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

[Tikitoi]

We will be there too, staying at L'Enfant Hotel...Just trying to decide train or drive. Not sure if we will need a car while there.

 

[torinsmom]

The only thing I can tell you for certainty is that it will be crowded in the museums and just waiting to get into the museums. I know you have specific ideas and exhibits but sometimes the lines are long to get inside and just navigating around the tour groups and the day dreamers can get irritating. Either block a bit more time for your museums tours or be prepared to not see everything.

If you do Arlington, pay the $6 or $10(I can't remember) for the tourmobile tour because it is stinking hot and humid here right now and the walk would be miserable. The tour takes you around the things of interest and tells you the history that you might not know.

One tip I can tell you is to bring the sunscreen and water in a little backpack. There are few places on the mall to buy water but it is something like $2 a bottle. When we go into the city, we carry a tiny backpack with water bottles and plenty of sunscreen. You will have to have it checked everytime you go through security but we've never had an issue with anything and filled the bottles up inside the restrooms and purchased cups of ice when resting.

If I could, I'd set up a kiosk and sell water and sunscreen and cameras and batteries like at disney. I'd make a fortune!

Thanks! We plan on doing the museums in the order or priority(that is what the Air and Space Museum is first ;-)) so if we don't get to everything, we will put it on our list for next time. I did this itinerary like I do my Disney ones; it's more to keep us focused on what we would like to try to do than a set in stone plan, KWIM? I'll definitely have my slingpack with me and bring water and juice packs. SUnscreen is a given, since I am see through white, LOL.

Marsha

 

[Hoodie]

How funny; those are the two places I have written in to try and hit if we have time. Hopefully, we will have time. I should have bid on three nights instead of 2, but may try to get a 3rd night somewhere cheap in Arlington once I am actually there. It's so hard to know what will be a decent hotel when you're searching online.

Thanks for this! I have maps and books, but none had this type of list.

I will definitely look over the maps and see what to change. We don't plan to see everything in the museums, since we plan to go back in the next year if we enjoy our trip.

That's good to note!

I will be taking the metro from Woodley Park(we are staying at the Marriott Wardman Park) to Ballston Mall to out luggage in the car and then back to Woodley Park(on the metro) and walking to the zoo. Are you saying that it will take more than 1 hour even on the Metro? I have no idea as to distances from the stations and all that.

I am not parking at the zoo(walking from the metro), so what entrance should I go to? Which will be easier for our walking through the zoo and then back to the metro?

So, we'll just look at the outside of the Castle. Don't know if we will get to the cemetery this trip. If we get the extra night, we definitely will.

Thanks so much for all the info. I went to DC once in 7th grade for a day trip, LOL. I don't remember a thing.

Marsha

This is the official Metro site:

http://www.wmata.com/

You can type in your Metro stops and it will give you approximate time and the best way to go (to change trains, etc.)

The metro to the zoo is uphill and a bit of a walk. The good thing is that you'll go through the main entrance so you can take silly pictures next to the lion statues. It will be hot so take water. Remember, the zoo is free so they try to make their money on parking, food, etc. I remember finding it very weird the first time I walked in and didn't go through a gate or anything. You just walk in where ever.

Have fun! I've lived here for 6 years now and still love playing tourist in this town.

 

[mchames]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoodie

I will be taking the metro from Woodley Park(we are staying at the Marriott Wardman Park) to Ballston Mall to out luggage in the car and then back to Woodley Park(on the metro) and walking to the zoo. Are you saying that it will take more than 1 hour even on the Metro? I have no idea as to distances from the stations and all that.

I am not parking at the zoo(walking from the metro), so what entrance should I go to? Which will be easier for our walking through the zoo and then back to the metro?

Suggestion:

Take the metro to the Cleveland Park metro station and walk to the zoo from there. It is the same distance as the Woodley Park metro stop, but it is downhill. When you leave the zoo, walk to the Woodley Park station to return. by doing this you will walk downhill all the way. Bh stops are about the same walking distance to the zoo.

Mary

 

[lovemygoofy]

We will be there too, staying at L'Enfant Hotel...Just trying to decide train or drive. Not sure if we will need a car while there.

I don't think a car is really needed. I guess it depends on if it is cheaper for you to pay for parking while in D.C. or pay for the train tickets. We are planning a trip this fall to NYC and plan to take the train just to avoid the confusion of traffic and paying for the parking.

 

[RALuck]

The National Zoo is very hilly so the suggestion to stop at the Cleveland Park station so you can be going downhill is a great one. Another place we love is the Old Post Office Pavilion. The bell tower is a great place to view the city because the windows are large. Our kids like it as much as the Washington Monument.

 

[torinsmom]

Quote:


Suggestion:

Take the metro to the Cleveland Park metro station and walk to the zoo from there. It is the same distance as the Woodley Park metro stop, but it is downhill. When you leave the zoo, walk to the Woodley Park station to return. by doing this you will walk downhill all the way. Bh stops are about the same walking distance to the zoo.

Mary

That's a GREAT idea! I will definitely do that! Thanks for the tip.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

We will be there too, staying at L'Enfant Hotel...Just trying to decide train or drive. Not sure if we will need a car while there.

We decided to drive because otherwise we would have wasted the first day on the train. We are parking at the Ballston Garage in Arlington, because it is only $8 for each 24 hours vs. our hotel which is $32/day There is a skywalk that connects to the metro, so we will just take our rolling duffels on the the metro.

Marsha

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I'll put in a vote for the FDR Memorial. A lot of people might pass this by as it's kinda out of the way, but it's lovely. Serene.

