Washington DC

[TeamTinkerbell]

We're going to Washington DC next year in October. People on Disboards are the smartest people on the planet and I thought someone would know if there is a forum like this that could give me good information on where to go, how to get there, etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[FireDancer]

The where to go is pretty subjective. The biggies are the monuments and memorials and Arlington Cemetery. I would definitely make sure to catch a changing of the guard. The Smithsonian is great but there are a few different museums so which one is for you depends on what you are into.

The where to stay and how to get there are easy. If you are staying in a hotel stay outside of the city near a metro stop. I have a friend who lives there so when I stay now I stay with them but before he moved there I stayed in the Tyson's Corners area and used the metro to get anywhere in DC. The traffic is brutal and parking expensive so I would not drive there unless needed.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

Thanks. There are some definite places we want to go to, like Arlington. We also want to stay a night or two in Colonial Williamsburg. I've just heard that you should plan DC like you plan Disney and I wanted to go ahead and get started.... a year earlier.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We went to DC for the first time last summer and loved it! We stayed at Hotel Lombardy, which is in the city on Pennsylvania Ave. It was a short walk (about 4 blocks) to the White House. There is also a metro stop 2 blocks in the other direction. We packed as much into 4 days as we could! We did a tour by DC By Foot - they do walking monument tours for tips only. The guide's trivia kept it very entertaining for my kids, ages 8 & 11. We did three of the Smithsonian museums - American History, Natural History, and Air & Space. Our favorite was the Natural History. The kids & I went back there the one day my husband had a conference to attend.

You can get tickets for the Washington Monument in advance online. You pay a small amount (I'm thinking $2/ticket) for a convenience fee, but it sure beats standing in that long line to try for tickets. There was only one person in front of my family going up for the first visit of the day. You can also get tickets for the National Archives online. We didn't do that this time, because we ran out of time. They also got us a tour for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It's a short, but very neat tour. My son was amazed being so close to so much money!

Contact either your Representative or Senator. Ours got us a tour of the Capitol Building. We opted not to go into the House or Senate chamber, but you can request that from your congressperson. We tried for a White House tour but didn't get it.

The Library of Congress is an amazing place too! The architecture is unbelievable!

We did not book a night time tour. Since we'd already done the monument tour to get info, we just walked around the monuments at night by ourselves. Do not underestimate the distance from the Jefferson Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial! It's quite a haul!

We also spent an entire day at Mount Vernon. It was a highlight for all of us. The educational center there is top notch. There are mini films and many interactive learning opportunities for various ages.

My daughter is going back to DC in May with a school group and my son is very jealous. While we were in DC, he made the comment that he'd like to live there. We hope to go back as a family in a year or two; there is still so much that we didn't have time to do. I think October would be a perfect time to go!

Have fun planning!

 

[CruiserMom]

If you have never been, definitely go see the monuments. You can do a trolley tour of the monuments, and get on and off as you wish. The best monuments IMHO are Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean War, and the new one at the Pentagon for 9/11. That one is very moving when you take the time to read about how it was designed.

Our favorite Smithsonians are Natural History and American Indian. We also like the Smithsonian Castle, it has a little bit from all the different Smithsonian museums inside.

Absolutely, buy a metro pass and use the public transportation.

If you like zoos, the National Zoo is great.

Taking a Capitol or White House tour is interesting also, but these must be arranged for in advance.

 

[live4christp1]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1840078&highlight=Washington+DC

Here's my thread from our trip. It was a cub scout group trip.

If you have any questions about anything please feel free to PM me.

Cristy

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

We went to DC for the first time last summer and loved it! We stayed at Hotel Lombardy, which is in the city on Pennsylvania Ave. It was a short walk (about 4 blocks) to the White House. There is also a metro stop 2 blocks in the other direction. We packed as much into 4 days as we could! We did a tour by DC By Foot - they do walking monument tours for tips only. The guide's trivia kept it very entertaining for my kids, ages 8 & 11. We did three of the Smithsonian museums - American History, Natural History, and Air & Space. Our favorite was the Natural History. The kids & I went back there the one day my husband had a conference to attend.

