We are traveling to Wash DC and several of us are over 65 yrs old. At least one has difficulty walking for extended periods. Are there any suggestions for sightseeing taking this into consideration? And what about the recent reports of attacks on tourists?
2006-09-03 10:30:15 · 5 answers · asked by Bill M 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
First of all, they caught the guys who were attacking tourists...since then there have been no incidents on the mall.
Second, since I have problems walking distances, here's what I'd recommend. It's called The Old Town Trolley, and it normally costs $32. Here's a web page where it costs $28, and it tells you all about the trolley. It's a narrated tour, and you can get on and off as you wish with no penalty. The website tells you all. http://shophta.com/acb/stores/15/product1.asp?SID=15&Product_ID=52&kc=y
It you want to take the Metro, you can get off at the Smithsonian Station, and you will be a short walk from the Museums. Here's a Metro Map http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm. You can click on the stations for more information. Here's a map of the mall from the Smithsonian station http://www.stationmasters.com/System_Map/FEDTRIAN/fedtrian.html
When you get tired, stop into the cafeterias in either the Air and Space Museum, or the National Gallery of Art. Have a great trip!
2006-09-03 10:43:04 · answer #1 · answered by Bobbie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry about those reports--that's all been taken care of. It's a wonderful city to visit, and I'm sure you will have a great time. I feel safer with my daughter, who interned there, walking at home in the evening there than on campus here! The police are just everywhere!
There is a LOT of walking,I am afraid, though. You might want to do one of the tourbuses, and then come back to the places you want to spend more time at. Or, you could do cabs, but that can be expensive. The subway system is wonderful, but there is still some walking involved as they aren't right next to most attractions. Arlington has a nice tour bus, also.
You have to remember that most of the buildings were built way back when they didn't consider making things handicapped accessible. Now we know better.
Have fun with your friends! Think of all the famous Americans who will have walk the same hallways as you as you visit those historical buildings!
2006-09-05 00:59:36 · answer #2 · answered by poppet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can rent a tour bus, I think it's tourwashington.com, or something like that and they will chaffeur you around and let you see all the sites and whatnot down here. I would suggest the Segway tours but I'm not sure if that;s the route you wanna go. the tour bus thing is the best way to see the town.
as far as the attacks go? don't wander past midnight, stay in well populated areas and keep your belongings close. can't guarantee you won't be mugged or something but most people who come here often visit the white house or the museums or things like that. assume that if there are any hoodlums around, they'll be near those areas. ANd what ever you do, stay the hell away from northeast DC. just stay away.
2006-09-03 17:39:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just to clarify, they are not closing the entire smithsonian museums for 2 years, just the American History Museum. Still plenty of museums to see.
2006-09-03 22:52:22 · answer #4 · answered by randa777 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Via an internet site.
But seriously, they're closing the Smithonian soon for 2 years.
2006-09-03 17:35:45 · answer #5 · answered by PJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