Narrowing things down for DC and Virginia
Aug 26th, 2014, 10:13 AM
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Narrowing things down for DC and Virginia
After lurking on threads for quite awhile... I'd love suggestions and opinions of this rough outline for my trip next week!
My boyfriend and I will arrive next Thursday evening into Reagan National and are planning to take a taxi to our hotel, which is the Residence Inn ( Marriott) at 333 E Street SW. We will have flown from LAX all day and will be tired but this will be our only night on our own in DC. Any dinner recommendations for this area of town that are casual, maybe bar food, to soak up a little local color? Good food, low key, classic, is what we prefer, not the nightclub/loud music bright lights scene.
Friday and Saturday we'll be joined by various family members and my " do not miss" list is Arlington and the changing of the guard, the monuments at night ( Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam, MLK, Korea, WW11, FDR, and Jefferson.)
Newseum ( I know we need $ tickets)
National Archives ( I know we need to get timed tickets.)
Outside 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon
I also noted there is music on Friday nights at the Smithsonian Sculpture Garden.
We'll be visiting Gaulledet University as well, my niece is in their MBA program!
Where would you recommend for dinners and lunches for a group of ten ( includes a 2 and 4 year old.) We don't want to be at Starbucks and Mc Donald's for two days but we also don't want to be crisscrossing the city! We will need ice cream, a wonderful place for cocktails with a great view, any other good food recommendations/ hints you have would be much appreciated!
Back with just the two of us, we have all day Monday to explore Mount Vernon and the beautiful countryside on our way to Glouchester, VA where we have a reservation for just one night at the Inn at Warner Hall www.warnerhall.com. ( Historic waterfront hotel)
Monday and Tuesday nights we'll be at the Westin on Broad street ( conference hotel) and I'll be touring museums and sites on my own during the day on Tuesday.
I am hoping for dinner on Monday or Tuesday night at Comfort in Richmond!
Other than that, we're open to suggestions! ( Some of you have already been so generous but I've started another thread because this trip has changed a bit from my original post!)
Thanks!
My boyfriend and I will arrive next Thursday evening into Reagan National and are planning to take a taxi to our hotel, which is the Residence Inn ( Marriott) at 333 E Street SW. We will have flown from LAX all day and will be tired but this will be our only night on our own in DC. Any dinner recommendations for this area of town that are casual, maybe bar food, to soak up a little local color? Good food, low key, classic, is what we prefer, not the nightclub/loud music bright lights scene.
Friday and Saturday we'll be joined by various family members and my " do not miss" list is Arlington and the changing of the guard, the monuments at night ( Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam, MLK, Korea, WW11, FDR, and Jefferson.)
Newseum ( I know we need $ tickets)
National Archives ( I know we need to get timed tickets.)
Outside 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon
I also noted there is music on Friday nights at the Smithsonian Sculpture Garden.
We'll be visiting Gaulledet University as well, my niece is in their MBA program!
Where would you recommend for dinners and lunches for a group of ten ( includes a 2 and 4 year old.) We don't want to be at Starbucks and Mc Donald's for two days but we also don't want to be crisscrossing the city! We will need ice cream, a wonderful place for cocktails with a great view, any other good food recommendations/ hints you have would be much appreciated!
Back with just the two of us, we have all day Monday to explore Mount Vernon and the beautiful countryside on our way to Glouchester, VA where we have a reservation for just one night at the Inn at Warner Hall www.warnerhall.com. ( Historic waterfront hotel)
Monday and Tuesday nights we'll be at the Westin on Broad street ( conference hotel) and I'll be touring museums and sites on my own during the day on Tuesday.
I am hoping for dinner on Monday or Tuesday night at Comfort in Richmond!
Other than that, we're open to suggestions! ( Some of you have already been so generous but I've started another thread because this trip has changed a bit from my original post!)
Thanks!
Aug 26th, 2014, 11:47 AM
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There isn't anything in that part of town, that hotel is in-between the Federal Center metro stop and the freeway, it's a no-man's land. That's basically federal property around there, some office buildings, workers may use that metro stop during the day time. Even if you go all the way up to Independence Ave to the north, it's nothing but govt office buildings like VOA. So you'll have to get out of there, by the metro station which is luckily only about a block away. Don't walk around that area a lot at night in the dark, it's pretty deserted, but there wouldn't be any reason you would.
Of course you can transfer, but that station is on the blue/orange line. So you can't go directly to/from any place that interesting for bars. Well, the Capitol South metro stop is just one to the east and there are a few bars around there where some Capitol Hill workers go (mainly young, it seemed to me), but it would be easy if you dont want some place real nice. Actually, that's not too bad an idea if you want some local flavor. Otherwise, I might suggest someplace like Jaleo or Proof, but that's more Penn Qtr/Chinatown. Proof is at 775 G St NW.
