Visiting Washington DC this weekend

[Hammock Parties]

What should I see, do, eat and drink?

Definitely hitting up shake shack.

I'll be staying near Dupont Circle. Fri-Sunday.

Oh, and any traveling tips for DC noobs would be appreciated. I already know walk left, stand right.

[DaFace]

Are you trying to do the normal DC sights (national mall, etc.) or more general city stuff?

[Hammock Parties]

Are you trying to do the normal DC sights (national mall, etc.) or more general city stuff?

Probably normal DC stuff, definitely the mall.

But if there's a cool tech store or something, I'm there.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

It's tough to get left on Dupont Circle. Just sayin.

[Hammock Parties]

I hear the cab drivers can be dicks.

[KevB]

Metro system is really nice. Arlington Cemetery is a must visit IMO. Pretty moving place. Walk the mall of course, amazing how big it is and how much activity goes on there (softball fields, picnics, frisbee, etc.).

[-King-]

Walk around Pennsylvania ave screaming that you want to kill Obama. That should be fun.

[Brock]

There's no reason to take a cab anywhere.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Walk around Pennsylvania ave screaming that you want to kill Obama. That should be fun.

He should try to climb the fence too. Those sharpshooters have to have an off day eventually.

[Hammock Parties]

There's no reason to take a cab anywhere.

I'll need one to get from the airport, at the least. LMAO

[Rain Man]

National Archives - Better than the Smithsonian in my opinion.

Lincoln Memorial - Built back when memorials were memorable, not this modern interpreting stuff like the lame FDR memorial.

Fly into Reagan over Dulles if possible.

[Delano]

Have you posted a listing on their local Craigslist yet?

[Hammock Parties]

National Archives - Better than the Smithsonian in my opinion.


Why?

[Brock]

I'll need one to get from the airport, at the least. LMAO

Are you flying into Reagan? Because, no.

[DaFace]

I've been there for three trips in the past five years, so here are a few quick tips off the top of my head:

Wear comfortable shoes. Everything is MUCH more spread out than you think. For example, it's about 2.5 miles between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. If you're trying to do a couple of the Smithsonian Museums, they all have hard floors. All that adds up to potentially being on your feet for HOURS, so prepare accordingly.
There's not a lot of good food on the mall. The Smithsonian museums all have some sort of food, but most of them are delis except for the McDonalds in the Air and Space Museum and a couple others. I've been able to find some decent restaurants to the north a bit (east of the White House).
If you're going to try and visit the National Archives, you can get a ticket online that will let you skip the line for "free," though there's a service fee of $2 or something like that. This is HUGE if you're trying to maximize your time - that line was 1.5 hours long the first time I went.
I'm cheap, but I just took the Metro (subway) everywhere I went. A weekly unlimited metro card is only like $5/day or something like that. They're not always 100% convenient, though, so cabs are a nice alternative.
You'll never have time to do everything you want to do in the Museums. You could easily spend a day or more in most of them. If you're only there for the weekend, pick one or two you really want to see and don't try and spread yourself too thin.
The memorials are cool, but it's tough to visit them quickly and efficiently on foot (see distance above). Either decide that you're going to do a bunch of walking, decide to not hit them all, or pay for one of the tour services to take you around to all of them.

[bevischief]

Can you take care of Congress?

[Hammock Parties]

Have you posted a listing on their local Craigslist yet?

http://i42.tinypic.com/19b95c.jpg

[Hammock Parties]

Are you flying into Reagan? Because, no.

...How do you suggest I get from Reagan to Dupont?

[DaFace]

Why?

There's not a lot to see, but it's worth the trip (especially if you get a timed entry ticket like I mentioned). It's the friggen Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, man. There are no more important documents in our country than those.

[DaFace]

...How do you suggest I get from Reagan to Dupont?

Metro. No question. It'll take you right there, though you'll have to do a transfer. My guess is about $5 for that vs. $40 for a cab.

[Hammock Parties]

And just like that, I got a PM from Skip.

[Brock]

...How do you suggest I get from Reagan to Dupont?

Take the Metro, dummy.

[Fritz88]

YouTube Man VS Food episode Washington DC and go there.

[DaFace]

Follow up to the above:

Blue Line - Reagan Airport --> Metro Center
Red Line - Metro Center ---> Dupont Circle

$2.90

Estimated cab fare:

$10 (so I was quite a bit too high on that one)

[Hammock Parties]

Metro. No question. It'll take you right there, though you'll have to do a transfer. My guess is about $5 for that vs. $40 for a cab.

A 6-mile cab ride costs $40?

[DaFace]

A 6-mile cab ride costs $40?

See my follow-up. I was way too high on that one.

[Rain Man]

Why?

Don't get me wrong, the Smithsonian is great. But it's really big, and you end up walking past a lot of generic history stuff. Here are 50 different examples of 19th-century axes. Next, we'll look at 140 different early telephones.

That stuff is actually cool, but at the National Archives you see the history-changing documents. Aside from the Big Three (Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence), when I was there they had stuff like the notebooks the Rosenburgs used when passing nuclear secrets to the Soviets, FDR's handwritten drafts of the Four Freedoms Speech, stuff like that. They even had the Magna Carta on display (one of several copies made at the time).

(Pausing for dramatic effect.)

They had the purchase document for the Louisiana Purchase. The actual purchase document. Talk about something that changed the course of history.

