Washington DC take 2

Cowboy

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So last year some douche bag had the nerve to kill himself outside the gate. In turn the WH sent cancellations for the next week. So we cancelled and are back on for this April. We are staying at the Mandarin Oriental a block and a half or so from the National mall.

So help me with a list of the best places to eat and visit. This will be a 4 day trip Tuesday-Saturday thank goodness the week after the cherry blossom festival.
Someone told us about a tavern that every US president except Obummer has eaten. I can't remember the name of it.

So go.....
 
Arlington. You can go and honestly spend the entire day there, wandering the rolling green hills filled with row after row after row of white headstones. You want to know the cost of Freedom, it’s there.

If you haven’t done the National Archives, it’s worth it.

Museum of American History.

Capitol tour.

Mount Vernon is but a short drive away and is very worth the trip.
 
Restaurant you've heard about is probably Old Ebbitt Grill. I've been there once, but a while ago. It was pretty good as I remember.

My favorite spot in DC is the fountain of the WWII memorial, at night. Washington monument stands tall and proud in one direction and Lincoln memorial in the other.

Even if you're the week after the cherry blossom festival, you may still have plenty of crowds to contend with.

Air and Space is by far my favorite of the Smithsonian.

Arlington is a must see, including the changing of the guard.

Archives is neat, Library of Congress is not my cup of tea when it comes to architecture, though it is regarded as one of the more outstanding buildings to see.

Last time I was there I went to this place called "We the Pizza", it was pretty good. Homemade pizza and soda.

I may add more if I can think of them.
 
DC is no bueno. That being said my wife and daughter are there until Monday. :(

Hoping they make it home without drama.

But there is no good reason to go to DC recreationally. None. At all. Zero. Nada. Zilch. Crazy ass shit.
 
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The Holocaust Museum and the us Treasury or Mint tour was awesome when we went.

Visit Ford’s theater where Not so Honest Abe got shot.
 
Yep, it's Old Ebbits grill. Literally right outside of the WH gates, pretty nice ! It is a class joint, lots of movie scenes are filmed there.
 
Cowboy - what dates are you there?
Im there in the 20s, but I cant recall exact dates right now
Taking a small group of students

We'll be hitting the normal places - all the monuments, museums, Arlington etc

The NEWSEUM is really cool, in my opinion - a museum about the 1st amendment. I thought it'd be lame, I was wrong! I liked it a lot.
And, I have a pic on my phone Ill need to find, but there was a board near the front, it was a poll. It asked about the satisfaction with current admin (this was about 5 years ago) and the number of stickers for 'against' vs 'for' was overwhelming, was entertaining!

As for food - right beside of Chinatown there is a place called Matchbox, IIRC - I really enjoyed it!
 
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I was up there in May of 2001, 4 months before 9/11. I get cold shivers now thinking about the Pentagon tour we were on. Don't forget the FBI building tour. You have to sign up for the tours.
 
What @SPM said. Museum of American History is like America's attic, full of stuff like Francis Scott Key's Star Spangled Banner, Edison's first light bulb, George Washington's uniform. Zoo is pretty cool, maybe not as crowded, and doesn't cost anything.
 
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Cowboy - what dates are you there?
Im there in the 20s, but I cant recall exact dates right now
Taking a small group of students

We'll be hitting the normal places - all the monuments, museums, Arlington etc

The NEWSEUM is really cool, in my opinion - a museum about the 1st amendment. I thought it'd be lame, I was wrong! I liked it a lot.
And, I have a pic on my phone Ill need to find, but there was a board near the front, it was a poll. It asked about the satisfaction with current admin (this was about 5 years ago) and the number of stickers for 'against' vs 'for' was overwhelming, was entertaining!

As for food - right beside of Chinatown there is a place called Matchbox, IIRC - I really enjoyed it!

April 23-27 probably about the same time as you because it's spring break for my daughter.
 
April 23-27 probably about the same time as you because it's spring break for my daughter.
I THINK we might miss each other. For some reason Im thinking 20-22, but I do know ours got adjusted. I'll need to double check, but we might be up at the same time at the same places.

American History museum is great, I went there last time I was there. This time I might to Natural History again (we get three hours and have those two chioces + Air and Space).
 
Oh yeah....the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center if you enjoy aircraft and spacecraft. It’s an annex of the National Air and Space Museum, but located in Virginia.

That place is the bees knees of cool, man.
That place blew my mind. You can get out there by public transport although it takes a while.

