Washington DC Trip... where to start?

[mrsap]

Hello everyone! I’d love some help in planning a trip to Washington. I’d love to plan special visits, like to the White House and Capitol Building (is it true you have to set up with your Representative?!) As well as see the monuments, Lincoln Memorial, the Eternal Flame, etc. I just don’t know where to start. Also, any nice hotels you can recommend? I haven’t been since I was in 8th Grade, so any help would be great. Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

If you google The White House, The Capitol, and Washington Monument, you can find how to get tickets. The White House has to be planned in advance so security clearance is obtained.

You have to decide what you want to see. Museums? Memorials? There is so much. Find a map and familiarize yourself with the layout of the mall area. We metro in for day trips so can't help with hotels.

Many of the memorials are close to each other so that you can walk between them. A lot of the Smithsonian Museums are on the National Mall.

You can go to your local library and get a tour book of the area. What time of year are you planning to go?

 

[leebee]

For the White House, you do have to set it up WELL in advance with your Congressperson. For the Capitol there is a public tour, but you can also get a more "up-close" tour through your Congressperson's office; usually this is a private tour with a congressional aid. We really enjoyed doing this.
Monuments are free of charge, as are the Smithsonian museums. Last I knew, you needed tickets in advance if you want to go to the new African American museum; we got our tickets day-of but couldn't gain entrance until 2pm, which meant we didn't see the entire museum.

We are very glad we went to the Holocaust Museum, but you should know that it's intense, and maybe not a good choice for younger kids. Tickets for the Holocaust Museum are timed-entry, but that's only for the main exhibit. You can visit the side exhibits at any time.

Check out the DC Circulator. It's a bus system with several loops in the city. The red loop goes by and/or stops at many of the monuments and museums. https://www.dccirculator.com/getting-around-dc-faq/
Also, the subway is pretty easy to use/understand.

We have stayed out near Dupont Circle on our two most recent trips to DC, staying at airbnb locations.

 

[mrsap]

For the White House, you do have to set it up WELL in advance with your Congressperson. For the Capitol there is a public tour, but you can also get a more "up-close" tour through your Congressperson's office; usually this is a private tour with a congressional aid. We really enjoyed doing this.
Monuments are free of charge, as are the Smithsonian museums. Last I knew, you needed tickets in advance if you want to go to the new African American museum; we got our tickets day-of but couldn't gain entrance until 2pm, which meant we didn't see the entire museum.

We are very glad we went to the Holocaust Museum, but you should know that it's intense, and maybe not a good choice for younger kids. Tickets for the Holocaust Museum are timed-entry, but that's only for the main exhibit. You can visit the side exhibits at any time.

Check out the DC Circulator. It's a bus system that is free of charge, with several loops in the city. The red loop goes by and/or stops at many of the monuments and museums. https://www.dccirculator.com/getting-around-dc-faq/
Also, the subway is pretty easy to use/understand.

We have stayed out near Dupont Circle on our two most recent trips to DC, staying at airbnb locations.

You are wonderful, thank you for your detailed response!!!!! I’m going to get on all that now.

 

[BrianL]

One thing to note about the museums - they are HUGE. You can easily spend open to close in the American History Museum and not even see it all. I tend to move through museums pretty quickly, but the sheer amount to see is staggering and things would catch my eye and slow me down. Like at WDW, don't expect to see everything. I highly recommend the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Air & Space Museum and the National Gallery (not on the Mall). Also, if you can make it out toward Dules Airport, the Air & Space Annex is really cool and has a Space Shuttle in it!

Have fun!

 

[mrsap]

One thing to note about the museums - they are HUGE. You can easily spend open to close in the American History Museum and not even see it all. I tend to move through museums pretty quickly, but the sheer amount to see is staggering and things would catch my eye and slow me down. Like at WDW, don't expect to see everything. I highly recommend the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Air & Space Museum and the National Gallery (not on the Mall). Also, if you can make it out toward Dules Airport, the Air & Space Annex is really cool and has a Space Shuttle in it!

Have fun!

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[wgeo]

We went a few years ago - and I've mentioned it a few times - I'm just copy/pasting a few of my earlier replies:

We went and stuffed in as much as we could - which meant non stop moving, and somehow our kids kept up the pace until one of them got sick. Arrived in DC after lunch - got settled and did the Air & Space on the mall because it's open until 7:00.

Next morning we did a White House Tour at 7:30AM and then the natural history Museum in the AM, had lunch, did our capitol tour - then got on the hop on/hop off bus (i would def skip this) and went to the Art museum and saw all of the monuments from the bus. I forget what we did that night.

