What to see/do in DC?--adding trip reports, page 11 to start

[golfgal]

Hotel is booked, flights are booked, now the planning... What to see and do in DC? There are the obvious, the Smithsonian museums--specifically the American History museum (other suggestions?)and then the monuments. I know we will go to the Holocaust Museum and the Spy Museum sounds fun, now what else? My Dad is working on getting a White House tour, don't know if that will happen.

We will not have a car but not opposed to renting one for a day to take a side trip. Are there any good ocean beaches within reasonable driving distance? We are staying in Old Town Alexandria if that makes a difference.

The trip includes our family, Dh, me and the kids, 16, 14, 14 and my Dad and Step-mom. DS16 is a HUGE history buff so this is mostly "his" trip although as a former history teacher I am pretty excited too.

 

[mjkacmom]

I got 2 books - UG to DC, and DC for Dummies - helped just as much as guide books for WDW. The zoo is free and great, I hated the tour bus, but the trolley seemed much better (as we waiting in the sun for 45 minutes waiting for it, while the trolley pulled up across the street several times), great view from the old post office bell tower, you need tickets for the holocaust museum (get them online before you go), the metro is great, but figure out tickets before you go (not like NYC).

 

[Ariel8676]

Just wanted to tell you that if you plan on going ot the Holocaust memorial museum to get there early( i believe it opens at 10) to get tickets to the permanent exhibit...there are only a certain amount of tickets given out daily..even if you get there very early to pick up tickets and go back later.
If anyone in your family likes the zoo..the national zoo is awesome!!!
Air and space museum is great, museum of natural history..i could go on and on. I personally think between Old Town and D.C there is so much to see and do you will definitely fill your days without having to rent a car.....have a great time!

 

[torinsmom]

We are going June 15-18(me and DS14). We are going to the Smithsonian museums, Zoo, Touring the Capitol and White House and also going to the Washington Monument. If you want to do the monument, you can reserve tickets online for $1.50 each. You can go get them in the morning for free, but I hear you have to get there early. We are also considering the INternational Spy Museum, which sounds like a lot of fun. That one is $12/person though, so we shall see.

Marsha

 

[minniebeth]

The International Spy Museum is great but if you need to prioritize, put it lower on the list since the cost of tickets can add up if you have a larger group. I've not been but also heard that the Museum of Crime and Punishment is also great, but again, charged admisssion.

Have you thought about: Bureau of Printing and Engraving (timed tickets as well)
Ford's Theater
National Archives
Supreme Court
Library of Congress
National Cathedral
Arlington Cemetery
The World War II Monument is one of my favorites...

Mount Vernon is a great trip for history buffs, but it truly is an almost an all day trip if you want to see most/all of it.

There's lots lots more too, but these are some of the additonal DC highlights that were not mentioned...

 

[Tina]

The Spy Museum is great, but plan it for a weekday if you can. Saturdays and Sundays are crazy busy there. They let people in using timed groups, but there is so much to see that it can really back up in the exhibits. On our first visit (a Saturday), it was so crowded that we asked for a refund and left. We came back a few weeks later on a Thursday and it was great.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

If you don't get tickets to the White House, make a stop at the White House visitors center. You don't need tickets and it is pretty cool.

The FDR memorial is one of my favorites.

Ford's Theater is still closed, but the Petersen House (across the street and where Lincoln died) is open.

Arlington is a must see.

 

[minniebeth]

Does anyone know when Ford's Theater will be open again?
We were there last summer and I thought I heard they will be open for this summer. We will be there in July and was looking forward to putting this on our 'to visit' list...?

 

[Tina]

Does anyone know when Ford's Theater will be open again?
We were there last summer and I thought I heard they will be open for this summer. We will be there in July and was looking forward to putting this on our 'to visit' list...?

The website just says "Summer of 2009." But I thought I had recently seen something on the local news about the reopening. I wasn't paying that close attention. I think it may be soon though.

 

[Green Tea]

The Newseum is GREAT! It isn't part of the Smithsonian so there is a fee, but we spent about 5 hours in there with kids of similar ages.

 

[perfectangel]

I have a friend who does food tours in DC and old town Alexandra they sound like a lot of fun. You go on a walking tour and they give you a lot of history on the town. You get to go to 3 to 4 restaurants and eat a different course of the meal. It might be something fun to try its some thing different. the web site is:www.dcmetrofoodtours.com

 

[minniebeth]

The website just says "Summer of 2009." But I thought I had recently seen something on the local news about the reopening. I wasn't paying that close attention. I think it may be soon though.

Thank you!!

I have a friend who does food tours in DC and old town Alexandra they sound like a lot of fun. You go on a walking tour and they give you a lot of history on the town. You get to go to 3 to 4 restaurants and eat a different course of the meal. It might be something fun to try its some thing different. the web site is:www.dcmetrofoodtours.com

This sounds really cool, thanks!

 

[Green Tea]

The Museum of the American Indian is stunning both architecturally and in its exhibits. It is part of the Smithsonian, so no admission charge.

 

[MJMouse]

Old Town Alexandria is pretty great itself (I lived there for a year+ and LOVED it). Plan a day or so to explore!

Alexandria has a free trolley/shuttle that runs up and down King Street (Metro to Waterfront and back) all day. It can be a life saver on a hot day!

I'd also head down to Mt Vernon. You can go to the waterfront in Alexandria and take a water taxi down to Mt. Vernon (I think the ticket price to Mt Vernon is included in the taxi ride). You can also head over to the National Harbor... which is a new area with shops and hotels and restaurants on MD side of the Potomac... the Lobby of the Gaylord National Conference Center is worth the ride in and of itself.

Enjoy DC! I love it!

 

[Teacher03]

Old Town Alexandria is pretty great itself (I lived there for a year+ and LOVED it). Plan a day or so to explore!

Alexandria has a free trolley/shuttle that runs up and down King Street (Metro to Waterfront and back) all day. It can be a life saver on a hot day!

I'd also head down to Mt Vernon. You can go to the waterfront in Alexandria and take a water taxi down to Mt. Vernon (I think the ticket price to Mt Vernon is included in the taxi ride). You can also head over to the National Harbor... which is a new area with shops and hotels and restaurants on MD side of the Potomac... the Lobby of the Gaylord National Conference Center is worth the ride in and of itself.

Enjoy DC! I love it!

I second Mount Vernon. But get there as early as possible, the line to walk through the house gets unbelievably long, and unfortunately, there are no fast passes! Alexandria is also a fun day as is the National Zoo.

 

[Skatermom23]

Segway tours!!!! Who wants to do all that walking...then you can see what you really want to go back and see..

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

We were in DC in March stayed in Old Town Alexandria. It is really convenient to take the Metro into DC from Alexandria. The Spy Musuem is wonderful. My daughter and her friend did the special tour with the Spy Museum where you act as a spy. They said it was the highlight of the trip.

We were going to do the Duck Tour in DC but it didn't start till April. It is a bus/boat that takes you all around DC including going into the Potomac. I've heard it is lots of fun-somewhat cheesy-but lots of fun.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Subscribing.... we'll be there in October.

 

[Green Tea]

A PS to The Newseum, The Museum of News. For people interested in history, it is a must see.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

The Museum of the American Indian is stunning both architecturally and in its exhibits. It is part of the Smithsonian, so no admission charge.

I've heard similar raves from several friends, as well as a very high review for their cafeteria area. (This from a 15 year old girl. I guess they serve food from various native cultures. In her opinion, better than the burger and fries fare at most of the museums' cafes.)