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

[torinsmom]

Okay, here are some pics.....

Washington Monument

Helicopter coming in to White House

White House

WW2 Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument from Lincoln Memorial

Zoo pictures

ONe of the views from the Washington Monument

Inside Union Station

As close as we could get, LOL

Capitol

Dum-Dum

Our "sunroom"

 

[Quiksilvr]

I'm enjoying reading the trip reports...
Thanks for sharing tips, knowledge and experience, everyone!

My recommendation would be: if anyone does go to the International Spy Museum and is looking for something to eat while there, there is a restaurant right across the street, Gordon Biersch....it is a brewery, but we stumbled upon it and was very family friendly for us. The portions were huge and the food really good, we could have easily shared all our meals.
We really liked it, only to find they have a location right here in Columbus, lol.

Just to add, there are like a million good restaurants close to the Spy Museum.

Jaleo, Zaytinya, Rosa Mexicano, Matchbox, Legal Seafoods, McCormick & Schmick's, Tosca, etc.

If you want straight-up American food, District Chophouse isn't bad, the brewery you mentioned is ok, there's a Ruby Tuesday's on 7th Street across from the Verizon Center... the list just kind of goes on and on. That neighborhood is full of restaurants.

 

[Claire L]

I think we got out of town just in time. We were gone by 10 or 10:30. I heard it rained hard in NC while we were gone as well. I am so glad we had nice weather, with temps mostly in the 70's!

MArsha

Marsha,

Just noticed you were at the Natural Science museum on Wednesday afternoon, same as us! Did you see the Hope Diamond? The crowd for that was huge.

Claire

 

[torinsmom]

Marsha,

Just noticed you were at the Natural Science museum on Wednesday afternoon, same as us! Did you see the Hope Diamond? The crowd for that was huge.

Claire

I guess we missed that! We were so tired by that time, we avoided any clogs.

Marsha

 

[jillyb]

I live at Dunn Loring. Full name of the Metro station is Dunn Loring/Merrifield. It is a 45 minute ride downtown to Metro Center.

Thanks for the info on the ride time! I've read on TripAdvisor that the traffic is pretty bad in Tysons Corner. Is this just during rush hour or all the time?

 

[jillyb]

It was a Tuesday, and no, it wasn't very crowded at all. I would suggest you bring some bottled water, as it can be a tiring walk. It was only in the 70's, but even at that temp, I thought I would thirst to death before we got to a water fountain.

Marsha

That's good to know! I was working on an itinerary last night and was trying to figure out when to work in the zoo. Tuesday, August 17 will be our last full day so that may be a good day to go.

I want to use a backpack like I did when we went to WDW but I know there are some places I may not be able to carry it (U.S. Capitol and White House). I'm planning on carrying snacks, water bottles, travel wipes, first aid supplies, mini fans (these were great in the June heat!) and light jackets. Did you use any kind of pack? And, if you did, did you run into any problems?

 

[torinsmom]

That's good to know! I was working on an itinerary last night and was trying to figure out when to work in the zoo. Tuesday, August 17 will be our last full day so that may be a good day to go.

I want to use a backpack like I did when we went to WDW but I know there are some places I may not be able to carry it (U.S. Capitol and White House). I'm planning on carrying snacks, water bottles, travel wipes, first aid supplies, mini fans (these were great in the June heat!) and light jackets. Did you use any kind of pack? And, if you did, did you run into any problems?

I used a slingpack and never had any problems, other than them checking the bag. We didn't tour the White House or Capitol, though. They did have signs at the museums saying no food or drink, so I'd be careful taking snacks or water bottles in there.

Marsha

 

[jillyb]

Marsha: just read your last day. Now I know what to expect at the Smithsonian with a backpack! LOL I've written down the tip about the back entrance. How do you get to the back entrance?

Love the pictures!

 

[jillyb]

I used a slingpack and never had any problems, other than them checking the bag. We didn't tour the White House or Capitol, though. They did have signs at the museums saying no food or drink, so I'd be careful taking snacks or water bottles in there.

Marsha

We're just going to do the Visitor Centers for the Capitol and White House but I think I've seen on TripAdvisors and maybe read it somewhere that they won't allow backpacks in either of these places. Need to do some more investigating on this. Thanks!

 

[torinsmom]

Marsha: just read your last day. Now I know what to expect at the Smithsonian with a backpack! LOL I've written down the tip about the back entrance. How do you get to the back entrance?

Love the pictures!

