Four Days and Nights in Washington DC
Jan 18th, 2011 | 06:38 PM
#1
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Joined: May 2003
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Four Days and Nights in Washington DC
Hi, I wish to thank Moongirl, Obxgirl ,Nelson and all those who help me to plan and execute a very pleasant visit to DC.
During our visit It was cold but sunny, we walked a lot, bought a Senior $10 farecard which covered most of our transportation including going back to Reagan Airport. We took only one taxi after having some delicious whisky sours at the Off REcord bar at the Hay Adams Hotel. We used to our advantage the different exits of museums and other buildings as well as underground passages when it was too cold.For instance coming from the Capitol going to have lunch at Tenthpen Restaurant we walked to the East Building of the National Gallery of Art. Spent sometime in there and then continued via the underground passage and exiting through the 7 th avenue exit of the West National Gallery of Art. At the end of the day we like to visit more than once the museums we really like like this one.-
We had great food, the Restaurant I liked best was Tenthpen, we also enjoyed Cafe Atlantico and the traditional Old Ebbitt Grill. Of course the two first ones are more innovative and creative however the OEG has for me the appeal of a good American Restaurant, good oysters, excellent soups,....and other traditional fare. Service is so good and it was very convenient for us to know it is open all day continuously.
The Hilton Garden Inn at 14 th was a good hotel, wonderful location for us enhanced by facing the McPhearson Metro Station.. We used to use the subway for most everything including for going to the Kennedy Center. There is a free shuttle that works fine to go back and forth between Foggy Botton Station and the Kennedy Center. I think the shuttle runs only the days there are important shows like South Pacific which btw delighted us.
David Pittsinger sang beautifully .In all a good show, we had bought the tickets in advance by the internet. The Center mailed them to our home.
Of all the places we had cappuccinos the Courtyard Cafe located between the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum was our favorite.
The cappuccino was nothing remarkable but this huge court with its elegant glass canopy,
and trees softly illuminated seemed some kind of a magic place.
People all over DC were very nice and made us feel welcomed.
The LIbrary of Congress, Jefferson Building, the National Archives and also theOld Post Office were not crowded which makes thing very pleasant.
Also the Imax theatre showing the amazing movie Hubble was almost empty when we saw it.
We were not able to visit the White HOuse, and had to content ourselves with taking some exterior photographs the day we visited the Renwick Gallery. An interesting old building, it houses interesting decorative arts, there is a desk full of all kind of drawers called the
Bureau of Bureaucracy a ""wonderful metaphor for the labyrinthine workings of Government ", created some years ago, may be they should keep adding more and more
drawers in keeping up with reality.
We made reservations directly at the Hilton Garden Inn, a week before going I checked again their website and found better rates and in particular a b&b rate that was very good for us. Breakfast was very good, a buffet plus a station for eggs and Belgium waffles
properly served in china and glasses. As many hotels tour room had a mini fridge, a micro wave and a coffee machine. We do not like to eat in the room, however my husband does not eat dinner, and the micro helped me to heat a soup or something when at night I was too tired to go out not even to go down to the dinning room.The hotel has a Pantry, a business center and free wifi including printing. Heating is a little to noisy but
OK I asked and got a front room facing 14 th street which was pleasant.
During our visit It was cold but sunny, we walked a lot, bought a Senior $10 farecard which covered most of our transportation including going back to Reagan Airport. We took only one taxi after having some delicious whisky sours at the Off REcord bar at the Hay Adams Hotel. We used to our advantage the different exits of museums and other buildings as well as underground passages when it was too cold.For instance coming from the Capitol going to have lunch at Tenthpen Restaurant we walked to the East Building of the National Gallery of Art. Spent sometime in there and then continued via the underground passage and exiting through the 7 th avenue exit of the West National Gallery of Art. At the end of the day we like to visit more than once the museums we really like like this one.-
We had great food, the Restaurant I liked best was Tenthpen, we also enjoyed Cafe Atlantico and the traditional Old Ebbitt Grill. Of course the two first ones are more innovative and creative however the OEG has for me the appeal of a good American Restaurant, good oysters, excellent soups,....and other traditional fare. Service is so good and it was very convenient for us to know it is open all day continuously.
The Hilton Garden Inn at 14 th was a good hotel, wonderful location for us enhanced by facing the McPhearson Metro Station.. We used to use the subway for most everything including for going to the Kennedy Center. There is a free shuttle that works fine to go back and forth between Foggy Botton Station and the Kennedy Center. I think the shuttle runs only the days there are important shows like South Pacific which btw delighted us.
David Pittsinger sang beautifully .In all a good show, we had bought the tickets in advance by the internet. The Center mailed them to our home.
Of all the places we had cappuccinos the Courtyard Cafe located between the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum was our favorite.
The cappuccino was nothing remarkable but this huge court with its elegant glass canopy,
and trees softly illuminated seemed some kind of a magic place.
People all over DC were very nice and made us feel welcomed.
The LIbrary of Congress, Jefferson Building, the National Archives and also theOld Post Office were not crowded which makes thing very pleasant.
