OT: Washington DC

[mommytoone]

Has anyone been here and not spent a small fortune. We are planning on taking DD this summer and would like any help. We usually so somewhere for vacation but it costs so much.

I don't even know where to begin. I would need hotels, places to go, food, etc. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I won't be going to Disny this year, But hopefully next!!

Thanks

 

[Jeafl]

We spent a week in Washington DC a couple of years ago, and it was one of our cheaper vacations. Mainly because after the hotel and food, there isn't really anything that costs you money. Most of the attractions are free. I think the only thing we paid extra for was the Spy Museum and the trolley tour. Although the trolley tour costs money, I HIGHLY recommend it. There is so much to see there, and using the trolley allowed us to see more and do more.

Basically you buy a one-day ticket and you can get off and on at as many attrtactions as you want. The thing about Washington is there is a TON of walking, and since we were there in the summer heat, it really saved us to be able to use the trolley.

We did not use our car once the entire week we were there. We parked it at the hotel and used the metro or walked exclusively. The metro is extremely convenient, and very easy to find your way around.

As far as hotels go, someone that used to post here that lives there gave me the name of a website for discount Washington DC hotels. We booked 3 different places and loved them all. We stayed at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza, the Radisson on P Street and the Marriott Courtyard Northwest on Pennsylvania Ave. All 3 were nice hotels. The reason for 3 different places was because each one was convenient to different attractions. At Loews L'Enfant Plaza it was walking distance to the Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, for example. It was not so convenient for the zoo or Spy Museum.

I personally didn't find the foor outrageously expensive. In fact it was comparable to here in the Chicago area. And definitely much cheaper than WDW!

If you want more info, let me know!

 

[TLHB70]

I am not able to offer hotel advice because we redeemed points and got a free stay on our last trip. We stayed in the city itself, near the Capitol. We met friends there, and they stayed outside the city, in Arlington, and used the subway. We used the subway a lot to get to places and meet them at their hotel. It is easy, and I can tell you that we would be fine staying outside of the city on our next trip and using the subway.
I recommend contacting your Representative ASAP and requesting any tours that you are interested in. I contacted our Rep as soon as I had our dates set. I am attaching the very helpful information that they sent me. (I have saved it as a document on my computer!) They set me up for the White House and Capitol tour. They were wonderful! We also did several of the other things listed. The White House and Capitol tours are the first ones you should work on, though.

I know this is long, sorry, but it is very helpful!



White House Tour: The White House usually does not confirm a tour request until at least one month before the date of your visit. I therefore expect to hear from them sometime in July, and I will contact you at that time. The White House typically stays booked up five to six months in advance and same day public tours have long been eliminated. The Visitors Office does not even allow us to submit a request without a minimum of 4 weeks notice. Tours are conducted Tuesday through Saturday of each week but are subject to change. The White House Visitors Office receives about 15,000 tour requests every day, but it can only accommodate 2,000 people per day, between 7:30 am and 12:30 pm. If the White House is able to accommodate your group, we will need everyone's full legal name, date of birth, and social security information. It is a good idea to go ahead and start compiling this information.

White House Visitors Center: Please consider the White House Visitors Center, which is open seven days a week from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM and features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. Allow between 20 minutes to 1 1/2 hours to explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association also sponsors a sales area. Please note that restrooms are available, but food service is not. The entrance is at the intersection of 15th and E Streets. Metro: McPherson Square (Blue and Orange Lines).
Advance notice required: none, but be prepared to stand in line.
http://www.nps.gov/whho/WHVC/index.htm

Staff-Led Capitol Tour: We would be glad to conduct this tour any weekday that you all will be in town. We usually try to begin the tour at either 9:30am or at 2:00pm, so please feel free to respond with your preference. The tour begins in Rep. Myrick's office, Room 230, Cannon House Office Building. Cannon is located on the South East side of the Capitol, next to the Library of Congress and directly across from the Capitol South Metro station. The street entrance nearest to our office is at 1st Street SE and Independence Ave. Metro: Capitol South (Blue and Orange Lines). Please call our office if you are unable to take the tour at your scheduled time. We try to schedule as many groups together as possible and due to the different schedules of our groups, we do not want to keep others waiting. Also, please keep in mind that no large bags, food or drinks are allowed inside the Capitol. (The link below will provide a detailed list of prohibited items. Please be sure that everyone in your group is aware of this list.) The tour takes about an hour and a half.
Advance notice required: at least 2 weeks.
http://www.aoc.gov/cc/visit/index.cfm

