tdmort

Just a few odds and ends questions for our upcoming DC trip. This will be my second time visiting DC but I'm traveling with 2 ppl who have never been.

One: What's a good place the locals like for a nice meal to kick off our trip? We have the Monuments by Moonlight tour booked our first night so the dinner will be an early one. I want something that feels like DC. I am considering Old Ebbitt Grill?

Two: How long should we allow for the Newseum. I will say that I am a current events junkie and really am excited about this museum!

Three: Has anyone taken the boat ride on the C & O Canal in Georgetown? My DH was looking forward to it but I saw today that the web site lists it as being closed due to low water levels. Is this common and is there a chance it will be open again by the end of the week?

Four: We have a tour of the White House booked but I have no idea what to do with our bags, cameras, etc. Are the only options to leave them in the hotel room and then go all the way back to get them?

Five: Mt. Vernon -- What can I expect? A whole day? A half day? I have the National Treasures tour and the scenic boatride booked. Will this leave me enough time to do everything else? Too much time? What about dining at Mt. Vernon? Tourist trap or a nice dining experience?

And finally -- good recs for a steakhouse for the last night of the trip? We are staying in Arlington but can travel by Metro.

Thanks so much!

sf7307

We were at the Newseum in July (we are also news junkies -- not as much current events as historical stuff). We spent 3 hours the first day, and went back the second day (the ticket is good for 2 consecutive days) for an hour or so to complete our tour (the second day was spent just looking at all the Pulitzer Prize-winning photos).

longhorn55

1. Sorry, can't help you as I don't really eat out in D.C.
2. Plan to spend a minimum of 4 hours (as sf7307 did). I actually spent 8 hours over 2 consecutive days last October. I wasn't that keen on going to the Newseum, but my houseguests wanted to go. I surprised myself by how much I liked it. It's really good and worth the price of admission. (BTW, if you are 65 or over, you get half-price admission to the Newseum this September.)
3. If the canal is closed now due to low water levels, there's no chance it will be open by the end of this week. We haven't had rain in forever and the forecast is more of the same. No rain predicted until MAYBE Sunday.
4. I haven't personally used this service, but lockers are available at Union Station, which isn't that close to the White House, but may work out better for you than going back to your hotel in Arlington. From the Union Station website: "Lockers & Baggage Storage - Please call (202) 898-1592 for pricing and availability". Some of the Smithsonian museums may have lockers, but none of those would be available before 10:00am when the museums open.
5. With all you have planned for Mt. Vernon, I'd plan on spending almost a full day there. It will take some time to see the museum, the mansion (as there can be long lines to get in), and the various tours (e.g. gardens tour, slave quarters tour, etc.) in addition to your National Treasures tour and boat ride. There is a food court at Mt. Vernon which is pretty good. I have not eaten at the restaurant, but the menu looks good and the prices are reasonable.
6. I haven't eaten there, but Ray's the Steaks in Arlington gets good reviews for its good food at more-than-reasonable prices. Fortunately, I understand that they now take reservations. Check out the reviews on Yelp.com, etc.

flygirl

I second the Ray's the Steaks reco.

tdmort

Thanks so much. This is just what I was looking for. Wow...8 hrs at the Newseum. I was planning 3 - maybe I'll have to squeeze out some more time the next day. I can't wait to see the Pulizter Prize photos! I was thinking about Rays the Steaks...seems to get lots of good reviews. I didn't realize that they take reservations - thanks for that bit of info!

Any other recs for dining while in DC?

obxgirl

One: Old Ebbitt will "feel" like DC but I don't really think of it as a locals place. It's a good choice though for your friends who haven't visited DC before and for your nighttime monument tour.

Two: i would have said 2-3 hours. Wow, sf, you ARE a junkie! I would like to go back again though.

Three: Answered.

Four: No really good answer that I know of. Depending on where you're staying in Arlington, Union Station could be an equal traipse plus it will cost you money.

