Hi folks,
Well I have finally made it over to the US board after living on the European one for over a year. I will be in Washington in Feb. and have accommodation arranged but would appreciate any hint or tips on what to do in Washington - apart from the usual recommeded things in the guidebooks etc, anything that you think that is not given enough credit in the usual guidebooks. Tips on special transport tickets or passes will also be appreciated,

Thanks

Cathy

Do you like to jog / bike? There is a broad paved bike/jog path that runs from lincoln Memorial to Mount Vernon in Virginia, about 20 miles(?) Part runs thru Old Town Alexandria. Our bike club has done this, lots of fun if it isn't too cold. Reeves Bakery is at 1306 G St. NW Washington, DC, 20005 Phone: (202) 628-6350 "A Washington landmark since 1886", great stop for lunch with very reasonable prices, good food, friendly staff. Do search on other DC posts for tips. Smithsonian is my favorite place to go, and I love Mount Vernon.

of course visit the mall & memorials during the day but also try and see them at night. I think seeing them and the capitol lit is so beautiful. You also get a great view (day or night) of from the Iwo Jima memorial - which is close to the Rosslyn metro stop. And I think the view from the Old Post Office tower is much than the Washington Momument. Try to ride down Massachusetts Ave and see alot of the foreign embassies. When you visit the White House, also walk around the park in front (Pennsylvania Ave side). There's some historic buildings around the park. You can see a piece of the Berlin Wall inside the Reagan Building.

A surprisingly pleasant alternative to gazillions of tourists around memorials to memorable Americans is the Teddy Roosevelt Memorial on Roosevelt Island. Accessible only by a foot bridge at a parking lot just off the George Washington Parkway, the island is an oasis of quiet near a city of a lot of noise. A statue of Teddy is in the middle of the island, as well as several of his quotes.

For transport, I definitely recommend checking out www.tourmobile.com

We are assuming that you are inquiring about Washington, D.C. and not Washington State (two places completely different and distant from one another).

The newly arrived pandas at the National Zoo should be ready for viewing by February. If you like Mexican food, Lauriol Plaza at 18th and S St. is one of my favorites (and not too expensive). The National Cathedral is often overlooked by visitors, but it's worth a visit - don't miss the observation deck.

If you buy a $20 metro pass, you'll get a $2 bonus. Or you can buy an all-day metro pass for $5, but you can't use it before 9:30am. Unless you are physically unable to walk long distances, or tire easily, the Tourmobile or other such buses (busses?) are unnecessary and too expensive. You can use the metro or walk, since most sights are pretty close together. Washingtonians are really helpful if you get lost or need directions on the Metro.

I don't know if it's in the guidebooks, but the Ronald Reagan building, just a block away from the Musuem of American History, has a great food court for a lunch break. More choices and better fare than musuem food.

While the sites on the Mall APPEAR to be very close together, actually they are just very large buildings and many people finding walking from one to another all day long quite an ardorous chore. Many of my sightseeing guests have appreciated the 'luxury' of using the tourmobile. Consider also that it makes stops in other areas: the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington Cemetary...all places somewhat removed from the Mall and places where there is limited or no parking at all. I suggest that you use it one day only going to those remote places and a few on the Mall. Save those that are really close together for another day without the Tourmobile.

In response to the prior 2 postings re: the tourmobile, that unless you are frail, have physical problems, or are with very small children, I agree with Wendy - that the Tourmobile is not necessary and too expensive (really a ripoff).

The places on the mall are close, the metro goes to other placws (Arliongton Cemetary), and if you wnated to, you could treat yourself to a number of cab rides for less than the cost of the tourmobile. Engraving and Printing and Jeff. Memorial are contiguous with the Mall.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions so far - Joe the gremlins ate my DC but it is Washington DC that I am visiting.

We are very interested in historical things as opposed anything else. Where I live in Europe I am surrounded by nature everyday - the view from my office window is just natural beauty.

Wendy I am interested in the 20 dollar pass you mentioned - is that for the week ? I have been leaning towards doing the Trolley or Tourmobile tours on one day - just to get our bearings etc. and then returning to places for a more detailed look. We won't renting a car instead using public transport throughout - found the posting on transport from Baltimore into DC very helpful thanks to all who posted.

