Has anyone ever been to Washington, D.C.? If so, what do you consider seeing? what hotspots? What to eat?

Answer 1

A few years ago my dad and I road tripped to Washington, D.C. just days after they caught the snipers.

Other then weird road shifts coming into the city and getting an impromptu vanning YUCK!

A great place to stay: You can't beat the in Dupont Circle area with it's beautiful 1880's to the 20th century row house architecture, art galleries (21 art galleries withing spitting distance of each other), book shops, coffee houses, and cafes. We choose the Carlyle Suites. An inexpensive (100-300 relative to other hotels) retro art deco style hotel just off the circle. To save a little cash we opted for a room with a full kitchen and shopped the local markets for fresh produce and snacks.

The metro is within a few minutes and a perk is walking through the circle of Dupont (a medium sized fountain park).

Places to see: I suggest parking the car at the hotel and using other modes of transportation, such as the metro, which is surprisingly fast and clean (1,000x better then the Detroit people mover). Besides all the FREE must-do Smithsonian museums (even the post office). Make it a point to drag a friend through the Spy Museum. We went in on a whim and spent over 3 hrs going through some amazing exhibits (worked 10yrs at an American History one, so I know what I'm talking about). If you don't want to drive or are short on time. A day tour bus ride is well worth the money. You would spend all day trying to get to half the places these guys get to. Seeing George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate (I suggest opting for the headphone narration tour) , whipping through Old Town Alexandria, and witnessing the changing of the guards at Arlington National Cemetery without worrying about traffic or parking made it well worth the expense.

Unique places to eat: Discounting quick bites at hot dog stands, the Hard Rock Cafe, and a landmark $$$ one I can't remember the name of, but it was filled with suits doing "dinner". Our second night saw us out walking around Dupont and coming across The Mount Everest Restaurant, which serves Royal Indian and Nepalese cuisine a true taste of the Himalayas. We ordered two combination meals to test the waters one meat and the other vegetarian. They came to us served on military metal dinner treys! It was a little strange but very good if you like to experiment with unusual fare.

A few nights later, before we left out to visit Jefferson's Monticello. We tried The Marrakesh, which I had secretly been wanting to visit after reading about it in the tour book. It is an traditional Moroccan family feast with each of the 6 courses served on a large central silver platter placed on a tripod stand between 2-3 guests. Everyone is seated on extremely long couch sections divided into large U sections. After washing your hands you are presented with a slice of bread from one of the large baskets dotting the central isle way. You traditionally use a piece of the bread and your right hand to scoop up the food! My favorites were the mint tea and The B'Stella - Layered Pie with Chicken, assorted nuts, almonds, eggs, parsley, and onions. Topped with Confectioners sugar and traced with Cinnamon.

This is a very expensive place, which the tour book didn't go into detail about. They only accept cash and have a well stocked ATM stationed in the back. All told our meal with entertainment came to almost $90.00! Half-way through our meal. Our waiter approached us to ask if we could move down the couch, as he and another server made preparations to removed a wooden bar out of the vacated couch back. A small stage was cleverly made out of the two opposite couch backs and a thick Persian rug in the middle of the room. As the lights dimmed and the music swelled out came a troop of waiters carrying lit sparkler garnished red drinks which were presented to various parties celebrating that night. At the start of the next song out came the belly dancer! We heard mummers of a performance, but no one near us knew what it would be.

My dad still had his camera handy and almost blinded the poor woman as he shot almost a full roll. He took some gently ribbing from the other guests after she finished and we completed our meal.

There are a million things to see, do, and eat! Definitely pace yourself with a little list of places to see each day, as you will get easily sidetracked and never make half the main sights you want to see.

Have a great time!

