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Washington DC Trip - looking for suggestions

kthomas

kthomas

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Jun 17, 2009
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#1
The wife and I are headed to Washington DC on our way to Maine in early October. It's my first time going, and curious if you guys have some suggestions on any of the following below. We'll only be there for 1.5 days, so its a bit of a compressed trip.

Advice on the following:
- Any worthwhile museums? I know there is 11 Smithsonians there, any favorites out of the bunch? The Air & Space Museum sounds intriguing.
- Area/recommended places to stay in DC?
- Worthwhile restaurants/eats/bars?
- Anything else?

Thanks guys
 
#2
My recommendation would be to drive around it all together! Or drive straight through, do not stop, do not pass go, but with all the politicians there you could probably still collect your $200 if you tell them you’ll vote for them. Just kidding! Kinda

No really, there are a ton to choose from. The World War 2 Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Thomas Jefferson memorial, Arlington Cemetary, and so on and so on. It really depends on what kind of stuff you like. Me personally, I would definitely do Arlington Cemetery if I had never been, the WW2 memorial is something I would like to see, the Air and Space museum would be cool, but those are the things that catch my interest.
 
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#3
if you want to see the city this could help
https://washington.org/dc-itinerary/3-days-in-washington-dc-for-families especially if it is with the family
https://www.google.com/search?clien...h+delli+style+sandwich+shops+in+washington+dc for a quick food fix / slow line .

maybe more for you and the Mrs. https://gocity.com/blog/washington-dc-for-couples/

if you are looking for a day or so at different ranges for shooting https://www.wheretoshoot.org/ quantico shooting club ranges sounds nice 1000 yards lots of hoops to go through to get on the base to shoot , but still sounds nice hope your vacation turns out great ,safe , and fun regardless of what you choose to do . funny enough it is a swamp literately . if it looks like a giant bird It's got a good chance to be a mutant mosquito
 
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#4
If I only had a couple days, I’d go to Arlington and the National Mall Monuments.

I spent 3 months in the D.C. area for work. After 3 months going to as much as I could every weekend, I don’t even feel like I scratched the surface of all there is to see. If you love history and the outdoors the whole area is treasure trove of places to go.

If you’re near the White House, Astro Doughnut has a chicken sandwich on a doughnut. It’s not lost on me that this sounds crazy, but it tastes amazing.

Have fun and go back so you can see Mt. Vernon, the national archives, and the rest of the museums and Battlefields throughout the area.
 
#6
NRA Museum. Smithsoinan American history and air and space and the udvar hazy annex. Arlington tomb of unknowns. National police museum and spy museum. National cathedral. Luray caverns on your way there or back. Gettysburg which is an easy day trip.

Million things to do and see. Great time to go when kids just back in school. Too early for field trips. Tourist season takes a major dip in sept.

Cheers, Sirhr
 
#8
Find lodging in northern Virginia and take the subway (WMATA) to get in or out of the D.C. (parking in the city is shit and you'll get your car broken into). If you do the National Mall, stay on the mall or within two blocks north or south.

The Museum of Natural History has a new dinosaur exhibit but if it's a schoolday in Oct., you'll have to deal with kids on field trips. The Air & Space on the mall is about to undergo renovations so check the website to see what's accessible (I prefer the Air & Space's Udvar-Hazy Center out in Chantilly, VA, anyway).

Check the local news (WTOP, WJLA, USA9, WRC4) for events or protests.

Stay away from:
Chinatown (anytime - you'll get robbed or assaulted)
Union Station/Capitol Hill (nighttime - you'll get robbed or assaulted)
Georgetown (nighttime - you'll get robbed or assaulted)
U St., NW/Shaw (anytime - you'll get robbed or assaulted)
East of the Anacostia River (anytime - you'll get robbed, assaulted, and murdered)
National Harbor (actually in MD) (just because)
 
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#10
-Arlington National Cemetery
-Mall and Memorials
-National Cathedral...the last Gothic Cathedral to be built
-National Arboretum

Ditto on getting a hotel in Virginia and taking the Metro. Traffic and parking are fucked.

