Having been to DC before, a few of us (3 30 year olds) are coming back. This time without someone having a broken leg...or the Red Sox playing unfortunately...Ive got a general outline of what we want to do and want to make sure nothing is out of whack with how I have it lined up. We realize it will be hot and humid but we have no choice on dates. Thats why there is Air Conditioned Museums and Cold Beer...

We settled on the Americana Hotel due to the low rates. We understand it is a barebones hotel in a quiet neighborhood but it should work.

We get in via Amtrak on Monday around 1pm from Hartford, CT. Once we get there, go to the hotel and drop off our luggage. Check in if possible.

Immediately go to Arlington Cemetery. We skipped it the last time and weren't too happy that we did. Do the Tourmobile tour here.

Dinner wherever afterwards. Meals will be wherever as thats not the focus of this trip.

Tuesday
Tour the monuments. Possibly using Tourmobile, we do understand the drawbacks.
Reds @ Nationals game

Wednesday
Have tickets to the Washington Monument for 9am.
Newseum

Thursday
Go out to Udvar Hazy. We are aware of the time it takes to get out here but this is a must as 2 of us work at Pratt and the plane we work on is on display there. Probably an all day trip. This may change if we find out the Shuttle has been moved out of there by then.

Friday
National Archives - Have timed tickets for 9am.
A friend of mine's sister in law and 8 year old niece will be joining us for the day. They want to do the Duck Tour here so we may do that after the Archives. Will be something different.
Portrait Gallery - want to go in and see the President's Gallery again as well as the new Pedro Martinez portrait they just received. Won't need much time.
Phillies @ Nationals game

Sat
Head back to CT. Train leaves at 12:30 so not much time to do anything.

Sounds like a good plan. That will be cool to see the plane you work on.

Definitely an added bonus to this trip. Now, if they would only let me bring it out for a test flight...

By chance you have time with your niece, I might suggest the Spy Museum. It is a for-profit museum and there is a fee, but they have some very interesting exhibits. It is directly across from the National Portrait Gallery.

METRO blue line to Arlington. The Pentagon is one stop away.
http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tri..._form_solo.cfm
Enjoy your trip on Amtrak. Union station is on top of a METRO station. There is a luggage storage area at the station (by the hour).

Ryan, the Spy Museum is on on our list of maybes. Depends on time which we may not have a lot of...

I am now debating whether we would be better off doing a night tour of the monuments like we did last time. We used OnBoard Tours last time. It was great and we saw a lot. This would free up a day for us. I also know that Tourmobile has a night tour. The itineraries are slightly different but OnBoard gives more time at each monument. I am leaning towards the OnBoard but would like some feedback on each. We would have to see the FDR Memorial a different day (possibly on Sat morning before leaving).

Sounds like a good plan, but just a couple comments:
1. I wouldn't use Tourmobile (or any of the HOHO buses) to tour around the monuments during the day. Even if you don't plan to get on and off (which is always a bad plan in the summer because of the crowds), I think you will find the buses so crowded and hot that it won't be a pleasant experience. It would be much better to either walk the monuments on your own (day or night) or to do an evening "Monuments by Moonlight" tour.

2. Have you considered doing a Segway tour? They are LOTS of fun!

3. If you plan to spend all day at Udvar-Hazy, remember that the only food option there is McDonald's. You can take a picnic lunch (which has to be eaten outside on the picnic tables) or you may want to eat before you come. There are places within driving distance to eat, but I don't know if your parking pass allows you multiple entries--worth checking out if you plan to leave for lunch.

4. I would not take an 8-year-old to the Spy Museum. Too much reading is involved and I doubt she would get much out of the visit.

"I would not take an 8-year-old to the Spy Museum. Too much reading is involved and I doubt she would get much out of the visit."

I took a 6 and and 7 year old. Four friends on a seperate trip went with four kids ranging from 8 to 5. We enjoyed our visit, I know our friends enjoyed their visit. Things are what you make of them with kids.

Given the heat, it definitely makes sense for us to do the Night tour of the monuments. Just have to figure out which one. My friend wants to go back to the zoo as he missed most of it due to his broken leg the last time. I figure we can do that in the morning (get there before the buildings open, etc) and have free time in the afternoon. This probably will be where I fit in the Portrait Gallery too. Its definitely skipping around but its manageable.

Too bad your Friday night is taken--the Marine barracks tattoo is just stunning.

Gretchen, I just looked that up and it would have been great but we pushed our departure back a day to see the Phillies game so hopefully next time...

I think your plan looks good, I just have one idea for you to think about. Since you are going to Nationals Stadium twice, have you considered staying somewhere that won't require you to change trains? Under your current plan, you will have a 10 minute walk to either Pentagon City or Crystal City, where you will take the Yellow line to L'Enfant Plaza, where you will then have to transfer to the Green. If you stayed somewhere like the Red Roof Inn in Chinatown, you'd avoid the change (and be much closer to the Subway). In August, you may be able to find a deal near Chinatown that isn't that much more than the Americana.

My hub and I (60+) had huge grins taking the Baltimore Duck-a land/sea vehicle that does a tour of the city. I do believe there is one in DC. DC Fodorites can let you know if it's worthwhile. It appealed to our sense of the absurd.

Mike, thanks for that recommendation but thats now a Fairfield Inn and has 4 times the rate that we got at the Americana ($58 per night). We had to change trains the last time we were there and had no issues (even with the games being sellouts). Im going to keep looking but at that rate, it will be tough to change.

You do know how hot it is going to be?

Yes but we didnt have a choice on timing. We'll have to deal with it.

you never know, it wasn't that hot last August, July is often worse. Could be in the 80s or 90s, 100 degree days are few, but you never know, it could be fine (meaning nothing to get worried about, just normal hot summer).

Staying in Chinatown isn't any great thing, I don't like it there at all. It is closer to things, sure. At least around Pentagon City there are lots of places to eat.

Other than Capitol City Brewery and DC Chophouse, are there other brewpubs in DC? We will go to the 2 mentioned, just wondering if there are other choices.

What other bars are there with great beer selections? Have been to RFD and would go back.

Birch and Barley

http://www.birchandbarley.com/

Pizza Paradiso

http://www.eatyourpizza.com/

Thanks. Will probably try Birch and Barley. Really like the name for a restaurant...