help planning DC trip
Pam Tellew
We're trying to plan a trip to Washington DC, probably in March, and
I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay. What area? I've heard
avoid staying near the Mall and stay near a Metro station. Is
Georgetown a good place to stay with kids? Any advice on particular
places, especially short term (a week) apartments with kitchens or
hotels that include breakfast?
Those are the immediate concerns. But advice on things not to miss
would be great too!
Thanks much!
Pam
I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay. What area? I've heard
avoid staying near the Mall and stay near a Metro station. Is
Georgetown a good place to stay with kids? Any advice on particular
places, especially short term (a week) apartments with kitchens or
hotels that include breakfast?
Those are the immediate concerns. But advice on things not to miss
would be great too!
Thanks much!
Pam
pebsflower
--Hi, Be sure to see the air and space museum and the museum of
natural science! Both are great for children and adults.
Just outside of dc. is Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. There is
the military academy there that is worth a visit as well just seeing
the ships on the river.
Pebs
Pebs
- In [email protected], Pam Tellew <pamtellew@...> wrote:
natural science! Both are great for children and adults.
Just outside of dc. is Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. There is
the military academy there that is worth a visit as well just seeing
the ships on the river.
Pebs
Pebs
- In [email protected], Pam Tellew <pamtellew@...> wrote:
>
> We're trying to plan a trip to Washington DC, probably in March, and
> I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay. What area? I've heard
> avoid staying near the Mall and stay near a Metro station. Is
> Georgetown a good place to stay with kids? Any advice on particular
> places, especially short term (a week) apartments with kitchens or
> hotels that include breakfast?
>
> Those are the immediate concerns. But advice on things not to miss
> would be great too!
>
> Thanks much!
>
> Pam
>
Sandra Dodd
> I don't know where to recommend on staying. We stayed with friendsFor kids, I think the two most memorable museums at the Smithsonian
> in Maryland.
>
might be American History and Air and Space.
Go up into the Washington Monument if you can. Take things to read/
eat/play with while you wait; there can be a line.
If you or your kids have feelings of history or bookishness, go into
the Library of Congress. Just go into the reading room and sit in one
of those desks and think for a bit about who all might have sat there
before, and wearing what clothes of what century, and what the newest
documents might have been through the decades. That's one cool room.
There are statues and art in and on the buildings all over the place.
There's an FBI tour and you get to see all the tommy guns confiscated
in the early 20th century. TONS of them. Looks like a Depression-era
pawn shop for bank robbers. The tour might be too slow and boring for
younger kids, though.
At American history there are things like Howdy Doody and Fonzie's
jacket and other TV icons. Trains.
Oh! Current displays, too. Sometimes there's something out on the
mall. Once we saw examples of traditional wooden construction from
lots of different countries--little buildings had been made in all
kinds of traditions out there. Another time there were foods and
dances of South Africa (I forget why), and there was a display on New
Mexico once when I was there. Kinda odd. And once on the Ainu, of
Japan. So those won't be there but something else wonderful will
be! (Those were in Natural HIstory maybe... or one in there and the
N.Mex. thing in American History?
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robin Bentley
I've never been to D.C., but I've always wanted to see the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial.
http://thewall-usa.com/information.asp
Robin B.
Veterans Memorial.
http://thewall-usa.com/information.asp
Robin B.
Danielle Conger
Pam Tellew wrote:
stay--nice areas.
Depends on what ages your kids are as to what you might enjoy. The
Smithsonians are all grouped together and can be done as much or as
little as you like. American History was just reopened after
renovations, and I haven't been to see what kinds of changes they've
made, but it never used to be a favorite. Hopefully they've made it more
hands-on.
My kids have always loved the Natural History museum, which is
definitely young-kid friendly. The Air and Space is great, and the annex
out at Dulles is supposed to be wonderful, so if you can fly in there it
might be a great way to get to the airport early.
The Spy museum is supposed to be really cool, and we really like the
Museum of the American Indian, which, btw, has the best food in the
area. Their cafe is really cool, set up cafeteria style with different
areas representing the foods of different native regions.
There's also the Bureau of Engraving where you can see money being made,
the National Archives with the Declaration and Constitution. The
Holocaust museum is amazing, but definitely takes quite a bit of time
and I wouldn't recommend it for younger kids--I'm waiting till mine are
older to go there.
The Newseum is supposed to be pretty cool--a history of news media. I
love the Botanic Gardens, which is right across the way from the
American Indian museum and would take only a half day.
The art museums are wonderful, and the sculpture gardens are really cool
too--a great place to bring a picnic lunch on a nice, sunny day.
If you have the opportunity, the monuments are absolutely amazing to see
at night--an experience that you'll never forget.