Full day #2 we had tickets for the African American History museum (they open them up months in advance and open the entire month at once . Lunch then American History Museum in the afternoon - where DD got really sick so we headed back to the hotel. Son and I did the nighttime Monuments bus tour and loved it - very much worth it, great way to see the monuments. IIRC it was from like 6:30 - 10:30 - it was long.

Last day was a half day and we went and toured the Supreme Court when it opened and then went back to the American History museum since we'd missed so much the day before. Then had to leave.

We could have easily spent another day to see more museums, but for a short time frame we got a lot in.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'm tentatively planning for 2021 to see the cherry blossoms. It is so overwhelming, so I had everyone in my group pick one thing they want to do the most. We are not trying for the WH, so that helps.

I've been 2 times, but not in MANY years. I'm thinking of booking a package through Southwest for the hotel and flights.

I agree with the guide book idea.

 

[mrsap]

I'm tentatively planning for 2021 to see the cherry blossoms. It is so overwhelming, so I had everyone in my group pick one thing they want to do the most. We are not trying for the WH, so that helps.

I've been 2 times, but not in MANY years. I'm thinking of booking a package through Southwest for the hotel and flights.

I agree with the guide book idea.

We are only about 4 hours away, so we would just drive down. We pass it every year on the way to Disney, and every time, we say we have to go! So we decided this is going to be the year to get it done! My kids are very excited to go as well, so I just want to make sure we get to see as much as we can! I’d love to see the White House!! It would be such a cool part of our trip, but I need to look into it! My brother and sister-in-law, with their kids, were supposed to come, but just bailed out on us a couple weeks ago! I thought it would’ve been fun to go with a little group! Good luck Planning your cherry blossom trip! I’m sure they are beautiful in person! Thank you for writing!

 

[mrsap]

We went a few years ago - and I've mentioned it a few times - I'm just copy/pasting a few of my earlier replies:

We went and stuffed in as much as we could - which meant non stop moving, and somehow our kids kept up the pace until one of them got sick. Arrived in DC after lunch - got settled and did the Air & Space on the mall because it's open until 7:00.

Next morning we did a White House Tour at 7:30AM and then the natural history Museum in the AM, had lunch, did our capitol tour - then got on the hop on/hop off bus (i would def skip this) and went to the Art museum and saw all of the monuments from the bus. I forget what we did that night.

Full day #2 we had tickets for the African American History museum (they open them up months in advance and open the entire month at once . Lunch then American History Museum in the afternoon - where DD got really sick so we headed back to the hotel. Son and I did the nighttime Monuments bus tour and loved it - very much worth it, great way to see the monuments. IIRC it was from like 6:30 - 10:30 - it was long.

Last day was a half day and we went and toured the Supreme Court when it opened and then went back to the American History museum since we'd missed so much the day before. Then had to leave.

We could have easily spent another day to see more museums, but for a short time frame we got a lot in.

One thing to note about the museums - they are HUGE. You can easily spend open to close in the American History Museum and not even see it all. I tend to move through museums pretty quickly, but the sheer amount to see is staggering and things would catch my eye and slow me down. Like at WDW, don't expect to see everything. I highly recommend the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Air & Space Museum and the National Gallery (not on the Mall). Also, if you can make it out toward Dules Airport, the Air & Space Annex is really cool and has a Space Shuttle in it!

Have fun!

The museum’s sound great!!! We need to sit down and see what our priorities are so we can figure out what we can do. I think we are doing a long weekend (3-4 days), so hopefully will be enough to do most of what we want to do. Thank you for your responses!!!

 

[Colleen27]

We love the Embassy Suites Convention Center for walking-distance accommodations, but if you're driving, be forewarned that the parking is really expensive. We stayed in Arlington on our last trip because while I could get a $110 deal on the ES, the parking added another $50/night - kind of a deal-breaker for a short, spur of the moment, low-budget trip!

When I've driven, I've mostly stayed outside of the city in places with free parking and easy Metro access rather than pay the ridiculous parking rates in the city proper. The Metro is really easy - we've stayed in Fairfax, which is a ways out of the city but with easy Metro access, and in Arlington/Rosslyn area, and thought both worked just fine.

We usually spend most of our time on the museums around The Mall. The Natural History, American Indian and Air & Space museums are perennial favorites. The major monuments are a fairly short walk from there too. I haven't done the Holocaust Museum with my kids yet; it is really difficult and powerful, and I don't think my 11yo is ready for it yet. I loved the Newseum, but that's closed now (we actually made a special trip last weekend before the closing). And Udvar-Hazy, near Dulles, is worth the drive and the only reason I've ever rented a car on a trip to D.C.; seeing the space shuttle and all the historic aircraft up close is really amazing.