Five: With the boatride and the National Treasures tour, most of a day. I don't get the boatride thing, but I don't like boats. Dining at MV isn't a tourist trap but it's not exactly fine dining either. Lots of great dining opportunities in Alexandria which is on the way to and from MV. Another reason not to do the boat (oops, sorry, looks like your DH likes boats).

Six: J&G Steakhouse, The Palm, and Charlie Palmer's come to mind but I think Ray's is a great choice.

sf7307

>>

Hey, it was longhorn who spent EIGHT hours -- I only spent four

obxgirl

>>Hey, it was longhorn who spent EIGHT hours -- I only spent four

tdmort

Thanks obxgirl. I guess we will just plan on trecking back to the hotel after the White House tour. Our tour is at 9:00 so I don't think any of the museums will be open then and the Union Station option sounds like a hassle (but then again so does going back to the hotel). Obx...your right, my DH does love boats. The Mt. Vernon website listed the boat tour as a good photo opportunity and I love taking pictures so for $9 why not right?

I was just looking at Charlie Palmer's. I think it looks fab...will have to see if $ is an issue with the rest of my group.

Thanks all!

obxgirl

I don't think the museums have a left luggage option. The WH thing is a pain. Maybe draw straws and the unlucky one goes back to the hotel to retrieve everyone's stuff?

Charlie Palmer Streak = beeeg $. I've only been once.

Hope you all have a wonderful visit!

tdmort

Thanks again obxgirl. I like your suggestion about the bags...send the guys back to the hotel and the girls can shop! Why didn't I think of that!

Yes, Charlie Palmer does look like a high end dinner, but we will be leaving DC the next day so I think it's called for.

Do you live in/near DC? That is really my dream.

bardo1

You'll love Charlie Palmer steak. I am not a steakhouse fan (too much meat for me - it seems the smallest portion is 10oz in most of them), but, if I have to choose one for business, I wouldn't go anywhere else.

MP07950

I'm just back from the long weekend in DC and we LOVED the Newseum.....and spent about 5 hours there (and that was without spending any time in the Elvis exhibit). Make sure to check out the Katrina film on the lowest level. If you're a member of AAA, you can also get a $2 discount. We also had brunch at Old Ebbitt Grill and it was nice....huge restaurant, however.
One new place we visited on this trip was the Old Post Office clocktower, and it was an amazing view of the city (and for free)!

obxgirl

tdmort, You've got some pretty good looking weather scheduled for next week. Have fun.

>>Do you live in/near DC?

amyb

I'm another one who spent quite a bit of time at the Newseum. Two hours the first day, 2-3 the second. There was just too much there to absorb at once. The room of front pages alone is worth at least an hour, hour and a half.

My trip report here from last November has the restaurants I went to, all of which I'd go to again in a heartbeat.

tdmort

Thanks for the quick tips everyone. My excitment level is at an all time high -- 12 hrs and I will be on board our plane soon to arrive in DC. The weather does look awesome - so glad it's not going to be 90 every day!

I will post a trip report. The think I'm most excited about is the Pentagon Tour -- we shall see if it lives up to my expectations!

DancingBearMD

Well, I haven't been on the Pentagon tour for many years, but it's pretty much a big, rather drab office building. Anyone been more recently?

flygirl

I will actually be at Charlie Palmer's soon and can report back if it is not too late.

circusliz

I've heard Rays is good, but here are some other options:

BLT Steak (my husband's favorite)
Smith and Wollensky
District Chophouse
Charlie Palmers (although I went during Restaurant Week and wasn't impressed)
Fogo de Chao (not a traditional American steakhouse, but OMG the meat is so good and THEY BRING YOU AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!!)
Bourbon Steak
Capitol Grille

MikeT

There's a Ruth Chris in Crystal City that has a pretty amazing view of Washington, and good food to boot. Ray's the Steaks is also a great choice.