Feel free to email me off list if you'd like. I went to college in DC
and we've lived in the area for the past 7 years.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (11), Julia (10), Sam (8)
http://www.organiclearning.blogspot.com
>Georgetown/ Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle are all lovely places to
> We're trying to plan a trip to Washington DC, probably in March, and
> I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay. What area? I've heard
> avoid staying near the Mall and stay near a Metro station. Is
> Georgetown a good place to stay with kids? Any advice on particular
> places, especially short term (a week) apartments with kitchens or
> hotels that include breakfast?
>
> Those are the immediate concerns. But advice on things not to miss
> would be great too!
>
stay--nice areas.
Depends on what ages your kids are as to what you might enjoy. The
Smithsonians are all grouped together and can be done as much or as
little as you like. American History was just reopened after
renovations, and I haven't been to see what kinds of changes they've
made, but it never used to be a favorite. Hopefully they've made it more
hands-on.
My kids have always loved the Natural History museum, which is
definitely young-kid friendly. The Air and Space is great, and the annex
out at Dulles is supposed to be wonderful, so if you can fly in there it
might be a great way to get to the airport early.
The Spy museum is supposed to be really cool, and we really like the
Museum of the American Indian, which, btw, has the best food in the
area. Their cafe is really cool, set up cafeteria style with different
areas representing the foods of different native regions.
There's also the Bureau of Engraving where you can see money being made,
the National Archives with the Declaration and Constitution. The
Holocaust museum is amazing, but definitely takes quite a bit of time
and I wouldn't recommend it for younger kids--I'm waiting till mine are
older to go there.
The Newseum is supposed to be pretty cool--a history of news media. I
love the Botanic Gardens, which is right across the way from the
American Indian museum and would take only a half day.
The art museums are wonderful, and the sculpture gardens are really cool
too--a great place to bring a picnic lunch on a nice, sunny day.
If you have the opportunity, the monuments are absolutely amazing to see
at night--an experience that you'll never forget.
Feel free to email me off list if you'd like. I went to college in DC
and we've lived in the area for the past 7 years.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (11), Julia (10), Sam (8)
http://www.organiclearning.blogspot.com
Wendy
Hi Pam,
We just spent 5 months in DC this summer while DH did a temp job w/the gov.
We went all over the place and had a blast. Now we live here ;-)
From that 5 month experience...
Where to stay - There is really no access to metro from Georgetown without a
lot of walking, I think. We stayed in Arlington, right across the river and
we liked it very much. You may be able to stay in a furnished apartment -
they have a tons here b/c so many people come in for temp assigns. The bldg
we are in says they will only do a month, but was willing to put my Mom up
for a few days (may be worth a call - email me privately if you are
interested.) There may be several hotels off the Blue Line in Alexandria
too (Pentagon City and Crystal City)
The Cherry Blossom festival is sometime in March, a two week festival, a
neat event but lots of crowds. Not sure if Sandra was talking about
exhibits outside on the Mall or in museums, but if outside, it was probably
the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Another 2 week event sometime during the
summer, June maybe. They usually celebrate the culture of one state, one
country and another theme (last year was NASA)
Sights - Washington Monument - although going up in it is free, you will
need a ticket. You have to get there early and stand in line to get a
ticket (which is timed). They only give out tickets for that day. An
alternative is for a small fee, you can reserve them in advance online
(Smithsonian website). If neither works out for you an alternative is going
up into the Old Post Office Tower. Not as high, but still a good view.
If you want to go to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing you will need
tickets for that also. You may be able to go through your State Congressman
or Representative to get a tour at a specific time if you don't want to
stand in line.
If you want to tour the White House you'll need to request a tour through
your State Senator at least a month in advance - read asap since it's end of
Jan. You can also schedule a capitol tour through your state senator. The
Capitol conducts tours too but I think the tours conducted by the senators
offices are smaller # of people and may cover more.
The front car on the metro is usually the least crowded. Follow the metro
etiquette, people will yell at you - sad but true.
I'm sure there's more that I can't think of at the moment. Feel free to
email me off list for more info.
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We just spent 5 months in DC this summer while DH did a temp job w/the gov.
We went all over the place and had a blast. Now we live here ;-)
From that 5 month experience...
Where to stay - There is really no access to metro from Georgetown without a
lot of walking, I think. We stayed in Arlington, right across the river and
we liked it very much. You may be able to stay in a furnished apartment -
they have a tons here b/c so many people come in for temp assigns. The bldg
we are in says they will only do a month, but was willing to put my Mom up
for a few days (may be worth a call - email me privately if you are
interested.) There may be several hotels off the Blue Line in Alexandria
too (Pentagon City and Crystal City)
The Cherry Blossom festival is sometime in March, a two week festival, a
neat event but lots of crowds. Not sure if Sandra was talking about
exhibits outside on the Mall or in museums, but if outside, it was probably
the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Another 2 week event sometime during the
summer, June maybe. They usually celebrate the culture of one state, one
country and another theme (last year was NASA)
Sights - Washington Monument - although going up in it is free, you will
need a ticket. You have to get there early and stand in line to get a
ticket (which is timed). They only give out tickets for that day. An
alternative is for a small fee, you can reserve them in advance online
(Smithsonian website). If neither works out for you an alternative is going
up into the Old Post Office Tower. Not as high, but still a good view.
