Question about visiting Washington, D.C.

[Mkebound]

My wife and I live here for a couple of years and visit now at least once or twice a year now that we have kids 5 & 8.

My family is planning on taking a quick (2 1/2 day) trip to the D.C. area on our way down to a family wedding. My daughters have never been, and I've only done a drive-through of it about 9 yrs ago. So, I'm really looking forward to going through some of the major landmarks I've always learned about, and looking forward to taking my daughters to them.

Just had several questions for anyone who has visited the area (forgive me for the ignorance on some of them, but like I said, I've never visited).

We've made hotel reservations in Silver Spring, MD, and planning on taking the red-line into Union Station each morning, where we'll hop on the trolley there. Planning on pre-purchasing the open-top hop-on hop-off trolley that will take us around the area (planning on mostly sticking to the red route, which circles the immediate area).

The attractions I'm debating on visiting are the following: we'd be splitting them up over 2 full days there.. arrive wednesday early evening (would probably just relax at hotel), then we'll be there all day thursday and friday, and leave saturday morning.

First off, let me suggest you visit the Monuments and Memorials at night. The Jefferson, WWII, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, etc are all light up and staffed until midnight. Low crowds, cooler temps, and a more "somber" feel

The Capitol (will definitely hop off here, and see the visitor center, but trying to decide if it's worth it to try to but a timed ticket to go inside?)

Air and Space Museum (debating this one.. we've been inside quite a few airspace museums, is this one that much different?)
The Air and Space Museum is awesome, but the best thing is all 13 of the Simithsonian's are free so if you want to leave after visiting for on a short time it's not like you need to get your money's worth

Smithsonian (if we stop in this area, which museums are absolute must-see's?)
Natural History and American History are awsome. The national zoo is part of the Smithsonian museums and is nice (but out of the way) plus their are several art museums that you should visit if they hold the kind of art you like

Washington Monument (is it still closed d/t the earthquake?)
Still closed. Your best bet for a bird's eye view of the city is to visit the Old Post Office Tower about 5 blocks away. Run by the National Park service, free to visit and a great view - Better than the view from the Washington Monument in my opinion.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial (worth it to stop? can't find much info about it online) My favorite of all the Memorials. Best to vist after dark.

Lincoln Memorial (can you go inside, or is this just a see from outside building?) Yes, you can walk right up and say hi to Abe. Best to visit after dark

Arlington Cemetery (this is a must for dh, and planning on watching the changing of the guard) Be aware that visiting the Musuem and Visitors center, then the LONG walk to the Tomb of the Unknows, plus visiting the Lee House, and famous graves of Kennedy, Taft, Audey, etc is a LOT of walking. Hilly too. If you're fit it's no big deal, but it takes time.

White House (have contacted our state representative for tickets.. if they're sold out already, we'll at least stop in at the visitor center, etc.) Overrated. You don't see anything, however you can see some cool stuff by visiting the White House Visitors Center a block away. Save your time.

Ford's Theater (this is a must, will be pre-purchasing tickets beforehand, approx. how much time does the tour of the 4 areas usually take?)
2-4 hours. Be aware that parts of the musum close if their is a preformance that day! Yes, it's still a working theater (and a good one too)

Is there anything I'm missing that's a must-see in the area?
National Archives.

Does this seem doable in 2 full days? We're definitely a go-go family if want to be.. I was with my daughters last month in Chicago, and hiked the area from 8am till 11pm with no problem at all, lol... but do want to make sure I leave plenty of time to really explore the buildings, etc.

Thanks for any help!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We have taken our kids 3 times and they love it, perhaps even more than WDW . Your congressman can also arrange tours of the Capitol, National Archives, Supreme Court and LibrAry of Congress.

During our last trip this April we rented bikes to tour all the memorials. It was a highlight of the trip! Bike The Sites.com has all the info. You can just rent bikes by the hour or they have guided tours.

Everywhere else is pretty easy to get to by the Metro. The Metro, in itself, is a really neat thing for kids.

Even though you can't go to the top of the Washington Monument right now, you can get a great view of the city at the Olde Post Office.

We have also been to DC in August. It is doable if you mix outside stuff with museums that have AC.

Good luck! If you have any further questions, ask away!

 

[bamor]

We just got back last night. We were there for the heatwave and the storm!
Stayed at the Residence Inn/DC Capitol which I booked through washington.org for a great price (studio room, indoor pool, free breakfast). Five minute walk to the Air & Space Museum from the hotel. Be aware, they raised the prices of the Metro on 7/1. If you are using a fare card, you'll need to add $1.00 to each trip/pp. The highlights of our trip were the tour of the Capitol (arranged through our Congressman) and a DC Tours by Foot twilight bus tour ($16/pp plus the guides work for tips @ $17/pp is the average). Our favorite meal was at Matchbox. There is a food court in the Ronald Reagan Building (near the American History Museum) where you can eat for significantly less than at the Museum). Honestly, it was so hot, we were so greatful we were in the city where we could go back to our room and clean up easily.

 

[nunzia]

The Thomas Jefferson memorial was one of my very favorites. Surely you will walk the Mall? The WWII Memorial is a must see (IMO) as are the Vietnam and Korean. The Holocaust Museum and National Archives (Declaration of Independence) are also must sees.

 

[SplashMo]

For OP. You do not need tickets for the National Archives. If you have them you get to see an extra part of the building you might not have time to see anyways...

 

[zoo2tycoon]

We just returned 2 weeks ago.

If you are approved for White House tour...there are no purses, cameras (cell phones with cameras are allowed but NO PICTURES), no backpacks, etc. There is NO STORAGE anywhere near the White House so I went the day without my purse and the good camera and we just used Iphones for pics that day. It was a fantastic tour.

There are Archives tickets that I got...$1.50 per person online BUT it allows you to go in a different entrance and can help avoid a LONG line in the sun and heat. I was glad we purchased them!

Plan for lots of walking and wear comfortable shoes! I learned the hard way that my Merrell sandals I can trek hours in Disney in aren't what I needed there. I purchased a pair of Merrell tennis shoes and they were fantastic!

Go to Arlington!