Here is what we want to see in DC:
Arlington Cemetery
Holocaust Museum
Simithsonian
White House
All the Memorial Walls
Capitol Hill

One question, what does the "Mall" include, and how far of a walk is it from one end to the other, and how far and which end of the Mall, would you go see Arlington Cemetery?

thanks in advance

Tha Mall runs from the foot of capitol hill to the Lincoln Memorial, about two miles and is about two blocks wide. Some (about 8) of the Smithsonian museums are along the Mall bewteen 4th and 14th streets.
Look at the Smithsonian website for details about all the museums. You will see maps of the mall including nearby monuments and memnorials.
http://www.si.edu/

We loved Cherry Hill Camground. A bus took us from the campground to the Metro. Everything was walkble once we got down to the Smithsonian area except for Arlington. We took a metro to that.

There is a tour guide who works through the campground and he does tours of the memorial walls. W e didn't do that one but we are going back in May. The walls need to be done on a tour or with Tourmobile as it's just too much walking.

About the bus from Cherry Hill to the Metro -- was it a regular public Metro route, or a shuttle provided by the campground??

We stayed at a campground in Manassas and took public transportation every day. Arlington Cemetery is not near the Mall at all. Plan on spending at least 1/2 a day at Arlington.

Anon,
It's Metro. The 81 (to College Pk) or the 83 (to Greenbelt) are about equal in time from te Campground to the Metro. The bus stop is rigt at the camp office/gift shop - take whichever one shows up first.

Print a copy of this timetable out:

http://www.wmata.com/timetables/md/81-86.pdf

Keep in mind the Smithsonian comprises many many museums - not just one.

Some are: American History Museum, Natural History, National Gallery of Art, Air & Space, Indian, Holocaust, etc.. Most are located around the "mall" which is very easy to walk - make sure and get off at the "Smithsonian" metro stop and use the "mall exit" - it's kinda located in the middle - The Holocaust is a very popular museum so I would suggest going there first to get a "timed entry" which gives you a set time you can go and see it- it's a couple blocks off "the mall" but easy to read signs to find it. Near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Jefferson Memorial.

The White House is closed except for school groups - but you can still see it from the outside. It's just across the ellipse from the Washington monument.

On one end of the mall is the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam and Korean Memorials. The WWII memorial is next right in the middle and absolutely amazing, especially at night.

Just across the road is the Washington monument, then the museums are usually on both sides and the Capitol is the other end. If you get a map you'll be able to see exactly where everything is.

Arlington Cemetery is across the river in Arlington, VA. You either need a car or take the metro (subway) which is very clean, safe and easy to use. Just get on the subway at the Smithsonian station and get on the "blue" line towards Virginia and get off at the Arlington cemetery stop.

The other suggestion is taking the Tourmobile which goes around Washington and includes Arlington Cemetery -except if there is a funeral going on - the tourmobile will not run in the cemetery itself if a funeral is going on. It's an easy walk to the graves of John F Kennedy and Robert F Kennedy from the visitors center. The tourmobile bus is a hop on/off bus.

There are several subway stops near the Indian museum and Capitol too. Capitol South subway stop is close to the Capitol. I know they've changed the security procedures to enter for tours since 9/11 but I'm sure it's on the website for the Capitol.

Let me know if you need any other advice or have any other questions, I'm a native - born and raised in the Washington, DC area.

I strongly recommend that you check the web sites for anyplace that you are interested in visiting, because information on hours, special exhibits, etc., is always changing. For instance, contrary to soapsfan's info, the White House is once again giving tours, though the process is complicated. And the Washington Monument is closed for renovations.

As soapsfan pointed out, you need to get a map of the mall/downtown area, preferably one that shows where the Metro stops are.

Unless you have problems walking distances, you don't need to metro to Arlington Cemetary. It's not very far to walk (just across one bridge).

You can walk to everything on your list. The Holocaust Museum is just off the mall.

When you visit Arlington Cemetery, try to see the Arlington House (one-time home of Robert E Lee family) and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I'm amazed of how many only visit the Kennedy site.

On a nice day, I would start from Arlington, walk to Lincoln, take in VietNam, Korean, then circle the basin to see FDR, Jefferson, then WWII.

The advice to check websites for CLOSEST metro stop for each particular Smithsonian is good. Too many people think that the Smithsonian Metro stop is the ONLY stop for any of them.

Walking distance north of the Smithsonian stop, at the Federal Triangle stop, is the Old Postal Pavilion building, where you can take a free tour to the top of the clock-tower for some great views of DC -- and it's free. The building architecture & history are interesting too. There's a decent food court at the lower level, and another one across the street in the Reagan building -- nothing great but a good time to get a coffee fix or quiet a growling stomach.

I agree about Arlington Cemetery - more than just the Kennedy graves to see, yes definitely see the Lee House and the Changing of the Guard. I know there is a memorial to the Challenger Crew and many other interesting sites. The visitor center is really interesting.

I also agree - check out the websites for the latest up to date information

As far as the White House (check out the website)- it is ONLY available to groups of 10 or more and you have to submit requests through your Congress member. So the tours aren't available to individuals - just groups.

The Federal Triangle stop and the Old Post Office Pavilion is a good idea too. I always take or send friends and relatives to eat at the food court there - cheaper than museum restaurants/cafeterias.

Hope you enjoy your trip.