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Started By
Message
Washington DC in March
Posted on 2/24/23 at 9:17 am
Posted on 2/24/23 at 9:17 am
Wife and I are going to DC for a week towards the end of March. Neither of us have been since high school or junior high, or about 15 years ago. We have an airbnb about 5 blocks north of the Capital One arena. So far all I have booked are tours of the US Capital and Library of Congress, unfortunately we booked too late to get a white house tour. Also gonna do the National Mall, Arlington Cemetary, and a lot of time at the Smithsonian.
A few questions
We aren't renting a car. I saw that I can get us a week long bus and subway pass for about $50 per person. Is this our best option for getting to places outside of walking distance aside from uber/lyft?
2. Any tours or experiences you'd say are can't miss? I saw some guided Smithsonian tours and monument tours that looked appealing. I know we won't come close to doing the whole Smithsonian but this seemed like a decent option for seeing one or two of the more popular museums. Open to other museums, historical sites, cool attractions, etc.
3. Would really appreciate recs for restaurants, night life, live music, light to moderate hiking, parks, and other entertainment. None of my friends have been to DC since before covid, so I'm really in the dark here. I know this is vague as hell, but we're pretty eclectic and open to new experiences, so all recs are welcome
Fourth, what areas of the city should we avoid? Experiences you've had that weren't worth the hype?
TIA to all who reply! I'll post something once we return home
A few questions
We aren't renting a car. I saw that I can get us a week long bus and subway pass for about $50 per person. Is this our best option for getting to places outside of walking distance aside from uber/lyft?
2. Any tours or experiences you'd say are can't miss? I saw some guided Smithsonian tours and monument tours that looked appealing. I know we won't come close to doing the whole Smithsonian but this seemed like a decent option for seeing one or two of the more popular museums. Open to other museums, historical sites, cool attractions, etc.
3. Would really appreciate recs for restaurants, night life, live music, light to moderate hiking, parks, and other entertainment. None of my friends have been to DC since before covid, so I'm really in the dark here. I know this is vague as hell, but we're pretty eclectic and open to new experiences, so all recs are welcome
Fourth, what areas of the city should we avoid? Experiences you've had that weren't worth the hype?
TIA to all who reply! I'll post something once we return home
14
Posted on 2/24/23 at 10:20 am to SW2SCLA
We used the subway almost exclusively to get where we needed to.
The times we needed to use Uber, it was super cheap!
Our family really enjoyed a bike tour of the monuments so I highly recommend that.
We would have loved to go to Dulles to see the space shuttle there but the Silver line wasn't completed yet. It is now so next time we are in D.C. we will do that.
Highlight of the trip was watching the changing of the guard at Arlington. Thousands of people there, including bus loads of high school groups and you could hear the birds chirping it was so quiet.
Enjoy the trip!
ETA: Old Ebbitt Grill was great!
The times we needed to use Uber, it was super cheap!
Our family really enjoyed a bike tour of the monuments so I highly recommend that.
We would have loved to go to Dulles to see the space shuttle there but the Silver line wasn't completed yet. It is now so next time we are in D.C. we will do that.
Highlight of the trip was watching the changing of the guard at Arlington. Thousands of people there, including bus loads of high school groups and you could hear the birds chirping it was so quiet.
Enjoy the trip!
ETA: Old Ebbitt Grill was great!
This post was edited on 2/24/23 at 10:22 am
Posted on 2/24/23 at 10:46 am to SW2SCLA
Call the office of your Congressman to get a private tour of the Capitol and the White House. I have done this twice, the last time through Steve Scalise's office. Do it soon because you need to get security clearance.
Never mind. I see where you probably did this already and it worked for the capitol but was too late for the White House.
The capitol will be an interesting tour and the Library of Congress is beautiful. You get there from a pedestrian tunnel under the capital.
The Supreme Court was also a good tour.
Never mind. I see where you probably did this already and it worked for the capitol but was too late for the White House.
The capitol will be an interesting tour and the Library of Congress is beautiful. You get there from a pedestrian tunnel under the capital.
The Supreme Court was also a good tour.
This post was edited on 2/24/23 at 12:19 pm
Posted on 2/24/23 at 12:41 pm to SW2SCLA
quote:
Fourth, what areas of the city should we avoid?
Anacostia
quote:
Would really appreciate recs for restaurants
If you're a whiskey guy, Jack Rose is a must visit.
