My daughter and I have one day in Washington, D.C., this month--we lived there (she was born there!)for 5 years, moving away 23 years ago. I know there's been many changes; what should we do for sure in just one day? (Neal?)

Go to the Museum of Natural History on the Mall. They renovated the Gems and Mineral Hall last year and it is fantastic! The jewels are to die for! You and your daughter should enjoy it together.

You rang?

Why do you have only one day! That's unfair to both you and your daughter. But if I had only one day, here's how I'd spend it. First, before I visited Washington, I'd either buy a copy of Smithsonian magazine or else visit their web site and see what sounds interesting at the museums. You may have a special interest in quilts, for example, and the Museum of American History may have the definitive exhibition on Baltimore quilts this month. Checking it out ahead of time would be a very productive use of an evening.

After breakfast but before the museums on the mall opened at 10:00 a.m., I'd see the monuments: Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt.

At 10, I'd be on the 4th Street entrance of the main building of the National Gallery. I'd go immediately upstairs and see the John Singer Sergeant exhibit (8 or 9 rooms worth). Because of skylight replacement, much of the Gallery's superb impressionist collection is housed next to the Sergeant show on the same level. The Dutch Cabinet gallery, just west of the main entrance, is also worth your time. Here, in three small rooms, are housed the Gallery's 2.5 Vermeers, and some superb DeHeems and VanHaysums (bouquets of flowers, if you will, but exquisite, and these are the best outside the Rijksmuseum).

I'd leave the National Gallery and go next door and across the street to the Archives. There's always the Constitution and Declaration of Independence on display, plus a room of assorted other documents (if I had an extra day, I'd go to to the Library of Congress).

There's a cafeteria in the basement of the Muesum of Natural History; another in the concourse between the East and West wings of the National Gallery. They aren't much to look at but it's fast and you won't die of food poisoning (Constitution Avenue is lined with food wagons serving vile-smelling concoctions). If you had more time, there are some excellent restaurants just north of the Archives along Pennsylvania Avenue.

After lunch, see the new Gem Hall in the Museum of Natural History. It is one of the most intelligent displays ever done of minerals, and even if you don't think you care a whit about plate tectonics or iron pyrites, this is going to be a fun experience.

The Air and Space Museum is now across the Mall from you. While the museum is vast, concentrate on the first-floor exhibits.

When you've seen Air and Space, stay on the same side of the Mall and go past the Hirschorn and the Castle, and take a few minutes to enjoy the wonderful gardens behind and beyond the Castle. They're a feast for the eyes, and an opportunity to sit down for a few minutes.

Next to the gardens you'll see the Freer Museum. It is, for the most part, filled with Asian art, but back in one corner is the Peacock Room, and this is worth a stop, even on a one-day tour. The room was painted by James McNeil Whistler in an English mansion (without the owner's permission). It has to be seen to be understood. There is ample descriptive literature just outside of the room.

By now, it will be closing in on 5 p.m; you'll be very tired, and the museums are about to throw you out. If your feet haven't given out, take a walk by the White House. You don't have to go in to appreciate its inherent splendor.

At twilight, I'd see the Vietnam Veterans' memorial (during April, that's about 7:30 p.m.), and then I'd go back to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, sit on the steps, and ponder what I'd seen.

Audrey, you've missed 90% of what Washington has to offer, and I tried to highlight just things that don't require standing in line, like a White House tour; or which take several hours to see properly (the Holocaust Memorial, for example). With another day, I'd send you to the Museum of American Art and National Portrait Gallery, both of which continually amaze me with their special exhibitions, and I'd spend several hours in the Museum of American History, which may be ugly as sin on the outside, but which houses one great exhibit after another. I've also tried to restrict you to the Mall and vicinity; traveling half an hour to see something, however great, means you don;t get to see two other things that are right at hand.

If your day includes dinner, and price is only a minor obstacle (remember, everything you did today was free), I'd spring for a mother-daughter dinner at Vidalia at 20th and M Streets. For less money, but a cab ride away, I'd pick I Matti in Adams Morgan.

The very best of luck on your one-day return to Washington; I suspect there are others who would spend their day differently. I hope they'll pipe in.

