OT: Washington DC help needed...

[Soupermom]

okay, okay, okay

I've removed the FBI and Spy Museum from the list and added Holocaust Museum. Thinking of dropping Capitol and Supreme Court as well.

Anyone been to the Nat. Geographic Society?

 

[Cindy B]

okay, okay, okay

I've removed the FBI and Spy Museum from the list and added Holocaust Museum. Thinking of dropping Capitol and Supreme Court as well.

Anyone been to the Nat. Geographic Society?

I've never been. I didn't know they had a museum inside-- however, it could be small though.

 

[PlutoPony]

Does anyone know...when you order your Wash. Monument tix in advance, do you get to pick a certain day/TIME?

That's the way it worked when we got tickets a couple years ago. If your time is mid-morning or beyond you have to be careful not to over plan so you get there on time. If you're not familiar w/ DC it's hard gauge how much time it takes to get places and how much time you'll want to actually see things. Yes, good photo ops from the top if the weather's good. Kinda tough on foggy/smoggy days.

Don't think you can get close to the Pentagon. You'll see a side of a big building from a distance - and the roads around it are BUSY and go every which way (it's a confusing area to drive if you don't know it!) There's no tour that I know of and they're not particularly welcoming there - very tight security.

Arlington National will take some time and by far the best way to see it is via the Tourmobile once you're there (you can take Metro to get there). Make sure you get off at all the stops! Don't recall much in the way of food available, do plan around meals.

Bureau of Engraving tour tickets are first come/first serve in peak season (early March+) which can mean getting there before 6am to make sure you get in. You will need to be flexible w/ your schedule that day since it's impossible to know in advance when your tour time will be.

The monuments are a march, there's just no other way to put it. IMO they're absolutely worth the time but be prepared to W A L K !!!

Do take time for the Museum of Art outdoor sculpture garden - next to Museum of Natural History. Good "bistro" food stand, not inexpensive tho.

Union Station is a great place to eat and spend some time (during the day). Better variety than Old Post Office Pavillion but maybe not as good a location for you, depending on where you've been.

You really do have limited time here and the museums can take a lot of it. There's not much on your "icing on the cake" list that I'd make time for this trip except the Capitol. I don't know anyone who's done the Supreme Court tour (assuming there is one) but it's a haul back to that building altho it's a neat building on the outside. It really looks like a Supreme Court IMHO . Ford's Theater is meh to me, but YMMV. We like the Botanical Gardens between American Indian and Capitol - nice old conservatory building, interesting plants, nice change from everything else and quick.

Spy Museum is ok but not worth your time and $ if you're limited. About half the exhibit is about he Cold War and atom bomb development and use. That part's not real interesting to kids but the other exhibits are. In other words a mixed bag for your ages. Have not been to Holocaust Museum but will probably take my then 13yo over the holidays, think he's about old enough to put it in some perspective.

Check one of the DC Convention and Tourism calendars after the first of the year to see if anything interesting pops up for your time in town. As I recall there are a few good events that occur just before Cherry Blossom like the Smithsonian Kite Festival.

Lastly, IF you kids are really interested in Air and Space, take the time to go out to the Udvar-Hazy Annex of the Air and Space Museum out by Dulles. Easiest way to get there is by car (pay for parking, museum free). It's a BIG hanger building chock full of planes, etc. There's a Space Shuttle (surprising how large it is), a Concorde plane that fits cross-wise in the building, the Enola Gay, and lots of planes, old, new, big, small.

As you've probably guessed, the keys to visiting DC are prioritize your time, stay flexible, and wear comfortable shoes . Oh - bring a jacket for every kind of weather in March!

 

[Soupermom]

I'm basing my Nat. Geo Society info from my UG; they say kids/teens should love it; allow about 1 hour. FREE

 

[PlutoPony]

Anyone been to the Nat. Geographic Society?

Yes, couple of times. We've been there to see specific exhibits when we were in town to see something else. Unless there's something there you MUST see, bag it. SMALL, not easy to get to. Doesn't compare at all to other things on your list.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm basing my Nat. Geo Society info from my UG; they say kids/teens should love it; allow about 1 hour. FREE

Allow one hour = small. Is it near anything else you want to see? If not, I would not go out of my way since you have so much more to see.

The PP said the Pentagon is not very visitor friendly-- I would concur with that. Security is really tight there. You can't really see anything so I wouldn't bother.

