Visited the Capitol

Originally Posted by stevej37

So many things to see in that part of our country.
Did you have the time to see the Smithsonion?

We went down Saturday morning, hoping to see the Air and Space, and the line to get in was 1.5 hours long. So we went to the Capitol, where the wait was only 20 minutes. We did get to go into Natural History when the line died down. But the Capitol was really the highlight.

Originally Posted by scott540

Hey. We're going next week. Wife and grown kids never been.
Any places, things must see out of the normal stuff?
Was thinking of old town Alexandria one part of the day.

Wow. Hard question to answer. There are just so many things. I grew up there, and worked right off the Mall at DOJ, so I saw that stuff a lot. I used to walk over to Air and Space at lunchtime to walk around. Hands down, the Vietnam Memorial is the most meaningful thing to me, but the other monuments are amazing, especially the Lincoln Memorial.

Originally Posted by masraum

We spent a week in DC when I was about 12-13. I only remember bits and pieces, it was a blur trying to see so many museums and monuments in such a short period of time. I lived in NoVA for the last couple of years of HS and never went up to DC for anything. I'd love to go back and spend a couple of weeks seeing things again.

It's well worth it, even for a former native like me.

Originally Posted by Crowbob

You can spend a week easy. A day in DC is not enough.

You could spend weeks there and not see 25%.

Originally Posted by masraum

And even a week would be really humping to see lots of stuff.

Yup

Originally Posted by 911boost

I grew up in NOVA, there are a ton of great capital pictures that could have been posted and I wonder he picked that one, hmmmmm

See explanation above. Are you fully reduced to a puddle, *******?

Originally Posted by KC911

That is one effective sign....nuthins' getting done that ain't OFFICIAL bidness here .

You can spend a day in each of Smithsonian buildings...SO much to see in DC. The metro system rules for getting around....or used to.

Jeez, KC, lose the picture! We have snowflakes here!

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I'm going in the spring. Only a three-day stay. Any recommends on a not outrageously expensive hotel?

Uh, no. I don't know of one. I'd stay at the Marriott downtown, or anywhere near Metro Center. The Metro is an amazing system--the only way to travel. It's easy, clean, safe, and cheap.

We stayed with my 94-yo other in law at her assisted living facility. I could probably put in a word for you if you want.

[911boost]

Back on topic, if you get a chance in VA, hit the Udvar-Hazy Center at near Dulles. There are some cool sites to see there.

[911boost]

I agree on the Metro 100%

[BeyGon]

I thought the mad dog used to live and work there, why is it such a big deal to go back?

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Uh, no. I don't know of one. I'd stay at the Marriott downtown, or anywhere near Metro Center. The Metro is an amazing system--the only way to travel. It's easy, clean, safe, and cheap.

We stayed with my 94-yo other in law at her assisted living facility. I could probably put in a word for you if you want.

Thanks, Corg.

[wdfifteen]

I need to go back. I was there just before Christmas in the late 70s. It was beautiful but cold, so we didn’t spend much time outside seeing the monuments. I almost made it when I sponsored two Honor Flight guys when the program was just getting started but didn’t get to escort either time.

Welcome to Honor Flight Dayton

[p911dad]

Don't miss the National Cathedral.

[masraum]

You guys are making me want to plan a trip!

[dafischer]

Originally Posted by RWebb

PARF it up, commies

Tail Gunner Joe, where ya been? We missed ya!

Originally Posted by 911boost

Back on topic, if you get a chance in VA, hit the Udvar-Hazy Center at near Dulles. There are some cool sites to see there.

Yes! Excellent advice. Forgot that one.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I'm going in the spring. Only a three-day stay. Any recommends on a not outrageously expensive hotel?

Stay in Maryland, take the train in and eat at Old Ebbits Grill, and they have a great Oyster Happy Hour,

Originally Posted by mjohnson

I visit the DOE building every few months - rarely do I pass up a trip through the Smithsonian "castle" that's just across Independence Ave. That's such a cool museum in "the old way". A sort-of-arranged assortment of old stuff behind glass. No interpretive mumbo-jumbo. The gardens on the south side, facing Forrestal, are beautiful and there are two padded benches just perfect for a lunchtime half-smoke.

Speaking of my dear headquarters, how in a city of such pleasant architecture did that thing (and many others from the 1950-1970s) get built? It's as painful to work in (bad HVAC for starters) as it is to look at. I know Brutalism was/is a thing, but so is Ebola. Uck...

I worked in the DOJ satellite office at 11th and F from 1984-1989. We were right across from the Hoover Building, which went up floor by floor during my time there, right outside my window. It was a series of concrete slabs stacked up on columns. Talk about hideous. It was fun to watch the electronic countermeasures guys sweep the floors every couple days during construction.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

Stay in Maryland, take the train in and eat at Old Ebbits Grill, and they have a great Oyster Happy Hour,

Aha, a plan!

Thank you!

[cairns]

Definitely see Udvar Hazy and Air and Space.....

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I'm going in the spring. Only a three-day stay. Any recommends on a not outrageously expensive hotel?

There is a holiday inn at 550 C St SW, Washington, DC that is walking distance from most of what you would want to see. I stayed there when stuck in DC after 9/11 and it was pretty nice for the price and they have renovated since then. It has metro and fast food close by as well.

[Crowbob]

Thanks, fint

Forwarded to the Chancellor and Chief Sandwicher.

[gordner]

I visited Washington on a family trip as a kid, maybe 14/15, and I have wanted to go back ever since. It is a gorgeous city, the monuments and museums are world class, and you can easily walk around for a couple of weeks and not see the same thing twice. One of the most admirable things about the USA in my mind is the pride demonstrated in your country by your populace. And Washington does that pride very, very well. There is so much to see and do, but frankly I would love to spend that entire week in the air and space museum.
Amazing spot to visit, and that is as a foreigner. As an American it must be a truly special place to see.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I'm going in the spring. Only a three-day stay. Any recommends on a not outrageously expensive hotel?

I went with a tour. They put us in a hotel near Rosslyn Metro subway station across the river in Arlington.
(that neighborhood was boring: tight and hilly, no street parking or restaurants, only big hotels and apartments and people walking in a hurry.)
Most workers might be polite Ethiopians or Egyptians with good english.
Most everything was clean and safe.

It looks like the subway system covers a huge area if you don't mind a longer ride to and fro The Mall etc.
Not sure about last run time.
Cars seem expensive and impractical since you're going to be doing a lot of walking anyways.
There are buses along the mall and taxis everywhere.

Also try Air B&B.