Otherwise restaurants that I'd recommend:
Blue Duck Tavern
Le Diplomate
Zaytinya
Officina
The metro (subway) is pretty convenient in DC, you can also rent electric scooters which are fun. We did a self-guided tour of monuments using the scooters and it was really enjoyable.
This post was edited on 2/24/23 at 12:43 pm
Posted on 2/25/23 at 6:45 am to SW2SCLA
Do not and I repeat do not do the Monument Tours at night. Was 100% not worth it all.
Was there in October and really walked to most places I wanted to see or took a Lyft/Uber. A lot of the Musuems at the time were way too crowded as some of the restrictions had dropped and they were having some kind of rally the same weekend I was there.
If you like beer and good food I found a place called Church Key.
Was there in October and really walked to most places I wanted to see or took a Lyft/Uber. A lot of the Musuems at the time were way too crowded as some of the restrictions had dropped and they were having some kind of rally the same weekend I was there.
If you like beer and good food I found a place called Church Key.
Posted on 2/25/23 at 6:49 am to SW2SCLA
Filomena in Georgetown for Italian.
Posted on 2/25/23 at 8:13 am to SW2SCLA
Do the air and space museum at Dulles, it’s called the Udvar Hazy, many many more aircraft and space craft. Don’t miss the National Cathedral, Supreme Court and Library of Congress,,,,,,I recommend Carmines Family Italian, it’s really awesome.
Posted on 2/25/23 at 9:14 pm to SW2SCLA
Air & Space, Natural History, and American History are my main Smithsonian pics. Native American Museum was a disappointment and content thin. I have not been to African American History & Culture. National Museum of Art's OK and has best dinning. Of private art museums, the Phillips Collection is the best.
I second Old Ebbits Grill, but also suggest just walking George Town, Eastern Market, Kalorama, Conn. & Mass. Ave and trying a place that strikes your fancy for lunch or dinner. Lots of places to discover.
You will not need a car in the District. Metro stations tend to be far apart... be ready to hike.
NE and SE are the traditionally sketchy quadrants once you are 12 blocks from the Mall.
Water taxi is a nice new thing District to Old Town Alexandria.
Changing of Guard at Arlington is the most patriotic thing you can do. There is a Metro station there.
I second Old Ebbits Grill, but also suggest just walking George Town, Eastern Market, Kalorama, Conn. & Mass. Ave and trying a place that strikes your fancy for lunch or dinner. Lots of places to discover.
You will not need a car in the District. Metro stations tend to be far apart... be ready to hike.
NE and SE are the traditionally sketchy quadrants once you are 12 blocks from the Mall.
Water taxi is a nice new thing District to Old Town Alexandria.
Changing of Guard at Arlington is the most patriotic thing you can do. There is a Metro station there.
Posted on 2/27/23 at 12:17 pm to Tree_Fall
Agree with others. Metro is clean and convenient. Wear comfortable shoes and plan on walking a few miles everyday. Get a comfortable backpack and carry waters and snacks. The electric scooters you can rent are fun. But cars will NOT give you the right of way so pay attention.
Good restaurants on King St in Alexandria.
Natural history Smithsonian is good the Space one is as well. Lincoln, Vietnam Wall, and Korea monuments are all fantastic.
It is a tough day, but I recommend the Holocaust museum. It was hard to continue through the museum after seeing the Town my family came from on the wall of cities; I could not finish the last part of the museum. But I will go to it again.
Good restaurants on King St in Alexandria.
Natural history Smithsonian is good the Space one is as well. Lincoln, Vietnam Wall, and Korea monuments are all fantastic.
It is a tough day, but I recommend the Holocaust museum. It was hard to continue through the museum after seeing the Town my family came from on the wall of cities; I could not finish the last part of the museum. But I will go to it again.
This post was edited on 2/27/23 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 2/27/23 at 1:26 pm to SW2SCLA
I try to stay near a metro station and exclusively use that and uber/lyft. Still lots of walking.
Two of my favorites are the bureau of printing and engraving tour and the international spy museum.
Two of my favorites are the bureau of printing and engraving tour and the international spy museum.
Posted on 2/27/23 at 1:31 pm to Sparty3131
I'll also throw out the DC Circulator if you're not up for walking the mall--it's two miles end to end. The circulator is clean, easy, and only costs $1. Just don't ride it during rush hour.
I'm a big fan of the tasting menus at Jose Andres spots Jaleo, Oyamel, and Zaytina. MiniBar too if you want to drop $300 for a 20 course experience like no other.
