Looking at spending a week or so in DC either the middle of August or the middle of October this year. It is just two of us going, and neither have ever been.

I’m mostly curious to know if anyone living in the area (or with travel history to DC) thinks one time is better than the other. I was leaning toward October for better weather but I’m curious to know if all of the cool stuff is going to be shut down or heavily restricted with the election so close.

Hottest place in the world is Washington D.C. in the middle of August. Concrete everywhere, no breeze, and if there is one it’s loaded with humidity not unlike South FL. But worse.

My choice would be Autumn.

October for sure. DC is very good at dealing with crowds and events. The election should not have an effect on your trip in Oct.

I will write up some more info when I have some time.

No to August, it's a swamp, a hot swamp.

Smithsonian museums are a must. Air and Space, Natural History, and American History are my favorite in that order. Lincoln and Jefferson memorials are nice, Abe is bigger than he looks in pics. Walk the mall, see the monument. Kenilworth Aquatic Garden is awesome, but it will be too late in October for it, and it's in the ghetto.

It's a beautiful city, just driving through looking at some of the buildings. If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, I highly recommend going to The Wharf and getting some fresh seafood, be warned the parking is weird and confusing due to them rebuilding the waterfront.

Do NOT go in August.

Seriously, that area of the country is true misery from July - Sept.

In the days before air conditioning, at least until the USA became a major power Washington was considered something of a hardship post for foreign diplomats due to the climate. We have AC now but that does not help the outside.

If your here for a week you will have time to really see things.

I suggest spending a day walking around the mall. See the monuments. The amount of history is amazing. Walk up the steps of the Lincon Memorial, along the Vietnam Memorial Wall, along the reflecting pool, WWII, and Korean. Then pick an evening and see them at night.

I've been downtown many times. I went down last weekend to get out and walked around. Walking around some of the memorials is humbling no matter how many times you have seen them.

Take part of a day and go to Arlington National Cemetery. Be warned is a lot of walking. Watch the changing of the guard. Visit Section 60 which is where the soldiers of the current wars are buried.

Take a day and drive you to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport. Time your drive to avoid rush hour traffic.

Visit some of the Smithsonian Museums. There are so many so find ones you like. DC also has a great zoo that is part of the Smithsonian Museums and is free.

Take a trip to Great Falls. There is a Maryland and VA side. I like the MD side but the VA side is good also.

Feel free to ask any questions you have. We have a few members that live in the DMV area who can show recommendations.

The recent Air & Space Museum out by Dulles will eat up a day of your time easily. If Mrs. R37 isn't into it, have her drop you off and do her own thing. Also avoids the $15 parking fee.

quote:

Originally posted by Kasinefect:
In the days before air conditioning, at least until the USA became a major power Washington was considered something of a hardship post for foreign diplomats due to the climate. We have AC now but that does not help the outside.

Washington pretty much shut down for the summer in the pre A/C days. It sure reduced the amount of mischief the Congress-critters could get up to.

Annapolis is a 45 minute drive. There, you can visit the United Stated Naval Academy and the surrounding historic part of the town.

If you go before the end of October, you can rent a kayak in DC: https://boatingindc.com/dc-activities/rentals/

Or Annapolis: https://www.annapoliscanoeandkayak.com/

I recommend getting a private tour driven in an suv and narrated by a second person.

It’s pricey but well worth it. They customize your tour, personal attention, and you’ll get to see more in the same time.

We spent about a week too. Skipped the museums for the day we planned because of the bomb mailings.

We also took in Arlington, Mount Vernon, and Monticello.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years, but this is one of the few places you can view a replica of the statue. I found it very meaningful, even more so, now in these times.

Goddess of Democracy
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess_of_Democracy

You won’t find that on Amazon or in any Wal-Mart even though it was “Made In China”

I am thinking that since this is the Sig Forum, you are interested in guns. The NRA Museum is well worth a visit. The Marine Corp Museum in Quantico is also worth a trip. I grew up and then worked in the D.C area for many years. August is hot and muggy. October is nicer and may put you further from any shutdowns.

