The National portrait gallery

(I’d skip the regular air and space museum: hands down the most crowded of them all)

I haven’t been to DC in years but when I return I will definitely go here :
Bens Chili Bowl

We went and watched the silent drill team at Marine Corps barracks 8th and I and it was awesome. I highly recommend that.

Also bring proof of your military service if you can. There’s a special line at the National Archives for veterans which was super nice as it was pouring rain outside, and there’s discounts at Arlington too.

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
If you find Masonic stuff interesting the Temple in Alexandria is impressive

Concur, not so much for Masonic stuff, but the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a marvel of architecture. There are several items of Washington's on display, such as his hand carved wood teeth. Did I mention the architecture?

If you make it to DC next week, or immediately after July 4, perhaps you can catch the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival on the Mall. I rather like the National Zoo also. Divil mentioned Ben's Chili Bowl; looking forward to see if the news is correct that the Giant supermarkets are going to start selling Ben's half-smokes and chili!

I have been there dozens of times. Whenever I get a chance I visit the memorials on the mall at night. The effect of the night lighting is truly dramatic, especially the Vietnam and Korean War memorials. The Korean War memorial is eerie and emotional. If you are down there at meal time the Old Ebbitt Grill is a great experience, lots of history there, you might need reservations depending on time.

Oh! Not too far out of the way but Mt. Vernon is worth the day trip! Or Monticello. Both great trips and views into the lives of some great men.

2nd Mt Vernon. And save your feet, there are golf cart tours to visit all the stuff on the mall. I found them AFTER walking everywhere. Well worth it and not super expensive. They pick up near Ebbits tourist trap, i mean grill

quote:

Originally posted by sigseller2000:
....And save your feet, there are golf cart tours to visit all the stuff on the mall.

First day in D.C. we did a Segway Tour, it gave us a nice overview of where things were before we got started.

FYI the National Zoo now requires reservations to get in. Entry is still free, parking has never been free in the zoo lots. Definitely worth a visit if you have time. Avoid the weekends if you can. Weekdays are better. Although I don't know now about the reservation system. Been years since I was there.

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit

The National Archives. Impressive building and houses the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, among other things they rotate through. A copy of the Magna Carta was on display last time I visited.

A nice evening would be dinner at Old Ebitt Grill then a drink at the Williard Hotel or the rooftop bar at the Washington Hotel, or both. They are both close by and very cool.

The Newseum is cool.

Seconding Fords Theater/Peterson House and Bens Chili Bowl.

The International Spy museum. Museum 700 L'Enfant Plaza, SW Washington DC 20024

for convenience, Ben's Chili Bowl next to the Lincoln Theater (good venue as well, I've seen a few shows there) is right across the street from a metro stop,

Update on The Newseum (which I enjoyed going to several times): it closed permanently at the end of 2019.

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
for convenience, Ben's Chili Bowl next to the Lincoln Theater (good venue as well, I've seen a few shows there) is right across the street from a metro stop,

I always would try to get into Lincoln's Waffle Shop for breakfast when in that area. Good, and inexpensive meals. Just across the street from the theater. But space in there can get cozy tight.

DC has many places to visit, however it is wise to
never walk alone in many DC downtown areas. I was
there during the 60's, 70's and 80's as a federal law enforcement agent. Many assaults of tourists
happened at night in areas from the Capitol Building, the train station, the White House, and
the 14th street corridor. Dulles Airport is a very
safe area since it's out in northern Virginia.
Enjoy your visit, but never be alone!

The National Law Enforcement Memorial as previously mentioned.

The National Cryptologic Museum at the entrance to the NSA. Small but interesting.
https://www.nsa.gov/museum/

United States Botanic Garden, if you are into that sort of thing.
https://www.usbg.gov/visit

Another vote for the National Zoo. The last time I visited I recall a lion just roaring his brains out. Neat, but kinda melancholy, in a display in the middle of a very urban city - kinda like a vocal "fuck you" to everybody.

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
Another vote for the National Zoo.

A tip from a long time DC area resident. The main zoo entrance lies on Connecticut Avenue, on a fairly good grade. If you are on foot and using the Metro, do not be tempted by the Red Line stop named "Woodley Park/Zoo". If you exit there, you will ride one of the world's longest escalators up to the surface, and then a serious uphill hike to the zoo entrance. Not a good way to start your zoo visit, since the zoo itself goes from the high entrance down to Rock Creek Park, and hiking back up to the main entrance is even worse than your initial hike to the zoo.
 
Better to go one stop past the zoo to the Cleveland Park Metro station, and walk downhill to the zoo entrance. When you are done, walk downhill again to the Woodley Park/Zoo stop.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael J. Shannon:
DC has many places to visit, however it is wise to
never walk alone in many DC downtown areas. I was
there during the 60's, 70's and 80's as a federal law enforcement agent. Many assaults of tourists
happened at night in areas from the Capitol Building, the train station, the White House, and
the 14th street corridor. Dulles Airport is a very
safe area since it's out in northern Virginia.
Enjoy your visit, but never be alone!

This bears repeating. Washington DC is a very dangerous place. I was born there and spent the first 20 years of my working life there. I remember in the 1960s, when we crossed the DC line, my father would say "lock the doors, we are in DC now". Things have changed since for the worse.

Carjacking is increasing dramatically.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/...g-residents/2955523/

https://www.washingtontimes.co...ng-carjacking-robbe/

I cannot imagine going to DC voluntarily. There are many attractions in Virginia, particularly Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetary and the Dulles Air & Space Museum. Old Towne Alexandria is nice.

If you do visit DC, keep your doors locked!