More DC Help Needed - Moongirl?
 

I've been reading post after post....Moongirl, if you're out there...please help! :)

Ok, will be in DC with husband and mother Aug 31 to Sept 5th. Room is booked at Residence Inn - Pentagon City and we are flying into Regan National. The reason for the hotel is because we wanted 2 individual bedrooms, one for us, one for mom. I know it's a bit out of the way, but the reviews look good and it's close to a metro stop.

The first day is booked - we're arriving early afternoon and plan on getting settled then heading over to union station for dinner and doing the moonlight monument tour. It's days 2 - 5 that I need help with please!

I was shocked to find out that we are probably too late to get a tour of the White House when I emailed our Rep in April. She is working on getting us in and we have been in contact via email but so far nothing. We were really bummed!!

Ok, on the list of must-do's is:
Holocost Museum
Mt. Vernon
Monuments
Arlington National Cemetary
National Cathedral
Library of Congress
National Archives

Not sure which museums we want to go to. Also need suggestions on good places to eat. Like Asian, American, Mexican and Italian. Not crazy about French or Japanese. Should we go to Old Town? What about a Metro Card? How many days? 7 looked the best price.

Thanks so much!!! None of us have been to DC and are all excited....just a little nervous about getting everything planned.

Deb

Take the Old town trolley the first day.You can get on/off all day and the drivers are great guides.You can then already visit the out of the way places like Arlington and the Nat.Cathedral.The next days you can visit more in depth the things you really liked.You can already order your tickets on the internet and print your tickets.You then give them to the driver.Paul

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. What I need the most help with is what is too much for one day and which things are close together so that I know what to do when??? Any help is appreciated!!!

The only thing listed that is not centrally located (easy to reach by Metro or bus) is Mount Vernon. Set aside a different day for that, but yes, as tovarich has said, do the trolley tour first to get your bearings...then it will be easy to go back and decide which ones are most important to you after that.

There are hundreds of threads on DC restaurants here, but if you'd rather, look at washingtonpost.com for excellent reviews.

HAve fun in DC!

Why not start by getting a map, or a guidebook with decent maps, or printing one from the Web? Only then will you get a good sense of locations in relation to each other. You'll definitely want one once you are here, so get it now to aid in your planning.

Kayd, thanks, guess that's what I'll do. :)

You'll want at least one whole day on the Mall to visit the museums there. I think it's best to do the monuments one day and the museums another if you have that kind of time because both endeavors are quite tiring.

One of my favorite spots on the Mall is the Botanical Gardens. When you're facing the Capitol from the direction of the Washington Monument, the Botanical Gardens (sort of a misnomer because it's more of a giant greenhouse) is immediately to the right of the Capital. It's really lovely and well-curated, if one can say that about plants.

If you want a view, but don't want to get to the Washington Monument early in the morning to get tickets, go to the Old Post Office tower. The National Park Service operates a (free) elevator to the top, and the view is almost as good as from the monument. There is rarely a wait unless a giant busload of teenagers has been disgorged ahead of you. Then you can get Ben & Jerry's in the food court.

If you love plants and the outdoors, the Arboretum is also a really nice visit. You can easily spend a whole morning or afternoon there. The formal gardens and bonsai collection are near the entrance, and the rest is full of beautiful rambling trails. It's not super-easy to get to, however. It really requires a car or a cab ride, as the neighborhood it is in is not particularly savory and the nearest metro is a good distance away and requires a bus transfer. Information on their website, http://www.usna.usda.gov/. If you're staying in Pentagon City I'd recommend taking the train to Union Station and picking up a cab there if you don't want to cab the whole way. You can call a cab for your return trip.

I have never been, but the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, next to the Holocaust Museum, is supposed to be a good visit.

Old Town Alexandria is also a nice visit, and an easy ride on the yellow/blue from Pentagon City. Be sure to walk all the way down to the water and check out the Torpedo Factory, which has been turned into artists' studio space. It's a good walk down to the water from the metro stop, but Alexandria runs a bus up and down King Street.

As for restaurants, I have a list of cheap eats (and totally-worth-it more expensive eats) on one of my blogs, http://gretchenthehouseholddeity.blo...ats-in-dc.html.

I have never really looked into any of the metro passes (I just reload my smartrip card when it's empty). Do the math and pay attention to the time limits on the pass before you buy--I believe that some passes do not allow you to ride during rush hour.

Old Town Trolley...excellent choice...I recommend the trip to Georgetown...You will see the National Cathedral...Embassy Rows and the tour narration is great...It's hop on/off...Lunch or dinner in Georgetown is fabulous...Capitol City Brewing Co. is right across from Union Station and is a good place for a quick bite.. I can send you a great walking tour of the monuments... I think it is at answers.com, but if you are interested, I can check for sure. I am glad you are booked...Since you are flying into Reagan, I am curious as to why you didn't stay in Crystal City.I d the DC trip often, and after 20 years...I found Crystal City. The hotels are fabulous and the Metro is easy into the city. (Also free shuttles from Reagan) For Arlington C.- take the Metro and then get the Tourmobile ticket for 6.00. This tour takes you around the cemetary with hop on -hop off.

