President Obama, Here We Come - Please Help The Maitais To Not Commit a "Capitol" Offense!
 

In an attempt to further stimulate our nation's economy we are foregoing a European adventure this year to visit Washington D.C. this Spring. Obviously, the country will be on its highest alert during this time (do we still have the Color Wheel of Terror in effect now that Bush is gone).

Homeland Security has been warned that Tracy, Kim, Mary and I will be on the loose in early May roaming from monument to monument, museum to museum, and bar to bar. The Smithsonian has already hired extra guards knowing I want to climb inside the Apollo 11 Command Module ("One small step for man, perhaps the end of mankind.").

Kim and I are trying to set up a little game of two-on-two with Obama and Biden, but they don't know if the basketball court will be ready by then.

We have a reservation at The Hotel Rouge, a hotel said to be frequented by "young hipsters" and "who have barmaids in go-go boots and mini-skirts." They also have a "Cold Pizza and Bloody Mary Bar" on weekend mornings. This sounds like the sophisticated type of place we "Middle-Aged Hipsters" like to stay (plus we got a great deal).

In any case, I would like to inquire about some Fodorite favorite restaurants and also tips for someone who has not visited DC since Reagan's first term. We also want to take a day trip to both Mount Vernon and Monticello, since Jefferson was the first president Kim voted for (cheap shot, I know). Is there public transportation or is it better to rent a car?

Thanks for any help you might be able to give us for better enjoying our stay, and I will pass on your best wishes (well, most of you anyway) to the Obamas.
((H))

You can get to Mount Vernon on public transit, either on the 11Y bus:

http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/va/11y.pdf

or by taking the Metro Yellow Line to its terminus at Huntington and then taking the Fairfax Connector bus 151:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connect...rt_151_web.pdf

Monticello is worthwhile but it's 2+ hours drive away, definitely would rent a car for that if you really want to go there. Spend the night in Charlottesville, visit the Rotunda and Lawn at the University of Virginia. To continue the Presidents' houses tour you can add in Monroe's house, Ash Lawn, which is very close to Monticello, and Madison's house, Montpelier which is in Orange County (between Charlottesville and DC).

YES -- thanks for your "stimulation", both economically as well as to my funny bone.

That's all .... I haven't been to Wash DC since I was 10 yrs old. With such a well-scribed description of your intentions, I'm sure Barack will roll out the red carpet. Have you emailed the White House staff?


http://www.whitehouse.gov/

http://www.whitehouse.com/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

I got the weekly Metro pass when I went in 2003 and used the heck out of it.

For some different entertainment, check out the Capitol Steps: http://www.capsteps.com/ They do some great song parodies, and I found it very entertaining (most political junkies should).

For your trip to Arlington Cemetery, when I was there, outside the summer months, the tram that will take you various places in the cemetery didn't start operating until 8:30, yet the cemetery opened at 8:00 a.m. If you can stand a little walking, I highly reccommend that you pick a nice weather day, get there just before the cemetery opens, then, when it opens, instead of going to the Kennedy graves (as everyone seems to do--it is close to the entrance), make a bee line for the Tomb of the Unknowns. If you get luck like I did, you might get to be the sole witness to the Changing of the Guard ceremony (every half hour, I think), which will allow you to move around and see it from different angles, rather than having to stake out a spot along the rope line.

Thanks everyone. Great ideas so far.

We will probably do Monticello as a day trip (we don't mind getting up early). If we did two in a day, would it be easier to combo Monticello with Ash Lawn or Montpelier?

As political junkies, the Capitol Steps sound great.

Tess, hopefully Barack and Michelle will have the martinis chilling for us when we arrive.

((H))

Monticello, Montpelier, and Ash Lawn combined make for a solid two days, if not pushing three, and the combination ticket is sold for all three homes at a discount. It all depends on what you want to submit yourself to. Plus, on the drive (do rent a car) from DC to Charlottesville there is a bit of antique shopping along the way that might slow you or your travel companions down.

