Your must-sees for Washington DC?

[Aimeedyan]

I went as a child and remember it being my favorite family vacation (even above WDW. I know, I know... shameful). I am going in a couple of weeks for just a Wed-Sat business related conference. I will have time for touring but not much so I am trying to prioritize!

My momma is meeting me there and we already got tickets to the Holocaust Museum as it was not open the last time we went and she really wants to visit it.

What are your must sees? Or must eats? We love to eat and I want some good food!

I am so excited!!!

 

[brasswillow]

The Smithsonian museums are really fun, and free! The WWII Memorial is beautiful. If you're up for walking there are the memorials/monuments on the Mall (including the WWII Memorial). Hope you have a great time!

 

[Tiggeroo]

I'm going to follow this as I'd like to take dd here for two days. I'd like to know a reasonable hotel where we could park the car and use public transport, pref. with a pool given the weather in the summer. I'm trying to put together an agend that lets us see the biggies in two days. We've done the white house and senate so can skip those. Her big interest is in the Smithsonian and FBI.

 

[mum4jenn]

I agree with the Smithsonian

Also Washington Cathedral
Lincoln Memorial

 

[Faerie]

Don't forget that the Smithsonian is 13 museums! The American History museum is closed for a huge referb though. The Air & Space is awesome and I love the Natural History.

The WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and Korean War Memorial are all near each other, short walk with the Washington Monument (see if you can manage to get tickets to go to the top) and the Lincoln Memorial.

The FDR Memorial is beautifully done as well.

If you're using the Metro, I highly recommend heading over to Arlington. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is so very cool. I always tear up.

Ford's theater is closing (or is already closed) for a rerurb but the house where Lincoln died across the street is going to remain open.

 

[JNorris]

My DH works in DC, so we visit there all the time.

If you have the better part of a day to sightsee, I highly recommend the Old Town Trolley Tour. They make something like 17 stops during the day, covering all the Smithsonians, the White House, all the monuments, and you can get off and on as you wish. Plus the tour guides just can't be beat for great information and entertainment. They also have a night tour of the monuments. I don't know how that would be in the summer, since it stays light until 9pm, but we did it in the winter, and it was beautiful to see the monuments all lit up.

 

[kmebee]

Just got back from a week of conferences in D.C. There is a tour mobile that you can take to see various sights around town. They drop you off, you stay as long or as short as you like and then catch the next bus. I did this a couple of months ago when I was there. Worked out great because I could get off where I wanted and not stop where I didn't want to. They also have a tour at night which I would have like to take.
As far as dining...McCormick & Schmick or Charlie Palmer's but both are pricey. AV's if you like Italian. Johnny's on the Half Shell. Pentagon City Mall is great indoor shopping. Beautiful mall.
Most of my work surrounds the Capitol so I tend to spend a lot of time in that part of town.

 

[kmebee]

Wow! Thats the one (Old Towne Trolleys). Great minds think alike.

 

[Tiggeroo]

what about inexpensive food like thai food or noodle houses?

 

[kendall]

At the Dupont Circle Metro stop there are several restaurants - inexpensive ones. I recall there being a couple good thai restaurants in that area. Good sushi, and an excellent sandwich shop too.

 

[The Mayor]

The Air & Space Museum at the Smithsonian is one of my favorites...I spend hours in there when we go to DC...also like Arlington National Cemetary and the changing of the guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...both give me chills...I also like going to the Capital Building especially when Congress is in session.

 

[mattsdragon]

The National Zoo, see the baby Panda. The Natural History Museum, see the Hope Diamond. Arlington, see the Changing of the Guard.

Dale City, see Potomac Mills Mall Just kidding with that one, it's my hometown. Anyone from NOVA now knows to avoid Hoodbridge like the plague.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Dale City, see Potomac Mills Mall Just kidding with that one, it's my hometown. Anyone from NOVA now knows to avoid Hoodbridge like the plague.

Especially now that the Disney Catalog Outlet is just a regular Disney Store outlet.

I highly recommend the International Spy Museum.
http://www.spymuseum.org/

Kimya

 

[solotraveler]

I grew up in DC myself and thought I would toss out a few additional items I didn't see mentioned much...

-- The newly opened National Museum of the American Indian is excellent, as well as the other Smithsonian Museums.

-- The National Archives are worth a visit.

-- The National Cathedral is uptown a bit, but is a great place.

-- If you're an art fan, I love the National Gallery of Art and the Phillips Collection.

-- Walking around some of the neighborhoods. Dupont, Kalorama, Penn Quarter, Capital Hill are all great places to check out for a meal or shopping.

My two tips for dining--
- Teaism (3 locations in the city) for breakfast or lunch. They have a website with a full menu.
- Jaleo for tapas. Incredible tapas food. An absolute must when I'm in town to visit.

Hope that helps!

 

[Talking Hands]

National Zoo, National Cathedral, Georgetown
My favorite restaurant was Old Europe in Georgetown on Wisconsin Ave

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My ds went to college in D.C. so we went there a lot. My favorites were the Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian, Ford's Theatre, Arlington Cemetary and the World War II Memorial. THe best place we ever ate was at a Reataurant called Oceanaire. It was close to the Willard Hotel (where we stayed). Stop in the Willard just for a drink even, there's a lot of history in that hotel.

 

[LuvMV50]

I love visiting DC and some of my favorite places to stop are:

National Archives
Smithsonian
Ford's Theater and the house across the street where he died
Washington Monument

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I go to D.C. a lot and the two places I always go is the National Zoo and the Cathedral. Also walking the mall at sunset is beautiful (just be careful, D.C. is a city and not the safest place to walk around after dark).

For places to eat I LOVE Off the Record (downstairs of the Hay Admas hotel~across from the White House~), a cozy quiet place to eat some sandwiches or whatever. Also Earl's Sandwiches is such a great inexpensive place with great food. Below is a review on AOL city guide:

This tiny Clarendon eatery puts local sandwich chains to shame. The soups are made from scratch, the fries are hand-cut, and the only cold cuts the kitchen staff use is prosciutto ham. Otherwise, the turkey, pork and roast beef are seasoned and roasted daily on the premises. But these high culinary standards don't surprise anyone who knows Stephen Dugan, the owner of Earl's. Dugan first worked in a sub shop in his hometown of North Andover, Massachusetts, and, after moving to Glover Park, continued his career at the City Club of Washington and Rockland's Barbeque and Grilling Company.

Before all that, Dugan experimented with food on his own... starting at the age of 8. All Dugan's cooking experience paid off in December 2005 when Earl's of Arlington opened its doors to the public. The most popular choices on the menu are the Louie (roasted turkey and pesto mayonnaise) and the Monty (roast beef and barbeque sauce), and it's Dugan's dedication to the "flavor profile" of his sandwiches that turns first-time customers into regulars. -- Kate Marshall

Here's their hours:
* Mon.-Sat. 10:30AM-7PM
* Sun. 10AM-3PM

 

[Tiggeroo]

I am loving these food tips and the Spy Museum would definitely be something my dd would love.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I was just in DC today!

You already have tickets to my #1 recommendation...the Holocaust Museum. What an incredibly moving experience.

I also like:

Mt. Vernon (not actually IN DC but nearby)
Smithsonian museums
Arlington Cemetary
National Cathedral


Have a great trip!