marthashealth

I'm planning my family's trip and hoped I could get some input.
Traveling are myself, husband, daughter 17 and son 14. Fly in Monday, July 11; Depart Sunday July 17. First time in DC for most of us. We are staying at the Renaissance Mayflower.
So far my plans are tentative as I am waiting to hear if we can tour the White House. But here it is so far:

Monday: Arrive 5pm, check in hotel.
Then either Tourmobile WA By Night Tour that starts at 6:30 from Union Station OR
Tour US Naval Observatory at 8:30. This is the only chance for this since tours are on Monday only.

Tues: Breakfast somewhere close to hotel.
Tour-All Day Combo thru Gray Line. 9 hr See Mt Vern., Arl Cem., etc. Back 5:30.
Dinner somewhere
Then EITHER Metro to Rosslyn Stop, IwoJima Mem to see Silent Marine Drill Team at 6:30 OR
Tourmobile Nite Tour at 6:30 Union Station.

Wed: Breakfast somewhere
10:00am Air & Space Museum to hopefully beat the crowds.
Lunch somewhere
Maybe tour Library of Congress
Dinner somewhere
8:00pm Capitol Bldg West Terrace for Marine Band free concert.

Thurs: Breakfast somewhere
Maybe tour White House if can sched.
Lunch at ?
1:30-3:00 Tour Capitol Bldg.
Dinner
Tour Library of C. if not already done

Friday: Breakfast somewhere.
10:00am Museum of American History
Lunch--Old Post Office?
Ford Theater/Peterson House
Museum of Natural History
Dinner somewhere
Archive tour--open til 9:00pm

Sat: Suprisingly, nothing scheduled yet.

The Friday is very busy, I know, but all those attractions were so close together (at least on the map. I may be deceived) that I thought they could be visited in one day. Also, I have been reading here that Friday evening may be the best time to tour the Archives for shorter lines and less crowds.

I would also like to include a tour around Georgetown, Kramer's Bookstore (can someone tell more about this? I really enjoy bookstores), maybe the Aquarium, Kennedy Center.

As you can tell, my plans are far from complete. I appreciate any and all comments.

Kathy

kcapuani

What airport are you flying into? You probably will not make the 6:30pm Tourmobile at Union Station. I would plan on the 8:30pm tour.

The DC location of the Air & Space museum, to me, is a bit disappointing. If you cannot squeeze in the time to visit the Dulles airport location, then by all means go to the downtown location. Here is the link to the museum for how to get out to Dulles:
http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/shuttlebus.cfm

I don't believe that Fri is too packed. I spent about an hour in the Museum of Natural History and felt it was sufficient. I basically skipped the second floor (I'm not interested in minerals/gems). But, at the same time, that is where the Hope Diamond is located.

Sat could be used to tour Georgetown. It will be very busy in the afternoon so try to arrive as early as possible. Shops open at 10:00am. You could have lunch along the Potomac at the Washington Harbor - Sequoia, Tony & Joe's etc. I would also walk down along the C&O Canal.

Also, if you have any dining preferences, let us know and we can recommend some restaurants.

beanweb24

Kramer's is a fabulous bookstore and not at all like a Barnes and Nobles...much smaller and more "eclectic" selection. There's also a full service cafe on site (that's where the "& Afterwords Cafe") comes in - you may enjoy having breakfast there one of the days. Here's a menu:
http://www.kramers.com/www/breakfast.htm

Also, here's a link to a review from the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...file&id=792568

repete

A suggestion on Wednesday ...
Get lunch at the new Indian Museum. Best of the museum dining (passing National Gallery of Art). Regional fare that ranges from plank-roasted salmon to lobster rolls to buffalo. It's a bit pricey but there's something for just nearly every taste.

Do not hit the McD-Boston Market court at Air & Space. Total zoo. If you must eat there many people miss the usually much quieter upstairs area where you can get pastries, espresso and decent sandwiches.

Another suggestion, take a cab from Air & Space to Eastern Market for the crab cakes, from there you are easy an easy walk on Penn. Ave to the L of C.

Regarding A&S Museum downtown, while I think it's lost a bit of its luster because of the great Dulles facility, there's still plenty of history there and it still seems to be one of the highlights for our visitors (who often have boys).

The flight simulators are the far end have been a big hit.

richbutnot

You don't say where you are flying from, but scheduling anything the day you arrive may be stretching things a bit. We are usually too stressed and worn out from flying to do anything much the day we arrive.

Suggest going to the Archives at night. I've heard a lot on these boards about long lines there, but we went at 7 pm and walked right in.

