathrooms and a small cafe for you early risers.
Have your purse/backpack open and ready as you approach any Smithsonian entrances as they almost always check inside. I try not to bring one to speed things up.
Looking for nature:
Second the recommendation for Great Falls. Truly beautiful- good hiking around there on both sides of the river too.
If you have a car or are willing to take a bus, the National Arboretum is a beautiful park for hiking/walking. It's out on New York Avenue, off the tourist track. They have an awesome koi pond, a large bonsai collection, the gorgeous photo op of the rescued Capitol columns, and a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs. The azaleas are phenomenal in the spring. They have a tram tour with a docent that is really interesting and my senior citizen mom loved it.
http://www.usna.usda.gov/
Walk on the towpath out of Georgetown, into Maryland, along the Potomac. A great place for runners visiting the city. http://www.geocities.com/madeads/towpath.html
Another great spot for runners is to go around Hain's Point. It's about 3 miles around, with views of the water all the way.
If you like farmers' markets:
The Dupont Circle farmer's market on Sundays is excellent for organic produce, handmade cheeses, breads, etc.
Flying:
The Five Guys (best burgers ever) at National Airport is open early and has breakfast sandwiches and their superior burgers I think starting at 6:00am. Yum. (Yes, the burgers are so good I will eat one at 6:00 am.)
The massage chairs at BWI are soooo worth the money.
If you love colonial
Wait to let people exit the train before you enter
as someone said above- STAND to the right on escalators, walk on the left. We commuters often walk up the escalators to save time and it is so frustrating to have an entire tour group blocking the way.
When exiting, get your farecard out before you get to the turnstile instead of making everyone wait.
No eating in the metro (and they will bust you for it)
Smithsonian tips:
If you like Asian art, the Sackler is fabulous and the gift shop is amazing.
The castle building of the Smithsonian opens earlier than the rest of the museums and has bathrooms and a small cafe for you early risers.
Have your purse/backpack open and ready as you approach any Smithsonian entrances as they almost always check inside. I try not to bring one to speed things up.
Looking for nature:
Second the recommendation for Great Falls. Truly beautiful- good hiking around there on both sides of the river too.
If you have a car or are willing to take a bus, the National Arboretum is a beautiful park for hiking/walking. It's out on New York Avenue, off the tourist track. They have an awesome koi pond, a large bonsai collection, the gorgeous photo op of the rescued Capitol columns, and a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs. The azaleas are phenomenal in the spring. They have a tram tour with a docent that is really interesting and my senior citizen mom loved it.
http://www.usna.usda.gov/
Walk on the towpath out of Georgetown, into Maryland, along the Potomac. A great place for runners visiting the city. http://www.geocities.com/madeads/towpath.html
Another great spot for runners is to go around Hain's Point. It's about 3 miles around, with views of the water all the way.
If you like farmers' markets:
The Dupont Circle farmer's market on Sundays is excellent for organic produce, handmade cheeses, breads, etc.
Flying:
The Five Guys (best burgers ever) at National Airport is open early and has breakfast sandwiches and their superior burgers I think starting at 6:00am. Yum. (Yes, the burgers are so good I will eat one at 6:00 am.)
The massage chairs at BWI are soooo worth the money.
If you love colonial
Jan 15th, 2009, 06:27 AM
#138
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Oops- accidently pressed enter.
I meant to finish with: If you love colonial architecture, come out to Old Town Alexandria on the water taxi or metro. My hometown is charming and great for walking.
I meant to finish with: If you love colonial architecture, come out to Old Town Alexandria on the water taxi or metro. My hometown is charming and great for walking.
Jan 16th, 2009, 09:41 PM
#139
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This is an excellent thread.
I did notice some mention of Hillwood. You need to have advance reservations for Hillwood. Don't just go there thinking you can walk into the mansion. Tours fill up well in advance.
