Washington D.C.

We stayed at the Hoilday Inn Capitol last visit, 6 blocks from the capitol building and 3 blocks from the Smithsonian. The hotel has a tour desk that can arrange tours etc. see www.hicapitoldc.com Sorry, but I can't give you a comparison of prices. It was a clean, convenient place that felt safe tho. There was also a store a few blocks away..seems like a Walgreens or something.

The Smithsonian (see www.si.edu ) is a great deal of walking both inside and between the many buildings, but there is seating and even places to eat in/at some of the museums. As most building are handicapped accessable now, you might check with the hotel to see if wheelchairs are available for loan/rental. I know they are inside the museum, but I'm not sure if you can take them from one building to the next. I would recommend making a plan as to what buidings you want to visit prior, we waisted a bit of time without a map and you could spen weeks in the Smithsonion alone.

The Metro station is about a block away from the hotel. (I only remember escalators down to it, you might check if there is an elevator.) It is much cheaper than a taxi, and there are weekly passes that are cheaper than a per ride ticket. It can be a little confusing, so we learned to ask for "switching" info before we left the hotel. www.vmata.com

Arlington is a must see. Tour group/busses are the best way, and you will get more of the facts from a tour guide and it is rolling with hills. Do see the changing of the guards rain or shine. The facts about the guards make you appreciate them even more. www.arlingtoncemetary.mil www.tombguard.org

If you want to visit the Capitol,( www.visitthecapitol.gov )you might want to contact your congressman or representative's office to see if you can have a photo with them on the steps. They usually don't mind the PR if you schedule an appointment well ahead of time and they aren't currently in session.

Plan for a visit to "The Wall." If your family had a fallen Vietnam vet, you can search where there name appears on the wall at www.thewall-usa.com . Take paper and wide led pencil to make a "rub" of the name(s)

For kids, Google some facts about DC and perhaps some of the places you intend to visit prior. It can provide entertainment on the trip as well as make things kind of "fit" when they see it in real life. There are even crosswords and games about the facts of DC. I don't know what ages (or if kids) www.dc4kids.com is a good one.

I made a good investment of dollar tree rain capes and cheap umbrellas before we left (expensive there). Lighter than and not a hot as rain jackets. A zip lock bag(s) to shake em dry and fold for reuse in the day if needed. (I took extras as they do tear easily.) There are restrictions at the Capitol and some other places about large backpacks and what you can carry in (liquids etc). Google your plan to make sure.

Hope some of this is helpful and that you have a wonderful trip! It is one I would like to make many times again, there is so much to see and do.

There is so much to see and do! The subway is really easy to use (and that is coming from a country boy here) and it does not take long to learn the routes. It really makes getting around easy!

There are plenty of places to sit and relax in the museums and if not too hot, outside along the mall, there are lots of benches and a lovely little garden - I forget the name of it.

My favorite attractions were the Library of Congress, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Art. The Arlington cemetery is also a must but requires LOTS of walking. I recommend going to the memorials at night - they are so beautiful lit up.

I would recommend that you buy a Fodor's Guide before you go and study it to plan your trip. They also point out areas that may not be the safest. Those books are really great! Have fun.

Don't forget the Holocaust museum.

Plan on about 5 or 6 days to see the Smithsonian, it's not like going to the Ala Music museum here.

Also, another suggestion. If you have any "pull" with either of our two senators or our rep. , maybe even if you don't, try to contact their office and go for a visit. Maybe they will give you a personally guided tour of the Capitol. You will see what will seem like another completely different building from the one you see on the quarter tour.

If you want to stay a little out of town, Annandale , Va has lots of hotels and eating places, and last time I was up there was a good part of town to stay in.

We went to the Crime and Punishment Museum (there is admission, it's a few blocks away from the Mall area), don't forget the Zoo, and Dulles Airport has part of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum there (Udvar-Hazy), it's free but you have to pay for parking ($15 per car). The Blackbird is there, the Enola Gay, etc. It's really neat! We've got family that lives close so we stay with them and ride in on the Metro. We've made several trips to the area but still haven't made it to Arlington! We DID go to the National Aquarium last trip, which is in Baltimore (not too far to drive!)
And we also went to the NRA Museum in Fairfax - if you are interested in guns this is a phenomenal collection. No admission charge, either. www.nramuseum.com
The first time we went I got online and ordered the Washington D.C. current tour book (it was free and mailed to me). It helped me to look through and choose what to do. It also lists what exhibits are currently in local museums. I also want to go to the Ford Theater next time! They have been working on it and it was closed last time we were there.
Anyhow, have a great trip, it's a blast! And DO NOT forget to spend time looking at the WWII Memorial.
I haven't been able to bring myself to go to the Holocaust museum, mainly because I know it will be extremely hard and I will cry.
We stopped at the POW Museum in Andersonville, GA on a trip down I-75 one time and that about did me in. I don't dare try the Holocaust Museum!
Have fun!

The Holiday Inn is mentioned previously is a great place to stay, I think it is worth paying a bit more to stay closer in, have done both~ another good reason to stay closer in as if one memeber of your traveling party gets tired and wants to go back to the room and rest it is just much easier to be close.`
The Metro is accessible with elevators at all stations, even though once when working in DC and traveling with a guy who uses a power chair the darn elevator was broken and we had to wait for someone to come and get it going. I would highly recommend the Metro or as I used to say the subway, it is cheap and pretty easy to use.
the city itself is just beautiful, all the buildings and the history !!
You will have a wonderful time and I am glad you are getting to go. Have fun!!

O and you can call your Senator or Representative's office for a tour of the Capitol and as far as I know still a tour of the White House which is something!

Wear good walking shoes!

The subway is a great and safe way to travel during the day (at least 8 years ago the last time I was there)- Not sure about night, although I did ride it but it was a weekend and lots of other people on the cars, too.

Thanks for all the info we are getting very excited about our trip I hope this makes it alot easier, I kinda feel sorry for DC with all of us country bumpkins on our way there

Country bumpkin ...bahh....You are a constituent, part of what makes our country great, and as such a part owner of all you are about to see. Hope it is wonderful!

quote:

Originally posted by KISSFREEK2002:
Thanks for all the info we are getting very excited about our trip I hope this makes it alot easier, I kinda feel sorry for DC with all of us country bumpkins on our way there

IMHO we are exactly what they need a good dose of common sense.

quote:

Originally posted by wow:
Country bumpkin ...bahh....You are a constituent, part of what makes our country great, and as such a part owner of all you are about to see. Hope it is wonderful!

EXACTLY!

We stayed right outside of Washington, the rates were cheaper. You could drive a block and park at the Metro Station, buy a day pass and ride all day, much much cheaper than staying downtown and without having to pay for parking. The Metro is safe, reliable and easy to use. It has stops convenient to almost everything you want to see. Like seeweed says, the Smithsonian is a must, the Air and Space Museum is my favorite. I want to go back and tour the facility out in Maryland where the objects that are not currently displayed are stored and restored.