You can not bring anything into the White House. No cell phones, beepers, cameras, purses, etc. There is no place to store it either, so you will have to return the hotel if you want that stuff later in the day.

I would skip Ford's Theater on Friday. The two SI museums will take some time and we weren't overly thrilled with Ford's.

I disagree with the previous post about the Air and Space Museum being disapointing. That was our favorite museum. But, I agree that you don't want to eat there.

Good luck finding a place to eat dinner for less than $100.

MikeT

My only observation is that you are doing a lot of "touring" with not much unstructured "looking" time.

I think Old Post House and Ford's Theatre are also easy to cut if you feel overwhelmed.

bardo1

Might I suggest you walk the Capitol Hill neighborhood some on Wednesday??

The restaurants in the Eastern Market area are quite nice (including the crabcake or softshell sandwiches at Market lunch, mentioned above by repete). The are also many more restaurants along 8th St. between Penn. Ave. and G St. SE.

From the Capitol winding through the residential neighborhood toward Eastern Market, maybe along East Capitol St. or A St. NE (NOT along commercial Penn. Ave.): you could stop at the LOC, Supreme Court, the Shakespeare library/museum, Eastern Market, etc.

You can then catch the Metro at Easter Market (or walk a different route) for the return trip.

Here are some capitol hill area maps:

http://www.capitolhillmap.com/

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../easternm.html

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../capitols.html

msr3017

I live in N.Va. and work in DC. If it were my trip, I would take one day to get out of the City and into the Virginia countryside.

Get up early, rent a car, and drive out to the Udvar-Hazy Museum for a couple of hours(noted in an earlier post).

From there, drive out thru' Rappahannock County to Skyline Drive, being sure to stop at Sunnyside Farms Burger Shack in Sperryville for one of their organic Kobe beef burgers (best in the universe).

It's about an hour from Dulles to Sperryville and another 15 minutes to Skyline Drive.

The City can get stuffy in summer, a day in the country is definitely worth while.

(If the kids were not along I would also recommend some Rappahannock County wineries worth stopping at but that is another trip).

MikeT

The idea of walking around the Capitol Hill neighborhood is a good one. Many tourists come to DC, yet never end up in places where people actually live.

dona

On the 6:30 pm tour by night -- I agree with the other poster that it will be quite a rush to check-in and make it to Union Station for a 6:30 tour. So I would go with the tour of the US Naval Obs. on Monday. Another consideration on a 6:30 Tour by Night--it's still light that time of year at 6:30 so a later tour (7:30?) would be more "by night". On Tuesday you end a tour at 5:30 and then begin another at 6:30 -- very hectic. Washington, while not a huge city is big and takes some time getting around. Kramers is a nice bookstore and a good place for a snack, lunch or dinner at the cafe. Dupont Circle, where Krameer's is located, has lots of small Art Gallery's the Philips collection, restaurants and some interesting shops to browse. I don't think the Kennedy Center is much to tour. It's worth going to if there is a show that you want to see. Agree with other Poster re Ford's Theater, unless you're a Lincoln history buff. Eastern Market is fun, esp on a Saturday. While I would agree that the countryside of VA is lovely, there is so much to see in DC that I wouldn't take a day out of a first trip to do that.

marthashealth

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. I hesitated to post my itinerary since it is still so tentative, but getting responses like these will help to "firm it up".

About my flight:
I am flying into Reagan airport at 4:56pm. Will have to take the usual time retrieving bags so I guess I will forgo the nite tour and try for the other.

Naval Observatory: I haven't seen much mention of this on anyone's itineraries. One responder mentioned it and that led me to check into it. Does anyone have a comment as to this tour?

Richbutnot: We are flying from Tulsa,OK via Chicago. Our day will start by arriving at Tulsa airport by 9:30am so I agree that we will probably already be worn out when we arrive. That's why I was wondering if the Observatory Tour was one we would want to try to include. We do all enjoy astronomy so that's another reason why I included it. But I am still trying to decide whether we want to spend our first evening totally unstructured.


Museums: We will still tour the DC location Air & Space Museum, and will keep the Dulles branch in mind if we feel we can work it in. I understand that is where a space shuttle is located and that would definitely be of interest. Some of the other SI museums I hope to at least step into, if only for a brief look around as we are passing by.

Kramer's and skatepark:
This bookstore sounds like a place I would love to visit. It is in Dupont area? Might this be anywhere near the Shaw skatepark at 11th and Rhode Island Ave, NW? My son really wants to visit a park, just like I would enjoy Kramer's. If they could be done in the same timeframe it would be great.

