Things to do in washinton DC
Nov 1st, 2021 | 06:34 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,846
Likes: 26
Nov 1st, 2021 | 06:44 AM
#3
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
I've enjoyed both of my times in Washington. There are over 20 Smithsonian museums including the Space and Science Museum, new Museum of African American History, and Museum of the American Indian. You can see the sacrosanct Declaration of Independence in the National Archives. Tour the historic Mount Vernon, home to George Washington. Explore the National Zoo, one of the best zoos in America and the National Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Reflect or pray in the National Cathedral. Explore the amazing gardens of the Franciscan Monastery. Visit the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the International Spy Museum. Eat El Salvadoran food. Go to Adams-Morgan neighborhood for foods from around the world. Explore historic Georgetown. The Lincoln Memorial is the most popular tourist attraction in the city. A poster called Shelemm posted the following:
My #1 tip is to visit the monuments at night. I am sure you can visit them at least until midnight. A national park service guide, any time of day, should be prepared to give you a personal tour on-the-spot. Just go up to one and ask.
The FDR memorial is completely spectacular at night (do not miss this!), and so is World War Two and the Korean War memorial. The only one which is better during the day is the Vietnam War memorial. Throughout the summer there are free concerts in the evening by various US military bands. They are seriously great.
The Washington Cathedral is a vast gothic cathedral and has impressive grounds, but this being the 'national' cathedral, it is filled with historic non-religious icons. Busts of Martin Luther King, Jr, Helen Keller, stained glass of Benjamin Franklin and the founding of the country....
My #1 tip is to visit the monuments at night. I am sure you can visit them at least until midnight. A national park service guide, any time of day, should be prepared to give you a personal tour on-the-spot. Just go up to one and ask.
The FDR memorial is completely spectacular at night (do not miss this!), and so is World War Two and the Korean War memorial. The only one which is better during the day is the Vietnam War memorial. Throughout the summer there are free concerts in the evening by various US military bands. They are seriously great.
The Washington Cathedral is a vast gothic cathedral and has impressive grounds, but this being the 'national' cathedral, it is filled with historic non-religious icons. Busts of Martin Luther King, Jr, Helen Keller, stained glass of Benjamin Franklin and the founding of the country....
Nov 5th, 2021 | 07:40 AM
#5
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 0
I have just returned from Washington, DC. So much to do and see. All the suggestions above are wonderful. Due to COVID, Many things require a timed ticket and many of the museums have reduced hours or days that they are open. The timed tickets do not have a cost but are being used for crowd control. The Metro system is in operation but with a significantly reduced crowd than I have seen on past trips. They are also doing maintenance on the trains so they are running less frequently. Some trains are running at 30-45 minute intervals. Not really an issue but you will need to plan for these delays.
I made a list of the things that I wanted to see and planned from there. All of the sites have helpful websites.
My top sites to visit are:
Arlington Cemetery - the changing of the guard is a must see. This trip was the first time that I have seen a female officer standing guard.
The Monuments - beautiful at night. Years ago I took a bus tour of the Monuments at Night. That was a great way to see the monuments and learn some history.
The Museum of American History - Lots to see but a lot is also missing as they are in transition of many exhibits. Still worth a visit.
The National Zoo - beautiful. Panda bears.
The Archives - right now you can only see the hall that contains the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
The Library of Congress
A walk past the White House. Both front and back. It is beautiful. There are usually people taking advantage of their freedom of speech in front of the White House.
The Capitol - I am not sure if this is open right now.
The 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon. This is outside of the building so it is opened late and on weekends.
The Pentagon - I am not sure if they are offering tours at this time but it is well worth the time if they are.
The many museums of the Smithsonian.
Right now the National Cathedral is not welcoming visitors but well worth the visit when they are. Beautiful stained glass.
The Newseum is listed above but it has been closed permanently. It was a wonderful museum.
I made a list of the things that I wanted to see and planned from there. All of the sites have helpful websites.
My top sites to visit are:
Arlington Cemetery - the changing of the guard is a must see. This trip was the first time that I have seen a female officer standing guard.
The Monuments - beautiful at night. Years ago I took a bus tour of the Monuments at Night. That was a great way to see the monuments and learn some history.
The Museum of American History - Lots to see but a lot is also missing as they are in transition of many exhibits. Still worth a visit.
The National Zoo - beautiful. Panda bears.
The Archives - right now you can only see the hall that contains the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
The Library of Congress
A walk past the White House. Both front and back. It is beautiful. There are usually people taking advantage of their freedom of speech in front of the White House.
