Two Nights in Washington DC with questions
 

Hi
We only have two nights in DC, a Monday and Tuesday, and we are going to the ballet at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday night. I have always found eating on a theater night at the Kennedy Center to present problems. Our show is long and we won't get out until quite late and then we have to get back to our hotel (L St between 9th and 10th).

1) I think I need some help getting to the Kennedy Center and back, using the Metro.

2) Also, what do others do about dinner when attending the Kennedy Center? I'm thinking about a late lunch and maybe a market visit. I've not been to Eastern Market.

3) We will visit Hillwood Estate, also on Tuesday. Any tips? I'm after seeing the Beaugureau but also the Faberge exhibit.

4) Museums and monuments on Monday. Also a nice dinner. I prefer to NOT dress up and we aren't looking for high prices. About $100.00 USD with no drinks or wine is good. Husband love seafood.

I would appreciate your recommendations. Thank you.

I would take a cab to the Kennedy Center. If you do take metro, there is a jitney from there as it is about a 15-minute walk: here is a good link: Closest Metro to the Kennedy Center - Washington DC

We usually eat at the Kennedy Center before the show--at the cafeteria--no reservations needed. There is also a rooftop resto but we were always too cheap to eat there--you need reservations.

Hillwood is very interesting. The gardens were thoughtfully arranged. FWIW, here is my mini TR about a visit there: https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...-in-dc-893662/

Have a great time.

Thanks TDudette. I'm looking at the Kennedy Center cafeteria. We aren't looking for expensive anything. The ballet tickets were the splurge. I'll read the trip report.

I agree about the cab to the KenCen...Foggy Bottom Metro is simply too far away to fool with IMO altho I have done it. Have also eaten in the cafeteria and it was more than adequate. But could you eat elsewhere and THEN take a cab?

I'd take a taxi to go home at the end of the night, also, as it will be quite late.

I generally just don't eat dinner when I go to a show there, although I have something to tide me over before the show starts (maybe some almonds), as well as a late lunch. Then I may have something to eat after I get home very late. If I did want to eat before the show (which I rarely do as I don't like eating that early), I've eaten in some cheaper places within walking distance but I don't think they exist anymore, or even that place on the ground floor right across the street which is nothing special but fine if you don't care much (Campono's for pizza or sandwiches). If that isn't good enough, there is a restaurant in the River Inn hotel nearby. If that pizza/sub place isn't good enough for you, I'd probably eat at the Kennedy Center.

We too have taken that shuttle to and from the Metro to the KC, and there were long lines after the show. I'll work on cabs and Uber. We use Uber here at home.

I'm still sorting through dinner places for Monday. I did say about $50 or less per person, without drinks. We like big flavors if that's any help. Would love to hear of some favorites.

If you use Uber at home, use it in DC. I have found it to be routinely much less expensive than taxis.

And we found Lyft less expensive than Uber in WDC.

Good info on Lyft. My husband prefers Lyft so that's a go.

I actually mostly use Lyft too. I used “Uber” the way people use “Xerox”.

For your transportation options, check wmata’s tripplanner (on-line, not the app, which I hear has snags) -- there may be bus options that suit, if you are open to them. And you could use a taxi – which I prefer to uber or lyft because I choose to support cabbies. JMO.

For “big flavors", consider Rasika (or Rasika West) (you’ll need a reservation for either) or Zaytinya or Jaleo or Nazca Mochica; maybe Indique or, for an extremely casual Thai restaurant, Paragon Thai. If you mean that your hotel is near L & 9th or 10th northwest (it's an important distinction), then you might also look at Kapnos or even G by Mike Isabella.

Hope that helps!

The Hillwood is well worth visiting, IMO. My advice would be to pace yourselves. Maybe your tolerance differs from mine, but I was a bit overwhelmed by all the exhibits by the end of my visit. And plan on plenty of time for the lovely grounds.

1) I think I need some help getting to the Kennedy Center and back, using the Metro.
When we lived in DC, if just DH and I were attending something at the Kennedy Center, we sometimes used the (free) shuttle to/from the Foggy Bottom Metro Station. When we returned this past spring for a visit we used Uber to get around quite conveniently.

2) Also, what do others do about dinner when attending the Kennedy Center? I'm thinking about a late lunch and maybe a market visit. I've not been to Eastern Market.
We used to eat in the cafeteria beforehand, as well. We were season ticket holders and so these events were less "date night" and more "married couple enjoying a performance after work." :)

3) We will visit Hillwood Estate, also on Tuesday. Any tips? I'm after seeing the Beaugureau but also the Faberge exhibit.
I love(d) Hillwood and was an annual member; I still covet the kitchen. The little cemetery for the Post family pets is touching. The cafeteria is quite good; if you're dining with someone and want to share two salads, for example, the chefs will (or did...) prepare them individually and not just give you extra plates. A nice touch, I thought.

4) Museums and monuments on Monday. Also a nice dinner. I prefer to NOT dress up and we aren't looking for high prices. About $100.00 USD with no drinks or wine is good. Husband love seafood.
Old Ebbitt Grill is always a hit. Start with the fresh oysters and then onto the Crabcake. DS and his girlfriend reported that his birthday dinner (on us) at Hank's Oyster Bar in The Wharf made him a happy birthday boy. Reservations suggested for both places.

Kleenex

Thanks everyone.
fourfortravel, we don't eat out much at home so meals on trips are a bit special for us. I think that either of those seafood places would be great for us.

kja, Rasika is on my radar; I've been thinking about it.

Concerning NW: I'm not great on the DC divisions. Our hotel is near the Mt Vernon Square Metro stop/station.

44, I've only been to Eastern Market on weekdays. Am told that the additional Sunday outdoor market really adds to it.

The four quadrants are centered upon the capitol crypt medallion under the dome as well as North, South, and East Cap streets and the Mall; your hotel is in NW

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadra...ashington,_D.C.

Cap = Capitol. That was probably clear, but just in case....

I'm beginning to understand the quadrants, thanks. I'm not at sure about atmosphere in various neighborhoods. You would think that I haven't been there several times...

All the dinner recs are very helpful. I think this must boil down to one dinner, Monday night. I'll present all these to DH and let him pick.

Tuesday lunch will be at Hillwood, and then a quick bite and the KC cafeteria.

Check ahead about Hillwood lunch reservations, tuscanlifeedit--because we were a group, we had to, but I don't know about individuals.

There is a taxi line at the KC. You won't be the only ones in it but it does move. It's a little more complicated getting an Uber/Lyft from the KC only b/c the traffic flow for pick up is restricted.

Unless your mobility is impaired, the walk to or towards the Foggy Bottom/GW Metro Station is easy (ten minutes) -- and tons of people will be walking in that direction. Not suggesting you ought to take the metro but you'll find getting an Uber or cab to be an easier prospect.