1 day Washington DC itinerary (a Sunday)

[shawthorne44]

One idea. You can rent fully charged scooters from DCScooters.com by the hour. Then you could do all the monuments using the scooter.

Those scooters that are scattered around the sidewalks aren't allowed to be left in the Mall. Sometimes those can run out of charge sometimes while you are using them and then you would be fined if that was in the Mall.

I have not been there, but I'm planning a three-day trip for next summer. DD adores Segway Tours. It was a highlight for her of one of our vacations. But DC seems to have a hard age limit of 16. So, we'll do the scooters instead.

Another idea that is in our plans since you'll have a car . Get an audio tour of Embassy Row and turn it into a car tour. I have been eyeing the ones from this company.
https://freetoursbyfoot.com/dc-audio-tours/ I say plural because I was also thinking of getting the Mall tour.

ETA: I've heard that from March to Labor Day museum reservations are recommended. Cost $1.

 

[wvjules]

One idea. You can rent fully charged scooters from DCScooters.com by the hour. Then you could do all the monuments using the scooter.

Those scooters that are scattered around the sidewalks aren't allowed to be left in the Mall. Sometimes those can run out of charge sometimes while you are using them and then you would be fined if that was in the Mall.

I have not been there, but I'm planning a three-day trip for next summer. DD adores Segway Tours. It was a highlight for her of one of our vacations. But DC seems to have a hard age limit of 16. So, we'll do the scooters instead.

Another idea that is in our plans since you'll have a car . Get an audio tour of Embassy Row and turn it into a car tour. I have been eyeing the ones from this company.
https://freetoursbyfoot.com/dc-audio-tours/ I say plural because I was also thinking of getting the Mall tour.

ETA: I've heard that from March to Labor Day museum reservations are recommended. Cost $1.

The only museum that currently requires a timed entry pass is the Museum of African American History.

https://www.si.edu/museums

 

[shawthorne44]

The only museum that currently requires a timed entry pass is the Museum of African American History.

https://www.si.edu/museums

That is required. I'd said recommended. For example, this is from the National Archives. If I can pay a $1 a skip a line on a short trip during a busy tourist time, I will.

Reservations​

Entry to the National Archives is free. Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Museum through the General Public Entrance, but reservations are strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines outside. A nonrefundable $1.00 advance reservation convenience fee will be charged for each reserved ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge. If you cancel, reservation fees are nonrefundable. Same-day reservations are permitted.

 

[wvjules]

That is required. I'd said recommended. For example, this is from the National Archives. If I can pay a $1 a skip a line on a short trip during a busy tourist time, I will.

Reservations​

Entry to the National Archives is free. Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Museum through the General Public Entrance, but reservations are strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines outside. A nonrefundable $1.00 advance reservation convenience fee will be charged for each reserved ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge. If you cancel, reservation fees are nonrefundable. Same-day reservations are permitted.

Gotcha. I was only thinking about the SI museums.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

you aren't going to be able to walk from Arlington Cemetery to the museums on the Mall. You could, but it would take a lot of time.

 

[Stratman50th]

As a native of the DC area (and later Baltimore) I have to say that I am guilty of not going anywhere in the last 40 or so years. Seems typical of most people who live in or around a tourist area.
That being said, I want to give two to everybody who provided great comments.

 

[pookybean]

I just came back from out trip earlier this week. Our hotel was decent (having the pool was lovely, which was one of the reasons why I chose it). We did a TON of walking, 20k+ steps every day, it was like disney! We did the AA museum on Sunday, we were there for 6 hours and still didnt see everything (my daughter got sick and wanted to leave). The Holocaust museum was about 5 hrs, we did go to the American History museum after because we were leaving the next day, we pretty much went straight to the exhibits we wanted to see and skipped the rest. The Holocaust museum was hard to see. What amazed me was how quiet it was. No chit chat. Everyone was just taking in what they were seeing and giving it the reverence it deserved.

We went to Eastern Market on Saturday and that was fun to just walk around and look at the vendors. I expected more ready to eat food IN the market, and it was more like a butcher, bakery etc... but thats my own fault.

We did the Secrets and Scandals Ghost Tour (with tour guide John who was AMAZING). I think this was the highlight of our trip honestly.

Favorite meal was at Teds Bulletins, we just had a great server and the food was delish. We mostly grabbed quick things and didnt do anything fancy. Wawa was across from our hotel and we went in there more times than i care to admit!

This was our first trip and I know we didnt see a fraction of what is available (only monument we saw was "the pencil" aka... Washington Monument and that was just walking around, we didnt even go in) but we had a great trip and would love to go back again.

 

[wvjules]

Did you get a Ted's tart? <3

 

[pookybean]

Did you get a Ted's tart? <3

NO! We just stumbled upon the place and were getting hangry so went in. I didnt know that was something to have! Ill add it to our next time list!

 

[shawthorne44]

As a native of the DC area (and later Baltimore) I have to say that I am guilty of not going anywhere in the last 40 or so years. Seems typical of most people who live in or around a tourist area.
That being said, I want to give two to everybody who provided great comments.

I think everyone does that. I've lived in Texas for decades. I've been to California more often than I've been to Texas outside my immediate area.

Planning this DC Trip I even looked into a Segway tour in Dallas. Unfortunately they have a age limit too that is older than DD.

 

[shawthorne44]

Did you get a Ted's tart? <3

I've added that Ted's place to our trip planning list, with a note to get the tarts.

 

[shawthorne44]

@Dsnydad2, when are you thinking of going? My trip is far enough out, July 2023, that yours will likely be before mine so I'd like hear how it went after you go.