For popular Capitol Hill spots try Bullfeathers at 410 1st St SE (very close to Capitol South metro) or the Hawk n Dove at 329 Pennsylvania Ave SE, which is kind of a dive but you do get local color. There's also Mr Henry's at 601 Penn Ave SE and the 18th Amendment at 613 Penn Ave SE. And of course Tortilla Coast is right near Bullfeathers at 400 First St SE. and popular with young HIll interns/staffers. Food nothing great but margaritas okay. Bullfeathers is probably better for food.
mr Henrys is more around Eastern Market and would be better if you wanted some better food and it is a little classier. They have live jazz there sometimes (where Roberta Flack got started), at least used to http://www.mrhenrysrestaurant.com/
Of course you can transfer, but that station is on the blue/orange line. So you can't go directly to/from any place that interesting for bars. Well, the Capitol South metro stop is just one to the east and there are a few bars around there where some Capitol Hill workers go (mainly young, it seemed to me), but it would be easy if you dont want some place real nice. Actually, that's not too bad an idea if you want some local flavor. Otherwise, I might suggest someplace like Jaleo or Proof, but that's more Penn Qtr/Chinatown. Proof is at 775 G St NW.
For popular Capitol Hill spots try Bullfeathers at 410 1st St SE (very close to Capitol South metro) or the Hawk n Dove at 329 Pennsylvania Ave SE, which is kind of a dive but you do get local color. There's also Mr Henry's at 601 Penn Ave SE and the 18th Amendment at 613 Penn Ave SE. And of course Tortilla Coast is right near Bullfeathers at 400 First St SE. and popular with young HIll interns/staffers. Food nothing great but margaritas okay. Bullfeathers is probably better for food.
mr Henrys is more around Eastern Market and would be better if you wanted some better food and it is a little classier. They have live jazz there sometimes (where Roberta Flack got started), at least used to http://www.mrhenrysrestaurant.com/
Aug 26th, 2014, 12:02 PM
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Christina, thank you. I'm going to check out Mr. Henry's.
I know the hotel is in an odd location but other family members chose it and we are staying there so that we can all be together. Good thing we're close to the metro stop!
I know the hotel is in an odd location but other family members chose it and we are staying there so that we can all be together. Good thing we're close to the metro stop!
Aug 26th, 2014, 12:49 PM
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Richmond: if you can't get a reservation at Comfort, try Max on Main. We had a great meal there in May, and it is reasonably priced. Avoid Rappahannock, at least based on our experience. I really wanted to like it, but the kitchen was totally FUBAR. The waitstaff tried valiantly, but it was like no one in the kitchen had ever worked on a line before.
If you are adventurous, try Edo's Squid near VCU. It is in a crummy building next to a sub shop, a grungy sub shop at that, you have to go through an obscure door to the left, then up steep stairs, then through what looks like the janitor's closet. You then enter the restaurant, which seems totally chaotic, but the staff and kitchen are pros and the seafood in amazing, just amazing, and I live on an island and eat fresh seafood all the time. Reservations a must.
If you have a car, Peter Chang's in a suburban strip mall between a Walmart and a Lowes is, on a good night, perhaps the best Szechuan restaurant in the US. Yes, I know you are from Southern California and have a lot to choose from, but Chinese friends tell me this, and people from China now visit Richmond to eat here. Reservations are not only required but they give your table away to the long line if you are ten minutes late.
On second thought, if that is the new Westin right off I-64, you have to have a car since it is in the middle of a corporate business park. On the other hand, there is a Vietnamese café (Pho 1?) next door to a Vietnamese bakery (Mmmmm, banh mi!) at the intersection of Broad and Horsepen Road a few blocks away toward the city. Excellent for lunch.
There is another Vietnamese restaurant in the next block that is very popular, but it is better known for its beer selection than for its food. Full of twenty-something couples looking like they just left fraternity/sorority row, and I have never seen an Asian in there, unlike Pho 1.
If you are adventurous, try Edo's Squid near VCU. It is in a crummy building next to a sub shop, a grungy sub shop at that, you have to go through an obscure door to the left, then up steep stairs, then through what looks like the janitor's closet. You then enter the restaurant, which seems totally chaotic, but the staff and kitchen are pros and the seafood in amazing, just amazing, and I live on an island and eat fresh seafood all the time. Reservations a must.
If you have a car, Peter Chang's in a suburban strip mall between a Walmart and a Lowes is, on a good night, perhaps the best Szechuan restaurant in the US. Yes, I know you are from Southern California and have a lot to choose from, but Chinese friends tell me this, and people from China now visit Richmond to eat here. Reservations are not only required but they give your table away to the long line if you are ten minutes late.
On second thought, if that is the new Westin right off I-64, you have to have a car since it is in the middle of a corporate business park. On the other hand, there is a Vietnamese café (Pho 1?) next door to a Vietnamese bakery (Mmmmm, banh mi!) at the intersection of Broad and Horsepen Road a few blocks away toward the city. Excellent for lunch.
There is another Vietnamese restaurant in the next block that is very popular, but it is better known for its beer selection than for its food. Full of twenty-something couples looking like they just left fraternity/sorority row, and I have never seen an Asian in there, unlike Pho 1.
Aug 26th, 2014, 12:55 PM
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While the area around your hotel is quiet after working hours, it's not unsafe. Don't worry about walking to and from Metro after dark.
