OT: Washington DC help needed...

[bumbershoot]

Be sure to give yourselves time to really process the Vietnam memorial, if you have never been there. Even though it's just a simple piece of stone (OK, it's not simple at all, but it appears to be) it's very powerful. The Korean war area is, too.

Actually, if truth be told, the FDR mem is powerful too.

My mom would have suggested the Holocaust museum, she considered it to be a "must do" (they lived 20 minutes away from DC on a good traffic day or by metro)...you'll cry, but she felt it was worth it. But with teens (preteens?), and with all the other powerful stuff you're seeing, it might not be the absolute best choice.


The zoo is terrific, or at least it was 7 years ago when I last went.

 

[Cindy B]

I've been to DC about 10 x-- I even had my honeymoon there!

Check the opening time for musuems. Even if you are early risers, some of the musuems don't open until 10 am. The zoo is open early 630 or so, but the buildings aren't open until about 9 or so.

As for Itineriary-- the National Cathedral is in the same area as the zoo. In fact you can take the Metro (Woodley Park stop) and walk to the zoo. There is a turn where you can walk to the National Cathedral from there.

Mind you the Spy Musuem is NOT FREE. It is about $15 per adult, and about $10 per kid. I'm not sure when the Spy Museum closes, but it isn't open really late. It really isn't that great, IMO.

You have way too much stuff on your agenda. Do not forget around Cherry Blossom time the crowds will be really big and there will be lines. You haven't seen lines until 3 full tour busses drop off as you are walking up.

There will be security lines and they usually one have one guard..so there is a bottleneck.

I don't think you can do anything in the FBI building-- you can see anything but the building.

You can take the Metro for the Arlington Cemetrary. The Metro stop will let you right off at the entrance.

 

[Cindy B]

.

My mom would have suggested the Holocaust museum, she considered it to be a "must do" (they lived 20 minutes away from DC on a good traffic day or by metro)...you'll cry, but she felt it was worth it. But with teens (preteens?), and with all the other powerful stuff you're seeing, it might not be the absolute best choice.


The zoo is terrific, or at least it was 7 years ago when I last went.

I would suggest the Holocaust museum as well. There is a kid area called something like Daniels area which is very low key but powerful. My kids found that Holocaust museum was one of thier favorite places this past trip.

My son was 12 and my daughter was 9 back in July when we saw the Holocaust musuem for the first time.

We really didn't like all the Monuments on the mall, they were so spread out. The best way to see those is either Tourmobile or a quick drive by.

 

[Cindy B]

The AMERICAN history musuem is closed for refurb. The Natural History museum is definetely open. Because the AMERICAN history museum is under refurb, the natural and air and space musuems are more crowded.
(Trust me-- I saw this back in the summer)

The American History musuem will be open in March sometime.

 

[Cindy B]

You said you were teachers--- the Holocaust museum will put together a wonderful packet of materials for teachers.

I got a CD Rom, five different books and an elementary and middle school resource guide all for free. You just need to ask at the main desk. These resources ween't just about WWII era things, I also have info about Darfur and other things such as discrimination against special education people and homosexuals. Yes, this information is presented in a very profound and professional way.

That is a great choice, honestly... I would do the Holocaust anytime over the National Archives. The National Archives lines are WAY too long and its a very quick thing..

Believe it or not, my kids ,enjoyed the Postal Museum when they were younger.

 

[Cindy B]

Yes,
I I think the Tourmobile is one of the only ways to get to the FDR Memorial and Arlington Cemetary w/o a car, so that's why I put them there. I picked the Trolley because it goes to the 4 places I listed, and again, I don't think you can get to the Cathederal any other way really. Nat. Geo Society is close.

Keep the suggestions coming and I'll keep tweaking my schedule. So glad I'm planning ahead!

You can Metro to Arlington and the Cathedral.

 

[Green Tea]

My kids LOVED the Bureau of Archives as did I.

