DC Visit for 20 somethings
 

I forgot to put this in the DC forum!

Anyways, I was just in DC in February, and am going back again in April! (Great deals via Priceline - and we both majored in political science in college, so DC is really exciting for both of us.) I’m looking for some new things to do this time. I thought I’d list what I did last time, and see if anyone had some suggestions for this time around! My friend I will be staying at the Westin Embassy Row for 2 nights (Saturday and Sunday – we fly out Monday evening). We’re in our 20’s and are looking for things to do/see, restaurants and bars.

In February I saw/did:
Arlington
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Washington Monument
Holocaust Museum
Capitol (saw the Senate in session)
National Archives
Natural History Museum
Air and Space Museum
American Indian Museum
Kennedy Center
Ate at: the hotel (terrible idea, but we were very tired), Jaleo, the Hawk and Dove (because it was mentioned in our favorite TV show;)), hot dogs from a vendor, coffee shops, junk from the grocery store, etc.

For THIS trip I plan to:
See the Holocaust and Air and Space Museums, again (because these are must sees for my friend. Air and Space mostly to see Dorothy’s slippers)
See the Zoo (Pandas!)
WW II/Vietnam Memorials
Walk around Embassy Row/Dupont area

I know we’ll be there during the Cherry Blossom festival – should I expect extra lines/wait times/general crowdedness? Should we make reservations places? (Not a problem, we don’t mind crowds a bit!)

I would LOVE places to go, places to eat and drink either in Dupont or wherever, in a low to moderate price range (I’m thinking $0-30 entrees.) Also, we’re looking for fun things to do at night. We’re very open to eating/going out wherever, any atmosphere, as long as it’s an interesting experience.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and sorry for the long post!

Hey Bethke14,

If you enjoyed Jaleo during your first trip, I would consider Oyamel (www.oyamel.com). I have not been to the new location, but loved it when it was in Pentagon City.

Since you will be here during the Cherry Blossoms, make sure you leave some time to have a picnic under the tress. You are not allowed to pick them but they make for beautiful pictures! (Also, the crowds will be MUCH more intense...especially on the Metro.)

As for going out at night, I would suggest making your way to Adams Morgan (kind of hard because of the lack of a Metro stop BUT you can catch a taxi inside the city for pretty cheap). There are many different "scenes" in the area, so you are sure to find something to your liking.

Your political science background and interest in the Hawk and Dove makes me want to suggest eating at Old Ebbitt Grill (http://www.ebbitt.com/main/index-flash.cfm)...yummy food and a great atmosphere!

Happy Travels!

P.S. You will not find Dorothy's slippers at the Air and Space Museum...these are at American History which I believe is under renovation at the time...

This is great, thanks! A picnic sounds lovely-we'll have to add it to our list.

I was under the impression that the Air and Space Museum was hosting a few of the "main attractions" from the American History museum, I'll double check, though.

Haha. Just goes to show, sometimes tourists keep up with more information that we do - Dorothy's slippers very well may be making an appearance at Air and Space. If you have the time, catch an IMAX movie while you are there. The one about going to Mars is really cool!

For a fun night out, head to Penn Quarter area. My personal idea of a good time would be to have some beers at RFD (awesome selection) and then have dinner at Zaytinya. I would recommend reservations at Zaytinya. You can book them through Open Table. They only offer limited reservations so if you don't get one, I'd still show up as a walk-in.

You should check Washington Post events calendar (or Verizon Center schedule) to see if there are any good concerts/games on when you're in town.

www.lovethebeer.com/rfd.html
www.zaytinya.com
www.opentable.com

Fantastic suggestions, thanks! We're both beer drinkers, so RFD sounds great, and I've ready a lot about Zaytinya, and we both love Greek/Mediterranean cuisine.

If you like good pizza with your beer and you'll be in Dupont for a walk, I would recommend a stop at Pizzeria Paradiso (more specifically...downstairs at Birreria Paradiso). Fantastic pizza...though I still think Two Amy's (near National Cathedral...close to intersection of Macomb and Wisconsin Aves) is the best.

www.eatyourpizza.com

Pizza and beer is a great, and I've heard good things about Pizzeria Paradiso, and from the site, it seems to be pretty reasonably priced. Thanks! I don't know how we're going to fit in everything!

LOVE this thread! I am planning a trip to DC also & I think we might be on the same page as bethke.

This is our first time in awhile visting (my DH's first actually) so we'll probably hit most of the atractions that you went to in February.

I am really digging the restaurant/bar options. We both love a good pint & food. I received the DC visitors guide in the mail yesterday & perused it thoroughly last night. There was an Irish pub called Fada (?) that looked intriguing......any thoughts on that place?

Thanks so much to everyone's ideas & thanks bethke for starting this thread! Sorry if I kind of hijacked it! ;-)

I'm happy to share the knowledge, and everyone has been so helpful!

A little unsolicited advice: my favorite museum was the Holocaust Museum, hands down. It was very moving, and we spent 3+ hours there. We saw a show at the Kennedy Center-Shear Madness, and that was a blast too. But we actually really liked almost everything. And I would recommend Jaleo for sure - tapas are fun, and their sangria is very tasty.

Are you thinking of Fado's? That's also in Penn Quarter. The food is pretty okay....good boxti and better chips with curry. Beer is standard Irish fare (Guinness). It can get PACKED on weekends (evenings). But I imagine that's true of most of the places in that area! I generally go when it's quieter - like middle of afternoon.

I prefer Ireland's Four Provinces over Fado's (as far as Irish pubs are concerned).

http://www.irelandsfourprovinces.com/

But if it's beer (not necessarily food) you're after, RFD or Brickskeller (in Dupont) are your top choices.

I just posted a short reply and I think Fodors hiccupped it. Anyway, Jackie's dress, Ruby Slippers etc. are all at Nat. History right now as American History is closed for rennovation. Also Native American was in a short close for some change. It was terrfic looking on the outside and I will go there with my grandsons in a couple of years for sure.

I went to U Street on poster suggestion. Great. Also on 19th St. there are numerous Asian and Malaysian choices that are tops and were almost entirely 20 something hang outs, that we noticed. One, Singapore, has good sushi and excellent Japanese specialties as well.

Also 1823 L St NW (Mackey's below the Quincy) was a divey place but had good beer, good SEAFOOD (of all things- GREAT shrimp) and big tvs and a really young crowd. Most were after work "Friends" types- great clothes, by the way, that just didn't go home after work.

We are really pondering the Holocaust Museum. There's a part of me that really wants to experience it (that feels it needs to be seen) and another part of me that (and I am ashamed to admit it) does not want to see it on a vacation. Does that make sense? We need to time it right if we do go there.........

JJ5-Thanks! Love sushi and seafood. So many choices! And your "Friends" reference was so spot on, I can't even explain it. Made me laugh.

Cassidy- I TOTALLY understand about the timing of the Holocaust Museum - my friend and I went at 10:45 am, and were there for 3.5 hours. I cried through a lot of it. After we left, we didn't talk much, and just sort of wandered around the mall and got a snack, saw the monuments, etc. After that we went into the Air and Space Museum and WHAM! A million kids everywhere, which put us in a more cheerful/less reflective mood. Maybe get timed tickets for the middle of the day, and then head back to your hotel after for a little rest before dinner? Will give you a chance to wind down and have a mellow time. Just a suggestion, but I would absolutely see it if you have any interest.