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks again everyone for sharing your knowledge and suggestions. I've learned so much this evening! I'm off to bed now, but I'll check again in the morning.

 

[4Seasons]

One place I didn't see mentioned is the National Aquarium. It's only about a block from the Washington monument, inside the Commerce Building (14th and Constitution).
It's not that big, might take an hour to see. I think they feed the sharks around 2 pm. You could put that one on the "maybe" list, just in case you get a bad weather day and need to duck inside for awhile.

 

[Cindy B]

One place I didn't see mentioned is the National Aquarium. It's only about a block from the Washington monument, inside the Commerce Building (14th and Constitution).
It's not that big, might take an hour to see. I think they feed the sharks around 2 pm. You could put that one on the "maybe" list, just in case you get a bad weather day and need to duck inside for awhile.

The National Aquarium is fun. We did that once when my kids were young. It is NOT a free musuem.

 

[4Seasons]

The National Aquarium is fun. We did that once when my kids were young. It is NOT a free musuem.

No, but something like $5 for adults and $2 for kids, so not too pricey.

 

[behappy]

Our family spent a week in DC this past summer.

Washington Monument - By all means, pay the nominal fee and get your tickets in advance. You can pick your time, and it is definitely worth it not to wait in the LONG line to get tickets the day of. We walked past that line 2 or 3 different mornings and we were amazed how many people were there each day. There are 2 times during the morning (I think maybe 10AM and Noon) that they have a 'tour' that walks down from the top of the monument. We found that to be extremely interesting and it was clear the park ranger who led the tour was very knowledgable and passionate about this part of his job. There are ~200 'special' stones on the inside of the monument, donated during the construction (some from US states, some from cities, some from other countries, and even one from the tiny little town of Honesdale PA where I was born...that was a surprise!). It takes a full hour to walk down as there are frequent stops to hear about the history of the monument and some of the stones. You must take the 11:30 tour (at the latest) to catch the walk down. If you have the time, I would highly recommend it.

National Geographic Society - We stayed in the Renaissance Hotel next door to this and we still thought it wasn't worth the walk. There is not much to see at all. Save the time and walk down the Washington Monument

Natural History Museum - the kids (10 and 14) really enjoyed it.

Air and Space Museum (extension at Dulles Airport) - This was way cool! We had our car, so it was very easy to drive out to see. This is a large hangar full of historic aircraft, including the Space Shuttle Enterprise, many military planes and many private and commercial aircraft. There is also a non-functioning Air Traffic Control tower you can visit and see planes coming and going. This was one of the more relaxing attractions we visited, as the crowd was very small. We found it much more enjoyable that the museum on the mall in DC.

Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt, WWII, Korean, Viet Nam Memorials - I got up very early one morning and walked the circuit of these monuments. They are definitely more moving when there aren't thousands of others sharing the space with you. While they look far apart, I was able to visit all and get back to the hotel before the rest of the family was up and about. They are all amazing structures and each has its own unique features.

The Zoo - We're a zoo-loving family, so we found the zoo very interesting as they have a number of animals that aren't common in many zoos. As others have said, it you do the whole zoo, there is 1) alot of walking and 2) the entrance to the zoo is at the top of the hill and you walk down hill all the way through the zoo, which means you walk uphill, ALL the way back!

Bureau of Engraving and Printing - one of the times we walked past the Washington Monument line was to get in line for tickets to this tour. The line here was impressive (but nothing like the monument!). We got there about 15 minutes before they started handing out tickets (8AM, I think) and had our choice of any time during the day except the first couple of tours.

Whew...that's a lot more than I intended to type. Hope you find some of it useful and have a great trip!

 

[nordkin]

A word of warning concerning the Tourmobile, it only runs from 9:30 to 4:30 everyday and does not live up to a bus very twenty minutes. We are locals and played tourist yesterday. We had tickets for the Tourmobile that we had won in a silent auction. We stopped at the Bureau of Engraving for a 30 minute tour at 1:30 PM, took our time in the gift shop, came out around 2:25, and the next Tourmobile did not arrive until 3:15. When we got to Arlington Cemetary, we were told if we took the Arlington tour there would not be another Tourmobile to take us back into the city, we would have to take Metro. I can think of better ways to spend $25 a person for the transportation. The newer hop on hop off buses might be a better option or the Old Town Trolley. I would avoid the Tourmobile.

