Trip to DC..

[coraliesolms 47]

So. YAY my folks are coming to visit from South Africa next year, and hubby and I decided to take them to DC, since neither of us have been there, we figured it would be a fun vacation for all.

However, we only have 2 days (one night) to spend in DC, so I would LOVE to have opinions from anyone else who has visited..

Best way to get around

Best things to see

Best hotel to stay at (price vs comfort)

and most importantly.... Where to eat??

My dads one and only request on this whole trip is this "I want to eat at one of those diner places and have a giant breakfast with apple pie afterwards.. it want a breakfast so big and greasy that I get chest pains eating it"... his words not mine.

Any input would be most appreciated. Thank you!!

Coralie

Edited June 11, 2011 by coraliesolms

[mo&sain 0]

Best way to get around here is metro and buses . We also have Circulator buses that cost a dollar. The circulator has routes that go to southwest waterfront to chinatown convention ctr, convention ctr to georgetown, navy yard to union station. And another route I'm sure I'm forgetting. Baracks Row in SE DC is basically a strip full of restaraunts. Best way to get there is take the metro (Green Line) to Navy Yard and the circulator stop is right there as for that big greasy breakfast he can go to Ted's, located right in that same area.

[coraliesolms 47]

Thank you! We really want to see the Jeff mem...capitol...white house... mall....and arlington cem. Also we wanted to go to the smithsonian and see the hope diamond.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Buy a one day metro pass for sight seeing. As far as Hotel, what is your budget, and how do you plan to arrive in D.C. Via plane or car? Could give zillion of suggestions but would need more trip planning information to give you a better scope of what you can truly accomplish in a one-two day trip.

[CanadaLove 16]

If you do the Mall and associated monuments, be prepared for a LOT of walking.

[canada_socks 97]

I love the Smithsonian. Best part is it is free!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Metro is the way to go!!! Lot of free museums--be prepared for long waits!! And one goes through airport like security to get into many of the museums!! Just google DC museums, lot of them, all depends on ur tastes! Sign up for groupon.com one can find a lot of good deals--each day they email you a deal, some are good, some are not, and not all deals are touristy. I stay awawy from DC,lol far too many tourists,lol But keep in mind The Mall (not really a mall, lol) is full of people, and expect long lines for the museums. And there is a lot to see in each museum, one could spend a day in some of them and not really see everything!

DC metro: http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

http://www.nasm.si.edu/

http://www.ushmm.org/

http://www.newseum.org/ not free

http://www.spymuseum.org/ not free

http://www.mnh.si.edu/

http://www.crimemuseum.org/ not free

As well there are boat tours that tour the harbour and go by quite a few monuments!!

http://www.dc-cruises.com/ We did a tour with them and was fine--they also have a 1 way option, we did the whole tour, u just see the same things onthe way back,lol, but if you do the 1 way tour, save u time to see other things!!

If it were me--I would find a hotel thats close to the metro and then just use the metro to get around. DC isnt a great place for free parking.

Best of luck

[juliava 80]

Thank you! We really want to see the Jeff mem...capitol...white house... mall....and arlington cem. Also we wanted to go to the smithsonian and see the hope diamond.

Use the metro or buses. Don't drive in DC, it's very hectic and confusing.

For the Mall, you get off at the Smithsonian Metro Station that actually has 2 exits. One of them could take you very close to the Smithsonian visitor center, the other one to the Holocaust Museum-another great destination. Use the Orange line or the Blue line.

Also, if you have a little bit more time you might want to take a walk in Georgetown or even Old Town, Alexandria. For Georgetown you need to get off at Foggy Bottom metro station and then walk up M street. For Old Town Alexandria-you need to get off at King St Metro.

ps: Like other users advised - be prepared for long walks. Take some cold drinks with you and some convenient snacks unless you want to get a $5 hotdog.

Edited June 11, 2011 by juliava

[coraliesolms 47]

Wow.. you guys are awesome!! We are driving to DC from Missouri and then up to New York for a day... after that it will be a strait drive back. There will be 5 adults (one of whom is a very spritely 76yr old) and our daughter will be 5. I figure we will leave the car at the hotel and do the public transit thing. I want to avoid a preplanned group tour, incase we want to spend more time at one place and less at another.

The hope diamond at the smithsonian is important, my family has a rich history in diamond mining (father is mine overseer at diamond mine) and I work in a jewelry store... so thats kinda important.

Our hotel budget is around $100 per room for the night. Where is a good place for lunch?

Thank you so much for all of your replies.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Okay, please be advise that driving distance btw DC and NYC is 4 hours. If you'll are open to suggestions for the NY trip, I have another suggestion. For Hotel at $100 a night, you'll are looking at hotels that will be at least 25 miles from DC, again this will depend on the time of year you will be arriving in DC.

The Smithsonian museum will be doable, but only plan on being able to see 2 to 3 museums per day (long lines and lots of people.

But for your 76 year young grandmother, this will be a long and tiring day, Hotel will not be close by.

Edited June 11, 2011 by LIFE'SJOURNEY

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Another suggestion is why don't you have parents and grandmother from SA, to fly into DC from SA, that way it would only be mileage by car for them in going back to Missouri.

[coraliesolms 47]

I thought about that.. but they want to see missouri as well. They are going to be here for 2 weeks, and Ive alloted 1 of those weeks to this trip. My Gramma is the whole reason we are going on this trip.. for as long as I can remember she has always talked of going to see the statue of liberty. So when they decided to come out and visit us here in the US.. it was sort of a given that we had to go up to NYC.. Ive always wanted to go to DC.

We will be there over the 4th of July (3-5) and then up to NY for the 6th... and then straight through back to MO with my hubby and I alternating the driving.

Thank you all for all your advice and tips, its sooo much easier to plan all of this now!

[Flames9_RN 358]

4th of July! Good luck, DC will be a zoo!!!! I'm so glad I will be far away in Rhode Island!! Be prepared to wait and wait, and ensure everyone stays hydrated!!! And keep in mind older people need rest,lol. I have ben told DC has pretty good fireworks, I have actually never been here for the 4th,always in RI! Enjoy

[frenzyheart 2]

I went to DC a few months ago (during the Cherry Blossom festival) and I absolutely loved it! I paid to take one of the double decker bus tours, and it was amazing! You can just hop on and off wherever you want to and then spend your time there, and then go back on and head to the next stop. I saw everything I wanted to see, and got plenty of pictures. My only regret was that I forgot my sunblock! I looked like a tomato afterwards! I don't really have any recommendations for hotels, because mine was completely paid for through school (that's who I went with). I hope you have a lot of fun!! (Sorry I'm not more help, lol)

[jamienshanie 3]

We live just south of DC...so I concur with all the advice above. For sight seeing, i recommend doing the "tour mobile" you can google it. You stop and hang as long as you wish at each site...then hop on a bus when you want to continue your tour. Metro is best for transportation as well...trust me, you do not want to drive in DC. I would definitely take the time to familiarize yourself with the Metro system maps as well prior to your ventures out and about.

as for logding...stay in Springfield, VA. it's close to metro and still far enough outside the "beltway" to be more reasonably priced. Feel free to message me for any other specific details you'd like...I work in DC and have lived in this area since 2001. :) I'd be happy to assist!!