Yikes, Washington DC and less than 24 hours to plan!
 

My Darling Husband (a little hint of sarcasm) has sprung it on me that we're taking a 2 night, 3 day trip to DC. TOMORROW ��

Talk about short notice! I'm usually the trip planner and like to research well in advance. So I'm lost, any advice from areas to stay in to must sees will be gratefully received. We like museums, American history isn't a big deal for us since we are Brits living in MA but I do want to see the Korean War memorial.

It's a short trip so money isn't an issue and we'll possibly stay at one of the Kimptons (but which one) but I expect that at this time of year the hotels will be booked solid.

I know he thinks he's doing a nice thing but the only thing I've packed so far are comfortable shoes :)

Help and thanks in advance.

Depending on your likes, any of the Smithsonians are great to visit and free. Google Smithsonians and you'll get a description of all of them. The Nationsl Gsllery of Art is also free and great. If you're a news junkie or just follow the news, the Newseum is fabulous. There is a charge for that.
I love th Phillips Gallery in DuPont Circle for great art...it has "The Boating Party." To see the Capitol you can book a tour online.

It's forecasted to be really horribly hot Tuesday &Wednesday and then just normal DC hot the rest of the week, so dress accordingly and bring water bottles. Have fun!

Thanks YT,
It's hot and muggy here in MA so I have appropriate clothing for the heat.

I've just booked a 1:10 tour of the Capitol on Wednesday even though we don't have a hotel room yet :)

I'm a big fan of "Mysteries at the Museum" on the TV so I reckon I'll like any of the museums we pop into to escape the heat :)

Sorry, I'm no help with hotels! That does seem to be Job One at the moment...

As far as sights to see, do go to the Smithsonian Institution's site and peruse the list of museums. They're all free, and you can make a list of what you think interests you and your husband and note their locations.
http://www.si.edu

Consider walking around the monuments at night, because it will be cooler and will extend your sightseeing time into the evening. They're beautiful when they're lit, but also it is staying light out now quite late. This page lists the monuments on the Mall and gives their locations so you can plan a walk:
http://washington.org/DC-guide-to/national-mall

There is a ton of threads here on restaurants, and a ton of restaurants in DC for all tastes and budgets, and a lot will depend on which hotel you choose. You could do this on the fly if you don't have time to make reservations.

I think it would be nice to venture beyond the Mall one day or half day. Georgetown, perhaps? Depends on your interests...

(Btw, we went to Ireland one year with almost no time to plan in advance, and it turned out to be fun and not at all stressful once we accepted reality :-) )

Heat in DC is a lot more stifling than New England so you may be better without a plan. Walk the Monuments at night to see them and get out of sun during the day. Try to get to Arlington Cemetery.

I do like the idea of visiting the monuments at night - not something I would have thought of with such a short visit but it does make so much sense since I'm a night owl.

Does it make any sense to do a 'hop on, hop off' tour or is the Metro easier and cooler :?

If you plan to see the Korean War memorial, be sure to stop by the Vietnam Memorial which is right near it. http://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm. another lovely site is the FDR Memorial which is outside and very nice to wander thru esp at night.
http://www.nps.gov/frde/index.htm

Agree with tchoinere re the heat in DC -- we go to NE to escape the summer heat in DC. It can be stifling here with the heat and humidity. But as you said, lots of museums to duck into. I think you'll find vacancies in hotels, but not inexpensive rooms. Kimpton's are great. good luck!

Thanks for thank link YT, I found 12 soldiers with our last name so that will be interesting to see

Thank you all, I've gone from being freaked out to rather excited. But please keep it coming.

Yes NewBe, the hotel is a major on my list but I'm going 'bog eyed' looking at hotels and availability :)

The Madera is a kimpton and has availability. Great hotel.

Don't miss the National Portrait Museum.

Skip the hop on hop off and walk / cab / Metro as you will save a lot. There is a new route for DC Circulator around the Monuments but it ends around 7 or so.

No to the HOHO! Long lines at stops, more trouble than it's worth. Walk, Metro, cab, and the circulator bus are the best ways to get around.

Per previous threads (and my own experience), Uber is great in DC.

Just used Uber Saturday night and they showed up in 3 minutes.

I should have said cab/Uber. IME, Uber is great in DC, better than cabs.

cabs or uber, not bad pricing at all. I love seeing the Lincoln memorial after dark when it is all lit.

There are still tickets to see the Nationals play the Mets on Wed.

If you are going for the first time and plan to walk the Mall at night to see the monuments, take a flashlight and a map. The Korean War memorial and the Vietnam Memorial are very hard to see at night and there is very little lighting.

There are night tours of the memorials -- including one on a Segway! If you choose to go it on your own and to give you a gauge for distance, the walk between the Lincoln M. and the WWII M. is a little more than a half a mile.

It is extra hot and humid this week -- gratefully air conditioning is plentiful. You've probably already booked a hotel, but the Monaco would be very suitable for access to museums and metro.

<i>The Korean War memorial and the Vietnam Memorial are very hard to see at night and there is very little lighting.</i>

I disagree that they are hard to see. The lighting at night for both of these memorials is very evocative. It is true they aren't lit like a surgical theater.

If you stand on the Lincoln Memorial steps facing the Washington Monument, the VNM is on your left and the KWM is on your right. Maps are, as you said, useful but there is also signage.

I, too, think the monuments are well lit at night. I have never felt the need for a flashlight, nor seen anyone else with one.