DC: Need Must See Places?
 

Going to DC this weekend. Our mini-vacation just got shortened by 1 day, due to kids' (ages 15 & 12) school committments. Had the whole 5 day itinerary planned. With so much available, don't want to waste a minute... But, now I need to know:<BR><BR>WHAT ARE THE MUST SEE PLACES and MUST SEE PLACES TO EAT? <BR><BR>Thanks so much for your help

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, Jefferson Monument, Lincoln Monument, FDR Monument, the Viet Nam Wall, Iwo Jima Monument. Drive by the Capitol Building, walk by the White House.

Pat--<BR>Maybe you could tell us what you planned to do in the 5-day itinerary, then we could make suggestions of what to skip. You have already done the research. No need for us to go on and on listing sites you know and are in the guidebooks.

Hi Pat<BR><BR>I started a similar thread...top 5 things to do with kids in DC...check it out because I received lots of great info. <BR><BR>We are going in June and hope to gain even more info from posters here. It's so much better to hear from people who have been there than to read the guide book.<BR><BR>Planning has a point though...what were you going to do? Maybe some natives or frequent visitors can tell you what to skip.

Pat:<BR><BR>I use to live in the D.C. area (moved there twice. Make use of the subways if you want (very convenient). Go to the Smithsonian American History and National History buildings (both are close to each other). I believe they are on Constitution Avenue. If you take the subway, it is on the Blue line (Smithsonian). You can then go over the Pennsylvania Avenue and go into the Archives where the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and Bill of Rights are there to review. All this should take you all morning so you can go to lunch at a touristy but fun place called the Old Post Office which is on Pennsylvania Avenue. Exit the Archives on Pennsylvania Av side and take a left and walk a few blocks on the same side of the avenue. They have small eateries and usually some entertainment, along with alot of souvenir stands for your convenience. After lunch you can then cross over Pennsylvania Avenue to the other side, make a right and go back a few blocks to the FBI building (J. Edgar Hoover Building)- across PA Avenue from Archives - and see if they are touring that day. If so or if not, after that go past J. Edgar Hoover Bldg. and go to the Ford's Theatre. Ford's Theatre is the place where Lincoln was shot and it is a very attractive theatre with a substantial history. They have narrative tours that are interesting (I took one before). Downstairs (in basement, for lack of a better word) they have a small museum with actual artifacts of Lincoln and others. Directly across the street is the house where Lincoln died. Very small but nice to go through. After this, go to Smithsonian's Air and Space. I'd suggest taking a taxi since it will be a straight shot down Pennsylvania Avenue and just 2 to 3 blocks before you hit the Capitol, it is on the right of PA Avenue.

Thanks to those who replied.<BR>In answer to your question, we were planning on visiting the museums, etc. during the daytime hours (A&S, Nat'l History, American History, BEP, Hirschorn, The Capitol, White House Visitors Center, Art Museums, Zoo). At night, we were planning to see the Memorials. Which seems kind of ambitious now; since we're down to 4 days.<BR><BR>Any recommendations on what we should cut? Or what we might be missing? Have heard good things about the observation deck @ the old PO. Is this a good alternative to the Wash. Monument? <BR><BR>EATING: Were @ Filomena in Georgetown 12 years ago. We loved it. Still as good? Any other eating recommendations appreciated. (We're staying @ L'Enfant).<BR><BR>Many thanks again.<BR>

Yes, the old post office observation deck is a good alternative.<BR><BR>I think most of your itinerary is doable. Personally, the zoo would be at the top of my list of those things to skip.

Thanks to those who replied.<BR>In answer to your question, we were planning on visiting the museums, etc. during the daytime hours (A&S, Nat'l History, American History, BEP, Hirschorn, The Capitol, White House Visitors Center, Art Museums, Zoo). At night, we were planning to see the Memorials. Which seems kind of ambitious now; since we're down to 4 days.<BR><BR>Any recommendations on what we should cut? Or what we might be missing? Have heard good things about the observation deck @ the old PO. Is this a good alternative to the Wash. Monument? <BR><BR>EATING: Were @ Filomena in Georgetown 12 years ago. We loved it. Still as good? Any other eating recommendations appreciated. (We're staying @ L'Enfant).<BR><BR>Many thanks again.<BR>

Why not have your kids do a little online research about the sites you've named, and make some choices? I'll bet that they delete the Hirschhorn and "art museums" first! <BR><BR>I took my 13 yo son to DC last Feb for 5 days, and we enjoyed the pandas' antics so much, we went to the zoo twice! Never could get any of my kids interested in Air and Space.<BR><BR>We enjoyed the view from the PO tower, but it's really not the same as the Washington Monument (is that thing EVER open?).<BR><BR>Our favorite place to eat was the food courts at Union Station! Even if you're not in the area (we enjoyed the Post Office Musem), it's right on top of the Metro station so it's pretty handy if you're already on or near the right Metro line anyway.<BR><BR>The monuments are indeed lovely at night. But one night, take your crew to see the Capitol Steps perform -- very entertaining and current! www.capsteps.com<BR><BR>I'm pretty sure that the Archives is closed for renovations and the Capitol tours are limited to school groups for now.