Rasika is great Indian food and has become a staple.
Unconventional Diner is fun twist on diner favorites.
ChiKo is a great fusion spot--I like the smoked catfish fried rice.
Mama Chang for Chinese
Go to Union Market and try some different food stalls. They have St. Anselm there now too, which is terrific.
I'm a big fan of the tasting menus at Jose Andres spots Jaleo, Oyamel, and Zaytina. MiniBar too if you want to drop $300 for a 20 course experience like no other.
Rasika is great Indian food and has become a staple.
Unconventional Diner is fun twist on diner favorites.
ChiKo is a great fusion spot--I like the smoked catfish fried rice.
Mama Chang for Chinese
Go to Union Market and try some different food stalls. They have St. Anselm there now too, which is terrific.
Posted on 2/27/23 at 2:34 pm to SW2SCLA
I just returned from DC with the family during Mardi Gras break. It was myself, my wife, and our 2 kids 11 & 12 so not everything we did my apply to you.
We booked a tour of the Capitol, White House, and FBI building through our rep in Congress (Scalise). The FBI tour was a little underwhelming, but was highly interactive for kids. It is a very small tour so the exclusivity of being in the Hoover building was the attraction. Ford's Theatre is right next o FBI, so we walked past but did not take the tour. The tour includes the house across the street where Lincoln died.
The White House tour was nice, stood in line outside for about 30 mins then proceeded through the "Museum" part of the House. Total time was less than 45 mins.
At the Capitol we met one of Scalise's staff members and he gave us a personal tour. We stayed on the House side, and did not venture past the Rotunda to the Senate side. Our guide namedropped Scalise to the guards and we were able to get into the bowels of the building. We viewed committee meeting rooms and he took us to the floor of the House Chamber- the thrill of the trip for sure.
We also visited the monuments - Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, WWII, Vietnam, Korea. We booked a trip to the top of the Washington Monument about a week in advance. It was really cool to be at the top.
We hit the Air & Space Museum- construction had it scaled down a bit but its amazing to see the original Wright brothers plane. We also went to Natural History and American History, as well as the Spy Museum. The Spy Museum was very modern and had lots of interactive experiences, we spent over 2 hours there.
We also hit the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. To see the actual living documents is something every American should do.
Food wise we were somewhat limited because of kids' tastes. We ate breakfast and dinner at both Farmers, Fishers Bakers and Founding Fathers. We also did dinner at Old Ebbitt's, and a casual dinner at Clyde's in Georgetown.
We did a day at Mount Vernon, got to see a President's Day wreath laying at the tomb as well as a Revolutionary War demonstration. We hit Arlington that afternoon for the Changing of the Guard.
We did the Holocaust museum, which I had seen before. I would recommend doing it in the afternoon so it doesn't put a damper on your entire day.
We also did a day trip to Manassas to see the battlefield there. Many cannons and statues to see. We had lunch in Old Town Alexandria on the way back.
We flew in/out of Reagan, and we rented a car for the first 2 days for the day trips. We returned the car and used Uber for everything else.
We stayed at the Hilton near the Wharf- right next to the Spy Museum. The Wharf area is nice, and has a decent nightlife for restaurants and sightseeing. They have a big firepit with chairs and performers on the Boardwalk there.
Take at least one night or two to walk the Mall at dusk and see the monuments/White House all lit up. The closest you can get to the White House without being inside the gates is on the North Side near Lafayette Square. We got some great photos at night and during the day.
We didn't use the Metro just because of the distance of the stations to us. Uber was more expensive but super convenient. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a ride.
We booked a tour of the Capitol, White House, and FBI building through our rep in Congress (Scalise). The FBI tour was a little underwhelming, but was highly interactive for kids. It is a very small tour so the exclusivity of being in the Hoover building was the attraction. Ford's Theatre is right next o FBI, so we walked past but did not take the tour. The tour includes the house across the street where Lincoln died.
The White House tour was nice, stood in line outside for about 30 mins then proceeded through the "Museum" part of the House. Total time was less than 45 mins.
At the Capitol we met one of Scalise's staff members and he gave us a personal tour. We stayed on the House side, and did not venture past the Rotunda to the Senate side. Our guide namedropped Scalise to the guards and we were able to get into the bowels of the building. We viewed committee meeting rooms and he took us to the floor of the House Chamber- the thrill of the trip for sure.