We went in the front, but when we were walking back, it seemed like there was a walkway between the Air and Space and the Museum that was beside it(towards the Castle) that would lead around to the back. I know there was a back entrance because after standing in that long line, we could see people coming in straight across from us.

Marsha

 

[Green Tea]

I carried my purse in and always had a small water bottle with me. They just peered in my purse and never questioned my water in the museums. Maybe the signs save them from having to let in a 3 year old covered with snow cone dripping down his hands and face!

 

[castleview]

We're just going to do the Visitor Centers for the Capitol and White House but I think I've seen on TripAdvisors and maybe read it somewhere that they won't allow backpacks in either of these places. Need to do some more investigating on this. Thanks!

They don't allow ANY food or water in. My kids, even having eaten a full breakfast, were starving and thirsty by the time we left. We did do the tour of the rotunda and movie, though. I'd suggest grabbing something in the cafeteria if you can or plan on walking to the next museum and get somethign along the way.

 

[castleview]

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.

If you're doing the Tourmobile, which we found very worth it - make Arlington Cemetery the last stop (the cemetery tour in included in Tourmobile). Enjoy everything there and take the metro back to Alexandria - you'll only be a few stop from there. I'm assuming you'll be using the King St. Metro.

 

[jillyb]

They don't allow ANY food or water in. My kids, even having eaten a full breakfast, were starving and thirsty by the time we left. We did do the tour of the rotunda and movie, though. I'd suggest grabbing something in the cafeteria if you can or plan on walking to the next museum and get somethign along the way.

Thanks! I guess on the days we do the Visitor Centers I'll just have to leave the backpack. I'm planning all our lunches for 11:00 or 11:30 (hopefully!) so we'll miss the lunch crowds. Then when everybody else is eating lunch (hopefully!) we'll have some uncrowded touring for a while.

Once I get my itinerary worked out I'm going to start another post with our itinerary for feedback/suggestions. Don't want to hijack golfgal's post more than I already have!

 

[live4christp1]

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

Link to our DC trip report. We took a group of cub scouts last summer. Had a blast!!!!

** On our capitol tour they would not allow us to bring liquids in, one family poured out a lot of bottle water because you cannot bring it in because of security measures.

 

[minniebeth]

I'm wondering if someone knowledgable with Washington DC can help me out with the logistics of our upcoming trip...? Pretty please with sugar on top?
We did a lot last summer when we visited and this is what we would like to see this time around:
Ford's Theater/Peterson House, White House Visitor's Center, Perhaps Tix for Washington Monument (try to get online ahead of time) and same for Bureau of Printing and Engraving, The Smithsonian Museum of American History, The Bascilica (I think on campus of Catholic University?) and the National Zoo (pandas only, nothing else, I know a pain for all that, but this is DD's only wish!)
We have one full day and two half days and we are staying in the city on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Could someone suggest what should go together logistically/time wise?
I would sooo appreciate it!
Thanks so much!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I also have a question, since there are so many knowledgable posters here!

I think we will end up just doing a day-tour from Williamsburg.
DH thinks that will be plenty.
He really does not want to drive.
He just wants DS to be able to 'see' Washington.

Lunch will be on our own on the main area of the Mall at the Smithsonian.
So, my question is:

Where is there somewhere decent to eat.
We really do not want the hot dog and chips route.

I will be getting a guidebook. So that should help.
Last time we did this, I read about a restaurant (it has an ice cream parlor type deal inside) and it was pretty good. I just don't remember the exact name or location.

Are there any other choices on the Mall???

Thanks!

 

[PlutoPony]

Lunch will be on our own on the main area of the Mall at the Smithsonian.
So, my question is:

Where is there somewhere decent to eat.
We really do not want the hot dog and chips route.

Museum of the American Indian Cafe would get my strong vote.
Very interesting food, definitely not chips and hot dog. Neat museum and a good location on the mall.

 

[clutter]

Just to add, there are like a million good restaurants close to the Spy Museum.

Jaleo, Zaytinya, Rosa Mexicano, Matchbox, Legal Seafoods, McCormick & Schmick's, Tosca, etc.

If you want straight-up American food, District Chophouse isn't bad, the brewery you mentioned is ok, there's a Ruby Tuesday's on 7th Street across from the Verizon Center... the list just kind of goes on and on. That neighborhood is full of restaurants.

Some good carry-outs, too. Nando's Peri-peri, Chopp't salads, Fuddruckers, Potbelly's are all there too.

 

[Green Tea]

The concourse underground between the east and west buildings of the National Gallery of Art has a large food court area and some design elements would interest the children.