weekend in dc

StlKT · 02-11-2008, 02:10 PM

Hubby and i just booked a last minute getaway to washington dc this weekend. He's never seen any sites there other than the aviation museum out by the airport, and i havn't been there since i was little. We're going fri-mon, so we have 2 full days. Just wondering if any of you have any good information about where to go or where to eat, or any tips in general. We'll obviously go to the air and space museum. I saw a show on tv about a spy museum that looks neat, has anyone been there? Thanks.

katbuad · 02-11-2008, 02:33 PM

So jealous. We had a weekend planned in DC that just didn't work out. The Smithsonian(s) were high on our to see list. Also the Zoo.

Haven't been since I was in high school, so would love to read what you think was great when you get back. DC is still on our travel list.

Amanda · 02-11-2008, 07:12 PM

Nick used to fly out of IAD and we went to the air and space museum (of course!).

I've been to DC many times when I was younger to see the Smithsonian, Washington Monument, White House, etc- all of the tourist-y places!
I'm sure there is plenty of info you can find online too! I like to use Trip Advisor.

I'm sure you already know thins, but the East Coast has been experiencing colder than "normal" temps so dress warmly!

Rebes · 02-11-2008, 07:20 PM

Where will you be staying? I live in Virginia, about 15 miles from the city. All the Smithsonian museums are free, so take advantage of that! I believe The American History Museum is closed for remodeling if I remember correctly. There is also the new annex to the Air and Space Museum right next to Dulles if you are flying in there, it is pretty neat.The subway is very east to use. Let me know if I can help you out in any way!

AnneCaitlin · 02-11-2008, 07:28 PM

Most of the Smithsonian museums are free, and most are located on the Mall so it's easy to visit a few a day. As an art history major I would recommend the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery (which currently has an exhibition of the the American and European Masterpieces from their permanent collection, but also has a few beautiful paintings by Vermeer). However, if you were just going to hit a few museums besides the Air and Space, I would go to the Museum of Natural History and the Holocaust Museum (which is an intense experience). If you're visiting a lot of museums during the day, I've always found that their cafeterias (especially at the art museums) are very good.

Also, I would recommend the American History Museum (for the ruby slippers, Abe Lincoln's hat, the first ladies' dresses)--but it's closed for renovation until the fall!

amelia · 02-11-2008, 08:10 PM

There is so much to do there (I grew up just outside DC right by Dulles Airport).

To eat:: If you are on the mall (the grassy area between the Wash. Monument and the Capitol Building and Lincoln Memorial) there is the Old Post Office Pavillion that is a few blocks off the mall that has a bunch of eathing places in it. Also, Union Station (the train and metro station) has a ton of eating places downstairs. But if you want to sit down and eat at a regular rest., just walk around and you will find lots and lots of places to eat (just off the mall).

To visit:: the zoo is nice. I've heard a lot of great stuff about the Spy Museum. I have never been, but I've always wanted to go. The Holocaust (sp?) is really really good. Its very moving/emotional. You can cross over the Potomac River into Arlington VA to see the Arlington National Cemetary and JFK's grave. You might also be able to get a tour of the White House. I think you have to contact your local Congressman/woman to get tickets. I believe you might be able walk around some parts of the Capitol building (I think its the Capt. Building that has the Decloration of Independence or Constitution. Or the National Library might have one of those also. I don't remember for sure...maybe another local will know? I remember seeing them, but don't remember where.) Along the mall you will find the Vietnam memorial, WW1 (or Korean war..can't remember which one) and WW2 memorial's plus there is the reflecting pools. you can also go up into the Wash. Monument and get a great view of the city.

Too bad the American History museum is closed. I always loved to go. We used to go nearly every year as a school trip. So much fun. I'm not sure if it was the American History Museum or another museum (has a lot of geology type stuff in it) but one of the museums has the Hope Diamond on display.

amelia · 02-11-2008, 08:37 PM

Oh, and I forgot. At Arlington National Cemetary, the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unkown Soliders is pretty neat to watch. I think it happens every hours.

Also, I think the Hope Diamon is in the Natural History Museum along with Dino. bones.

Imachickadee75 · 02-12-2008, 03:44 PM

When I went as a Junior in HS with my class our tour guide really knew how to make it interesting for us. He showed us the "back side" so to speak of DC For example:

There are 6 men on the statue of Iwo Jima but 13 hands. The extra is the hand of God

There is a mispelling on the Lincoln Memorial. It has been corrected but you can still see it.

The Roman Centurian statues that line the top of the Post office or Union station (I can't remember which) are anatomically correct behind their shields (and they are naked!)

Obviously we had a lot of fun on that trip!

Here is a link I found for you -might be fun!
I've Got a Secret - Washington DC Trivia Tour

Jackie

SkyCowboyWyf · 02-13-2008, 10:57 AM

Amelia - where did you go to high school? I am from Leesburg!

Rebes · 02-13-2008, 11:20 AM

I am not far from Leesburg, I am in Reston. I went to Herndon High, where did you go?

02-11-2008, 02:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
StlKT Jetgirls Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 42 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	weekend in dc Hubby and i just booked a last minute getaway to washington dc this weekend. He's never seen any sites there other than the aviation museum out by the airport, and i havn't been there since i was little. We're going fri-mon, so we have 2 full days. Just wondering if any of you have any good information about where to go or where to eat, or any tips in general. We'll obviously go to the air and space museum. I saw a show on tv about a spy museum that looks neat, has anyone been there? Thanks. __________________ Katie, wife to Mike LJ55 Captain I love my pilot!

