Day trip to Washington D.C. Help needed BADLY!

[MEM]

We were just in D.C. in March. We spent at least four hours at the Holocaust Museum and still felt we had not seen it thoroughly. I can highly recommend the Smithsonian's Museum of American History - the collection is second to none in the world and I found myself exclaiming things like "I cannot believe they have Abraham Lincoln's stove pipe hat!" "I cannot believe I am looking at Audie Murphy's medals!" And on and on.

We visited the National Zoo because we were staying at the Omni Shoreham only a few blocks from there. We went on a cold, rainy day and were about the only people at the Giant Panda exhibit - its like we had them to ourselves - they are just as cute in person.

I was attending a conference for work for most of the time but DH and the kids really enjoyed the Air and Space Museum.

We also did most of the monuments but not sure if I would do them (all) again. The walk to the Jefferson Memorial was excruciating to my poor feet.

We ate lunch at the Museum of the American Indian twice during our stay - it is one of the best.

 

[Leshaface]

We were just in D.C. in March. We spent at least four hours at the Holocaust Museum and still felt we had not seen it thoroughly. I can highly recommend the Smithsonian's Museum of American History - the collection is second to none in the world and I found myself exclaiming things like "I cannot believe they have Abraham Lincoln's stove pipe hat!" "I cannot believe I am looking at Audie Murphy's medals!" And on and on.

We visited the National Zoo because we were staying at the Omni Shoreham only a few blocks from there. We went on a cold, rainy day and were about the only people at the Giant Panda exhibit - its like we had them to ourselves - they are just as cute in person.

I was attending a conference for work for most of the time but DH and the kids really enjoyed the Air and Space Museum.

We also did most of the monuments but not sure if I would do them (all) again. The walk to the Jefferson Memorial was excruciating to my poor feet.

We ate lunch at the Museum of the American Indian twice during our stay - it is one of the best.

wow several people have said to eat here! I guess I know one thing's for sure: I'll be eating there!

Alison in Wonderland - I mapped where the Greenbelt Metro station is from where we are coming from...is it really far from the downtown area itself? It looks like it from the map...unless i'm looking at the wrong station

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

here is the website.
http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/visitor_info/

it looks like Greenbelt to Smithsonian station is $2.45 each way and Smithsonian to Arlington Cem is $1.45.

You can figure out where you'll be going and calculate on the trip planner. http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tripplanner/ and see if that is more/less economical than getting a one day pass ($8.30.)

When you get to the station, there is a map that tells you the price from where you are to where you want to go. It is one price even if you have to switch rail lines. You'll swipe the card before getting on the train and then again before exiting the destination station.

If you've been to the Tolerance Center, I'd skip the Holocaust. It is fabulous - but very time consuming.

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

Alison in Wonderland - I mapped where the Greenbelt Metro station is from where we are coming from...is it really far from the downtown area itself? It looks like it from the map...unless i'm looking at the wrong station

if you were going to drive from that location, it would be about 45m, but per the metro website, it'll be 35 from once you get on the train to getting to the Smithsonian stop. The reason I suggested it was b/c is it right off of the highway, lots of parking (never fills up), end of the line so you'll always have a seat when you get on, safe location, and easy to access. Now, if you are coming into the area via another highway (270), I'd tell you to go to another stop.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Okay, bit overwhelmed now..phew, never realized how much stuff there is to do in DC...

I think I'm more concerned about the parking situation...getting different suggestions on parking in the street, taking the metro, subway...eek! Is traffic/parking like San Francisco? I

Ok, I talked to my fam yesterday and this is what they would like to do..

-Holocaust museum
-Try to hit any Smithsonian
-Checking out dec of indep(where is this located?)
-arlington cemetery
-zoo

Now that I think about it, we're DEFINITELY not going to have enough time to do all this in one day, but we can sure try!!

We plan on leaving from York at about 730, so how will traffic be? According to the directions, it will take about 2 hours 15 mins, so we should be there a little after 10am and plan to stay all day into the night..

I'm so thankful for all the suggestions and tips...I'll probably print these pages out so I can reference back to them.

OH What is the Mall?

I don't think you have enough time to see all of that in one day, but just keeping going and try to take in as much as possible. We were there for 3 days, and there was still a lot that we missed. As for traffic, I'm originally from Los Angeles and DC traffic was just as bad.

 

[Leshaface]

if you were going to drive from that location, it would be about 45m, but per the metro website, it'll be 35 from once you get on the train to getting to the Smithsonian stop. The reason I suggested it was b/c is it right off of the highway, lots of parking (never fills up), end of the line so you'll always have a seat when you get on, safe location, and easy to access. Now, if you are coming into the area via another highway (270), I'd tell you to go to another stop.

Gotcha! Just wanted to make sure! We're going with that station then!!! Yay, that's another thing crossed off my list!

