Help with Washington, DC

[sweetpea29488]

Thanks for getting back so quickly.

Looking foward to our trip. Not much longer now

 

[karice2]

This museum is really interactive and has lots of really cool stuff for kids and parents. If you go to WTOP.com you can find discounts on the tickets. It has large pieces of the berlin wall, the NBC anchorman who died, his entire office. they also have some of the news trucks that have been used over the years. I found this place fascinating.

 

[turning40withMickey]

This museum is really interactive and has lots of really cool stuff for kids and parents. If you go to WTOP.com you can find discounts on the tickets. It has large pieces of the berlin wall, the NBC anchorman who died, his entire office. they also have some of the news trucks that have been used over the years. I found this place fascinating.

Looks neat! Pricey, though when so much is free in DC! They are running a kids free special thru Labor day, but still 19.95 per adult....

 

[rbdiaz]

My family has had a lot of success staying out of the city and using the Metro. It saves a lot of money and the kids enjoy the train - a bit of adventure. Overall very safe and clean.

 

[sweetpea29488]

Just thought of another question. What size of bag (purse, backpack, etc.) can I use that will be permitted into the monuments, etc.? Also, can hubby bring his camera and what size of camera case is allowed?

Thanks

 

[elbowglitter]

In terms of the monuments, there's not really any "inside" so that's easy. But as far as I know, there aren't bag restrictions at the museums (as long as you're being reasonable - they might balk if you come in with a giant rolling suitcase!) Bags are inspected of course, sometimes in the same manner as at Disney, sometimes by sending the bag through an X-ray machine, depending on where you are.

The big restriction is at the Capitol, where you can't have a bag bigger than 14" wide x 13" high x 4" deep. Here are their restrictions But I'm not sure if that was on your "to-do" list.

Cameras are definitely welcome, so no worries there. There are places where you can't take pictures (like of the original Star Spangled Banner), but they're clearly marked. I think the only restrictions might be if you have already scheduled a White House tour (done through your Senator/Representative) or if you want to do a Capitol tour.

 

[sweetpea29488]

In terms of the monuments, there's not really any "inside" so that's easy. But as far as I know, there aren't bag restrictions at the museums (as long as you're being reasonable - they might balk if you come in with a giant rolling suitcase!) Bags are inspected of course, sometimes in the same manner as at Disney, sometimes by sending the bag through an X-ray machine, depending on where you are.

The big restriction is at the Capitol, where you can't have a bag bigger than 14" wide x 13" high x 4" deep. Here are their restrictions But I'm not sure if that was on your "to-do" list.

Cameras are definitely welcome, so no worries there. There are places where you can't take pictures (like of the original Star Spangled Banner), but they're clearly marked. I think the only restrictions might be if you have already scheduled a White House tour (done through your Senator/Representative) or if you want to do a Capitol tour.

Thank you That's what I needed to know. Only 15 more days and we leave.

 

[benolathe]

Just thought of another question. What size of bag (purse, backpack, etc.) can I use that will be permitted into the monuments, etc.? Also, can hubby bring his camera and what size of camera case is allowed?

Thanks

Depends on the monument/museum. Most of the monuments are just 'open air' and there is no restriction. However, if you plan to go to the top of the Washington Monument, there were specific bag size maximums. In fact, if you want to go to the top, it is highly recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance. There are a limited number of tickets given out each morning at the monument. However, you must arrive very early and wait in line and hope that they have enough for you. If you visit the Washington Monument page on the National Park Service website, then you can reserve up to 6 tickets for a specific time frame on a specific day. The tickets are free, but there is a small handling charge for mailing them to you. It was about $1.85 per ticket - well worth the charge. BTW, I have heard that these advance tickets may sell out a few weeks in advance. For our trip in early July, I requested our tickets in February. And for the Washington, there is a bag maximum size specified on their web site. From memory, I am thinking it is 18"x12"x8" or something like that.

The only other place we went that limited package size was for the US Capitol Visitor's Center. I think you should be able to find those specifications on their website. Just an FYI, you are not allowed to take bottles or aerosols into the Capitol building. We had to throw away our spray-on sunscreen, and some friends had to throw away their nice re-usable water bottles. They do not allow you to just empty the water/liquid out and take the bottle inside. Absolutely NO bottles - not even empty. BTW, all of your items go through an x-ray machine to visit the Capitol.

For the Smithsonian museums that we went in, there were no x-ray machines. But you do have to stop at a table and they do 'poke around' inside your bags.

You can probably check the Smithsonian website for specifics on restricted sizes/items.

