One non-obvious thing about the metro is that there is a 10-cent "temporary" fare increase on all fares, which does not show up on the fare charts by the ticket machines. (It's only temporary in the sense that the real fare increases when they come will be more than that and the charts might get updated then.)

I'd recommend most people coming in just put 10 bucks or so on a fare card. If you have money left on it and don't expect coming back here, I would be willing to buy the remainder from you (and I assume other locals would, too).

Not a bad idea. I have a Oyster card that I usually top-up when I'm in London. I don't get to DC too often, so if you think $10 will get me around for the weekend I'd do the fare card.

Cheers.

You have to buy a fare card on the metro system regardless, just a matter of how much money you place on it. The system does have a smartcard type deal, but they charge you $5 for the card itself and its not worth it for visitors (or even many locals)

Wishing you all a fabulous DO!

Was hoping to join y'all but it seems as though Mother's Day weekend will find me with mine in FL

I happen to live right behind Harry's and I think I have brunched at all the places in the area. My personal fave is The Liberty Tavern. The brunch buffet is yummy and well worth the $18 and they take reservations.

http://www.thelibertytavern.com/food.html

Cranberry-Citrus Muffins
Fruit Salad
Mozzarella, tomato salad with mozzarella and white balsamic
Field greens with goat cheese
Frittata with peppers, tomatoes, green onion, mozzarella
Scrambled Eggs with cream
Scrambled Eggs with bacon, cheese, and veggies
Homefries with sage
Brioche French Toast with warm maple syrup, strawberry sauce, apples
North Country Applewood Smoked Bacon
North Country Breakfast Sausage Links
Banana/pecan Pancakes
Dave’s Fluffy Biscuits, Honey Glazed Ham, Milk Gravy
Sautéed French green beans and carrots
Roasted chicken chimichangas with sour cream, cheddar
Roasted red bliss potatoes with peppers, onions, bacon and thyme
Crab topped Brook Trout with pineapple salsa
Smoked Salmon, capers, crème fraiche, egg
Brined and roasted duroc Pork loin, ham hock jus
Roasted Boneless Turkey with herb gravy
Stuffed Leg of Lamb, spinach, pecans and spiced prunes with lamb jus
Old Fashioned Blueberry Coffee Cake
Caramelized Pear Bread
Assorted Homemade Cookies
Chocolate-Banana Trifle with Vanilla Pastry Cream
adults 18

Reservations on Mother's Day are different -- especially for large groups. We had a DC HH at Liberty Tavern some time ago and had SUBSTANTIAL service issues. Several of us tried various restaurants in and around Clarendon, and Harry's was the unanimous choice. We're confident that attendees at the DC Do will agree.

I am not trying to change your venue just noting another option for those who are unable to get in since you closed your event to new attendees. There are service issues in the downstairs bar simply due to the popularity, but I have never had anything but top notch food and service upstairs at the main restaurant.

Also just checked OpenTable and they are still accepting a reservation for up to 6 people at 11:30am on Mother's Day. Happy brunching to all where ever you brunch.

Since you also listed Whitlows for your other shut outs, note Whitlows for weekend brunch is MOBBED with the yuppy stroller brigade. They let the parents park their $1000 Peg Perego's on the stage and little kids are crawling all over the place. Good food, but just fair warning for those who may choose that as their alternate option since your Harry's brunch is closed to other attendees.

Our service issues occurred in the main restaurant on the second floor.

Happy brunching. I can see you are trying to pick a fight and I will just bow out now and say "have a nice day."

Thanks for the suggestions prncss674, we do have a few openings left for brunch due to changes by some of our attendees. At this point, it looks like we'll all fit at Harry's, but always good to know the options.

For those who have been to the Holocaust museum before, approx how much time should one allocate? Trying to figure out if there's time inbetween the IAD tour & the meet up for drinkies Fri night. Right now internet reservations are sold out for Fri aft I think, but the 2nd question I have is what are the odds of getting a ticket for the aft if showing up on Thurs aft or Fri am before the IAD do to pick up tickets. Any inut appreciated.

Cheers.

That's a really hard question. It depends on you. There's a lot of material that can be read, videos and films that can be watched, and exhibits to be viewed. There are also often special/temporary exhibits. I think the Museum estimates you need 2-3 hours to see the permanent exhibition. Obviously with less time, you'd need to be selective in what you see and do. I think the first time I went, it took me about 3 hours. I've been back since, but on those visits have focused on only a couple of things, given limited time. I don't know the chances of getting walk-up tickets. May is one of our visitor-heavy time periods, particularly school groups.

You could spend a couple hours going through the individual tiles kids made & sent in (bottom level).

DC Do is Fast Approaching
 

A fare card is a paper thing, while the thing that is like the Oyster Card in London is called a Smartrip Card. Some stations have Smarttrip only lanes and one of my greatest annoyances is tourists who can't read the sign saying "Smartrip Only" and stand blocking the turnstile for several minutes trying to figure out why there is no slot for the paper card to go into.

The farecard system here is most like BART in San Francisco, if you're familiar with that. You need to insert the fare card both when you enter and exit, as fares depend on how far you're going.

You do need a Smartrip card if you plan to park at a metro station as most stations accept only those to pay for parking. (A few take credit cards, too.) But I assume people coming for the DO will not be using metro parking and, anyway, parking is free on the weekend. So no need to bother with paying the $5 for one of those.