On your way north don miss the following. It is a 'sine qua non'. When I was a junior unit you could go into the arm and torch, not any more but still worth the visit. The most beautiful woman I know, Lady Liberty.

1565352247804.png
 
#11
Udvar Hazy Center of the Air and Space Museum is cool.

Try to catch one of the USMC evening parades either at 8th &I or better yet at the USMC Memorial.

Regards Maine - search restaurants in Portland and book a couple - best eating I ever did in a small foot print.

Lots of good war history at the Maine Military Museum and on the Post Boat tour in Portland.

Anything outside of the "Elite Uber Lib" areas of Portland is Third World.....you need a passport if you stop.
 
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#13
If you only have 1.5 days, you'll be pretty pressed for time if, like me, you could spend hours in these places but my top picks

Museums: Smithsonian Natural History (dinosaurs and the Hope Diamond are highlights) and Air & Space (old warbirds, the space exhibitions, and the ballistic missiles are my favorites, plus the filming model of the USS Enterprise is in the basement of the gift shop). The Udvar-Hazy Center is very good too; it's an annex of Air & Space and has the Enola Gay, Space Shuttle Discovery, and an SR-71 Blackbird among many other aircraft.

Memorials: WWII, Vietnam, Korean War, 2nd Dvision

Other: Ford's Theatre (Lincoln assassination)
 
#14
All I would be able to offer about DC, has been mentioned, and they are great choices. I was blown away by Arlington and the Holocaust museum, absolutely breathtaking.
Regarding Maine; @pmclaine , we are not third world. Lol. But there are a lot of hillbillies here. I live in the mid-coast, north of portland. The views and food are better here. Portland is ok, and there are plenty of places to eat. But if you're looking for good seafood or surf and turf, you need to come farther north. Do you have a destination in ME? Or just a place to turn around?
 
#15
Most everything is walking distance near the mall.

Arlington. Remember to take your hat off and stand before the soldier has to tell you.

Holocaust Museum so that you can see it really happened.

At least a full day at the Smithsonian.

You'll need Motrin and plenty of sugarless Gatorade. Lots of long talks, questions, walking, standing. Take the trolley style tour if time is a factor.
 
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#18
AMGtuned said:
All I would be able to offer about DC, has been mentioned, and they are great choices. I was blown away by Arlington and the Holocaust museum, absolutely breathtaking.
Regarding Maine; @pmclaine , we are not third world. Lol. But there are a lot of hillbillies here. I live in the mid-coast, north of portland. The views and food are better here. Portland is ok, and there are plenty of places to eat. But if you're looking for good seafood or surf and turf, you need to come farther north. Do you have a destination in ME? Or just a place to turn around?
Click to expand...


Its not the Hillbillies that make it Third World.

Its the imports that were purposefully placed to change Maine from a flinty New England state of independents to a free stuff voting block of dependents.
 
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#19
Tag....

I may be going in October also. My wife has to go for some kind of conference. That means I'll be roaming around the Capitol wife free.

We'll be staying a block from the White house.
Is it a hard walk from the White House to Arlington National Cemetery?
 
#20
Srgt. Hulka said:
Is it a hard walk from the White House to Arlington National Cemetery?
Click to expand...

Depends on your definition of 'hard'... hard for a Green Beret, no. Hard for the typical US fat-so, yes. Also weather plays a role - the humidity here is a killer.

I would see Holocaust Museum. WW2, the Korean and the Vietnam memorials (easy to see all three w/in 1 hour). Air and Space. And the Civil War battlefields on your way out/in. Another great spot north of Baltimore right off I-95: US Army Ordnance Museum in Aberdeen (best collection on hx. tanks in the US). South of DC on I-95, USMC Museum, very well done and modern.

Never been to the NRA Firearms museum but would like to go.
 
#21
Also guys, do stop at the National Archives Museum and see our most important political documents: the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Nothing is more important in DC than those three documents. This crazy country of ours, united by these basic beautiful ideas.
 