There's a lot of restaurants in the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area of D.C. (this is the area around the Verizon Center) and we've had good luck taking large parties to some restaurants there--e.g. Austin Grill, Hill Country, Vapianos, Matchbox, etc. It is always best to have reservations, but some of those places may be able to seat you on a walk-up basis. If you are sightseeing in the Smithsonian museums, good places to eat lunch are at the Cascades Cafe (National Gallery of Art) and the Mitsitam Cafe (American Indian Museum). The "Food Section", the food court at the Newseum, is very good too.
The discount site, Goldstar, is currently offering discounted tickets to the Newseum for $14 + service fee and this will save you some money. (Goldstar is a legitimate site which I have used many times.) www.goldstar.com
If you are arriving after Labor Day (which is sounds like you are doing), you probably don't need to get those timed tickets for the Archives. Tourism is going to be down during the first week of September since all the kids are back in school and the tourists coming for the fall weather will not have arrived yet. If you are on a tight schedule, the timed tickets might prove useful, but I also think you could "wing it".
Finally, my daughter used to work in Penn Quarter and her "go to" place for frozen yogurt with blend-ins was Rita's. (610 H Street NW).
There's a lot of restaurants in the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area of D.C. (this is the area around the Verizon Center) and we've had good luck taking large parties to some restaurants there--e.g. Austin Grill, Hill Country, Vapianos, Matchbox, etc. It is always best to have reservations, but some of those places may be able to seat you on a walk-up basis. If you are sightseeing in the Smithsonian museums, good places to eat lunch are at the Cascades Cafe (National Gallery of Art) and the Mitsitam Cafe (American Indian Museum). The "Food Section", the food court at the Newseum, is very good too.
The discount site, Goldstar, is currently offering discounted tickets to the Newseum for $14 + service fee and this will save you some money. (Goldstar is a legitimate site which I have used many times.) www.goldstar.com
If you are arriving after Labor Day (which is sounds like you are doing), you probably don't need to get those timed tickets for the Archives. Tourism is going to be down during the first week of September since all the kids are back in school and the tourists coming for the fall weather will not have arrived yet. If you are on a tight schedule, the timed tickets might prove useful, but I also think you could "wing it".
Finally, my daughter used to work in Penn Quarter and her "go to" place for frozen yogurt with blend-ins was Rita's. (610 H Street NW).
Aug 26th, 2014, 12:59 PM
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Ackislander, we're staying at the Westin located at 6631 West Broad Street, if that helps.
Speaking of cars, we will need to rent one on Sunday morning for our trip out of DC and will want to return it to the Richmond airport on Tuesday morning when we fly out. So yes, I'll have a car. (Need to add that to my to do list!)
Peter Changs sounds wonderful, I'm adding it to my list!
Speaking of cars, we will need to rent one on Sunday morning for our trip out of DC and will want to return it to the Richmond airport on Tuesday morning when we fly out. So yes, I'll have a car. (Need to add that to my to do list!)
Peter Changs sounds wonderful, I'm adding it to my list!
Aug 26th, 2014, 01:04 PM
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Comfort does not take reservations. Edo's Squid does.
I have to disagree with our dear Ackislander regarding Max's. Our meal and experience was awful. I think the key is to eat at the bar. The menu is VERY ambitious and not executed well and they are far too many tables for the space.
I would also recommend Millie's (not open on Monday) or The Roosevelt (also not open on Monday's. Comfort and Edo's are both open on Monday.
I have to disagree with our dear Ackislander regarding Max's. Our meal and experience was awful. I think the key is to eat at the bar. The menu is VERY ambitious and not executed well and they are far too many tables for the space.
I would also recommend Millie's (not open on Monday) or The Roosevelt (also not open on Monday's. Comfort and Edo's are both open on Monday.
Aug 26th, 2014, 02:51 PM
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The Tobacco Company in the Shockoeslip area of Richmond, just East of down town has excellent food and is in an interesting building.
A great place to tour in Richmond is Agecroft Hall. It was brought from Europe piece by piece and reassembled.
The Jefferson Hotel is very historic and has a lovely faux-finished wood interior.
The art museum has some very fine pieces and a wonderful gift shop. Their cafeteria is great for lunch.
A great place to tour in Richmond is Agecroft Hall. It was brought from Europe piece by piece and reassembled.
The Jefferson Hotel is very historic and has a lovely faux-finished wood interior.
The art museum has some very fine pieces and a wonderful gift shop. Their cafeteria is great for lunch.
Aug 26th, 2014, 07:27 PM
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I am so excited for this trip! I know in not even scratching the surface in terms of sight seeing but I am thrilled to get a small taste of that part of our beautiful country! Virginia looks so beautiful to me. I'm almost afraid to plan because I want to be able to "go with the flow."
Aug 30th, 2014, 04:12 PM
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Dinners in Richmond will be extremely limited. On Monday night, we are committed to a dinner with colleagues and I haven't heard yet where it wil be. Tuesday night will be at Comfort. That's all I got!
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