My husband and I are in the process of planning a mini-vacation to Washington D.C. in either late February or early March. We are planning for about 5 days/6nights and just wanted to know if anyone had any advice of must see attractions and/or hotels that are reasonably priced as well as somewhat close to points of interest. We want a decent hotel but it's really mostly just going to be a place to sleep. Any information, links, or personal experiences are much appreciated as this will be our first time visiting!
Serious answers only please, thanks in advance!
2006-09-12 05:45:08 · 9 answers · asked by jmp572 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
Check out the washington post city guide at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/?nav=globetop You can get the latest info on exhibits, festivals, restaurants, shows and other happenings. Be sure and check out the "visitors guide" section - click on the link in the middle part of the page listed above.
As a 10 year DC resident - here are my favorites (all of which are cheap or free):
- See a show at the kennedy center http://www.kennedy-center.org/ If you can't afford the pricey tickets - the center also puts on GREAT free performances every day at 6pm, for the latest schedule visit http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/schedule.html
- Want a great view of the city but don't want to wait in long lines for the washington monument - ride to the top of the old post office pavilian for a spectacular view. The FREE tour is also fun. http://oldpostofficedc.com/
- The Phillips Collection is a great museum - a bit "off the beaten path" for most tourists. http://www.phillipscollection.org/ It's located in the safe and historic neighborhood known as "Dupont Circle." It's worth at least a 1/2 day -- then browse at books and have lunch at the famous Afterwords/ Kramerbooks Bookstore and Cafe. http://kramers.com/
2006-09-12 15:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by ALLaboutDC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's best to try to stay near a Metro (the mass-transit rail in DC). I stayed in Old Town Alexandria at the Embassy Suites. However there are less expensive hotels near by. The Metro is helpful because you can travel all over DC and don't have to worry about parking (which is a pain). Must sees are: The Smithsonian, Viet Nam Vet Memorial, the Capitol, the White House, the Senate Chamber, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial. One place I would highly suggest seeing at night is the Korea Memorial. There are statues that represent a battalion of soldiers walking in a field. The faces are indescribable. They are lit at night and look like ghosts, it is very emotional. The entire reflecting pond area is beautiful day or night. It's a wonderful city with great restaurants and wonderful history. By the way, Old Town Alexandria (Virginia) is right outside of DC, it's a beautiful quaint area with shopping, restaurants, bistros and art stores. It's a great place to stay.
2006-09-12 05:54:46 · answer #2 · answered by i have no idea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Washington is a beautiful city with many wonderful things to see and do. Re: hotels, select something that is walking distance to a metro; preferably on the red line [near many attractions] in the NW quadrant. If you don't mind being a bit further removed from the down town areas, you can also check out hotels in Bethesda MD [red line] or Arlington, Virginia [ orange/blue lines] which might have better prices available. Check out sidestep.com and hotwire which can have some good discounts.
Devote at least two days to the Smithsonian museums and monuments. They are generally located on a long central area between the capital, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The monuments are especially beautiful at night. If the weather is nice, take a bike tour -- you'll get around much faster -- Bikethesites offers many types of tours. Other fun museums are the Renwick (Amercian crafts), Building Museum, and Spy Museum. Also very interesting are Hillwood (faberge eggs and Marjory Merriweather Post' art collection) and the Kreeger (modern art interesting setting). Dumbarton Oaks in Gergetown has great gardens and a formidable colllection of Byzantine art.
For day trips check out Annapolis for a quaint town with lots of history. Combine a trip to Old Town Alexandria with a visit to Mount Vernon, home of George Washington. Old Town has great shops including an arts center housed in a former Torpedo factory (the Torpedo Factory).
Neigborhood Walks: check out Georgetown (Thomas Sweets for ice cream; Balduccis for gourmet sandwiches) Dupont Circle (walk around the neighborhhoods; down Q st, along 16th st. for some beautiful historic architecture).
For entertainment, check out the Kennedy Center, they have free performances every night at about 6 or 6:30 on their millenium stage. For other discount theater tickets, check out Ticketplace.org. The Washington Post has an arts and entertainment section that can give you great info on restaurants and exhibits and activities for while you are in town.
Have fun, DC is great place to visit!
2006-09-12 09:00:42 · answer #3 · answered by Orb 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We really need to know more about what your interests are. There are a ton of things to see in D.C., many of them for free. you could spend the entire vacation in the Smithsonian museums, and not see them all. There are some great exhibits in the National Gallery of Art. Nearby, there is the National Archives, if you're interested in historic documents. The Library of Congress has lots to see. Your congressman can arrange tours of the White House, and probably of the Capitol, as well.
If you're an art buff, there are several private collections. I like the Phillips and the Corcoran. If you like the performing arts, there is an excellent Shakespeare theatre, plus the Folger Shakespeare library. There are always plays and concerts going on at the Kennedy Center. there is excellent jazz at Blues Alley, and other clubs, as well. the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, has BlueGrass and other performances weekly.
Restaurants of all types are everywhere. Message me with your preferences, and I'll tell you my favorites.
Hotels are expensive, so you need to look for specials and use the internet's resources. If you're looking for charming, I'd recommend the Tabard Inn.
2006-09-12 05:55:44 · answer #4 · answered by Dave 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The inn Harrington is an older inn that used to have rather solid costs, and an exceedingly handy downtown region. Arlington, VA was once a solid place to hit upon cheaper value hotels, nevertheless i've got not regarded those days. make sure they're close to the Orange line (examine if the cyber web internet site provides Metro guidelines). Silver Spring, MD and Bethesda, MD, used to have some solid costs too, however the final couple of circumstances I stayed there i became form of taken aback on the fees.
2016-10-14 22:21:47 · answer #5 · answered by ranford 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also try to get tickets for attractions from your Senator/Rep. For example our House Rep's office arranges tickets for these attractions:
White House,
the U.S. Capitol,
the Bureau of Engraving & Printing,
the Supreme Court,
the National Archives,
the Library of Congress,
and the Kennedy Center
2006-09-12 06:02:09 · answer #6 · answered by jasmine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fords Theater. It's creepy cool. Also the house where Lincoln was taken and later died is interesting.
2006-09-12 05:47:11 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
be prepared to walk for about 2-3miles/day
2006-09-13 04:05:43 · answer #8 · answered by Trans Atlantic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question
2006-09-12 05:46:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