Hey Laura!! I keep thinking about the EB trip we cancelled.....but we could never have gone with my mom in the shape she is in.....
By the way, I was your SECRET MICKEY PAL!! I never got to tell you that!!
I was wondering. I saw something on the coordinators note but didn't get a chance to ask. THANK YOU!
We are staying at the Mayflower Renaissance. I have never stayed there in D.C. Every time I have been there I have been at the Grand Hyatt. We have a tour of the Capital scheduled for Tuesday, but otherwise, we are just kicking around, taking the girls to the museums and monuments.
Do you recommend one of the "hop on - hop off" bus tours over any of the others? We think we will buy a two day pass for one of those to get around town.
Hey John,
April had a conference to go to in June and I made it a girls only trip - myself, DD Megan 20 and April 15. We ended up staying at the Sheraton in Tyson's Corner and took the metro in.
We too did not get Congress tickets but we ended up finding the Old Post Office which has a FREE 360 degree view of Washington. I was going to get into line at the Monument when the park ranger told me that the better view (all -around wise) was at the tower in the Old Post Office - where we were at. Apparently the view (which I have not experienced personally) is a bit obstructed. So after going there - you might want to head over to the Old Post Office Annex (eating place now) and visit there - as I said - its free. Megan was naughty and moved the wires (only slighty) and got an awesome picture of the view.
Also, in regards to the hop-on-hop-off bus, we did the one that you get from the Union Station. One of the stops is there but according to them they are the only ones authorized to go around the Mall and to Arlington. If you buy the 2 day ticket - its $35 but you can go both days.
Also, just in case you haven't heard, (I'm a day late and a dollar short I'm sure) but if you get a chance, hit the National Postal Museum right across from Union Station (BTW, great and good eats here too). I know its sounds boring - I said its not my cup of tea but when I went in - DD and I ended up getting kicked and didn't get a chance to see it all so we went back the next day. They have a neat machine where you can print out an old fashioned post card and send it. Keep in mind that it takes about 2-3 minutes to send it out - long but if there is not one in line - I recommend you let Sophia try it - DD and I ended up spending about 45 minutes printing postcards (another machine does that) and then going over to the stamp machine and sending it. You can also send it the old fashioned way via a person and box but this ones gives a little overview and shows the little ones the route of the letters. Nice for them.
ALSO, if you haven't heard, the NEWSEUM opened fairly recently and it is AWESOME! I highly recommend it. I didn't want to go there (again) thinking it would be boring but its FANTASTIC. Plan on spending almost an entire day there. We hit it about 4 on the 2nd to the last day and had to go back on the day we checked out of the hotel to catch the rest. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME. Some stuff they have there: a piece of the Berlin Wall, Pulitzer Prize Phtographs Gallery (AWESOME) Great Hall of News, Sports theater and one of the worlds largest flat screen TVs you can see from the street. They also have a tribute to 9/11 and its a tear jerker but I feel very important to remember. They have tissue boxes outside of the small room. Please go if you get a chance - you won't regret it. They also have a room that has newspapers dating back from the origins of our country. No photos in here and they are encased in plastic but you can pull the drawer out and view it its low light and as I said, no photos but definitely worth it. It is about 6 levels and the top is a penthouse view of the Capital Bldg so if you have a camera be sure to take it. It is an awesome trip and be sure to allot at least a minimum of 4 hrs in order to truly see it.
I wish I'd visited here before, I have a tons of pamphlets and stuff you might find interesting. Seeing it as a tourist was an amazing experience. The bad part was we didn't get to see Georgetown so I guess I have to go back.
BTW, really recommend if you get a chance to do the Segway tour - its was the most amazing experience and I'm seriously tempted to buy DH one. I have some pictures posted on my blog and some of my experiences if you want to go to my blog. I think I have a link in my signature.
We were at the Sheraton in Tyson's Corner and that was awesome. If you need anything else, although I'm sure the locals have answered any questions, please feel free to pm me. If your staying there longer than 6 days - I recommend getting the 7-day pass - allows unlimited metro access for the 7 days. I was there for about 14 days and ended up having to buy two but it was worth it.
Have fun! We sure did!
and how they were dealt with. There's also a section on the pilgrams and the stockade and even a sample of some stockade - the kind where they put the heads in and arms. It was fun. They also have a section on modern day killers and a replica of Capone's cell in Alcatraz. They do have some interactive stuff for little ones and big ones and if they can get through the first couple of exhibits, they should be fine. Also, this is where John Walsh tapes his America's Most Wanted every Saturday night. In the basement they have a place for you to fingerprint the little ones. As I said, its fun. I didn't go due to time constraints but DD April went to the International Spy Museum with her conference and she raved about it for days. They have two parts - an interactive portion and a walk through one. They have some info on Bonnie and Clyde, CSI experience, Crime Fighting and their number is: 202-393-1099 or 
As for me? I got to hug Morgan Freeman - Denzel Washington 
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