Could anyone who has been to Washington,DC help me?

[MikeS.]

Ditto! I live close to DC and I would suggest choosing one or the other. I also want to add that you might not encounter as much of a crowd or traffic as normal. That weekend is the Apple Blossom Festival here in Winchester which is the 4th largest parade in the states. A lot of people will be leaving DC area to participate in the festival.

The biggest reason I avoid Winchester that weekend, we live about 17 miles north of there, right off of I-81.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

The biggest reason I avoid Winchester that weekend, we live about 17 miles north of there, right off of I-81.

You must be close to Inwood! Hi ya neighbor! I try to escape Winchester that weekend as well, but unfortunately, this year we have to stick around because my daughter is singing for the Coronation.

 

[zdad]

Oh no, no, no. Old Ebbitt Grill is the absolute best!!! http://www.ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=About_the_Ebbitt

Best food around, great atmosphere and neat history as well!

OEG is GREAT !! We went to DC last summer to see Spamalot at the National theater. Stayed at the J Willard Marriott and walked to OEG for dinner. Just yummy !!!

 

[zdad]

Oh no, no, no. Old Ebbitt Grill is the absolute best!!! http://www.ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=About_the_Ebbitt

Best food around, great atmosphere and neat history as well!

OEG is GREAT !! We went to DC last summer to see Spamalot at the National theater. Stayed at the J Willard Marriott and walked to OEG for dinner. Just yummy !!!

 

[byoung]

Wow... this is so weird, but I actually have a similar question to ask - just since this morning when I responded to the OP

I just tonight bought tickets to a Genesis concert in D.C. It happens to be on the same day as the Nascar race in Dover, DE (which I also have tickets for ). Here's my potential scenario. You D.C. experts tell me if I can pull this off.

The race is in Dover at 1:30pm. I am assuming it will be done by 5pm at the latest, possibly earlier. Would I have time to drive from Dover to our hotel on 13th St. in D.C., check in, and make it to the Verizon Center by 8pm? I guess if I can't do it, I'll have to sell my race tix. Seeing Genesis is a "must do".

Thanks


oops... forgot to add that this is on a Sunday so traffic will not be as big a deal as it would ordinarily.

You better start selling those race tickets.

 

[mirthmaiden]

You better start selling those race tickets.

Yep, I know. 4 tix for Dover... up for sale. Anybody who is interested PM me. I got a double NASCAR whammy. I got an e-mail yesterday afternoon from Bristol saying they had a limited amount of season tickets up for sale, first come first serve. It's been a real wish for me and DH to get season tix for Bristol for a long time. Now's the chance and, you guessed it, I have no $$ because I just bought concert tickets Murphy's law.

 

[MikeS.]

You must be close to Inwood! Hi ya neighbor! I try to escape Winchester that weekend as well, but unfortunately, this year we have to stick around because my daughter is singing for the Coronation.

Hi yer self neighbor. Didn't ya just love all that snow yesterday? I got about 9 inches.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Hi yer self neighbor. Didn't ya just love all that snow yesterday? I got about 9 inches.

Not when we just had that beautiful 70 degree weather the day before. ugh!!! I'm tired of winter! Bring me the sunshine and heat! WooHoo!

 

[MikeS.]

Not when we just had that beautiful 70 degree weather the day before. ugh!!! I'm tired of winter! Bring me the sunshine and heat! WooHoo!

I don't mind the heat so much but I mind the humidity. I really like mid 60s - low 70s. If I could afford it I'd live in San Diego. Gotta win the super billion lottery first.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

if you want to do both Mt. Vernon and DC in one day its possible, though not recommended
Hit Mt. Vernon early in the morning and do a quickie tour....stop in Alexandria for a quick lunch somewhere on King St, take the parkway into DC....hit the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History museum...then get the hell out of there before 3:30. If not, you'll be stuck in traffic for hours!
Bon Chance!
Local DC METRO MOM

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

I don't mind the heat so much but I mind the humidity. I really like mid 60s - low 70s. If I could afford it I'd live in San Diego. Gotta win the super billion lottery first.