 

[torinsmom]

I just went to the metro website and used the trip planner to tentatively plan my trips. It will tell you what line to take towards where, how long it takes, and even the fare. It was really helpful. Here you go

http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tripplanner/tripplanner_form_solo.cfm

Marsha

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I'm going to DC this weekend to visit my sister and have been doing a little googling and whatnot. There's apparently this place called The Mansion on O Street. It's part hotel/restaurant/museum. They have some public events like brunch, tea, lunch, etc. But the fun part is that it's composed of over 100 rooms and over 32 secret doors so that when you're done eating you are allowed to explore. All the rooms are decorated differently and everything you see in the mansion is on sale. I've never personally been, but the reviews I read were favorable and the place sounds so kooky and fun. omansion.com

 

[mominwestlake]

Our family really enjoys seeing the monuments on a "monuments by moonlight" tour. A few different companies offer this night tour. I think it usually starts out at Union Station. Plus, this way we see the monuments at night and have more time for the museums during the day. If there is a monument we particularly like we will go back in the daylight. We really liked the WWII memorial at night.

 

[smschex]

Our family really enjoys seeing the monuments on a "monuments by moonlight" tour. A few different companies offer this night tour. I think it usually starts out at Union Station. Plus, this way we see the monuments at night and have more time for the museums during the day. If there is a monument we particularly like we will go back in the daylight. We really liked the WWII memorial at night.

I will second this. We took it last summer. A great way to see all the monuments in a unique way. Ours took off from the Old Post Office. We had an air conditioned bus. After walking the museums all day that was a major plus! Our guide was very knowledgeable and had lots of personality. The tour allowed plenty of time to explore each of the monuments as well.

 

[Shelton123]

I don't think I've seen a DC thread and not posted this:

You MUST MUST MUST eat at Queen Makeda near 9th & U. The food there is some of the best ever, and it's not expensive either, especially for a table service restaurant. Don't order off the menu. Just get a doro what (door-o Watt, pronunciation), and kitfo (get it lightly cooked. AMAZING!), or the awaze (awhazay, pronunciation) lamb tibs. and of course get the veggie platter. They can make veggies taste amazing. Especially the red lentils, and the Shiro (shee-row).

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I don't think I've seen a DC thread and not posted this:

You MUST MUST MUST eat at Queen Makeda near 9th & U. The food there is some of the best ever, and it's not expensive either, especially for a table service restaurant. Don't order off the menu. Just get a doro what (door-o Watt, pronunciation), and kitfo (get it lightly cooked. AMAZING!), or the awaze (awhazay, pronunciation) lamb tibs. and of course get the veggie platter. They can make veggies taste amazing. Especially the red lentils, and the Shiro (shee-row).

This is one of the things that tops our list. DC has the second highest population of Ethiopian people in the world (second only to Ethiopia), so it is known for amazing Ethiopian food. My youngest is from Ethiopia and can eat his weight in doro wat so we plan on eating at a lot of Ethiopian restaurants while there (we only have 2 here).

 

[mominwestlake]

I would love some suggestions for places to eat that are kid friendly as well as budget friendly.

Also, if anyone will be in DC on Aug 8th I have tickets for the Washington Monument for 7:30 pm and Ford's Theater at 3:00 on August 8th. We changed our dates and can't use these. PM and I will send them for free.

 

[golfgal]

Our family really enjoys seeing the monuments on a "monuments by moonlight" tour. A few different companies offer this night tour. I think it usually starts out at Union Station. Plus, this way we see the monuments at night and have more time for the museums during the day. If there is a monument we particularly like we will go back in the daylight. We really liked the WWII memorial at night.

I will second this. We took it last summer. A great way to see all the monuments in a unique way. Ours took off from the Old Post Office. We had an air conditioned bus. After walking the museums all day that was a major plus! Our guide was very knowledgeable and had lots of personality. The tour allowed plenty of time to explore each of the monuments as well.

This is a GREAT idea!!

I will be printing this thread out before we leave just to have everything along so we don't miss anything we really want to see.

Is it better to take the tourmobile or the trolley around?

The kids heard from some friend that Medieval Times is a fun place to eat but I can't find it in the tour book-is it still around and is it worth going? This is from a bunch of 8th grader so I don't know how reliable the information is .

 

[Christine]

This is a GREAT idea!!

I will be printing this thread out before we leave just to have everything along so we don't miss anything we really want to see.

Is it better to take the tourmobile or the trolley around?

The kids heard from some friend that Medieval Times is a fun place to eat but I can't find it in the tour book-is it still around and is it worth going? This is from a bunch of 8th grader so I don't know how reliable the information is .

Medieval Times is not located in DC but is located in/around the Arundel Mills Mall area in Maryland (up near Laurel, Maryland). My son's 8th grade class went there as part of their 8th grade class trip to Baltimore. The loved it. I'm sure going with the whole 8th grade class (including a few nuns who were wildy cheering on their knight) has got to make it more fun than usual.

 

[golfgal]

Medieval Times is not located in DC but is located in/around the Arundel Mills Mall area in Maryland (up near Laurel, Maryland). My son's 8th grade class went there as part of their 8th grade class trip to Baltimore. The loved it. I'm sure going with the whole 8th grade class (including a few nuns who were wildy cheering on their knight) has got to make it more fun than usual.

Unless there is a metro stop that will probably rule out going there since we won't have a car. Oh, too bad

 

[bluesaturn]

Unless there is a metro stop that will probably rule out going there since we won't have a car. Oh, too bad

It's closer to Baltimore than DC and there's no easy way to get there by public transportation (it's at an outlet mall in the suburbs) so I think that would be a no.