October is nice but the weather is unpredictable. It can be in the morning 70s one day and the next in the 40s-50s. Be aware also that two major road running races occur in October: The Army Ten Miler and the Marine Corps Marathon. Great races to watch (even better to run!) since one can get from point to point via the subway. But a lot of the roads are closed during the races, so getting around those days can be a challenge.

For the visitor, the sights to see are in the northwest quadrant, and some across the Potomac in Virginia (e.g., Arlington Cemertery). The thing that always gets me as a local is that most of the museums are FREE. When I travel, it amazes me that I can't simply just walk into any old museum.

Welcome to D. C!

Don’t go in August.

I can’t emphasize this enough. Unless you currently live in a swamp in Florida or Louisiana you have no idea.

When we took the kids we stayed at the Marriott at e and 4th street. Close enough to walk three blocks to the Mall and spent all day walking in the Smithsonian and visiting memorials...we went for two days but it easily could have been four or five days and we wouldn’t have seen everything.

Don’t bring a gun....the Smithsonian has/had metal detectors, and regardless of what the laws say...the cops are very gun unfriendly. I left mine in the hotel room. My badge/credentials set off the detector and every time they wanted to know if I was carrying and wanted to search me.

Everything is expensive.

DO NOT SPEED IN VIRGINIA. Just don’t. No matter where you come from there is a speed trap in VA.

Thanks for the input so far.

Can anyone recommend which cities in the VA/MD would be best to stay in so we have easy access to mass transit into DC? I don't want to rent a car while we are there and I'm not driving 15 hours.

Do you care about firearms laws? Virginia is still (barely) the leader in the clubhouse there

How are you getting here? If you’re flying, and still want access to public transit, the airport you’re coming through matters. National/Reagan is on the blue line, which means you could stay in Alexandria (with proximity to places like MT Vernon/Gunston hall) if you’re flying into Dulles that would be the sliver line (if it’s open yet) or the Orange line (with proximity to Udvar Hazy and Manassas National Battlefield)

As a rule of thumb, the areas to the west in Virginia (down the 66 corridor) are nicer areas than to the East (down the 95 corridor).

Of course there exceptions to that rule (old town Alexandria is on the east side) but you’re much more likely to find shitholes down the 95 corridor

Beyond that, you can find plenty of affordable hotels that often will have free shuttles to and from nearby metro stations....all of the National brand hotels are available


Oh, and definitely come in October. The town has a weird energy around presidential elections....may as well get the package experience



fwiw...I’ve lived in and around this area, unfortunately, 23 of my 46 years. its Something that every American should see and experience. At least 3 times. It’s on your third trip that you’;l get into some of the stuff that is beyond the Americana of the Capitol (and that’s ok.). It’s a great place to visit. It’s a shitty place to live.

quote:

Originally posted by Revolution37:
Thanks for the input so far.

Can anyone recommend which cities in the VA/MD would be best to stay in so we have easy access to mass transit into DC? I don't want to rent a car while we are there and I'm not driving 15 hours.

Stay anywhere along Orange/Silver lines. I'd suggest near E/W falls Church or Dunn Loring for lower cost places that are still pretty close to city, if not Reston has plenty of places to choose from, but longer rides in. Arlington and Alexandria are closer, but you'll pay more.

Metro Map

We went in October and had a great time. Hate to say it, but a week won't cover it. Enjoy what you can!!

Not mentioned yet, Botanical gardens, Fort Washington, Bureau of printing.

I don't remember when the Boy Scouts go but do not go when they do their annual thing there.

D.C. caters to walking except for the few outlying museums. My wife and I stayed in Arlington a stones throw from the Iwo memorial and a metro station was just a block from our hotel. We usually just walked from there down to the mall and hit all the sights. Also you might check with your Rep for any passes to get into whatever might require them these days.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kraquin,