One museum I would suggest if you have time and it takes about an hour, is the National Postal Museum. It is next to Union Station and is part of the Smithsonian. It is not well know, but does a beautiful job of explaining how the postal system in this country has evolved into what it is today. My kids loved it when they were preteens and as young adults they recommend it to everyone who visits from out of town.

 

[JNorris]

The zoo is open early-- you could get some of that done and be completely finished by 11 am. .

The grounds of the zoo open at 6am, but the buildings do not open until 10am.

MrsPete~I usually have money, cc's, phone and a camera with me at the least....so, does anyone know what you can do with these if you visit Mr. President's house?

We've been to the White House twice in the last year...they would not allow any bags or any cameras inside. I know, because the first time we didn't know about the cameras, and they had no place they would allow us to leave a camera, so DH left the camera right outside the security building (yes, stupid, I know), and it got rained on and ruined.

 

[8 Ears]

We have a trip in the early planning stages, thanks for all the great info!

 

[Cindy B]

I would not do Tourmobile either. Its pretty pricey for what you get.

We did it once and were underwhelmed by it.
You can get so many other places for $25 cost per person.

You do walk uphill the entire zoo as you exit. It gets annoying!

My kids liked the Postal Museum as well

 

[Soupermom]

Great info everyone...keep it coming! Let me see if I understand this...I can take a metro to see the Cathedral/Zoo--same stop?

If you don't use the Tourmobile, what is the best way to get to FDR Memorial and Arlington Cemetary? That was the main reason I was using this system..it goes there easily.

I have taken Nat. Geo Society off our list, added PO museum--it's next to our hotel!!

 

[Cindy B]

Great info everyone...keep it coming! Let me see if I understand this...I can take a metro to see the Cathedral/Zoo--same stop?

If you don't use the Tourmobile, what is the best way to get to FDR Memorial and Arlington Cemetary? That was the main reason I was using this system..it goes there easily.

I have taken Nat. Geo Society off our list, added PO museum--it's next to our hotel!!

Arlington Cemetary can be accessed by Metro. (I "think" its the blue line, but I'm not very sure) I don't know about FDR Memorial though. Check the Metro stops.

I've taken the Metro and used the Woodley Park stop to get to the zoo. On the street where the zoo is, and where you get off the Metro you would walk left to the zoo. The zoo is in between two metro stops Woodley Park and I think its Adams Park You could take either one and walk the street to the zoo.

Anyway, if you get off the Woodley Park Metro stop, and continue on the street the zoo is on (I think its Connecticut, but I;m not positive) there is a sign on the left hand side of the street that directs you to the National Catherdral. We didn't go down the street, but saw the sign.

I googled directions for you regarding Metro directions to the Cathedral

http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/visit/metro.shtml

I love the area where the zoo is... it just has a wonderful look to it, and it is one of my favorite parts of DC.

 

[msdznyduck]

Another thing that is interesting, is to purchase National Park Passports. I can't remember how much ours were, we got them years ago when we went out west to Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.
DH and I got them as well as the kids. They were about 10 and 12. They have been a souvenier that we have kept and added on to. When we went to DC, you get it stamped everywhere. Every monument, and historic site you can get dated stamps. We don't purchase the stamp sets, (like postage stamps) though, but that is up to you.
Even now, when we go on vacation, I throw mine in my suitcase, even if I am unsure if I will use it. And if I do forget it, there is always paper available at the stamp sites to use, and then I glue stick it into my book when I get home.

 

[Cindy B]

Great info everyone...keep it coming! Let me see if I understand this...I can take a metro to see the Cathedral/Zoo--same stop?

If you don't use the Tourmobile, what is the best way to get to FDR Memorial and Arlington Cemetary? That was the main reason I was using this system..it goes there easily.

I have taken Nat. Geo Society off our list, added PO museum--it's next to our hotel!!

Same Metro line-- but it doesn't look like the same stop. (Red line). You can use the two different stops for zoo --check zoo directions. It looks like one stop further is the Metro stop for the cathedral.

I saw signs between the Woodley park metro stop and the zoo for the cathedral but we didn't walk down the road. I even stopped and commented to DH-- hey look I didn't know we could get to the cathedral from here. I don't know how far the walk is, but I did see the sign.

The time we visited the Cathedral--we actually walked there from our hotel. We were staying in Chevy Chase and just walked there.

 

[remfam5]

Love the INFO!! We are going in March.