im going to washington DC between dec 26 -31 what should i see when im there ?

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 12:05 am

ok guys im going to be in washington between christmas and new years what site should i see and what sites should i just forget about seeing ?
also what are some good places to eat at there that wont kill the old pocket book !
and how are the trains,subways ,bus system -im renting a car but i kinda heard driving around can be a s.o.b. ?
any help and on the old food thing dont tell me mc dees

Fo-Li · Post by **Fo-Li** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 12:17 am

I'll be in DC next week on Wednesday, you should come early and we can hang

blade · Post by **blade** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 12:17 am

I lived in Manassas for about a year and that area is one of the worst in the nation traffic wise. Best thing(for me anyway) is to see is the Smithsonian, particularly the Air and Space Museum. It is far from boring. Not sure if they'll still be working on the Washington Monument or not. You use to could go on tours of the Capitol, not anymore sadly. Actually the best things are just to take pics of the famous places. Lincoln Memorial, etc.. If you have your honey with ya then a walk along the potomac is nice.

I'd stay in places like Fairfax, Manasses, Springfield, etc.. They are all about 10 miles from DC and have lower priced motels. Along with the typical fast food joints. Check our "Fantastic Fritzbees Flying Food Factory" in Farifax. If it's still there anyway. Very fun place, not cheap though but you'll never forget it.

glassoftea · Post by **glassoftea** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 12:23 am

Ren,

You have to use the subway, it's the best way to really get around. There are a couple of really good parking spots like the Veterans affairs building just north of the Whitehouse on the weekends but during the week it’s impossible to park anywhere. I don't remember the stop but there is one on the subway system that drops you off at the corner of that building and from there you can walk down to the Whitehouse and just a few blocks south you have the mall. On the mall you can see the Washington monument, the Lincoln memorial, the Vietnam wall, the Korean War monument and the reflection pool of course. You can see all of these in a couple of hours with a really nice walk in between. You won't be able to get too close to the Whitehouse but can still see it from Pennsylvania Avenue. Of course there are about a billion other things to see right in that area like one of the Smithsonian buildings and lots more.

Don't know about the eating, I usually just find a nice outdoor place but in Dec you won't find too many of them still serving outdoors. The hotdog vendors will still be there though!

Enjoy, hope this helped.

glass

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 12:35 am

im staying at the Residence Inn Arlington - Pentagon City
and blade wife and daughter will be with me

baffled2 · Post by **baffled2** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 1:15 am

my good friend Art lives down there,uber geek !! I should hook you guys up,I'm sure he'd give you the tour !

Rooster · Post by **Rooster** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 2:43 am

Reno, you might as well stay home! But if you do go you'll see the the same thing you see at your house! SNOW
J/K Have fun

Lmandrake · Post by **Lmandrake** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 8:59 am

Snow in D.C.? Not likely.

Stuff you MUST see:

Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington Monument
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (see the Imax, skip the planetarium)
Smithsonian Museum of American History
National Art Gallery
Union Station
National Cathedral
National Zoo (if you feel the Pandas are obligatory - we also have some new tiger cubs)
Arlington Cemetary

Cool/Fun Places to shop or check out
Old Town Alexandria
Georgetown
Adams-Morgan (shops, clubs, bars)
Pentagon City Mall
Capitol Hill (daylight only, thank you)

Optional/cool things no Tourist ever goes to:
Philips Collection (small art museum with great collection)
National Postal Museum (more fun than it sounds)
National Building Museum
National Portrait Gallery
Navy Memorial
Library of Congress
CNN Newseum

You will be staying right on a Metro (subway) line. In fact, if you are coming into National Airport, you can take the Metro to Pentagon City from there - it is a short trip.
With a few exceptions you can see/go anywhere you want on the Metro. Do not drive if you can avoid it, traffic is horrible and parking is worse.

Web sites you MUST check out:

http://www.washingtonian.com (great restaurant guide - including cheap eats)
http://www.wmata.com (subway web site - surprisingly excellent)

Stuff to Avoid:

Never sit down in a D.C. restaurant without checking the prices first. There are a number of places that cater solely to those who only eat on big dollar expense accounts. Excellent but pricey..
Cab Rides: Virginia cabbies like to make big dollars on trips into the city. D.C. cabs do not have meters and use a confusing zone map system. Even residents are frequently not sure what the fare should be.

I live and work in D.C. so email me with any questions you have or ways I can help...

vwkess · Post by **vwkess** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 1:29 pm

Yeah, the metro is an excellent way of getting around. Be sure to check out Nexus Gold Club for some entertainment

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 4:29 pm

baltimore aquarium and baltimore inner harbor only about an hour 15 away non rush hr

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Fri Nov 16, 2001 6:14 pm

thanks guys doing a complete print out right now