Washington DC for adults trip

[BLTtinkerbell]

My DH and I are thinking of going to Washington DC for a vacation later this month to see the all “touristy” stuff.
We’ve taken our children before, but now that they’re adults, DH & I would like to go back and explore again.

Please share any ideas you have for hotels, restaurants, museums, monuments and places to not miss.

Thank you! I always enjoy hearing other Disers thoughts on vacation spots!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Generally, we stay at the Hay-Adams because we love the breakfast, the staff is professional and it’s an easy walk to the Mall, WH and other attractions.

Once we stayed at the Willard which has a huge lobby filled with state trivia on the gilt ceiling but neither the rooms or the dining area is as nice as the H-A, IMO. Still it is close to the same areas as the H-A.

Don’t forget to make a reservation for the African American Musuem if interested; you can’t just walk up. They have one of the best cafeterias on the Mall. The American Indian Museum also is renowned for its cafeteria. There’s another museum with an eatery that looks Art Nouveau that’s fun but can’t recall the name right now. Think it’s near the ice skating rink.

I grew up near the Bronx Zoo but have to say the Washington National Zoo is worthy of a visit in its own right.

Frequently visit the mansions in and outside of Georgetown. Such another world! The B&O Canal is a nice walk or bicycle ride to get to Georgetown. Possibly you can canoe it as well.

I often read a website or magazine named “The Washingtonian” before leaving to get an idea of what to do before we go. Always informative for tourists and locals.

 

[Mommb]

You could easily fill several days just around the National Mall. In addition to the Smithsonian museums and National Gallery of Art, my husband and I enjoyed the U.S. Botanical Garden, which is just southwest of the Capitol and has free admission, and the International Spy Museum, which is a few blocks south of the Mall and does have an admission charge.

There are a couple of Smithsonian museums a few blocks away from the Mall that we've enjoyed: the National Postal Museum (by Union Station, northeast of the Capitol) and the National Portrait Gallery (a few blocks north of the National Archives).

I would plan out places you want to see, then look for hotels and restaurants in those areas.

 

[EACarlson]

I did a guided night tour of the monuments and memorials and it was amazing. The Korean and Vietnam memorials at night were breathtaking.
I loved the American Indian Museum, for everything except the food. I thought it was a horrible facsimile of real native food. I'm also Native and grew up eating that food. You can get better native food at the Denver airport, or will be able to soon.
If I had time I would have absolutely gone to the National Zoo, just to see the Pandas.
I stayed at the Hotel Washington, which had a pretty amazing open air bar that overlooked the Treasury building.

 

[georgina]

No hotel recommendations because we live nearby now. The other restaurant NYCgrrl mentioned is in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Besides all the monuments around the Tidal Basin and the standard museums, look up the various exhibitions at the Freer gallery, Hirshhorn, and National Building Museum., see if any of those appeal to you. You can still go up in the old Post Office tower for free, entrance is around the back of the hotel. We visited the Dumbarton Oaks garden in Georgetown last April, limited hours and not free, but very pretty with lots of wisteria. Old Ebbitt Grill seems to be a restaurant tourists hit, claims to be DC's oldest saloon (haven't been there personally)

 

[soccerdad72]

We just got back from a trip a couple weeks ago. Can't give a hotel recommendation either, as we stayed with our friends in Old Town Alexandria and Uber'ed everywhere. As far as museums, we went to the Natural History Museum, National Gallery of Art, Air and Space Museum (that required a timed ticket - and also was about 1/2 under renovation) and American Indian Museum. I probably liked the American Indian Museum the most, especially since Air and Space was under renovation.

We also visited the National Zoo (saw the pandas, but they were only indoors the day we were there), most of the major monuments and Arlington National Cemetery. We only touched the surface of what there was to do on that trip, but are already planning to head back to visit our friends another time soon.

 

[Travel60]

You may enjoy many of the Smithsonians without kids even if you have been before. Also, Arlington National Cemetery - changing of the guard.
Holocaust Museum
Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy in Chantilly, VA
Mount Vernon

 

[sam_gordon]

Find a hotel with a subway entrance close by. You don't say how you're getting to DC, but the airports and Union Station (train) all have subway stops and no problem bringing luggage (as long as you can manage it). I suggest finding a hotel within 1-2 blocks of a subway entrance. You can get a subway card for unlimited trips for 'x' days. Each entry to the subway will cost $2-6 depending on time.

Come up with a list of things you want to do/see. There is really too much to list. Also be on the lookout for signs/ads for activities. The last time I was there, I noticed an ad on the subway for a concert by the US Navy band. It was free, had presentation of colors, and a choir in addition to the band. Great show and I just stumbled upon it.

For food, I suggest Old Ebbitt Grill (https://www.ebbitt.com/). It's just a couple of blocks from the WH. The history is really interesting IMO.

