help seeing some of D.C.

[hmwnick]

Looks like my DS 9 & I may fly into DC when traveling to VA. I'd like to see some of DC but not do a whole day tour. We will probably be there two 1/2 days. We will be w/out DH so I am concerned about sight seeing. I went to DC 100 years ago but.....

I know DS would really enjoy seeing some sites.

Any suggestions????

 

[Christine]

Looks like my DS 9 & I may fly into DC when traveling to VA. I'd like to see some of DC but not do a whole day tour. We will probably be there two 1/2 days. We will be w/out DH so I am concerned about sight seeing. I went to DC 100 years ago but.....

I know DS would really enjoy seeing some sites.

Any suggestions????

For what you are talking about, I think the Tourmobile is your best bet. You get a nice, narrated drive through tour of the city and you can hop on and off at spots that interest you. It's perfect for a few hours of touring.

 

[hmwnick]

sorry, I was trying to hurry a post before I left for lunch. I'd like to see the Lincoln Mem., Vietnam Mem., White House....etc.

 

[Snowysmom]

I second using the Tourmobile. We used it last summer and it was great. It stops at all the major attractions. Just get off at the attraction you want and when you are done, just pick up another bus. Go to their website, www. tourmobile.com for more info. It also stops at Union Station so you can get onto the Metro to go back to your hotel or wherever.

 

[makinorlando]

Tourmobile is an awesome way to see the city

I love the maill area, all of the monuments, and the Smithsonian is a great place as well!

I have not visited in some time, but I used to live right out side of the city, and would visit often. My brother's name is on "The Wall", so that was always a special place to me!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Tourmobile is great, but the seats stink if you have long legs. They are Sooo crammed in together. And a lot depends on who the person doing the announcements is. There are some really good ones, really bad ones, and lots of in-betweens.

You can see the Washington Monument, World War II memorial (kinda stinks), the Reflecting Pool, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Koren War thing all in one swoop, they are all in there together. And the White House is within walking distance of them, too. You can't tour the White House or even drive by anymore, you have to walk and take pictures through the black, iron fence thingy. You might wanna prepare the kids for the goofballs who hang out in front (or behind? I never can remember which is the front) of the White House. There are always people there protesting or standing up for something, and they get a little silly about it.

I like the Smithsonian museums, too.

If you plan on visiting the Holocaust Museum, do it last or on a day you have nothing else to do. It is, by its nature, very depressing.

 

[hmwnick]

Is one DC airport better than the others? Best rate is to BWI but better flight times to NAt'l.

 

[PlutoPony]

Go into National - you can hop on the Metro right there and get into the city quite easily. BWI is south of Baltimore and will take longer (more $$) to get into the Mall area from there.

 

[makinorlando]

BWI is further from DC. National is pretty much right in DC.

 

[caitycaity]

Is one DC airport better than the others?

national is closest - more expensive to fly into, but if you are not renting a car, you can make up fr that with the fact that you can metro into the city.

dulles is in the middle - average distance away, average airfare, and average cab/shuttle costs.

bwi is the furthest away, but generally has the lowest fares. of course, it is way too far from downtown to take a cab.

 

[luvflorida]

My favorite place to visit in Washington is the National Zoo! I just LOVE that place! It's out a bit from downtown DC, but I know the subway has a stop not too far away. Also, we've done the Old Town Trolley tour which does go out near the zoo, but I can't remember if the trolley actually makes a stop there. Maybe someone else can answer that.

 

[HOGFAN]

my kids picks:

national zoo
spy museum
natural history museum

 

[EthansMom]

I agree with HOGFAN's list and would add The Air and Space Museum.

Look on the White House's website about getting tix for the tour -- can be hard to get, I understand.

You can take the Metro pretty much everywhere in D.C. for a reasonable price.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Reagan National is closest, easiest, and with the cab fare (assuming you aren't renting a car) close to the same $.

I loved the Spy Museum.