I will be in the DC area for a week in June. What would you all recommend to visitors? Not looking for the usual tourist sites, been there and done that. Anyone been to the spy museum or new news museum yet?
Lets here some ideas....
Spy museum, Nationals Park for a Baseball game, National Exhibit never got old.
Nights out
Georgetown waterfront for happy hour and dinner. Whitlows on Wilson (across the bridge in Va.) for drinks, pool and band.
Adams Morgan for Sushi (roof top Restaurant can't remember name) and clubbing.
Old Town Alexandria for Dinner and Bar hopping.
Southeast around 4th street after dark, bring a fat wallet and wear a Rolex.
Just about any Federal building, bring a gun and a piece of 2" iron pipe with caps on each end, and a fuse sticking out of it.
Either way, you'll get all kinds of attention.
The Spy Museum and the Newseum are awesome. Weekdays are probably best for any musuem. Leave time to check out the gift shops before closing. I tried to read everything in both museums, but that took several hours so far and would require multiple visits. The Newseum has pieces of the Berlin Wall and lots of interactive stuff.
We also have our Wednesday evening meet-ups at Rhodeside Grill in Arlington (near Courthouse Metro stop).
Rhodeside is a must....just ask J-Bubble
Smithsoneon Air and Space Mueum (both buildings!)
nightlife is dependant on what you prefer....lots to do and see....
Quote from: zooom on May 08, 2008, 04:26:50 AM
Rhodeside is a must....just ask J-Bubble
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (both buildings!)
nightlife is dependant on what you prefer....lots to do and see....
I have been to the Air and Space and Smithsonian numerous times. Looking for new or different stuff. The Walter Reed Medical museum is good. The spy Museum sounds great. Did the spy bus tour last time.
Nightlife is in bed and sleeping by 2400. We are staying in Alexandrea with my brother in law and his wife. They will be working during the day (briefing the pres and his wife) and then they have weekend plans.
Have you been to the Air and Space Museum Annex out near Dulles. That's an entirely different animal.
Quote from: dolci on May 08, 2008, 08:47:48 AM
Have you been to the Air and Space Museum Annex out near Dulles. That's an entirely different animal.
wt: it holds the other 90% of the stuff they can't fit @ the National Mall site...
& if'n you like hot/chili dogs, go to Ben's - http://www.benschilibowl.com/
Quote from: COWBOY on May 07, 2008, 05:49:50 PM
Spy museum, Nationals Park for a Baseball game, National Exhibit never got old.
Nights out
Georgetown waterfront for happy hour and dinner. Whitlows on Wilson (across the bridge in Va.) for drinks, pool and band.
Adams Morgan for Sushi (roof top Restaurant can't remember name) and clubbing.
Old Town Alexandria for Dinner and Bar hopping.
Perry's is the sushi place - just up Columbia Blvd from 18th.
+ 11ty billion for Rhodeside on Wednesdays.
They're a little strange but very very very cool. Go meet up with them!
Quote from: Jaman on May 08, 2008, 09:13:43 AM
wt: it holds the other 90% of the stuff they can't fit @ the National Mall site...
& if'n you like hot/chili dogs, go to Ben's - http://www.benschilibowl.com/
HUGE +1
Quote from: Jaman on May 08, 2008, 09:13:43 AM
& if'n you like hot/chili dogs, go to Ben's - http://www.benschilibowl.com/
Oh, +11tyb!!! If you go, definitely get the chili cheese fries. That place is too yummy. Very good drunk trying to recover food. Well, good at any other time, too. wt:
Quote from: jetpuff716 on May 08, 2008, 09:33:22 AM
Perry's is the sushi place - just up Columbia Blvd from 18th.
Thanks mang! wt:
It's been 3 years.
Quote from: COWBOY on May 08, 2008, 06:08:33 PM
It's been 3 years.
Did you move? Were you one of the two people who rode to that Wednesday meet-up at Whitlow's two years ago?
yep yep. Yuu rode in with me I remember for sure. We had 2 homes at that point (here and there) we finally relocated for good in Sept 2006. It's been 3 years since I was at that sushi place. Miss Arlington something mad when I have my guys night. Whitlow's is in my DNA spent 14 years there.
Take the Duck tour on the Potomac! Its a Bus, no, its a convertible, no its a boat! It literally drives down the launch ramp at Gravely Point and takes you on a water tour of the area. I havent been but Im dying to go!
