Any tips for visiting Washington D.C.?

[marcyinPA]

We will be taking a long weekend in Washington D.C. over Memorial Day weekend with our 6 and 10 y/o boys. We are staying right in D.C. at the Marriott at Metro Center and really don't want to take the car out unless we have to. We don't mind using the Metro if we can figure it out! We want to be as cost effective as possible.

We have a few things we'd like to do, but won't be there for too long. Also, food is important to ME (I like to eat on vacation, but I watch every bite at home! ) so if you can recommend any restaurants that'd be great too! We are all fairly adventurous, but a kids menu is a bonus!

TIA!!
Marcy

 

[highland3]

The Metro/subway is extremely user-friendly. I was staying in Crystal City last November for a conference and used the subway. You can walk a lot of the time between attractions. I walked from Arlington Cemetary, across the bridge to the Lincoln Memorial (but I don't recommend that long hike for everyone). From the LM it's a very short walk to the Vietnam Memorial... White House, Washington Monument and various museums including the Smithsonian. It's really an amazing place to visit (even for a Canadian).

 

[elf]

We went two years ago on Memorial day weekend. Our biggest problem was the drive there from Long Island it almost took double the time, the traffic was very bad all the way through Long island through New Jersey we left around 3:00 Friday.
Otherwise we used the Metro with two kids ages 4 & 6 at the time. We even used a cab a couple of times. We were so tired walking from Jefferson memorial to the other end, by the time we were leaving we were too tired to figure out how to get back, the cab was under $10.

Washington Memorial had a long lines and were taking names in the morning then you had to come back at a certain time. We really enjoyed the aerospace museum too.

My memory is so bad I can't remember where we ate. I had a older Fodors book of "what to do with kids in Washington DC" and went by the section of where to eat. I'll post if I find it. My kids loved the city, The huge monuments, etc, we had a great time.

 

[Leigha]

There is an Unofficial Guide for Washington D.C. as well. Check it out at your local library!

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Hi, My husband and I work in DC...ahhhhhhhhh! the traffic!

You can buy a $5 pass for the metro and metro all day for that price! All the museums are free and the zoo is free too.

You can get a map of downtown DC online or at the metro. Just do a google.

 

[swilshire]

We used the metro when we were there for Spring break. We had a bit of prior experience, but found it very easy. By the end of the first day, DS17 could tell us which train to get on. By the end of the next day, DS11 was just as proficient.

The hardest part for us was wheelchair access for DS6. If you are changing lines, it can be a lot of walking and multiple elevators to get to the right platform.

The daily pass is now either $6 or $6.50. I don't remember which, but you can do a google search and find the website with all the fares. We found that just paying per ride was cheaper for us some days than using the pass. Also, you had to wait until 9:30 to use the pass in the morning.

Driving in DC doesn't bother me, but finding parking does.

Sheila

 

[EthansMom]

I second the all day pass for the Metro. DH love the Smithsonian Natural History Museum for the dinosaur exhibits. I love the Smithsonian American History Museum and the Air Museum. Also, the National Zoo (also Smithsonian). All of these are free (donation recommended).

Even with Metro, be prepared to do some serious walking. And be prepared for heat and humidity.

 

[daemom]

We just came back from spring break and if we would ever go again, I would spend the money and do the Tour Bus. You can get on and ride to museum, moument, etc., hop off and look for as long as you like, and then catch the next Tour Bus that comes along. For one money you can do this ALL day. This will save a LOT of walking. I wish that I had worn my pedometer!

We did a nighttime tour with another company (sorry I can't remember the name) for a bit more money and we were so rushed--the driver told us at every stop that we had 15 minutes, 17 minutes, 5 minutes--we didn't get time to investigate and talk to our kids about what we were seeing! That was frustrating! I vowed that next time, we would do Tour Bus. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[8 Ears]

Wow! Lots of info. DH told me to start looking into a trip to DC for us and DS who will be 11 and DS 13.

I have a great start gotta love these DISboards!

 

[DisneyForLife]

I loved DC, we went two years in a row. Two weeks and we still didn't see everything there is. The Metro IS very easy to navigate but I would also suggest hopping on the trolley. For one price you can hop on and off where you want. As everyone else said, be prepared for a LOT of walking.
Have fun.

 

[marcyinPA]

Thanks everyone! Great info!! I've been myself a few times, but it's been a long time ago!

We are planning on the Natural History museum for sure, and the monuments. Hoping for the zoo, depending on the weather. We got a D.C. guide for kids out of the library...they have some info in there on the D.C. Duck? Has anyone ever done the tour, and if so, was it worth it? It is SO expensive! It would cost close to $80 for the 4 of us! YIKES!!! I think my kids would like it, but I don't want to spend the money if it's a dud!

Thanks again! Great info!!

 

[MinnieM3]

We had never done anything even remotely like the metro and had no problem. It was actually a lot of fun! We also took some taxis, the tour bus, and the night time tour. Our night time tour guy was wonderful! Not rushed at all, but then again we were there in early March.

We ate at America ion Union Station. Very cool place!! We also ate at Old Ebbit. Loved that, too!

Enjoy

 

[8 Ears]

How does the amount of walking around DC compare to a day at WDW?

 

[DisneyForLife]

It's comparable. Lots and lots of walking, breaks for food and such. At Disney you get to sit down for shows every now and then, in DC your not only walking to and from places but also walking aroung the Smithsonian, Holocaust (a must see ), etc. Don't miss the changing of the guard, very moving, as well as the cemetary itself. There is sooooo much to see and do there. My family enjoyed it very much, and my boys were 12 and 13 at the time.

 

[8 Ears]

Thank you for your comparison. We are looking forward to taking the boys who will be about the same ages as your when you went. Need to do some more "homework" on what there is too see/do and make some tough decisons.

Thanks again

 

[jillybeanjo]

Some tips for visiting D.C.:
-Write your representative or senator now for tours of the Capitol, White House, etc. - the earlier you write the better.
-Visit museums and attractions with set hours during the day, then visit the monuments later in the evening. The Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial are especially pretty at night.
-Don't eat at any of the museums or attractions - most of the food is high priced and not very tasty. Walk a block or two and find interesting restaurants. Some family-friendly restaurants that we like include Pizzeria Paradiso, Austin Grill, and Old Ebbitt.
-Even if you don't normally visit art museums, check out the National Gallery of Art (East and West). This is a great opportunity to see amazing works of art, and it's free!
-Don't miss Mount Vernon. Spend one morning there if you can. It opens earlier than most attractions, so you can easily do it in half a day.

Have fun!

 

[8 Ears]

Why do we have to write our sen. or rep.? Do these "permission slips" ( OK, can you tell I ) expire?

Thanks for some of the "tricks" to exploring DC!

 

[DisneyForLife]

They can sometimes get you a pass to a tour that would otherwise not be available. This is especially true for the FBI building. It is like Fort Knox trying to get into a tour there. They only let a certain number in at a time and the tickets go quickly. I also ordered my tickets to the Holocoust (sp) Museum online before we went so I would be sure to get in there.

 

[imsayin]

How does the amount of walking around DC compare to a day at WDW?

I felt that we walked more in DC! We just went (DH, DD10, DS8) over Spring break. DD10 was in charge of getting us everywhere via the Metro and she did fine. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn which was 3 blocks from the Whitehouse and across the street from the Metro station.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Does anyone know how much the day bus tour is??? If my house sells this month, we hope to do a Summer trip to DC.