If you want to go to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing you will need
tickets for that also. You may be able to go through your State Congressman
or Representative to get a tour at a specific time if you don't want to
stand in line.
If you want to tour the White House you'll need to request a tour through
your State Senator at least a month in advance - read asap since it's end of
Jan. You can also schedule a capitol tour through your state senator. The
Capitol conducts tours too but I think the tours conducted by the senators
offices are smaller # of people and may cover more.
The front car on the metro is usually the least crowded. Follow the metro
etiquette, people will yell at you - sad but true.
I'm sure there's more that I can't think of at the moment. Feel free to
email me off list for more info.
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
John and Amanda Slater
I think my boys favorite thing to do in DC is ride the metro.
Amanda
Eli 7, Samuel 6
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Amanda
Eli 7, Samuel 6
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
In Georgetown you will need to walk a little depending where you are to get a bus to places but it is not bad. Depends on your kids age.
I think DC is a lot of fun.
I liked the National Cathedral too.
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
________________________________
From: Wendy <wbmscm@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 5:42:42 PM
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] help planning DC trip
Hi Pam,
We just spent 5 months in DC this summer while DH did a temp job w/the gov.
We went all over the place and had a blast. Now we live here ;-)
From that 5 month experience.. .
Where to stay - There is really no access to metro from Georgetown without a
lot of walking, I think. We stayed in Arlington, right across the river and
we liked it very much. You may be able to stay in a furnished apartment -
they have a tons here b/c so many people come in for temp assigns. The bldg
we are in says they will only do a month, but was willing to put my Mom up
for a few days (may be worth a call - email me privately if you are
interested.) There may be several hotels off the Blue Line in Alexandria
too (Pentagon City and Crystal City)
The Cherry Blossom festival is sometime in March, a two week festival, a
neat event but lots of crowds. Not sure if Sandra was talking about
exhibits outside on the Mall or in museums, but if outside, it was probably
the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Another 2 week event sometime during the
summer, June maybe. They usually celebrate the culture of one state, one
country and another theme (last year was NASA)
Sights - Washington Monument - although going up in it is free, you will
need a ticket. You have to get there early and stand in line to get a
ticket (which is timed). They only give out tickets for that day. An
alternative is for a small fee, you can reserve them in advance online
(Smithsonian website). If neither works out for you an alternative is going
up into the Old Post Office Tower. Not as high, but still a good view.
If you want to go to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing you will need
tickets for that also. You may be able to go through your State Congressman
or Representative to get a tour at a specific time if you don't want to
stand in line.
If you want to tour the White House you'll need to request a tour through
your State Senator at least a month in advance - read asap since it's end of
Jan. You can also schedule a capitol tour through your state senator. The
Capitol conducts tours too but I think the tours conducted by the senators
offices are smaller # of people and may cover more.
The front car on the metro is usually the least crowded. Follow the metro
etiquette, people will yell at you - sad but true.
I'm sure there's more that I can't think of at the moment. Feel free to
email me off list for more info.
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I think DC is a lot of fun.
I liked the National Cathedral too.
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
________________________________
From: Wendy <wbmscm@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 5:42:42 PM
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] help planning DC trip
Hi Pam,
We just spent 5 months in DC this summer while DH did a temp job w/the gov.
We went all over the place and had a blast. Now we live here ;-)
From that 5 month experience.. .
Where to stay - There is really no access to metro from Georgetown without a
lot of walking, I think. We stayed in Arlington, right across the river and
we liked it very much. You may be able to stay in a furnished apartment -
they have a tons here b/c so many people come in for temp assigns. The bldg
we are in says they will only do a month, but was willing to put my Mom up
for a few days (may be worth a call - email me privately if you are
interested.) There may be several hotels off the Blue Line in Alexandria
too (Pentagon City and Crystal City)
The Cherry Blossom festival is sometime in March, a two week festival, a
neat event but lots of crowds. Not sure if Sandra was talking about
exhibits outside on the Mall or in museums, but if outside, it was probably
the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Another 2 week event sometime during the
summer, June maybe. They usually celebrate the culture of one state, one
country and another theme (last year was NASA)
Sights - Washington Monument - although going up in it is free, you will
need a ticket. You have to get there early and stand in line to get a
ticket (which is timed). They only give out tickets for that day. An
alternative is for a small fee, you can reserve them in advance online
(Smithsonian website). If neither works out for you an alternative is going
up into the Old Post Office Tower. Not as high, but still a good view.