Also the Imax theatre showing the amazing movie Hubble was almost empty when we saw it.
We were not able to visit the White HOuse, and had to content ourselves with taking some exterior photographs the day we visited the Renwick Gallery. An interesting old building, it houses interesting decorative arts, there is a desk full of all kind of drawers called the
Bureau of Bureaucracy a ""wonderful metaphor for the labyrinthine workings of Government ", created some years ago, may be they should keep adding more and more
drawers in keeping up with reality.
We made reservations directly at the Hilton Garden Inn, a week before going I checked again their website and found better rates and in particular a b&b rate that was very good for us. Breakfast was very good, a buffet plus a station for eggs and Belgium waffles
properly served in china and glasses. As many hotels tour room had a mini fridge, a micro wave and a coffee machine. We do not like to eat in the room, however my husband does not eat dinner, and the micro helped me to heat a soup or something when at night I was too tired to go out not even to go down to the dinning room.The hotel has a Pantry, a business center and free wifi including printing. Heating is a little to noisy but
OK I asked and got a front room facing 14 th street which was pleasant.
Jan 19th, 2011 | 06:33 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,326
Likes: 4
Graziella, so glad to hear you made it to Tenpenh and it met your expectations! Great choice. Also nice to hear you made it to the Renwick. You and your husband covered a lot of territory in three days, definitely one of the advantages to visiting DC in January.
Jan 19th, 2011 | 08:35 AM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,074
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True, actually we stayed four full days, but I feel we should have stayed a little longer. i liked much more the restaurants in DC than in Miami, for one, often I found that in Miami waiters have some kind of an attitude that I do care for , they keep asking "is everything ok" but of course they do not wish to hear that it is not ok, no one asked us that silly question in DC, instead they were professional and the food was very good. There was no need to ask anything because the food was good.
We did not go to some places that could be labeled as" a must "because we have been there in the past and due to the short stay had to make some choices. For the first time though we had a tour of the Capitol which we enjoyed and the Jefferson Library Building was worth visiting. They have very nice exhibits going on, and a tremendous display of digital information and brochures .
The metro was good although sometimes they stop the escalators for no apparent reason.
US wins by far bathroom facilities in comparison with Europe or any other place I know.
I guess in Winter that comes very handy. Above all I feel Americans,we are very nice hosts .
People no matter where was polite and helpful. It is a good feeling.
We did not go to some places that could be labeled as" a must "because we have been there in the past and due to the short stay had to make some choices. For the first time though we had a tour of the Capitol which we enjoyed and the Jefferson Library Building was worth visiting. They have very nice exhibits going on, and a tremendous display of digital information and brochures .
The metro was good although sometimes they stop the escalators for no apparent reason.
US wins by far bathroom facilities in comparison with Europe or any other place I know.
I guess in Winter that comes very handy. Above all I feel Americans,we are very nice hosts .
People no matter where was polite and helpful. It is a good feeling.
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Jan 20th, 2011 | 05:02 AM
#8
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,339
Likes: 8
Graziella,
Thanks for posting - wonderful to hear that your trip was a success!
I neglected to mention the Courtyard Cafe in my notes, thanks for correcting that oversight. It was also one of our favorite places for soup, tea or coffee.
My wife and I really are considering a return trip. Will make sure we get to Tenthpen.
> People all over DC were very nice and made us feel welcomed.
Absolutely true! A great part part of our trip as well.
Welcome home and glad it all worked out.
Thanks for posting - wonderful to hear that your trip was a success!
I neglected to mention the Courtyard Cafe in my notes, thanks for correcting that oversight. It was also one of our favorite places for soup, tea or coffee.
My wife and I really are considering a return trip. Will make sure we get to Tenthpen.
> People all over DC were very nice and made us feel welcomed.
Absolutely true! A great part part of our trip as well.
Welcome home and glad it all worked out.
Jan 20th, 2011 | 04:47 PM
#9
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
Hi Graziella: Thanks for reporting back. So glad to hear you had a good trip -- all of your careful planning paid off! And glad to hear that you did make it Off the Record for drinks. And congrats to making it to some of the slightly-off-the-beaten path spots like the Jefferson Building and the Rewick. Come back and visit soon!
Jan 20th, 2011 | 10:53 PM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,074
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Hi, You said it MoonGirl !!! it was a lot of planning, however this is not the way I am, if you ask me if I have to choose between planning and adding some serendipity I would go for the later. However with the help of the internet it is a temptation to do some homework and to know the answer to
questions that inevitably will come up, i.e. the first place to go for a meal inmediately after checking in or on Sunday knowing where to go to church, ....
In summary is homework advisable, if so...how much?
Years ago I did little pre travel homework now I do my homework
and it is probably better , if one leaves space for some unexpected serendipity.
As everything in life balance is the key and the most difficult to achieve.
questions that inevitably will come up, i.e. the first place to go for a meal inmediately after checking in or on Sunday knowing where to go to church, ....
In summary is homework advisable, if so...how much?
Years ago I did little pre travel homework now I do my homework
and it is probably better , if one leaves space for some unexpected serendipity.
As everything in life balance is the key and the most difficult to achieve.