[spanky 52]

Been there 5 out of the last 7 years, son lives there. Air and Space museum, National Gallery of Art, Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam memorial are some of my favorites. If you know anyone that died in Vietnam, that memorial will drain you.You can take the public tour of the Capital but you won't get in the White House unless you got clearance from your congressman six months ago. Good walking shoes are a must. A quick and cheap way to see most of the sights and monuments is to take the tour on one of the double decker buses or trolley. If the National's are in town, take in a game, it's a great ball park. Metro will take you right to the ballpark.

[Hammock Parties]

Sounds like they should rename it "The Paper And Ink Archives."

http://www.agencynewbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/boring.jpg

[whoman69]

Can you take care of Congress?

He'd probably have to reload a few times.

[loochy]

A 6-mile cab ride costs $40?

It'll take a surprisingly long time to get there.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Just make sure you carry a pistol with you. Coming from Texas I guess you all ready know that.

[BigMeatballDave]

The Smithsonian would be the 1st place I'd go.

[whoman69]

The wife and I are going to be there for a couple of days before making out way down to Virginia Beach. I used to be stationed there and wanted to see some things that I missed or were not there yet. That would be the FDR and WWII monuments, Mount Vernon. We're going to swing down to Monticello before Virginia Beach. While in Virginia Beach we are going to see Yorktown, Jamestown and Williamsburg. Looking forward to it.

[Rain Man]

Sounds like they should rename it "The Paper And Ink Archives."



They may also have an early Commodore 64. Not sure.

[DaFace]

Sounds like they should rename it "The Paper And Ink Archives."

http://www.agencynewbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/boring.jpg

Dude...I'm not even much of a history buff, and I still thought the Archives was fascinating. But to each his own.

For the record, there's a lot more to the Archives than those three documents, but most of it is truly...well...archived and not in public view. They have a little museum in the back with some kind of cool stuff like presidential diaries and that kind of thing, but the documents are certainly the main attraction (massive understatement).

[trndobrd]

For nightlife, if you are staying near DuPont Circle, you should drop in at the Fireplace. Kind of a dive bar, but you won't have to pay for a drink all night.

Or you might want to give the Bier Baron (formerly Brickskeller) Tavern and Restaurant, try for over 500 beers from around the world.

[Hammock Parties]

For nightlife, if you are staying near DuPont Circle, you should drop in at the Fireplace. Kind of a dive bar, but you won't have to pay for a drink all night.


That's a gay bar, isn't it? LMAO

[Hammock Parties]

LMAO

http://www.fireplacedc.com/_images/header_main.jpg

[DaFace]

That's a gay bar, isn't it? LMAO

Just a warning: I seem to remember Dupont Circle in general being a...colorful place.

[Okie_Apparition]

Palmer is a bear

[trndobrd]

Just a warning: I seem to remember Dupont Circle in general being a...colorful place.


Just walk directly from the Metro station to the Bier Baron, don't poke your head in any other bars, don't smile at the guy walking past in the mesh shirt and short-shorts.

[blaise]

It doesn't get much gayer than Dupont Circle, but whatever.

If you're on the mall and you have to take a dump go to the Fine Art Museum. Less people go there and it's cleaner.



I would maybe pay for the tourist trolley they have, because you can hop on and off, and the guides will point out stuff you'd never notice. Trees donated by some foreign ruler. Places where historical moments occurred, etc.

There's bars all over DC, I wouldn't bother with Georgetown if you were considering it. The train doesn't go down there and it's pricey to drink down there, anyway. If you want to go to a bar area away from Dupont you could go to Adams Morgan.

[Bump]

have lots of pocket change for the 1,000's of bums that approach you

[L.A. Chieffan]

Ben's chili

[saphojunkie]

Awesome. You're going to love it.

let me offer my humble opinions. Just please believe they are well-tested :)

Step one. You can do a full walking tour of all of the Monuments. It's outstanding. DO IT AT NIGHT. They're all open and well-lit. There are plenty of other people, so you won't feel weird walking around in the dark. They're also stunning at night. Start at Washington, move down past Vietnam wall, over past the WWII memorial (noting the incredible difference between the tone of the two). Spend as much time as you want at the Lincoln memorial.

You continue across to the Jefferson, which is wildly underrated. It is very much like the man - distant, reserved, reflective. Continue back through the park by FDR. Actually, this is kind of a strange way to do it. Maybe scratch that. The FDR memorial moves TOWARDS jefferson. It is told in a sort of chronological succession of sculptures in relief.

The MLK memorial is great, slightly odd in terms of the type of rock, but the quotes are fantastic.

From here you continue to the Korean memorial, which is crazy and no one ever talks about it but it's kind of intense.

FOOD:

Here is my true gift to you. In an effort to keep people in the district after work, tons of restaurants have adopted a phenomenal happy hour policy. We aren't talking about crappy dive bars with bad chicken wings. I mean top-notch $300 dinner restaurants with outstanding small plates and drinks for like $4 a pop.

Jaleo - Jose Andres' restaurant. This guy is one of the premier chefs in the world, and this restaurant is his love song to traditional Spanish tapas. Sangria, wine, beer - $4.

Ceiba - two blocks up from the white house, this place has a fantastic happy hour also. Seriously, it's the tits.

Ebbit Grill - late night happy hour with half off the raw bar. Unbelievable oysters.

Good Stuff Eatery - get the Obama burger. I don't care your politics, this is, hands-down, the single best tasting burger I've ever had in my life.

