Anyone Around DC.

[Stratosfied]

On the 23rd, My daughter will be going to Washington DC for a National Congressional Jr Leadership council trip. She will be representing her school and our town in our Nations Capitol! My wife and MIL are going with her but will not be with her for this week. They are looking to do the sightseeing thing while in DC. My question is what do any of you suggest that is a must see while they are there? I know that you could spend weeks there and not do it all. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Go see the museums and the monuments. They are all centered around The Mall and you can walk the whole thing (with a few pit stops). That is what DC is about for tourists.<br />Lincoldn and Jefferson Memorials. Museum of Natural History, Air and Space, etc.

 

[mrbscott19]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Don't forget to pick up your $10 pair of fake Oakleys.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

RubberFrog has the idea. There is so much to see and enjoy. The tours of the Capital, the tour of the White House, etc. All are fun to do. Arlington National Cemetery is quite interesting. It should be a great week for you! Have fun!

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Hey Stratosfield! Come on down!!! The Cherry Blossoms peak was last weekend, but I'm sure they will still be plenty nice when you're in town. <br /><br />RubberFrog is right though - head down to the mall and see the museums. I like the Air and Space Museum, The Smithsonian, and the Museam of Natural History best. Also, the WWII memorial is kind of the newest thing to see. I don't think they do tours of the White House anymore but you can walk past it and get some great pictures. There will be a lot of street vendors selling everything. Stay away from the food vendors unless you're getting something pre-packaged. Before you buy your Washington DC and FBI T-shirts, you might want to look around a little. Some of them sell the for $15 each, and others will sell you 3 for $15. There is a lot of DC information here - http://www.washington.org/index.cfm...CurrentPage=30&CFID=14655694&CFTOKEN=40070763 <br /><br />Also, don't drive. Parking is baadddd. The Metro train (subway)is easy and the best way to get around. This is a map of the Metro system http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm and there is a lot of good information on that site. If you're going to be going to a lot of different places, you can buy a day pass for $5 I think. <br /><br />There are lots of things to do in the area too, if you're going to be here for a week. Some of VA's best wineries (http://www.virginiawines.org/wineries/index.html) are only 45 minutes or an hour away in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains. Skyline Drive (http://www.nps.gov/shen/) is also one of my favorite places to go in this area. If you do go to Shenandoah, make sure to bring your fishing rod for Trout. Luray Cavers (http://www.luraycaverns.com/) is also worth a visit.<br /><br />Do you like beer? There are some good places that have lots of different kinds of beer that I can tell you about if you're interested.<br /><br />Have a good visit!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Hey jsfinn, where are all these good beer places. I know of a few, which ones do you like?

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Hey RubberFrog,<br /><br />I was thinking about:<br />The Brickskeller: http://www.thebrickskeller.net/_wsn/page3.html <br />Gordon Biersch: http://www.gordonbiersch.com/ <br />Hops, in Alexandria: http://www.hopsrestaurants.com/home/openmenu.asp <br />Pat Troy's Ireland's Own in Old Town, Alexandria: http://www.pattroysirishpub.com/ <br />Murphy's Irish Pub in Old Town, Alexandria: http://www.murphysfans.com/ <br />Sweetwater Tavern: http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/mainpage/sweetwater-chooser.htm <br /><br />Ok, that's my list - what's yours? By the way, where is "Somewhere outside Washigton DC"? Where do put your boat in?

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Also, Stratosfield - there is an ESPN Zone downtown, which is a fun resturant, a Hardrock Cafe, Jordans - which is Michael Jordans Resturant (which is near the National Theater). Don't forget the Kennedy Center and you can also check out The Watergate.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Dominion Brewery in Ashburn<br />Capitol City Brewery in Arlington<br />Rock Bottom Brewery in Arlington<br />Blue Iguana in Fairfax<br />Murphys in Alexandria<br />Pat Troy's in Alexandria<br />My house- I brew beer<br />"Somewhere outside Washington DC" is Vienna, VA

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Rubber, I home brew too. I usually pick up my supplies from Jay's Brewing in Fairfax. <br /><br />I forgot about Dominion Brewery - we stop by there a couple times a summer while biking on the W&OD trail.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Jay has a nice little shop. Sometimes he is a little pricey, but the convenience makes it worth it.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

hello<br /> its a tad pricey but the la enfant hotel is the place to stay.<br /> has a metro station underneath the hotel, a mall complex and plenty of services. its also a 4 minute walk to the washington mall and the smithsonian buildings. I stay there each time I go, the extra money the hotel costs are more than offset by the fact I dont have to drive. not uncommon to stay 3 or 4 days and never get back in the car. advive on seeing the veitnam wall or the arlington cemetary is bring a hankerchief. <br /> other than that its comfortable shoes and this time of year pack shorts and winter coats. may be 85 one ay and snow the next

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Arlington National Cemetery is a must. <br />When I went I spent and entire day. <br />My visit there really moved me. I went<br />in April also and the dogwoods and cherry <br />trees were all in bloom, its really a beautiful <br />sight.<br /><br />Also, Georgetown has some really great restaurants <br />and shops.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

and if they have time, should come on by Annapolis for a day. check out USNA and downtown.

 

[jinx]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

I don't know what your interests are but here are a few thoughts.<br /><br />Don't drive during rush hour. They are long and a real pain. Plan your day to avoid them.<br /><br />The museums are first rate.<br /><br />Don't forget, if you are into aircraft the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport. Costs $12.00 to park<br /><br />Baltimore is an easy day trip. The Inner Harbor has a lot of interesting things to see.<br /><br />If the Civil War is your thing, day trips to Antietam, Gettysburg, or any of the Fredericksburg battlefields are worthwhile<br /><br />Mt Vernon, or Gunston Hall, the home of his friend and author of the Bill of Rights George Mason are nearby.<br /><br />DC has a decent Zoo..some would say DC is a decent zoo!<br /><br />Great Falls from the Virginia side is a pretty good view<br /><br />Annapolis is a good day destination for a waterfront flavor<br /><br />Just a few random thoughts, hope it helps.<br /><br />And remember the traffic around here stinks.<br /><br />Jinx

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Another place to check out is the DC Improv Comedy Club (http://www.dcimprov.com/). I went there for the first time last night and had a good time.

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: Anyone Around DC.

Thanks for all the suggestions, they will be leaving in the AM, and I have showed them this list and printed it for them. Thank you all again.