I know my son needs to see the air and space museum, he is a huge WW2 plane nut. It's been many many years since I was there

Don't forget to check out the Udvar-Hazy museum close to Dulles Airport off of Route 28 in addition to the Air & Space Museum downtown. It's free but they hit you up $15 for parking.

Website here.

If you've got your heart set on DC, have fun. You might consider an alternative, though: the National Museum of the Air Force (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil) at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Terrific collection, easy to get to, free parking, and none of the DC hassles.

I passed it on a road trip from Washington (the state) to Virginia a couple years ago. Stopped on the way back and spent the better part of two days savoring planes from the earliest days of aviation to the day before yesterday.

Well if you are going to DC to see museums besides the A&S then you will need to plan a whole day for some (Natural History for one). You will not be able to see them all in a day or two.

Second if you are going to Udvar-Hazy, lunch is on me, it's 5 minutes from my house.

1. Don't speed through Virginia.

2. Visit Arlington.

Vietnam, Jefferson, Korea, Lincoln Memorials. Right next door is Arlington Cemetery, a should not miss. U.S. Mint was a good tour but books up so get there early. All the museums were great. You will have fun.

Holocaust Museum.

Be prepared to be humbled.

Do yourself a favor, and go to the Korean War Memorial at night. They absolutely nailed the lighting and it's an order of magnitude more impactful at night.

The National Cathedral is one of the most impresseive and detailed buildings I've ever seen in North America.

Planning my 18th trip for June.
One day -- half a day where you want want; second add at item two and three.
My choices -- Arlington (get there early, very early), a Smithsonian (couple hours) (spend three hours on the internet to know evertything about the museum), second Smithsonian (couple hours) (same admonition), fill in with an evening of walking the memorials (start at VN, move to Lincoln, Korean, walk down to WWII, slide over to MLK, and finish at Jefferson. A very full day.
Pack your best walking shoes.
Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Do yourself a favor, and go to the Korean War Memorial at night. They absolutely nailed the lighting and it's an order of magnitude more impactful at night.

Walking around the mall at night is one of my favorite things to do in DC. Crowds are gone and the monuments are amazing lit up.

Has your son ever been to DC? How many days do you have to spend here?

As others have said visit the Udvar-Hazy museum near Dulles. Plan on spending a good half day. It's an impressive place.

If your son has never been to DC I suggest spending half a day on the Mall. Walk around and see all the monuments and sights. Really one of the best things you can do and it's free. I'm not sure you can find another place where you can see so much history in a day.

Arlington National Cemetery is another good stop if you have time. Plan a few hours with parking and walking. It's a good walk up hill to the Tomb of the Unknown. If you have never seen the changing of the guard you need to. If your there and have a car you can also stop and visit the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Lot's of other great museums and most are free just depends on your likes and time.

Give us some more details

 
Cherry blossoms (what survived) should be out next week. I've seen the traditional sites so often, escorting guests, that I recommend some of the more offbeat sites. The George Washington Memorial in Alexandria is a remarkable example of stone architecture. It also has some very rare GW artifacts, including his wooden teeth. The Washington National Cathedral, though still a work in progress after many years, is a great architectural project. We used to attend the Christmas Eve ceremony each year. Wonderful. The Holocaust Museum, +1. Sit in Lafayette Park and watch the White House security in action. Go a bit higher (up the hill than the Cathedral...up Wisconsin Ave) and get a great view of DC. Another great view is had from the grounds of the old St. Elizabeths Hospital, out Mt. Luther King Ave in SE DC. Not sure if TSA, who now uses the land, will let you visit.. St. E's is in southeast, across the Anacostia River. The site you want is "the point". It overlooks the Anacostia Naval Air Station, which is where the Presidential heliocopters are based. Great city, to look at. I would not want to walk the streets, though, anywhere. My wife was a commissioned officer in MD, able to carry in DC, and she refused to go there. All of these places are accessible via the Metro system.
 

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 Another great view is had from the grounds of the old St. Elizabeths Hospital, out Mt. Luther King Ave in SE DC. Not sure if TSA, who now uses the land, will let you visit..
 

That is one of the best views of DC or was since you can't really get there now. Coast Guard has their headquarters there now. Last time I was there was over two years ago and there where other agencies supposed to move in. Anyway is all gated with security.

I know they used to do walking tours of old hospital. I don't know the group that organized them anymore. Had to submit your name and info ahead of time.

Be careful and obey all speed limits in DC, DC has speed and red light cameras everywhere, they even have stop sign cameras and fines run well over 150 dollars. When I left there in June they were trying to raise somes fines up to a thousand dollars. I don't know if they were successful but you don't want to find out. Be careful where you park, DC will ticket and tow your car in a heart beat.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
That is one of the best views of DC or was since you can't really get there now. Coast Guard has their headquarters there now

When I worked at St E's back in the early 1970's that was our favorite place to watch the July 4th fireworks. It was also a place for much hanky-panky during lunch time
 

quote:

Originally posted by Day_late:
If you've got your heart set on DC, have fun. You might consider an alternative, though: the National Museum of the Air Force (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil) at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Terrific collection, easy to get to, free parking, and none of the DC hassles.

I passed it on a road trip from Washington (the state) to Virginia a couple years ago. Stopped on the way back and spent the better part of two days savoring planes from the earliest days of aviation to the day before yesterday.

Welcome to the forum! Is it still OK to leave a gun in the car in the NMUSAF parking lot? Inside is no-no for sure.

Arrange a Capitol building tour. Also contact your Senator or Congressman to set up a White House Tour. Plan both well in advance. Well worth it.

Whatever you do, do NOT travel faster than 60 mph down I-295. They have speed cameras every few miles !

My sister in law lives near by and works downtown. We go there nearly every year. I am always awed by Arlington and watching the changing of the Guard. First time I saw it I was a freshamn in HS. The entire place was silent as you walked. These days people are soeaking loudly, yelling and completely disrespectful of where they are. There are signs everywhere stating "silence is respect" . Appearantly there is very little of that these days. On another note, any monument is great, as others have mentioned the Korean Memorial is haunting. I would pass on the Aquarium. It was really nothing special at all. DC is a wonderful place to visit!!

If your son is a Boy Scout be sure to walk by the Boy Scout Memorial.


NPS Link

Boy Scout Memorial

The memorial to the Boy Scouts of America stands on the site of the first Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937. It is one of the few memorials in Washington, D.C. commemorating a living cause. The funds to build this memorial were raised by Scout units throughout the United States, and each donor signed one of several scrolls that were placed in the pedestal of the statue. The memorials was unveiled in a ceremony on November 7, 1964. The statue was accepted for the country by Associate Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark, who noted that the day marked his fiftieth anniversary as an Eagle Scout.

The bronze statue consists of three figures. The Boy Scout represents the aspirations of all past, present, and future Scouts throughout the world. The male figure exemplifies physical, mental, and moral fitness, love of country, good citizenship, loyalty, honor, and courage. He carries a helmet, a symbol of masculine attire. The female figure symbolizes enlightenment with the love of God and fellow man, justice, freedom, and democracy. She holds the eternal flame of God's Holy Spirit.