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Started By
Message
Recommendations for 4 days in Washington DC *Review in OP*
Posted on 6/26/19 at 11:49 am
Posted on 6/26/19 at 11:49 am
I know there's way more than 4 days worth, especially with museums, so fishing for some suggestions to help narrow it down.
Definites are Arlington National Cemetery, Holocaust Museum, War Memorials, and the monuments around the National Mall. Any other specific Smithsonian museums are must see or places outside of the National Mall?
Any and all suggestions are welcome for sights and food. Thanks in advance!
ETA:
Figure I'd give a review after all the great suggestions. Most pictures I took were generic stuff of monuments/architecture so nothing major to post, however the Apollo 11 50th anniversary was going on while I was there. They projected the shuttle on the Washington Monument- very cool sight.
Holocaust Museum - This was incredible and my favorite. Incredible detail of not only the concentration camps but the buildup of Nazi Germany and the aftermath of the Holocaust including to those that were "regular" civilians. Tons of video interviews with survivors and one was volunteering that day. Listened to him talk and couldn't walk away.
African American History Museum - Really enjoyed this one because it details from early slavery in the 1400s all the way to present day. Plenty to read about the Civil War and a lot of the lesser known events of the Civil Rights movement. Emmett Till memorial is a chilling exhibit. Would recommend this and Holocaust above all else
National Air & Space museum- Combined with a bunch of construction and the Apollo 11 anniversary, it was hard to move around and see a lot. Enjoyed sitting in the lobby with the aircraft watching the real time mission control replay of Apollo 11
Natural Science, Fine Art, Portrait, and Library of Congress- Put all these together because I felt they were exactly what you would expect from these. Enjoyed them all a lot and wish I had more time for these.
Memorials- Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial were both under construction so couldn't go to the top of the Washington. Making the loop to see all the monuments was well worth it. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps and Silent Drill sunset parade in front of the Lincoln Memorial was awesome. Take the chance to see the monuments at night. WWII memorial and Korean War were my favorites due to having grandfathers serving in both.
Arlington National Cemetery was incredible. Could watch the changing of the guard all day. Beautiful yet somber sight that really puts in perspective the sacrifice made by so many for their country.
International Spy Museum - I would recommend this museum to everyone! It's away from the mall and not free, but it was a blast. Very interactive museum with tons of first person accounts of their time. Very cool to see the evolution of spy technology and counter-spy actions, especially during WWII and the cold war.
Georgetown was a great change of pace for a half day to see something different.
Definitely will be going back to hit some things I didn't get to see or spend much time on. Highly recommend everyone visit sometime because there is something for everyone.
Definites are Arlington National Cemetery, Holocaust Museum, War Memorials, and the monuments around the National Mall. Any other specific Smithsonian museums are must see or places outside of the National Mall?
Any and all suggestions are welcome for sights and food. Thanks in advance!
ETA:
Figure I'd give a review after all the great suggestions. Most pictures I took were generic stuff of monuments/architecture so nothing major to post, however the Apollo 11 50th anniversary was going on while I was there. They projected the shuttle on the Washington Monument- very cool sight.
Holocaust Museum - This was incredible and my favorite. Incredible detail of not only the concentration camps but the buildup of Nazi Germany and the aftermath of the Holocaust including to those that were "regular" civilians. Tons of video interviews with survivors and one was volunteering that day. Listened to him talk and couldn't walk away.
African American History Museum - Really enjoyed this one because it details from early slavery in the 1400s all the way to present day. Plenty to read about the Civil War and a lot of the lesser known events of the Civil Rights movement. Emmett Till memorial is a chilling exhibit. Would recommend this and Holocaust above all else
National Air & Space museum- Combined with a bunch of construction and the Apollo 11 anniversary, it was hard to move around and see a lot. Enjoyed sitting in the lobby with the aircraft watching the real time mission control replay of Apollo 11
Natural Science, Fine Art, Portrait, and Library of Congress- Put all these together because I felt they were exactly what you would expect from these. Enjoyed them all a lot and wish I had more time for these.
Memorials- Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial were both under construction so couldn't go to the top of the Washington. Making the loop to see all the monuments was well worth it. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps and Silent Drill sunset parade in front of the Lincoln Memorial was awesome. Take the chance to see the monuments at night. WWII memorial and Korean War were my favorites due to having grandfathers serving in both.
Arlington National Cemetery was incredible. Could watch the changing of the guard all day. Beautiful yet somber sight that really puts in perspective the sacrifice made by so many for their country.
International Spy Museum - I would recommend this museum to everyone! It's away from the mall and not free, but it was a blast. Very interactive museum with tons of first person accounts of their time. Very cool to see the evolution of spy technology and counter-spy actions, especially during WWII and the cold war.
Georgetown was a great change of pace for a half day to see something different.