If you are in the mood for dropping some coin and dig Indian food - Rasika is one of the best restaurants in the country. It's high-end Indian. Sounds crazy, no? IT WILL SHRED YOUR SOUL IN A FOOD PORN EXPLOSION.

Art Bar at the capitol hill liaison hotel also has a happy hour. There's basically tons all over the city, but these were highlights.

you could also go to Minibar, which is Jose Andres' original opus of molecular gastronomy. I know it sounds ridiculous, but until you have an egg that turns into margarita when you touch it with a spoon....well, you have lived but it's still cooler with molecular gastronomy.

Another piece of advice is to avoid the whole wharf-and-a-bag-of-crabs thing. not that great. Go to the Eastern Market and get a crab cake sandwich instead. Much better.

The last thing I will tell you, and this is really one where you just have to take my word for it...

The Holocaust Museum. You won't want to. You'll try to back out. You'd rather go out to lunch.

Don't.
Bail.

It's one of the most powerful, important, incredible things you'll see. Can't recommend it highly enough. It was the one thing I truly thought of as my #1 experience. "Favorite" is the wrong word. But I think a trip to DC without it is incomplete.

You can spend the entire day at the Smithsonian, because there's a ton of buildings. The art gallery is excellent. The bottom level is entirely one couple's private art collection. He was a wealthy businessman, she, an unsuccessful actress with taste and style. Together, they fostered one of the premiere collections of Impressionism in America. It's pretty damn kickass.

Go to the American History museum at the Smithsonian. They have the original "Star Spangled Banner" - the flag that Frances Scott Key was looking at as he wrote the national anthem, as well as a seemingly endless run of incredible historical artifacts and installations.

Obviously, you want to visit the three branches of Govt - white house is interesting enough, although you don't see the west wing. Still cool. If you haven't already gotten reservations from your Congressman's office...um...good luck. Definitely see Congress and Library of Congress. Particularly enjoy the hilarious pro-congress video where they tell you how awesome they are all the while you sit there thinking "you a-holes do nothing but try and stifle each other. Yay." The tour is great though.

They do river tours of the monuments at night - very cool and not a bad way to spend the evening.

Arlington is walking distance, but it's on the other side of the river and a long walk. The Iwogima memorial is at the edge, so you'll want to do that the same day as the Eternal Flame and changing of the guard.

GO SEE THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD. Outstanding.

That's all I can think of right now. Obviously, there's other great stuff - Georgetown, Supreme Court, National Archives (a must).

Just know that you can't do everything, so focus on seeing stuff you care about.

Also, sadly, the reflecting pool of the Washington Monument is currently a non-reflecting giant patch of mud. They're redoing it so the water isn't stagnant. Sad, but eh..you've seen the pictures.

That's all for now.

Good night.

[saphojunkie]

Just a warning: I seem to remember Dupont Circle in general being a...colorful place.

So's the White House. :rolleyes:

[Hammock Parties]

Rasika sounds pretty awesome.

It's not one of those awful places where you get a "meal" the size of a biscuit, though, is it?

[kcmecker]

I agree with about everything sapho says. In the Eastern Market, go to the Tortilla Cafe. It was in Diners, Drive ins, and Dives and is a good place to rest after checking out the market.

If you're staying at or near the Westin, I'd recommend talking to Ada at the concierge desk. She can hook you up with almost anything.

If you're bringing a lady friend, I'd recommend seeing "Shear Madness" at the Kennedy Center. It's a murder mystery "who done it" set in a beauty salon. Been running for almost 25 years and it's funny, tho a little gay. Go to the latest show possible. Not recommended for kids at all. It's a cab ride there, but it is a nice place to go after dinner. While there, you can go on the rooftop terrace and check out the city at night, Very romantic.

For something more manly, head to the International Spy Museum. It's a 007 fan's wet dream.

If your signifigant other wants to go to Georgetown Cupcakes (from the TLC show DC Cupcakes) DONT. The girlfriend made me go there for Mother's day and it was over an hour wait for cupcakes that weren't worth it.

[mikey23545]

Sounds like they should rename it "The Paper And Ink Archives."

http://www.agencynewbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/boring.jpg

Yes, the Archives are cool, especially if you're a desk-bound paper-pushing bookworm that drives a pink BMW (or work for such a person).

What is the Gem of D.C. is the Smithsonian, especially the Air and Space museum. Putting your hand on the Apollo 11 command module (albeit through a thick sheet of lexar), touching a moon rock, seeing the Wright brother's original flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis - I could go on and on.

The other parts of the Smithsonian are also fascinating, but if you only had time for one museum, make the NAS museum.

People will continue to generate paperwork from now until humanity's end, but there will never be another first heavier than air flight or voyage to the moon.

[bevischief]

Shouldn't be in DC?

[The Rick]

I agree with about everything sapho says. In the Eastern Market, go to the Tortilla Cafe. It was in Diners, Drive ins, and Dives and is a good place to rest after checking out the market.

If you're staying at or near the Westin, I'd recommend talking to Ada at the concierge desk. She can hook you up with almost anything.

If you're bringing a lady friend, I'd recommend seeing "Shear Madness" at the Kennedy Center. It's a murder mystery "who done it" set in a beauty salon. Been running for almost 25 years and it's funny, tho a little gay. Go to the latest show possible. Not recommended for kids at all. It's a cab ride there, but it is a nice place to go after dinner. While there, you can go on the rooftop terrace and check out the city at night, Very romantic.