Good luck with your planning! D.C. is a really fun city to explore. I'd love to go during cherry blossom season one of these days. It is supposed to be absolutely stunning.

 

[mrsap]

We love the Embassy Suites Convention Center for walking-distance accommodations, but if you're driving, be forewarned that the parking is really expensive. We stayed in Arlington on our last trip because while I could get a $110 deal on the ES, the parking added another $50/night - kind of a deal-breaker for a short, spur of the moment, low-budget trip!

When I've driven, I've mostly stayed outside of the city in places with free parking and easy Metro access rather than pay the ridiculous parking rates in the city proper. The Metro is really easy - we've stayed in Fairfax, which is a ways out of the city but with easy Metro access, and in Arlington/Rosslyn area, and thought both worked just fine.

We usually spend most of our time on the museums around The Mall. The Natural History, American Indian and Air & Space museums are perennial favorites. The major monuments are a fairly short walk from there too. I haven't done the Holocaust Museum with my kids yet; it is really difficult and powerful, and I don't think my 11yo is ready for it yet. I loved the Newseum, but that's closed now (we actually made a special trip last weekend before the closing). And Udvar-Hazy, near Dulles, is worth the drive and the only reason I've ever rented a car on a trip to D.C.; seeing the space shuttle and all the historic aircraft up close is really amazing.

Good luck with your planning! D.C. is a really fun city to explore. I'd love to go during cherry blossom season one of these days. It is supposed to be absolutely stunning.

Thank you so much!!!!! And thanks especially for the parking heads up!

I’d like to go to the Holocaust museum with the kids. My DD, about 2 months ago, did a report on the book ‘The Boy with the Striped Pajamas.’ We then watched the movie, so she had a visual of what she just read. (She was 11, DS 8) I don’t believe she had a full grasp or understanding of what she was reading, but I think the movie definitely helped her to see what was going on. The last five minutes of the movie, I was crying and they kept asking me why am I so upset. No matter how much I explained, it was hard for them to understand, so I think the museum would definitely help. I would probably ask them first, how they feel about it, especially after seeing the movie. I definitely don’t want them to be upset, though. So we’ll see. As far as the hotel, we were looking for something right in the heart of everything so we could walk! Not sure how much we’d get to do within walking distance, but I still have a lot of research to do. Thank you so much for sharing with me!!!!

 

[mnrose]

Parking in the City is VERY expensive. When we've gone, we've flown, and not even bothered with a rental car. Cab was pretty inexpensive to our Airbnb (Penn Quarter area, which I recommend for convenient access, walkable, to the mall and things on it, with convenient metro stops for things farther afield), but with having to pay to park, this might not work for you. Would a train to DC be at all an option for you? Having a car in DC is NOT an advantage. Unless you are familiar with the roads, it can be very confusing, plus really congested.

Things we enjoyed that required advance tickets were the Capitol Tour (set up through our Senator's office, which is also the place to do White House tours....just be aware that White House tours can be cancelled at the last minute for any reason whatsoever at the discretion of the White House), and the National Archives, where the original of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution is housed. It was a fascinating docent led tour, which was essentially FREE....although I think we paid a "reservation fee" of like a $1 or something. Get the docent led tour! Ours was great, and my geeky kids enjoyed seeing a real life Hamilton signature, among others.

Do the monuments at night. They are beautiful after dark, and crowds can be less too...not to mention if you go in the summer, it will be cooler at night.

Have fun! DC is a wonderful city. Just be prepared for LOTS of walking.

ETA: A thing I would have skipped would be Ford's Theater. Dull beyond belief unless you have a massive infatuation with all things Lincoln. We didn't enjoy it that much. OTOH, we did love the Lincoln Memorial.

 

[mrsap]

Parking in the City is VERY expensive. When we've gone, we've flown, and not even bothered with a rental car. Cab was pretty inexpensive to our Airbnb (Penn Quarter area, which I recommend for convenient access, walkable, to the mall and things on it, with convenient metro stops for things farther afield), but with having to pay to park, this might not work for you. Would a train to DC be at all an option for you? Having a car in DC is NOT an advantage. Unless you are familiar with the roads, it can be very confusing, plus really congested.

Things we enjoyed that required advance tickets were the Capitol Tour (set up through our Senator's office, which is also the place to do White House tours....just be aware that White House tours can be cancelled at the last minute for any reason whatsoever at the discretion of the White House), and the National Archives, where the original of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution is housed. It was a fascinating docent led tour, which was essentially FREE....although I think we paid a "reservation fee" of like a $1 or something. Get the docent led tour! Ours was great, and my geeky kids enjoyed seeing a real life Hamilton signature, among others.

Do the monuments at night. They are beautiful after dark, and crowds can be less too...not to mention if you go in the summer, it will be cooler at night.