If your itinerary only has room for two in a long day, I'd pick Monticello (and the UVA campus) and Montepelier.

Welcome back to DC! Can't wait to read your trip report!

Thanks fourfortravel. We are gluttons for punishment so we'll probably see Presidents three and four on the same day.

Speaking of gluttons, if anyone has recommendations on their favorite DC restaurants where we can hum "Hail To The Chef," those would be greatly appreciated, too.

((H))

If you like Mediterranean/Greek food, I highly recommend Zaytinya. It is small plates (similar to tapas). Its nice to grab dinner there, and then wander over to see the White House and the monuments at night. If you find that Michelle and Barack do not have martinis chilling for you, Zaytinya has a great one made with Grey Goose pear. Yummy (and strong.)

The Old Ebbitt Grill is a classic lunch spot where many Washington DC celebrities (aka, politicians) often dine.

Jaleo is good for Spanish tapas and sangria.

If you're wandering the mall around lunch time, or spending time at one of the Smithsonians there, I would definitely recommend the cafeteria at the Museum of the American Indian.

Have a great trip!

Some of my favorites restaurants include:
For casual for pizza, Pizza Paradiso; for casual cafe Michel Richard's Central; for seafood Kinkeads; if you're up on the Hill, try Johnnie's Half Shell or Montmarte for a French cafe;
in Adams Morgan, Cashions Eat Place; for oysters, Hanks Oyster Bar; for Mexican, Oyamel; for Indian Rasikas. The current hot restaurant in DC is Komi's. Need reservations well in advance. If the weather is nice, take the Red Line to Cleveland Park and sit outside at Palena's cafe...great $10 hamburgers, fried lemons and other good food. And of course u must try Ben's Chili Bowl -- Obama already has been there.
Anything special you'd like to try? Also check out Washingtonian Magazine, they do a top 100 Restaurans, Bargain Restaurants and Cheap Eats issue.

Hotel Rouge is a fun place.

Have a great trip and can't wait to read your trip report on my hometown...

Oops forgot to include the link to Washingtonian magazine
http://tinyurl.com/3kcg4h

Thanks bethke and yestravel for the restaurant recommendations.

bethke, At least it looks like we'll have great martinis even if the Obamas don't invite us over. Sounds great.

yestravel, we'll try to keep your home city in one piece while we're in town. I believe it will be a trip report of Historical Proportions (especially having cocktails with the Obamas).

Are there restaurants near the Moulin (I mean Hotel) Rouge? How is the bar? I think Kim and I were sold when they stated "go-go boots and mini skirts."

((H))

Hey maitai! We just stayed in the Hotel Rouge over Thanksgiving. It's a nice hotel in a great location.

Now I'm not much of a foodie so I rarely make mention of restaurants on Fodors, but we had a fab meal at La Tasca, a spanish tapas restaurant near Chinatown, for Thanksgiving. The tapas were excellent, as were the sangrias. The place is really cozy, with tons of throw pillows on the benches.

Happy planning!
Tracy

Let's see, Hotel Rouge is on 16th St and close to Dupont Circle -- Pizza Paradiso is there. More upscale in Dupont Circle is Obelisk. Komi's is also within walking distance. We've had good Greek food at Mourayis also in Dupont Circle on Conn Ave. I'm not a huge fan, but alot of people like Lauriol Plaza for Tex mex food. It has a nice outside -- good bar scene and okay food and is nearby on 18th St. Tabard Inn on N St is a few blocks from the hotel & is a nice place for brunch and has a lovely patio. Nora's on Florida Ave is quite expensive and known for her organic local food. There are lots others but I cant think of any at the moment. On Sundays from 9 -1 there is a great Farmers Market at Dupont Circle.

The bar scene at the Hotel used to be quite loud and was busy after work especially.

Don't worry about keeping DC in one piece--many would like to break it into many pieces esp the party that just left town. I will expect to read about your adventures on the front page of the Washington Post and will keep an eye on local news during your stay...or should I watch 4 u on National news?? When will u be here?