Definitely will be going back to hit some things I didn't get to see or spend much time on. Highly recommend everyone visit sometime because there is something for everyone.
This post was edited on 7/23/19 at 12:51 pm
10
Posted on 6/26/19 at 1:10 pm to Jolla
Was there is May
Museum of American History
911 Pentagon memorial
Museum of American History
911 Pentagon memorial
Posted on 6/26/19 at 1:11 pm to pkloa
Library of Congress is pretty cool
Posted on 6/26/19 at 2:47 pm to Jolla
American History, Natural History, Air and Space and Art museums are all must see.
Posted on 6/26/19 at 2:48 pm to Jolla
Smithsonian Museum of American History was my favorite of all the museums I went to on the national mall. I also enjoyed visiting the Museum of African American History. I'd recommend the Library of Congress and the National Cathedral as well.
If you do spend a day at the national mall, I'd recommend District Chophouse for dinner. It's relatively close by, and I thought the food was good.
If you do spend a day at the national mall, I'd recommend District Chophouse for dinner. It's relatively close by, and I thought the food was good.
Posted on 6/26/19 at 3:31 pm to Jolla
Mount Vernon Is a must. Eat at district taco. It will change your life
Posted on 6/26/19 at 4:39 pm to Jolla
Library of Congress
Holocaust Museum
Air and Space Museum
African American History Museum was a hot ticket - we were unable to get in but I hear it is fantastic.
Food:
MiniBar
Bad Saint
The Dabney
The Inn at Little Washington
Pineapple and Pearls
Old Ebbit's (not my fave but i'm in the minority)
Drinks on the roof of the W (overlooks the white house)
ETA:
Download the Bird/Lime/Lyft app for scooters. Its the way to get around that town.
Holocaust Museum
Air and Space Museum
African American History Museum was a hot ticket - we were unable to get in but I hear it is fantastic.
Food:
MiniBar
Bad Saint
The Dabney
The Inn at Little Washington
Pineapple and Pearls
Old Ebbit's (not my fave but i'm in the minority)
Drinks on the roof of the W (overlooks the white house)
ETA:
Download the Bird/Lime/Lyft app for scooters. Its the way to get around that town.
This post was edited on 6/26/19 at 4:45 pm
Posted on 6/26/19 at 5:17 pm to John Gotti
quote:
Download the Bird/Lime/Lyft app for scooters. Its the way to get around that town.
I was in DC last week and wish I could have taken advantage of this option. We had two 2 year olds with us so we walked waaay too much.
Posted on 6/28/19 at 11:35 am to Jolla
We've been there several times, most recently last April to see the Cherry Blossoms.
The Air & Space Museum on the mall is my favorite but there is also one at Dulles that some people think is better. I have not been.
In April we could not get tickets for the Holocaust Museum but we were there late in the day. They told to try early the next morning on line or at the ticket window. That may have been because it was a very busy time. They do have some exhibits that do not require a ticket.
National Harbor is across the river and there are many restaurants there. It was not crowded at that time but probably is now. It is an easy drive or a ferry goes there.
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The have 20 to 30 of iconic American statues there; it is just a nice place to walk around.
We ate at The Walrus Oyster and Ale House. They had a Happy Hour special and I would go back.
Alexandria is also not far from the mall area and there are a lot of restaurants there. There is also an old torpedo factory that has been converted into a place for artist to work and sell their creations; it's The Torpedo Factory Art Center. It is 3 stories and some of the artist will be there and most will talk to you.
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Not all the artist are painters; this guy did metal work.
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We ate at The Wharf, Fine Seafood, for lunch and it was not that good but I think we just ordered the wrong items for us.
The museum with the dinosaurs has been closed for renovation for about 5 years and is scheduled to reopen this summer. Not sure of the dates.
The Air & Space Museum on the mall is my favorite but there is also one at Dulles that some people think is better. I have not been.
In April we could not get tickets for the Holocaust Museum but we were there late in the day. They told to try early the next morning on line or at the ticket window. That may have been because it was a very busy time. They do have some exhibits that do not require a ticket.
National Harbor is across the river and there are many restaurants there. It was not crowded at that time but probably is now. It is an easy drive or a ferry goes there.
[/url][/img] [/url][/img] The have 20 to 30 of iconic American statues there; it is just a nice place to walk around.
We ate at The Walrus Oyster and Ale House. They had a Happy Hour special and I would go back.
Alexandria is also not far from the mall area and there are a lot of restaurants there. There is also an old torpedo factory that has been converted into a place for artist to work and sell their creations; it's The Torpedo Factory Art Center. It is 3 stories and some of the artist will be there and most will talk to you.
[/url][/img] Not all the artist are painters; this guy did metal work.
[/url][/img] We ate at The Wharf, Fine Seafood, for lunch and it was not that good but I think we just ordered the wrong items for us.