Hookie anyone?
We have the Duc bus in Seattle! Its goes right by DucSea. I rode it here, fun to watch the joggers being haressed by the Duc driver.
a lot depends on time, budget, and what interests you.
if you are really into beer [drink] , go to Brasserie Beck (off of 11th). Some of the most exclusive beers your can find on this side of the big pond. Heard the seafood is good too. Bring your wallet.
Like music? Wed. night at 18th Street Lounge is very cool. See-i (reggae music) plays live. Other nights DJ/live music. look up their website but don't get confused with their label website esl.
climb to the top of the National Cathedral off wisconsin ave. then head two blocks north to eat at either Cactus Cantina (Mexican), or 2AMYS (Pizza/italian/wine). or if you're more of the catholic persuasion, the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is absolutely beautiful.
Tourist sites (patriotic)? I'll never get tired of Alrington National Cemetery. See the changing of the Guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Then swing by Iwo-Jima. Also, G. Washington's estate at Mt. Vernon is beautiful, and people sometime forget its so close to DC (in VA).
anyway, there are too many things to really just throw out there... give us an idea of what you're into, and we'll take care of you [thumbsup]
-Carlo
Quote from: Chileno123 on May 13, 2008, 08:52:07 PM
Tourist sites (patriotic)? I'll never get tired of Alrington National Cemetery. See the changing of the Guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
+10; it is a must for anyone who has never seen it!
Madame Tussauds is new and located 1 block away from the Spy Museum (which is pretty interesting). Lots of good food in that area too (Penn Quarter). Try Jaleo, Oya, Poste, or Foga da Chao (bring an appetite)...or even the hot dogs at the Spy Museum.
ESPN Zone and Hard Rock are all right there as well.
Have fun...Check out the sculpture garden on the corner of Madison and 7th St. NE...very cool 3d house, and nice place to take your shoes off and put them in the fountain and rest.
Good luck!
Oh yea...If you get to Rosslyn, check out Freedom Park...off of Lynn and Wilson behind the USA today building.
Thanks for all the ideas. We will be on our own during hte week and then off with the relatives for the week end. I am going to check out the Air & Space annex. We have the Museum of Flight here in Seattle. Lots of orginal Boeing stuff. http://www.museumofflight.org/Portal.asp?Flash=True
Thanks again for all info. What is the Ducati dealer of choice in the DC area? Any easy to get to on public transport? We will have 4 wheels, but try not to use them. Weekend will be wine tasting, etc.
Mary
I think a lot of us go to Donnie Unger at Duc Pond in Winchester. It's a long hike from the city, but worth it for us. His newly redesigned shop is looking great! www.Ducpond.com
As far as the Metro...where will you be staying?
Alexandria, but we could get a ride to the Pentagon each day and use the station there as a starting point.
There is a stop there right?
Quote from: Jaman on May 08, 2008, 09:13:43 AM
wt: it holds the other 90% of the stuff they can't fit @ the National Mall site...
& if'n you like hot/chili dogs, go to Ben's - http://www.benschilibowl.com/
I think Ben's is over-rated. It is a DC staple, but the truth is it isn't very good.
If you like beer go to RFD on 7th and eye street and the Brickskellar off of P street and 21st? in the Dupont area. http://www.lovethebeer.com/
Quote from: czaja on May 25, 2008, 05:30:10 PM
Alexandria, but we could get a ride to the Pentagon each day and use the station there as a starting point.
There is a stop there right?
There is a metro stop at the Pentagon and at Pentagon City. Really though, if you are in Alexandria, you'll be taking the same lines from there anyway and you might as well catch it there. If you have to park your ride that you take to the metro, it'd be better to take it from Alexandria also as there won't be good or cheap parking near the pentagon.
Quote from: Duc Stamp on May 25, 2008, 06:55:00 PM
There is a metro stop at the Pentagon and at Pentagon City. Really though, if you are in Alexandria, you'll be taking the same lines from there anyway and you might as well catch it there. If you have to park your ride that you take to the metro, it'd be better to take it from Alexandria also as there won't be good or cheap parking near the pentagon.
Sister in law works at the Pentagon and has free parking. We could ride in with here in the morning.
Quote from: czaja on May 26, 2008, 09:50:45 AM
Sister in law works at the Pentagon and has free parking. We could ride in with here in the morning.
In that case that is by far your best bet. Come to rhodeside on Wednesday.
