Here's a comment from a Brit living in Washington. <BR> <BR>Do use the Metro, you can get virtually anywhere (Except Mount Vernon!) <BR> <BR>Don't think anyone has mentioned Arlington Cemetery. Get there by the Blue Line. very impressive, graves of John F and Robert Kennedy. At the top of the cemetery, Arlington house, home of Confederage General Robert E. Lee. Changing of the Guard ceremony on the hour, also very impressive but you'll need to be dressed warmly to stand and watch it. takes 7 or 8 minutes of mostly uphill walking to get to the top of the cemetery where this takes place. Also, one of the Tourmobile buses goes round the cemetery if you don't feel like walking. <BR> <BR>Also on the west side of the river - the Newseum in Rosslyn (Rosslyn metro, orange and blue lines). History of the news, interesting exhibits, TV studio, lots of computer activity for kids to try, editing newspapers etc. Something to appeal to all ages. Much more interesting than it sounds! And like most other things in Washington, it's FREE! <BR> <BR>we like going to Basketball (Washington Wizards) and Ice Hockey (called Hockey - Washington Capitals) at the MCI Center. The Wizards lose nearly all their matches, and the Capitals have just started losing, but whatever the result it's fun to go, and the stadium is impressive by British/Irish standards. <BR> <BR>Weather is colder than in Europe but mostly much drier cold. Lots of bright cold days. Wrap up warm and enjoy the trip! <BR> <BR>

Does anyone know if there are still boats that go down the river to Mt. Vernon? That was a lovely way to see it. There's also a good Irish bar very near Union Station.....for some reason I seem to have forgotten its name! Old Town Alexandria is one of our favorite Sundays--the torpedo factory is worth a look for arts and crafts and some of the antique stores. There's an old inn almost at the river that had excellent clam chowder on a cold day--think it's the Seaport Inn. I don't think anyone has mentioned visiting Annapolis--wonderful historic city-- or Williamsburg, also great but more touristy. Don't say if you'll have a car, but for a one day trip (or you can take Amtrak, I believe) you can go about 100 miles south to Charlottesville, home of University of Va and Thomas Jefferson's famous Monticello--gorgeous. In Georgetown, take a walk and note the former JFK houses: 1528 31st St., 1400 34th St., 3271 P St. and 3307 N St. which was his last one before going to the White House. Georgetown actually predates Washington and was named after King George of England. In more recent times it's become famous as the place where The Exorcist was filmed over on Prospect St. and 36th near Georgetown University.I would highly recommend Martin's Tavern which Americans think is Irish, but it's actually pretty early American! Fun, nonetheless. It's the oldest pub in Georgetown. Hoping the weather will cooperate. Since you've helped me with Ireland questions, I would expect you won't find it all that different weatherwise. Have a great trip.

Thank you all so much - I have just finished reading Washington - Rough Guide (the only guide book I could find on the city in my local book store) and I have a good idea of what we want to do - starting with a Trolly or Tourmobile tour to give us a flavour of the city and let us get our bearings then after that we want to re-visit one or 2 of the museums on The Mall, The Washington Memorial and the various memorials to the war vetrans, the Capitol and the White House, Arlington cemetary,Ford Theatre. <BR> <BR>We won't have a car but plan on using the Metro constantly and perhaps doing a day trip to Mt Verdon (transport and weather permitting). After that we plan to hang out with our friends - and I also want to play it by ear and see how the jet lag hits us etc anyone any tips ? That is pretty much it. <BR> <BR>Thanks a million for all the advice, keep it coming and to anyone planning a holiday in Europe (Ireland,Germany in particular) just post on the European board or email me, <BR> <BR>Cathy

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HI everyone, <BR>We franticly trying to pack and get everything ready as we will be departing in a few days. But thanks to everyone I have a fair idea of what we are going to do and see. Has any last minute tips on the weather, new attractions etc to see and getting over the jet lag (have read all the tips on both this and the Europe Forum). Many thanks <BR> <BR>Cathy

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