On the old routine of getting a reserved Capitol tour from your Congressman, please do not do that anymore. Many of the interns who give those tours simply know nothing. Get a regular tour from the Capitol Guide Service. With the opening of the new Capitol Visitor's Center, you can reserve one from them in advance. Then visit your Congressman only if you want passes to the House/Senate. Remember, you cannot go into the Senate at all unless they are sitting.
Take either a hop on/hop off tour or one where the guide and the bus stay with you from On Board Tours. There are advantages to either style of tour and pick what you want. There can be unpleasant waits for buses on hop on/hop off tours (including the Tourmobile), so you might want to consider the other sort of tour. Up to you!
If you have limited time, concentrate on the free museums. There is no reason to pay for the Spy Museum, Mme. Tussaud's, the Crime and Punishment Museum or the Newseum if you only have 2-3 days. The Newseum is, by the way, hands down the best of the "pay" museums.
If you like art, go to the Phillips Collection and see Renoir's "Afternoon of the Boating Party". There is a charge for this gallery, but it is worth every penny (Dupont Circle on the Red Line; exit NORTH).
At Arlington, if you are in moderately decent shape, walking to the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Kennedy graves is faster then the Tourmobile (same problem as the hop on/hop off bus services).
If it is too hot or too cold, concentrate on museums because schlepping around outside in unbearable weather is, well, unbearable.
The best celebrity sightings are in the US Capitol. Nancy Pelosi is not only speaker, but, unlike some other speakers, she is often presiding.
Do not expect to see the president. I have lived here since 1971. The last president I saw was Richard Nixon, but, then, I don't actually run around looking for them. They tie up traffic. The president's car, by the way, has tinted windows and you cannot sneak a peek.
Do not visit DC for any inauguration--or for the Cherry Blossom Festival--and expect to see much of anything.
The worst time to come is in spring when DC is innundated with kids on school trips. The best time to come is in the fall.
I did notice some mention of Hillwood. You need to have advance reservations for Hillwood. Don't just go there thinking you can walk into the mansion. Tours fill up well in advance.
On the old routine of getting a reserved Capitol tour from your Congressman, please do not do that anymore. Many of the interns who give those tours simply know nothing. Get a regular tour from the Capitol Guide Service. With the opening of the new Capitol Visitor's Center, you can reserve one from them in advance. Then visit your Congressman only if you want passes to the House/Senate. Remember, you cannot go into the Senate at all unless they are sitting.
Take either a hop on/hop off tour or one where the guide and the bus stay with you from On Board Tours. There are advantages to either style of tour and pick what you want. There can be unpleasant waits for buses on hop on/hop off tours (including the Tourmobile), so you might want to consider the other sort of tour. Up to you!
If you have limited time, concentrate on the free museums. There is no reason to pay for the Spy Museum, Mme. Tussaud's, the Crime and Punishment Museum or the Newseum if you only have 2-3 days. The Newseum is, by the way, hands down the best of the "pay" museums.
If you like art, go to the Phillips Collection and see Renoir's "Afternoon of the Boating Party". There is a charge for this gallery, but it is worth every penny (Dupont Circle on the Red Line; exit NORTH).
At Arlington, if you are in moderately decent shape, walking to the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Kennedy graves is faster then the Tourmobile (same problem as the hop on/hop off bus services).
If it is too hot or too cold, concentrate on museums because schlepping around outside in unbearable weather is, well, unbearable.
The best celebrity sightings are in the US Capitol. Nancy Pelosi is not only speaker, but, unlike some other speakers, she is often presiding.
Do not expect to see the president. I have lived here since 1971. The last president I saw was Richard Nixon, but, then, I don't actually run around looking for them. They tie up traffic. The president's car, by the way, has tinted windows and you cannot sneak a peek.
Do not visit DC for any inauguration--or for the Cherry Blossom Festival--and expect to see much of anything.
The worst time to come is in spring when DC is innundated with kids on school trips. The best time to come is in the fall.
