mnnurs4u

I've been to D.C. twice: 7 yrs ago and last summer.

Spend a day walking around the tidal basin taking in the monuments. If you don't feel like the long walk, I would HIGHLY recommend the on/off trolley. The pass is around $45 for 2 or 3 days, can't remember. You can cover more ground this way. I would also recommend the Restaurant inside the Indian Museum for variety.

Spend one day on the National Mall. My son is 18 and he was really hoping to get to the American History Museum, but it was closed this past summer. We've been to the Nat'l Air and Space Museum, American Indian Museum, Gallery of Art,Natural History (Hope Diamond is here), there's so many! Pick 2-3 that interest you so you aren't overwhelmed. Next time we go, we want to do the Federal Mint as my son collects coins, the FBI Building and the American History Museum.

If your flight leaves at noon, you still have time to get to Arlington Cemetary on the 3rd day to see the changing of the guard. This was my favorite moment in DC the first time I went. We even went back last summer. Kennedys' graves are here. If you got the trolley pass, it also takes you here. I would plan for 2-3 hrs and go early to avoid the crowd. If your flight doesn't leave until the afternoon, I would get to another museum you missed or do some shopping.

As for hotels, we had a car rental and didn't have problems parking, although all the sites said not to get a car. We stayed at a hotel across the Potomac River as hotels were more reasonable. We didn't get our hotel early, which I recommend. Next time we go, we'll spend more on the hotel and stay closer to the National Mall and not get a car as the trolley goes everywhere and we don't mind walking.

Have fun, there's a lot to see and do!

dgarland

This is a wonderful time of year to visit DC. I would recommend staying downtown. The Hay Adams Hotel (pricey), the Sofitel on Lafayette Square, the Capital Hilton at 16th St NW or the St. Regis accross the street, are all within one - two blocks from the White House and one block from the Metro (subway) which is very safe and clean, a great way to get around. Most of the museums are within a couple of stops from these hotels, or if you are walkers, within a 15-20 minute walk. You would not need a car if you stay downtown, unless you plan to venture out of the city to surrounding areas.

The National Gallery of Art and the National Portrait Gallery are two separate museums. Be sure to know that if you are going to see only one. The National Gallery is on the Mall.

I agree with Lorraine, the Library of Congress is a must see (The Thomas Jefferson Building).

You should see Monticello, the home of George Washington/our first President. There is a lovely colonial style restaurant on the grounds. You should probably make reservations.

The Sunday Brunch at Georgia Brown's is wonderful. They have a jazz band and serve southern cooking. Excellent food, again, make reservations.

Have a drink in the lounge at the St. Regis hotel.

Afternoon tea at the Willard Intercontinental.

One of our favorite outdoor cafes is Cafe de'Parc (sp?) which is part of the Willard Intercontinental Hotel. You can sit on the sidewalk and have a lovely view of the Capitol. They serve lunch and dinner, and are also open during the day if you just want to stop and have a drink to cool off.

LaurenKahn1

There is no MINT in DC. We only make paper money here at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on 14th Street, NW (adjacent to the Holocaust Museum). For a MINT on the east coast, you need to go to Philadelphia.

If you do want to see the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, there can be huge queues in the season. Contact your Congressman and reserve ahead of time. Personally, I don't think it is that interesting, but some do. DC is a choice because there is so much to see and do.

Yes the hop on/hop off trolley is an option as is the Tourmobile for getting around The Mall. It does, again, depend on what floats your boat.

LaurenKahn1

By the way the hotels mentioned by dgarland are very pricey--fine if you have the money. If you want something cheaper try the Dupont Circle area. Remember, you do not have to be walking distance from The Mall (and almost nothing is because The Mall is huge). The key is being on a Metro line. If you get on the subway, you can get to where you want to go in minutes. Dupont Circle is on the red line.

sf7307

The key is being on a Metro line.

Absolutely, just like any other big city, you can't be near everything, so stay somewhere with convenient public transportation. We've stayed all over DC (Foggy Bottom, Arlington, Woodley Park, near the White House, all over, and they've all been fine locations because they were within blocks of the metro).

LaurenKahn1

You can even stay in some places in VA and just be a few minutes by Metro. Of course, where you stay (and how elegant it is) depends on the bottom line. The DC area does have hotels for every budget.

DancingBearMD

"The National Gallery of Art and the National Portrait Gallery are two separate museums. Be sure to know that if you are going to see only one. The National Gallery is on the Mall."

Just want to add that the National Portrait Gallery is in the same building as the Smithsonian American Art Museum--Frederick Remington, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, Thomas Hart Benton, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe, etc. Quite a nice combination of museums.

Barblab

One little correction, Montecello was Thomas Jefferson's home and is located outside of Charlottesville, VA, quite a bit further out than Mount Vernon, Washington's home which is an easy day trip from DC. While both of these homes are well worth a visit, I think for a first time 3 days visit you will have plenty to do in DC without making daytrips out of town. There are so many great museums, and sights, most of which are free. Go to the sights that appeal to you, you can't go wrong. Have fun!

HKP

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