D.C. with 19 teenagers
 

I am taking 19 high school students (and three other chaperones) to D.C. for spring break the first week in April. We are on an EF tour but will have two free nights in Alexandria. All of our students are from WY and most have never been on a plane or to a such a huge city. We are on a tight grant budget so that makes any major activities out of the question. We will most likely have metro passes and may be able to get into the metro D.C. one evening. Any suggestions for activities with our students as none of the chaperones has spent a significant amount of time there. Thanks so much!

I don't know what an EF tour is so I'm not sure what you'll be doing.

It's probably too late but contact your congressman's local office TODAY. They will be able to make the connections to the Washington office. Remember that museums in Washington are free. They really should go to the Holocaust Museum for an unforgettable experience. You can purchase timed tickets on line. I would also recommend a tour of the Capitol (through the congressman if not too late to schedule) and maybe a night tour of the monuments. I think you'll be close to Mount Vernon....maybe check it out. The renovations there are getting great reviews.

Since you say you'll be able to "get into the metro DC one evening"....

Is that the ONLY time you'll be able to get into the District?

Where are you staying?

Whereas the Holocaust Museum is certainly worthy I suspect those kids from my home state would rather see other things and with possibly a short amount of time

MUCH more info needed from you, Lauren

EF Tours is a tour company. I think the OP is asking what to do with the two free evenings -- possibly they can get into metro DC for one of them, but they don't have much money, and the other night is in Alexandria.

Unfortunately, I don't know enough to answer the actual question...

Thanks, CapXXX for that clarification which makes sense to me.

Hey, why not go to a foreign restaurant in the area near Dupont Circle. For example, DC is one of the few places in America where you can eat at an Ethiopian restuarant -- and everybody I know who tried it, loved it. Also Japanese, Greek, Indian, ....

There are lots of different restuarants in a small area, so your group could split up, if you like. Do a little research and make a short-list of places within your budget.

I would also not rule out exploring the areas around some of the monuments on the Mall after hours, either.

You could go to the Old Post Office Pavillion, eat dinner out of the food court, and ride the elevator to the top for a view of the city. I do think there's a charge for the ride, maybe someone else can give more info on that, or you could google it.

Second the idea of seeing the monuments at night. The tour costs money, of course, though you get to ride an open bus, but you could walk around, too, if you're not too tired, and that's free.

Check washingtonpost.com for free entertainment in the city--there are often free concerts in the lobby at the Kennedy Center or at various government buildings, and the KC is another spot with a killer rooftop view.

The ethnic food idea may be tough to do with 19 kids and chaperones--most of the exotic joints are very small.

In Alexandria, there's the Torpedo Factory, which is a conglomeration of artists studios and galleries near the water. Check the hours--it's fun to wander around there, if you like art.

If you only have limited time, I would not suggest anything heavy. When we were in the Holocaust Smithsonian there were some H.S. tour groups there. They had congregated in two end/ staircase rooms and were talking and looked like they couldn't wait to leave. I saw more eye rolling than anywhere else "in group" that I saw in D.C. It is well worth doing, but I don't think big H.S. groups are the optimal way, IMHO.

If anything I would take them to outside Memorials or to the Archives. They would like the Archives and it is vastly doable in a group. They could be reminded that it is the building which was so featured in "National Treasures" the movie etc.

Also I do think that they would LOVE the Torpedo Factory- great suggestion.

Not only the Torpedo Factory but Old Town in general would certainly be something that is probably a new experience for a lot of these kids, especially if they are from rural Wyo.

Being on a tight budget shouldn't be too hard - one of the great things about DC is that there are a lot of options that are free.

However, more information would help us give you better ideas. Does your tour cover all activities during the day? Are you only asking for suggestions to fill up your "two free nights in Alexandria?"

