Planning a weekend in DC...
 

No more than 3 days or so, hopefully in the spring of 07...

My priorities in going to DC with my wife are to see both "campuses" of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

Neither of us has been to DC before, we'd like to see other touristy stuff, but really, the Smithsonian is the real reason we're going, ie: if we see nothing else, we'll be somewhat satisfied.

Are there any other "must-sees" that we should work into our trip, given that we'll likely be spending a full day or two half-days at the above museums?

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!

Incidentally, we'll be flying in from YXU to YYZ to IAD, return.

take a look at this thread. i thought this person did an extremely efficient 1-day trip and packed in quite a lot of stuff.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=610470

One other piece of advice. In case you are not aware, the 2nd "campus" of Air & Space is right next to IAD and a solid 45 min from the city (with no traffic). Might want to try to work it into your trip to / from IAD.

Also Spring, particularly early to mid April is high tourist season due to the Cherry Blossoms / Cherry blossome fesival. Might want to google to find out which days that is - hotels are expensive and hard to come by then.

First thoughts: You might build your plans around how you will get to and from the two Air & Space locations.

If you will be renting a car, it's not as much of an issue, but if you are not planning to rent a car, how you will get to and from Udvar-Hazy should be considered first.

Since you are flying into IAD, you have the option of visiting U-H first (before going into the city itself). Public transit and taxi options (and parking information also) are listed here:

http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/transpo...n/airports.cfm

I would definitely see the Holocaust Museum and the Museum of the American Indian. I'd also plan a little more time for my trip to the VA "branch" of the Air and Space, and allow a little less for the downtown visit; the downtown Air and Space is showing its age, and is not as remarkable or wonderful as it used to be. I agree with the poster who recommends stopping by the VA "branch" on your way in from Dulles; if you have a late flight in, stay out in that neighborhood and hit the museum in the morning. You have to take I-66 between IAD/VA Air and Space and the city and it's only 2 lanes inside the beltway; bumper to bumper more often than not and evening rush hour starts at about 2:30.

Since you will be here in the spring, I'd recommend the self-guided walking trails/tours as posted at http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/inf...nformation.htm. The Adams-Morgan trail would be my first pick, and U Street-Cardozo my second pick; both go through some of the more vibrant, ecclectic parts of our city, and you'll pass by many independant restaurants, cocktail lounges and bars so you can build an evening's entertainment from it. I would definitely NOT recommend going into Adams Morgan after about 9pm on a Friday or Saturday night as it is the major nightclub strip and the crowd is too annoying; close to impossible to walk down the sidewalk because of all the people.

If you really into airplanes, you should inquire about the Silver Hill facility and a visit.

if it still exists, that is the airplane restoration center, and they have a huge number of planes never seen.

The restoration facility, better known as the Paul Garber Facility, is no longer open for public tours, unfortunately. The Air & Space Museum is hoping to relocate the facility to its Dulles campus, but there is no date yet for that -- it depends on fundraising to erect another hanger or two.

A note on the Udvar-Hazy center: admission is "free" but parking is $12. I think there is actually a shuttle bus nowadays that goes there from IAD.

Other must sees:

- I agree on the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Perhaps the most well-done museum I have seen anywhere. To go through the main exhibition you will need to reserve tickets ahead of time; this can be done online.

- Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall"). Not only a revolution in memorial design but an important glimpse into the societal impact of the war.

- National Museum of Natural History. There is a magnificent new mammal hall.

- National Archives. View the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Magna Carta.

- Ford's Theater. For a play or for the history.

I would recommend that you take the time to walk along the Mall as well.

Re the Indian museum, I have found it somewhat disappointing. The cafeteria is great, though.

I'll throw in my two cents for the Lincoln Memorial (at night, if possible). There's something about walking down the mall from the monument to the Lincoln Memorial that gives a great perspective on the layout of the city.