My cousin is having some issues, so his parents are sending him to visit me for a week. Problem is, I just started a new job, and he'll be alone during the day. What things would a 19 year old male like to do in the city?
2006-07-16 11:28:36 · 7 answers · asked by Brandi B 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
I think it really depends on his interests. And if he minds being alone to do them. Some people aren't comfortable exploring a new place all alone. I would say maybe to get him a metro card and just let him explore the city. Not everyone is into the museums, but if he is there is plenty to see and do. When I think of many of the young men I know, I can't see many of them wanting to explore museums on their own! But at least suggest the American History Smithsonian Museum, as there he will be able to see things he is familiar with in history from his lifetime. He might enjoy just hanging out on the National Mall, and there are usually kids there playing softball or soccer, maybe he could join in. It all just depends on how ambitious he is; otherwise he will just sit in your place all day watching tv.
2006-07-16 17:23:28 · answer #1 · answered by poppet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend getting a metro pass, and bringing a good pair of walking shoes. The link below is should take you to the Official Tourism Site for D.C. If you browse around you will be able to find tons of things to do. You can even order a brochure that they will mail to you. These places are a must... and the best part is that these are all free!
1. All the Smithsonian Museums
2. The Capitol (tours daily)
3. National Holocaust Memorial
4. Washington Monument
5. Lincoln Memorial
6. FDR Memorial
7. Jefferson Memorial
8. Vietnam & WWII Memorials
9. Chinatown (fun place to walk around and lunch or dinner)
10. Union Station (great for breakfast...they have an Au Bon Pain and Corner Bakery)
11. International Spy Museum
Visitor's Guide
http://mp.washington.org/Visitor_Request.aspx?IDCT=497&idCurrentPage=32
2006-07-22 16:55:17 · answer #2 · answered by hithere! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The new "Museum of the American Indian" is a great place to visit. The Holocaust Museum may be a little much for someone who's "having problems" depending on what those problems are--- it's a very emotional place but if you think he can handle it, it's a must see.
Every Thursday there's free concerts in Farragut Square downtown. Check http://www.gtbid.com/marketing/sounds_square.htm for listings.
Later in the evening there's also free concerts at Fort Reno Park which tends to be more of the indie-rock thing and you can see some great local bands there. Listings: http://cityguide.aol.com/washington/bars/event.adp?evid=3157502
If he can drive, he should check out Glen Echo Park. There's a really cool old merry-go-round they've restored, which I know he is waaaay too old for but it's still neat to see. There's also dozens of local artists and shops there--- you can make pottery, browse through the paintings for sale, and sometimes they have free art classes. It's pretty brutal to get out there on public transportation, though, and while you can get a cab out there, it aint cheap and it's pretty difficult to get a cab *back.*
You can rent bicycles, canoes, and kayaks at Fletcher's Boat House on Canal Road; this is also not easy to get to on public transportation but it's just outside of Georgetown so cab fare from downtown (or from the Rosslyn metro if you're in the suburbs) is not bad and they're always helpful about calling a cab to take you home.
There are also weekly free concerts in many other parks in the business district--- I know for sure they do them at Freedom Plaza and at Franklin Square Park but haven't been able to find the listings. I didn't look all that hard, though! If he'd be interested, I bet you'd have your listings with about 5 minutes on any search engine.
Check with the YMCA on 17th and Rhode Island; they often have day trips for teenagers and young adults!
2006-07-17 00:00:03 · answer #3 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's too easy to get into trouble in DC. :-) What kinds of things does he like to do? If he likes baseball he can always go to a Nationals game. He could go to the movies. The YMCA to go swimming or play basketball. If he likes museums, you know we have plenty of those :-) There's Six Flags, but that's no fun by yourself. Give him a Metro map and a cell phone (or quarters for a pay phone) and he should be fine.
2006-07-16 18:36:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him a Metrorail day pass for $6.50, and he'll have the city to himself. Pick up a Metro Pocket Guide at any Metrorail station for a list of shopping, museums and attractions at each station, or check out the info online.
2006-07-17 14:06:16 · answer #5 · answered by Omar Y. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please see that your cousin has a chance to see the Vietnam Memorial Wall first and for most, after that, a guided tour may be best.
2006-07-16 18:33:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
smithsonian, holocaust.... almost everything in dc u can do
2006-07-16 23:47:34 · answer #7 · answered by evw52293 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