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#22
kthomas said:
The wife and I are headed to Washington DC on our way to Maine in early October. It's my first time going, and curious if you guys have some suggestions on any of the following below. We'll only be there for 1.5 days, so its a bit of a compressed trip.

Advice on the following:
- Any worthwhile museums? I know there is 11 Smithsonians there, any favorites out of the bunch? The Air & Space Museum sounds intriguing.
- Area/recommended places to stay in DC?
- Worthwhile restaurants/eats/bars?
- Anything else?

Thanks guys
Click to expand...

Put the car on the Amtrak car train...

...fly to London, and a good ol time.

Fly into Boston, and pick your car up...

Thus avoiding DC...
 
#23
Srgt. Hulka said:
Tag....

I may be going in October also. My wife has to go for some kind of conference. That means I'll be roaming around the Capitol wife free.

We'll be staying a block from the White house.
Is it a hard walk from the White House to Arlington National Cemetery?
Click to expand...


You can take the train to Arlington National Cemetery provided it’s actually running.

METRO system map

I live about 4 miles from the Springfield/Franconia Metro station at the bottom of the map and it’s been shut down all summer.
 
#25
If you are going to go and site see, hit the museums and historical monuments, use the bus/transit(National Mall) system to get around. Parking is expensive, so if you stay in a hotel outside the city, use the metro/train system. It's cheaper and more efficient. Traffic just SUCKS, I was so glad the wife and I drove her small convertible and not my P/U, even underground parking, the spaces are small. OH and did I mention, the traffic SUCKS! Lots to see and you need about 5 days to take it all in, OH, did I mention their are LOTS of people, also. Good luck and hope you and your family have a great time! Mac:cool:
 
#27
jbailey said:
Also guys, do stop at the National Archives Museum and see our most important political documents: the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Nothing is more important in DC than those three documents. This crazy country of ours, united by these basic beautiful ideas.
Click to expand...
Archives is right next to Chinatown, so yeah, go see the foundations of the Republic, and then get robbed on the way out the door.
Sorry, just giving you the facts.
 
#29
Meh. Not much to see there. Takes about ten minutes.


Starts off with the founding in a philly gay bar "3 tuns of cum" is what the squids called it ,,then a series of fancy uniforms from then til now. All designed my the winner of effeminate marine of the year competition. There is a listing of fictional songs to be sung by the marines waiting to be picked as some squids nightly cock holster in the tight sweary passagways of ships.

Go see the lgbtq museum while you are at it.
harleytuner said:
Marine Corp Museum is a must see. Not to mention it's free. Plan on a good 3 plus hours to see it all.
Click to expand...
 
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#30
pmclaine said:
Its not the Hillbillies that make it Third World.

Its the imports that were purposefully placed to change Maine from a flinty New England state of independents to a free stuff voting block of dependents.
Click to expand...
Agreed. But that's not all of this state. Definitely Portland is the biggest problem area. Where I am, the only "imports", work the farm stores. Damn good at farming vegetables they are though.
 
#31
ArmyJerry said:
Meh. Not much to see there. Takes about ten minutes.


Starts off with the founding in a philly gay bar "3 tuns of cum" is what the squids called it ,,then a series of fancy uniforms from then til now. All designed my the winner of effeminate marine of the year competition. There is a listing of fictional songs to be sung by the marines waiting to be picked as some squids nightly cock holster in the tight sweary passagways of ships.

Go see the lgbtq museum while you are at it.
Click to expand...
The Museum of the US Army isn't open yet.
 
#33
Try your congressman for a White House tour ticket. Do this as soon as you know the dates of Washington visit. They are hard to get. The US Mint also requires advance ticket request. Both are well worth it. The Halocost Museum is interesting and sobering at same time. Get guided tour at National Aboretuem. Out tour guide was outstanding. Library of Congress is amazing too, and doesn't take long to tour it. Be prepared for all the homeless people living on the streets. The Metro system is very good although confusing at times. They have a bus that runs about every twenty minutes or so that will point out most of the highlights along its route. The National Portait Gallery is self guided. Do ask much or little as you like.
 
