Washington DC Tourist Stuff To Do?

Doggtyred said:
She needs to call her local US Representative's office to inquire.
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Or Senator. It does take some time to set up (minimum of 3 weeks), a simple background check is required (SSN, addresses, etc). The tours are very popular and often filll up weeks if not months in advance. Info here: link

At the same time, see if the elected representative/senator can arrange a tour of the Capitol, including the galleries. There's a new visitor center for the Capitol.... but nothing beats seeing the real McCoy.

There are also tours of the WH that can be arranged if you know someone that works high enough up.
 
TMetzinger said:
They use this smartpass system now - they charge $5 for the smartcard, and then you add money to it, and you use it to pay for the rail fare and the garage fee.

Mt Vernon is a very good idea, and easy to find in her rental car. For everything else she's best taking the metro.
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You can still buy paper farecards (and even day trip fares) on the METRO RAIL. You can't use them in the parking lot however (or on the buses).
 
Doggtyred said:
Pardon. You are confusing two different entities.

The US ARMY's 3rd Infantry Regiment provides guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington. Also known as The Old Guard, as featured in the movie Gardens of Stone.

There is a detachment of US Marines based at the Marine Barracks at 8th and "I" streets. One of their ceremonial entities is the Silent Drill Team. They also have a weekly parade one night a week I believe -but not year round.

Both entities provide both ceremonial and a military function in the National Capital Region.
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Oops sorry for misappropriating the Unknowns guards to the Marine Corps. I should have known better. e
 
After walking the DC Mall all day, and seeing the museums, and sights, have her head over to Georgetown for the restaurants, and bars to re-charge. Lots of good places, and lots of fun.

Be sure to tell her to mention Villanova a lot while she's in Georgetown. :D
 
I'm also from the DC area. (Germantown)

Some things that haven't been mentioned are that there are a lot of things outside the city if she's willing to drive a bit. Baltimore is about 40 minutes north and has the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, the Science Center, Fells Point, and Ft McHenry, among others. Also, downtown Annapolis is great and the naval academy is there.

Antietam Battlefield is a little over an hour west and Gettysburg is about an hour and a half (providing decent traffic).

Fado is by far my favorite pub in dc. It's right outside of Chinatown and near the spy museum.
 
She'll figure out soon enough that three days won't be enough time for all the places she'll want to visit. Just by walking around she'll bump into so many great places that are worth the wait in line.

The places she'll absolutely want to visit are Smithsonian, Bureau of Engraving, FBI and Holocaust museum, along with the memorials.

And what the others said about the Metro...she'll also learn quickly that's the only way to go.
 
dmccormack said:
The National Gallery of Art is worth a walk through - and has a nice little garden cafe down stairs....
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I think that cafe was closed the last time I was there. I guess I was thinking about the awful food at the Air & Space Museum.
 
Air and Space has McDonald's (and a slightly upscale cafe also operated by McDonald's). When my wife worked there they never ate in house. American Indian and many of the cafeterias in the nearby Federal buildings have better fare.

Of course there's food courts at both the Old Post Office and Union Station (as well as some sit down restaurants there) that should have something for everyone if you have a variety of tastes trying to eat at once.
 
Amelia said:
Spoke with my DC daughter: She says the Mall is depressing and rundown. She suggests Hillwood House, Renwick Museum, Textile Museum, all off the beaten track a bit, as is the (Teddy) Roosevelt Island in the Potomac accessed by a footbridge on the GW Parkway. She likes the FDR memorial along the Tidal Basin. Four year old granddaughter says, "The ZOO!!! Specially the Elphunts."
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My aunts firm is currently re seeding the mall, give it time
 
My oldest daughter lives in Arlington. If your friend is bored and doesn't mind interacting with strangers, I suspect she'd be willing to entertain her for an evening, given enough advance notice.

I didn't read carefully all the replies, so apologies if I'm repeating what's already been posted. Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier should be seen at least once in a lifetime...especially if she's staying in Arlington. It's a very moving experience, and I never tire of going there - and I've been a number of times. One can either walk the grounds or ride in trolleys.

I would disagree with the poster who said the National Mall is rundown and depressing. It's true they are reseeding the grounds, but there are great views of historical buildings and monuments. And, if she's there in December, the National Christmas Tree is pretty cool.

The Holocaust Museum is also quite moving, and well worth an afternoon. It's located right off the Mall. I would agree with those who say to not bother with the White House tour. You really don't get to see much, and I think it's a bit disappointing. However, nearly every time I'm in DC, which is often, I walk by the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. It's iconic, and looks totally different from what you see on TV.