I wonder if I'd be allowed at Hotel Rouge. I'm neither young nor hip but the go-go boots and miniskirts sound good. Doesn't sound like D.C. tho.

There is a boat that goes from Georgetown to Old Town Alexandria to Mt Vernon to Georgetown.

If you fly on an American airline, stay at an American chain hotel, then wouldn't you actually still be helping the U.S. economy? You be reducing the trade imbalance because your dollars would be coming back home. Just a theory of mine - probably as good as an economic theory coming from Wall Street.

I just returned from my third stay at the Hotel Rouge in as many months. I can attest to its rougeness, its moderate hipness (this is DC after all) and its fabulous location across the street from the Australian Embassy.

The place originated as apartments in the 1960s so the good news is that the rooms are very spacious. The not as good news is that most of the bathrooms are very tiny. Great visuals, great staff.

I agree with nearly all the restaurant rec's you've received so far. washingtonian.com is my favorite site for dining reviews. The current issue is the annual 100 best restaurants.

If you're going to do two of the presidential homes in one day, I would second the recommendation for choosing Monticello and Montpelier.

Get to Monticello as early as feasible. It's about 2.5 hours from DC and I think the grounds open before 9 am.

The docents who guide the tours through the house absolutely worship Thomas Jefferson and they try ever so carefully to thread the Sally Hemmings needle. They will field tour group questions so make sure to put them politely on the spot about this topic!

However else you construct your day, do not for one moment consider eating at the abomination called Mitchie Tavern which is en route up the mountain to Monticello.

Montpelier is about 45 minutes from Monticello and recently completed a multi year renovation which included tearing down the pink stucco facade and additions built by the duPonts in the early 20th C. The tour offers wonderful insight into the archeology and conservation of the renovation. If that sort of thing is at all interesting to you, it's a don't miss.

It'll be a long day before you see the H. Rouge in the evening but it's doable.

Tom, we are just a short drive away on the eastern shore of MD. I could put on the monk show (no charge) and we could make sgroppino.

Our town has Washington College to keep in theme with the presidential touring. And for dining pleasure, the best the Chesapeake Bay has to offer.

bfrac

I'll second Zaytinya's, although its increase in popularity means you'll likely have to wait for a table. Old Ebbitt Grill is always a nice place, too. If you're in the Dupont Circle area at lunchtime, Teaism has delightful bento lunches.

As for the museum cafes, American Indian is my favorite (for the interesting variety and food quality), followed by the National Gallery of Art (selection, waterfall seating and cool lights along the walkway, and the nearby gelato). American History, Natural History and Air & Space appeal to the masses.

Will DC ever be the same?!

The hop-on/off busses are fine. You might look into the DC Duck (DH and I took the Baltimore one and it was fun);

Spy Museum (check on-line for advance tickets)

Portrait and American Art Museums (near Spy and super interesting IMO)

Botanic Gardens are lovely-stand in front of and facing Capitol and turn to the right and voila!

There is a tunnel between National Museum of Art and the East wing-GIFT SHOP there and cafeteria

Mint has interesting tour

If you get to Charlottesville proper, they have a nice pedestrian area called the Downtown Mall

Back to DC, the zoo is fun and oh, on the way back from bfrac's town (my home town btw), stop off in Annapolis for Wednesday night sail boat races at 6. Also in Annapolis, the Naval Academy has a dynamite tour-DH and I have taken it with out of towners (OUTs) the returned to do it again on our own.

See if you can get the magazine "Washingtonian" online, it has good list of museum stuff.
If you want to have a gtg at the Old Ebbitt Grille, just say the word!

I didn't know there were so many Fodorites in the DC area. We will try and be on our best behavior, which (as you know) still gets us in a lot of trouble. Who am I kidding? We're never on our best behavior.

It looks like we could spend a month here. You never know; if someone picks a watering hole, we might all show up, and if we're lucky, Barack will pick up the check. Hey, why not a Fodorite Martini Bailout?!

Thank you very much for all your suggestions and transportation info.

And bfrac, watch out for those swords. The monks are trained professionals.