For something more manly, head to the International Spy Museum. It's a 007 fan's wet dream.

If your signifigant other wants to go to Georgetown Cupcakes (from the TLC show DC Cupcakes) DONT. The girlfriend made me go there for Mother's day and it was over an hour wait for cupcakes that weren't worth it.

Ditto on the International Spy Museum. Glad someone mentioned it. I liked it a lot.

[Dartgod]

If you make it to the Library of Congress, I hear that there is a book hidden there that will lead you to a city of gold.

[Chest Rockwell]

Yeah, Sapho has it mostly right. Definitely do the Mall at night. I think the art museum he and Blaise are talking about is probably the National Gallery. There are like 4 other art museums on the mall. If you need to drop heat, I'd actually probably recommend the African Art Museum. Hardly anyone is ever there. That's not raycess, it's just the troof.

Also, since it sounds like it might interest you, I'd say check out the Art of Video Games exhibit at the SAAM in Penn Quarter/Chinatown if you have time (near Rasika, Jaleo, etc.). The Kogod courtyard there is one of my favorite places in the city.

Rasika is also one of my favorites. Most of the food portions are fairly generous for an upscale restaurant in an East coast city. The only thing I don't think you really get enough of is the nan, if you order it. You really can't go wrong with anything that sounds good on the menu, but I almost always end up having someone in my group get the chicken green masala (and I loath ordering chicken out...because it's just f#cking chicken...) and the okra so I can steal it.Couple of really interesting cocktails there too. If you're a wine drinker the cheapest gruner veltliner on their menu is a great match for most of what they have and a good bargain (I think it's around $35 a bottle).

I've not been to the Bier Baron since they changed over from the 'Skellar, but a buddy of mine went. Evidently they now have most of the beers they advertise actually in stock. In that neighborhood I'd also point you toward Pizzaria/Bierria Paradiso and Hank's Oyster Bar for food, the Big Hunt is another bar that will have a big/interesting beer selection. I've also always found it a fun social experiment to go get a bucket of vodka at the Russia House.

The "max" cab fare in DC is supposedly about $20 bucks by law for a solo rider. They will try to get you there almost every time. I'd avoid them if at all possible. If you can't get there by metro most of the city is very walkable anyway and there's interesting stuff everywhere.

A couple of extra metro tips besides stand right/walk left: Don't stop at the top of the stairs or the escalator to try to get your bearings, move the hell off to the side. If the train is busy and you have to stand, don't do it right in front of the doors. Have your farecard out and ready when you get to the gates. If you don't, move to the side to find it. Most of that is common sense, but all of it happens all the time. Lastly, check metro's website (http://wmata.com) for maintenance for the weekend so you know what kind of delays you might be dealing with. Download the DC Rider app for whatever smartphone you have for real time train schedules, trip planners (how do I get from here to there), etc.

[DMAC]

The Vietnam Memorial will stay with me forever. It really pulls at the heart strings.

I thought the Smithsonian was really really cool. Hit up as many as you can.

Our cab driver from the airport took the long way since we told him we had never been there.

Georgetown has alot of really good restaurants.

[Rain Man]

If you make it to the Library of Congress, I hear that there is a book hidden there that will lead you to a city of gold.

I keep looking for it, but it always seems to be checked out.

[scho63]

I live here so my advice should be pretty good....

This weekend the Joint Air Services host their annual airshow event at Andrews Air Force Base...it is FREE to enter and FREE to park at Fed Ex field where the Redskins play but you can get there by Metro. It is all day Saturday and Sunday. Been there 4x's in the last 5 years

http://jsoh.org/

You can take a water taxi from Georgetown off M Street to Old Town Alexandria down the Potomac. It's a 45 minute ride each way, great sites, and you see a lot plus beers on the boat.

You can also go from Old Town to national Harbor via boat

http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/national-harbor.php

The Nationals are in town this weekend and you can catch a game there

Good restaurants:

Proof near the Verizon Center if you like Wine and Cheese and Charcuterie plates
http://proofdc.com/

Bodega if you like Spanish Tapas
http://www.bodegadc.com/

Rasika If you like Indian
http://www.rasikarestaurant.com/

Let me know and I can give you specific advice

[scho63]

I also agree with any poster on the International Spy Museum-it is close to the restaurant Proof I recommended

[Chest Rockwell]

One more note on the restaurants:

Places like Rasika, Proof, Oyamel, etc. are extremely popular. You may have to try to get in early or late (before 6 or after 9). I'd start looking to book reservations now.

[scho63]

One more note on the restaurants:

Places like Rasika, Proof, Oyamel, etc. are extremely popular. You may have to try to get in early or late (before 6 or after 9). I'd start looking to book reservations now.

I forgot about Oyamal-very good as well. :clap:

I've not tried the new Rasika location but I am sure it is as good as the original.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Spent a few days in DC in the winter. Walked so much my feet were literally bruised by the time I got home. Wear good shoes. Couple places I highly, highly recommend for restaurants:

Filomena's Italian Restaurant. They have these little balls of risotto surrounding cheese and bolognese sauce that are freakin' amazing. All fresh-made pasta. Wear stretchy pants. Next time I'm in DC, I'm going back to Filomena's at some point.

Old Ebbitt Grill. DC staple known for their crab cakes. And they are amazing.

[Hoover]

I travel to DC often.