And it goes by schedule correct? So it's not like a disney bus where it's going all the time..it's where you have to check your watch and make sure you're at the station at a particular time right? Sorry for all the questions!

 

[tchrrx]

What type of food is at the American Indian Museum? Several people have recommended it, but I can't find a menu online. Is it mainly Indian tacos and fry bread? What makes it so unique and special?

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

Menu
http://www.nmai.si.edu/visitor/files/2010spring_menu.pdf

No, the trains come pretty continuously (like Disney buses!) you might have to wait 10m, but one will come!

 

[Leshaface]

Menu
http://www.nmai.si.edu/visitor/files/2010spring_menu.pdf

No, the trains come pretty continuously (like Disney buses!) you might have to wait 10m, but one will come!

You're so wonderful!!!

Thanks for all your help, I really do appreciate it!

I think i'm a little overwhelmed because I've been trying to plan this trip to PA(giving some things to do for us like Amish country, hershey) while still being able to spend time with family while we are there for the week...then all of a sudden my bro brought up that he and his wife want to go to DC...they know i'll plan it all so I'm trying to crunch in what should take months to plan, into a few weeks to plan...

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

No worries. Let me know if you have any other questions. I've lived here for 18y and while I haven't done some of the touristy stuff for years (although now with kids, we are doing more!) I can get around

 

[Leshaface]

No worries. Let me know if you have any other questions. I've lived here for 18y and while I haven't done some of the touristy stuff for years (although now with kids, we are doing more!) I can get around

Awesome! I'm sure there will be lots more questions!

 

[31Buzz]

Ok, so my DH, brother, his wife, and I will be driving from York PA down to Washington D.C. for a full day...

I'm actually really hesitant on going, because friends of mine that used to live there said we'd have the hardest time trying to get around (thanks for the help right? )

So anyways, we really need help..I have no idea what to do..I'm in charge of this "project" and need to know where I should drive to (a central location, where we can walk everywhere) and we need some cheap suggestions on what to do/see...also local places for lunch and maybe even dinner...

Are there any days where it's not as busy, if that's even an option? We'll be in PA from June 30 to July 6 but could only do DC anytime from July 1-5...uggh will fourth of July weekend make it horrible to be there!??

Yeah, help please!!!

I would recommend the Greenbelt Metro station...there is generally plenty of parking...get there early tho if its a workday

 

[tmccullough]

We're going this weekend and have been several times. We go on the weekend because metro is half price and parking at metro stations is free. We catch the Metro at Shady Grove and get off at MetroCenter and then catch the metro to Smithsonian (you have to switch from red line to blue line). The total for metro for 6 of us both ways comes to about $30 which is worth it to me. Also, whatever you do, go to the holocaust website and purchase the passes ahead of time. They are only $1 each and it keeps you from having to walk a long way (it's over past the monument)to get a ticket and then much later in the day, you have to walk back to see the permanent exhibit. They also run out of passes some days. The ticket is preprinted with the time and date that you must arrive or you lose your ticket. We plan on packing a lunch and eating on the mall as soon as we arrive and then eating away from the museums on our drive home after we get off the metro. We ate at the museum (I think Natural History)thinking it would be cheap but it costs us about $50 for crappy hamburgers and fries. Ridiculous in my opinion... never again. There are a lot of nice places to just sit on the mall and eat a packed lunch. You just can't eat on the metro or take any food or drinks into museums so pack lightly. Have fun... you'll love it!

 

[bsusanmb]

We live just outside of Hershey PA and we always take the metro when we go to DC. It just isn't worth the headache of getting lost, or finding a parking spot, or whatever. We have parked at various metro stations...and zoom, you are there. No hassle, no worries. You can't possibly do all you want to do. I personally LOVE the zoo, it is free, the metro station has the second highest escalator in the world...it is something to see! You don't have to see all the animals there...but the pandas are a must.

I love the American History and Natural History best. It is really a lot of walking. Arlington is also beautiful, but time consuming also. The eternal flame, and finding Audey Murphy's grave, etc etc, tomb of the unknown soldier.

So, make a plan and use your time wisely. It will be crowded. It always is in the summer, but 4th of July weekend, oh well. What can I say. Have a great time!

 

[NotUrsula]

If you want to go to the Archives, get on the website NOW and request timed tickets for your party. Without them you may wait for hours to get in.

Another really great tour, IMO, is the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, but you must line up first thing in the morning to get timed tickets. It is next-door to the Holocaust Museum, so if you can plan to go there first and get there early, you can get the BPE tickets before you go. (I assigned my photo-bug DH to get the BPE tickets, he was happy to get on the first metro train in the morning and take photos of the mall at dawn while he was at it.)

IMO, the regular Capitol tour is not worth the trouble. If you can get on a tour via your Congressional Rep or Senator's office, by all means go, but the regular tour only covers three rooms.