I certainly wouldn’t mess with my own car for that spot. Uber and Metro are both easy ways to get around. I always take out of town folks to the national archives. It is often overlooked, but there’s something about seeing the real constitution and Declaration of Independence. They have other really great historical letters and other artifacts as well.
Old town Alexandria is lovely, but you are so close to Georgetown—if you want a charming cobblestone walk that should also do the trick.
More Georgetown than Dupont Circle. We're staying at the Embassy Suites near Georgetown (22nd and N). The actual name on the Hilton website is Embassy Suites Washington DC Georgetown.
I've stayed at this hotel a bunch of times for work trips. On 22d and M there's a Starbucks, along with the CVS a PP mentioned (plus a Walgreens right across the street so take your pick). It's also not far from the Foggy Bottom Whole Foods, and the rooms have mini- fridges and microwaves in case you want to stock up (though they do the free breakfast thing too). Plus, it's ~quiet~.
Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown has pretty gardens if your parents are into that and you want a break from indoor museums - usually April would be a safe bet for lots of flowers but the series of snowstorms lately may have affected that. The Newseum is also worth checking out.
I also like to do the Hop On Hop Off bus on my first day in a new city. It's an easy way for me to aquaint myself and plan what I want to do the next day. The busses in DC are all similar, my Mom dropped us off at a main part of town and we just picked the next available bus.
The Bureau of Engraving was really cool (where they print the money). Make an appointment for a tour!! If you go there, an easy walk across the street to the Dept of Agriculture building, they have an awesome food court, it was the least expensive meal that we ate the whole trip!
Another vote for Old Ebbit Grill. We went for breakfast and then another day for dinner. Both meals were great. Make sure to go downstairs to the bathroom, I loved seeing all the old newspapers hanging on the walls, it was very "old D.C."
The Library of Congress was beautiful and they had the BEST GIFT SHOP. Seriously. If you like to read, it's a must.
Near the White House, there's a hotel called the Willard Intercontinental. There's a restaurant called Café du Parc, it's a great place to have a glass of wine and get some great people watching if you sit outside. All of the Hop On busses stop right there (because it's near the White House) so we ended up going there several times. It was easy for my parents, and my kids. Wine and ice cream, afternoon delight, lol
When I went we did DC Trails. Check Groupon, we got an awesome deal. We did it one day with them and rode the bus all the way thru the route to get a feel of where everything was. Then we went around again and started hopping on and off. The next days we were able to plan our days and figure out where we wanted to spend more time, etc..
I loved the night monument tour, but the pace of the one we took was almost frantic. There was actual running involved. DH has cardiac issues and missed a couple of stops because he couldn't keep up. I'd ask about this if your parents are older.
Post by irishbride2 on Mar 12, 2018 5:17:48 GMT -5
I take 80 8th graders every year.
Definitely do the memorials at night. My favorites are the Korean and the view from the Lincoln. Also MLK. Tomb of the unknown soldier Newseum Holocuast Museum
Those are my personal must sees.
If you have time, see what is happening at the Kennedy Center. I also really enjoy the Folger Shakespeare library. The library of Congress is worth popping in to just to see the ceiling. It’s beautiful.
In terms of Smithsonians, it really depends on your interests. The Portrait Gallery is often overlooked but it’s fabulous.
I personally find the tour of the Capitol to be painfully boring....and I love history and politics. Maybe I’ve just been on it too many times lol.
Oh my goodness, these are so awesome! Essentially all of us (except for my dad) are history and museum nerds, but I know he will end up enjoying everywhere we go. I know he would for sure enjoy the Air & Space Museum (as would my H) so that's definitely on the must-see list.
We'll be checking into our room on a Sunday at around 3pm, so what I would like to suggest we do is kind of bum around our neighborhood or rest from the day of travel, and then take the nighttime monument/memorial tour so we can see everything, plus learn the lay of the land a little, and then we can hop off the bus during the week to take our time at each one.
Post by gerberdaisy on Mar 12, 2018 13:17:27 GMT -5
Definitely go to the African American history museum and have lunch there. I went to the museum last fall (got tickets that morning online), but had to leave early to meet a friend for lunch. My mom stayed and just raved about it.