Visiting DC - Questions

MrsMeMo

J and I are thinking about spending our vacation around DC in July. We're thinking about spending 2-3 days in DC and then heading to VA beach (maybe?).

I've compiled a list of the major things to see in DC (monuments, Holocaust museum, Vietnam Memorial, National Zoo, Ford's Theatre, Smithsonians, etc.) but is there anything that we could/should do in DC that is a little less known, or something I may be forgetting?

The last time either of us has been to DC was in 5th grade and I don't want to miss out on anything great.

Thanks ladies!

MBMcC421

It's a shame you weren't going at the end of March / beginning of April -- the Cherry Blossom Festival was my favorite!

MrsMeMo

MBMcC421:

It's a shame you weren't going at the end of March / beginning of April -- the Cherry Blossom Festival was my favorite!

I KNOW! I wish we had started planning sooner, because that would have been great, but we were hoping we'd be using my vacation for maternity leave this year. Waaah.

Diamond_Doll

We did the momuments on our first night. They are gorgeous lit up, and it was a really nice introduction to the city. The Natural History and American History museums were great. We also went to Air and Space, but we have the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, so it wasn't that exciting. We kind of breezed through it and the American Indian museums pretty quickly. The National Zoo was just ok, and we LOVE zoos. A lot of the exhibits were pretty pitiful. It was just alright. Looking back, I would have rather spent my time somewhere else. We also went to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing which was really neat, and we went to a service at the National Catherdral. You should also try to go to Arlington National Cemetary, so moving. Sorry, that's a lot for 3 days. :-) My #1 recommendation is the Newseum. It was by far our favorite part.

MrsMeMo

Diamond_Doll:

We did the momuments on our first night. They are gorgeous lit up, and it was a really nice introduction to the city. The Natural History and American History museums were great. We also went to Air and Space, but we have the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, so it wasn't that exciting. We kind of breezed through it and the American Indian museums pretty quickly. The National Zoo was just ok, and we LOVE zoos. A lot of the exhibits were pretty pitiful. It was just alright. Looking back, I would have rather spent my time somewhere else. We also went to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing which was really neat, and we went to a service at the National Catherdral. You should also try to go to Arlington National Cemetary, so moving. Sorry, that's a lot for 3 days. :-) My #1 recommendation is the Newseum. It was by far our favorite part.

The monuments at night sound great, and it's a good way to keep time open during the day. I know I want to go to the American and Nautral History M's, but am so-so on Air & Space. What is the Newseum? Didn't come across that in the limited research so far...

lneuner09

Ditto DD on Arlington National Cemetary

some of the lesser known things that I have loved in my past visits - the FDR memorial, Korean war memorial (I actually though in ways it was more moving than Vietnam).  Loved the American History Museum also.

Diamond_Doll

http://newseum.org/

It isn't a free museum, $20 admission, which turns some people away, but it's great. It's basically an archive of American news. There are newspapers set up in a timeline format, so you can read through major American events, everything from WWI to Pearl Harbour, the assination of JFK, the Civil Right movement, all the way to 911 and beyond. It's really neat to see the firsthand, present tense telling of all of those events, and of course lesser "important" ones, like celebrity deaths and sports news. There are also rooms dedicated to certain types of journalism or major events. There is a room solely for 911 with newspapers from around the country and globe and video footage. Incredibly moving, takes you right back to that day.

lneuner09

I know you said you were kind of so-so on Air and Space, but I really liked it!  Was cool to see all the old airplanes and models of the old space shuttles and stuff. 

I've never been to the neweum DD, that sounds cool!  We'll have to add it to our list for when we're there in a few weeks.

MrsMeMo

lneuner09:

I know you said you were kind of so-so on Air and Space, but I really liked it!  Was cool to see all the old airplanes and models of the old space shuttles and stuff. 

I've never been to the neweum DD, that sounds cool!  We'll have to add it to our list for when we're there in a few weeks.

We both went to S&A as kids and enjoyed it, so i'm only so-so because there may not be time for every.single.thing. KWIM?

 

maryandkirk0909

You need to go to the WWII memorial- it is new(ish) and IMO the best.

I also recommend the Holocaust Museum.  It is free but I'd go in the morning on your way to the monuments to pick up tickets because the time slots fill up fast.