We also visited the monuments - Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, WWII, Vietnam, Korea. We booked a trip to the top of the Washington Monument about a week in advance. It was really cool to be at the top.
We hit the Air & Space Museum- construction had it scaled down a bit but its amazing to see the original Wright brothers plane. We also went to Natural History and American History, as well as the Spy Museum. The Spy Museum was very modern and had lots of interactive experiences, we spent over 2 hours there.
We also hit the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. To see the actual living documents is something every American should do.
Food wise we were somewhat limited because of kids' tastes. We ate breakfast and dinner at both Farmers, Fishers Bakers and Founding Fathers. We also did dinner at Old Ebbitt's, and a casual dinner at Clyde's in Georgetown.
We did a day at Mount Vernon, got to see a President's Day wreath laying at the tomb as well as a Revolutionary War demonstration. We hit Arlington that afternoon for the Changing of the Guard.
We did the Holocaust museum, which I had seen before. I would recommend doing it in the afternoon so it doesn't put a damper on your entire day.
We also did a day trip to Manassas to see the battlefield there. Many cannons and statues to see. We had lunch in Old Town Alexandria on the way back.
We flew in/out of Reagan, and we rented a car for the first 2 days for the day trips. We returned the car and used Uber for everything else.
We stayed at the Hilton near the Wharf- right next to the Spy Museum. The Wharf area is nice, and has a decent nightlife for restaurants and sightseeing. They have a big firepit with chairs and performers on the Boardwalk there.
Take at least one night or two to walk the Mall at dusk and see the monuments/White House all lit up. The closest you can get to the White House without being inside the gates is on the North Side near Lafayette Square. We got some great photos at night and during the day.
We didn't use the Metro just because of the distance of the stations to us. Uber was more expensive but super convenient. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a ride.
This post was edited on 2/27/23 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 2/27/23 at 5:12 pm to SW2SCLA
Added comment on Old Ebbitt Grill. It's has a history of changing owners and locations. My favorite time was about 5:30pm before dinner crowd, stiff drink with broiled seafood at the bar. DC drink-at-5pm crowd thins fast...escape to burbs.
Scallops were reliably good. A seasonal special that you might catch in March is grilled shad roe. Shad used to migrate up the Potomac River creeks in spring in huge numbers to spawn.
Two years ago in Feb, I really enjoyed seeing what a thriving destination the river-front fish markets had become; LINK /
There have always been market boats there... now it's tourist friendly. Keep in mind that oysters and blue crab there probably came from La. The Cheasapeake does have fisheries of great nostaligic value, but unable to meet demand.
Scallops were reliably good. A seasonal special that you might catch in March is grilled shad roe. Shad used to migrate up the Potomac River creeks in spring in huge numbers to spawn.
Two years ago in Feb, I really enjoyed seeing what a thriving destination the river-front fish markets had become; LINK /
There have always been market boats there... now it's tourist friendly. Keep in mind that oysters and blue crab there probably came from La. The Cheasapeake does have fisheries of great nostaligic value, but unable to meet demand.
Posted on 2/27/23 at 8:39 pm to SW2SCLA
Are you going for the Cherry Blossum Festival; it's March 20th through April 16th? Maybe they will be in bloom while you are there. It looks like they will bloom early this year. In eastern NC the Bradford pears are in full bloom now.
A week seems like a long time to see museums and monuments. I get my fill after about 3 days. You might want to rent a car for a day and get out of the city for a while and see some other historical places. If you do these are some places to consider.
- Annapolis & the Naval Academy - take the guided tour. Lot of history there; John Paul Jones' tomb, an incredible miniature ship museum.
- St. Michaels, Maryland on the eastern shore. It is an historical fishing village and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is there. It's about 1 1/2 hours east of DC.
- Harers Ferry, WV - A National Historic Park is there. The Appalachian Trail passes through there and you can cross the river into Maryland and do some hiking. It's about an hour and 15 minutes west of DC.
- George Washington's birthplace (not Mt. Vernon) - It's near Montross, VA. Colonial Beach is just north of there and a friend told me he had the best crab cakes there. We ate in CB but didn't find those.
- Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria is worth a stop if you go that way. They made torpedos there at one time and it was converted into a lot of shops were local artist sell their product. It's 3 stories and they have all kinds of art.
