Must see in DC in July

[pjtjm]

Here's a quick note if your July DC trip will be in the July 22 - 25 range. In addition to the normal Summer crowds, you'll be sharing The Mall with about 30,000 Boy Scouts on their way to Ft. AP Hill in Virginia for the National Jamoree that starts on the 26th.

Okay, we're planning a trip on the 29th. Will it be over?!?!?

 

[Geoff_M]

The big Scout crowds in DC will die down after the 25th when the focus will shift to AP Hill. You will likely encounter some Scouts in DC after that (the Jamboree ends Aug 4th) but it will be from troops that aren't participating in the Jambo and are just visiting instead.

 

[minniebeth]

Here's a quick note if your July DC trip will be in the July 22 - 25 range. In addition to the normal Summer crowds, you'll be sharing The Mall with about 30,000 Boy Scouts on their way to Ft. AP Hill in Virginia for the National Jamoree that starts on the 26th.

True! but not all the troops will be visiting DC. I know of many troops that will be avoiding it since there are so many coming there at the same time. Lots of troops are doing alternative touring en route. Some destinations I know of are Gettysburg, and out-lying areas of Virginia.
I do think however, the Boy Scout crowds will definately make an impact at that time.

Good tip, Geoff_M~

 

[TLHB70]

Since there are many great tips here about what to see, I will just add to be prepared for heat! We went in July one time, and August another time. We swore we would never go back in the summer! I guess it is all of the concrete that makes it feel hotter than the temps read on the weather channel. I don't know..........
If you have those small battery operated fans that hang around your neck, preferably with water misting bottle, like the ones that you can buy in WDW or Walmart, I suggest that you bring them. You may not get weather that hot, but I would go prepared for it just in case. It is better to be prepared than sorry that you do not have it.

 

[HelenePA]

How about parking... where is a good place to park? We'd probably be doing the Science museum only for the day... Do they have their own lot? I should just go google it huh?

 

[stego]

to tell you about parking. Our plan of action as a family is that whenever we go visit a large city, we use public transit to avoid issues with parking/traffic. When we were there, I did notice people in cars: rush hour was basically a gridlock. From what I remember, there is no designated parking for the science museum. By the way, the science museum has the highest attendance of all Smithsonian museums. So like a good boy scout, be prepared!

Another thing I want to mention is that I did get timed tickets ahead of time for the Holocaust museum. We spent minimal time in there at 3 hours, and still missed some. There was a holocaust survivor/author from Holland in the gift shop. I purchased a book and he signed it. Even at the early time late May/early June we went, there were LOTS of people in there.

From what I recall, they do NOT allow cameras or video taping in there (and regardless of the rules, people still do it-they have a no rules apply card...I'm still trying to figure out how to get one of those!). If you are planning to go here, visit the museum's website to get more information.

 

[Ohiodislover]

How about parking... where is a good place to park? We'd probably be doing the Science museum only for the day... Do they have their own lot? I should just go google it huh?

I don't know how true this is, but I have known people who become a zoo member, just for the parking benefits. I think that you can park in any of the Smithsonian parking lots for free once you are a member, or that is at least how it sounded.

When we go down for the day, we always park away from the city and take the metro downtown. We get a day pass. We are usually going on a wkend, so the parking at the station is free, and usually not crowded. The workers have the time to help you plan out the route also.

 

[DancingBear]

Is the Circulator just a bus that runs the mall? Is it a hop on off kinda thing or are you paying each time?

It's a few bus routes including one on the Mall. You pay each time you ride but it's only $1 (50 cents for seniors and free for children under 5).

http://dccirculator.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=11

 

[DancingBear]

How about parking... where is a good place to park? We'd probably be doing the Science museum only for the day... Do they have their own lot? I should just go google it huh?

The Smithsonian does not include a "Science museum" per se. But in any event there are no public parking garages at the museums. If you really want to drive in and park the Union Station suggestion made earlier was a good one.

 

[DancingBear]

I don't know how true this is, but I have known people who become a zoo member, just for the parking benefits. I think that you can park in any of the Smithsonian parking lots for free once you are a member, or that is at least how it sounded.

