A day off in Washington DC.
It looks like I have a day off from my trip to Washington DC. I wasnt prepared for this so I haven't done any planning.
I am staying just outside in a place called Reston. How do I get in to the city, Metro or drive? What should I see? What order should I see them in? Any other tips. Appreciate any help, so busy packing and sorting work things out enabling me to squeeze in this day. Many thanks. |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Originally Posted by Lamin
(Post 9889653)
It looks like I have a day off from my trip to Washington DC. I wasnt prepared for this so I haven't done any planning.
I am staying just outside in a place called Reston. How do I get in to the city, Metro or drive? What should I see? What order should I see them in? Any other tips. If you have time, get a cab out to Georgetown or Adams Morgan and walk around to get a better sense for the city. If you have even more time, my absolute favorite thing in the Washington area is Mount Vernon. This is half a day, so it's probably out. If you do head out that way, be sure to check out Old Town Alexandria which is one of my favorite urban neighborhoods. One other tip, if you're a complete airplane nerd like me, the Udvar-Hazy annex at Dulles is really impressive and worth a stop. They have a Space Shuttle, a Dornier DO335 (the only surviving example of the coolest plane of WW2), the Enola Gay and an SR71. |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Driving in DC and parking is a real pain so use public transportation if you can. There's a bus (#505) from Reston Town Center to West Falls Church Metro station. From there you can take the Metro into DC.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/routes/505.htm The Smithsonian museums are free. The National Air & Space Museum and the National Museum of American History are my favs. It's also great just to walk the Mall to see the Capitol Building, Washington Monument, White House, WW2 Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial and Lincoln Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery is also worth a visit. Walk up the hill past the Kennedy graves to Arlington (Robert E. Lee) House. Great views from up there on a clear day. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pftqg/3009197403/ |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
If you haven't been to DC, I'd recommend heading in (via the good instructions by MarylandNed) and then just hiking around 'the Mall'. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, you'll have museums all over (free) and many famous monuments like the Washington, Jefferson, Vietnam, etc. You can see the White House and check out some of the Smithsonian Museums.
Air and Space is on the top of most lists. In the main atrium there is a small kiosk where you can actually touch a moon rock brought back by the Apollo crews. I also recommend checking out the Apollo moon gallery, the Carrier Aviation, World War I and World II galleries as well. American History is quite interesting too. Natural History has some neat stuff. Be sure to check out the 'Gem Room' which has hundreds of millions in diamonds and other expensive jewels. Plenty of art galleries as well. Georgetown is a walkable area filled with many restaurants and shops, along with some older and famous houses. My personal favorite place to eat is called "The Tombs" which is in a basement near the Georgetown campus. It's a student place, but draws in quite a mixed crowd (Clinton used to go there when he was a student). I also like it because just across the street is the house where they filmed the movie the Exorcist, complete with the 'stairs' that played a large role in the movie. Just go before nighttime when it is 100% student insanity. Adams Morgan and U Street are other neighborhoods, a bit more eclectic with some wide variety. Driving is a pain, but if you must just go in and park the car 'for the day'. Then move around using metro or buses or just plain walking. Rush hour in and out of the city is quite annoying, so if you aren't in a hurry you could head in a bit later or so, or just take the subway from Falls Church. Enjoy. |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Originally Posted by MarylandNed
(Post 9889813)
Arlington National Cemetery is also worth a visit. Walk up the hill past the Kennedy graves to Arlington (Robert E. Lee) House. Great views from up there on a clear day. |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Originally Posted by Nutmegger
(Post 9890710)
Originally Posted by MarylandNed
(Post 9889813)
Arlington National Cemetery is also worth a visit. Walk up the hill past the Kennedy graves to Arlington (Robert E. Lee) House. Great views from up there on a clear day.
I love walking and have walked quite a few times from the US Capitol along the Mall (stopping to check out attractions along the way) over the Arlington Memorial Bridge through Arlington Cemetery up to Arlington House. It's a great walk. |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Originally Posted by Scouse Express
(Post 9890940)
Sorry My Friend,
My detailed response to you concerning Gettysburg and what to do there was deleted by a Moderator. I guess that the Moderators do not want anyone with Tourism Experience providing their input into this subject.:thumbdown: Jim (Coach Driver) |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Originally Posted by MarylandNed
(Post 9891005)
Your Gettysburg response is still there on the OP's other thread.
Oh Crap! I didn't realise that another thread had been posted. Should have just left it on one. Sorry Mods.:o Jim. |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Originally Posted by Lamin
(Post 9889653)
It looks like I have a day off from my trip to Washington DC. I wasnt prepared for this so I haven't done any planning.
I am staying just outside in a place called Reston. How do I get in to the city, Metro or drive? What should I see? What order should I see them in? Any other tips. Appreciate any help, so busy packing and sorting work things out enabling me to squeeze in this day. Many thanks. In terms of eating, the cafe within the National Museum of the American is very good if you're hitting the Smithsonian collections. If you're in the middle, I'd probably eat either at a staple such as DC Coast (seafood) or Georgia Brown's (Southern) or a good Ethiopian around the U Street area. Drinking is best done at Martin's Tavern in Georgetown, Brasserie Beck on K Street or somewhere around Dupont Circle. |
Re: A day off in Washington DC.
Too late now, but you should definitely try Jacksons in Reston for a good beer and great food.
I have always found that driving down to DC at night is a good option.....the monuments are spectacular when lit up at night and the traffic is fine. Air and SPace museum at Dulles is awesome. Walking down DC is great on a good day....very walkable and the views from the Mall are fantastic (except the Reflecting Pool still looks like a building site - which it is right now until Spring 2012!). |
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