Washington, DC next week
 

DD will be staying at the Washington Hilton near Dupont Circle for a 4 day weekend. Planning to drive in and park the car onsite. She got a parking deal with in/out privileges for a very good price. It is 4 blocks from Dupont Circle Red Line Metro, so she will be using that a lot. Any recommendations on breakfast places near Dupont Circle? Any special places for dinner? She wants to do Old Ebbitt Grill and Tabard Inn, these were from her middle school trip and she is fond to re-visit. Any other trendy, not too terribly expensive restaurant recommendations?

She and friend will be doing the usual tourist stuff - Smithsonian museums on the Mall, art meusuems, etc.Lunch recs near the Mall? Is the on/off trolley worthwhile? Any tours you would particularly recommend? They saw a lot of the tourist sites during a school trip. Any off the beaten path stuff not to be missed? She and friend are old enough to drink, but not clubbers, so to speak. Any decent shopping in DC and where to go for trendy, not mall type clothes? Thanks!

I am sure that once she get her car parked she will not want to take it out until it is time to go home. Public transportation if very easy and will get you anywhere you want to go.

For lunch, PAUL on Penn Ave across from the Archives is wonderful. If they are up by the Capital, Good Stuff Eatery (burgers, etc)owned by Spike from Top Chef is good and reasonably priced. There is a thread from last fall that had a lot of really good suggestions.

Places to see, the Newseum. There is an admission price but well worth it. The Nation Archives was interesting.

I am sure now that they are older than middle school, they will have a whole new perspective on what they see.

I don't know that any of these places are particularly trendy, but they are fairly inexpensive:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...nder-in-dc.cfm

Lee Ann

After you are museumed out, make a stop at the Forest Service Visitor Center. It is the only red brick building you can see SE of the Washington Monument (14th & Constitution?). You might even see a cutout of Smokey Bear outside the door. There is a great view of the south lawn of the White House from the north end of the Ellipse at the Zero Milestone. These are some of the lesser known DC sights.

Reserve Tabard Inn NOW for any hope of a table. Highly recommended whether it's for lunch, brunch, or dinner. A favorite of mine.

Old Ebbitt Grille has gone seriously downhill. Down to <b>1/2 a star</b> from our esteemed restaurant review Tom Sietsema - http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...ic-review.html

Lunch rec near the Mall? No contest - go here (7th & E NW two blocks north of Mall): http://www.jaleo.com/

Trolley? no thanks.

Other "not too expensive" restaurant ideas:
Near your hotel:
http://mintwoodplace.com/

U st. Metro:
http://dukemrestaurant.com/

14th st. NW Midtown is a good bet for unique shops (and restaurants):
http://www.redeemus.com/
http://www.muleh.com/store/
http://www.homerule.com/
http://rue14.com/html/index.php
http://shoptreasury.com/

I like Kramer Books and Luna Grill for breakfasts in that area. Both are right on Connecticut. If the weather is nice, I'll choose to eat outside at Luna. After breakfast at Kramer, it's nice to browse through the books.

>>Lunch rec near the Mall? No contest - go here (7th & E NW two blocks north of Mall): http://www.jaleo.com/<<

I think Jaleo is closed through late March (remodeling?). I do agree it's always wonderful. We had dinner there early on Valentine's Day.

I second the recommendation for Paul -- for breakfast or lunch. And Luna Grill. Also for breakfast near Dupont Circle: Le Pain Quotidien and Firehook Bakery.

Oh no, no space available at Tabard Inn. DD is very disappointed!

Friday - Paul sounds like a great place to have breakfast before starting out sightseeing. Then on to the National Gallery of Art (East & West), then on to National Air & Space Musuem. How is lunch at the art museum? Dinner at Bistro La Bonne on U St.?

Saturday - sleep in, lunch at Hank's Oyster Bar on Q St., visit Newseum (on the mall), then on to International Spy Musuem, dinner at Bistro d'Oc.

Sunday - where to have brunch? Bummed out about no place at Tabard Inn, where else to go for jazz brunch? Planning to visit National Musuem of Natural History, anything interesting for brunch between DuPont Circle and The Mall?

Thanks in advance for help!

<<<Saturday - sleep in, lunch at Hank's Oyster Bar on Q St., visit Newseum (on the mall), then on to International Spy Musuem, dinner at Bistro d'Oc.>>>

there's not enough time to do the Newseum and the ISM in one afternoon. You could spend two days at just the Newseum (and can, because your ticket is good for two consecutive days). I'd allow 4 hours at a minimum for the Newseum.

Contact Perry's about brunch (it's close to your hotel and you can spend some time beforehand exploring/shopping in the neighborhood). Fun and good food.

Bardo, Perry's Drag Brunch sounds terrific! There is a 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.show, so girls can get up early and stand in line. Read the reviews, this sounds like a hoot! Thanks!

Totally agree with Sf7307 about your plans for Saturday. I've been to the Newseum twice and spent 8 hours (over 2 days) on my first visit and 6 hours on my 2nd visit. I agree that you'll need a minumum of 4 hours at the Newseum and even then, you'll probably regret you didn't spend more time there.

The underground food pavilion between he east and west wing of the National Gallery is pretty good, lots of food choices, good people watching, pleasant atmosphere.

If they are art fans, they should add the Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art to their list. American Art does a jazz event in the early evening once a month in the covered courtyard between the two buildings.

So, Sunday is brunch at Perry's Drag brunch buffet in Adams Morgan. Then on to National Musuem of Natural History and if we felt there wasn't enough time - a second visit to the Newseum. DD is ADHD, truly wonder if she would last 6-8 hours in one musuem.