Originally Posted by
cpn1980
My family and I will have a 23 hours layover in IAD in November prior to flying to FRA. We will arrive at 7pm and will depart the next day at 6pm. Any ideas or recommendations how to spent the layover in IAD or preferably Washington downtown? What's the best way to go into downtown and how to spent the day there? When should we go back to the airport to make it to the international flight?
Thanks for any recommendation
Are you flying in on a weekday or a weekend?
With family and luggage in tow, the simplest option is probably Lyft/Uber to and from wherever you're staying in the city (~$50 one way). Otherwise, the bus-to-subway transfer is inexpensive, though can be flaky and time consuming; doubly so on weekends.
Here are some options, given your timetable:
- If you're interested in museums on the mall, most of them will have long lines -- pick one and go early. Alternately, you can walk the length of the mall for touristy photo-ops (US Capitol -> Washington Monument -> White House -> Lincoln Memorial -> Kennedy Center).
- With small children, visit the zoo! It shouldn't be too crowded, except for maybe the panda enclosure ... Dress appropriately for the weather, and then stop by Nando's or Open City in Woodley Park afterwards.
- If you're a horror movie buff, visit Georgetown and see the Exorcist Steps, do some (horribly overpriced) shopping, then stop by Baked and Wired for coffee and cupcakes.
- For something more local, try visiting some stuff in residential neighborhoods (e.g. Eastern Market) or consider skipping DC altogether and visiting Old Town Alexandria.
When you head back to the airport depends on day and means of transportation. In general, I'd again recommend Lyft/Uber for simplicity -- plan to leave the city around 3:00pm to arrive at Dulles by 4:00pm (~2hrs. before your flight). Budget more time if going by subway to account for transfer(s).
I'm sure somebody here will find something to disagree with me about.