The museum with the dinosaurs has been closed for renovation for about 5 years and is scheduled to reopen this summer. Not sure of the dates.
Posted on 6/28/19 at 12:42 pm to Jolla
I live in DC and constantly show friends and family around when they visit. Here's a few tips from my experiences..
Go during the changing of the guard.. top and bottom of every hour. The US Marince Corps War memorial is over by that way however if not driving, I would use one of the Birds/Lyft scooters to get there. Walking its about a 10 min walk.
You could spend all day at this museum.. its long but worth it, sp plan on being there in the morning.
Start at the Washington Monument then head west to the Lincoln Memorial. The WWII memorial, Korean and Vietnam memorials are all down on both sides of the Reflecting Pool. Just make a big loop and you will see them all.
Over by the Tidal Basin is the FRD and Thomas Jefferson memorial as well as the MLK memorial. There are bathrooms over there that are usually clean, just an FYI.
The zoo is free to go into. If you are in that area, and like crawfish, shrimp and what not, i recommend Hot N Juicy. Place is damn good.
For restaurants to eat at, there are good ones pretty much everywhere and you will find just about anything that you want. Joe's Seafood over by the White House is really really good and you will usually see a senator or two in there eating.
quote:
Arlington National Cemetery
Go during the changing of the guard.. top and bottom of every hour. The US Marince Corps War memorial is over by that way however if not driving, I would use one of the Birds/Lyft scooters to get there. Walking its about a 10 min walk.
quote:
Holocaust Museum
You could spend all day at this museum.. its long but worth it, sp plan on being there in the morning.
quote:
War Memorials
Start at the Washington Monument then head west to the Lincoln Memorial. The WWII memorial, Korean and Vietnam memorials are all down on both sides of the Reflecting Pool. Just make a big loop and you will see them all.
Over by the Tidal Basin is the FRD and Thomas Jefferson memorial as well as the MLK memorial. There are bathrooms over there that are usually clean, just an FYI.
The zoo is free to go into. If you are in that area, and like crawfish, shrimp and what not, i recommend Hot N Juicy. Place is damn good.
For restaurants to eat at, there are good ones pretty much everywhere and you will find just about anything that you want. Joe's Seafood over by the White House is really really good and you will usually see a senator or two in there eating.
Posted on 6/28/19 at 7:20 pm to Noryev
Charlie Palmer Steak
Posted on 6/29/19 at 7:38 am to Jolla
If you even remotely like airplanes/space then the Udvar Hazy Center at Dulles is an absolute must do, blows air and space on the mall out of the water.
ETA: if you have a car I’d recommend a trip down to Henderson state park and hunting for shark teeth on shark tooth beach, really cool.
ETA: if you have a car I’d recommend a trip down to Henderson state park and hunting for shark teeth on shark tooth beach, really cool.
This post was edited on 6/29/19 at 7:45 am
Posted on 6/30/19 at 7:20 am to Jolla
Recently spent 7 days there. Use the Red Circulator buses. It’s free and their loop is from Union Station and all around the National Mall and the monuments. It’s hop on and hop off with numerous stops in its loop. Download the app and you can see the closest stops from your location and how many minutes until the next bus arrives.
Posted on 7/1/19 at 6:48 am to Noryev
Do you think it's possible to cover Arlington and the War Memorial strip in one day? Thinking that may be the plan if possible because I have a feeling one (or more) museum will have me glued for longer than expected.
Thanks again everyone.
Thanks again everyone.
Posted on 7/1/19 at 7:45 am to Jolla
quote:
o you think it's possible to cover Arlington and the War Memorial strip in one day?
Yes. Just take the metro between the two. I would recommend going to Arlington later so you can catch the changing of the guard and taps at the tomb of the unknown soldier before they close for the evening.
Posted on 7/1/19 at 9:20 am to 10MTNTiger
This is really good advice. The blue line of the Metro has a stop at Arlington that you can take. After going to the War memorials, the Metro Center stop is a short walk where you one can get on the blue line and take it around to the Arlington Cemetery stop.
Posted on 7/1/19 at 9:12 pm to Jolla
I paid the $15 and took the tram tour at Arlington. It’s a huge place and it sure helped with time and walking. The guide will tell you things about Arlington and who is buried there that you otherwise wouldn’t know. The tram stops at several places for you to get off and then you can catch the next one when you are ready to continue the tour. Of course, JFK gravesite and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are two of the stops.
Posted on 7/2/19 at 12:12 pm to gumbeaux
I just got back.
We did most of the things mentioned. MUST go the Arlington National Cem.
Also...........take a spin thru Georgetown........the university and the town.
Worth a little time.
We did most of the things mentioned. MUST go the Arlington National Cem.
Also...........take a spin thru Georgetown........the university and the town.
Worth a little time.
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