Bureau of Printing and Engraving: Available Monday through Friday at 8:15 and 8:45 am for groups of 10 or less. Please arrive about 15 minutes before your tour, and bring your Confirmation Number and Photo ID. The tour entrance is located at the intersection of 14th and C Streets, SW.
Advance notice required: 4-6 months.
http://www.moneyfactory.com/

*Bureau of Printing and Engraving Public Tour Info:
Peak Season: March-August
Tours are not available on week-ends or holidays. Tickets are required for all tours during peak season, on a first-come, first-served basis. The ticket booth is located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th Street). Same day tickets only. The Ticket Booth opens at 8 am and lines form early and tickets go quickly. Most mornings, daytime tickets are gone by 9 am.
Visitors Center: Individuals who would like to visit the Visitors Center ONLY must enter on the 14th Street side of the building at the visitor's entrance. From May through August, the Visitors Center is open from 8:30 am to 8 pm. The Visitors Center contains exhibits and shops where items such as uncut currency, shredded currency, collectors' editions, and novelty items can be purchased.
http://www.moneyfactory.com/

State Department Tour: Tours of the State Department are available through our office Monday through Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 2:45 pm. Please arrive at the 23rd Street entrance approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time. All participants 16 yrs. and older must have photo ID. Please keep in mind that the State Department tour is not recommended for children under the age of 12 because it is a Fine Arts tour of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms. Strollers, briefcases, backpacks, large bags, and packages are not permitted and there is no storage available for personal belongings.
Advance notice required: 2-3 months.
http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/diprooms/tour.html

Supreme Court: Tours of the Supreme Court are available through our office Monday through Friday at 2 pm for groups of 6 or less. The address is One First Street, NE- Across First Street from the Capitol. Metro: Capitol South (Blue and Orange Lines) or Union Station (Red Line). The tour starts at 2 pm. Your group must be in line by 1:45 pm. The line forms in the Great Hall, at the "Court Room Lecture Reservation" sign. Late arrivals will not be admitted.
Advance notice required: 2-3 months.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/visiting/visiting.html

Supreme Court Public Tour: The Supreme Court offers public lectures Monday through Friday when the Court is not in session, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. (Recommended for the same day as the Capitol Tour to avoid too much walking.)
Advance notice required: none, but you may have to stand in line.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/visiting/visiting.html

Library of Congress Tour: Available Monday through Friday at 8:30 am and 1:45 pm. Please enter the Thomas Jefferson Building through the ground level carriage doors on First Street, SE. The address for the building is 101 Independence Ave., SE. The tour generally runs about an hour.
Advance notice required: 1-3 months.
http://www.loc.gov/loc/visit/index.html

The Library of Congress has public tours available Monday through Friday at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. On Saturday the public tours are 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30. (Recommended for the same day as the Capitol Tour to avoid too much walking.)
Advance notice required: none, but be prepared to stand in line.
http://www.loc.gov/loc/visit/index.html

Mount Vernon: Tours are available 7 days a week. The tour departs promptly at 8:45 a.m. from the Main Gate so please arrive a few minutes early. The regular admission rates apply: $13 adults, $12 seniors, $6 children ages 6-11, free for children 5 and under.
Advance notice required: at least 2 weeks.
http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/plan/index.cfm/

The Kennedy Center: Guided tours of the Kennedy Center are available through our office Monday through Friday at 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. There is also a Saturday tour at 9:30 am.
Advance notice required: at least 2 weeks.
*The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage hosts a free concert every day at 6 pm, 365 days a year. No reservations required.
http://www.kennedy-center.org/visitor/directions.html

