Frist Time Trip to DC

It may be really nice in mid-March. You just never know. You will probably want a jacket for night time though. If it's nice, i always recommend seeing the monuments at night. it's well lit and well patrolled and one of the few things open at night.

Don't try to do all the Smithsonian's. There's a lot of them! Pick a few things you want to see, set a time limit, and then do it.

I love seeing the constitution. Such a big part of our history. There's tons to see there too. Well, everywhere!

What about seeing a show? Check what is at the Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, or the Warner Theatre. All are right down there.

And I'm a sucker for Mt Vernon. There will be busses that go there, or you can take a boat ride down the Potomac. Might depend on the weather!

I like Old Town Alexandria for shopping. There are big name stores and little mom and pop stores. It seems like every time I'm down there, I find a new shop to like. if you want big mall shopping, Tyson's Corner is the bomb.

I like the national portraits, the constitution, the museum of american indian (great food in basement), lincoln memorial, the american history and air and space museums, library of congress. and the international spy museum..worth the cost.

I always encourage visitors to check out the Library of Congress.

If you find yourself in Old Town Alexandria, stop in to Bluprint Chocolatiers (http://www.bluprintchocolatiers.com) for a bit of chocolate and an espresso. Relax by the fireplace and do some people watching. The owners are great, too!

Weather can be crazy that time of year, so bring clothing that you can layer. And an umbrella!

Enjoy!

I haven't seen the Holocaust Museum listed yet. Sobering, but well worth the visit.

mt vernon is easy via public transport. we just took metro, then a bus and it dropped us right at the front gate and not 1/2 a mile away at a parking lot.
it was cheap too.

Can you rebook to be there the whole time he is there? There is so much to see

Old Ebbitt Grill is great.

Just to add one more to an already overwhelming list, how about the Newseum? It's not part of the Smithsonian so you'll have to pay to get in but I LOVE this place. Google it and take a look.

My personal list for such a short trip would be:

-- Newseum
-- a walk on the Mall with all the photo ops of the monuments in the background -- I'd focus on the Washington Monument end because I'd go down around the Tidal Basin, and see the Vietnam Memorial wall and the Lincoln Memorial especially.
-- Smithsonian -- American History, Archives, Air and Space, American Indian (you can safely eat here, the food is excellent, the food at the other museums is bad) -- Of course, four museums in one day is too many unless you plan to miss a lot of what's in them.
-- Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery -- both are in Arlington, VA and the metro will take you to both.
-- National Gallery of Art
-- edited to add that you must at least walk by the White House even if you can't do a tour. You can stand by the fence and have someone take your photo there. Same with the Capitol building.

That's it, your time is up.   

There really is too much to see. 

I didn't mention the Smithsonian even though I interned there for a summer and hence got to live 2 blocks from the White House.

Mainly Bc - it's too much. Really. Unless there is something that really you MUST see. Like the Air and Space Museum or done of the items in the American History museum.

It would truly be just too much to try and squeeze it in really. If there is ONE area or something specific you just have to see then go to one museum for a few hours, and that's it. Truly you will be on sensory overload. DC is an incredible place. Just walking around outside will do you in.

American Indian (you can safely eat here, the food is excellent, the food at the other museums is bad) -- Of course],




Don't eat here. We just did in October and it is bad! And very expensive. The food is frozen and reheated and nothing is unusual especially if you are from the southwest.

I think the burger and the barbecue sandwich both with fries was nearly with drinks was nearly $50. No refills on drinks.

If you only have 3 1/2 days, I would not try for these tickets.  You have to stand in line the day of and they are VERY tough to get.  I would spend the time seeing things you can actually go to.

I live in the DC area so here is my list.

1.You cannot go up in the Washington Monument for the forseeable future (check on this but the news reported it about a month ago).
2.The Holocaust museum is amazing and sobering.
3. Go to Good Stuff Eatery on Penn Ave.  They have amazing burgers and fantastic shakes.  The owner won Chopped.
4. You can do the usual Smithsonian museums and I know you don't have a car but if you can rent one, I highly recommend the Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.  It is part of the Air and Space museum and much better than the DC one. It is filled with all sorts of planes, engines, rockets and the Space Shuttle.  Totally worth the drive.
5. The International Spy museum.
6. Newseum.
7. I am not sure if it is still out but try to go to the archives and see the Declaration of Independence, etc.
8. Be aware that food in the museums is horrid (except Native American Museum).
9. National Gallery of Art.
10. You cannot get here without a car but Gravelly Point state park (on the VA side) off the GW Parkway.  The planes come right over your head when they are landing at Reagan National.  It is really cool.
11.  Embassies.  If you can swing visiting some of the embassies, they are really pretty inside.
12.  Right now they have blocked off PA ave in front of the White House.  You can't even go up to the gate to take a picture.  I think it is because of the inauguration so hopefully, that should be gone by then. 

For March be prepared for ICE!  March is generally our worst month for weather.  I guarantee it will be cold as balls and the weather is totally unpredictable that time of year.   

ETA: Don't bother with American History Museum.  They redid it a couple years ago and it is a terrible layout.
 
I also recommend all the usual monuments but if you can go to the Jefferson and Lincoln at night, totally worth it!Save

I loved the Einstein monument. If you find him and stand in the right spot he is designed so that he echoes back what you say. My whole family loved him. He's one that alot of people miss.