Hello all , I will be on business for a week in DC and have Friday pm and saturday day to myself. I will be staying in Alexandria for the duration ( first time). I would like to see some neat sites ( 1-2 can't miss attractions). But would like to do some X-Mas shopping. Can anyone reccomend a quick shop and some sites between Fri-sat. Should I reside at the Hilton for Friday night or shuffle off to somewhere more cultural. Any whirlwind tour suggestions
[email protected] Thanks!

The gift shop at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum was fantastic for unique 'cultural' gifts.

I'm sure you can pick up some "can't miss" attractions during the week - especially after working. If you will be in downtown you might try to get to the Capitol, Union Station, Library of Congress, Botanical Gardens are beautiful this time of year and it's close to the Capitol. I love driving by the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and the reflecting pool - then you can swing up by the Kennedy Center and see how beautiful it is by night.

There are many unique gifts that can be purchased at the Smithsonian's gift shops but for additional shopping you could try Pentegon City Mall (just across the 14th St bridge) and Georgetown's Mazza Gallerie. There should be lots of upscale gifts at these. In addition there's a lot of nice shops around King Street in Alexandria.

have a great visit!!

If you're already staying at the Hilton, I can't see any reason to switch hotels for the last few nights - your hotel is across the street from the King St Metro stop, and it doesn't take very long to get to DC. The museum shops and King Street shopping are all great suggestions. Pentagon City is just a few stops north of you, but has nothing you can't find elsewhere. I always enjoy the Building Museum, which seems to always have some special exhibits of interest, and a nice spot for a quiet lunch. If you do decide to change locations, Dupont Circle is nice, with a lot of restaurant choices and some shopping too.

My trips to DC always include a shopping trip to Georgetown, specifically Blue Mercury for the best selection of Comptoir Sud Pacifique in the US! I stay at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City and while I agree that the mall is simply a mall, it does have some good stores and fabulous buys. I also love Pentagon Row, which is outside of the mall. There is a store call Kindred Spirits that always has great gift items. The Kindred Spirits at Reagan is not a good. There is also a great kitchen store a few doors down which has some great stuff!

Go to Old Town Alexandria. It's a nice small histroic town with a lot of boutiques. For a shopping mall - go to Landmark Mall on Duke Street, or Pentagon City Fashion Mall.

There's also a wonderful craft store in Old Town; I think it's called Artcraft. Also the Torpedo Factory is a good place to shop for gifts too. It depends what you're looking for. Since you're staying in Alexandria, you might be able to do these things after your meeting but check to see how late they stay open.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. But If I have to catch a plane at 5:00pm on saturday...what must be seen. The holocust or Smithsonian musem? or soemthing else?

I'd go with the Smithsonians. But then you could spend days, weeks, months wandering around them. The Holocaust is quite sad and has been known to leave a number of people in tears.

I love the Smithsonian's Air and Space, Natural History, the natl Gallery of Art, I hear the Spy Museum is really great, the war memorials, Iwo Jima, the Capitol, Arlington Cemetery, up and down and all around the Mall with the lincoln and Jefferson memorials and the Marine Parade down at 8th and I SE. You shouldn't have a chance to sit down for a minute.

I also love the National Cathedral up on Mass Ave by Nebraska and the Catholic one on Catholic U grounds - spectacular at this time of year.

andrea= I have no idea if you are jewish or not, but if you are, then the
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM is a MUST! It is an incredible faculity and can take hours to go thru....

Definitely do NOT miss this....

I'd consider the Holocaust Museum a must even if NOT Jewish (I'm not), as long as you can take the time to really view it. We got in about 10:45 and were still viewing exhibits when the closing announcement was made, but I especially am a museum nut - I read EVERYTHING. Plan at least 3 hr for it. If you can't, then save it for a later visit.

If you go to the Holocaust Museum make sure you ask for a character card at the information desk. They will assign you a person (Jew, gypsy, homosexual, etc.) that endured the events of that time. As you walk through the time exhibits, the card tells you what happens to your character; it's kind of interesting to say the least and personalizes it a little more.