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

[jillyb]

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.

Thanks for the link to your TR! I've bookmarked it so I can read it later. We're not going to do the actual tour of the Capitol; just look around the Visitor Center. I wonder if they would have a problem with empty water bottles? As long as I have them and can fill them up after we leave it should be all good. I'm also wondering if they would let you just check your backpack in at the coat check.

 

[mominwestlake]

I was so sad to hear about the metro crash. I know we've been discussing the metro system on this thread and I hope no Dissers were on the trains that crashed.

 

[TDC Nala]

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?

Pretty much all the time.

We are all out running errands on weekends.

Your bags or backpacks will be searched or x-rayed at practically every Federal building you enter. This includes the Smithsonian museums.

 

[golfgal]

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!

Hijack away-you will probably ask different questions and then I get more info for my trip too!! I was wondering about a backpack or some kind of bag to carry too.

 

[Tikitoi]

A bit o/t, but I'm glad I got me a Fodors book on DC, since I am finding more and more to do. I also am going to move our trip to September because I am too afraid of that heat.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Hi, we are going to Williamsburg, then DC, the last week in July. Somebody mentioned plantations on route 5.... I assume we can take route 5 from Williamsburg to Richmond, then pick up the highway to DC? Can you provide any information about the plantations? Which are open to the public? If we have time, we might do only one.. so which one would be the best to visit? Do they have websites?

TIA

 

[Shelton123]

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!

As I said before, Queen Makeda has AMAZING food. That is the place to eat, it's a shame people don't know about it that much.

 

[golfgal]

AAARRRUUUGGGGHHHHH WHY does this ALWAYS happen--DH just told me he will probably have to fly back Sunday night (we fly out Saturday morning) for work. He won't know until Sunday sometime if he has to get back for work--some vacation for him. I can't remember a vacation we haven't had to change because of his work . Oh well, at least the kids are old enough that I don't have to worry about them running off.

 

[jillyb]

It's always something isn't it? Hope things work out and he doesn't have to leave on Sunday night.

 

[belle22]

Someone posted on here that the Water Taxi to Mt Vernon was free with Mt Vernon tickets -- is that correct?

Twlight Tour - Is this in a safe area?

Foggy Bottom - What is here to see?

Can someone provide me a Must see with kids (4 and 7) things at the Museums?

4th - Security opens at 3pm to get in to the concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol - What can we bring in thru Security? Water and Lunches?

4th - Parade - Is the parade geared for kids?

Thanks

 

[golfgal]

Someone posted on here that the Water Taxi to Mt Vernon was free with Mt Vernon tickets -- is that correct?

Twlight Tour - Is this in a safe area?

Foggy Bottom - What is here to see?

Can someone provide me a Must see with kids (4 and 7) things at the Museums?

4th - Security opens at 3pm to get in to the concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol - What can we bring in thru Security? Water and Lunches?

4th - Parade - Is the parade geared for kids?

Thanks

I just looked up the boat tour prices for Mount Vernon, one company was $35/ticket and didn't include the $15 admission to Mount Vernon the other company was $45 and that included the admission to Mount Vernon.

For the twilight tour, are you talking about the Monuments at Night tour? We are doing that tour, everything I have read said that there is plenty of security around the monuments.

I can't help you with the 4th questions.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Just thought I would share that I reserved our times for Washington Monument and Holocaust Museum last night. Getting very close to our trip!

By the way, one thing they don't tell you about the service charge to make these reservations is that there is a handling fee on top of the service charge. It only added a couple of dollars more but why they don't just say it all up front is beyond me?

 

[usandthem]

Wow! What great info everyone has to share. I am trying to plan/ book our DC trip for mid- August-- now if dh would just tell me when he thinks he can take off from work this would be so much easier. I may just book our hotel & tell him this is when we are going. (that's what I had to do w/ WDW or I would still be waiting)

 

[jillyb]

Thanks for the info Nancy! Would you mind telling me what your total was for the Washington Monument? I'm going to be pre-ordering all our tickets next week.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Thanks for the info Nancy! Would you mind telling me what your total was for the Washington Monument? I'm going to be pre-ordering all our tickets next week.

For a family of 5

Washington Monument: 10.35 (service charge 2.85)
Holocaust Museum: 10.00 (shipping charge 1.25 or you can print them for like 2.25 , once again how much sense does that make?


Ok, I have a question that maybe those more experienced DCer's can help me with. One of my DD15 must do attraction is goint to the National Archieves. I just read on Trip Advisor and then their web site that you must make reservations at least six weeks in advance. How I missed this in all my avanced OCD planning is beyond me. We will be on the road two weeks today so obviously it is too late. Is there any thing that we can do about this or at least get a partial view?

Ok I am editing: I see that you can go in anyway but you just have to plan on waiting in line forever. Any ideas on what I good time to go? I hate, hate, hate waiting lines. It is the reason I got hooked on DIS so I could figure out how to do WDW without waiting, which by the way I was quite successful in doing. Is it possible for us to do the WDW "no, no" and have one of us wait in line and the rest of the group catch up? Maybe I will just send DD15 and DH while the rest of us sleep in.

 

[jillyb]

For a family of 5

Washington Monument: 10.35 (service charge 2.85)
Holocaust Museum: 10.00 (shipping charge 1.25 or you can print them for like 2.25 , once again how much sense does that make?