We also enjoyed the behind the scenes Capitol tour your Congressperson can arrange. Ours was a small group that met up in our Representative’s office. While you’re there, you might even be lucky enough to get a glimpse of that genius Ilicks Occasional Kotex.
 
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Are you willing to take a day trip out of DC? If so, go to the aquarium in Baltimore, MD. Walk the Baltimore harbor, check out ESPN and stop at Camden Yards. On the way there, you could stop in Columbia, MD at a place called The Corner Stable. They have the best crab cakes around. There used to be several other good crab cake places but they have all dwindled away.

In DC, you might enjoy a day in Georgetown. Lots of shops and restaurants. The Holocaust museum is amazing but very heavy. The National Zoo can be fun. Oh, and if the Washington Capitals are playing, get yourself some tickets! Hockey is the best!
 
Are you willing to take a day trip out of DC? If so, go to the aquarium in Baltimore, MD. Walk the Baltimore harbor, check out ESPN and stop at Camden Yards. On the way there, you could stop in Columbia, MD at a place called The Corner Stable. They have the best crab cakes around. There used to be several other good crab cake places but they have all dwindled away.

In DC, you might enjoy a day in Georgetown. Lots of shops and restaurants. The Holocaust museum is amazing but very heavy. The National Zoo can be fun. Oh, and if the Washington Capitals are playing, get yourself some tickets! Hockey is the best!

Last time I was there with a school trip we went right by the stadium on game night...I REALLY wanted to see them play, but, as you could guess, couldnt due to the school trip.
 
Arlington while there see Robert E. Lee's house, Smithsonians, NRA museum, every war memorial. The Jefferson, Washington memorials. The botanical gardens. I haven't been to a bad restaurant in DC. GO TO THE PAVILION CAFE! I lived there for 6 years. The NRA museum is amazing. The company I worked for gave us season tickets to the Nationals. Baseball games are fun and I've heard you can get tickets for 20 bucks.
 
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So last year some douche bag had the nerve to kill himself outside the gate. In turn the WH sent cancellations for the next week. So we cancelled and are back on for this April. We are staying at the Mandarin Oriental a block and a half or so from the National mall.

So help me with a list of the best places to eat and visit. This will be a 4 day trip Tuesday-Saturday thank goodness the week after the cherry blossom festival.
Someone told us about a tavern that every US president except Obummer has eaten. I can't remember the name of it.

So go.....

Air & Space Museum
Museum of American History
Jefferson, Lincoln & Washington Memorial are all impressive.
The National Portrait Gallery
National Zoo Check out the Pandas
Adams Morgan is a great neighborhood, Food, Shopping & non- tourist culture.
Georgetown is OK but sort of Touristy. Lots of expensive shopping but is a nice upscale DC neighborhood. If you go there check out the "Tombs" the bar featured in the Exorcist and the inspiration for the Bar from St Elmos Fire and stairs from the Exorcist at Prospect Street to M Street.
Day Trip to Baltimore Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium
Nationals Park and the area around it is fun.
National Harbor across the river in MD has a Casino, shopping and tons of restaurants.
National Botanical Gardens are nice.
Old Town Alexandria is a great area just on the other side of the river.

Restaurants:

Old Ebbit is and institution but the food is just solid but nothing amazing IMHO.
Federalist Pig in Adams Morgan pretty solid BBQ.
Bens Chili Bowl is a DC icon a bit overrated but still good. (Might too liberal for you. LOL)
Blue Duck Tavern in Georgetown is an amazing meal but pricey.
Hanks Oyster Bar in Olde Town Alexandria
Taqueria Habanero best authentic tacos in the city.
Amsterdam Falafelshop in Adams Morgan. Amazing Falafel and fries to die for. They have a topping bar for the sandwiches that is amazing. This is the original one I think there are more locations now.
St Anslems is a great steak house.



Get some legit dimsum in China Town...

Not much of Chinatown is left. Most of it is gone. If you are in town on a weekend and want Dim Sum you have to go to Marks Duck house in Arlington. One of the best Dim Sums in the US. Back in the day there were lots of good 24/7 spots but they are all gone. The Verizon Center and the development around it have destroyed the "China" part of Chinatown. Hockey games are still fun there. I remember the Chinatown area before the then MCI Center was even built. There were old import junk shops, 24 hour noodle joints, real Chinese food and Asian Grocery stores. Almost all that stuff is gone.
 
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