Kris

Answer 2

We called in advance and got a tour of the capitol from our representative. If you want to go in the Washington monument you need to pick up tickets first thing in the morning. We did the bus ride tour where you can get off and on at each stop. It was great because there is very little public parking. The subway is very expensive for a family to use every day. If you are driving, park at the L'Enfant hotel parking. It is in a decent location and isn't too pricy. Most street parking is only good for a couple of hours and isn't long enough to do much. The Smithsonian museums are great and have no charge. The American History museum is closed currently but some of their most popular items are in the Air and Space Museum. We were just there the beginning of May and the temperature was comfortable and the crowds were already starting. As far as food, we try not to eat in the area because everything is pretty pricey. Make sure you have good walking shoes which are broken in. Last trip my sister's family all got blisters in their new shoes.

Answer 3

I live about 20 minutes from D.C. and when you live here you don't really do the whole touring thing but from the places I have been I'd recommend the White House (if you're into that whole thing), the Capital, The Monument, The Vietnam Veteran Wall, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, the list goes on and on. I haven't been to any of these places in a long time but I know that these are the places most people are interested in seeing when they're in this area. I don't know how long you'll be in the D.C. area but if you can I'd try and make to down to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore there's a lot to do down there, restaurants, lounges, shops, The National Aquarium etc. Ocean City is a couple hours from D.C. and it's beautiful. Have a safe trip!!

Answer 4

Yes it does bother me. I'm glad you brought some attention to this problem. In theory, I find it deplorable. But from a practical viewpoint, I'm not so adamant. I believe there is a certain percentage of people that derive some benefit; many who would not be as likely to get help without the incentive of a quick fix and a miraculous cure. They often, at least initially, don't feel capable or strong enough to engage in something as strenuous as therapy. For many people that are feeling particularly distressed and vulnerable, it offsets their tendency to socially isolate themselves- which can make their problems worse. Whether you believe in the "cure" or not, it provides a structure for more constructive action. William James once said, There is nothing as practical as a theory". And many Christians even with great religious zeal, see the value of psychotherapy and psychotropic medication and will encourage those interventions along with faith. Most clinicians would also agree that a multidimensional, systemic approach gives the best outcomes. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that those types of clinical interactions are not enthusiastically encouraged by the individuals that resort to playing on ones vulnerabilities (e.g. feelings of loneliness) for the primary purpose of gaining converts. It is not only Christians. Almost every cult has some brainwashing technique based on at least initially providing friendship and a sense of belonging. It adds a layer of complication than can discourage many from seeking out the most appropriate help they need sometimes resulting in considerable tragedy. So, I'm not all that upset with your creative "magic marker" intervention. As I read that I had another idea: wouldn't it be great if such posters, "selling a cure", would require the statement "....these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA".

Answer 5

The Dc Night tour through a bus.
the Achrvies are amazing!!!
lincoln Memorial.
Check out "the Mall"
Be sure to go in the Washington Monument building (go early in the morning to get tickets- they sell out fast but it is soo worth it!!!)
Library of Congress was AMAZING!
Walk Around union station--I went to eat here almost every day while on my senior class trip
Otherwise, Theres a place Called "senators" at the "Holiday inn on the Hill" GREAT JERKCHICKEN Sandwich!!!!!
If you get a chance, check out some stuff in Arlington too- you can get there thru the metro (I believe, you may want to check that)
Theres a great play at the Kennedy(?) Thearter Called "Shear Madness" EXTREMELY FUNNY!!!
https://www.shearmadness.com/washington_dc.php
There is soo much to see!!! I could go on and on.

Answer 6

The Capitol, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, and the Smithsonian all are great. The National Zoo is good too. Foodwise, it's a big city, but lots of good places in Georgetown.

Answer 7

see all of the monuments, library of Congress, etc some museums and restaurant I'm not sure Oh and Howard Univ
and GW Univ. If I can remember Go to VA also it's nice there too.

Answer 8

i like the sackler gallery
i like the roosevelt memorial
i like the capitol tour (through your representative)
riding the metro
i like georgetown, the boat ride on the potomac
i love the african, peruvian and belgian food.
i like the nighttime bus tour

but i am a 46 year old female so what i like might be different than you.