Whats some good places to see at Washington D.C. besides the monuments?

Answer 1

A few places not to miss...

- Dupont Circle (Dupont Metro) - Great Shopping and outstanding eats (also good club scene)

- Smithsonians (Smithsonian Metro) - Considered some of the best collections in the world. The Air and Space Muesum on the mall has boosted for some years now as being the most visited museum in possibly the world. If you are a fan of the one downtown, definately hop the free shuttle to the one out in Dulles (you can catch it from downtown) or ride out to the one at College Park.

- The International Spy Muesum (Metro Center Metro)- The US has often considered itself to be a leader in intelligence gathering, this museum will show you the orgins of spying, tools of the trade, and even teach you a few tricks of your own.

- The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (the BEP) Tour (L'Enfant Plaza Metro) - Watch them make money... and then destroy old money... And its free!

- The National Holocaust Muesum (L'Enfant Plaza Metro) - Really a sobering look at the period, but intertwined with hope for the future.

- U Street & 14th Street (U Street-Cardonza Metro)- A currently genetrifying and revitalizing historically black neighbor which has become home to some great coffee houses and art scene.

- Ben's Chili Bowl (U Street Cardonza Metro)- This historic resturant, great food and has been voted Best Bargain in town for years. How can you beat $5 for the best chili you've ever eaten (especially in this town).

- Mount Veron and Old Town Alexandria (Old Town Alexandria Metro) - The shopping in Old Town is wonderful and Mount Veron has some great history, they even just recently reopened the distillery nearby.

- The National Zoo (Adams Morgan Metro) - One of the few places in the country you can see Giant Pandas.

- Ford Theater/Kennedy Center/Shakespeare Theater... etc (Various) - There is a small but blossoming theater scene in DC. I recommend a trip to TicketPlace (sponsored by the Culture Alliance of Greater Washington) over on 7th Street NW (across from the Shakespeare Theater). Usually you can get short term advanced tickets or day of for like 50% to 75% off the regular price.

- The National Catherdal (Tenleytown - AU Metro and then a 30 bus toward downtown) - Breathtaking and very interesting history

- Downtown Silver Spring (Silver Spring Metro) - Good Shopping, Great Eats, and a good place for some down time away from downtown

- Catch a Ball Game at RFK (Stadium - Armory Metro) - DC finally has its own baseball team again. While they aren't the best team in the league they are definately fun to watch. Likewise the Major League Soccer team, DC United plays at RFK, and they are exceptionally good.

- The Bodies Exhibit (Rosslyn Metro) - Not sure how much longer it will be there (supposedly end of October is its closing date) but definately neat and well traveled show. It exhibits the structures of the body and how they move and work together.

- The National Aquarium in DC (Federal Triangle Metro) - It has been largely improved over the last few years now that the National Aquarium in Baltimore took over the site.

- Six Flags America (Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metro) - Your relatively standard Six Flags amusement Park

- Georgetown (Foggy Bottom - GWU Metro) - Pricey shopping district with decent eats... but expect to pay for the name... often VERY crowded in the evenings.

- Arlington Cemetery (Arlington Cemetery Metro) - Sobering look at the history of our country. Lately they have been closing off sections of the cemetery in early mornings for burials for troops from Iraq. I recommend the Tourmobile tour, it drops you off at the important sites to see in the cemetery (the Kennedy graves, the tomb of the unknown and several other spots) and tells you the history of some of the lesser known permanent residents in the cemetery. It is also nice to beat the heat by riding. But definitely catch the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown, its moving and touching.

- Union Station (Union Station Metro) - Great architecture and a place to grab a quick bite and shopping.

- The Library of Congress (Capitol South Metro) - Stop by the Madison Building with a government issued photo id and get your own library ID from the LOC - it makes a great free momento. Also with a library ID you can go across the street to the Main Library and enter through the member door and bypass tourists waiting for tours in the heat.

- The National Archives (National Archives-Portrait Gallery Metro) - See the most important founding documents of the country such as the Constitution and Bill of Rights

- The Portrait Gallery (National Archives-Portrait Gallery) - After several years of major renovations the Portrait Gallery reopened last year with much anticipation and a much improved layout.

- The MCI-Verizon Center (MCI-Verizon Center/Chinatown Metro) - Look on Ticketmaster to see what is currently going on at the MCI Center. In the fall and winter you can catch the Capitols Hockey Team and Washington Wizards Basketball Team playing their home games here.

