I skimmed the other threads and couldn't find any info on this. We're going to D.C. for the first time on Wednesday. I was wondering, for those that have been, what's the best way to get around to all the memorials, museums, etc.? i was thinking about touring the museums during the day and memorials at night (i heard that's when they're at their best)

We're staying in Falls Church about 15 min outside of D.C., so we're definitely going to take the metro into the city. but once we're there, is the best way to walk, take the metro some more, what? I've found some bike tours and trolley hop on hop off tours that look pretty interesting but of course they cost some $$.

anyone ever tried any of these tours or should we just walk? we need some help. the date is fast approaching. thanks!

3/30/2009 6:40:51 PM

If the weather is nice, walk! You will find so much about the city just walking; a museum that wasn't on your list or a nice restaurant to grab some lunch (Insert plug for my old mans place here). Never been on the trolley but it should work.

Where is Falls Church are you staying?

3/30/2009 6:48:22 PM

watch out for thugs

3/30/2009 6:49:01 PM

yeah if you take a metro to the mall, everything is pretty close.

i don't know exactly what you're interested in, but there's way more than you could hope to do in one trip within a mile or two of the mall.

one thing that's a little out of the way that you'd need to take a car to is the new dulles airport air and space museum thing if you're into airplanes. (this: http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/)

[Edited on March 30, 2009 at 6:57 PM. Reason : .]

3/30/2009 6:57:00 PM

^^i'm staying at homestead suites by hilton in falls church. it seems pretty nice. got some good reviews

me and my brother kinda wanted to do some segways but my mom and dad weren't down for the idea. plus it's a little pricey

i'm still unsure about the holocaust museum also. it seems cool but very overcrowded. thoughts? also has anyone ever done mt. vernon? we were considering that our last day.

3/30/2009 7:27:17 PM

^^^this kid must live a sheltered, pathetic life

second taking the metro and walking. pretty much everything you want to see tourist-wise is around the mall and within walking distance of each other.

[Edited on March 30, 2009 at 7:37 PM. Reason : .]

3/30/2009 7:28:09 PM

we were just up this past weekend, as the cherry blossom festival starts to ramp up.

prepare for hell in terms of number of people. the holocaust museum is a nightmare and if you want to go up the washington monument, get the tix a day ahead. metro is definitely the best way to get anywhere. beats walking at times, unless you just want to kill your feet. buy a day pass for 7.80 and you'll do well.

\/ when i say nightmare, i meant in terms of the number people they let in per square foot in the main exhibit...too crowded in spots...other than that it's one of the better museums there.

[Edited on March 30, 2009 at 7:58 PM. Reason : ]

3/30/2009 7:45:47 PM

I quite enjoyed the holocaust museum, even though it's rather heavy and intense; I'd go again, but not at the expense of something else I wanted to do.

As far as getting around DC...uhm, walk, or metro. I didn't realize this was that hard. You have to remember that even if you don't know ahead of time what mode of transportation you'll choose, it's an incredibly tourist-friendly city, so no matter how you choose to get around, you'll be fine.

I'm going up on the 10th. I think I've managed to make it to DC every year since 2005

[Edited on March 30, 2009 at 7:47 PM. Reason : sdfg]

3/30/2009 7:46:40 PM

We always walked and we went as little kids. Not a big deal at all. You can also take the metro which is neat, especially as a kid. heh

We went to the Holocaust museum on a weekday and it was completely empty.

I recommend National Arlington Cemetery, it's a very humbling place. Go to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, watch the changing of the wreath, go see the eternal flame... go say hi to my grandpa for me, watch a funeral from the sidelines....the 21 gun salute, the bagpipes....that shit is powerful.

The Air and Space museum is awesome. If you like art go to the Smithsonian as well.

Just my two cents even if it doesn't answer your exact question...

3/30/2009 8:32:32 PM

walk, and the metro is easy almost no matter where you want to go in the city. check out the Dupont circle area near P street for good sushi & nightlife. library of congress is the best thing to visit if you're actually near capitol hill.

[Edited on March 30, 2009 at 9:06 PM. Reason : .]

3/30/2009 9:05:53 PM

Quote :

"the metro is easy almost no matter where you want to go in the city."

Except Georgetown. Take a cab to that shizz.

3/30/2009 9:29:09 PM

^^ we were thinking about taking the metro to georgetown to go to Mr. Smith's piano bar. how would a taxi be better? does the metro just not run near georgetown? just curious

3/30/2009 9:48:29 PM

No metro to Gtown. Cab is the only way.

I mean, you can get off at Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom and walk to it but that's a long walk.

3/30/2009 10:00:05 PM

Quote :

"If you like art go to the Smithsonian as well. "

do you mean the national gallery?

3/31/2009 7:48:38 AM

If you are like me, make sure you go to the archives and see the constitution, the magna carta, and all the other old documents. You are literally observing the creation of the US. The buildings are OK and attract the most tourists because most dont even know its there. You wouldnt believe how many people think that stuff is in Philly.

3/31/2009 8:17:46 AM

The museums close earlier than they used to. Keep this in mind if you are trying to get a bunch of them in during one day.

3/31/2009 8:42:25 AM

the folk art museum is pretty cool if you are into that kind of thing

3/31/2009 9:30:19 AM

3/31/2009 10:42:59 AM

Quote :

"I mean, you can get off at Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom and walk to it but that's a long walk."

lol it's like a 10 minute walk

i do it drunk ALL the time

3/31/2009 10:44:45 AM

^ walks not too bad unless its below zero walking across key bridge. shit was cold in the morning

3/31/2009 11:42:37 AM

try being drunk and accidentally walking the wrong way toward MD thinking you're walking toward foggy bottom

raise your hand if you've done that

*raises hand*

i only realized it once i walked like half a mile and realized the canal was on my right and georgetown was behind me

3/31/2009 1:34:53 PM

make sure to wear good shoes for walking.

3/31/2009 2:16:05 PM

Might I suggest the ghoul mask and the Lincoln Repeater?

3/31/2009 2:23:34 PM

bump

3/29/2011 9:52:03 AM

Happy to help if whoever bumped this has questions.... Just shoot me a PM

3/29/2011 10:02:29 AM

^sent PM

for the rest of you:

i'm having a really hard time finding OVERNIGHT parking in dc. the hotel wants to charge us $48/night. no. does anybody know of a good website that will restrict results to just overnight/24hr parking instead of me having to weed through alllllllllllll of them to look at hours?

we're staying at the jw marriott & want to park nearby.
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20004

i'm parking at my brother's gf's house, but my dad wants to park very near the hotel. i know he could park somewhere out in bfe & take at train in or whatever, but that's not what he wants/is going to do.

thank youuuuuuuu

3/29/2011 10:11:10 AM