Week in Washington DC Ideas?
Jun 10th, 2005 | 08:48 AM
#2
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
The Capital Hilton is a nice hotel - It has a great gym, especially for a hotel.
Have you been to DC before? That would be good for us to know - it will help to narrow down what to see. If you haven't, then you'll have to hit all of the monuments, White House, Capitol, Holocast Museum, Smithsonian museums etc. I enjoy the Natural History Museum and National Gallery, which has one of my favorite paintings - Monet's Palazzo da Mulla (a Venice scene). If you like zoos, the National zoo is wonderful and you'll love the pandas. After you've run the tourist gamut, about 3 days worth of sightseeing, I would suggest visiting some of DC's neighborhoods. Have dinner and drinks in Adams Morgan - there are tons of different ethnic restaurants like Ethiopian, Latin American etc. Visit the shops/bookstores in Dupont Circle. Go to the Eastern market near the Capitol on Sat or Sun for crafts, jewelry etc. I would also make a day of Old Town Alexandria - there are several great shops, restaurants and the Torpedo factory for local art. You could combine it with a trip to Mt Vernon.
Restaurants I recommend -
1. DC Coast (Entrees from the Atlantic & Pacific coasts - on K St near the Hilton),
2. Kinkead's (High end seafood, steaks - on Pennsylvania Ave near 20th)
3. Lauriol Plaza (Mexican - 18th St near S St)
4. Ten Penh (Asian - Pennsylvania Ave at 10th)
The DC metro system is great. Here is the link for the map:
www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
Have you been to DC before? That would be good for us to know - it will help to narrow down what to see. If you haven't, then you'll have to hit all of the monuments, White House, Capitol, Holocast Museum, Smithsonian museums etc. I enjoy the Natural History Museum and National Gallery, which has one of my favorite paintings - Monet's Palazzo da Mulla (a Venice scene). If you like zoos, the National zoo is wonderful and you'll love the pandas. After you've run the tourist gamut, about 3 days worth of sightseeing, I would suggest visiting some of DC's neighborhoods. Have dinner and drinks in Adams Morgan - there are tons of different ethnic restaurants like Ethiopian, Latin American etc. Visit the shops/bookstores in Dupont Circle. Go to the Eastern market near the Capitol on Sat or Sun for crafts, jewelry etc. I would also make a day of Old Town Alexandria - there are several great shops, restaurants and the Torpedo factory for local art. You could combine it with a trip to Mt Vernon.
Restaurants I recommend -
1. DC Coast (Entrees from the Atlantic & Pacific coasts - on K St near the Hilton),
2. Kinkead's (High end seafood, steaks - on Pennsylvania Ave near 20th)
3. Lauriol Plaza (Mexican - 18th St near S St)
4. Ten Penh (Asian - Pennsylvania Ave at 10th)
The DC metro system is great. Here is the link for the map:
www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
Jun 10th, 2005 | 09:04 AM
#3
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,142
Likes: 0
I would spend:
2 days in the Mall area - not 2 days in a row however: (the National Gallery of Art, Archives, Holocuast Memorial Museum, American Indian Museum, American History Museum, Museum of African Art, Hirshorn Museum, Sackler, and maybe the Air&Space. The Natioanl Gallery of Art's cafes are thought the best choice for eating on the Mall. The Amer. Indian Museum cafe is also OK.
1-2 days exploring Capitol Hill: The Capitol Bldg. (contact your congressperson and two senators to arrange a tour - go with whoever gets back to you first), Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Union Station, Shakespeare Library/museum, Eastern Market. Eat at Eastern Market area, Barracks Row area, Union Station, if you want to go budget eat at one of the House or Senate office bldgs (which are open to the public).
1 day exploring: the memorials and monuments (a LOT of walking here), the White House (eat at nearby Breadline), maybe the Corcoran Gallery while you're in the area, Tidal Basin, The Holocuast Memorial might make better sense on this day as it is close to Jefferson.
Other days: Dupont Area, Georgetown, Logan area, U St. Zoo, Nat'l Cathedral, Arlington cemetarty, maybe a cruise, Mt. Vernon, Old Town Alexandria, .....
Give me an itinerary and I'll suggest more dining spots.....
2 days in the Mall area - not 2 days in a row however: (the National Gallery of Art, Archives, Holocuast Memorial Museum, American Indian Museum, American History Museum, Museum of African Art, Hirshorn Museum, Sackler, and maybe the Air&Space. The Natioanl Gallery of Art's cafes are thought the best choice for eating on the Mall. The Amer. Indian Museum cafe is also OK.