Thanks so much for all your responses. The EF tour is very very structured and many of the suggestions, ie the night tour of monuments, Mount Vernon, etc are already planned for us. We are staying in Alexandria the entire week and have our breakfasts and dinners covered. So lunch is my main concern. I think we have some pretty adventourous students so I am hoping that I can get them to try the ethnic foods.
The Holocaust Museum was on my list but I know that when I went I was a junior in college with a history major and a WWII military history minor so it had a little more meaning. And all the high school students that were there seemed to run through the entire thing, so I am thinking we may skip it this time and just stick to the Smithsonian and the monuments.
We do have a tour set up with one of our Senators offices. This was one of the first things I did when I took on the task of planning the whole trip.
I hadn't heard of the Torpedo Factory. That may be a great idea with some of our kids. They are all from the Cheyenne but many have not left the state!
Suggestions for lunches around the mall area and around Arlington would be very welcome. We will also be at the zoo for almost a full day (my students refused to give that up, all want to see the pandas)! We will have metro passes and will be able to use those to get around the area (EF won't let us use the bus to get around if we are not doing an EF related activity). We are also doing a campus tour of George Washington University to meet our grant requirements (Georgetown won't do a guided tour because we have quite a few sophomores).
I have a huge scavenger hunt planned for the kids as well. We are breaking them off into groups for the trip and the groups will be competeing with one another. I am doing this to get them a little more involved with the trip and the people around them. Many of the questions require they talk to people and engage with tour guides, park rangers and each other.
Thank you all for your suggestions so far. I really hope this gives you all a little more detail! Any suggestions are really a great help!

All of the major momuments are lit up at night and most are open - just due to their nature. definitely plan a nittime walk around the main ones.

One of the most moving experiences I ever had was walking with a group of colleagues through the park/mall to the Lincoln Memorial. We were coming from a very upscale/festive business dinner at the end of a very successful meeting - and going to the Memorial under those circumstances gave us all a completely new perspective on what really matters - in life and in the world. (Business success is fine and effort should be appreciated - but, then there's real life - and incredibly important people that have changed the real world.)

I am glad to hear y'all are going to the zoo...I was going to suggest even a quick stop if you didn't have much time. (I figured most of them had not seen a panda?? I taught in rural Alabama and I know those kids would have loved that!)

Not sure what part of Arlington you are going to be in, but the suggestion of a foreign restaurant should not be a problem wherever you are. (For the kids that are skeptical of this idea, I suggest Thai food...it is different but not SO different, haha. In fact, I was just with a group of ten at Tara Thai this past weekend...someone mentioned it might be hard to do a large group which is very true. Tara Thai is a chain but it is fantastic and has plenty of seating.)

As for food while you are on the mall, most of the museums have a cafeteria but this may not be what you are looking for. (They get crowded but there is a lot of seating.)

The peak cherry blossoms at the Lincoln Memorial tidal basin are forecasted for April 1-7. It is definitely worth a visit and if the weather is nice there will be a lot of people walking around even in the evening. The WWII memorial is right across the street and FDR just a little ways down. Monuments at night are special.

The Post Office Pavilion isn't the great food court it once was. Both the Reagan Building (closest to Mall) and the National Press Building Food Court have better food. And you don't go through security at the National Press Court. There's also the food court at Union Station, if you need lunch around the Capitol.

But right on the Mall, the options aren't great. Best choices are at the Indian Museum and National Gallery (not that good for groups). If you're at the Air & Space, there's a crazy McD and Boston Market on the main floor but upstairs is a quieter place with sandwiches and a coffee bar.

At the zoo, you could turn them loose in either Cleveland or Woodley Park -- with orders to stay in the places along Conn. Ave. -- if you are comfortable with that. Both areas are easy to navigate.

As mentioned, the Torpedo Factory might bore those without an interest in art, but Old Town is a fun place to stroll.

You should get the kids together to watch "National Treaure" before the trip and then hit the archive -- it will really resonate.(Great thought JJ5). Plus, it's a very cool movie on its own -- fabulous mix of academics and action.

A good friend of mine was working on her son's Scout trip to DC last year. We were both intrigued by the National Spy Museum. It really did look fabulous and people affiliated with the CIA and KGB contibuted to creating it. The Scouts did not make it there due to lack of time so I can't report on it any further.

sorry, meant to type "contributed"

Although its not directly on the mall, the Market Cafe at Eastern Market would be a great place to experience some DC food history for lunch. (I could have the name wrong but it is the place inside Eastern Market) Its very easy to get to (take the Blue or Orange Line and get off at Eastern Market). They have great crab cakes and other "Southern" food, plus it is cheap. Along the mall there are not many food choices, either the hot dog stand (I don't recommend them) or the museum cafes (which I do recommend). There is a place a few blocks off of the mall near 12 st. called "Reeves" that is also a DC institution (its been there forever). Its sort of like a coffee shop but the kids might like it.