- Take the Metro to the Clarendon/Ballston area. It's an upscale urban residential area with a lot of restaurants. We ate at Lyon Hall and Green Pig Bistro. We stayed in that area twice and it is just a nice place to walk around, especially in the evening, and get a feel for what it is like to live in DC. It's on the same Metro line as Arlington Cemetery I think.
- The last time we were there we went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and one of the largest in the world. About a mile from there is the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land and they have a nice little garden area. I don't know if the metro goes there.
A week seems like a long time to see museums and monuments. I get my fill after about 3 days. You might want to rent a car for a day and get out of the city for a while and see some other historical places. If you do these are some places to consider.
- Annapolis & the Naval Academy - take the guided tour. Lot of history there; John Paul Jones' tomb, an incredible miniature ship museum.
- St. Michaels, Maryland on the eastern shore. It is an historical fishing village and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is there. It's about 1 1/2 hours east of DC.
- Harers Ferry, WV - A National Historic Park is there. The Appalachian Trail passes through there and you can cross the river into Maryland and do some hiking. It's about an hour and 15 minutes west of DC.
- George Washington's birthplace (not Mt. Vernon) - It's near Montross, VA. Colonial Beach is just north of there and a friend told me he had the best crab cakes there. We ate in CB but didn't find those.
- Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria is worth a stop if you go that way. They made torpedos there at one time and it was converted into a lot of shops were local artist sell their product. It's 3 stories and they have all kinds of art.
- Take the Metro to the Clarendon/Ballston area. It's an upscale urban residential area with a lot of restaurants. We ate at Lyon Hall and Green Pig Bistro. We stayed in that area twice and it is just a nice place to walk around, especially in the evening, and get a feel for what it is like to live in DC. It's on the same Metro line as Arlington Cemetery I think.
- The last time we were there we went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and one of the largest in the world. About a mile from there is the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land and they have a nice little garden area. I don't know if the metro goes there.
Posted on 2/28/23 at 1:07 pm to nctiger71
We are going Thurs thru Sat. Daughter is touring Gallaudet and Towson in Maryland. We have the whole day Sat.
Is anyone familiar with the area Gallaudet is in?
Any recommendations close to there?
Is anyone familiar with the area Gallaudet is in?
Any recommendations close to there?
Posted on 2/28/23 at 1:18 pm to tiger94gop
Union Market is across the street from Gallaudet and has a bunch of great food stalls and options. Just north of that you have some breweries like Other Half and a few restaurants.
Outside of that, you'll have to head down to H street--which has a few good bars and restaurants. Maketto is a probably the most popular place over there.
As for the area with your daughter, I lived in Capitol Hill about five years ago and spent a lot of time at Union Market and H street. It was still gentrifying, but I had two kids and never felt unsafe or out of place.
Outside of that, you'll have to head down to H street--which has a few good bars and restaurants. Maketto is a probably the most popular place over there.
As for the area with your daughter, I lived in Capitol Hill about five years ago and spent a lot of time at Union Market and H street. It was still gentrifying, but I had two kids and never felt unsafe or out of place.
This post was edited on 2/28/23 at 1:22 pm
Posted on 2/28/23 at 1:26 pm to TheChosenOne
Thanks,
She will probably need a place to live as well. That is where she really wants to go for post grad. Once we tour, we will have a better idea.
I appreciate the recs. Any recommended sight-seeing close?
She will probably need a place to live as well. That is where she really wants to go for post grad. Once we tour, we will have a better idea.
I appreciate the recs. Any recommended sight-seeing close?
Posted on 2/28/23 at 1:34 pm to slinger1317
quote:
We did the Holocaust museum, which I had seen before. I would recommend doing it in the afternoon so it doesn't put a damper on your entire day.
We're going with younger kids (6, 8, 9yo) for Easter. I wanted to do the Holocaust museum but was nervous it may be too much for the kids. Honestly, I think most of it will be over their heads but just curious of opinions from people who have been.
Posted on 3/1/23 at 7:49 am to Tigers13
quote:
We're going with younger kids (6, 8, 9yo) for Easter. I wanted to do the Holocaust museum but was nervous it may be too much for the kids. Honestly, I think most of it will be over their heads but just curious of opinions from people who have been.
I don't think I would take kids that young. Maybe 10 and up. They will have questions about why and how people did such horrible things. Which there is not an easy answer to this.
The museum describes a lot of the horrific events and facts of the holocaust. There are piles of personal effects from victims. Info on making Jews destroy jewish grave markers to build the road from a camp to the furnace. Making them pull the gold teeth from the victims. Ect..
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