What is the situation re transport on getting to Mount Vernon ? How long would it take to get out there, cost etc ?

Finally any tips on shopping ?

Once again many thanks and if you are planning a trip to Europe I would be only too eager to assist.

Cathy

Highly recommend the Holocaust Museum. It requires 4-5 hours and I found it somewhat emotionally draining, but it is incredibly presented and well worth the time. It recognizes everyone who was affected, not just the Jews. I've been to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem as well, and this museum is a much more balanced presentation.

And, we loved the trolley. Touristy, but a great way to get a feel for any city and if it provides warmth, you may need it in Feb.

D.C. is a great city with some of the most remarkable "American" things--have a wonderful time.

me again.

You may be able to do on your own, but we took an organized bus tour to Mt. Vernon, and it was very interesting. The setting is incredible and we enjoyed it very much. I imagine your hotel could arrange something.

If you enjoy political comedy satire, see if the "Capitol Steps" are performing. They used to be at Chelsea's in Georgetown on the weekends. Imagine you'd need reservations. Always very timely humor and song, and no one in politics is safe. I'd think with current events, they'd provide a great evening's entertainment.

The $20 Metro pass gets you $22 worth of travel on the Metro; different charges depending on how far you are going and it costs more during peak commuting times. At the exit from each ride, the card will be debited and a printout on the card will show you how much $$ you have remaining. No time limit. If you use it up, you can add value to the same card or buy cards in smaller denominations of your choice, including the exact amount you need for a trip (the cost for the ride from wherever you are to each other station is printed on a wall map at each station).

Just spent a weekend in DC. Waited in line for three hours to get into the White House for a 20 minute pass-through. Saw the Holocaust Museaum - took a good three hours, was well worth it (you need a free timed ticket to get in.) FBI building tour was not good. Piano exhibit was good. If you go to the West wing of the Art Museum, take a tour (free). Walking the mall was good, but it will be very cold in Feb. Taxis are $9-12 everyplace in DC. Take a tour of Kennedy Center or see something there. Walk in Georgetown on a weekend night to see all the hubbub.

We didn't take the Trolley Tour until our second day in DC. Wish we had taken the tour the first day to get the lay of the land. Well worth the money. Our guide was entertaining and knowledgeable. However, one large family sitting in the back would shout to each other despite several requests that they lower their voices. Ran into the same family (Mom, Dad, grandmom, three children) while I am in the Museum of American History, watching the film on the role of the First Ladies in the White House. Oonce again, they were loud.

The Tour Mobile (avoid the Trolley) is a good idea for first-time visitors because it gives you a sense of where everything is. Try that your first day, and walk/metro the rest of the time.

The $5 Metro pass is a good idea, and it's also a good idea to stay off the the Metro until 9:30 a.m. anyway.

Do the monuments at night. The Vietnam Memorial and Lincoln are particularly beautiful after dark. You will be quite safe down there. Also, visit the statue of Einstein, across Constitution Avenue from the Vietnam Memorial area.

Have a drink at the top of the Hotel Washington (across the street from the US Treasury building, which is next to the White House). Actually, I'm not sure that they open the rooftop in the winter, but it can't hurt to check.

Remember that February is probably the coldest month in Washington, although we do usually get a day or two of unexpected spring-like days in Feb--hopefully you'll be lucky enough to experience one. I recognize you from the Europe site, and since you're from Ireland, you understand cold, but the temperatures here tend to be lower than in Ireland, but it's not that damp cold that you have. Anyway, be prepared for temps in the 30s.

Take the Metro to King Street, on the Blue Line, and walk down King Street into Old Town Alexandria. It's a great place to do some shopping (not really for clothes--more for interesting little shops), and just walk around and look at the architecture. If you like chili, you'll pass the Hard Times Cafe on your right, at the corner of King and West Street. Cheap, quick and great food. For something a little more expensive, try the Warehouse, much further down King, almost at the water. Great seafood.

Back in Washington, try the Brickskellar near Dupont Circle (the address escapes me). 500 beers from around the world, and they serve Buffalo burgers. For a nice dinner, try DC Coast. Again, can't remember the address.

