Myer

I'll be in Washington DC with my wife for 3 days in early June.

I have most of the major sights mapped out on the first 2 days. We have a 7PM flight from DCA on the 3rd day. I assume that if we take the Blue line from Farragut West to DCA leaving at 5PM should give us more than enough time for our flight.

We left Mt Vernon for the last day. Now I'm thinking of possibly dropping Mt Vernon. We're not real history people. Public transportation to Mt Vernon is a bit of a hassle (2 subways and a 20 minute bus ride (my wife doesn't do great on buses due to motion sickness). This appears to be a glorified, commercial plantation visit (we went to two plantations outside of Charleston (it was a very interesting visit and very much worth the time and effort). And. . .

I'm thinking of putting in a self-planned walking tour. We're walkers. I spent some time reading blogs. What we normally do on trips is wander some route and see the sights. If we pass something that looks interesting we might go inside if it's open for visits. Does this make sense?

Start at Dupont Circle.
Walk up to the "Spanish Steps" area. Then walk into Georgetown to the P and 30th area.
After that head east on P street thru Dupont Circle to Logan Circle.
South on 12th Street NW to Massachusetts Ave. Left (east) on Mass Ave to Lincoln Park Market.
Back west along NC Ave and then on Independence Ave past the Capitol. Go to the Air & Space if we haven't already gone there.
North across the Mall on 7th St NW until Pennsylvania Ave. Go west from there.
Work our way around the White House back to Farragut West area.

We would probably start about 10AM and I'm guessing with stops along the way this would take us between 4.5 and 6 hours.

There are three possibilities.
1. We decide it would be a sin to pass on Mt Vernon and go.
2. We do this walking tour.
3. We do this walking tour but make changes based on comments from those who know DC so much better than I do (I was in DC for a week 18 years ago to attend a conference).

Myer

Or we could spend more time in Georgetown near the beginning, take the Metro (Blue line) at Foggy Bottom to Eastern Market and work our way back past the Capitol, Air & Space, Mall, etc as above.

That way we'd spend more time in Georgetown, reduce the length of the walk and some wear and tear on our bodies.

Hobbert

I wouldn't call Mount Vernon glorified or commercial. Visitors have been admitted to the grounds since Washington's time. It's a neat way to look back at our beginning and consider the mindset of those shaping our nation. It ain't Disney World but it's one of my favorite places in Virginia. That said, I wouldn't go if I had to take public transportation. Such a hassle. If you can't get a car, I'd skip it.

Another thing to consider is how horrendously hot and humid DC is in the summer. You just wilt. It's awful. I'd skip the walking unless there are specific things you want to see. Just walking around the Mall is rather a vast area and easily enough to occupy me for a day. Plus- air conditioned museums!

nytraveler

Not sure how you can see the major sights in just 2 days - that seems an awful rush for the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, all of the Smithsonian and the various monuments all along the mall (just for a beginning). IMHO the Smithsonian alone takes more than one day. And this doesn't even include the National Cathedral, Arlington Cemetery etc.

You may want to relook at your list.

And agree that I wouldn't do a daytime walking tour in DC in summer - unless you get very cool weather.

Also Mt Vernon is absolutely fascinating - although we have only gone by car - don;t know about public transit.

obxgirl

Early in June isn't the summer. It could be quite warm and humid but it could just as easily be quite lovely. It ain't August. Presumably Myer is capable of checking the weather and deciding for himself what he can handle if it's very warm or raining.

Myer, if you're not interested in history and you have the preconceived (and I would say very flawed) notion that MV is a glorified commercial plantation then you are setting yourself up to be disappointed. Likewise if you think visiting a pair of plantations in SC checks the lifetime box for "plantation" then skip MV. I will say most people do not experience MV that way but add in your reticence over the public transportation and I think you might have an unpleasant time. Not sure why you want someone to convince you otherwise.

I am also walker and think DC is wonderful, very walkable city. You appear to be a pretty diligent planner. Do you have things along the way you intend to see b/c I'm having trouble figuring out why you've chosen some of these points. My thoughts:

Walk to Spanish Steps = interesting often overlooked spot

Walk to Georgetown = pleasant walk, new & older residential architecture

Georgetown = shopping, restaurants, walkable neighborhood, C&O canal. Don't linger longer if these things don't interest you.

P Street > Dupont Circle > Logan Circle = pleasant enough urban walk, residential, commercial. What is the reason behind Logan Circle as a destination?

Mass Ave to Lincoln Park Market = I am baffled and curious.

NC Ave or Independence Ave past the Capitol w/ possible Air & Space = Again, is there something you are interested in seeing here? I can't imagine tackling Air&Space after the walk you will have already had.

I would think a walk to the Lincoln Memorial, perhaps across Memorial Bridge and to Arlington Cemetery would be more interesting and with some iconic views.

I think your plan to leave Reagan is a pretty sound one. However, I would certainly be checking Metro apps that day to make certain that trains are running without interruption and plan accordingly.

HKP

A little surprised no one mentioned the river cruise to/from Mt. Vernon.

http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/mo...non-cruise.php

Although it's not particularly time-efficient or flexible as public transport goes (only one round-trip per day), it's not a bad way to spend a day -- fairly pleasant gliding down the Potomac, seeing what there is to see along the way, and if there's a breeze anywhere, it'll be on the river.

You can have admission to Mt. Vernon included in your ticket. Have seen my share of commercial restoration/historical places, and it's (for example) a far cry from Williamsburg, which I like but consider commercial.