 

[Soupermom]

So, would any of you experts like to re-vamp my itinerary? I just don't know where to start! The only thing you would need to allow for is:

1. "Mint" tour-a.m.only (hopefully Tuesday)

2. Capitol/Supreme Court tour-afternoons only (will the kids like these, or should I cancel? Hopefully Wednesday)

3. White House-also only in the a.m.'s(hopefully Thursday)

4. Pentagon (maybe...has anyone done this--is it really a tour? Should we just go see it instead? Friday)

The things we'd like to see, in order of importance:
White House
Space Museum
Bureau of Engraving
Archives
Nat. History Museum
Arlington Cemetary
FDR Memorial
Lincoln/Vietnam/Korean/WWII Memorials
Holocaust museum
Wash. Monument
Jefferson Monument
Am. Indian Museum
Nat. Cathederal
Ford's theatre
Pentago (I'd be happy just to see it)
Am. History museum, but not sure when it will re-open
I'd kind of like to see some of the monuments at night, too

"extras"/"icing on the cake"--are these worth it?
capitol
Supreme court
old P.O.
P.O. museum (I think this isvery near our hotel?)
zoo

FYI...
DS LOVES air/space travel and money/#'s; DD loves architecture/design
DH could not care less about going to the zoo.
We are a patriotic group all the way around. I cry every time I hear the national anthem!
We would rather be up early than up late at night.


The only thing booked thus far is the hotel...Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill (New Jersey Avenue). We will be happy to walk some, use Metro, Tourmobile, and/or Trolley. Any of you locals know about the "Circulator"; website seems to indicate that it is new?

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Feel free to add dining suggestions, too! I plan on getting Wash. Monument and Spy Museum (if we go there) tix ahead of time, so we shouldn't have to wait in those lines (I do know about those costs).

Thanks again. You have all been most helpful!

 

[vsimeone]

I tend to agree that you may have too many things scheduled for each day. My brother lives in Alexandria and we visit him 2 or 3 times a year. We have done the "monument march" many times and we dread ever taking someone new because it is one HECK of a haul. We've never done the Tourmobile but that sounds like a good idea with small children. If you can either switch (or ditch completely) the Bureau of Engraving, try to do the Washington Monument as early as possible. Get there before it opens because the line gets LONG and moves VERY SLOWLY because only so many people can go in at one time.

I'm not sure what to tell you about the Holocaust Museum. I personally, probably would have never done it but my kids guilted us into it - the weekend after Thanksgiving no less! It is powerful and depressing but I'm glad I saw it. We got there when it opened (9am-ish) and we are not "linger-ers. We browsed at each exhibit and moved on. When we were done, we could not believe that it was after 12pm. My parents and brother did the Native American Museum at the same time (they're relatively close) and didn't get done until later than us. They did mention that there is a really good place to eat in the N.A. Museum though.

If you like Mexican and are doing the Spy Museum - if I have this right, I think it is almost across the street from the Verizon Center, there is a Chipolte right next to the Verizon Center that is easy to eat at.

Arlington National Cemetary also takes a long time if you do the Tomb of the Unknowns and the tour of the Lee-Custis Mansion.

We are visiting my brother the weekend after Thanksgiving again this year but I'm not sure how many "touristy" things we will do. We are mostly shopping and eating! Best wishes for your trip!

 

[Soupermom]

Does anyone know...when you order your Wash. Monument tix in advance, do you get to pick a certain day/TIME? (like a fastpass... ). I'm not sure how that works. I thought if we did the mint tour first thing, we could then head to the Wa. Monument.

I suppose since this opens at 9am, we could do it and then go to a museum that opens at 10?

 

[Cindy B]

Does anyone know...when you order your Wash. Monument tix in advance, do you get to pick a certain day/TIME? (like a fastpass... ). I'm not sure how that works. I thought if we did the mint tour first thing, we could then head to the Wa. Monument.