1. Prepare to walk like DeFace said.

2. I like to hang out in Georgetown when in DC. Don't know why but lots of options.

Thunder Burger (http://www.thunderburger.com/index1.html): Great burgers and excellent beers on the menu. Just a nice place to hang out eat wings and drink beer.

Looking for something a little more upscale, I'd suggest Charlie Palmer's Steakhouse (http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/CPSteak/DC/). Excellent food, fantastic wine list, top notch all around.

I used to love the Oceanaire (http://www.theoceanaire.com/Home.aspx) when it was locally owned, but some group bought it and its not quite as good now.

If you need a cocktail and cigar go to Shelly's Back Room (http://www.shellysbackroom.com/). It's where Obama gets his cigars.

Old Ebbits (http://www.ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=About_the_Ebbitt) is good for lunch.

The Caucus Room (http://www.thecaucusroom.com/index.html) is ownedby Haley Barbour and is good if you need a private room. Upscale place.

Catch a Nationals game if they are in town. Great stadium. I also like the National Cathedral. Walk down Embassy Row.

[scho63]

Spent a few days in DC in the winter. Walked so much my feet were literally bruised by the time I got home. Wear good shoes. Couple places I highly, highly recommend for restaurants:

Filomena's Italian Restaurant. They have these little balls of risotto surrounding cheese and bolognese sauce that are freakin' amazing. All fresh-made pasta. Wear stretchy pants. Next time I'm in DC, I'm going back to Filomena's at some point.

Old Ebbitt Grill. DC staple known for their crab cakes. And they are amazing.

Those are called Arancini and are delicious- Filomena's is very good but VERY crowded

[Chest Rockwell]

I keep looking for it, but it always seems to be checked out.

If there was ever a scenario where I was forced to guess what other Chiefs Planet poster had a Library of Congress reader's credential or some horrible thing would befall someone I love dearly it would be you.

[RaiderH8r]

Stand right. Walk left.

[Lzen]

Go see the tomb of The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. Be sure to have someone film your dumb ass mocking the ceremony. That way we can all witness them putting your butt down. :)

[Hammock Parties]

Go see the tomb of The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. Be sure to have someone film your dumb ass mocking the ceremony. That way we can all witness them putting your butt down. :)

Definitely skipping that farce.

[DaFace]

Definitely skipping that farce.

You have a very odd idea of what's cool to see. Out of curiosity, what DOES sound interesting to you?

[Hammock Parties]

Rasika is also one of my favorites. Most of the food portions are fairly generous for an upscale restaurant in an East coast city. The only thing I don't think you really get enough of is the nan, if you order it. You really can't go wrong with anything that sounds good on the menu, but I almost always end up having someone in my group get the chicken green masala (and I loath ordering chicken out...because it's just f#cking chicken...)

I made reservations for Sunday brunch at The Bombay Club. Sounds awesome.

[blaise]

I made reservations for Sunday brunch at The Bombay Club. Sounds awesome.

When I first started dating my wife I took her to the Bombay Club for Valentines Day dinner. I was young and dumb. I didn't have a credit card, I just had like $120 cash. And that's how much it was for the meal. I had to borrow cash from her for the tip.
I knew I was in trouble when there was a guy in a tux playing a piano right in the dining room during dinner and no prices on the menu.

[Hammock Parties]

I live here so my advice should be pretty good....

This weekend the Joint Air Services host their annual airshow event at Andrews Air Force Base...it is FREE to enter and FREE to park at Fed Ex field where the Redskins play but you can get there by Metro. It is all day Saturday and Sunday. Been there 4x's in the last 5 years

http://jsoh.org/

You can take a water taxi from Georgetown off M Street to Old Town Alexandria down the Potomac. It's a 45 minute ride each way, great sites, and you see a lot plus beers on the boat.


These sound cool.

Right now I'm planning on spending an entire day exploring the mall on Saturday.

Sunday I have a 7:30 PM flight out of Reagan, so I need to be careful. When do I need to be at the airport?

I'd like to do either the boat ride or the air force base thing on Sunday.

[Hammock Parties]

When I first started dating my wife I took her to the Bombay Club for Valentines Day dinner. I was young and dumb. I didn't have a credit card, I just had like $120 cash. And that's how much it was for the meal. I had to borrow cash from her for the tip.
I knew I was in trouble when there was a guy in a tux playing a piano right in the dining room during dinner and no prices on the menu.

Weird, the brunch is 20 bucks. Their menu seemed very reasonable.

[blaise]

Weird, the brunch is 20 bucks. Their menu seemed very reasonable.

It was Valentines Day. I'm sure they jacked it up.

[FD]

Cant believe nobody has mentioned Ethiopian food. DC has a large Ethiopian population and there are tons of great restaurants. If you havent had it its a unique style of cuisine and definitely worth checking out if you are an adventurous eater.

Also, I strong second the monuments at night suggestion, and always remember stand right walk left.

[Deberg_1990]

Make sure you check out Anacostia area in Southeast DC.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

If you see Nick Cage....run.

[Hammock Parties]

Cant believe nobody has mentioned Ethiopian food. DC has a large Ethiopian population and there are tons of great restaurants. If you havent had it its a unique style of cuisine and definitely worth checking out if you are an adventurous eater.

Also, I strong second the monuments at night suggestion, and always remember stand right walk left.

I've already got a spot pegged. There's one a few blocks from my hotel.

[FD]

I've already got a spot pegged. There's one a few blocks from my hotel.

