DC Tourist Advice

[21]

Need some help here. I've been to DC maybe 100 times, but never as a tourist....which apparently I will soon be. Taking my niece--the lovely LinZee--as a gift for her 16th bday, although my sister would prefer I just invest in a nice Prada handbag. And we have to go the end of next month, which sounds incredibly raw and cold.

I have a couple of friends in the White House, so that's covered, but I have no idea how to set up this trip, what's worth a visit, best area to stay, a good hotel in a good location, good places to take a teenager to dinner, etc etc. In short, anything you can tell me will help.

In general, I hate crowds, lines, tourists, and sleet. On the other hand, I love my niece and this is what she wants to do, so we're doing it.

Help! And thanks.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Spend most of your time in Anacostia.

 

[Moderator1]

http://www.hamiltonhoteldc.com/


Great joint, great location. Walk to the White House, a block from the subway, close to a lot of other jank. Home of the first SportsJournalists.com outing.

If you hate crowds, lines, tourists and sleet, you're going to have a blast. A blast.

More later.

 

[Layman]

Along these same lines, we're taking our 10 year old nephew on his first DC trip, this June. Figuring about a 6 day trip. We'll stay in the city over the weekend (better hotel prices downtown), while staying outside of town during the week (again, better hotel prices. Also, can visit places like Arlington & Mount Vernon).

Any recommendations on a good area to hotel search, outside (or, on the edge of) the beltway? On the days we head into DC, we'll just take the Metro in. Thus, proximity to a Metro stop is pretty key.

 

[KJIM]

I, too, am going next month, so I'm watching this thread, too.

What are the public transport options in from the airports?

 

[JackReacher]

From Dulles into DC, there's no Metro. Yet. So you'll have to cab it.
There's a Metro stop at National.

 

[Azrael]

What's the boilerplate for a DC visit? Especially for a 16-year-old.

National Gallery

National Archives

White House

The Mall from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, inclusive

Smithsonian, all, (esp. Air and Space?)

Jefferson Memorial

FDR Memorial

Arlington

Lots of others, I'm sure. Is there some sort of comprehensive, VIP-tour that gets someone in everywhere? Group tours that jump the lines?

 

[Dyno]

I'm in the middle of some work right now and I'll write more detailed suggestions later, but for now, for hotels, I'd look at the W, which is right around the corner from the White House, or the Hotel Monaco at 7th and F, NW. Both of those hotels are well located for all the DC touristy-stuff and seem like they'd be up to 21-type standards.

More later.

 

[21]

I'm going to check out Moddy's hotel tip, also have to look at Hiltons and Westins (I'm a ***** for points, what can I say). Any recommendations on those?

The W is a great call, will check that out.

She's a decent basketball platter, thinking of maybe going to a Georgetown game if possible.

I really want to go to the Newseum, has anyone been there? Worth it?

 

[dreunc1542]

I loved the Newseum. In my mind it's the best of the museums in DC by a wide margin. Then again, I had high expectations for the Smithsonian museums and was very disappointed by just about all of them.

 

[Ace]

I'm going to check out Moddy's hotel tip, also have to look at Hiltons and Westins (I'm a ***** for points, what can I say). Any recommendations on those?

The W is a great call, will check that out.

She's a decent basketball platter, thinking of maybe going to a Georgetown game if possible.

I really want to go to the Newseum, has anyone been there? Worth it?

The Washington Hilton in the Adams Morgan district is good. Big convention hotel so you can maybe get a good rate. Near the zoo. Convenient to Metro.

 

[Ace]

I'm going to check out Moddy's hotel tip, also have to look at Hiltons and Westins (I'm a ***** for points, what can I say). Any recommendations on those?

The W is a great call, will check that out.

She's a decent basketball platter, thinking of maybe going to a Georgetown game if possible.

I really want to go to the Newseum, has anyone been there? Worth it?

I think you have to do the Holocaust Museum, too.

 

[Moderator1]

http://www.amazon.com/Top-Washington-Eyewitness-Travel-Guides/dp/0756660807/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295536076&sr=8-1

 

[YankeeFan]

Maybe not for a 16-year-old, but I'd like to see the WWII Memorial.

Back in what must have been '88, my brother and his friend took me to the Vietnam Memorial. I really had no interest in going. But, I have to say, it was incredibly captivating & moving. It just draws you in.

 

[mustangj17]

Don't do your White House visit the last day. I never got to go in the White House for a tour because the day we were going to go (last day of the trip), Bill Clinton was giving a speech and nobody was allowed in.

 

[wicked]

If she's 16, you have to stop at Tyson's Corner. Maybe you'll end up buying that handbag, anyway.

And you can take the bus from Dulles to West Falls Church and get on the Metro there, although I've never done it. If you're really adventurous, fly into BWI and take the MARC into town.

Take Moddy's advice on the Hamilton. It had the best beds I've ever slept in.

 

[21]

Thoughts on the Spy Museum?

 

[JackReacher]

I've been wanting to go to the Spy Museum for a while now. Sounds pretty cool. Other than that, I know nothing about it.

Eat at Ben's on U St.

 

[Moderator1]

I want to go to the Spy Museum one day but have heard mixed reviews. A friend who was there recently said there's a ton of reading involved - more than your average museum.

D.C. is no NY but there are some good theater options there, too, if your niece is into that.

Nats Park, of course, if you are there after 3/30.

 

[Jack_Kerouac]

Did the Spy Museum when I was there last January. It was fun, but there are many museums in D.C. that I'd rank ahead of it. It is true about there being a lot of reading. It's not a real breezy museum that a teenager would enjoy, in my opinion.