- Chinatown (MCI-Verizon Center/Chinatown Metro) - Not much like Chinatown in San Fransico or New York, but still its our take on it. It is very upscaled and has little in common with the other chinatowns in the US except the number of Chinese Resturants and signs in Chinese. You can find a few street vendors here, but not many bargains.

- Friendship Heights (Friendship Heights Metro) - Good shopping and food. It's sort of a traditional downtown feeling way out in Washington's Northwest.

- Congress/Capitol Hill (Union Station Metro for Senate Side and Capitol South Metro for House Side) - Call your member of Congress in advance (as far in advance as possible) to schedule a private tour of the Capitol Building and White House.

- Supreme Court (Union Station or Capitol South Metro) - Located between the Office Buildings of the Senate and House, across from the future Capitol Vistior's Center, daily tours are offered. A pretty cool tour and an interesting part of history.

- Eastern Market (Eastern Market Metro) - Although there was recently a fire in the oldest part of the market, much of the rest of the market is still there. It is the oldest farmers market in the country and was the brainchild of the founding fathers to encourage agriculture in the early country. Look for a good deal here and you will find one, but be prepare to haggle.

- The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic University of America (CUA)-Brookland Metro) - A beautiful and breath taking basilica honoring Mary. It sits just feet from the Catholic University Campus. The Catacombs are also neat.

- The Sculpture Garden (Smithsonian Metro) - In the winter there is a great skating pond here. In the summer you can take in some of the most interesting and American sculptures in the country.

- Memorials - VietNam, WWII, Korean, Jefferson, FDR, Madison, Washington, Lincoln and Iwo Jima (in Rosslyn)

Answer 2

D.C. is lovely. The National Cathedral is beautiful and worth seeing, the zoo is lovely, the mall is nice, the Smithsonian's are a two/three day adventure, all of the memorials, the Potomac River. It is second only (in the U.S.) to NYC in the number of theater seats and holds wonderful performances, many are free, the Georgetown area is lovely as is the Cleveland Park area. The Library of Congress is a must see, don't forget Arlington National Cemetery, Union Station is quite nice with all of the shops and restaurants. Mount Vernon is not far, and before I run out of idea's Old Town Alexandria is nice. Hope this helps. Can't possibly take it all in a week, but have family that lives there and have been many times, Summer, spring, winter and fall. Every season is unique and beautiful in my opinion.
Have fun!

Answer 3

The Metro nearest Old Town Alexandria is the King Street Metro (Blue and Yellow lines). There are also minicruises on the Potomac that are a lot of fun and a daily water taxi to and from Mount Vernon.

Adams Morgan, where I live, is a diverse nightspot, but it can get dicey late at night, so be careful. I will say that the best falafel in town is at Amsterdam Falafelshop on 18th Street in Adams Morgan.

Answer 4

Smithsonian Museums...
Arlington National Cemetary is a beautiful place, it is a good way to spend a morning...
The Zoo is a fun place, but be prepared for a lot of walking
Walking or taking a bus tour of Embassy Row is nice
I suggest walking around Dupont Circle one afternoon or evening, it has some cool shops and places to eat.

Answer 5

There is an amazing place called Haine's Point that is a must. It has a giant coming out of the ground. Hard to explain but really cool. Also, a walk through Georgetown is a must and all of the Smithsonian museums are awesome.

Answer 6

Not to miss the National Geographic Society building/museum.

The flight museum also. The US Mint.

Georgetown, neat little place with lots of action, food, shopping.

A sobering stroll through Arlington National Cemetary is also nice.

I almost ofrgot the best place: The Smithsonian is not to be missed.

Have fun

Answer 7

Lots of good answers. I would suggest a trip to Manassass o see the battlefield. When you see the cannons a how close the battle took place and the actions of the 11th New York Zouaves. Wow

Answer 8

Georgetown is a nice preppy area with lots of hot spots on the water for cocktails and nice restaurants.....also lots of great shopping. Walking distance to white house and other tourist attractions. But invest in a decent map...it gets confusing...don't drive...they smell your fear around there and drivers very aggressive. Stay out of the south part of town!!

Answer 9

Aerospace museum, Jefferson Memorial

Answer 10

Looks like people gave you a lot of good suggestions. I didn't see anyone mention the Arboretum though. This is a very cool place if your into trees/gardening/outdoor stuff. There is also a world class bonsai garden and koy pond there.

Answer 11

George W. Bush