I would have to second a trip to Georgetown. There is a fantastic Argentinian ice cream place, Dolcezza, in Georgetown. I think it's on Wisconsin. There's also tons of cute shopping and restaurants.

My friend and I loved walking around the embassies - they're beautiful and many are very ornate.

If you have a particular time you would like to see the Holocaust Museum, I'd consider getting my tickets online, in advance. I'm not sure how busy it is around that time of year, but it's nice to have the tickets in advance to avoid possibly having to make two trips (one to pick up the tickets, and once to actually see the exhibit.) The same goes for if you would like to go to the top of the Washington Monument.

Have you considered a show at the Kennedy Center?

The Museum of the American Indian is pretty new and beautiful. They also have a very good cafeteria. It's a little pricey, but good food.

The zoo is great too - it's not often you can see pandas. Actually, I enjoyed all the Smithsonians. Depending on the weather, it is always nice to get out of the sun and wander in the AC of a museum.

Enjoy DC!

Second...getting the tickets to the Holocaust Museum online. tickets.com
The tickets are free, but there is a 4.00 handling charge per ticket. Still a good bargain considering that if you don't have these, you have to go in the AM and get a timed pass and then return.
Also here's the link to one of the best places to eat in Georgetown:
http://www.martins-tavern.com/
It is very affordable, highly recommended and JFK proposed to Jackie there.
American History Museum is one of my favorites, but last time I was there it was closed for renovations. I'm not sure when it opens again.
Also, have you been to the metro site. You can actually put in the places you want to go to by Metro and it will plan the route for you. The pass depends on how much you will ride. I use the metro a lot, but still come out better not buying the pass.

Just went in Feb.- see my thread if interested in details. We went to all mentioned except Mt. Vernon. Alexandria is worth going to, absolutely.

Loved the Archives! In the Lib. of Congress Adams building, don't miss viewing the Reading Room from the viewing balcony.

Singapore on 19th St. (1134 NW) is excellent and would fill your request when you are close to that area.

ChopHouse across from the Verizon Center was delicious and good circuses.

There are immense numbers of restaurants in Alexandria and in the neighborhoods and in various price ranges too.

If you are going up the Washington Monument- do it in the afternoon- tickets are walk on at times and also they are more leisurely and they'll stop the elevator to show you the stones from the towns, cities USA etc. in the walls. First couple of hours open in the morning- the Wash. Monument times are sold already in winter and will be at the end of August. They may be sold that entire time because of Labor Day- so I would preorder that- if you want the elevator trip and view.

It seems to me the question is also: how mobile is mom. Is she a get up and walk five miles before breakfast or does she take things slower?

I understand the desire to want to do everything, but you just can't. I believe in focusing on a few things each day so you have time to actually experience the city and not just run from place to place.

The thing about the Mall is that things are relatively close, and there's plenty of places to stop and rest and just enjoy. So if you plan two or three things and end up with more energy, there's always something else available.

I like both Old Town and Georgetown, but you don't need to do both. You mother may actually enjoy Old Town Alexandria better since it is more "quaint." Gtown is full of trendy shops and restaurants geared towards young people.

Since you are staying in Pentagon City--which, btw, is practically the same thing as Crystal City--you are only a few Metro stops from Alexandria and even a cheap taxi drive.

I guess Pentagon City and Crystal City are just two diff. stops on the Metro??
I have been to DC once or twice every year...for about 20 years. I know the Pentagon is in Crystal City, but I know the metro has two different stops. I agree with choosing a few good things...I, too, have not gone to Mt. Vernon. Holocaust takes a good 2 1/2 - 3 hours....very worthwhile, but also somewhat of a "heavy" day. Not just for time, but for the emotion that you may experience.Well good luck, feel like I'm rambling, hope something in this helps.

Pentagon City is next to Crystal City. Although they are two different Metro stops, some of the Crystal City hotels are probably just as close to one stop as the other.

Crystal City Metro station: underground mall, shops, food, coffee; interesting.

Mt. Vernon: Metro yellow line to Huntington: take bus (Fairfax Connector)directly to Mt. Vernon.
check out www.mountvernon.org

Food: Food court in basement of new Indian Museum...interesting (I loved the pumpkin soup).
enjoy

You've received lots of good advice. Take the Trolley tour upon arrival, which will help to orient you and get you to key places. I don't see the Capitol on your list? It really is quite interesting to tour. As for the museums, my advice is to get a directory when you arrive and decide based on that which exhibits interest you. The museums on the mall are all next to each other, so you can spend as much or as little time in each as you like and then go on to the next. Some you may want to skip altogether. As for Georgetown, it is a great place to spend a few hours but don't miss the Georgetown waterfront -- there are a number of restaurants and this is one of my favorite places to eat for the view. Old Town Alexandria is also nice and can be a stop on the way to Mount Vernon (which is a lovely drive). If you want current info on DC area restaurants, two great resources are washingtonian.com and zagat.

Thanks all of you so much. You're amazing!!! There's a lot to read through and process and I'm late for work. Thanks again. Esp. Nicegirl - thanks for the link to your blog!! One quick note - picked Pentagon City because of the Residence Inn. We wanted to stay in one room (mom was more comfortable with that) but didn't want to be in the same room for sleeping. They have 2 bedroom suits and I got 4 of the 5 nights for a great price of $249! Thanks again!