Marine Drill Team:
As of yet I have read no comment or review of this free demonstration. I will probably have to cross it off, however, since the day long tour will return us to hotel at about 5:45-6:00. Not enough time to get there. Will there be time enough to get from Renaissance Mayflower to Union Station to board for the Washington by Night tour that leaves at 7:00?

Structured vs Unstructured Time:
I tend to overplan sometimes, but I would rather do that than arrive with a poorly thought out plan. We can always choose to skip something here or there. I will prioritize so we will at least hit the attractions that are tops on our list.

Meals:
We have simple taste and can't really afford high dollar meals for a whole week I will need to seek out affordable eating establishments in close proximity to us as we tour each day. Maybe I should pack the peanut butter and jelly!

Thanks again for all your help. I'll post again as my plans change to ask again for input.

Kathy

beanweb24

Kramer's is indeed in Dupont Circle, but it's still about 1.5 mi from the skatepark. Dupont is full of great shops and restaurants and I imagine your kids would really enjoy wandering around.

Just say no to PB&J! DC is full of restaurants suited for all budgets. You may find the Washingtonian to be helpful for researching meals. On the page below, check out the link for 100 Best Bargains as well as Dirt Cheap Eats (lists meals for $15 per person and under).

http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/default.asp

uhoh_busted

You should be able to find some good meals without breaking the bank. The food at the restaurants in the museums isn't half bad -- I prefer the Nat'l Gallery of Art to the Indian Museum because there's more standard fare available (assuming you may have at least one picky teen). There's also a nice outdoor cafe (if it isn't too hot outside) near one of the fountains next to the National Gallery.

You will find the Mayflower is a super location, and there are a number of sandwich places around that are only open for lunch (where people get carryout during the work-week and picnic in the various parks). Walk up Connecticut Avenue past Dupont Circle and checkout all the options-- there are many! Be sure to carry lots of WATER with you. Spring FINALLY got here -- meaning it's gone straight to Summer and the Hazy Hot Humid weather. You will walk a lot, but it's all pretty easy walking. Just stay hydrated and you will get over the heat easily.

If anyone is remotely interested in Shakespeare, do visit the Folger Shakespear Library and be sure to check out the neat little theater there. (Good idea as you visit the Library of Congress nearby) There is a discount office for tickets to all kinds of events, I'll check my notes and get you the address. You may be able to take in an interesting show you wouldn't have thought of -- always nice (and people dress casually here, so don't worry about bringing super-fancy clothes).

lisaindc

marthashealth,

I completely agree that you can certainly find reasonably priced food for the family. You have some great options right near your hotel. I work across the street from the Mayflower. If you don't require a lot of down time after your daylong tour, you should have no problem whatsoever making it to Union Station by 7. The metro stop at the other end of the block on Connecticut from the hotel (Farragut North) is the red line and will take you to Union Station. Enjoy your trip!!!

MikeT

The Marine Drill is actually pretty cool. I've gone a few times (I live near Arlington Cemetary) and really enjoyed it. There isn't a lot of seating, but it's a lovely way to spend the early evening as the sun is setting.

SloPugs

We really enjoyed the Trolley Tour in Key West, so we were happy that the same company did it in D.C. Live guides narrate (most, but not all, are really good and some hilarious) and you can get on and off anywhere on the route all day. They stop at most of the major sites, including Georgetown. Here is their web site:

http://www.historictours.com/washington/

I went to the new Air & Space museum out by Dulles via a bus that leaves form the original Air & Space Museum at the Mall. You sign up and pay there. That was really worth it. The museum was awesome!

Also, if you feel like getting out of the city, my son & I took a cab to Alexandria (very close), and took a boat ride down the river to Mt. Vernon to tour George Washington's estate. That was well worth the trip and a nice change of pace.

marthashealth

SloPlugs:

I will check out the Dulles A&S and see if we can fit it in. This is the main museum that my husb wants to include in our trip and he only now found out about the new branch.
I am also on the search for a skateboard store for my son. He will get to skate while in DC if we can find a place to buy one. Internet searches have turned up only one, and the online info cannot always be trusted.
The skate shop found is ASYLUM at 819 7th St. NW. Does anyone know if this shop still exists? Know of any others within DC?
Thanks for your help. I'll be posting more questions! Kathy

bardo1

Yes, Asylum in DC is open. They also have a 1/2 dozen branches out in the suburbs none of which are convenient without a car.

Asylum
819 7th st. NW (7th&H st. NW) - right at the Chinatown exit of the Gallery Place Metro Stop)

202-408-3336 (call during business hours)

Mon-Fri 10am-9pm
Sat 10am-9pm
Sun noon-6pm