I suppose since this opens at 9am, we could do it and then go to a museum that opens at 10?

No-- that will be too short of a time. Washington Monument will take longer than that. The Security is REALLY tight there and they only let a few people up at a time. Be prepared to walk through many security gates at the Washington Monument and it is a bit of a letdown (sorry to burst your bubble). They are very very very strict on the no liquid rules there and will kick someone out if they even have a water bottle between the first and second security turnstile at the Washington monument. (I Saw it happen) I've never ordered the washington monument tickets beforehand, we just walked up and got them-- but it was pretty early in the AM. I liked the Washington Monument much better in the 90's.


You really have way too much planned. The monuments/musuems are HUGE and will take a very long time. Crowds, crowds, crowds!


I don't think there is anything at the Pentagon-- I could be wrong though. You can see the Pentagon out of the window of the Metro, but there really isn't anything to see except people leaving in suits or military uniforms on the Metro. I don't see this as a tourist attraction. If it is on the same Metro line as Arlington (I think it is), you all can look out the window of the Metro at the same time enroute to Arlington. Arlington is a NOT QUICK visit!

Fords Theater is pretty quick. I've done it a few times. It is on the border of an urban area, so its best to do that earlier than later. I'm not saying its in an awful area, but I would be cautious if it is getting dark. Don't forget about the House Where Lincoln Died. That is also a free exhibit and it's right near the ESPN restaurant in the Downtown area. The House where Lincoln died is very very quick but interesting.

Circulator is new-- they were advertising it heavily when we visited in July. You can knock off all the memorials off if you drive by them at night or take the Tourmobile that day.

Not Worth It: (The Maybe list)
Spy Museum. With all the wonderful free museums, I would not pay for one.

The Portrait Gallery is right near the Spy Musuem and its free.

I don't think there is an attraction with the Supreme Court./FBI Are you thinking of just looking at the building? That would bore the tears off my kids. The FBI building is set pretty far back so there really isn't much to see, IMO.

We got lucky enough to do a White House tour prior to 9/11 when you could do a walk up visit. That was worth it-- but I don't know how the tour is now.

The zoo is open early-- you could get some of that done and be completely finished by 11 am. Your open early plan may not work with all your plans. As you know, the musuems open at 10. Considering how slow security goes, you won't be actually in the museum until around 1030-11.

I would take the time for the Holocaust Museum even if just for the childrens area on the first floor. You don't need a timed ticket (I think) for the first floor so that may be helpful. The childrens area is very interesting as well, and you can get all the teaching resources as well.

 

[Soupermom]

I thought the FBI building had something, but if not we would skip it. My UG says it was closed for reburb, but due to open in '07. Not a big deal. I'll scratch that one for sure.

 

[Soupermom]

How does the Washington Monument compare to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. We enjoy that, even if it's kind of cramped up top. Can you get decent photos from the top?

 

[Judique]

If you are going to use Metro, be sure to have change. If you put $20 in the machine the most change it will give is $5, which forces you to buy $15 on the farecard.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[rflorek]

1. "Mint" tour-a.m.only (hopefully Tuesday)

This tour (actually the Bureau of Engraving) only took about 30 minutes - we waited about 15 minutes on line, but we went in the middle of September after the crowds. It was really cool seeing sheets of bills going by - wish they gave free samples!

Space Museum

This was okay - very crowded. Kids may like it more. The food court was overpriced. I enjoyed the Treasures of American History exhibit the most (a temporary exhibit due to the fact that the Museum of Amer History was closed for refurbishment)

Archives

I liked this. We had to wait on line for quite a while due to the metal detectors/x-ray check, and they only let a certain number of people in the room at a time. The lighting is low to protect the documents, and you can take pictures of them without flash (they are VERY strict about that). The gift shop was interesting.

Nat. History Museum

I found it boring, but the kids around us seemed to enjoy it.

