General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt's our last day in DC
Metro-ing in from the Maryland burbs. Going to the Smithsonian (fave place in the world!) African American museum. Went to the museum of Native Americans yesterday. Wonderful! Failed to snag a White House tour.
Any hidden gems you can rec?
We've touristed here before so have seen the monuments on the Mall - though they never get old!
Spent a semester here in college, work study sort of thing.
I must say the media image that it's all chaos, hate, disarray, and negativity is FAR from what we are encountering! Everyone along the way (including airline passengers) have been courteous, amiable!!
DFW
(54,436 posts)Do NOT miss the Jefferson building of the Library of Congress, across from the Supreme Court. Most miss ittheir loss!!!!
Then, out to the corner of M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, and walk slowly up Wisconsin. Bistrots, cafés tiny cool stores.
If theres time and you havent seen it, theres the Holocaudt Museum.
In that order.
HAB911
(8,911 posts)but I never fail to let my tears flow at the VN memorial
Stinky The Clown
(67,818 posts)MyMission
(1,850 posts)It was for a wedding, but did get in a bit of sight seeing.
I've been there a number of times over many years.
I went into the shop of the spy museum, across from the Smithsonian, and it was fun and interesting. Didn't get to go through the museum.
https://www.spymuseum.org/
I passed by the MLK memorial library, which was being renovated. Would have loved to walk through.
https://www.dclibrary.org/mlk
Enjoy your last day.
BumRushDaShow
(129,376 posts)At the time, I think they were just setting up the big "National Christmas tree" in Lafayette Square.
MyMission
(1,850 posts)And got to attend a protest, at least a part of it.
I was there for a wedding, got to see family I like, got to wander around DC sightsee a bit, visit the Smithsonian, and got to stand on the mall with others to express our outrage. Not our rage. But the SC building and others were protected by those metal barriers, to keep anyone from getting too close.
Lulu KC
(2,572 posts)It's in Georgetown. I haven't spent much time in the museum, but it has a beautiful garden for a little walk, and lots of history happened there. Very quiet. You can just see the tops of a couple buildings on Embassy Row.
If you're not familiar, the Dumbarton Oaks Conversations took place here, and those led to the drafting of the U.N. Charter.
https://www.doaks.org
honest.abe
(8,684 posts)I think Ive seen it all maybe multiple times. The museums are great but we also love the outdoors around here like Great Falls, Shenandoah national park, fishing on the Chesapeake, camping at various campgrounds nearby. The new Wharf area is really nice but expensive! Also National Harbor is fun. The zoo of course but I suppose you did that one already. National Cathedral and The Basilica are amazing. Bethesda downtown is fun as is Silver Spring downtown. Thats just the places I can think of at the moment. We are also planning to move next year to Atlanta area.
Phoenix61
(17,018 posts)70sEraVet
(3,508 posts)Years ago I went through with my oldest daughter, and it happened to be the anniversary of Bobby Kennedy's death. Members of his family were there, paying their respects to a great man whose life was ended, preventing him from setting this country on a truly humanitarian path.
I totally broke down, like I'd lost a family member of my own.
William Seger
(10,779 posts)If you like aeronautical and space stuff, the National Air and Space Museum is the most awesome museum in the world.
brooklynite
(94,713 posts)Its out by Dulles Airport, and its where they store the items too BIG for the Museum on the Mall.
genxlib
(5,530 posts)Just a couple of blocks NW of the Capitol. The building itself is stunning on the inside. They often have inaugural balls there. I always found the exhibits fascinating. I find that it approaches architecture as a social science in the way it defines and represents our culture.
https://www.nbm.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=52&v=pGORi1FEMZQ&feature=emb_logo
YDogg
(6,682 posts)The National Building Museum is remarkable.
erronis
(15,328 posts)Volunteering at the zoo was a real treat. We actually got to clean out the big cat (tiger/lion) grounds a couple of times. Very smelly and weird knowing that in about 15 minutes the steel door letting them out into the yard would be opened.....
The volunteer coordinator saw my partner and me chatting and sharing an apple. He said that he knew we would be together in the future.
Historic NY
(37,452 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,894 posts)Otherwise, as far as I know the only WWI museum in this country is in Kansas City, and it's remarkable. It's worth going to KC just for that.
