we are doing a quick trip to DC - only 2 days!
what are the 'must see' landmarks and tourist attractions?
we'll be on the go so dont mind cramming it all in!

Thanks
AC

What kind of stuff do you like? Fine art, cultural heritage, historical monuments, airplanes and rockets, government institutions, zoos?

well we are coming from Australia so definetely monuments, landmarks, american history....good eateries and areas where we can absorb the people and atmosphere

That's a big can of worms. There's the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, National Mall, WW II Memorial, Washington Monument, National Gallery, National Archives, etc... You have to book in advance to visit the Capital and the White House. Museums are free, tab was paid by folks like me and my fellow Americans. Don't know what kind of food you like, but I'd check out the Adams Morgan area.

The first day take the Old Town Trolley/hop on/hop off all day and then decide the next day what you want to see more in depth.Paul

great - thanks for the replies! wow there is a lot to see!
i have yet to research anything as Im planning the NY stay first - the trolley sounds nice...is Georgetown an old part to of the city or just great for shopping?

Hi there - I lived in Georgetown for 6 years and yes its great for shopping but also just a beautiful part of town, and some of the nicest real estate in the country, quite distinct in appearance (brick brownstones, old cobble-stoned streets with old trolley tracks, etc). You can take a walking tour there and see where all of the famous people have lived (Kennedys, Heinz family, Clintons, etc). Even better would be to go for a chilled afternoon after morning sightseeing, do some walking/shopping, and then walk down Wisconsin Avenue to the waterfront area. Not sure if you have chidren with you, but it is a great place to have drinks sitting on the water right next to the infamous Watergate hotel, and a popular gathering spot for locals around happy hour time. I have found the food at most places there only so-so, but for a vodka/lemonade its great! For sightseeing, the Smithsonian museums are all free as earlier poster said (and accept donations), so I recommend getting to the National Mall and spend a day or even half day walking among them (my favorite is the Air and Space Museum). The Washington Monument and Capitol Building are on either end and you can also arrange ahead of time for an almost free elevator ride (i think $2 or so) to the top of the Washington Monument for a great panoramic view of DC and Virginia. Other popular sites nearby - the Holocaust Museum (very long lines, would arrange this ahead of time), the Spy Museum (this is NOT free, but quite unique - and crowded) and the Arlington National Cemetery (short metro ride from the center of town, very beautiful, I thought.)

If you like fine art, I have always found the Phillips Collection to be more intimate and unique than the bigger art museums in DC. They have the famous Renoir's Boating Party which was lovely to see in person, among others (a lot of Impressionists if I remember correctly). The Corcoran is better located, though, to other tourist sites.

You mentioned that you like good local-style eateries - this is something else Georgetown will be full of. Highly recommend Clyde's or JPaul's on M Street (main Gtown shopping street) - very typical american-style restaurants that reflect the neighborhood, and have been there for many years. If you are near the White House, try Old Ebbitt Grill - same ownership as Clyde's so a similar feel, popular lunch spot for locals. Also on M Street in Georgetown is Old Glory, a barbeque restaurant with a small space for rooftop eating (not much of a view though). Lots of American bourbons, etc, to choose from as well. These are all quite moderately priced. For something special, try 1789 in Georgetown - on Prospect and 36th Streets. It is quite iconic of Washington and borders Georgetown University, delicious (and expensive) American cuisine with great service. Downstairs is the Tombs bar/pub, very popular with Georgetown students and alums/family, great brunch. If you head to the Spy Museum, there is a place to eat across the street called Gordon Biersch which is quite cool - a converted bank which now serves moderately-priced American food, a varied menu, and it's a brewery so offers its own beers. Much better to go there than eat in the museum!

Hope this helps - let us know if you have any other questions. (Also lived in NY for almost three years so might be able to help you there!)

Just a couple of corrections to the post above...you can't walk down Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown to the waterfront and be next to the Watergate. Also, I would disagree that Clydes or Gordon Biersch are local-style eateries. Try Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, or go to one of our many Ethiopian restaurants. The Phillips does have an entrance fee.

