I live right near Washington D.C., up near Baltimore, but I never venture down to D.C. much because of traffic and parking. Baltimore I go to a lot because it is easier to get into. I have seen the Jefferson Memorial, Lincon Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Air and Space Museum, and a couple other Smithsonian museums, plus I have down the canal boat cruise in George Town. Have not been down there since the WWII memorial was built or since the repairs were finished on the Washington Monument. What have I missed that I should go see? Usally I take metro whenever I go down there to avoid parking problems. Still, it is not as easy to get to as Baltimore.

I would recommend contacting your Representative. He or she can get you passes to the FBI, White House and Capitol. The passes are free and eliminate long waits. When I took my son, I was able to get a private tour of the Capitol with no waiting in line.

If you make it back into DC, I would suggest both the WWII memorial and the new National Museum of the American Indian on the mall near the Air and Space Museum.

Have you seen the FDR Memorial? If not, it's definitely worth a visit...even better if you can view it at night.

Where is the FDR Memorial? What is the closest metro stop? I have not been to the National Spy Museum, is that interesting?

FDR Memorial is located on Ohio Dr. SW between the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The Smithsonian stop is the closest.

Here's a helpful link for more info:
http://www.nps.gov/frde/index.htm

I haven't toured the whole Spy Museum - only a special exhibit on Terrorism in America. If you want to go to the whole Spy Museum, definitely reserve tickets ahead of time - they will most likely sell out.

One of my fave restaurants, Zaytinya, is within walking distance of Spy Museum...would make for a great lunch either before or after a tour.

http://zaytinya.com/

Three of my favorite museums are in D.C.: the National Gallery of Art, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Phillips Collection. Each one is a real treasure. Enjoy!

Yes, I have been to the Corcoran galley and the national gallery of Art. Haven't been to the third one you mentioned. A thing I haven't done, that I want to do is go up in the Washington Monument. Most of the attractions seem to be around the Smithsonian Metro Stop. Probably too many tourists to go down to D.C right now.

I was very impressed with the Korean Warm memorial. I can't remember where it is exactly, but I do remember walking from there to the Vietnam War memorial. The FDR memorial is also great.

Korean WAR memorial, not WARM memorial.

I'll be in Baltimore 7/22-23 and would like to visit D.C. attractions. What's the best (and safest) way to get to D.C. and is it better to book a tour for the day in D.C. or to just go it alone? Thanks!

For the Washington Monument, tickets aren't as easy as many years ago. You can get them ahead on line for a small handling fee or line up at the monument for same-day tickets. Tickets this time of year go very quickly. Supposedly around half of tickets are for reserve and the rest for same-day distribution. Reserve well ahead if you go that route. The line starts around 7:00 a.m. or just before, and ticket distribution starts at 8:30. Get there as early as possible within that timeframe. You can get several per person (I believe 6) if you need multiples.

I forgot to mention the Holocaust Museum. Very moving. I think it is something everyone should see.

One of my favorites is the National Building Museum, right outside Judiciary Sq Metro stop on Red LIne. Spy Museum, Law Enforsement Memorial, Archives all nearby.

For SandiLou - if you're in BALT without a car, on Friday take the MARC train to DC. If you are near a light-rail stop, but not a MARC station, you may be able to use it to get to MARC. If you can get to the airport on either day, the B30 bus $3 runs every 40 min to Greenbelt (1/2 hour trip) and you can take Greenline to central DC (20-25 min) for less than $3.60 even during peak. It's safe.

I don't live in Baltimore, I live in Columbia,MD, just outside Baltimore, so exacually between D.C. and Baltimore, but a little closer to Baltimore. So, I usally drive down to one of the metro stations,then take the metro into D.C.
The metro is the way to go. I don't know much about those bus tours, but I don't think they include going UP in the Washington Monument. In response to that previous reply, I would reccomend seeing Washington on your own and ride metro, don't drive, it is a big hassle to get a parking space. I have done one of these bus tours, so I have seen the Korean War Memorial. But have not been down there since the WWII memorial was built, so I have not seen that. But I will have to get back and see those things in the offseason.

In response to the previous reply- if you are going to be in Baltimore without a car, depending on where in Baltimore you are, walk or take lightrail to Camden Station by Camden Yards Stadium, then take a Marc train down to Greenbelt and take Metro from there.

The MARC "Camden Line" runs between just east of Camden Yards ... but I don't think as many trains run on that line as on the "Penn Line", which can be boarded at Baltimore Penn Station, BWI rail station, and other locations. Both lines terminate at Washington's Union Station. Decide for yourself:

http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/...lesSystemMaps/

The Law Enforcement Memorial, right in front of the Building Museum. Also, leave that nasty car behind and take bikes into the city. There are tons of fabulous bike trails, one of which goes right by the FDR memorial. Check it out!

Due to the London terrorist attacks, I am a little worried about taking public transportation. What is the best way (least traffic) to get in to Washington from the north and where is the best parking around the mall area? I have never driven into DC before.

Hell . . you are much more likely to be involved in an automobile accident than an act of terrorism. .