You can get tickets for the Washington Monument in advance online. You pay a small amount (I'm thinking $2/ticket) for a convenience fee, but it sure beats standing in that long line to try for tickets. There was only one person in front of my family going up for the first visit of the day. You can also get tickets for the National Archives online. We didn't do that this time, because we ran out of time. They also got us a tour for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It's a short, but very neat tour. My son was amazed being so close to so much money!

Contact either your Representative or Senator. Ours got us a tour of the Capitol Building. We opted not to go into the House or Senate chamber, but you can request that from your congressperson. We tried for a White House tour but didn't get it.

The Library of Congress is an amazing place too! The architecture is unbelievable!

We did not book a night time tour. Since we'd already done the monument tour to get info, we just walked around the monuments at night by ourselves. Do not underestimate the distance from the Jefferson Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial! It's quite a haul!

We also spent an entire day at Mount Vernon. It was a highlight for all of us. The educational center there is top notch. There are mini films and many interactive learning opportunities for various ages.

My daughter is going back to DC in May with a school group and my son is very jealous. While we were in DC, he made the comment that he'd like to live there. We hope to go back as a family in a year or two; there is still so much that we didn't have time to do. I think October would be a perfect time to go!

Have fun planning!

Thank you for that advice. A friend just told me that I should write to my representative. Maybe if I ask this far in advance we'll get to do the White House tour. That is good information for me to have. Thanks so much. I'd love it if you think of anything else to help.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm a planner, and there's so much to do and see in DC - it's like asking what to do at WDW! I bought UG to DC, and DC for Dummies, and they helped a lot.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

If you have never been, definitely go see the monuments. You can do a trolley tour of the monuments, and get on and off as you wish. The best monuments IMHO are Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean War, and the new one at the Pentagon for 9/11. That one is very moving when you take the time to read about how it was designed.

Our favorite Smithsonians are Natural History and American Indian. We also like the Smithsonian Castle, it has a little bit from all the different Smithsonian museums inside.

Absolutely, buy a metro pass and use the public transportation.

If you like zoos, the National Zoo is great.

Taking a Capitol or White House tour is interesting also, but these must be arranged for in advance.

Cruisermom, were you on the Wonder last month? Anyway, I went to DC on an 8th trip too many years ago to count. My DD (12 by the trip) has not been, but enjoys history. Thanks for the info on the metro. I hear it's easy to use and inexpensive.

 

[DancingBear]

You can try posting on Fodors.com forums, they are a pretty good source of information. To get the most out of your inquiries there (or here, for that matter), it's good to at least include who is in your party (adults, children including ages), any special needs or interests, where you are staying if you know, or parameters for where you'd like to stay (budget, proximity to stuff) if you don't, whether you will have a car, etc.

Also, note that Williamsburg is about 3 hours' drive from DC. Depending on how long your visit is and how you are travelling and such, you may want to reconsider including Williamsburg in this trip. If you do want to include a side trip, other possibilities include Gettysburg or Charlottesville.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1840078&highlight=Washington+DC

Here's my thread from our trip. It was a cub scout group trip.

If you have any questions about anything please feel free to PM me.

Cristy

Awesome Christy!! See, this is just what I mean. Disboarders are the smartest and most helpful people around!! I'm at work and shouldn't be doiing this anyway, but I can't wait to read your trip report.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

I'm a planner, and there's so much to do and see in DC - it's like asking what to do at WDW! I bought UG to DC, and DC for Dummies, and they helped a lot.

Great idea. I always get the books for WDW and we just went on a Disney cruise so I had a Passporter's book. I cannot believe I didn't think of that. Thanks!

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

You can try posting on Fodors.com forums, they are a pretty good source of information. To get the most out of your inquiries there (or here, for that matter), it's good to at least include who is in your party (adults, children including ages), any special needs or interests, where you are staying if you know, or parameters for where you'd like to stay (budget, proximity to stuff) if you don't, whether you will have a car, etc.