If you want to go to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing you will need
tickets for that also. You may be able to go through your State Congressman
or Representative to get a tour at a specific time if you don't want to
stand in line.
If you want to tour the White House you'll need to request a tour through
your State Senator at least a month in advance - read asap since it's end of
Jan. You can also schedule a capitol tour through your state senator. The
Capitol conducts tours too but I think the tours conducted by the senators
offices are smaller # of people and may cover more.
The front car on the metro is usually the least crowded. Follow the metro
etiquette, people will yell at you - sad but true.
I'm sure there's more that I can't think of at the moment. Feel free to
email me off list for more info.
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jessica
I don't have suggestions for a place to stay, but one place that might be interesting to visit & to see if they have any events going on is Gallaudet University, perhaps a play or pep rally or something like that. It's the university for the deaf & it's a whole 'nother world... sometimes I wish I could go back! :)
> > We're trying to plan a trip to Washington DC, probably in March, andJessica
> > I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay. What area? I've heard
> > Those are the immediate concerns. But advice on things not to miss
> > would be great too!
Margaret
My grandfather and aunt live near Foggy Bottom, so that is where I
have always stayed. The Foggy Bottom metro stop is right next to
George Washington University and the areas that I walked around seemed
nice. The metro was easy to use and it was easy to get to the sites
in DC using the metro.
One of my favorite museums is the Asian Art museum. Or museums... I
think there might have been two but it's a bit of a blur.
Margaret
On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 3:39 PM, Danielle Conger
<danielle.conger@...> wrote:
have always stayed. The Foggy Bottom metro stop is right next to
George Washington University and the areas that I walked around seemed
nice. The metro was easy to use and it was easy to get to the sites
in DC using the metro.
One of my favorite museums is the Asian Art museum. Or museums... I
think there might have been two but it's a bit of a blur.
Margaret
On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 3:39 PM, Danielle Conger
<danielle.conger@...> wrote:
> Pam Tellew wrote:
>>
>> We're trying to plan a trip to Washington DC, probably in March, and
>> I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay. What area? I've heard
>> avoid staying near the Mall and stay near a Metro station. Is
>> Georgetown a good place to stay with kids? Any advice on particular
>> places, especially short term (a week) apartments with kitchens or
>> hotels that include breakfast?
>>
>> Those are the immediate concerns. But advice on things not to miss
>> would be great too!
>>
>
> Georgetown/ Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle are all lovely places to
> stay--nice areas.
>
> Depends on what ages your kids are as to what you might enjoy. The
> Smithsonians are all grouped together and can be done as much or as
> little as you like. American History was just reopened after
> renovations, and I haven't been to see what kinds of changes they've
> made, but it never used to be a favorite. Hopefully they've made it more
> hands-on.
>
> My kids have always loved the Natural History museum, which is
> definitely young-kid friendly. The Air and Space is great, and the annex
> out at Dulles is supposed to be wonderful, so if you can fly in there it
> might be a great way to get to the airport early.
>
> The Spy museum is supposed to be really cool, and we really like the
> Museum of the American Indian, which, btw, has the best food in the
> area. Their cafe is really cool, set up cafeteria style with different
> areas representing the foods of different native regions.
>
> There's also the Bureau of Engraving where you can see money being made,
> the National Archives with the Declaration and Constitution. The
> Holocaust museum is amazing, but definitely takes quite a bit of time
> and I wouldn't recommend it for younger kids--I'm waiting till mine are
> older to go there.
>
> The Newseum is supposed to be pretty cool--a history of news media. I
> love the Botanic Gardens, which is right across the way from the
> American Indian museum and would take only a half day.
>
> The art museums are wonderful, and the sculpture gardens are really cool
> too--a great place to bring a picnic lunch on a nice, sunny day.
>
> If you have the opportunity, the monuments are absolutely amazing to see
> at night--an experience that you'll never forget.
>
> Feel free to email me off list if you'd like. I went to college in DC
> and we've lived in the area for the past 7 years.
>
> --
> ~~Danielle
> Emily (11), Julia (10), Sam (8)
> http://www.organiclearning.blogspot.com
>
>
Cindy Fox
I like Hotel Harrington. It's not the best, but it's decent,
reasonable prices, nice folks, food in the hotel and around the corner
and you can walk to the mall, ford's theatre, spy museum and fbi
(although their tours have been closed forever - glad we got to go pre-
911).
http://www.hotel-harrington.com/
If you have transportation or want to take a boat down the potomac,
check out George Washington's home - Mount Vernon. Very cool place!
