Trip to Washington DC

I was born and raised in D.C. If you have never been I def. would see the Washington Monument, Jefferson and Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums, Spy Museum. The Zoo there is free and really nice! I love just walking around the mall and reflection pond. The weather will be HOT and HUMID so be prepared. My fav place to eat is Jaleo, so good! There is so much to do, have fun!

My family was there last May as my husband was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Afterwards we stayed for a week and did some sight seeing. We particularly enjoyed the bus tour of the monuments that was done at night and the Newseum, Arlington National Cemetery, the WWII Women's Memorial at the gates of Arlington, and any of the Smithsonian exhibits. Be prepared to walk! We also used the Metro. There is so much to see, you can hardly go wrong. ~J.

As a native Washingtonian, my recommendations (along with anyone else that's ever been to DC) would be the museums, namely the Museum of Natural History and the Air and Space museum. If your into modern art the Horsrin (i have no idea how to spell it, but if you ask about the modern art museum, most people know about it). As far as entertaining, eating, shopping and bars, defintiley Georgetown, clyde's is a good oyster place, and look for the little bars to hang out. Pretty much anywhere you go will be cool, ask the locals and you can't go wrong, everyone there is pretty honest and straightforward. I'm jealous of you guys! have a great time!

See the inside of the Capitol and the Supreme Court. National Archives for the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta, etc. Pictures in front of the White House. ALL of the 19 Smithsonian museums are free, and many are right on the National Mall. Check out Air & Space (planes and space vehicles, etc.) and Natural History (Hope diamond, dinosaurs) for sure. Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Vietnam War Memorial. It sounds like a lot, but all of that is on or just off the National Mall and very close. Additionally, the the US Holocaust Memorial Museum is amazing.

Make sure that you take in the Changing of the Guard at Arlington. That was by far one of the most moving things ever. I would also suggest the International Spy Musuem.

I recommend the Postal musuem and the original Smithsonian museum. Not the the big things that people say to see, but I really enjoyed them. Also, you have to go to the Holocaust museum and plan to stay there at least 4 hours!

Another great place I went was the Engraving place where they make money. It was really interesting.

There is so much to see in the Washington DC area! Everyone has made wonderful suggestions. We went with our two teenagers and i was a great trip........you will not see everything. Arlington is a must! And have a meal and Grand Station it is wonderful......if you are a people watching person if not may not be as exciting. We took a tour and were able to see a lot. Washington Monument, Jefferson and Lincoln Memorial......the list just continues. Enjoy and take lots of pictures!

If you can, read Dan Brown's book- The Lost Symbol before you go...it's a page turner and set in DC and made me want to go again and see all that he describes so beautifully!

Check out "Bike and Roll" - it's my favorite way to see the sites. I also love the kayaks on the Potomac river.

Both the National Museum of Crime and Punishment and the International Spy Museum are awesome, as well as the usual Smithsonians, the Zoo, the Archives, the Supreme Court and the Capitol. I've heard that the Newseum is fantastic, but I haven't been there.

Contact your local congressman's office to see if they can get you special tours of the Capitol Bld and other sites. For example, my represnative is Anna Eschoo. We were told to meet in her office at a specific time for a Capitol tour. We got to go a few places the regular tours didn't get to, and didn't need to wait in line.
The Library of Congress is a beautiful building -- and right on Capitol Hill, so pop in there if your at the Capitol Bld.
I don't know if the Kennedy Center still does tours in the daytime. The tour brings you to some "reception rooms" that are not open to the public during performances.
Out by Dulles Airport, the Air and Space Musuem has an 'annex' which has all the BIG stuff. (They can fly aircraft into Dulles and taxi it right up the museum.)
The Newsuem is really interesting (I think its in Rosyln VA, but right off the Metro). The new Spy Museum is good too -- but they both cost $$$. The Smithsonian, zoo and art museum are all free.

There are tons of restaurants around. Pick something you haven't tried before. The Old Post Office has a food court that's better and cheaper than eating in the tourist traps.

Travel by Metro. You can get all the way from Springfield, VA to Germantown, MD if you take the right combo of buses and trains. If you drive, you will need a SmarTrip card to get out of the parking lot. Look at wmata.com and determine whether an unlimited pass (week or day) would best suit your needs or if you'd rather buy a SmarTrip card and just add money to it. Consider exploring the suburbs, too.

There are a lot of museums. Some are free (National Gallery of Art, Air and Space) and some are pay (Spy, Newseum).

If you get up to Baltimore, go to the Inner Harbor and the Aquarium. Consider a Duck Tour.

Do you like theatre? Check out the Kennedy Center. See if Sheer Madness is available. Great show.

The Metro is easy to use. My husband was a Presidential Honor Guard in D.C. and when we went, he was sure to reserve tickets to see the Sunset Evening Parade & Silent Drill Team at the USMC Barracks which was really great!

http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/

I remember going there as a kid and to this day the things that remain memorable are the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Monument and the Smithsonian (a 3 day visit in itself!). Ewww, be prepared, it is going to be stinkin hot and humid in August. =/