Wa DC

[Tandyc]

A girlfriend has invited me to join her in DC. She is going for work and they are allowing me to go as her companion. We may have an extra day or so to see the sights. I am clueless about this area. What is a must do? What can we skip? I am on a serious budget so hopefully nothing is outrageously expensive. The convention dates are March 1-3, so will probably go the weekend before and see what we can. Maybe stay the 4th too. Nothing firm.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Tandyc

 

[Swimalie]

Where are you staying and will you have a car?

 

[akcire]

My favorite is the Smithsonian and it is free.

Also you can ask your congressperson (senator or rep) to set you up with a Congressional Tour (also free). I am sure they have information on their websites. We really liked the Congressional Tour of the Library of Congress.

 

[VirataMama4]

Most things are free in DC, like all the Smithsonian, monuments etc. It will depend on if you have a car or are willing to take the metro, which is really simple! Just know you won't be able to see it all and have a plan of what you must see and what you can pass on. Most of the Smithsonians will take you at least half a day each and there are tons of them. LOL

Have a great trip!

 

[LilAnn]

I don't know where you are staying or how far away this might be from your hotel, but if you enjoy visiting museums, you can walk around the Smithsonian museums around the National Mall. The museums are all free and I always enjoy them. Here is a website for all the different museums. They are in close proximity to each other and surround the Mall. I will say that the Spy Museum is one of the only museums in the area that charges a fee to go in.
http://www.si.edu/

There is also the National Zoo, which can be reached on the Metro (subway system) and is also free.

Many of the outdoor monuments - Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans, etc are all free.

The weather in early March is still pretty cool to cold, but it should be warm in comparison to the north! Whenever I go home to visit, it's always much warmer down there. Have fun - there's a ton to do in the area!

 

[40-Something Kid]

Just to add on to the National Mall discussion--

1. You can get to the Mall by Metro.
2. On the west end is the Washington Monument, and on the east end is the Capitol. The Mall is wide open in the middle and decked on either side by some impressive Museums.
3. The National Air and Space Museum is very popular. My favorites are the National Gallery of Art, and the Museum of Natural History.
4. The Spy Museum mentioned above is away from the Mall a block or two--it's cute, but not a national treasure like the others.
5. If you're up for it emotionally, the best designed and displayed museum is the Holocaust Museum. Serious, serious business, but so well done. I avoided it for years, but am so glad I finally went.
6. If you don't mind walking, there are so many memorials and monuments, including WW II, Viet Nam Veterans (the Wall), Korean War, Roosevelt, and list goes on and on.
7. Best of all, this is all FREE.

I love living near DC. DC rocks!!!

 

[5stljayhawks]

Make sure the hotel is within walking distance of the metro. From there, you can get around the city. If not, I am sure you can take a cab ride.. to a station. The metro is VERY easy to ride and cost effective, you may look at buying a day pass or week pass

We were out there last Jan. You may be there when the cherry blossomes are blooming. I think they are on the mall. if you want to get into the white house start working on that or you can just wear a tux and a formal dress...

There was also the A. Lincoln Libary exhibit at the libary of congress, really cool, could of stayed 2 hours reading, but had a few rug rats with me.

You can also get a city vistor guided sent to you, with current events.

Have fun. Arlington Cemt. is a must see.

SP