They rebuilt his 16 sided barn.
http://www.mountvernon.org/
I grew up in Maryland, complaining about yet another field trip to the
Air and Space museum. :) Now I appreciate it through my husband's
eyes. :)
I also agree with the suggestion to visit Gallaudet. I walked on
protest to the capital after the students barricaded the campus when a
deaf president wasn't chosen and I worked as a phone interpreter for
the deaf which was cool. I would talk and listen to hearing people
and type and read to deaf people to help them communicate with people
who didn't own TDD, like to a doctor, buy tickets, etc.
Check to see if there are any plays going on. It's pretty cool to
watch an entire play in sign language - and usually they'll have voice
interpreters for the ASL impaired. :)
Also, there's a small visitor center at NASA's Goddard location, but
you'll need a car I think for that.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/home/index.html
DC is awesome. There's more to do than you can possibly do in one
visit (and remain sane). Note that most of the Smithsonians close
early, but some may be open until late, so plan accordingly and do get
tickets first thing in the day for the Washington Monument and the
money printing place. They may run out completely in the afternoon.
We way lucked out last year. We were just bummed about missing the
Monument again (it was under construction the time before) and a tour
guide thought I looked like someone he knew, so called me over, but
then when he heard we wanted to go in, gave us a private tour. :)
VERY nice to go up in that elevator all alone with your family and a
tour guide! And he snuck us down to the next level that is caged
off. You used to be able to walk up and down the monument - I did
that when I was a kid, but now they don't allow it and they have cool
Electrochromic Windows that show you the different blocks by each
state as you go down.
http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/electrochromic_basics.html
Anyway, there's tons to do in DC. :) The most important thing is to
ENJOY! Have fun and enjoy yourself! :) Don't rush or push, just
stroll (or run and jump and play on the mall). Fly a kite, throw a
ball, frisbee, etc. :) The mall is a grassy area, not a real mall. :)
The National Mall is a National Park. Here's a nice link for all:
http://www.nps.gov/state/dc/
Oh, I almost forgot - there's a new part of the air and space museum
near Dullas. We haven't made it there yet...
http://www.nasm.si.edu/UdvarHazy/
HTH!
c.
Cindy Fox
--- In [email protected], Pam Tellew <pamtellew@...>
wrote:
reasonable prices, nice folks, food in the hotel and around the corner
and you can walk to the mall, ford's theatre, spy museum and fbi
(although their tours have been closed forever - glad we got to go pre-
911).
http://www.hotel-harrington.com/
If you have transportation or want to take a boat down the potomac,
check out George Washington's home - Mount Vernon. Very cool place!
They rebuilt his 16 sided barn.
http://www.mountvernon.org/
I grew up in Maryland, complaining about yet another field trip to the
Air and Space museum. :) Now I appreciate it through my husband's
eyes. :)
I also agree with the suggestion to visit Gallaudet. I walked on
protest to the capital after the students barricaded the campus when a
deaf president wasn't chosen and I worked as a phone interpreter for
the deaf which was cool. I would talk and listen to hearing people
and type and read to deaf people to help them communicate with people
who didn't own TDD, like to a doctor, buy tickets, etc.
Check to see if there are any plays going on. It's pretty cool to
watch an entire play in sign language - and usually they'll have voice
interpreters for the ASL impaired. :)
Also, there's a small visitor center at NASA's Goddard location, but
you'll need a car I think for that.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/home/index.html
DC is awesome. There's more to do than you can possibly do in one
visit (and remain sane). Note that most of the Smithsonians close
early, but some may be open until late, so plan accordingly and do get
tickets first thing in the day for the Washington Monument and the
money printing place. They may run out completely in the afternoon.
We way lucked out last year. We were just bummed about missing the
Monument again (it was under construction the time before) and a tour
guide thought I looked like someone he knew, so called me over, but
then when he heard we wanted to go in, gave us a private tour. :)
VERY nice to go up in that elevator all alone with your family and a
tour guide! And he snuck us down to the next level that is caged
off. You used to be able to walk up and down the monument - I did
that when I was a kid, but now they don't allow it and they have cool
Electrochromic Windows that show you the different blocks by each
state as you go down.
http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/electrochromic_basics.html
Anyway, there's tons to do in DC. :) The most important thing is to
ENJOY! Have fun and enjoy yourself! :) Don't rush or push, just
stroll (or run and jump and play on the mall). Fly a kite, throw a
ball, frisbee, etc. :) The mall is a grassy area, not a real mall. :)
The National Mall is a National Park. Here's a nice link for all:
http://www.nps.gov/state/dc/
Oh, I almost forgot - there's a new part of the air and space museum
near Dullas. We haven't made it there yet...
http://www.nasm.si.edu/UdvarHazy/
HTH!
c.
Cindy Fox
--- In [email protected], Pam Tellew <pamtellew@...>
wrote:
>heard
> We're trying to plan a trip to Washington DC, probably in March, and
> I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay. What area? I've
> avoid staying near the Mall and stay near a Metro station. Is
> Georgetown a good place to stay with kids? Any advice on particular
> places, especially short term (a week) apartments with kitchens or
> hotels that include breakfast?