#35
Culpeper said:
But you won't find any souviners made in America.
Click to expand...


If you go to the Smithsonian Museum of American History you will be able to buy demilled .45 ACP and 30-06 Rounds made in USA that have been turned into key chains.

Thing is Washington DC considers you a felon if you carry one in the city.

I scratched my head when I saw that shit.
 
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#38
Maggot said:
-Arlington National Cemetery
-Mall and Memorials
-National Cathedral...the last Gothic Cathedral to be built
-National Arboretum

Ditto on getting a hotel in Virginia and taking the Metro. Traffic and parking are fucked.

On your way north don miss the following. It is a 'sine qua non'. When I was a junior unit you could go into the arm and torch, not any more but still worth the visit. The most beautiful woman I know, Lady Liberty.

View attachment 7126696
Click to expand...

Lady liberty. In the harbor of a city run by a guy who wants to ban guns and approve post birth abortions.
 
#43
AMGtuned said:
All I would be able to offer about DC, has been mentioned, and they are great choices. I was blown away by Arlington and the Holocaust museum, absolutely breathtaking.
Regarding Maine; @pmclaine , we are not third world. Lol. But there are a lot of hillbillies here. I live in the mid-coast, north of portland. The views and food are better here. Portland is ok, and there are plenty of places to eat. But if you're looking for good seafood or surf and turf, you need to come farther north. Do you have a destination in ME? Or just a place to turn around?
Click to expand...

Will be meeting up with the wife's parents in Maine, they do a yearly trip there. Will start in Portland, then go to Bar Harbor, Lubec (and perhaps another town or two along the way).
 
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#44
My fathers family is from Lubec. Best place to see the sunrise. Bah Habah is a nice place in the summer. I'm in Penobscot bay along the midcoast, between all the places you mentioned. Maine is a great place to summer for sure
 
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#45
AMGtuned said:
My fathers family is from Lubec. Best place to see the sunrise. Bah Habah is a nice place in the summer. I'm in Penobscot bay along the midcoast, between all the places you mentioned. Maine is a great place to summer for sure
Click to expand...

Went a couple of years ago on a pretty much identical trip and it was great. I really enjoyed Maine!
 
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#46
My personal favorites to see in a day in DC:
  • Must See: The Mall in general, which includes WWII, Korea and Vietnam Memorials along with the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, and great views of the WH and Capitol. Day of week depending, park and walk a loop of it all. Parking at the Reagan Building is easy and not too expensive if on a weekend (which I highly recommend going on a weekend)
  • Awesome to see in the area: Archives, WH, and Air & Space on the Mall, but keep in mind these can take hours of time each.

  • Must See for military, vets, family and enthusiasts: Arlington National Cemetery. Tomb of Unknown is great, but better in my opinion is just walking the grounds in contemplation, particularly Sect 60 where the recently lost in GWOT are buried. I visit buddies there every time I'm in DC.
  • Awesome to see in area: Marine Corps Memorial and not far from Holocaust Museum

  • Must see for flight geeks: Udvar Hazy at Dulles. Go to the Air and Space on the Mall for the history (everything from Wright flyer to Spirit of St Louis, and X-1 to Apollo 11 CM) go to the annex for the planes plus history.
  • ArmyJerry said:
    Its in Ft Benning , it doesnt need a constant PR campaign to remind the scum in DC that they still exist.
    Click to expand...
    Check the hot link in my post, your boys have a new one going up on Ft Belvoir.
 
#47
My wife and I visited there for vacation a few years ago before we had kids. A lot of things to do there for little,to no money. We loved it and hope to go back someday. So highlights for us was the US mint where you can watch them print money, going up in the Washington moment (was free but you had to get a ticket in the morning) tour of congress, and tomb of the unknown soldier was eye opening to see. We used public transit to get around and it was clean and we felt safe everywhere. One tip, my wife wears sandals all the time and she ended up getting poison ivy on her feet from walking through the grass in the national mall so I would say closed toed shoes would be a must.
 
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