The Capitol - I am not sure if this is open right now.
The 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon. This is outside of the building so it is opened late and on weekends.
The Pentagon - I am not sure if they are offering tours at this time but it is well worth the time if they are.
The many museums of the Smithsonian.
Right now the National Cathedral is not welcoming visitors but well worth the visit when they are. Beautiful stained glass.
The Newseum is listed above but it has been closed permanently. It was a wonderful museum.
Nov 10th, 2021 | 06:41 AM
#6
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
I have just returned from Washington, DC. So much to do and see. All the suggestions above are wonderful. Due to COVID, Many things require a timed ticket and many of the museums have reduced hours or days that they are open. The timed tickets do not have a cost but are being used for crowd control. The Metro system is in operation but with a significantly reduced crowd than I have seen on past trips. They are also doing maintenance on the trains so they are running less frequently. Some trains are running at 30-45 minute intervals. Not really an issue but you will need to plan for these delays.
I made a list of the things that I wanted to see and planned from there. All of the sites have helpful websites.
My top sites to visit are:
Arlington Cemetery - the changing of the guard is a must see. This trip was the first time that I have seen a female officer standing guard.
The Monuments - beautiful at night. Years ago I took a bus tour of the Monuments at Night. That was a great way to see the monuments and learn some history.
The Museum of American History - Lots to see but a lot is also missing as they are in transition of many exhibits. Still worth a visit.
The National Zoo - beautiful. Panda bears.
The Archives - right now you can only see the hall that contains the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
The Library of Congress
A walk past the White House. Both front and back. It is beautiful. There are usually people taking advantage of their freedom of speech in front of the White House.
The Capitol - I am not sure if this is open right now.
The 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon. This is outside of the building so it is opened late and on weekends.
The Pentagon - I am not sure if they are offering tours at this time but it is well worth the time if they are.
The many museums of the Smithsonian.
Right now the National Cathedral is not welcoming visitors but well worth the visit when they are. Beautiful stained glass.
The Newseum is listed above but it has been closed permanently. It was a wonderful museum.
I made a list of the things that I wanted to see and planned from there. All of the sites have helpful websites.
My top sites to visit are:
Arlington Cemetery - the changing of the guard is a must see. This trip was the first time that I have seen a female officer standing guard.
The Monuments - beautiful at night. Years ago I took a bus tour of the Monuments at Night. That was a great way to see the monuments and learn some history.
The Museum of American History - Lots to see but a lot is also missing as they are in transition of many exhibits. Still worth a visit.
The National Zoo - beautiful. Panda bears.
The Archives - right now you can only see the hall that contains the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
The Library of Congress
A walk past the White House. Both front and back. It is beautiful. There are usually people taking advantage of their freedom of speech in front of the White House.
The Capitol - I am not sure if this is open right now.
The 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon. This is outside of the building so it is opened late and on weekends.
The Pentagon - I am not sure if they are offering tours at this time but it is well worth the time if they are.
The many museums of the Smithsonian.
Right now the National Cathedral is not welcoming visitors but well worth the visit when they are. Beautiful stained glass.
The Newseum is listed above but it has been closed permanently. It was a wonderful museum.
Nov 10th, 2021 | 09:08 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35,152
Likes: 0
the National Cathedral is open to visitors, you just have to prebook on line for a ticket.
https://cathedral.org/visit-us/
I wouldn't put that at the top of my list, but that's up to you. It's not as easy to get to either as no nearby metro stop.
The Capitol is not open, though. No the White House, of course, or the Pentagon. Due to current climate and security concerns, not sure when they will be.
Lots of great museums/art galleries, so you just have to decide for yourself what you are most interested in. For govt sites, I do like the Library of Congress, and the Archives.
If you are into monuments, you can visit them whenever you want, they can't exactly close. there's no big fence for miles around them like you find around some large city parks.
https://cathedral.org/visit-us/
I wouldn't put that at the top of my list, but that's up to you. It's not as easy to get to either as no nearby metro stop.
The Capitol is not open, though. No the White House, of course, or the Pentagon. Due to current climate and security concerns, not sure when they will be.
Lots of great museums/art galleries, so you just have to decide for yourself what you are most interested in. For govt sites, I do like the Library of Congress, and the Archives.
If you are into monuments, you can visit them whenever you want, they can't exactly close. there's no big fence for miles around them like you find around some large city parks.
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