I'm aware that your tastes and timing may not work with this suggestion, Myer, but I'm posting it anyway in case you rethink some part of this once you get a feeling for how steamy DC can be OR for others who may be surfing Fodors for DC info.

Myer

This is our plan so far.
Day 1.
Metro to Capitol South.
Library of Congress
Supreme Court
2PM Capitol Tour by staff of Representative
Depending upon time maybe Air & Space Museum (probably Day 2)
Walk to National Archives
Walk up to National Portrait Galley (closes 7PM)
Metro to Dupont Circle, walk around and have dinner

Day 2
Metro to Arlington Cemetery.
By noon walk across the bridge to Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Walk to Jefferson Memorial
Get to Holocaust Memorial between 2:30 and 3:30 (advance ticket)
Air & Space Museum (15 min walk - would be better on Day 1 but probably not enough time)
Around 5:30 - 6:30 Washington Monument (reopens mid-May) (tickets)
Metro to Alexandria, tour Old Alexandria, dinner (?)

Day 3
I could rent a car for the day for $50. and go to Mt Vernon
or Metro, Metro, bus to Mt Vernon (Arghhh!!!)
Or put together a walking tour
By 4:30PM get luggage and Metro to DCA for 7PM flight

There's nothing in the areas I mentioned in my walking tour that is of particular interest. I was reading about them.

I could easily redo the walking tour to include other areas. More in Georgetown (omit shopping areas), Capitol Hill area???

Are Metro issues the norm in DC? It's not winter. I guess if there's a problem with Blue line to DCA we could go the other way and take Orange and Yellow to DCA. We'll make sure we're on our way a little early. Maybe 4:30.

Hobbert

I wouldn't say metro issues are the norm but it's fair to say no one is surprised by them. If the train isn't running, a bus will fill the gap between 2 stations. You're probably good to leave at 4:30 for a 7pm flight.

If you could rent a car for $50, I'd absolutely do that to see Mount Vernon.

bardo1

P st. from Wisconsin. Ave to Logan Circle is a very pleasant walk. There are many pleasant stopping/shopping/cafe options along the way. Also - don't go around the circles - cut straight through them (and rest on the benches in the middle of both DuPont and Logan circles).

Also, I agree that if budget allows, then a 1/2 day subcompact (it's a short drive) car rental is THE best option for visiting Mt. Vernon from downtown DC (try Orbitz or Kayak).

bardo1

Also meant to say the rest of your long walk looks great! Amazing especially since you don't live here. You've nailed it.

obxgirl

Bardo, what is the draw to Lincoln Park Market

Myer

I think I read somewhere that the area behind the Library of Congress and Supreme Court is residential Capitol Hill and nice to wander.

If it's not then we can cut it off at Union Station (go inside) and circle around the Capitol and back up the Mall.

Of course, we have a choice and not both. Go to Mt Vernon or the "scenic" walk.

kja

FWIW, I spent about 3 hours at the Holocaust Memorial Museum the first time I visited it. YMMV. Even if you do spend a chunk of time there, you could still visit the Air & Space on your day 3 if you want.

Myer

We could go to the Holocaust Museum around 2:30 - 3PM and if we're there a couple of hours we could go to the Air & Space museum between that and the Washington Monument.

Holocaust Museum is open until 6:20
Air & Space Museum until 7:30
Washington Monument until 10PM but at that time of year it will be light out until after 8PM

If we're finished by around 7PM we could go to Alexandria. Otherwise we'd pass on that and wander the Mall until we eat.

I reserved a car from Enterprise. It's a short walk from the hotel.

I'll run all this by my wife and see what she thinks and wants to do.

kja

You've certainly done your homework for this trip! I'm sure it will pay off.

Myer

It was really quite simple. The whole thing is driven by our Capitol tour at 2PM on Day 1.

In general, we're going to the east side of the Mall on Day 1 and the west side on Day 2.

The Air & Space Museum may be the only one that ends up on the wrong side.

The White House is another issue. We requested a tour but haven't heard yet. Also, I've heard conflicting reports (I went to the White House around 25-30 years ago). Some people say that with their reservation they waited a couple of minutes and others say they waited well over an hour. And I don't think you see any important or known rooms.

There's a temptation to pass on WH.

I took the Capitol tour when I was there 25-30 years ago. I like it better than the White House.

I saw some amazing things and people can't believe what I saw.

A House vote, a Senate vote and speeches by Bob Dole and Ted Kennedy. Funny thing. At the time, I sided with each one as they spoke. I didn't think I saw anything special.

Amy

"Walking tour" brought this to mind and I thought you might like to see one experience: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ely-dc-day.cfm

I hope your weather is as lovely as ours was!

Myer

Amy, Thanks. I'll read it in the morning.

Myer

Discussed various options with my wife for Mt Vernon and we decided to pass on it.

The third day until we have to leave for the airport will be devoted to higher priority sights that might have been missed.

Since we'll probably be at Dupont Circle on our first evening when we'll probably walk around and then eat, I think we'll drop a more extensive walk in the area.

I think we'll start the last day with Georgetown.

Then over to Union Station to look around and over to any Mall sights we wanted but didn't get to.

I see that the Ford Theatre / Petersen House is very close to the Archives and National Portrait Galley. I wonder if that's something we should consider if we have time?

I would also like to get back to the Mall in the evening on one of our first two evenings.

eliztravels2

Since you are walkers you might consider the free/tips only walking tours. Can't think of the name of the company but you would find it easily with Google. We had hoped to do one of the mall area on our first day but it was full so we went to Georgetown instead and found itboth informative and entertaining.