DC Itinerary Help Please
 

Hi!

I've read many posts here and have learned a lot in helping plan a family trip (kids ages 11 & 13) next week. Now it's time for my own questions. I am trying to decide the most logical itinerary based on the following: Fri & Sat night at Hyatt Regency Reston visiting friends, however we will go to DC all day Sat to tour and return to Reston for dinner. Sun leave friends in afternoon to tour DC and go to Radisson Barcelo Dupont Circle where we will stay Sun Mon and Tues night with departure early on Wed. The only thing booked is congressional tour of Capitol on Monday at 3PM. Sooooooo what is the most logical itinerary to see Smithsonian(Air & Space, Nat Hist) All Monuments, Ford's Theatre etc.,White House vis ctr.,Supreme Ct,Holocaust Mus., and Arlington Nat. Cem? What should we do all day Sat, Sun afternoon only, Mon given the Capitol res. at 3PM, and Tues? Thank you for any help you can offer as I know these sights are in many different locations!

Keep in mind that for 4 people it is actually cheaper to taxi around the downtown area than to metro - this also saves time.

SATURDAY,
Get tickets to Wash Monument upon arrival (ticket kiosk is at base of Monument on 15th st). Hit as many Smithsonian bldgs/exhibits as you can/care to. Stick to Mall area. Best food on the Mall is at the National Gallery of Art's four cafes (even if you only go to eat).

SUNDAY LATE AFTERNOON,
walk hotel neighborhood (esp. north of circle) noting dining options as you go.
taxi to Cathedral - you could also metro to tenleytown station and walk 1 mile downhill to it. Tour cathedral and gardens (don't skip gift shop or tower). taxi back to dinner/hotel. Relax.

MONDAY:
Metro to Fords Theater (metro center, 11th st exit), taxi to Library of Congress, Folger museum, walk around Capitol Hill area and maybe have lunch among the many choices on Penn Ave (between 2nd & 7th) or Eastern Market area, go to pre-arrranged Capitol tour. Taxi back th White House (say 16th & H). The area is currently fenced due to landscaping upgrades but you still see it OK. Taxi, metro (at 18th & K), or walk back to hotel. If you choose to walk, walk up 19th to note restaurant options.

TUESDAY: Pack a picnic, Metro over to Arlington Cemetary, walk back across Memorial Bridge to Lincoln Memorial/Vietnam Memorial, walk over to FDR & Jefferson Memorial, walk to Holcaust Memorial Museum (they have a cafe adjacent to museum). Taxi back, collapse.

Have a great time!

That's a pretty darn good itinerary! I would add one tip: make sure that your "Tuesday" plan falls on a day with good weather, as there are precious few opportunities for shelter along the monument route. Enjoy!

addenda
1) The red line from the White House (Mon) is at CONNECTICUT & K (not 18th & K)
2) The restaurant at your hotel is great.

If you are going to be staying in Reston, I would include a visit to the Air & Space museum annex at Dulles Airport. Kids that age will like the flight simulator.

Here is the link for museum info..

http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/

I would make advance reservations for the Washington Monument if you haven't already: http://reservations.nps.gov

Also, I would check with the Ford Theater before you go for operating hours. It is an active theater and it might be closed for rehearsal. You can still go to the basement museum and the Peterson House.

We were recently in DC with our two kids and stayed at the Radisson Barcello too. Have a great trip!

Bardo gave you a great itinerary. I'd add that you try Pizzeria Paradiso for dinner - it is just north of Dupont Circle and is excellent.

Karen

Thank you all so much for your feedback! I'll check the weather report and plan my days accordingly. The itinerary looks great, just one question...which day do I fit in the Supreme Court? Thanks also for the taxi advice, I never thought of that!
Can't wait to go to DC!

I'd do it first thing Monday morning if the court is in session and you want to see that. You might have to wait in the "three minute" line for a while. The Library of Congress is right next door. After your Capitol tour you could taxi to Ford's theater (if it's still open) and then walk to the White House visitor's center.

Agree you should definately go on Monday while you're on Capitol Hill. Here's a map of the area:
http://www.house.gov/house/Maps.html