My husband and I will be staying at the Marriott at Williamburg this summer and want to visit all the "musts" in D.C. We'll be there over July 4...what is the best thing to do/see then? Also, where are good places to eat? We'll be grateful for any help!

This is definitely not all-encompassing, but must-sees include: an assortment of the Smithsonians (they are all separate, and not that close together) including the Museum of American History complete with Archie Bunker's chair and the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz and the Air and Space Museum; the Vietnam War Memorial (bring tissues); M Street in Georgetown. Enjoy your stay -- I'll update if there's anything new I discover later this month on my next trip.

First thing to remember - DC and Williamsburg aren't exactly close (probably about 4 hours apart at least). So if you're really planning on seeing DC, you may want to spend at least a night here. There are plent of hotels to choose from depending on proce range. I would recommend the Capitol Hilton (1 1.5 blocks from the White House and monuments) or the JW Marriot (on Pennsylvania Avenue, with direct access to a Mall/Eatery, and close to the Theater).
Anyway, things to do:
- Smithsonian Museums (Air and Space still the best and most fun for all ages, but Natural History and American History are good as well).
- Walk the Mall (if it isn't too hot) and try to see the Monuments up close. Restaurants don't really abound around the Mall but try to avoid the bland and costly food at the museums. Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe are only a few blocks away.
- Go to Georgetown or Alexandria's Old Town. Both are fun and quaint and have hundreds of shops and restaurants to choose from. You'll probably spend half the day trying to decide where to eat. Both are on the river (on opposite sides) and have great waterfront areas.
- If you're in DC for July 4th, DO NOT miss the fireworks show, probably one of the best in the country with a good view from almost anywhere.
- Kennedy Center: try to see a show if possible, but the center is open during the day for sightseeing as well. They have a great balcony area over the river.

Definitely don't miss the Smithsonian museums listed above. Take the tram tour to the monuments (they're much too far to walk if you want to do more in the same day). Other great places include touring the Supreme Court, Ford's Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln died, and the Nat'l Geographic Museum. Also stop at Mt. Vernon - a beautiful site. Some different places to eat include any of the House or Senate cafeterias (open to the public except during the regular lunch hours) and the Library of Congress cafeteria, which has a great view of the city from atop Capital Hill. If the lines at the Washington Monument are too long, go instead up the bell tower in the Old Post Office, just a block off the Mall by Natural History Museum.

Don't overlook the changing of the guard at tomb of the unknown soldier--every half hour at Arlington Cemetery; accessible by tourmobile.

Williamsburg: Busch Gardens, Wet and Wild, Yorktown, Jamestown.
D.C.: eats--Old Post Office, Dept of Agriculture cafeteria (door #3 in back).
Other sites: Halocost Museum, Archives, Library of Congress, Roosevelt Memorial.
Its too much for just a day. You need 2-3 to skim the surface in D. C. If you are there on a Tuesday: at 7 PM the review at the Iwo Jima is most impressive.

I noticed that most of the others addressed the DC area...so here's something about Williamsburg. Most definately you should see the College of William and Mary. Chartered in 1693, its Sir Christopher Wren Building is the oldest classroom structure still in use in the US. At the other end of the Duke of Glochester Street you'll find Colonial Williamsburg. The best way to see it...and don't plan to do it all in a day...is to purchase a pass at the Visitor's Center. There are also some great places to eat such as Chowning's Tavern, Christiana Campbell's Tavern, the King's Arms Tavern. Best to make reservations, but you'll really enjoy the food and ambience. Also, remember that Williamsburg is the hottest place in the civilized world in the summer, and it rains there before it rains anywhere else! Be prepared. Have a great time!