Hello all!
Me and a friend are going to be going to Washington DC next summer and we want to hit the major sites (White House, Capitol Hill, Washington and Abraham Monuments etc.) I was wondering what kind of itinerary you would suggest for someone who had 3 days to spend in the DC area. Thanks,
Jenna

There is so much to see and do in DC. I would want to see the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and some of the Smithsonian Museums as a start. All of these are clustered around the huge Mall, with the Capital at one end, and the Lincoln Memorial way at the other end, and the museums along the sides. I would suggest doing the Capital early in the morning, and then head to the museums you are interested in - there are many, and they are huge. Favorites include the American History, Air and Space, Natural History, and the National Museum of Art. I don't know if the Washington Monument is open. If not you can get a very spectacular view of the entire Mall area from the Post Office tower, which also has lots of lunch options. In the evenings, head for the Dupont Circle or Georgetown areas for dinner and shopping. The Holocaust Musuem is also a very memorable visit, but get tickets ahead of time. Getting a good guide book with maps is well worth it for a visit to DC.

I'd spend one day at the west end of the mall. You can walk from the Washington Monument to the WWII mememorial and then on to the Wall, the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean War memorial.

I'd spend a second day on the east end of the Mall. Going to the Capitol, the American Indian Museum (great cafeteria) and Air and Space.

That leaves your a day free to go to the White House, National Archives, Holocaust Museum, Natural History or whatever else you find of interest.

Have fun!

Jenna, you're gonna have a blast! My husband and I love visiting DC. You'll need to do some research on what sites are of most interest to you (since it's not possible to see it all in 3 days!), but here are my suggestions: Since the city is enormously hot during the summer months, you should visit the outdoor monuments at night. It's extremely safe, and you'll forego the crowds and the heat, and the monuments are beautiful lit up at night! My husband and I prefer it so much that we might never see a monument during the daytime again. The new WWII memorial is incredible. The museums are good for daytime visits since they'll be cooled. The Holocaust Museum is a must -- a truly moving and educational experience. A drink atop the Hotel Washington offers amazing views of the White House and the mall. And use the Metro as much as you can -- it's safe, extensive, and oh-so-cheap! Have a wonderful visit. It's such a neat city.

Just what NCappraiser said, follow what interests you. During the day, do whatever museums or tours pique your interest -- art, humanities, media, politics, architecture, etc. Daytime shopping is probably best at Georgetown. At night, I would head for Adams Morgan for its funkiness or Dupont Circle for its yuppiness. Tell us what you're interested in, and I'm sure we'll give you some great options.