IronLionZion
(45,516 posts)The Teddy Roosevelt memorial is one of my favorites. You have to get to it from the GW parkway. The Botanical Gardens are a good spot to visit if you like plants. The outside gardens are great if it gets too hot inside. The various art galleries are great if you're into art.
Kids often like the air and space museum, natural history, spy museum, American history, and the national zoo.
Baltimore's aquarium is fun if you want to visit our neighboring city.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Have you ever seen it?
IronLionZion
(45,516 posts)BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)mcar
(42,372 posts)I've also heard that the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) building is amazing!
Tall Poppy
(26 posts)You never know who youll see!
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)I was there right after Justice Ginsberg's death and there was only a tiny marker next to her husband's stone. I think they have a nice stone for them both now.
Somber, yet fascinating place.
WinstonSmith4740
(3,056 posts)Hope you caught it. Absolutely amazing.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)way away.
Frigid day, and I ended up only seeing a little of it. Maybe next time!
barbtries
(28,810 posts)I cried at JFK's grave, we watched the changing of the guard. My youngest son wasn't quite getting why I got emotional, but his older brother completely did.
cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)I make a point of striking up conversations - everyone so friendly and seemingly happy (enough?)!!
We have plans to hit some of these highlights -
Thanks!
Stinky The Clown
(67,818 posts)appalachiablue
(41,170 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,376 posts)and working for the feds for over 30 years, I was always back and forth on I-95 down there.
And there is so much but if you haven't stopped by there, you could go to the MLK Memorial, which overlooks the Tidal Basin if you haven't been by there (I think it opened in 2011 - unveiling initially delayed due to Hurricane Irene).
When we were there just this past November 2018, we got on one of those double-decker bus tours and one of the stops along the way that people could hop off to go look at, was Ford's Theater (associated with a national historic park at the site and in the immediate area) - and I think history buffs would know the significance of that being where Lincoln was assassinated. Apparently there is a museum in the basement below the actual (operational) theater (we didn't hop off to go but I did see a mention on the bus brochure).
eppur_se_muova
(36,281 posts)Botany
(70,567 posts)barbtries
(28,810 posts)i took my grandsons several years ago and got every free ticket I could from my local rep. We went to the WH, the Capitol, the SC (where they wouldn't let us in because one of the judges was entertaining visitors inside), Bureau of Engraving, don't recall them all. Plus the monuments, a crime place where you had to try and solve it, can't recall the name of it, did the hop on hop off bus a couple times, just had a blast. Space museum. Holocaust Museum. Modern Art Museum. We met a lifesize talking Smoky the Bear in a tiny off the map place, probably a National Parks Museum about the size of a closet. The zoo.
i think the last time I was there alone and visited the MLK monument. I don't know how many times you could visit DC and still just be scratching the surface.
my 2 grandsons are the most fun people I know. I always have so much fun with those guys.
Warpy
(111,332 posts)If you haven;t been through at least one building, you haven't been to DC. Really.
It doesn't take forever and calling it "America's Attic" isn't far off, it's fascinating.
riverbendviewgal
(4,253 posts)Part of the Smithsonian. Went twice in different years. Wonderful to explore
MontanaMama
(23,337 posts)the Museum of Natural History was my favorite .particularly the gemstones. The Hope Diamond is mesmerizing.
cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)Will try to squeeze it in this trip!
Such a "Dem" feel here!.😁
MLAA
(17,318 posts)There is an IMAX theater in the area, if I recall correctly, that has a cool shortish film.
Retrograde
(10,152 posts)IIRC the Folger Shakespeare Library is nearby, but we spent so much time in the LoC that we never got to it.
CTyankee
(63,912 posts)I've been there several times. I found some American artists I had previously not known.
Mr.Bill
(24,317 posts)my favorite place is George Washington's home in Mt. Vernon. I lived in Alexandria when I was a kid in the 50s and went there several times. Most recently I was there in 2002.
Retrograde
(10,152 posts)and watch the river go by? Mt. Vernon is almost a day trip in itself, especially if you want to explore the grounds and not just the main house.
Mr.Bill
(24,317 posts)Can't be sure about now.
kimbutgar
(21,181 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,586 posts)the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Magna Carta.
Nice weather today for a change.
cally
(21,596 posts)Take the ferry if available or the metro. Lots of history here and very accessible.
liberalla
(9,257 posts)GD has claimed Paris, but my GSs would love DC, so much to do! It's on my bucket list.