Have fun! DC is a wonderful city. Just be prepared for LOTS of walking.

ETA: A thing I would have skipped would be Ford's Theater. Dull beyond belief unless you have a massive infatuation with all things Lincoln. We didn't enjoy it that much. OTOH, we did love the Lincoln Memorial.

Great information, thank you!!!!! I really need to get on this. Only a few months away. I’d like to set up the tours first and foremost. We’d love the White House and Capitol tours! My kids know a good chunk of the representatives, so they’d be anxious to try to see someone they’d know (not sure if it would happen, but it would definitely make it more fun!) do I just write our senator and give the dates that we are interested in?!

 

[tinkerhon]

Parking in the City is VERY expensive. When we've gone, we've flown, and not even bothered with a rental car. Cab was pretty inexpensive to our Airbnb (Penn Quarter area, which I recommend for convenient access, walkable, to the mall and things on it, with convenient metro stops for things farther afield), but with having to pay to park, this might not work for you. Would a train to DC be at all an option for you? Having a car in DC is NOT an advantage. Unless you are familiar with the roads, it can be very confusing, plus really congested.

Things we enjoyed that required advance tickets were the Capitol Tour (set up through our Senator's office, which is also the place to do White House tours....just be aware that White House tours can be cancelled at the last minute for any reason whatsoever at the discretion of the White House), and the National Archives, where the original of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution is housed. It was a fascinating docent led tour, which was essentially FREE....although I think we paid a "reservation fee" of like a $1 or something. Get the docent led tour! Ours was great, and my geeky kids enjoyed seeing a real life Hamilton signature, among others.

Do the monuments at night. They are beautiful after dark, and crowds can be less too...not to mention if you go in the summer, it will be cooler at night.

Have fun! DC is a wonderful city. Just be prepared for LOTS of walking.

ETA: A thing I would have skipped would be Ford's Theater. Dull beyond belief unless you have a massive infatuation with all things Lincoln. We didn't enjoy it that much. OTOH, we did love the Lincoln Memorial.

Unless you are into shows - saw a production of "Ragtime" there that was excellent

 

[mrsap]

Unless you are into shows - saw a production of "Ragtime" there that was excellent

Honestly, I’m not Broadway is only a short drive away from us, just never had an interest. Thank you for the suggestion, though!

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Washington DC is similar to WDW in that you can't see and do it all with one trip. For me personally, I'd see The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Honor Guard at Arlington cemetery as a priority, then the monuments: Lincoln, Washington, MLK, Korean, WW and Vietnam Memorial Wall. Lastly the museums. I spent about almost 4 hours in the Holocaust Museum alone, it was that interesting TO ME. I may have spent more time, except, I got such a tension headache from the emotions brought on I had to leave. I enjoyed the tour of LINCOLN's last evening before his assassin . I also would recommend the NEWSeum. The Duck tour is fun, also. If you get into The White House or the Capitol then All the Better!!!!

 

[focusondisney]

I also would recommend the NEWSeum.

Sadly, the Newseum just closed.

 

[wgeo]

Thank you so much!!!!! And thanks especially for the parking heads up!

I’d like to go to the Holocaust museum with the kids. My DD, about 2 months ago, did a report on the book ‘The Boy with the Striped Pajamas.’ We then watched the movie, so she had a visual of what she just read. (She was 11, DS 8) I don’t believe she had a full grasp or understanding of what she was reading, but I think the movie definitely helped her to see what was going on. The last five minutes of the movie, I was crying and they kept asking me why am I so upset. No matter how much I explained, it was hard for them to understand, so I think the museum would definitely help. I would probably ask them first, how they feel about it, especially after seeing the movie. I definitely don’t want them to be upset, though. So we’ll see. As far as the hotel, we were looking for something right in the heart of everything so we could walk! Not sure how much we’d get to do within walking distance, but I still have a lot of research to do. Thank you so much for sharing with me!!!!

In terms of the Holocaust Museum - I would definitely say it is worth it, your kids may grasp a little or a lot, but you can navigate that while there.

For hotels - we chose the Capitol Hill Hotel - it was 2 blocks off the metro - very easy from the airport with luggage. We could walk to the Capitol and the Supreme Court. My husband and I are walkers, and we would have chosen to walk from all of the museums to the hotel but it was a bit of a stretch so usually with the kids we would just hop on the metro to get back to the hotel.

 

[Colleen27]

I also would recommend the NEWSeum.

FYI, The Newseum closed for the last time on New Years Eve. There's hope that eventually they'll find another space and reopen, but for now, it is just gone. A real shame, because it was one of my favorites and had a really unique collection that just doesn't fit neatly in any other museum venue.