The tour of the Capitol Building is good--very interesting. See a movie at the IMAX theater in the Air and Space museum. DON'T miss the Holocaust Museum. Exhausting (physically and mentally), but well worth it.

For a decent pint, pretty much any Irish bar in D.C. will do the trick. They have greatly improved their pouring techniques of the black stuff. The Dubliner is near Capitol Hill, the Four Courts is in Arlington, Virginia, at the Court House Metro station, Ireland's Four Provinces is at Cleveland Park metro, Fado's at Gallery Place metro. Avoid Pat Troy's in Old Town Alexandria.

For good Vietnamese Food, head to the Little Viet Garden near the Clarendon Metro in Arlington. There are a lot of good restaurants in that area. Also, for Thai, Tara Thai is a chain, but a good chain, near the Ballston metro.

Cathy, you've received lots of great advice. I'll just add that one way to see the Kennedy Center is to go to a Millenium Stage performance. These are free mini-performances at 6:00 p.m. each night. I'm going to see cellos performing tonight.

Also, Holocaust Museum is very good, but young kids aren't welcome.

As for museums, I like the displays of First Ladies' dresses at American History, and I believe there is a new exhibit of Presidential artifacts, but I believe tickets are required. Does anyone know?

Finally, I agree with Dave that the White House can be skipped. But if you can get the guided tour, it is worth it. Ask your member of Congress for a pass, preferably from a state far from Washington, D.C. Senators/congresspeople from more distant states usually have less demand for their passes.

It will be cold, but visit the floating seafood market-Love it!

Cathy, great advice here, and Annie's list is nearly exhaustive.

As to shopping, Washington's "downtown" is functionally non-existent. There are two good spots for those without vehicles: the Shops at Georgetown (M Street and 32nd), and Pentagon City in Arlington. The former is roughly two-thirds of a mile west of the Georgetown/Foggy Bottom Metro station; the latter has its own stop on Metro's Blue and Yellow lines. The Shops at Georgetown is the more upscale with many one-of-a-kind stores; Pentagon City has a Macy's and a Nordstrom's plus 100 or more smaller specialty stores on three levels.

One piece of advice I always give to those looking for the unusual to do in DC in the evening is to check out the activities that are part of the Smithsonian's Resident Associates Program (RAP), which can be found at the Smithsonian's web site. RAP is a collection of lectures, presentations, and concerts that are open to the public and that draw surprisingly little attention in DC. It beats watching re-runs of "ER" at night in your hotel room. RAP programs are downright cheap, usually under $20.

As to "historical things," you're at ground zero for U.S. history. Enjoy the city.

As a long time resident of DC, suggest you invest in a Zagat's guide to restaurants, or check their website. Some of the resturants mentioned are not the best options for you. For Vietnamese, for example, do take an Orange line subway to Clarendon Square, but try Nam Viet, Queen Bea or Cafe DaLat. Avoid Thai chains altogether - this is where Zagat's will help you, because DC has some of the best Thai places in the world. DC Coast is okay, but really you are paying for the power scene. Instead, try Jaleo or Cafe AStlantico, or small places around DuPont Circle, or along Connecticut Avenue near Calvert Street. At all costs, avoid restaurants on capitol Hill, and avoid the food court in the Post Office Pavillion at 12th and Pa. Avenue. Also, check out the Washingtonian Magazine site for cheap eats. Have fun in DC, and bring comfortable shoes.

Thanks a million folks - all your responses are just great - I am beginning to understand how people posting on the European forum feel now - overwhelmed with information.

As I said in my orginial posting we are looking for first hand knowledge and experience as opposed to guidebooks.

We will be staying with friends so hotels etc are not a worry. However some questions on the Metro Pass - the 5$ day pass - is that unlimited use ?

Annie, hopefully we will be staying away from Irish bars and pubs but thanks for the tips. I have travelled extensively in in Eastern Europe and have seen all the memorials to the Holocaust so we might limit our time in visiting that Museum. Re cold I have expereinced that in Central and Eastern Europe and with the dampness of Ireland thrown in I think we will be prepared for weather in Washington.
Does it rain much ? or is it just cold ?

RE the day trip to Mount Vernon has anybody recommendations ?

Once again thanks a million folks and hopefully I will be able to return the favour,

Cathy