My g-d, Washington in one day? I'm exhausted just thinking about it. As a docent at Air and Space, I am biased towards it, and think everyone should visit there (you moved the year it was built). Just a caution if you do decide to go there. They are replacing the windows on the Mall side of the museum, at the west end, so many galleries are currently closed, particularly on the first floor.

Neal, I think I'll steal that itinerary the next time I have out-of-town guests, although I confess I'll be hoping really hard that the guests would prefer the Museum of American History to Air & Space. I realize that's a clear shortcoming on my part.
Audrey, if you and your daughter are breakfast eaters, I'd recommend the Old Ebbitt Grill for breakfast (you'll need your strength for all that walking, and it's pretty close to the Mall).

My husband and I take a 1-1 1/2 day vacation in DC quite often (his family lives a couple of hours away). While I see Neal's point about seeing a lot of things, we actually prefer to pick a few things and see them more in depth. We usually spend a few hours in the morning at the Museum of American History, and after lunch, go to the National Gallery until about 5:00 or 6:00. Those are definitely our two favorite of the museums. Sometimes we spend and hour or so at Air and Space as well. Then we take a long stroll around the monuments (the last time we actually saw all of them in one walk, including the new FDR, it took about 1 1/2 hours) ending at the Lincoln Memorial. Then we take a cab to our favorite restaurant in Georgetown - Filomena's. Great italian food, not inexpensive, but wonderful.

Don't forget the new FDR Memorial on the Tidal Basin, not far from the Jefferson Memorial.

Also, there's a great ice cream parlor in the basement of the Smithsonian American History Museum -- a perfect pick-me-up!

I have been to D.C. a number of times, but last year on the way back from the Maryland seashore, I had the same dilema, 1 day only in DC, & I had my 2 sons & a niece with us. they had never been to DC. I opted for giving them alittle bit of exposure to alot of things. First thing we did was get tickets to take the tourmobile to the sites. My favorite place to go is to Arlington Cemetary & the Robert E. Lee house. So we headed for that tour, after first stopping at the Jefferson Memorial, especially for the view behind the memorial.(Don't bother going there in the afternoon, you will waste too much time trying to get on a tourmobile in the afternoon.) After the cemetary tour, we took the tourmobile around it's whole curcuit to get a rest & to see the outside of the sites. Then went to the Air & Science Museum & took in the IMAX movie, & looked for a couple exhibits. By then it was closing time. Then we went to the Lincoln Memorial, looked around there. Then walked the Mall, going through the Korean conflict & Vietnam Memorials. & took the subway back to the hotel. Again, we went the number of things but not in depth route, because we only had a short time. But now the next time we go, the kids have seen some things & they can tell me where they would like to spend more time. But there is still much to see - The Archives, more museums, Capitol, Supreme Court Building, Art museums, etc. Next time I definetly want to take them to The Archives. After the museums close, the Washington Monument is still open & available for the ride to the top.

you didn't say if you were staying for the evening or not. depending upon the weather, you may not want to be outside doing a stroll in the evening. in that case, consider DC's signature play "Shear Madness" at the Kennedy Center, which is a lot like Lincoln Center in NYC. Or, research ahead of time to see what special performances you could get tickets for. You may need to sit down for a while at this point!

Sounds like everyone has given you a lot of good suggestions. Last summer I went to DC for the first time in about 20 years - DO NOT miss the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - it will touch your heart and it will make you cry - but you will be glad you saw it.

Is it odd that no one has mentioned that they go to the Holocaust Museum?

I don't think the Holocaust Memorial Museum is well suited to a quick visit for a few exhibits, which is the approach most of us have been taking towards Audrey's trip. If you can think of a way to do it, please advise.

The Holocaust Museum is a place which requires a large block of time to truly appreciate it. It is not the type of place you go to if you want to get a good overview of the city in one day.

Meredith, I mentioned it in my reply: "...I tried to highlight just things that don't require standing in line, like a White House tour; or which take several hours to see properly (the Holocaust Memorial, for example)...".

To go through the Holocaust Memorial without having blocked off sufficient time to see it, experience it, and reflect on it is to cheat yourself and the memory of those whom it chronicles.

I'm not even sure when we'll get back there and I've printed all of this as kind of a "definitive" guide. So, thanks...and a send back up to the top where it belongs.