Arlington Cemetary

Our favorite stop - VERY moving. We paid extra for the Tourmobile tour, and had an AWESOME tour guide. Also had a bunch of veterans on our bus. Leave enough time for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Lincoln/Vietnam/Korean/WWII Memorials

Lincoln Memoral was underwhelming after the long walk along the Reflecting Pool. Vietnam Memorial was VERY moving, as was the WWII Memorial. I also found the Korean War Memorial interesting.

Wash. Monument

Didn't go in - BF is scared of heights. Took pictures outside - it is interesting to look at.

Ford's theatre

Was closed for renovation when we were there.

I'd kind of like to see some of the monuments at night, too

There are a couple of tour bus companies that have D.C. Under the Lights tours - you might want to look into those.

holocaust museum

This was very sad, very moving. It took quite a bit of time to tour the permanent exhibit, and we were drained, so we didn't see the rest. Since we went on off-season, we didn't have to wait for timed tickets. We walked in & our ticket allowed entry 5 minutes later.

Spy Museum

HATED IT!!! Sorry we wasted our money on this one. Maybe kids would like it more?

zoo

If you cover the whole zoo, it's a bunch of walking - lots of hills (at least the route we took has a bunch of hills). LOVED the pandas!!

 

[MELSMICE]

I would suggest the Holocaust museum as well. There is a kid area called something like Daniels area which is very low key but powerful. My kids found that Holocaust museum was one of thier favorite places this past trip.

My son was 12 and my daughter was 9 back in July when we saw the Holocaust musuem for the first time.

We were just there this past summer & personally, I would put the Holocaust Museum towards the top of your list. What a powerful, moving & fantastic museum. The most memorable part of our trip. To me it's a "not to be missed" attraction.

The monuments were nice, but just that, monuments. We wanted to do the Museum of American History, but it was closed.

Give yourself lots of time for the museums. We spent a few hours in Air & Space & also Natural History & didn't even come close to seeing all of it. We spent a short time in the National Archives only due to a time crunch.

 

[Cindy B]

I agree that Lincoln is underwhelming after all the walking... its one of those things where we say "we could just google this" as we were walking halfway to North Carolina (or so it seemed).

We did the Archives once. We saw one person take a pic (with a flash) of the Dec. of Independence... and the security guards were on this middle school kid like nobody's business. The line was INSANELY long for this.


I've never been to the St. Louis arch, but the Wash Monument is tight cramped and small up there. The windows are small and not very clean. There is very very very tight security there. We used to enjoy the Wash Monument but we won't do it anymore.

I wouldnt do the Spy Musuem.

I actually liked the zoo, but it is hilly. It isn't that far from the National Catherdral as well.

I have to say we visited the National Cathedral on one of our visits. Our tour was purely personal because my MIL went to the school there back in high school. We did a walking tour, but that was back in the 90's. (1991) so I am not sure that is even an option anymore.

 

[karensokool]

I've spent my life living near DC. I've seen all of the monuments, museums, etc. several times and you should not miss the Holocaust Museum. I urge you to bump it up the list. You will not regret it. Does anyone know if the room with all of the shoes is still in there?

 

[Cindy B]

I've spent my life living near DC. I've seen all of the monuments, museums, etc. several times and you should not miss the Holocaust Museum. I urge you to bump it up the list. You will not regret it. Does anyone know if the room with all of the shoes is still in there?

The shoe room was there back in July. That was amazing.

I have to agree, monuments are monuments but the Holocaust Museum is an experience.

 

[Cindy B]

I have to add the National Gallery of Art (across from Air and Space I think). Its not a Smithsonian, but it is FREE.

I went there for the first time back in July and it was amazing. I saw some Divinci's up close and personal! The Modern section of the National Gallery of Art was so cool-- the Calder mobiles were really cool!

I love the Sculpture Garden and the Hirshorn. I actually based a visit on the Hirshorn on a unit on technology. I love modern art--and it was the coolest thing to see Piak's and Warhols up close.