I would also sugest that you get either a daily or weekly metro pass to save money, since you will be kind of stranded without your vehicle.
Quote from: ducpenguin on May 26, 2008, 02:30:46 PM
I would also sugest that you get either a daily or weekly metro pass to save money, since you will be kind of stranded without your vehicle.
Just keep in mind that these passes have limited hours on them. All of the information (http://www.wmata.com/riding/passes.cfm#Metrorail) can be found on the WMATA website.
Quote from: czaja on May 25, 2008, 05:30:10 PM
Alexandria, but we could get a ride to the Pentagon each day and use the station there as a starting point.
There is a stop there right?
top 10 ways to look like a local while visiting dc
- on the metro, stand on the right side of the escalator (let commuters pass on the left)
- ... better yet, walk up / down on the left side of the metro escalators with the commuters
- do NOT wear white athletic shoes, a poncho, a backpack (if you're over 25 y.o.), or any combination of the aforementioned items
- leave your camera in your tote bag until you're ready to take a snapshot (the monuments don't move very fast)
- after the snapshot moment, put the camera right back
- leave your umbrella in your bag until you're ready to use it
- if it begins to rain sideways, never mind the umbrella and scamper toward shelter, have coffee
- never hang an umbrella or camera (individually or together) from your elbow at any time
- avoid travel during rush hours (it's cheaper and easier to get around; chill in adams morgan until 7 or 8 pm)
- hang in adams morgan until 11 pm on a weeknight
enjoy the moment [beer] and the surveillance [leo]
~ empress ~
Quote from: empress duc on May 27, 2008, 07:58:02 PM
[- avoid travel during rush hours (it's cheaper and easier to get around; chill in adams morgan until 7 or 8 pm)
- hang in adams morgan until 11 pm on a weeknight
Very good advice...especially the Adams Morgan part! [beer]
No camera, no umbrella, no (never) poncho, no white athletic shoes, no backpack or bag. I (we) blend in well. We have been to DC a dozen times or so over the past 15 years. We try to hang out in pubs in the early afternoon writing our post cards. Worked everywhere except London. To much smoke in the bars there.
Thanks for all the great Ideas. I have vacation fever! [beer]
Mary
We got a taste of the sideways rain while at the boat house near the Watergate today. I thought it would be wise to hail a cab home, and my jeans and socks got soaked gradually by the time we were halfway to the intersection, so the umbrella was pointless. After about 10mins a cab finally stopped for us at that always busy intersection, while the rest were either occupied or didn't care to stop for two ladies in wet t-shirts, I guess. Our friends waited in the boat house during the intermittent downpours and came out completely dry. Yes, it stopped raining by the time we got home, < 2mi away.
Quote from: empress duc on May 27, 2008, 07:58:02 PM
top 10 ways to look like a local while visiting dc
- on the metro, stand on the right side of the escalator (let commuters pass on the left)
- ... better yet, walk up / down on the left side of the metro escalators with the commuters
[/b]
- do NOT wear white athletic shoes, a poncho, a backpack (if you're over 25 y.o.), or any combination of the aforementioned items
- leave your camera in your tote bag until you're ready to take a snapshot (the monuments don't move very fast)
- after the snapshot moment, put the camera right back
- leave your umbrella in your bag until you're ready to use it
- if it begins to rain sideways, never mind the umbrella and scamper toward shelter, have coffee
- never hang an umbrella or camera (individually or together) from your elbow at any time
- avoid travel during rush hours (it's cheaper and easier to get around; chill in adams morgan until 7 or 8 pm)
- hang in adams morgan until 11 pm on a weeknight
enjoy the moment [beer] and the surveillance [leo]
~ empress ~
A lot of good stuff here. Metro gets a lot better after 6. So, between 3:30 and 6, avoid it. If you don't go to Adams Morgan, there are a lot of good bars in the Chinatown area as well.
The escalator tip she gave you here that I've bolded is gold. The locals get pissed at people standing on the left side. I try to be nice about it when I tell them to move, but I've seen a lot of colorful words fly at tourists.
Most people are nice and helpful here though.
Did you make it through the storm?
Quote from: Geaux on June 04, 2008, 07:53:34 PM
Did you make it through the storm?
We had a bumppy landing and were about half and hour late getting in. We have walked our feet off the past 2 days. Going to DucPond in the morning. Yea for the HOT weather!