((H))

The 1789 for fine dining in Georgetown. Steve Martini mentioned it in his recent book, "Shadow of Power." "I'm looking at Trisha Scott through dim lamplight over a white linen tablecloth in a Georgetown restaurant called 1789, her pick since she's driving. The unlit fireplace, partially covered by a summer-front, and the beamed ceiling give the decor a distinctive Colonial feel with intimate dining areas accented by Early American antiques. Equestrian prints cover the walls." It features a small bar. A few years ago, some of the Kennedys showed up and could not be seated until they were loaned a jacket. If you go to the bar, and if the bartender is "oldish" ask if he remembers Connie. Oh, and Clydes in Georgetown is a good lunch spot.
Bleason

My husband and I became engaged at 1789! Very romantic place.

Our favorite restaurant in DC is TenPenh, beautiful Asian restaurant, address: Ten Pennsylvania Avenue.

Do not miss the FDR Memorial. It is visually stunning and very moving. I was able to visit it with my uncle who served as a paratrooper during WWII. He spoke to me of what it was like living through the depression and what FDR meant to people and then what it was like to serve during the War.

They use stone and water to reflect the times and it really is fantastic.

Ok -- u need to add Georgia Brown's on 15th St. to your restaurant list--you'll want to be able to discuss it when u have drinks with the Obamas. Michelle O, Jill Biden and Michelle and Adrian Fenty all had lunch there today....only add it if u like Southern food and they have a great jazz brunch on Sundays.

yes-t,
Thanks for the tip. I just hope the Obamas and Bidens know they are going to have to take some time off in May, because their schedule with us is going to be very hectic. I figure since his predecessor took off most of his eight years in office, one week should be a piece of cake for Barack. I'll try and see if I can get one of them to write a trip report about their experience.

Sharon, the FDR Museum sounds fascinating. Looking forward to visiting.

And 309, that's cool that you got engaged at 1789. Tracy and I were engaged IN 1789. Thanks to you and bleason (I'll look for the "oldish" bartender) for the recommendation. I'll bring a coat for the Kennedys, but they're buying!

If anybody has more DC area suggestions or a hotline to the White House, I'm always interested. Thanks!

((H))

The FDR Memorial is not a museum, it's more of a combination of statue and park, arranged in 4 outdoor "rooms" representing each of his terms of office.

"The FDR Memorial is not a museum"

My brain said memorial but my fingers said museum. It's why I got in so much trouble while dating.

((H))

Oh, OK, I just didn't want you heading over there for a rainy-day activity.

This may have already been mentioned, but be sure and check with your senate and house offices to inquire about the special tours of both the Capitol and the White House (two separate tours). You don't have to wait in long lines, and you have reserved times. You said you are visiting in the spring, so I hope you don't hit cherry blossom madness.

If you can't get on the special tours, you can try and reserve a Capitol tour at www.visitthecapitol.gov. For the White House, you could always try and line up very early.

I also agree with another poster about the 1789 Restaurant in Georgetown (1226 36th St. NW). Also, in lower Georgetown, visit the Washington Harbour for drinks or dining on the water with a view of the Kennedy Center in the distance.

Lots of tourists use the hop on double decker buses. From Dupont Circle, you can always take the N2 bus that goes up Massachusetts Ave
(also known as Embassy Row. You can see many of the Embassies on your ride up Mass Ave, including the VP Biden Residence at Observatory Circle. Get off the N2 at the intersection of Mass and Wisconsin, and you will be at the magnificant Washington National Cathedral with stunning windows. A must see.

As someone else mentioned, you have to see our fantastic panda family (Tai Shan, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian) at the National Zoo.

You will be staying in the Dupont Circle area. You can walk to the Textile Museum, the Woodrow Wilson House, and the Phillips Collection.

Between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan is the wonderful Lauriol Plaza (1835 18th St. NW). Latin inspired, and great for lunch and dinner.

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is not on the Mall, but downtown. In addition to all the Gilbert Stuarts, they just recently put up President Obama's portrait by Shepard Fairey.