Which one?

[Bearcat]

I've never seen 'stand right, walk left' stressed so much for one city... maybe I'm just used to it from walking through so many airports, but I thought it was pretty much a universal thing for walkways, escalators, etc.

[RaiderH8r]

I've never seen 'stand right, walk left' stressed so much for one city... maybe I'm just used to it from walking through so many airports, but I thought it was pretty much a universal thing for walkways, escalators, etc.

It's not. F'ing tourists.

What's more infuriating is when they stand in the middle of the subway platform gawking at the tunnel and more than that is when they huddle around a f'ing turnstyle like cavemen staring at fire for the first time. Christ, people have shit to do. Stay off the metro at rush hour. Gawk, but do so out of the way and always stand right. Walk left.

[Hammock Parties]

Sweet cab ride bro

[Bearcat]

It's not. F'ing tourists.

What's more infuriating is when they stand in the middle of the subway platform gawking at the tunnel and more than that is when they huddle around a f'ing turnstyle like cavemen staring at fire for the first time. Christ, people have shit to do. Stay off the metro at rush hour. Gawk, but do so out of the way and always stand right. Walk left.

Well, stupidity and obliviousness is pretty much universal, heh.

I understand the frustration... when I first started traveling, I went out of my way to not look like a tourist and would even get annoyed at other tourists (and myself a couple of times when I'd do something stupid like put the subway ticket in the wrong way multiple times). Even if you don't know the unwritten rules, a lot of it is just common sense and knowing your surroundings.... like not stopping at the end of an escalator or when you first step out of a subway car.

[Chest Rockwell]

Sweet cab ride bro

I take it that means you're here.

Enjoy your visit. Shoot me a smoke if you need anything.

Except bail. Or a middle of the night ride home from PG County. Or if you need a wingman at Nellie's.

You get the idea.

[Hammock Parties]

I just saw the White House, yo.

It's bigger than I imagined.

[SCTrojan]

You're going to get incredible weather this weekend. This is the nicest it's been in a while. Enjoy.

[SCTrojan]

I just saw the White House, yo.

It's bigger than I imagined.

I work near there. We might have crossed paths.

[Bowser]

I just saw the White House, yo.

It's bigger than I imagined.

Take a tour, or did you just walk by?

[Hammock Parties]

Take a tour, or did you just walk by?

Obama let me in.

[whoman69]

Take a tour, or did you just walk by?

tours are pretty rare these days

[Bowser]

Obama let me in.

I figured Texans have an open invitation to Obama's White House.

[DaFace]

tours are pretty rare these days

Not so much "rare," but rather "a pain in the ass." We did it when we were there last summer, but you have to get the approval process rolling months in advance. I think they suggest 6 months.

[Hammock Parties]

Phew. Didn't get robbed today.

Jesus fuck there are a lot of hot women here.

[whoman69]

Not so much "rare," but rather "a pain in the ass." We did it when we were there last summer, but you have to get the approval process rolling months in advance. I think they suggest 6 months.

Isn't it also just once a week now?

[RaiderH8r]

Phew. Didn't get robbed today.

Jesus **** there are a lot of hot women here.

It's not even intern season yet. Love me some skinterns.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Phew. Didn't get robbed today.

Jesus fuck there are a lot of hot women here.

Tap dat ass.

[DaFace]

Isn't it also just once a week now?

It wasn't last summer, but no clue if that's changed.

[Okie_Apparition]

May 185:25PM ETBy Bill Williamson

Ryan Clady has been considered one of the best young left tackles in the NFL.

However, after a stellar rookie season, Clady has had his issues.

According to Stats Inc., Clady -- the No. 12 overall pick in the 2008 draft -- has allowed 24.5 sacks in the past three seasons. Clady allowed just a half sack in his rookie season.

He allowed a career high nine sacks in 2011, and was penalized 12 times last season. Despite giving up 7.5 sacks in 2010, Clady had a strong season. He injured his patella tendon in April of 2010 while playing basketball, but he didn’t miss any time.

There is no denying Clady’s play did dip last season. Clady is not a horrible player by any means, but he has been far from dominant since his rookie season.

[Hammock Parties]

Someone who is either high, drunk or both just walked up and down the corridor of my floor slapping his hands and yelling NIGGA YOU GOIN' TO JAIL! YOU DON'T HIT MY MOTHAFUCKA! Over and over again.

[Fairplay]

I just saw the White House, yo.

It's bigger than I imagined.



It was smaller then i thought.

[Fairplay]

I live here so my advice should be pretty good....

This weekend the Joint Air Services host their annual airshow event at Andrews Air Force Base...it is FREE to enter and FREE to park at Fed Ex field where the Redskins play but you can get there by Metro. It is all day Saturday and Sunday. Been there 4x's in the last 5 years




I don't think i would go out there to see an air show.

[Fairplay]

Someone who is either high, drunk or both just walked up and down the corridor of my floor slapping his hands and yelling ****A YOU GOIN' TO JAIL! YOU DON'T HIT MY MOTHA****A! Over and over again.



A one star hotel i take.

[Fairplay]

Looking for something a little more upscale, I'd suggest Charlie Palmer's Steakhouse (http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/CPSteak/DC/). Excellent food, fantastic wine list, top notch all around.
National Cathedral.



This is Gochiefs you are talking to dude. :rolleyes:

[Hammock Parties]

A one star hotel i take.