 

[sweetpea29488]

Depends on the monument/museum. Most of the monuments are just 'open air' and there is no restriction. However, if you plan to go to the top of the Washington Monument, there were specific bag size maximums. In fact, if you want to go to the top, it is highly recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance. There are a limited number of tickets given out each morning at the monument. However, you must arrive very early and wait in line and hope that they have enough for you. If you visit the Washington Monument page on the National Park Service website, then you can reserve up to 6 tickets for a specific time frame on a specific day. The tickets are free, but there is a small handling charge for mailing them to you. It was about $1.85 per ticket - well worth the charge. BTW, I have heard that these advance tickets may sell out a few weeks in advance. For our trip in early July, I requested our tickets in February. And for the Washington, there is a bag maximum size specified on their web site. From memory, I am thinking it is 18"x12"x8" or something like that.

The only other place we went that limited package size was for the US Capitol Visitor's Center. I think you should be able to find those specifications on their website. Just an FYI, you are not allowed to take bottles or aerosols into the Capitol building. We had to throw away our spray-on sunscreen, and some friends had to throw away their nice re-usable water bottles. They do not allow you to just empty the water/liquid out and take the bottle inside. Absolutely NO bottles - not even empty. BTW, all of your items go through an x-ray machine to visit the Capitol.

For the Smithsonian museums that we went in, there were no x-ray machines. But you do have to stop at a table and they do 'poke around' inside your bags.

You can probably check the Smithsonian website for specifics on restricted sizes/items.

Thanks for the info. We have our tickets for the Washington monument. I sent for them awhile back and have them already. Thanks for the measurements for the bags there.

 

[Hootch]

what I would call a normal size backpack and never had an issues except for the White House which doesn't allow any bags.

 

[MickeyReeds]

We just returned today and had a wonderful trip--we used many of the suggestions from here. Please let me know if you have any questions that I can answer.

 

[PrincesCJM]

I also just recently returned from a trip to Washington DC. I would like to thank the Diser who suggested the Courtyard Dunn-Loring in Vienna VA. DH and I stayed there and greatly enjoyed it. The website said that the Metro was 200 steps away and I would agree with this statement - it was about a 3 minute walk. The metro ride in to DC was about 30 minutes. It has free, underground parking. Breakfast, which we did not pay for ahead of time and should have, was great. Adding breakfast to the room rate increases the price by $10. Out of pocket, it would cost $11.95 per person (though they were running a special of $8.95 pp since the A/C in the lobby was being repaired). Nice variety of food. We rented a king-sized bed and the room came with a couch also. They have 3 computers in the lobby for guest use - for free. The only downfall was in the bathroom - no vanity separate from the toilet/shower and no fan in the bathroom.

While in the city, we took a Segway tour. This was our second time on the Segways and they were a great way to see (most) of the monuments/tourist spots. I recommend City Segway Tours. Tours are $70 per person but use the discount code DESTDC to save $5 per person on the tour.

 

[MommaB]

We've just moved back to the area and have been playing tourist all week I'll throw out that it has dropped drastically from last weeks temperatures and is actually kind of cool & rainy. But I am still a Houston dweller in my blood temps so 70s feel chilly for August.

But anyone going soon add the American Art Museum to your list.. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have lent the Smithsonian their collection of Norman Rockwell paintings and it is a fantastic collection. There is a 10 minute video in the middle, watch it first then backtrack to the first painting. Also in the indoor courtyard near the stroller parking is the "Art Cart"- you can pose with props in front of a Saturday Evening Post mock up as Famous Rockwell paintings for pictures.

 

[CapitolHillLiving]

Eastern Market is a fun place to grab brunch (at the infamous Market Lunch or one of the great surrounding restaurants) and walk around a good-sized farmers/flea market. Its a low stress/low activity alternative to counter all that sightseeing!!!

Capitol Hill is a beautiful neighborhood to walk around, as well. But I'm obviously biased!!!

Enjoy your trip, looks like the weather might just cool off enough for you to have some fantastic weather!!!

 

[Hootch]

Capitol Hill is a beautiful neighborhood to walk around, as well. But I'm obviously biased!!!

on the Hill many moons ago (The Tune Inn only served National Bohemian on draft then. They have updated their beer selection, but, thankfully, not their decor.) and loved it. School, work and most of my social life happened in that relatively small area. There were ocassional trips to explore other areas of the city and more frequent trips to Georgetwon to visit some establishments and see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Key Theater, but my time for eighteen months was spent on the Hill.

 

[sweetpea29488]

Hi everyone!

We just got back on Friday evening and we had a great time. Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information. We didn't even have to stand in line on Thursday at the National Archives because there wasn't a line. We just walked right in, went thru the metal and ex-ray machines (our bags) and then had about a 2 min. wait to enter the room to see the documents. It was great. I couldn't believe there wasn't a line and this was about 11:00am in the morning. We had such a great time in Washington