Oh man I loved San Diego when I lived there while in the Navy! Trolley to Tijuana, Horton Plaza to shop, Gas Light District for great meals, the beaches, Coronado, quick trip to Disney Land and Sea World, Mission Park, Zoo, etc.... Oh man, I loved it and the weather was perfect!

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

I have lived in the DC area for 30 years and worked for 15 years near the mall area. Starting with spring break until school is out the mall is swamped with school kids and field trips. If you are just interested in the Washington Monument, Jefferson and Lincoln (Viet Nam) memorial you might be able to do it but that involves a lot of walking because otherwise you will be spending way too much time just looking for a parking spot, especially on the week days. So, if you are just looking for a relaxed sort of thing to do I would suggest not even going into DC, visit Mt. Vernon and just south of Mt. Vernon, off of Rt. 1 there is a historical site of George Mason's home. It is beautiful and contains historical value in that he wrote the Virginia Bill of Rights, which was used for a model of the US Bill of Rights. I promise you, you won't be disappointed and obviously it won't be as crowded.

Just a thought!

 

[Mischa]

I'm another "local" although I live about 35 miles south of DC, I work in DC so I know the commute. It ain't fun that is for sure!

I agree that seeing both Mt. Vernon and DC in one day is really not recommended. You can do it if you do commando style and stick to your time schedule. However, traffic in DC can be a nightmare ESPECIALLY if a group decides to do a protest or something, then streets will be closed or at least crammed with heavy traffic.

I think DC is the only place with a 4-hour rush hour! I wish I was kidding! Traffic will start to get bad somewhere around 3:00 PM and will just get worse (and like someone said - God-forbid there is a an accident somewhere - you'll be sitting in traffic for hours!)

If you decide to do Mt. Vernon - that can take a few hours (especially since they've opened a new museaum too). After Mt. Vernon stop in Old Town Alexandria and get a bite to eat. Lots of great places on King Street towards the water! Some of my favorites: The Wharf (great Seafood); The Fish Market (another great seafood place); Il Porto (Italian); Austin Grill (Tex-Mex); just to name a few.

Here's a website for Alexandria: http://www.funside.com/

Here's a couple for DC: http://www.dctours.us/; http://www.historictours.com/washington/; http://ahp.gatech.edu/dc_map.html

As for places to eat in DC - Old Ebbitt Grill is my favorite - I've never had a bad meal there (from beef to seafood - everything is delicious!!).

Have fun!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

I'm another "local" although I live about 35 miles south of DC, I work in DC so I know the commute. It ain't fun that is for sure!

I agree that seeing both Mt. Vernon and DC in one day is really not recommended. You can do it if you do commando style and stick to your time schedule. However, traffic in DC can be a nightmare ESPECIALLY if a group decides to do a protest or something, then streets will be closed or at least crammed with heavy traffic.

I think DC is the only place with a 4-hour rush hour! I wish I was kidding! Traffic will start to get bad somewhere around 3:00 PM and will just get worse (and like someone said - God-forbid there is a an accident somewhere - you'll be sitting in traffic for hours!)

If you decide to do Mt. Vernon - that can take a few hours (especially since they've opened a new museaum too). After Mt. Vernon stop in Old Town Alexandria and get a bite to eat. Lots of great places on King Street towards the water! Some of my favorites: The Wharf (great Seafood); The Fish Market (another great seafood place); Il Porto (Italian); Austin Grill (Tex-Mex); just to name a few.

Here's a website for Alexandria: http://www.funside.com/

Here's a couple for DC: http://www.dctours.us/; http://www.historictours.com/washington/; http://ahp.gatech.edu/dc_map.html

As for places to eat in DC - Old Ebbitt Grill is my favorite - I've never had a bad meal there (from beef to seafood - everything is delicious!!).

Have fun!

I also have to agree with The Wharf! Very good, but Old Ebbitt is still my favorite!

 

[Tinkerboy00]

I would think you would need a whole day to do the Mall and Smithsonians. Defintely get out of town before 3 or 4 to avoid the bad part of traffic.

My favorite place to eat in DC is probably Thai Chef, or Mr. Smiths in Georgetown.

I miss DC