Additional Washington DC help

[1ST time at DW]

Hi DH and I will be in Washington DC in October staying at the Naval Lodge in SW,any thoughts on the best way(metro) to get to the momuments,etc?I have been to Washington DC once for a school trip many many many years ago Be there for 3 days what are some the the must sees? Is the two day open bus pass a good deal? Thanks

 

[Swmr359]

Have you been to the dc metro website? On there you can put in a starting location and ending location and it will tell you how to get there using the metro, bus, or by walking.
I like to go play tourist in DC a lot; my favoirte places are the National Zoo, the National Catherdral, the National Arboretum, and the Old Post Office (go all the way to the top).

 

[Maybelle]

The Metro is very easy to use, although some of the sites are a bit of a hike from the closest stop.

We loved the National Zoo, but be prepared to walk a ways to and from the Metro stop. Still very worthwhile.

We went to several of the Smithsonian buildings and then walked most of the langth of the National Mall ending after dark at the Linclon Memorial, which I ablsolutely loved. It was gorgeous at night, BUT, the walk to the Georgetown metro station was long at the end of a day with a lot of walking already.

If we were to do it again, I would stay outside the city (again) and take the Metro in and then consider a bus tour to different monuments. It really is all dependant on how much walking you want to do.

Have fun!

 

[kimmyann]

Hi, dh and I just went for the first time last weekend. We stayed in Alexandria and used the metro ( you can buy a day pass for $9 and use it as much as you need). I would never attempt to drive in D.C so the metro is great. The website is very helpful for getting around http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm

We went to the zoo and it was very nice, but I wish we would have focused more on the mall area. We also did 4 museums and by the 3rd one we were really pushing exhaustion, we skipped alot. We did all of this in one day. We are planning on taking the kids this fall and will focus on the mall area and not even bother with the zoo. It's nice, but it's a zoo. But you will be there 3 days so you should have plenty of time for everything.

Kim

 

[librarygal]

The Metro has been raising fares like crazy and it now costs 25 cents more per ride if you do not have a SmartTrip card (plastic reloadable) so if you are going to be using Metro alot buy the card ($2.50).

If you want to ride the hop-on, hop-off bus buy your tickets through Goldstar as they are half off. They also have other attractions at discounted prices.

http://www.goldstar.com/events/browse/20201

 

[midwestdee]

We were in DC last year - used the metro constantly. Don't forget Ford's Theater - very worthwhile. The zoo and the National Cathedrel are a real hike if you are using the metro. All of the Smithsonian's are top notch. We didn't go to the Newseum - $20 each - maybe next time. Get the "unofficial" guidebook to DC and Frommer's guide books. You should be able to get these at your library. I always like the Mapeasy's - very easy to follow, worth the price (any bookstore will have these). If you have a Border's near you - sign up for emails - their membership is free (unlike Barnes & Noble) and they send out coupons all the time. This last trip we went to the new Air and Space museum that is near Reagan airport ( I think that is the one). We used a rental car - we drove to Bull Run earlier in the day.

 

[ILuvMulan]

The best and worst thing about DC is that there is sooo much to see. For a three day trip I would focus mostly on the mall area. Pick one or two of the Smithsonian museums, spend at least half a day in one of them then check out the closest monuments to that museum. Then do the same thing for the other one. It really is a lot of walking but very worth it. One other area not to miss is Arlington Cemetery and the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier... very powerful.

I agree with the PP, go to a library or bookstore and pick up a good guide book. DC is alot like WDW... never enough time to see everything, so you'll need to list your priorities and hit those first. We have been 4 times and still have places on our list to visit. Oh and we LOVE the metro we too just get the day pass that allows you to get on and off as many times as you need to during the day.