Ok, I have a question that maybe those more experienced DCer's can help me with. One of my DD15 must do attraction is goint to the National Archieves. I just read on Trip Advisor and then their web site that you must make reservations at least six weeks in advance. How I missed this in all my avanced OCD planning is beyond me. We will be on the road two weeks today so obviously it is too late. Is there any thing that we can do about this or at least get a partial view?

Thanks for the pricing info. We're a family of 4 so it will be a little cheaper. Makes no sense to charge you $2.25 to print your own!!

I have the UG to D.C. and here are some snippets of what they have to say:

Reservations are required 6 weeks in advance for guided tours and self-guided tours.

When to go: Before noon or after 4 pm during spring and summer.

How much time to allow: 30 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 20 minutes.

Touring tips (just relevant parts): For a behind-the-scenes view of the workings of the National Archives, arrange to take a reserve tour. During spring and summer, six weeks' notice is recommended.

How to sneak onto a Reservation-only tour at the National Archives: take a chance and show up at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance (across from Eighth Street) a little before tour time. If there's a cancellation or a no-show you're in. The free, reserved guided tours begin at 9:45 am Monday through Friday and last abou an hour and half. The general public can take the same tour on their own Monday through Sunday beginning at 10:00 am; however, they must wait in line and don't have a tour guide.

I'm a bit confused about this information though because it says you need to make reservations 6 weeks' in advance for guided and self-guided tours but then says you can take the same tour on your own (starting 15 minutes later)but you have to wait in line.

 

[live4christp1]

For a family of 5

Washington Monument: 10.35 (service charge 2.85)
Holocaust Museum: 10.00 (shipping charge 1.25 or you can print them for like 2.25 , once again how much sense does that make?


Ok, I have a question that maybe those more experienced DCer's can help me with. One of my DD15 must do attraction is goint to the National Archieves. I just read on Trip Advisor and then their web site that you must make reservations at least six weeks in advance. How I missed this in all my avanced OCD planning is beyond me. We will be on the road two weeks today so obviously it is too late. Is there any thing that we can do about this or at least get a partial view?

Ok I am editing: I see that you can go in anyway but you just have to plan on waiting in line forever. Any ideas on what I good time to go? I hate, hate, hate waiting lines. It is the reason I got hooked on DIS so I could figure out how to do WDW without waiting, which by the way I was quite successful in doing. Is it possible for us to do the WDW "no, no" and have one of us wait in line and the rest of the group catch up? Maybe I will just send DD15 and DH while the rest of us sleep in.

We didn't make a reservation for the National Archives last May. We went on Monday (Memorial Day) later in the afternoon. We walked right in with no line or anything. When we got into the Rotundra there might have been 20 people if that ahead of us. That's basically all we did there though, didn't walk around in the other areas of the building much. Went in and saw the documents, went in the gift shop and left. I had heard very varying reports on the lines though but never heard that you needed to make a reservation.

 

[shortbun]

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!

yES, YES, YES!!! Mt. Vernon is wonderful. We just love walking around outside and looking at all the old buildings. While we sit on the lawn under the huge old trees, we try to imagine what games children would have been playing on the banks of the river.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Thanks for the pricing info. We're a family of 4 so it will be a little cheaper. Makes no sense to charge you $2.25 to print your own!!

I have the UG to D.C. and here are some snippets of what they have to say:

Reservations are required 6 weeks in advance for guided tours and self-guided tours.

When to go: Before noon or after 4 pm during spring and summer.

How much time to allow: 30 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 20 minutes.

Touring tips (just relevant parts): For a behind-the-scenes view of the workings of the National Archives, arrange to take a reserve tour. During spring and summer, six weeks' notice is recommended.

How to sneak onto a Reservation-only tour at the National Archives: take a chance and show up at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance (across from Eighth Street) a little before tour time. If there's a cancellation or a no-show you're in. The free, reserved guided tours begin at 9:45 am Monday through Friday and last abou an hour and half. The general public can take the same tour on their own Monday through Sunday beginning at 10:00 am; however, they must wait in line and don't have a tour guide.

I'm a bit confused about this information though because it says you need to make reservations 6 weeks' in advance for guided and self-guided tours but then says you can take the same tour on your own (starting 15 minutes later)but you have to wait in line.

Jill: Thanks so much for lookint that up and taking the time to type it out. I feel much better. I think we are just going to have to get there very early and wait.

We didn't make a reservation for the National Archives last May. We went on Monday (Memorial Day) later in the afternoon. We walked right in with no line or anything. When we got into the Rotundra there might have been 20 people if that ahead of us. That's basically all we did there though, didn't walk around in the other areas of the building much. Went in and saw the documents, went in the gift shop and left. I had heard very varying reports on the lines though but never heard that you needed to make a reservation.

I am thinking that the reservation act a little bit like a fast pass.

 

[jillyb]

Jill: Thanks so much for lookint that up and taking the time to type it out. I feel much better. I think we are just going to have to get there very early and wait.



I am thinking that the reservation act a little bit like a fast pass.

No problem. I've been working on touring plans today. LOL But I'm starting to panic a bit because I don't think we'll be able do/see everything we want. I was reading a trip pre-trip report where someone said they had each family member write down the must do, would be nice too see but OK if we miss it and skip it. The must do's went on the touring plan. I think I may have to resort to that!' It will be nice to have some fastpass-type options.

Has anybody been to the National Aquarium? Is it worth it?