The Adams Morgan or Dupont Circle neighborhoods would be good for exploring and you could get some cheap meals there. Also check out the food section of the Washington Post. They usually publish a "cheap eats" list and that might give you more ideas.

At night my favorite place is the Lincoln Memorial. Its just so moving.
I think staying around Old Towne Alexandria would be okay. Just walking around the place is interesting. A cheap place to eat there which again has been there forever is the "hard times cafe". Their speciality is chili.

My kids have both been on EF tours with school groups - they were well organized, comprehensive but exhausting. Both of my kids relished the few free hours they had as "down time" - I know that there is a delicate balance with HS kids between down time and letting them loose to get into trouble. I would think at least on of those evenings could be spent shopping - even a mall with food court is inexpensive - or taking metro to Foggy Bottom stop and walking into Georgetown for some window or real shopping at some of the little shops. Some of the kids may even want to use one of the nights to just rewind or sleep.

I know this is likely to be an unpopular response since DC has so much to offer - but EF will likely have much of that covered and my own teenagers have much better trips - family or other - if they get some time to do teenage things.

You might consider a one-way or round-trip boat trip between Alexandria and Georgetown: http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/tourmap.php
This is not free, of course, but the prices are not unreasonable, and they apparently have group rates (though not listed) for groups of 20 or more people.

Actually on the top floor The Torpedo Factory has an Archeological Society large office display/museum type set of rooms with docent. They will show you all the things that the diggers have found in the old Alexandria privies. Since you are right there- they might enjoy that.

The Spy Museum was our least favorite and also costs $16 each to get in- it is not a free Smithsonian- is a private venue. It's a maze and would be problematic with 19 h.s. kids, IMHO.
Many like this venue, but we thought it had MUCH misinformation and was very tech related, so those who don't know what eyes or bugs are and how they work, might be really bored. And it is not near to the others either.

I think the poster who said they might want downtown is absolutely right.

But have a ball and do hit the Archives if you absolutely can. Because I really do know my young people always want to see the real deal paper etc.

That's supposed to be - might want DOWN TIME, not downtown. Teens like the down time immensely.

Oh my gosh! Your suggestions are all so fantastic! I know that the only way I can keep these guys in line is to give them some free time of their own, or run them until they are asleep on their feet! I think that will be our first day (flight leaves Denver at 1 am and gets in to DC at 8:45 am)! Hopefully they will be ready to go!
I did an EF tour for my first trip to Europe and it was a constant run.
We are going to the International Spy Museum as part of the tour. Most are excited for that.
I hadn't thought of getting them together to watch National Treasure. That is a great suggestion and we may have to do that at our last meeting next week.
The free time thing was one of my first thoughts, especially with 14 of the students being girls. I know there will be a lot of request for shopping and more shopping!
I had planned on the Post Office for lunch one day but haven't been there in a few years. We may have to try lunch elsewhere and try to just go for the views. I wanted to try lunch at the Union on the day we have the Capitol tour and then figure something out for the rest of the week. All of our students are low SES, so the lunches are the only aspect of the trip we expect them to cover and we told them $10/day.
Thank you all so much for your all your help! This is making my life a little easier!

As someone who grew up in a small, rural area far from the bright lights -- I'm guessing some of the kids also might like the ESPN Zone.

You don't go there for the food but the atmosphere but the combination of games, screen and kid-centric chow.

The place drives me nuts but when my son gets a decent report card he gets to pick a place for dinner -- and this was a choice once and it was full of teens having good times.

Best place for lunch anywhere on or even vaguely near the National Mall is the American Indian Museum. Hopefully your tour will be stopping there as well. The food is extraordinary. Not the least expensive around, but there is a huge variety of strange/interesting stuff found no where else in the US all in one place, I would suggest. Coming from the west, some of it might even be familiar to you all...

I have been wanting to try the food at the American Indian Museum. It had just opened when I went out a few years ago and I ran out of time to go. I had a great opportunity to meet the architect who designed the building while finishing my degree at the University of Wyoming. An extraordinary man with an amazing vision and heart.