Also, note that Williamsburg is about 3 hours' drive from DC. Depending on how long your visit is and how you are travelling and such, you may want to reconsider including Williamsburg in this trip. If you do want to include a side trip, other possibilities include Gettysburg or Charlottesville.

It looks like a great website. Thanks!

 

[eliza61]

We just got back from a great 4 days. Stayed at the Westin Grand in NW Washington DC. very walkable to the national mall. Went to the air and space museum which my kids loved and the Museum of American history. That was my favorite. Saw Dorothy's ruby red slippers and an exhibit of ball gowns from the First ladies.
We also did Fords Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln Died. All of these were free.
Went ot the crime and punishment museum. Excellent especially if you have boys. That's almost 20 dollars each though.

 

[kirbydog48]

Tripadvisor has fantastic forums for anywhere in the world you'd want to visit. We are visiting the D.C. area around Christmas. We're staying in Alexandria, VA. There are tons of hotels, and it's a short train ride into the city.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

We just got back from a great 4 days. Stayed at the Westin Grand in NW Washington DC. very walkable to the national mall. Went to the air and space museum which my kids loved and the Museum of American history. That was my favorite. Saw Dorothy's ruby red slippers and an exhibit of ball gowns from the First ladies.
We also did Fords Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln Died. All of these were free.
Went ot the crime and punishment museum. Excellent especially if you have boys. That's almost 20 dollars each though.

Yes, definitely Ford's Theater. DD is a huge Lincoln fan and I remember that from when I went there.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

Tripadvisor has fantastic forums for anywhere in the world you'd want to visit. We are visiting the D.C. area around Christmas. We're staying in Alexandria, VA. There are tons of hotels, and it's a short train ride into the city.

Please post a trip report on this thread if possible. I would love to read about it. Thanks

 

[clovergirl5]

We also spent an entire day at Mount Vernon. It was a highlight for all of us. The educational center there is top notch. There are mini films and many interactive learning opportunities for various ages.

I second Mount Vernon! It was very interesting. The gift shop is great too!

We visited D.C. and Virginia for the first time a year ago. My oldest dd was an ambassador of the People to People leadership program that spent a week in D.C. She did her thing and the rest of the family went and made a vacation out of it. It was one of the best we have had! I want to go back so bad because we didn't even get to see everything in a week.

All the monuments are so surreal. Have fun and take lots of pics! Another thing I did was buy a guidebook from all the places we went. I can later look at them at home, slowly. There is so much to take in, with 4 kids with us, not alot of time to concentrate on things, kwim?

HAVE FUN!!


The most memorable moment for me was visiting Iwo Jima. It was a beautiful, breathtaking, huge monument. Seeing it on tv doesn't even come close to what it looks like close up.

 

[Hoodie]

If you do the zoo, I always recommend going by the National Cathedral. It's not too far from the zoo and They offer tours, but you can also wander around (as long as there isn't an event). Also, you can go up in the tower and have a decent view of the city. There is a self-guided gargoyle tour which is kind of fun for kids. Sort of a giant search and find (try to find Darth Vader. I still haven't found him).

If you are looking for something outside the city for the day, Mt. Vernon, the Dulles branch of the Air and Space museum and a few civil war battlefields are around (Manassas). Also, a good day trip is up to Baltimore to Ft. McHenry (where the Star Spangled Banner was written).

The Spy Museum is great for older kids (and parents) but can be pricey. Personally, I think the admission is worth it, unlike The Newseum which is interesting, but WAY overpriced IMO.

 

[wvjules]

We went to Great Falls last weekend. I'd put that on a to-do list. It is one of the most amazing waterfalls I've ever seen. Going in October(?) would make it even more beautiful. There is a trail that goes along the ridge and it has some amazing views, you can see rock climbers too. I hate "hiking" but this one was totally worth it.