02-11-2008, 02:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
katbuad Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nashville, TN USA Posts: 694 Recipes: Thanks: 9 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Re: weekend in dc So jealous. We had a weekend planned in DC that just didn't work out. The Smithsonian(s) were high on our to see list. Also the Zoo. Haven't been since I was in high school, so would love to read what you think was great when you get back. DC is still on our travel list.

02-11-2008, 07:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Amanda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PHL suburbs Posts: 2,153 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Re: weekend in dc Nick used to fly out of IAD and we went to the air and space museum (of course!). I've been to DC many times when I was younger to see the Smithsonian, Washington Monument, White House, etc- all of the tourist-y places! I'm sure there is plenty of info you can find online too! I like to use Trip Advisor. I'm sure you already know thins, but the East Coast has been experiencing colder than "normal" temps so dress warmly! __________________ Amanda Loving wife of Nick, an Int'l FO for Continental flying the 757/767 based in EWR!

02-11-2008, 07:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rebes Jetgirls Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 272 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: weekend in dc Where will you be staying? I live in Virginia, about 15 miles from the city. All the Smithsonian museums are free, so take advantage of that! I believe The American History Museum is closed for remodeling if I remember correctly. There is also the new annex to the Air and Space Museum right next to Dulles if you are flying in there, it is pretty neat.The subway is very east to use. Let me know if I can help you out in any way! __________________ Rebecca, Wife to Continental 757/767 FO (EWR)

02-11-2008, 07:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
AnneCaitlin Jetgirls Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 25 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: weekend in dc Most of the Smithsonian museums are free, and most are located on the Mall so it's easy to visit a few a day. As an art history major I would recommend the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery (which currently has an exhibition of the the American and European Masterpieces from their permanent collection, but also has a few beautiful paintings by Vermeer). However, if you were just going to hit a few museums besides the Air and Space, I would go to the Museum of Natural History and the Holocaust Museum (which is an intense experience). If you're visiting a lot of museums during the day, I've always found that their cafeterias (especially at the art museums) are very good. Also, I would recommend the American History Museum (for the ruby slippers, Abe Lincoln's hat, the first ladies' dresses)--but it's closed for renovation until the fall!

02-11-2008, 08:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
amelia Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 626 Recipes: Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: weekend in dc There is so much to do there (I grew up just outside DC right by Dulles Airport). To eat:: If you are on the mall (the grassy area between the Wash. Monument and the Capitol Building and Lincoln Memorial) there is the Old Post Office Pavillion that is a few blocks off the mall that has a bunch of eathing places in it. Also, Union Station (the train and metro station) has a ton of eating places downstairs. But if you want to sit down and eat at a regular rest., just walk around and you will find lots and lots of places to eat (just off the mall). To visit:: the zoo is nice. I've heard a lot of great stuff about the Spy Museum. I have never been, but I've always wanted to go. The Holocaust (sp?) is really really good. Its very moving/emotional. You can cross over the Potomac River into Arlington VA to see the Arlington National Cemetary and JFK's grave. You might also be able to get a tour of the White House. I think you have to contact your local Congressman/woman to get tickets. I believe you might be able walk around some parts of the Capitol building (I think its the Capt. Building that has the Decloration of Independence or Constitution. Or the National Library might have one of those also. I don't remember for sure...maybe another local will know? I remember seeing them, but don't remember where.) Along the mall you will find the Vietnam memorial, WW1 (or Korean war..can't remember which one) and WW2 memorial's plus there is the reflecting pools. you can also go up into the Wash. Monument and get a great view of the city. Too bad the American History museum is closed. I always loved to go. We used to go nearly every year as a school trip. So much fun. I'm not sure if it was the American History Museum or another museum (has a lot of geology type stuff in it) but one of the museums has the Hope Diamond on display. __________________ Mom to 2 wonderful kids.

02-11-2008, 08:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
amelia Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 626 Recipes: Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: weekend in dc Oh, and I forgot. At Arlington National Cemetary, the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unkown Soliders is pretty neat to watch. I think it happens every hours. Also, I think the Hope Diamon is in the Natural History Museum along with Dino. bones. __________________ Mom to 2 wonderful kids.

02-12-2008, 03:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
Imachickadee75 Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 648 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	Re: weekend in dc When I went as a Junior in HS with my class our tour guide really knew how to make it interesting for us. He showed us the "back side" so to speak of DC For example: There are 6 men on the statue of Iwo Jima but 13 hands. The extra is the hand of God There is a mispelling on the Lincoln Memorial. It has been corrected but you can still see it. The Roman Centurian statues that line the top of the Post office or Union station (I can't remember which) are anatomically correct behind their shields (and they are naked!) Obviously we had a lot of fun on that trip! Here is a link I found for you -might be fun! I've Got a Secret - Washington DC Trivia Tour Jackie __________________ Welcoming baby #3 this spring!

02-13-2008, 10:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
SkyCowboyWyf Jetgirls Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 25 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: weekend in dc Amelia - where did you go to high school? I am from Leesburg!

02-13-2008, 11:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rebes Jetgirls Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 272 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: weekend in dc I am not far from Leesburg, I am in Reston. I went to Herndon High, where did you go? __________________ Rebecca, Wife to Continental 757/767 FO (EWR)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)