Ellen; thanks for the info. We are definitely Zoo & Aquarium people and wouldn't want to take that off the places to go. We also thought that Union Station was quite "interesting" 12 years ago...and should still be (especially for teens). And there should be lots of option for eating. However, when given the choice, the 2 kids won't provide input for things to do...They're thinking of this as a forced "educational experience." Which I think will change once they get there. I thought that 12 years ago when my history-teacher husband dragged me there. I ended up having a great time. <BR>Since we have a pool at the hotel, it might be best to apply the experience in smaller doses.

Pat:<BR><BR>The key is to not to try to go to too much while you are in D.C. Take in every place you decide to go. The Smithsonian's I mentioned will take about 3-5 hrs. to get through, I mean it. I use to work for the FBI and I was given a tour of the place, if you don't take any other suggestions from me, look into the FBI tour. Really interesting and fun. I'd suggest avoiding the real popular attractions such as the White House and Capitol, too many crowds and the security is going to be excessive. It would be special for you to take your children to the Vietnam Vet Memorial. The amount of names on that wall will take your breath away, although there are about 60,000 it looks like 250,000.<BR><BR>I not much good at telling you about restaurants unless you were to go to Old Towne Alexandria. There is an Italian restaurant on King Street, about 2 blocks from the Potomac River, that I liked. I also enjoyed Gatsby Tavern Restaurant in Old Towne. L'Fant Plaza is not such a busy place for restaurants. There is a Woodley Park subway stop (zoo) and when you leave the subway you will notice alot of ethnic food restaurants around. I remember going to an Indian restaurant and enjoying it.

I second the Union Square idea. Enough different places to please everyone, and the place is really neat.

Duh, I meant Union Station!

Here's a tip for taking the Metro to the zoo: Instead of getting off at the official stop, Woodley Park, get off at the next stop, Cleveland Park. It's the same distance to the zoo, but the walk to the zoo will be downhill, rather than uphill! Then when you leave the zoo, walk downhil to the Woodley Park station. <BR><BR>Or take a cab -- I took a few last winter, since I was recovering from a sprained ankle; if you're traveling in one zone, they're pretty economical. If they'll take all 4 of you, they won't cost much more than the Metro and will save you precious time.

I agree with Stephanie about not trying to do too much, which I'm sure you appreciate since you're responding to your shortened time by shortening your list of things to do. <BR><BR>But at the same time, I have found in taking kids to museums and other attractions that it pays to get them out of there at the first sign of boredom, especially in DC where almost everything is free anyway. You could even split up, with each parent taking one kid, or one parent taking both kids, so everyone can customize their activities a bit.<BR><BR>One final thought about the zoo: the grounds open quite early, at 8:00 as I recall, so you can get there before the crowds and see the outside exhibits, then go in the buildings after they open (at 10, I think). <BR><BR>We found that the pandas alternated between playing, eating, and sleeping; they're older now, of course, but probably still unpredictable. But worth waiting for! The zoo staff were very friendly and well-informed, we had a great time.

Pat:<BR><BR>I'd agree w/the Union Station plan. There is a movie theatre in the station also. When I left the D.C. area in 1989, they were constructed a new place in Union Station where there would be restaurants and entertainment while people were in the train station. I was at Union Station everyday (I commuted Balt to D.C) and took the MARC local train. Union Station is only a few blocks from the Capitol. Union Station is on the Red Line of the subway - FYI. As you can tell, I have used the subway many times, extremely convenient. The thread before me was right, Woodley Park metro is a 15-20 minute walk from the zoo. I hope you visit D.C. in the warmer months. Another must next time is Mt. Vernon (George Washington's residence). It is a mansion and the site is very big. It has a restaurant on site. You only have to take GW Parkway for about 10 minutes to get there. GOOD LUCK this weekend with all your plans.

Good luck trying to find the Museum of National History (which would be different from American History in what way?). NATURAL History might be what you're shooting for. sheesh. This from a former resident, no less!

Pat:<BR>Seems no one mentioned the Holocaust Museum. I know it is was hard for me to see but there where plenty of teenagers there when I was there in December. All you choices here are terrific ones! I crammed as much in in three days and was exhausted but very very glad I had done it. The metro was great and so east to use. There were dowloadable metro maps at www.wmata.com. Have a great time.

I was thinking the same as Annie. Add the Holocaust museum, depending on how you think your kids would react to it. Especially see the Daniel exhibit on the experiences of a young person during the period. It is absolutely one of the top museums around. You need to get timed tickets. See www.ushmm.org for information.

The BEP is closed for tours right now. And I think the IMAX movies have been suspended too. I've been trying to get to one for a few weeks now.<BR><BR>Not many good places to eat near L'Enfant - you'll have to metro to places like Adams Morgan, Dupont, Woodley Park for good food options. The Old Ebbit is a Washington Institution.