No, it's a nice hotel, which makes it even funnier. ROFL

[Hoover]

This is Gochiefs you are talking to dude. :rolleyes:

LOL, I know, I know.

Everyone can, and should, enjoy the finer things in life every once in a while.

The national cathedral does have a gargoyle that looks like Darth Vader (http://www.nationalcathedral.org/about/darthVader.shtml)

It also have a stained glass window with a moon rock in it.

[whoman69]

May 185:25PM ETBy Bill Williamson

Ryan Clady has been considered one of the best young left tackles in the NFL.

However, after a stellar rookie season, Clady has had his issues.

According to Stats Inc., Clady -- the No. 12 overall pick in the 2008 draft -- has allowed 24.5 sacks in the past three seasons. Clady allowed just a half sack in his rookie season.

He allowed a career high nine sacks in 2011, and was penalized 12 times last season. Despite giving up 7.5 sacks in 2010, Clady had a strong season. He injured his patella tendon in April of 2010 while playing basketball, but he didn’t miss any time.

There is no denying Clady’s play did dip last season. Clady is not a horrible player by any means, but he has been far from dominant since his rookie season.

???????

[Hammock Parties]

I walked about 3/4 of the mall today. Capitol building to the washington monument. Check out the Smithsonian Air and Space. Didn't do the archives cus there was a massive line to get in.

HOLY FUCK I HATE THE METRO

[DaFace]

I walked about 3/4 of the mall today. Capitol building to the washington monument. Check out the Smithsonian Air and Space. Didn't do the archives cus there was a massive line to get in.

HOLY FUCK I HATE THE METRO

If only someone had suggested a way you could have skipped the line...

[Hammock Parties]

OK, OK, I'll get a ticket.

[Hammock Parties]

By the way, I think I got choked up a little when I saw the capital building and the ulysses s. grant memorial with the reflecting pool in front.

SO MOVING BRO

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

[Chiefnj2]

Someone who is either high, drunk or both just walked up and down the corridor of my floor slapping his hands and yelling ****A YOU GOIN' TO JAIL! YOU DON'T HIT MY MOTHA****A! Over and over again.

Tell Ron Paul to calm down. Remind him he can run again in 2016.

[Deberg_1990]

HOLY FUCK I HATE THE METRO

Why do u hate people of color?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hammock Parties]

Why do u hate people of color?
Posted via Mobile Device

Because they ask me for change in this city.

[Dave Lane]

I walked about 3/4 of the mall today. Capitol building to the washington monument. Check out the Smithsonian Air and Space. Didn't do the archives cus there was a massive line to get in.

HOLY **** I HATE THE METRO

Stay off the green line to Anacostia. Trust me on this one.

[Dave Lane]

Not sure if you saw Air and Space but it's definitely a must see and the Spy Museum

[Easy 6]

Has anyone asked about wheres a few friggin pics over here?

[Deberg_1990]

Stay off the green line to Anacostia. Trust me on this one.

No, I already highly suggested he take it. Lots to see there.

[chefsos]

Tropical Storm Alberto is coming up the coast to kill us all. You might want to panic now.

[Hammock Parties]

Not sure if you saw Air and Space but it's definitely a must see and the Spy Museum

Yeah I did Air and Space. Not sure if I have time for Spy Museum. Tomorrow's gonna be difficult just walking from the Washington to Lincoln monuments and seeing the Nat'l Archives.

[Dave Lane]

Well if you have time the Spy Museum's pretty freaking awesome I think you'd like it

[lewdog]

I will put in a vote for the Spy Museum too. That place was sweet. Holocaust museum too if you didn't get to that.

[Hammock Parties]

I finished my tour of the mall and managed to hit up the national archives (no line!) and see the spy museum.

The Declaration of Independence looks like shit. :spock:

It's also terribly stupid that you don't even know if you're looking at a facsimile of it or not.

Next time I'm heading straight to the musuem of natural history. That place is enormous....and they have a giant squid. :eek:

[bevischief]

Have you taken out Congress yet?

[DaFace]

I finished my tour of the mall and managed to hit up the national archives (no line!) and see the spy museum.

The Declaration of Independence looks like shit. :spock:

It's also terribly stupid that you don't even know if you're looking at a facsimile of it or not.

Next time I'm heading straight to the musuem of natural history. That place is enormous....and they have a giant squid. :eek:

Was there something alluding to this? My understanding is that they only time they took the real things out was a while back when they had to redo all of the casings.

[Hammock Parties]

Yeah, an old woman who worked there and was about as old as the document itself spent 20 minutes talking my ear off.

They put a facsimile out from time to time. I suppose they don't charge so I can't really bitch.

What was pretty neat was looking at the Magna Carta. 800 years old and you can still read it.

[Hammock Parties]

Have you taken out Congress yet?

No, but I bought one of these:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q6oE44DfNk8/SW-aavEeRyI/AAAAAAAAAAM/anVV4WN88ZI/S220/friends-dont-let-friends-vote-democrat-1.thumbnail.jpg

[DaFace]

Yeah, an old woman who worked there and was about as old as the document itself spent 20 minutes talking my ear off.

They put a facsimile out from time to time. I suppose they don't charge so I can't really bitch.

What was pretty neat was looking at the Magna Carta. 800 years old and you can still read it.

Huh. That's kind of lame.

[AustinChief]

Yeah, an old woman who worked there and was about as old as the document itself spent 20 minutes talking my ear off.