Holocaust Museum: Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5:30 pm. The tour is self-guided, so you can arrive anytime between 10 am and 4:30 pm. Please keep in mind that it takes most people 3-4 hours to view the permanent exhibit. Entrance: Independence Avenue and 14th Street, S.W. Metro: Smithsonian Station (Blue and Orange Lines).
Advance notice required: at least 2 weeks.
http://www.ushmm.org/visit/

Additional Info

*Washington Monument: Hours of operation are 9 am to 4:45 pm daily. Please refer to the following website to purchase your tickets in advance for the Washington Monument to avoid waiting in line.
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/home.htm
*Smithsonian Museums: These museums are free of charge and open to the public. The Museum of Natural History and the Air & Space Museum are popular with children. No reservations required.
http://www.si.edu/

*Spy Museum: This is a very popular private museum. Please reserve your tickets online or by phone before your visit. Please keep in mind that some of the exhibits on terrorism may be inappropriate for younger children.
http://www.spymuseum.org/plan/

*National Zoo:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm

Arlington National Cemetery:
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/visiting.htm

Ford's Theatre:
http://www.fordstheatre.org/Pages/home/home.htm

Map of Capitol Hill:
http://www.aoc.gov/cc/cc_map.cfm

DC Public Transportation:
http://www.metroopensdoors.com

*Duck Tours:
http://shophta.com/acb/stores/15/product1.asp?SID=15&Product_ID=56&kc=y

Information on the DC Tourmobile (a great way to see the city):
http://www.tourmobile.com

Hotel reservation info (just in case):
http://www.wdcahotels.com/
http://www.visitdc.com/

GoSmithsonian.com: A "one-stop shop" web site that assists visitors in maneuvering through Washington, D.C.'s famous spots and attractions. It incorporates details from the institution's 19 museums and includes information about the National Mall, the National Zoo and surrounding areas. GoSmithsonian.com puts information from all of the institution's museums - including current lectures, exhibits and special events - in one calendar. Visitors are then able to add events and exhibits that they wish to see onto a printable itinerary. The site also includes access to weather reports, a restaurant guide, and information on transportation and lodging.
www.gosmithsonian.com

Other Tour Info:
http://www.house.gov/house/tour_dc.shtml


Some helpful hints for first-timers in Washington DC:
Security: Please keep in mind that security is taken very seriously in DC. Therefore, you may be required to wait in line for some tours even though you have reserved tickets. When visiting the Capitol, you will pass through security at least three times - once to get into Rep. Myrick's office building, once to get into the Capitol Building, and once again to get into the House Chamber. The Capitol Police work very hard to keep us safe, and they are everywhere you look. They are also your best bet for directions should you get disoriented or lost. The metal detectors in the Capitol are extremely sensitive. Try to wear as little metal as possible (shoes, belt buckles, jewelry, etc), and remember to take keys, change, cell phones, and cameras out of your pockets and place them on the conveyor belt. Also, please keep in mind that no large bags, food or drinks are allowed inside the Capitol. Whenever possible, it's best to leave these items behind, but you can always leave them in our office while touring the Capitol.
Public Transportation: Metro Rail doors are NOT like elevator doors! They will close even if you try to hold them open with your hands, bag or briefcase. Be careful and quick when getting on and off the train. Keep your group as close together as possible. Make a plan for meeting up in case you are separated in the Metro Station (or anywhere else, for that matter). Some rules to remember: On escalators, stand on the right, walk on the left. Make sure you check which train you are getting on (i.e., orange, blue, red, yellow, green). Some lines run on the same tracks but will take you to different stations. Please remember to keep all your belongings with you at all times, as items left behind can cause security concerns, which can delay the trains. Also, eating and drinking are not permitted on Metro trains.
*** It is a good idea to plan for long lines and traffic everywhere you go, especially during the summer. If you can, try to pack lunches or snacks that you can eat in the car or bus, while walking, or while waiting in line. Don't forget bottled water! The water in the Capitol buildings is sometimes unsafe to drink because of lead contamination.