1-2 days exploring Capitol Hill: The Capitol Bldg. (contact your congressperson and two senators to arrange a tour - go with whoever gets back to you first), Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Union Station, Shakespeare Library/museum, Eastern Market. Eat at Eastern Market area, Barracks Row area, Union Station, if you want to go budget eat at one of the House or Senate office bldgs (which are open to the public).
1 day exploring: the memorials and monuments (a LOT of walking here), the White House (eat at nearby Breadline), maybe the Corcoran Gallery while you're in the area, Tidal Basin, The Holocuast Memorial might make better sense on this day as it is close to Jefferson.
Other days: Dupont Area, Georgetown, Logan area, U St. Zoo, Nat'l Cathedral, Arlington cemetarty, maybe a cruise, Mt. Vernon, Old Town Alexandria, .....
Give me an itinerary and I'll suggest more dining spots.....
Jun 10th, 2005 | 10:30 AM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Wow! So much to do and see. Thanks for the ideas guys. This will be our first visit to DC.
With so much to do I guess we will have to go back some time.
I don`t want to pack too much in rather see a few things properly as we can always go back. No planned itinery yet we usually go with the flow.
With so much to do I guess we will have to go back some time.
I don`t want to pack too much in rather see a few things properly as we can always go back. No planned itinery yet we usually go with the flow.
Jun 10th, 2005 | 05:53 PM
#6
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 0
We spent a week in DC in July. It was no worse than MA. Hot and humid but so what. There is tons of stuff to do. I highly recommend Arlington National Cemetery. A side to Mount Vernon is a good idea. It's very cool there on the river. The Smithsonians can take an entire week themselves. I would skip the White House. Long lines are not worth it. The Mall is beautiful and will probably take two days to do it justice. Georgetown is good for cute shops, restaurants, etc. My kids and I found Ford's Theater to be very interesting. I don't know much about restaurants except there is very little in the Mall area. Mostly street vendors and food courts in the federal buildings. The best thing about Washington is that once you pay for basics (hotel, airfare, etc.) all the attractions are either free or cheap. The Metro is a good way to get around. Very clean and well marked. If you go to Arlington, invest in the shuttle. It is huge and steep and too interesting to exhaust yourself walking. Have a great trip.
Jun 10th, 2005 | 06:12 PM
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Washington is a great destination! It will be hot and humid (I live in the Caribbean, but DC's summers are much worse 
. Spent 5 years there and never quite got used to the horrible humidity). To save some walking and get oriented to the sights, you could consider Tourmobile http://www.tourmobile.com/. There's even a two-day that takes you to Mt. Vernon, which is otherwise hard to get to without a car.
If you're going the first week in July don't miss the Folklife Festival on the Mall and the 4th of July celebration at the Capitol!
Take good walking shoes and cool clothes for day, but do take something a tad dressier (business casual maybe) if you plan dinner at nicer restaurants, because people in DC tend to be on the dressy side.
. Spent 5 years there and never quite got used to the horrible humidity). To save some walking and get oriented to the sights, you could consider Tourmobile http://www.tourmobile.com/. There's even a two-day that takes you to Mt. Vernon, which is otherwise hard to get to without a car. If you're going the first week in July don't miss the Folklife Festival on the Mall and the 4th of July celebration at the Capitol!
Take good walking shoes and cool clothes for day, but do take something a tad dressier (business casual maybe) if you plan dinner at nicer restaurants, because people in DC tend to be on the dressy side.
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Jul 22nd, 2005 | 04:36 AM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Washington Trip Report
I post a short rundown of my trip to D.C. for those who suggestions helped. I will also post it under Washington Trip Report for others. Thanks to all who helped make my trip so enjoyable. We did a lot in the time and some times only got a flavour of the place but it was a great trip, thank you D.C.
Day 1 7th. July
Arrived around 6pm. Traffic busy as security in D.C. had been stepped up due to the London bombing that day. Booked in to hotel (Capitol Hilton on 16th.) room was great, looked right on to the White House 2 blocks away. Then went to eat then had an early night after long day travelling.
Day 2 8th. July
Went to American History Museum (V. Good) Then on to the Old Post Office, went up lift to top and had great views over city. Then on to the Aquarium this was the only disappointment of our trip, not a lot to it. It may be better for family’s with small children. On way back went past White House to get some photos.
Day 3 9th. July
Took a Trolley Tour and went to Arlington Cemetery, when in Arlington Cemetery I would recommend using the Tourmobile buses as it is quite hilly and a big area to cover. After Arlington we continued with the Trolley tour of the City. Great interesting day.
