Stuff to do in Washington DC
 

I am going to be in Washington this October, where are the best attractions right now, I heard of the SPY museum, and of course all the usual suspects, white house, the mall, etc, etc.

Are there some spots that are not all that well know that I should not miss?

What about nice restaurants, not the 4 star that you will be sharing waiters with the sultan of Brunei, but something that DC is famous for?

All suggestions are highly appreciated http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

Hopefully someone will see this post, usually everyone gathers around the miles section.

Thanks

I like:

National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Judiciary Square Metrro stop.

Restaurants:
M street in Georgetown has lots of ethnic restaurants
Red Hot and Blue in Alexandria - short walk up the hill from the Roslyn Metro station on Wilson Blvd

They've stopped the White House tours. Look on the bright side, at least you don't have to get up at five to get tickets.

I haven't been to the Spy Museum, but I've heard that it's cool.

The sculpture garden just east of the Natural History Museum is worth a walk-through.

The Insect Zoo upstairs in the Natural History Museum is pretty cool, unless very big hairy spiders are a problem.

Check out the schedule for the I-Max theater at the Natural History Museum.

Restaurant recommendations:

Old Ebbitt Grill (15th St between F & G), one block from the White House. Classic DC lunch spot. It has everything from burgers on up and it's very reasonable. Reservations are just about required, especially at lunch.

The rooftop restaurant at the Hotel Washington (15th and Penn). It has the best view in the city. The food's okay and not expensive (sandwiches, etc.).

Kinkaid's (20th & Penn), another DC favorite. Seafood is what they do best. Kind of expensive, but a very good bet.

For something a little more exotic, try Yanyu for great Asian food. It's on Connecticut Ave. in the Cleveland Park neighborhood, just a half block down from the Cleveland Park Metro station. Expensive, but very special.

They stopped the tours at the WhiteHouse? I heard that they were going to have a special Jackie Kennedy garden tour this October, at least that what it says in the www.whitehouse.gov, and not confuse it with the .com http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

I really appreciate the comments, I am really looking forward going back to DC.

Thanks for all the suggestions. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

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Another evil plot for world domination through the use of points and miles.

[This message has been edited by jfe (edited 09-26-2002).]

I was referring to the daily tours through the White House, the garden tour sounds like a special event. If you have a particular Jackie interest, I assume that you're aware of the exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery. (But is it open through October? Check out their website for the dates.) In any event, the White House (.gov, as you found out)website should be regarded as more authoritative than me.

Thans for the help. I thought that there was some recent change that had not been posted.

Thanks for all the input http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Hey, I can hijack a current post in an on-topic way http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Thinking about stopping over in DC for the weekend between Christmas and New Year's.

I have no idea what's in DC, so rather than the OP, we're looking for a top few list of the obvious things to see - that big statue of Abe Lincoln in his chair, that sort of thing.

Also, where is the best place to stay (area or hotel) and does anyone know if that weekend will be a good one to pop my cherry on Priceline, or will the hotels have good rates anyway ?

thanks in advance
Stewie

Stewie:

IMO anywhere near a Metro stop is as good as any other place to stay. We've stayed as far out as Ballston (there's a Hilton built over the Metro stop), although Crystal City or Roslyn/Alexandria are good enough locations also.

My minimal experience with Priceline has been good, particularly if you're not in any frequent guest programs - if you go 4 stars you'll get a nice place at a good price.

Check hoteldiscount.com for your days of interest for some other less expensive options. You may get lucky as it's probably a low week for business travel.

PDH

Weekends are great times for great rates in DC. I know the chain hotels around Crystal City often have rates as low as $79/night for quality rooms. They're also just a hop skip and jump from all the monuments and museums.

Go to the zoo.

Catch a Capitals hockey game for about $10 for nosebleed seats.

Eat dinner at Luigino at 12th and H NW for superb Italian at moderate prices.

Rent a bicycle and follow the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac or the trail (I forget the name) that follows the canal from Georgetown up into Maryland.

Take a hike through old town Alexandria.

Best of all....all the monuments and nearly all the museums are free. Your tax dollars at work!

Oh, and I haven't been there, but the lines for the Spy museum are atrocious. I've seen them wrap around the corner. You can also try eating great tapas at Jaleo, near the spy museum and MCI center.


[This message has been edited by syzygy8 (edited 10-03-2002).]

The National Gallery is truly a national treasure.

The Ritz-Carlton at Pentagon City has great weekend rates. It's located very close to a Metro stop.

Wow, that's a marketing strategy Priceline hasn't thought of http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

DC is great if you're a political animal like me. I'm easy on the White House, but the Lincoln Memorial is a must, especially when it is lit at night. Arlington Cemetery was good. One place that hasn't been mentioned here is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum which is excellent if you happen to be in that part of town.

When I worked in DC very briefly I stayed in Georgetown which was excellent, if a bit of a slog to the nearest metro at Foggy Bottom.

Personally I wouldn't go to DC without seeing around Capitol Hill, but most people wouldn't be interested I guess.

Hyatt Crystal City regularly pops up ~ $48 on Priceline. It's the only 4* in the Crystal City area (one metro stop from DCA).