In upper NW, there is the Hillwood Museum and Gardens. It was also the home (one of) of Marjorie Merriweather Post. It contains a fabulous collection of Russian Imperial Art and French decorative art. The gardens are also beautiful (www.hillwoodmuseum.org)

The metro (bus and train) website is www.wmata.com) for info about routes, etc. You can also order a SmartTrip card online. They are good on the buses and the trains.

I'd like to thank you, but it seems you want to stay Anonymous. Thanks to you and Sharon, though, I went on Wikipedia and the FDR Memorial looks very interesting. We are really looking forward to our visit to DC.

((H))

Great stuff imperialtopaz. It looks like the Hillwood Museum and Gardens might be the ticket to get Tracy her "garden" fix.

((H))

The gardens are beautiful in May. It is best to take a taxi from Dupont Circle or from the Van Ness Metro stop to Hillwood (just a few blocks) to find it for the first time. When you leave, you can call a taxi at the Visitor's Center to come pick you up.

Hillwood is located in a very residential area, void of nearby restaurants, so if you're going to visit the estate plan to arrive when the museum opens and make your lunch reservations at that time in person. If you don't, you'll be at the mercy of the Hillwood members who call in their lunch reservations in the morning and take all of the tables in the small cafe. In the spring you won't have any trouble filling a couple of hours enjoying the estate and the gardens, so biding time until your table is available won't be a problem.

Check out Brasserie Beck on K St. - terrific beer, great wine list, delicious frites, mussels, really lively fun atmosphere. it was named one of the best new restaurants in the US by Esquire in 2007 - we had a terrific dinner there last spring . . . really good service, too.

Pizza Paradiso was good too! And breakfast at Kramerbooks is very tasty - and right there in Dupont Circle.

Ah, Monticello! Did an internship in the gardens there during my VA Tech days! (Don't bother with the UVa campus! ;) Bro and sis went there!) C-ville is only 2 hours away if the cops aren't out on 29. And Bodos Bagels! Ooh, pick me up a baker's dozen of mixed -- don't forget a couple of the salt ones! And the C & O Restaurant on the mall there -- excellent! (Say it's still there!) You could do the entire day there with Ash Lawn-Highland thrown in, too.
And Lauriol Plaza is our favorite for dropping the top on the no-merlot Saab and heading across the Potomac for outdoor dining -- wait for a table on the roof and order the seafood. But for pizza, go to 2 Amys not far from the Nat'l. Cathedral (a great place to walk off the meal -- wonderful gardens!) And Adams Morgan (Madam's Organ) for Ethiopian food! Oh, my!
1789, Old Ebbitt, Clyde's -- still great after all these years (worked at one between my ski bum and Va. Tech years). The Georgetown Clyde's (you have to do Georgetown! -- relive your wonder years!) is much fun -- tell Greg, at the bar, Hi from me and Rich.
Take a picnic (don't forget the brown paper bag for the bottle of pinot (grigio or noir -- your choice) down to the FDR and find a nice spot under the cherry trees, looking out over the tidal basin at the TJ Memorial.
Lots to do. Must get the Saab up and running again!

OK, You are all getting me really psyched. Everybody take the week of May 9 to May 16 off. We'll all meet in DC and prop up this sagging economy. First round of martinis is on Kim (he's got all the money). Speaking of martinis, Tracy is finally home from work, which means martinis at the maitai abode. Thanks one and all. Keep the thoughts coming!!!

((H))

Rich is a martini fan, me, I'd prefer a really good Margarita! Can't take off that time o' year, but we'll meet cha after work! (Second round is on Rich!)

Dee

If u like gardens, check out Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown -- gorgeous in the Spring
www.duoaks.org/.

Two Amys has fabulous pizza -- prepare for long waits unless u get there b4 6pm or go 4 lunch.

DC Circulator is a cheap way to get around many parts of the city
DCCirculator.com

You might want to look at this article about Washington's historic houses
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/02/01...tml?ref=travel

Tom, I was trained by a Sardinian... no need to worry!