 

[CynBeth]

People gave great suggestions. Also want to add Museum of the Bible.

 

[Gabby01]

I'll second the African American Museum and Dumbarton Oaks, and add the WWII memorial and the Library of Congress. Also there's a weekend or two in May when all the foreign embassies have open houses with food, performances, etc.

 

[focusondisney]

We have stayed in Alexandria several times. The Embassy suites & I think it’s a Hilton are across the street from the subway station & just a few stops from Tegan National Airport. You can get a Metrocard right at the station. They have either a set amount where you’re charged by the ride or unlimited rides for a number of days. Our top must do’s are the American History & Air & Space Museums & The National Archives as well as the Holocaust Museum. The monuments are always inspiring. If you go to the Capitol, we found the cafeteria there excellent. A lot of variety & everything was very good. I also second Old Ebbitt Grill. The food was delicious but try to make a reservation, we were able to get seated without one, but it was about an hour & a half wait.

Note some places require prearrangements. We had considered visiting the FBI building, but you need to sign up for that at least 30 days in advance. I think the White House was the same, although there is a Visitors Center you can go to that has some exhibits.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I agree with Old Ebbitt Grill. Plus, we enjoyed The Dubliner. It's right by Union Station and the Postal Museum.

No hotel recommendations. We Metro in and DS works in DC so we go often.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Jaleo for dinner

 

[LKing]

One of our favorite restaurants is Succotash.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Jaleo for dinner

Was gonna 2nd this or another Jose Andres place (I prefer to suggest Zaytinya b/c Jaleo's are around other places, but Zaytinya is still unique to DC or in many fewer places - they may have opened 1-2 more). You MUST eat at a Jose Andres place if you're a foodie, and even if you're not. If OP is a Top Chef fan, I have more food suggestions, both cheaper and more expensive. But the food scene in DC is much better than it gets credit for - you don't have to just eat historical, you can eat amazingly, too.

Although on that, if you end up choosing to eat at a museum, the best is the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. You don't have to tour there to eat there, and it has the tastiest and most unique food of the Smithsonians.

 

[Kennywood]

From our experience in visiting Washington DC, here are some suggestions:

• When walking around DC, remember that things are actually farther away than they appear. You may think you can walk somewhere in 10 minutes, but it will take you 30 minutes.
• Make use of Washington DC's underground Metro system. Most monuments have a nearby Metro station. Once you use is a few times, it's very simple to navigate.
• Now that the White House is once again open to visitors, it's worth taking a tour. Politics aside, walking around the White House is something you'll always remember.
• Contact your state's senators and let them know about your visit. They can help arrange some visits for you.
• If you're planning on visiting the Smithsonian, know that it's not just one museum. There are several museums, so be sure to figure out which ones you'll want to visit. The museums are larger than you might expect, so plan to spend the whole day there.
• This one is pretty obvious, but I still feel it needs to be said. When visiting memorials such as The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & Arlington National Cemetery, please be respectful. These are sacred and solemn places and people need to remember to conduct themselves accordingly.
• Take frequent breaks for refreshments and rest. Fatigue can quickly catch up to you.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Was gonna 2nd this or another Jose Andres place (I prefer to suggest Zaytinya b/c Jaleo's are around other places, but Zaytinya is still unique to DC or in many fewer places - they may have opened 1-2 more). You MUST eat at a Jose Andres place if you're a foodie, and even if you're not. If OP is a Top Chef fan, I have more food suggestions, both cheaper and more expensive. But the food scene in DC is much better than it gets credit for - you don't have to just eat historical, you can eat amazingly, too.

Although on that, if you end up choosing to eat at a museum, the best is the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. You don't have to tour there to eat there, and it has the tastiest and most unique food of the Smithsonians.

I agree with you. I love Zaytinya but I have a very soft spot in my heart for Jaleo. I used to live in DC and it was where we would go when we were celebrating. And I will always support Jose Andres.

 

[tetera]

Since you’re going during baseball season, go take in a Washington Nationals game (this is fun whether you are fans of the team or sport or not- actual baseball fans? Go up to Baltimore and see the Orioles play, too!)

Get a half-smoke “all the way” at Ben’s Chili Bowl- either the original location on U Street or inside Nationals park when you go to that game! (Or both!) ️

 

[mikehn]

Penn Quarter is the neighborhood where all the hip and trendy restaurants are. Google it and take your pick.

 

[firefly_ris]

Not to hijack the thread but... Does anyone have a suggestion for a place to grab lunch close to the Air & Space Museum and/or the American History museum? Doesn't need to be anything fancy or special. Also parking suggestions? I will be coming in from Baltimore direction next week -- I'm fine with taking the light rail in instead but I think my parents won't want to. Thoughts?