A week in Washington DC - Day 3

[Claire L]

Monday June 15th 2009

As we were being collected for our tour of ‘DC in a day’ at 7am we were up nice and early and nipped into the nearby McDonald’s for breakfast Soon after the bus arrived and we made our way to Union Station where the tour would depart. After exchanging our vouchers we got on our bus. First stop was the Capitol for a tour inside. The new visitor centre is underground and quite large

To start with we had a 15 minute or so presentation in a cinema and then went in little group for our tour. This started in the dome, which was very interesting with all the detail that had gone into building it.

Then moved onto the National Statuary Hall (The Old Hall of the House), where there are a lot more statues!

Finally we visited the crypt.

After this we had a small snack in the restaurant and then walked around the building to the Mall side as we were being picked up here later. Today we got a closer look at this side.

The Mall also looked a lot quieter today being as it was a week day.

Once collected we made our way down the Mall to stop at the WW2 memorial which was quite impressive and showed all the areas and countries involved.

Looking each way along the Mall from the WW2 Memorial we got great sights.

Now it was nearly lunch as we were dropped off near the National museum for American History. On the recommendation of the coach driver we grabbed lunch at the food court in the Ronald Regan building. The selection was quite good and we went for Sbarro pizza and salad.

 

[Claire L]

Feeling refreshed we went to have a look around the NMAH.

Nathan found a bike he rather liked!

Once again I found a Disney reference!

We came out a while later to grey skies

Luckily it stayed dry as we were off to the White House.

It is amazing how much grounds it is in. There is even a vegetable patch just off to the left of the main lawn!

After this we went for a presentation at the Ford Theatre where Lincoln was shot. This was quite a queue!

The theatre itself is still a working theatre.

Opposite is the house where Lincoln died.

The Ford Theatre has recently had a new visitor centre built and a museum is under way as well.

It is amazing how the new mixes with the old.

By now it was late in the afternoon and we made our way back to Union Station and got to the hotel around 6.30pm. Not wanting to venture far we made it to a nearby Indian restaurant We both started with a lamb starter and popadums.

Then we had the tikka curry and rice with a garlic naan.

The meal was very nice and we sat outside which made a nice change from being inside. In all it was a very full and interesting day.

Claire

 

[Pinky166]

Another great day. Lovely photos.

 

[irongirlof12]

spectacular. the murals etc are amazing. another fab day.

 

[mandymouse]

Fab photos, and another great day Claire

 

[suzycute]

Makes me want to go to Washington even more! Thanks for posting!

 

[SusanEllen]

Excellent report and beautifully illustrated. You managed to see quite a lot in one day but made it sound like you weren't too hurried. Love it that you found a little something Disney, but then how could you not in a museum of American History?!

 

[cap'njack.]

Great pictures of another wonderful day!