Day 4 10th. July
Walked from hotel to Lincoln Memorial then on to Vietnam memorial, Korean Memorial, W.W.II Memorial and Washington Monument. Finished off at the Holocaust Museum which was incredible and very moving. This was our longest trip and quite tiring but well worth it
Day 5 11th. July
Took metro and spent the day at the National Zoo. Great day out!
Day 6 12th. July
Took Metro to Union Station, beautiful building, plus shops and restaurants. Went on to Library of Congress and had a guided tour. What a magnificent building, a must see! Then walked round Capitol building.
Day 7 13h. July
Walked to F.B.I. Building but closed to public for renovation. Went on to Spy Museum, really good, spent over 4 hours there. Then on to Fords Theatre and the Peterson House. Interesting talk at Theatre on history of building and events.
Day 8 14. July
Took bus to Georgetown. My wife enjoyed that! Plenty of good shops and places to eat!
Day 9 15h. July
Went to Air and Space Museum and American Indian Museum. Both great and a must see.
Day 10 16h. July
Visited the natural History Museum. Great place for families, so much to appeal to all ages.
For breakfast we went to Starbucks, Cosi, Firehook Bakeries, Corner Bakery, Union Station
& Caribou Coffee. I thought the best was Caribou Coffee but they were all good.
For Dinner we went to Bertuccis, Luna, Californian Pizza House, Heritage Indian Restaurant all on Connecticut towards Dupont Circle, also went to Hard Rock Café on my Son’s birthday which as great . When they found out it was his birthday they gave him a free sundae and made him sit in a chair in the middle of the café and got everyone sing happy birthday to him. He will not forget that night!
I thought the best was Luna, great food and tremendous service. We went there three times!
Our server Alice is going to Paris shortly on vacation, have a great one Alice!
My son would of course argue for Hard Rock Café but he thought Luna was great too.
I post a short rundown of my trip to D.C. for those who suggestions helped. I will also post it under Washington Trip Report for others. Thanks to all who helped make my trip so enjoyable. We did a lot in the time and some times only got a flavour of the place but it was a great trip, thank you D.C.
Day 1 7th. July
Arrived around 6pm. Traffic busy as security in D.C. had been stepped up due to the London bombing that day. Booked in to hotel (Capitol Hilton on 16th.) room was great, looked right on to the White House 2 blocks away. Then went to eat then had an early night after long day travelling.
Day 2 8th. July
Went to American History Museum (V. Good) Then on to the Old Post Office, went up lift to top and had great views over city. Then on to the Aquarium this was the only disappointment of our trip, not a lot to it. It may be better for family’s with small children. On way back went past White House to get some photos.
Day 3 9th. July
Took a Trolley Tour and went to Arlington Cemetery, when in Arlington Cemetery I would recommend using the Tourmobile buses as it is quite hilly and a big area to cover. After Arlington we continued with the Trolley tour of the City. Great interesting day.
Day 4 10th. July
Walked from hotel to Lincoln Memorial then on to Vietnam memorial, Korean Memorial, W.W.II Memorial and Washington Monument. Finished off at the Holocaust Museum which was incredible and very moving. This was our longest trip and quite tiring but well worth it
Day 5 11th. July
Took metro and spent the day at the National Zoo. Great day out!
Day 6 12th. July
Took Metro to Union Station, beautiful building, plus shops and restaurants. Went on to Library of Congress and had a guided tour. What a magnificent building, a must see! Then walked round Capitol building.
Day 7 13h. July
Walked to F.B.I. Building but closed to public for renovation. Went on to Spy Museum, really good, spent over 4 hours there. Then on to Fords Theatre and the Peterson House. Interesting talk at Theatre on history of building and events.
Day 8 14. July
Took bus to Georgetown. My wife enjoyed that! Plenty of good shops and places to eat!
Day 9 15h. July
Went to Air and Space Museum and American Indian Museum. Both great and a must see.
Day 10 16h. July
Visited the natural History Museum. Great place for families, so much to appeal to all ages.
For breakfast we went to Starbucks, Cosi, Firehook Bakeries, Corner Bakery, Union Station
& Caribou Coffee. I thought the best was Caribou Coffee but they were all good.
For Dinner we went to Bertuccis, Luna, Californian Pizza House, Heritage Indian Restaurant all on Connecticut towards Dupont Circle, also went to Hard Rock Café on my Son’s birthday which as great . When they found out it was his birthday they gave him a free sundae and made him sit in a chair in the middle of the café and got everyone sing happy birthday to him. He will not forget that night!
I thought the best was Luna, great food and tremendous service. We went there three times!
Our server Alice is going to Paris shortly on vacation, have a great one Alice!
My son would of course argue for Hard Rock Café but he thought Luna was great too.