Another cool place is the Old Post Office. You can ascend the tower in an elevator and get great views of the surroundings. Some people think the view from here beats that from the Washington Monument. If she's near the Mall, the National Museum of the American Indian has hands-down the best cafeteria. It's great food, and not terribly expensive.

Finally, since she'll have a car, if she has any interest in aviation and space, Udvar-Hazy is a must-see. I could spend a week there. She will definitely want to utilize the Metro (subway) for getting around DC. It's next to impossible, not to mention expensive, to park anywhere downtown or near the tourist sites. The Metro is clean, safe, convenient and goes nearly everywhere a tourist would want to go except Georgetown.
 
wsuffa said:
Shoulda said something. I would have run out there for lunch & a chance to say 'hello'.
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I didn't know you were that close and we didn't have that much time this time. We were only on the ground for four hours. Very quick trip to DC.
 
Everskyward said:
I didn't know you were that close and we didn't have that much time this time. We were only on the ground for four hours. Very quick trip to DC.
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I'm close enough - can be at Dulles from my office in 30-ish minutes. Home's about the same. I do lunch meetings all the time...

Understand about the short layover. If you're out this way again, drop a dime (or a note, either way).
 
wsuffa said:
I'm close enough - can be at Dulles from my office in 30-ish minutes. Home's about the same. I do lunch meetings all the time...

Understand about the short layover. If you're out this way again, drop a dime (or a note, either way).
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Same applies to me. I'm usually able to get to dulles on short notice.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
 
OK, I'll try to let people know next time. We get to DC occasionally, meaning maybe once or twice a year.
 
wsuffa said:
I'm close enough - can be at Dulles from my office in 30-ish minutes. Home's about the same. I do lunch meetings all the time...

Understand about the short layover. If you're out this way again, drop a dime (or a note, either way).
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Me, too. I'm 15 minutes from Dulles and usually able to meet for lunch on short notice.

Paul
 
steingar said:
I recommend Mt. Vernon quite a bit more than Monticello. Mt. Vernon is closer, there is more to see, and the view of the Potomac off the front porch is unbelievable.
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I'm the exact opposite -- I find Monticello to be a far more intriguing experience. Mostly because Mt. Vernon is eerily similar to places like Sturbridge Village, Plimouth Plantation, and Colonial Williamsburg, whereas Monticello is a peaceful, stunning place where you always learn something new. Plus, Charlottesville is absolutely beautiful. I'm not biased, though :D

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
astanley said:
I'm the exact opposite -- I find Monticello to be a far more intriguing experience. Mostly because Mt. Vernon is eerily similar to places like Sturbridge Village, Plimouth Plantation, and Colonial Williamsburg, whereas Monticello is a peaceful, stunning place where you always learn something new. Plus, Charlottesville is absolutely beautiful. I'm not biased, though :D

Cheers,

-Andrew
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Next thing, you'll be hawking Mas restaurant... :D;)

Seriously, I sorta agree with you. Both are stunning, and there's more to Mount Vernon than just the mansion. It's not nearly as commercial as Sturbridge, or Colonial Williamsburg. Monticello is less trafficed (due to location) and is therefore a better experience.

I've been to all - after all, I grew up close to Mount Vernon (to parents from Providence, so we made frequent visits to see the sights in New England).
 
wsuffa said:
Next thing, you'll be hawking Mas restaurant... :D;)
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I do not appreciate that implication, Mr. Suffa.

That said, it is (IMNSHO) one of the top 10 restaurants on the East Coast, for me. In the "go there once a month, be stunned, long for your return a month away" sort of way; not in the Per Se / French Laundry once-in-a-blue-moon sort of way.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
astanley said:
I do not appreciate that implication, Mr. Suffa.
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Apparently you missed the smilie. ;)


That said, it is (IMNSHO) one of the top 10 restaurants on the East Coast, for me. In the "go there once a month, be stunned, long for your return a month away" sort of way; not in the Per Se / French Laundry once-in-a-blue-moon sort of way.

Cheers,

-Andrew
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It is a good restaurant. I just thought I could have a little fun with it....
 
Going to play with The World's Loveliest Granddaughter in DC this weekend. Driving up from NC, unfortunately, as the magic carpet's HSI is down for repairs. So, where is this Mas Restaurant? Oh. Google reveals location in Greenwich Village. Not headed that direction-- maybe ever. But sounds charming.
 
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Now that sounds lovely. If we head home Saturday afternoon, the long way around, it could happen. Thanks! It's good to have a new thought!
 
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