>
> Those are the immediate concerns. But advice on things not to miss
> would be great too!
>
> Thanks much!
>
> Pam
>
Wendy
I wanted to add that the Air and Space Museum near Dulles is fantastic!
It's basically a hanger full of aircraft. There is a space shuttle in
there, one of the concords, at least one of Howard Hughes planes. There
are all sorts of old, new, and strange aircraft. I'm not big on aircraft
but I enjoyed it alot. And I beleive you can take a free shuttle from the
Air and Space Museum at the Mall to the one at Dulles.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/
--
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It's basically a hanger full of aircraft. There is a space shuttle in
there, one of the concords, at least one of Howard Hughes planes. There
are all sorts of old, new, and strange aircraft. I'm not big on aircraft
but I enjoyed it alot. And I beleive you can take a free shuttle from the
Air and Space Museum at the Mall to the one at Dulles.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/
--
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
elwazani
--- In [email protected], Pam Tellew <pamtellew@...> wrote:
short "sub-let" when travelilng. I spent two weeks in N.Y.C. with one
of my kids two summeers ago and spent about $100. a night in Midtown
Manhattan for a one bedroom place...It was great. A few years back
we went to D.C. to visit my sister's family...The one thing the kids
loved was the spy museum...they still talk about that...and the other
museums were big on the list...the memorials were seen but not raved
about!
>Myself and other friends have had good luck with Craig's List for a
> We're trying to plan a trip to Washington DC, probably in March, and
> I'm looking for suggestions
short "sub-let" when travelilng. I spent two weeks in N.Y.C. with one
of my kids two summeers ago and spent about $100. a night in Midtown
Manhattan for a one bedroom place...It was great. A few years back
we went to D.C. to visit my sister's family...The one thing the kids
loved was the spy museum...they still talk about that...and the other
museums were big on the list...the memorials were seen but not raved
about!
Sandra Dodd
On Feb 1, 2009, at 1:14 AM, Cindy Fox wrote:
Oh....
I'm glad I got to go now too, then!
http://www.thedistrict.com/takethekids.html
This reminded me of the zoo. It's too big to see in one day, but it's
free, and they have devised plans so that a family can see what they
want to see by choosing one route or another and planning what to miss
and what to visit.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> and fbi---------------------
> (although their tours have been closed forever - glad we got to go
> pre-
> 911).
Oh....
I'm glad I got to go now too, then!
http://www.thedistrict.com/takethekids.html
This reminded me of the zoo. It's too big to see in one day, but it's
free, and they have devised plans so that a family can see what they
want to see by choosing one route or another and planning what to miss
and what to visit.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ed Wendell
We got a book last year when we went that was about things to do with kids in DC - it was helpful.
We went to The Capital and The Pentagon - we loved the tour of The Pentagon and The Capital. We had to get "tickets" from our senator and it took several weeks to get them. We had to go to the senators office and it was interesting to see that old building and travel through the tunnel that they use to go back and forth from their offices to the capital. Interesting how the senior senators have different office space that the junior senators, etc. We got our picture taken with the senator at a reception before being taken on a tour of the capital by the senator's liaison. We had tickets to the White House but we ended up not going as our tour time was at some ungodly hour and Zac said no way ;) During our tour of the Capital we got to sit in on a Congressional Session and see our government at work. Since we were with a Senators office we did not go into the House of Reps side though. We took all kinds of back stairs & hallways in and through the Capital - beautiful murals and mosaics in the floors, on the walls and the ceilings.
We went to Arlington National Cemetery and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Other things we did and liked:
Smithsonian's Native American museum - we ate there twice!!!!!
Air and space museum - basically all the Smithsonian museums - we even went through the old original building
National Archive - to see the Declaration of Independence and other documents - there is a museum here also.
walked the entire mall one day - from The Capital to the Lincoln Memorial - Zac liked the WWII and Korean Memorials the best.
National Zoo - my gosh that wore us completely out as it is very hilly!!!!
we walked from our hotel out through the neighborhood to see what we could see.
we took the metro almost everywhere we went - Zac had never ridden a subway before - and it's easy and cheap.
we walked though and got supper one evening at the train station
I'm probably forgetting something as Zac & Ed did things without me because I had to attend a conference as well.
The people there were very, very friendly - if they saw you looking at a map someone would walk up and ask if you needed help finding something.