Hi lauren: the food at the Indian museum cafeteria is indeed really great, but be sure to check their on-line menu first, as I am not sure how far your students' $10 will go there. Unfortunately, eating on the Mall is not very cheap. With that budget, one of your best bets is (alas) the McDonald's at the Air and Space Museum. Another place to consider for burgers/fries type lunch is called Ollie's Trolley, located at 12th and E Streets NW, in the bottom of the Hotel Harrington.

Thanks so much for all the lunch suggestions! It is going to be hard getting the $10 per day for lunch to last but each chaperone is hanging onto the $50/student so hopefully it will be a little easier.
We have options regarding our university tours since no one will respond to my emails or phone calls. I have been looking at George Washington, American Univeristy and Georgetown. We will be going on the afternoon of Wednesday April 4. We will be at the National Zoo all morning, so will be relying on the metro to get us from there to the campus and then down to the mall to meet the tour bus at the Holocaust Museum. Any thoughts on a better campus and better college. Georgetown was not my first choice because it is so well known. Have kind of been leaning more towards American University because it is only about four Metro stops away from the zoo (I think).
Thanks all for your fantastic suggestions and help!!

Hi

You're from Wyoming and VP Cheney is also from Wyoming. You could try calling his Wyoming offidce (Casper??) or DC office (or try the White House web site) and see if he'd like to host a group of high school kids for lunch. It can't hurt - kids would get a great memory from it and Cheney would get great press!!

Catholic University is also in DC and might take a little time to show your group around. Seems that the press office in any of the schools should be helpful.

For me, I love to take a picnic lunch (or even some subs, chips, and cold sodas down around the Jefferson Memorial, eat lunch, and watch those cherry blossom trees - it's a wonderful timne and so many Washington workers do it in early April.

Have a wonderful trip!!

As a "professional chaperone" (over 22 trips with teens) here's my best tip: when you "cut them lose" to meet up later, synchronize watches (cell phones nowdays) and agree on a meeting time/place. If one pair (no one should be alone) is late, the whole group will lose 10 minutes the next time they are cut loose. Works like a charm!

If you happen to be near the Spy Museum at lunch time, I'd recommend walking down one more block to Soho, at the corner of 9th and D NW. You can get a full lunch for $7, which is not unreasonable for downtown DC. They have a stack your plate/pay by the pound food bar in the back or traditional sandwiches up front. Free water if you're really cheap, like I am! It's not special, and nothing to go out of your way for, but if you're in the area, it's a good choice.

GW's campus is in the heart of the city, which would probably appeal a lot to your students. I'm an alum, so I'm biased, but I'm also from a small town (600 pop.) and I fell in love with the idea of living four blocks from the White House.

For good, cheap lunches in Arlington, try Hard Times Cafe (right at the Clarendon Metro stop) or Little Viet Garden (about one block away).

In Old Town Alexandria, there's the Perfect Pita a couple of blocks down King Street from the metro (it's take out), and Hard Times Cafe a few blocks more. Union Street is at the end of King Street, and take a right on Union. A little more expensive, but good food and atmosphere. It's very near the Torpedo Factory. Ecco is good, too, but I can't remember the address. Your kids might like Bilbo Baggins. I think it's on Queen Street, not far from the Potomac. The food's great.

At GW, Bon Apetit (we called it the Bone) at the corner of 21st and Pennsylvania has great take out food. Although I have no idea if it's still there. It was a few years ago.

I know it's too late for you (oops), but in case someone searches this later, a few things to add.

1. There's a big mall that's on the metro: Pentagon City Mall. If they're from a small town they might like to just go off and see a big mall (as opposed to a big Mall) for a night.

2. If you're down in Alexandria, and looking for food, a good place is the Hard Times' Cafe. It's chili, with vegetarian and meat options, primarily. There's another one in Arlington (also near the metro).

Oh, and Five Guys is a good burger joint, if one's around.

We took our kids to Pentagon City Mall and I thought the girls (and our 5 guys) were going to have a heart attack! One of the girls even said she would move to D.C. because their mall was so big. She was even more amazed when we told her that they had way more than one!
We stayed in Springfield and had a Five Guys right next door. And it was a god send for one of our chaperones who had to stay behind with a sick kid one day.
Thank you all so much for all of your fantastic suggestions. I don't think we could have squeezed much more into our packed schedule without not sleeping! We were up early and home late every night.
Again, thank you all for your great suggestions!