The American History Museum is my favorite, followed by the Native American Museum.  Also, the Portrait Gallery is amazing if you're artsy.

The Newseum is okay.  It isn't worth the $24 IMO if you have a limited amount of time here, there is so much good, free stuff.  That being said, if you're into journalism it is a must see- my step mom who is a photojournalist went and really enjoyed it.  To me, it was kind of depressing, but the main exhibits when I went were on the Berlin Wall, Hurricane Katrina, and 9/11.

Also, National Archives- it is kind of cool to see all of the stuff in there. 

You'll need to get tickets online for the Washington Monument if you want to go up in it, and can buy $1 tickets to the Archives too to give you a designated time so you don't have to wait in the lines.

lneuner09

m.mckee1224:

lneuner09:

I know you said you were kind of so-so on Air and Space, but I really liked it!  Was cool to see all the old airplanes and models of the old space shuttles and stuff. 

I've never been to the neweum DD, that sounds cool!  We'll have to add it to our list for when we're there in a few weeks.

We both went to S&A as kids and enjoyed it, so i'm only so-so because there may not be time for every.single.thing. KWIM?

 

gotcha.  Especially if you've been before, totally understand.  And ditto Mary on the WWII memorial, I forgot about that one!!

MrsMeMo

Diamond_Doll:

http://newseum.org/

It isn't a free museum, $20 admission, which turns some people away, but it's great. It's basically an archive of American news. There are newspapers set up in a timeline format, so you can read through major American events, everything from WWI to Pearl Harbour, the assination of JFK, the Civil Right movement, all the way to 911 and beyond. It's really neat to see the firsthand, present tense telling of all of those events, and of course lesser "important" ones, like celebrity deaths and sports news. There are also rooms dedicated to certain types of journalism or major events. There is a room solely for 911 with newspapers from around the country and globe and video footage. Incredibly moving, takes you right back to that day.

 

That actually does sound awesome, especially considering pretty much everything else is free!

MrsMeMo

Now the tricky part - where to stay, and how to travel. My palms are already getting sweaty.

maryandkirk0909

m.mckee1224:

Now the tricky part - where to stay, and how to travel. My palms are already getting sweaty.

Stay in Crystal City- hotels are cheaper than in the city itself and they're on top of the metro lines that go to everything you'll want to see (blue and yellow).

Unless you want a boutique style hotel, in which case you'll want a Kimpton- they're both in VA and DC (mostly in the city though).

Fly in, but if you're going to VA beach understand it is at least 3 hrs away, so you'll have to rent a car after you're done with the city (you don't want a car while you're around DC) and drive in horrendous DC traffic.  Bring your GPS.

I highly recommend flying in to Reagan National (DCA) Airport because it is infinitely more accessible.  Unless the price difference is $100pp it isn't worth the time and commute out to Baltimore or Dulles.

MrsMeMo

maryandkirk0909:

m.mckee1224:

Now the tricky part - where to stay, and how to travel. My palms are already getting sweaty.

Stay in Crystal City- hotels are cheaper than in the city itself and they're on top of the metro lines that go to everything you'll want to see (blue and yellow).

Unless you want a boutique style hotel, in which case you'll want a Kimpton- they're both in VA and DC (mostly in the city though).

Fly in, but if you're going to VA beach understand it is at least 3 hrs away, so you'll have to rent a car after you're done with the city (you don't want a car while you're around DC) and drive in horrendous DC traffic.  Bring your GPS.

I highly recommend flying in to Reagan National (DCA) Airport because it is infinitely more accessible.  Unless the price difference is $100pp it isn't worth the time and commute out to Baltimore or Dulles.

Awesome info on lodging, and what to do, thanks! If we decide DC is definitely the route can I ask you for more info?

dbucks

Ditto Mary on the Portrait Gallery.  I love that place, and it gets little recognition.

I also really love the Botanical Gardens.  Not sure if that is already on your list.

maryandkirk0909

m.mckee1224:

Awesome info on lodging, and what to do, thanks! If we decide DC is definitely the route can I ask you for more info?

Of course!

Diamond_Doll

m.mckee1224:

Now the tricky part - where to stay, and how to travel. My palms are already getting sweaty.

We stayed in Dupoint Circle, pricelined a hotel. We took the metro everywhere. It's super user-friendly and the nicest subway system I've ever used. Beats NYC and ATL subways by a long shot.