Lisa W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We went to The Capital and The Pentagon - we loved the tour of The Pentagon and The Capital. We had to get "tickets" from our senator and it took several weeks to get them. We had to go to the senators office and it was interesting to see that old building and travel through the tunnel that they use to go back and forth from their offices to the capital. Interesting how the senior senators have different office space that the junior senators, etc. We got our picture taken with the senator at a reception before being taken on a tour of the capital by the senator's liaison. We had tickets to the White House but we ended up not going as our tour time was at some ungodly hour and Zac said no way ;) During our tour of the Capital we got to sit in on a Congressional Session and see our government at work. Since we were with a Senators office we did not go into the House of Reps side though. We took all kinds of back stairs & hallways in and through the Capital - beautiful murals and mosaics in the floors, on the walls and the ceilings.
We went to Arlington National Cemetery and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Other things we did and liked:
Smithsonian's Native American museum - we ate there twice!!!!!
Air and space museum - basically all the Smithsonian museums - we even went through the old original building
National Archive - to see the Declaration of Independence and other documents - there is a museum here also.
walked the entire mall one day - from The Capital to the Lincoln Memorial - Zac liked the WWII and Korean Memorials the best.
National Zoo - my gosh that wore us completely out as it is very hilly!!!!
we walked from our hotel out through the neighborhood to see what we could see.
we took the metro almost everywhere we went - Zac had never ridden a subway before - and it's easy and cheap.
we walked though and got supper one evening at the train station
I'm probably forgetting something as Zac & Ed did things without me because I had to attend a conference as well.
The people there were very, very friendly - if they saw you looking at a map someone would walk up and ask if you needed help finding something.
Lisa W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Wendy
Thanks Sandra that's useful to us too, being new residents of the district.
Also, just wanted to say, if visitors don't know already (I'm always
surprised how many people don't know) most museums are free. A few
exceptions are the Spy museum and the Newseum.
as someone said earlier, there is so much to do here, and it's constantly
changing. A suggestion pick your top 3-5 must-sees and focus on that.
Also, just wanted to say, if visitors don't know already (I'm always
surprised how many people don't know) most museums are free. A few
exceptions are the Spy museum and the Newseum.
as someone said earlier, there is so much to do here, and it's constantly
changing. A suggestion pick your top 3-5 must-sees and focus on that.
On Sun, Feb 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
>
> On Feb 1, 2009, at 1:14 AM, Cindy Fox wrote:
>
> > and fbi
> > (although their tours have been closed forever - glad we got to go
> > pre-
> > 911).
>
> ---------------------
> Oh....
> I'm glad I got to go now too, then!
>
> http://www.thedistrict.com/takethekids.html
>
> This reminded me of the zoo. It's too big to see in one day, but it's
> free, and they have devised plans so that a family can see what they
> want to see by choosing one route or another and planning what to miss
> and what to visit.
>
> Sandra
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
--
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ed Wendell
Also we were staying near (several blocks) the Zoo as we walked to the zoo on our last day there.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
Oh, right! Lisa reminded me of food. In one of the metro stations
not far from the capital there's a food court with beautiful mosaic
tile on the columns. (Danielle or someone might be able to ID
it.) Great food, lots, and as usual, it seemed to me in DC, Greek
stuff good and inexpensive all over.
Some of the museums have cafeterias and I liked the food. I love
museums but I get museum sick, like I want to see and remember
EVERYthing, but after a while it's overwhelming and I'd rather see
french fries than the Magna Carta. I was very sad to get museum-
sick at the Britsh museum. I think it's some function of my getting
excited and then forgetting to breathe and of ALL the thoughts that
go into why these things are here and whether it's good and moral and
what a risk to have so much good stuff in one place, and I get woozy
sometimes. Food and air help.
Sandra
not far from the capital there's a food court with beautiful mosaic
tile on the columns. (Danielle or someone might be able to ID
it.) Great food, lots, and as usual, it seemed to me in DC, Greek
stuff good and inexpensive all over.
Some of the museums have cafeterias and I liked the food. I love
museums but I get museum sick, like I want to see and remember
EVERYthing, but after a while it's overwhelming and I'd rather see
french fries than the Magna Carta. I was very sad to get museum-
sick at the Britsh museum. I think it's some function of my getting
excited and then forgetting to breathe and of ALL the thoughts that
go into why these things are here and whether it's good and moral and
what a risk to have so much good stuff in one place, and I get woozy
sometimes. Food and air help.
Sandra
Danielle Conger
Sandra Dodd wrote:
train station, and the metro goes there. I think that's red line.
There's also L'Enfant Plaza that has a food court, and that's yellow line.
The DC metro is really wonderful. Clean, safe, easy.
There is a red line out to Woodley Park/ Zoo, but be warned that it's a
bit of a hike from the metro to the zoo, which just adds to the walking.
The zoo is lovely, but it is a lot of walking and tiring, as someone
else pointed out, not something to do on a yucky weather day. It's also
way the heck out from everything else. Just fyi.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (11), Julia (10), Sam (8)
http://www.organiclearning.blogspot.com
>Not sure exactly. There's Union Center, which is a huge mall at the
> Oh, right! Lisa reminded me of food. In one of the metro stations
> not far from the capital there's a food court with beautiful mosaic
> tile on the columns. (Danielle or someone might be able to ID
> it.) Great food, lots, and as usual, it seemed to me in DC, Greek
> stuff good and inexpensive all over.