Arts -

Apologies, you cant walk down Wisconsin and be on the side of the waterfront next to the Watergate. But the whole waterfront complex stretches almost as far, and there is a path which you can walk along the water to the hotel if you wish (otherwise its still definitely close enough for photos.

the others are just my opinion as a former Georgetown resident who frequented Clydes with friends, and Gordon Biersch is just meant to be an alternative for the Spy Muesueum. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.

Ditto on the Ethiopian food though - lots to choose from!

Another option near the Spy Museum is Teaism on 8th and D. Agree that most museum restaurants are to be avoided except at the Native American Museum and the cafe in the sculpture garden.

I'm an Australian too & spent Anzac Day weekend in Washington, just a fortnight ago. Arriving by train from NYC late Saturday morning, I took the red Hop on-Hop off bus from Union Station to get an overview of the city and main attractions. I stayed at the Palomar Hotel in Dupont Circle, which was a great location. I echo much of Rachelnyc04's advice, especially having only 1 1/2 days to see as much as I could and balancing that with wandering around absorbing the sights, sounds & smells of local life.

The red open topped bus takes about 2 1/2 hours for the full circuit, which includes Arlington Cemetery. It was a temptation to hop off at Georgetown as the music & promise of a cool drink at one of the many bars beckoned on what was a pretty hot day (89F at 1:20pm) - but I stayed the course and spent the remainder of the day walking in & around the Dupont Circle area.

Sunday morning, I took a taxi to the National Art Gallery and then walked along The National Mall, the Museums of American, Indian and Natural History; the Smithsonian Castle, the White House (no tours on Sundays); the Washington, WWII, Lincoln memorials. Another taxi out to Arlington for a pensive walk, and back to Georgetown.

There was an interesting Growers' Market just off Dupont Circle on Sunday morning, and a wonderful group of female drummers in the park.

Union Station is a magnificent building & well worth a visit itself.

Washington was in full Spring mode; picture post card gorgeous with a sea of pink & white flowering trees and acres of tulips. Wish I'd had longer. Next time

Definitely do the museums around the mall area, the monuments are right there as well, and it's all very accessible. For good food, try the Penn Quarter - the Spy Museum is in that neighborhood. Jaleo (tapas), Oyamel (Mexican tapas), and Zaytina (mediterrean tapas) are all excellent, Sei is new and good, or Zola at the Spy Museum. The Portrait Gallery there is nice as well. It's hopping around that area.

We have stayed at the Doubletree and the Residence Inn in Pentagon City. We enjoyed both of them. There Pentagon City and Crystal City are right next to each other and both are sections of Arlington, VA, which is right across the river from DC. You can see the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and several DC monuments from the windows of the Doubletree and The Residence Inn. Both are fairly close to a Metro station. The Metro is the only reasonable way to get around in DC. The traffic is usually awful, and there is NO place to park anywhere you are likely to go. There are a bunch of good chain hotels in Crystal City. The Crystal City Marriott is almost on top of the Crystal City Metro stop.

I would agree with Anonymous. You should have some kind of plan. The Spy Museum was okay, but I would stick to the Smithsonian Museums. Use the internet to decide which of them are interesting to your family. They are all good. You can take 3 - 4 hour bus tours of the monuments and some of the other sights, like the Capitol and the White House. This is a good way to see a bunch of stuff in a short time. Onboard Tours seems like a good one, although I have never used them.

thanks everyone
we are going to be staying with a friend in downtown so wont be looking for accom
but DC is a city im not familiar with - thanks for the info so far !
its great!!

If I were in the U Street Corridor area, I might go to Ben's Chili Bowl (after all, Obama did), but my fave there is Busboys and Poets. Love the food, and love the concept (bookstore, performance area, restaurant where you caan sit at tables or on sofas). Also, of the Smithsonian museums, my personal favorite is the American History Museum, which reopened last fall after a big facelift.