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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets

I finally went to the International Spy Museum and highly recommend it. They had long lines on the weekends (Aug 24 etc) but nil wait during the week. Very very interesting and entertaining. http://www.spymuseum.org/index.asp

The restaurants listed above are very expensive, crowded and you can do far better for far less. I like Mortons for watching the pols doing their dinner bluff-n-puff. Sen Edward Kennedy used to get bombed there at least 3 times a week.

MisterNice

Restaurants in center city are very expensive for quality received. Since supply and demand laws are probably pretty much observed, it can be assumed that there are big bucks out there floating around.

I can list about 20 or 30 decent places at reasonable price, but they are the same as in the 2003 Washington ZAGAT guide with food over 20, and cost under $30. You can also search it on the Zagat.com site.

www.zagat.com sadly has gotten greedy and now you must pay to view the web reviews. A free subscription for 14-30 days is sometimes offered. I wrote a few restaurant reviews in the past and they sent freebie books for some cities as a nice token.

MisterNice

I just saw that!!!!!! But why should something be for nothing. Most dot coms that tried that have had a negative contribution to our GNP.

I see that they will give for less with a promotion code from a partner. Anyone have one handy?

Well, on my first ever PriceLine bid, we got the Swissotel Watergate for $58 per night, which seems like a pretty good saving http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

However, we get in quite late on a Friday evening (arrive IAD around 8.30pm) - anyone got any recommendations for a nice place to go for a late snack not too far from the Swissotel ?

Also, does anyone know of a good diner in the area for breakfast, and any recommendations for Sunday brunch in DC ?

thx
Stewie

PS we will do some sightseeing, honest http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif, but the guidebooks are better on that than on the food...

{edited to add 'what's the best/not too expensive way to get from IAD to the Swissotel ?' and to say http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif there's quite a difference between whitehouse.gov and whitehouse.org !! )

[This message has been edited by Stewie Mac (edited 10-29-2002).]

Gabriel's at Dupont Circle is highly recommended.

Stewie
would be interested in your views on Swissotel Watergate - will be staying there beginning of December. Another Priceline addict http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif
Thanks
Louise

Late night eating on Friday night near the Watergate shouldn't be too tough. There's Sequoia just a block away ((202) 944-4200 - 3000 K St NW).. also for a nice neighborhood bar with food there's Marshall's ((202) 333-1155 - 2524 L St NW) just a couple blocks away. Really, though, you have all of Georgetown to choose from.

As for Sunday brunch, please see the Washingtonian's Guide. Are you looking for anything in particular (area of town? price range? atmosphere?)


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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets

Many thanks for help / tips etc, especially to gleff - i will peruse the washingtonian guide as advised.

Weez - We're not there until end December, so maybe you could post your comments on the Swissotel when you get back for me http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

(and it's my first ever time trying Priceline, but it certainly won't be my last - when you're doing the tourist bit, it doesn't really matter which hotel you stay in, and the savings are sure worthwhile http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif
)

The Phillips Gallery (closed Mon)has the Bonnard show. The Corcoran (closed Tues) has The purse show. I think the Jackie show closed.

I think riding the Tourmobile for a day is worth the price.

Had an excellent trip, went to see all the usual places, but its a shame that you cannot see more of the white house. I did go to the spy museum, the lines were not that bad. I enjoyed all the museums, the only one that is a bit dissapointing to me is the air & space, everything is a replica!

Stayed at the Grand Hyatt on H street, very nice, and it was close to everything. Got it through Hotwire, very good deal.

We payed Al & Murphy, for a tour guide of all the major sites $20, not bad for 4 1/2 hours of touring.

You can catch him right outside of the white house visitors center.

Thanks for all the great advice, I did go to Luigino's and had a great dinner.

[This message has been edited by jfe (edited 12-16-2002).]

Really? I have often visited there and have seen few (if any) replicas displayed. Exactly what displays are you refering to?

MisterNice

The people for sure. Wiley Post is long gone.

If you are really into Air & Space, schedule to go to Silver Hill Annex. They have a lot of real stuff there.



[This message has been edited by slawecki (edited 11-16-2002).]

Almost everything that is hanging from the ceiling is a replica. I started to read the information on the displays, and most of them said "replica" on them. The Spirit of St. Lous, Chuck Yeager's plane, it was nice, but not real

Still had a great time, and thanks for all the info http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

bumped to ask weez for a report on her trip, and especially the Swissotel.

Please http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Stewie Mac:
[b]bumped to ask weez for a report on her trip, and especially the Swissotel.

I'm not weez but I just returned from a priceleine $50/night stay at the Swissotel and can provide some comments. Basically our room was great, nice and large and had a wonderful view of the Potomoc. They let us check in at 8:00 am after a red-eye from Oakland so that was very generous. I believe others have noted the somewhat unfriendly/unhelpful desk people and I would agree with that assessment. We could never find the concierge (we were constantly told that he stepped out for a few minutes!) and the free car service they advertise is really nonexistent. The hotel was convenient for walking to Georgetown (12 minute walk) and the metro (10 minutes) and a great deal for $50 but I would have been very unhappy with the lackluster service if I had been paying more. We ate in the bar one evening and it was fine but the service was pretty bad. We noticed several people walking out after waiting too long for the waitress to come by. The hotel seems seriously understaffed. It also looks terrible from the outside but the rooms were very quiet and spacious and we loved our visit to DC.

thanks wilma,

Sounds a great deal for the PL money - but glad that I'm not paying the $$$ rack rate !

Stewie