>
train station, and the metro goes there. I think that's red line.
There's also L'Enfant Plaza that has a food court, and that's yellow line.
The DC metro is really wonderful. Clean, safe, easy.
There is a red line out to Woodley Park/ Zoo, but be warned that it's a
bit of a hike from the metro to the zoo, which just adds to the walking.
The zoo is lovely, but it is a lot of walking and tiring, as someone
else pointed out, not something to do on a yucky weather day. It's also
way the heck out from everything else. Just fyi.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (11), Julia (10), Sam (8)
http://www.organiclearning.blogspot.com
Wendy
Museum sick, good term, I get that too. Union Station is the only one I can
think of also. I love that place. It's fun to just sit on one of the
benches and admire the architecture.
http://www.unionstationdc.com/
There is a also a food court in the lower level of the Ronald Reagan bldg I
think the metro stop is Federal Triangle (Orange line). And free summer
concerts M-F outside.
http://www.itcdc.com/
And more food (and Ben & Jerry's) in the Old Post Office across the street
from Federal Triangle metro
http://www.oldpostofficedc.com/
I like Teaism and Potbelly sandwiches at the Navy/Archives/Penn
Quarter metro stop (yellow line) across from the National Archives
relatively close to the sculpture garden (National Gallery of Art West
Bldg).
Oh and if you go to the zoo get off at Cleveland Park and walk "downhill" to
the zoo entrance and then when you leave walk downhill to Woodley Park/Zoo
metro (Red Line).
Hope I'm not overwheming you. I just did 5 months of sightseeing here over
the summer (before DH was offered perm. job) and am still reeling from the
experience ;-)
--
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
think of also. I love that place. It's fun to just sit on one of the
benches and admire the architecture.
http://www.unionstationdc.com/
There is a also a food court in the lower level of the Ronald Reagan bldg I
think the metro stop is Federal Triangle (Orange line). And free summer
concerts M-F outside.
http://www.itcdc.com/
And more food (and Ben & Jerry's) in the Old Post Office across the street
from Federal Triangle metro
http://www.oldpostofficedc.com/
I like Teaism and Potbelly sandwiches at the Navy/Archives/Penn
Quarter metro stop (yellow line) across from the National Archives
relatively close to the sculpture garden (National Gallery of Art West
Bldg).
Oh and if you go to the zoo get off at Cleveland Park and walk "downhill" to
the zoo entrance and then when you leave walk downhill to Woodley Park/Zoo
metro (Red Line).
Hope I'm not overwheming you. I just did 5 months of sightseeing here over
the summer (before DH was offered perm. job) and am still reeling from the
experience ;-)
--
Peace,
Wendy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pam Tellew
I am so appreciating all the suggestions. Thanks! Keep 'em coming!
Pam
Pam
Gwen
When I was thirteen we took a family vacation to the DC area.
I remember loving the Smithsonian (especially television history) and walking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We also went to the National Cathedral.
My brother was really into military things at the time and we took a tour at Annapolis. At the time it was the highlight of my trip....all those nice looking young men.... :-)
I went back again with a friend when I was seventeen. We stayed with my aunt in Virginia and took a train into DC.
There is a statue of a seated Einstein there somewhere near the mall and I have a great picture of me sitting on his lap.
I took a bus up to the National Cathedral (love that architecture and stained glass!). I'm from a medium sized city, so taking a bus in a "big city" was a really neat experience for me. I was the only anglo on the bus for most of the ride and it was a real eye-opener for me.
I also went back to the Smithsonian to see all the art & paintings I wasn't able to see the first time.
Gwen
I remember loving the Smithsonian (especially television history) and walking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We also went to the National Cathedral.
My brother was really into military things at the time and we took a tour at Annapolis. At the time it was the highlight of my trip....all those nice looking young men.... :-)
I went back again with a friend when I was seventeen. We stayed with my aunt in Virginia and took a train into DC.
There is a statue of a seated Einstein there somewhere near the mall and I have a great picture of me sitting on his lap.
I took a bus up to the National Cathedral (love that architecture and stained glass!). I'm from a medium sized city, so taking a bus in a "big city" was a really neat experience for me. I was the only anglo on the bus for most of the ride and it was a real eye-opener for me.
I also went back to the Smithsonian to see all the art & paintings I wasn't able to see the first time.
Gwen
--- On Fri, 1/30/09, pebsflower <oceanblue_1000@...> wrote:
Just outside of dc. is Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. There is
the military academy there that is worth a visit as well just seeing
the ships on the river.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]