Washington DC advice please

[mbw12]

I posted awhile back asking for restaurant recommendations and got a nice response. Just thought some of you would be able to give me some other advice.

We are staying at The Jefferson...I know nothing about the area. Are their things within walking distance of here? Any recommendatiosn for things going on the weekend of August 4, 5, and 6th....festivals, street fairs, etc???? We will probably do a few museums, etc, but just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on things to do....both touristy and maybe somethign a littel romantic? We really have no set plans at this point (other than the hotel!!!!)

 

[Cindy B]

I've been to DC qutie a bit. I'm not exactly sure where the Jefferson is. You could take the Metro or walk to the Smithsonians (depends on where your hotel is), Washington Monument, etc...

There are things to do outside as well. There is a cool sculpture garden near the Hirshorn that is fun to go through. You can ride the merry go round outside the Washington Monument.

You can also go to the offsite Air and Space Museum.

 

[HOGFAN]

dont know where the Jefferson is but our family enjoys going to the Hard Rock Cafe. Its next to Fords Theatre.

 

[sk8belle]

DC's Restaurant Week should be coming up soon. Many of the restaurants, including some of the very upscale ones, offer a prix fixe menu for a three-course lunch ($20.05) and/or dinner ($30.05). If you are looking for something romantic to do, this might be a good option. Check www.opentable.com (there's a link on the main page for the DC-specific page) periodically to see if dates have been announced.

Check the Smithsonian's website to see if they are having any festivals. The folklife festival just ended (or will over shortly), and I'm not sure what might be coming up.

 

[mrsltg]

The Jefferson is a beautiful hotel located just down the block from the White House (you can actually see the north side of the White House from the front of the hotel). You're staying in the business district right on the edge of the neighborhood area of DuPont Circle/Adams Morgan. If you turn left when you walk out of the hotel you'll head toward the touristy stuff in the city. Turn right and you'll be on your way into the nighborhoods which offer restaurants and such. You'll have a great time!!

 

[vsimeone]

My brother lives in DC. Well, okay, he used to live on Capitol Hill. Now he lives in Alexandria. I'm not familiar with the Jefferson either but we stayed on the edge of DuPont Circle and Adams Morgan several years ago. It's a fabulous area! There should be a really easily accessible Metro stop near there. I can't tell you the street (somewhere near 14th?) there is the Eastern Market. It is a WONDERFUL place to go on the weekends. We grabbed some breakfast there and shopped at all the stands.

So many cheap and/or free things to do in DC! If you have time, call your local congressman's/woman's office and see if you can arrange a free tour of the Capitol building. We did this pre-9/11 so I don't think you get to see as many "behind the scenes" areas anymore but I'm sure it is still a wonderful tour.

Old Town Alexandria is another fantastic area to shop and sight see.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me and I'll ask my brother for you!

Have a WONDERFUL time!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

One word of advice, be prepared to walk!!! (and walk and walk and walk some more!!) I think we walked way more in 3 days there than we ever do in 6 days at DW!!!

Also, there is so much stuff to do, it is really hard to see everything. Pick out your favorites and hit those. If you want to go up in the Washington Monument, get your tickets early...we went to get tickets at about 10:30 one day and they were already sold out.

We just got back last night. We had a great time, it was just really tiring. Use the Metro to your advantage, saves a lot of walking.

I would reccommend getting a guide book like Foder's or something. I think that would have helped us. I will do that next time.

Let me know if you have any questions. I will try to answer them. I don't know a lot about DC, but w/ just being there, I might be able to help some.

 

[mrsltg]

My brother lives in DC. Well, okay, he used to live on Capitol Hill. Now he lives in Alexandria. I'm not familiar with the Jefferson either but we stayed on the edge of DuPont Circle and Adams Morgan several years ago. It's a fabulous area! There should be a really easily accessible Metro stop near there. I can't tell you the street (somewhere near 14th?) there is the Eastern Market. It is a WONDERFUL place to go on the weekends. We grabbed some breakfast there and shopped at all the stands.

Actually Eastern Market and 14th Street are not close together. It's walkable, I just don't want the Op to be confused. 14th Street is the main drag through town by the popular attractions. The Eastern Market is just off Capitol Hill though accessible by Metro. Why don't you get a tour book on DC? It will include some maps and give you an idea of where you're staying vs. where you want to go (your hotel is at the corner of 16th & M, NW).

Have a great trip!

 

[vsimeone]

Actually Eastern Market and 14th Street are not close together. It's walkable, I just don't want the Op to be confused. 14th Street is the main drag through town by the popular attractions. The Eastern Market is just off Capitol Hill though accessible by Metro. Why don't you get a tour book on DC? It will include some maps and give you an idea of where you're staying vs. where you want to go (your hotel is at the corner of 16th & M, NW).

Have a great trip!

Thanks Mrsltg! I just rely on my brother to lead us around while we're there! I don't know where anything is!!!

He used to work for the National Shakespeare Theater and one time he put my parents and my family up in some apartments that the theater owns and I know we walked to the market from there.

Thanks again for the correction. I didn't mean to give misleading information!