 

[E&E Mom]

My husband was in the Navy and we were stationed at Ft Meade right out side of DC, for 3 years. We spent as much time there as possible. I strongly suggest using the Metro. It is worth every penny. I agree to staying in the mall area. You can cover a lot of ground in one day but get ready to walk. Choose the areas that you are the MOST interested in. If you have ever been to Pensacola and been to thier "Air Museum" I would skip the national one because the Naval Air Stations is MUCH better. There is a lot of shade around the Jefferson and that walk is really nice. If you want to go to George Town, get off at foggy bottom. It is a hike but well worth the trip. Union Station is wonderful, inside and has some shopping. It also has good affordable restaurants. FYI it is airconditioned! If you want to grab a beer and maybe see a politician or two, go to the "Hawk and Dove" on Pennsylvania Ave. National Zoo is wonderful but if you don't have children, I would skip it since you only have 3 days. The main landmarks to make sure you see, IMHO, Washington Monument (picnic), Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, WW2, Korean (spooky a soilder is looking at you where ever you stand), Arlington (its a hike but well worth it) Find out when the changing of the guard is at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier". Be sure to see that! It will stay with you forever.
You are going to have so much fun but be sure to carry as much water with you as you can. They sell it on the streets at a Disney price.

 

[NYUBwayBaby]

Hopstop.com is really usefull for trying to figure out exactly how to go from one place to the next using the metro. Using the metro is your best bet, as well. Get to the hotel and just leave your car there. A friend and I decided to go to Georgetown last weekend and, because she didn't want to pay $15 for parking, ended up getting lost in DC for an hour. We did manage to drive by most of the embassies, though!

 

[Swmr359]

The zoo and the National Cathedrel are a real hike if you are using the metro.

You can actually get a bus that will take you pretty close to the National Cathedrel, use the metro website to find out which one. I walked once from the zoo, not fun!
I don't find the walk to the zoo to be that bad, depends on your own fitness level. You can probably also get a bus to the zoo also; there is a stop right outside the Woodley Park stop and a stop right in front of the zoo.

 

[31Buzz]

There is also a tourmobile that you can ride around the city, getting on and off wherever and how often you like

We did that when my DS was about 8 and literally bumped into Hilary Clinton walking down the sidewalk...1st time he heard me swear

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

BUT, the walk to the Georgetown metro station was long at the end of a day with a lot of walking already.

There is no Georgetown metro station.

 

[laurafergie]

Hi DH and I will be in Washington DC in October staying at the Naval Lodge in SW,any thoughts on the best way(metro) to get to the momuments,etc?I have been to Washington DC once for a school trip many many many years ago Be there for 3 days what are some the the must sees? Is the two day open bus pass a good deal? Thanks

Is this the Navy Lodge on the Maryland side of the Anacostia River on Bolling AFB? If so - you will have to drive to the nearest metro and park - which I believe would be Southern Ave that has a parking garage.

Here is the link to the metro page - http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

Regarding to metro and the zoo - The zoo is located between the two metro stops, Woodley Park/Zoo and Cleveland Park. The walk from Woodley Park is uphill to the zoo and is a hike - but the walk from the Cleveland stop is level - so you're not worn out before you get there.

Smithsonian and metro - If you going to the Air and Space side, get off at the Smithsonian stop. But If you are going to the Natural History side, get off on Federal Triangle and walk straight down 12th St and you're there at the museums on Constitution Ave side.

Here is a map of the Smithsonian and Mall area - http://www.si.edu/visit/infocenter/mallmap.htm

Have fun! I loooove going to DC.

 

[katemarcail]

I adore the National Arboretum! And if you bring your lunch you can walk behind the Capital to the Library of Congress and eat your lunch on a picnic table there with one of the best views in the world. I used to do research down at LOC and loved just sitting at that picnic table absorbing it all with my PBnJ.

There's some great little ethnic eateries near the Zoo (near everywhere, actually, but especially around the zoo) and all of them look and smell fantastic. So there's lunch for one day if you want to head out there.

If the Silent Drill Team is scheduled for a night you're there then it's beyond worth it to see. Simply amazing.

Have a great time!

 

[MEM]

We were just there in March - I took DH and the kids along on my business trip. The must-do's for us were the Holocaust Museum, highlights of the Museum of American History, the Giant pandas at the National Zoo and the Lincoln Memorial. DH and the kids did the Air and Space Museum. We also took the Old Town Trolley tour to and from our hotel in Woodley Park.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I suggest bring plenty of ones and some change if you ride the bus as it does not give change. Two of us rode the bus, it cost $3.40, I put in a $5.00 bill then the driver tells us it does not give change. I was out $1.60. I wish I had known before as I would have brought ones and change. Aso you might want to carry extra money (bills and change) for the metro machines. The machines are very picky about certain bills and even one of my nickles which it would not take. Enjoy your trip.