If you join FONZ (Friends of the National Zoo) you can park free at the Zoo, but I don't think you get any parking benefits anywhere else.

 

[Ohiodislover]

If you join FONZ (Friends of the National Zoo) you can park free at the Zoo, but I don't think you get any parking benefits anywhere else.

Thanks for clarifying. The zoo is so far away from everything else, it really wouldn't be worth it. Even the bus stops are a far walk from the zoo entrance if I remember right

 

[minniebeth]

The Metro stop is a hike from the Zoo entrance as well. If anyone is really interested in going to the zoo, I would highly suggest a cab. It is worth the money for the ride in my opinion. Cabs are a major form of transportation in Washington and we use them a lot. We feel they are more reasonably priced fares compared to some other major cities.

 

[HelenePA]

The Smithsonian does not include a "Science museum" per se. But in any event there are no public parking garages at the museums. If you really want to drive in and park the Union Station suggestion made earlier was a good one.

I only live 3 hours away. There are no trains by me I'd have to drive to philly 2 hrs away and hop on a train. So driving in is the best and lest costly option. As long as there are parking garages around the area we'll be fine. We dont plan on seeing anything else that day. We've been down to the zoo before and honestly we dont like it.. I didn't do MUCH research before we went and man if you park at the bottom its a very LONG walk uphill to get to the top!

 

[locolala]

Helene, what part of PA will you be coming from? If I were you I would drive down and park at one of the Metro stations in MD, I use the Greenbelt station which is right off of 495/95. Then, just ride the Metro to the Smithsonian. Don't try to park in DC.. it's a NIGHTMARE

 

[Ohiodislover]

I only live 3 hours away. There are no trains by me I'd have to drive to philly 2 hrs away and hop on a train. So driving in is the best and lest costly option. As long as there are parking garages around the area we'll be fine. We dont plan on seeing anything else that day. We've been down to the zoo before and honestly we dont like it.. I didn't do MUCH research before we went and man if you park at the bottom its a very LONG walk uphill to get to the top!

There are several metro stations in the DC suburbs. You don't have to take the train from PA. I live just above Balto, and it takes me about 40 minutes to the metro stop, and 25 minutes into DC. Much quicker than driving into the city, and then another 30 finding parking, and walking. With a metro day ticket, we also have transportation around the city once we are there.

 

[luvmyfam444]

It's a few bus routes including one on the Mall. You pay each time you ride but it's only $1 (50 cents for seniors and free for children under 5).

http://dccirculator.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=11

Thanks - I checked the link but it didn't say if it was a hop on off kinda bus. That's sure an affordable way to hit some stops!

 

[luvmyfam444]

Ok - so y'all say its worth it to do the tours...

is there a compnay you recommend or are they all about the same in what they show you/what they tell you?

So far, I've only seen 1 walking tour, 1 biking tour & 1 night tour but numerous day ones...

Just checking to see what you think?

 

[DancingBear]

We've been down to the zoo before and honestly we dont like it.. I didn't do MUCH research before we went and man if you park at the bottom its a very LONG walk uphill to get to the top!

For future reference (or for others) the zoo has a shuttle bus that runs from the bottom of the hill up to near the top. I'm not sure it runs every day all year but it does run on weekends and I think during the busy months in summer.

 

[DancingBear]

The Metro stop is a hike from the Zoo entrance as well. If anyone is really interested in going to the zoo, I would highly suggest a cab. It is worth the money for the ride in my opinion. Cabs are a major form of transportation in Washington and we use them a lot. We feel they are more reasonably priced fares compared to some other major cities.

The walk to and from Metro to the zoo isn't all that bad IMO. It's about 1/3 of a mile from the Woodley Park/Zoo metro station (a little less if you take the elevator to the surface rather than the escalator). It is less uphill walking (but a little longer) if you use the Cleveland Park Metro station when heading to the zoo.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Ok - so y'all say its worth it to do the tours...

is there a compnay you recommend or are they all about the same in what they show you/what they tell you?

So far, I've only seen 1 walking tour, 1 biking tour & 1 night tour but numerous day ones...

Just checking to see what you think?

Anyone?