They put a facsimile out from time to time. I suppose they don't charge so I can't really bitch.

What was pretty neat was looking at the Magna Carta. 800 years old and you can still read it.

715. Our copy is only 715 years old. The four 800 year old copies are all still in England.

[Okie_Apparition]

Shanahan, that slimey bastard
should be like royality there
at least on the incest part

[DaFace]

Y'know, now that you mention the Magna Carta, I think it WAS taken off display when I was there last summer. But they had a giant sign there telling you that it was a copy and not the original. I'd bet they'd do the same thing if they were working on the other documents.

[Hammock Parties]

Segways, fuck yeah.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/465081_10150795678351557_500191556_9936232_1963587843_o.jpg

[Johnny Vegas]

Sounds like they should rename it "The Paper And Ink Archives."

http://www.agencynewbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/boring.jpg

thanks for shitting on America. come again.

[Hammock Parties]

thanks for shitting on America. come again.

Proud to say I clogged my toilet at the Washington Hilton!

[DaFace]

Segways, fuck yeah.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/465081_10150795678351557_500191556_9936232_1963587843_o.jpg

There have to be more segways used in DC than the rest of the world combined.

[blaise]

There have to be more segways used in DC than the rest of the world combined.

Probably more lawyers in DC than the rest of the world combined, too.

[scho63]

So how was your overall trip?

Did you eat at any of the recommendations from the CP'ers?

What was the highlight?

You had great weather, that's for sure

[Hammock Parties]

So how was your overall trip?

Did you eat at any of the recommendations from the CP'ers?

What was the highlight?

You had great weather, that's for sure

I hated the weather, too fucking hot.

I didn't really have time to eat, I mostly ate on the run. Next time.

Highlight by far was walking up to the capitol building with the Ulysses S. Grant memorial in front of it. Epic.

I have to say I really, really like the national mall, but I'm not too fond of the city.

[scho63]

I hated the weather, too ****ing hot.

I didn't really have time to eat, I mostly ate on the run. Next time.

Highlight by far was walking up to the capitol building with the Ulysses S. Grant memorial in front of it. Epic.

I drive through DC once a week or so and I still get chills passing everything-it's pretty impressive how much is jammed into such a small area.

The only thing that I hate is the streets are "spoke and hub" design like Paris and I hate that. I still get lost. Also the foot traffic is real dangerous and you must pay attention all the time or you will hit someone with your car.

[blaise]

I drive through DC once a week or so and I still get chills passing everything-it's pretty impressive how much is jammed into such a small area.

The only thing that I hate is the streets are "spoke and hub" design like Paris and I hate that. I still get lost. Also the foot traffic is real dangerous and you must pay attention all the time or you will hit someone with your car.

I loved the layout of DC with the rotaries. Once you get the hang of it you can get around without waiting all that much. I drove it every day when I lived there.

[Chest Rockwell]

I hated the weather, too ****ing hot.

I didn't really have time to eat, I mostly ate on the run. Next time.

Highlight by far was walking up to the capitol building with the Ulysses S. Grant memorial in front of it. Epic.

I have to say I really, really like the national mall, but I'm not too fond of the city.

JFC it was gorgeous this past weekend; 80 degrees, a nice light breeze. You won't find much better weather than that here. You should come back in the summer when it's 102 and a million percent humidity in the District of Cambodia.

A weekend is a really hard length of time to spend here. There's just way too much to do. What didn't you like about the city specifically (besides metro, which is hell on the weekends with the "oops we killed a shtload of people a few years ago" maintenance)? If you spent most of your time around the mall and in DouchePont on a weekend during tourist season you were in a special kind of hell.

[RaiderH8r]

I hated the weather, too ****ing hot.

I didn't really have time to eat, I mostly ate on the run. Next time.

Highlight by far was walking up to the capitol building with the Ulysses S. Grant memorial in front of it. Epic.

I have to say I really, really like the national mall, but I'm not too fond of the city.

Ummm....yeah....that weather wasn't shit. That weather was as good as it gets. Come August and it hits 97 with 90% humidity then it sucks. Then it is miserable. Then I want to kill the prick that decided wearing suits in this town would be a good idea.

[Rain Man]

I finished my tour of the mall and managed to hit up the national archives (no line!) and see the spy museum.

The Declaration of Independence looks like shit. :spock:

It's also terribly stupid that you don't even know if you're looking at a facsimile of it or not.

Next time I'm heading straight to the musuem of natural history. That place is enormous....and they have a giant squid. :eek:

What other documents did they have on display? I'm wondering if all the stuff they had out when I was there was a rotating display or temporary display.

[listopencil]

JFC it was gorgeous this past weekend; 80 degrees, a nice light breeze. You won't find much better weather than that here. You should come back in the summer when it's 102 and a million percent humidity in the District of Cambodia.



Hah! No shit. I was born in Virginia and lived there for about ten of the first fifteen years of my life. I'm from the South East corner, very close to the ocean. The last time I visited I actually saw moisture condense and drop from the air in front of me while I walked around my grandparents' front yard.

[blaise]

Gochiefs lives in Dallas, doesn't he? It's like 105 and no rain for 6 months a year.

[Hammock Parties]

JFC it was gorgeous this past weekend; 80 degrees, a nice light breeze. You won't find much better weather than that here. You should come back in the summer when it's 102 and a million percent humidity in the District of Cambodia.


Sounds hellish.

I should have visited in the fall. I was walking everywhere for the most part and it was pretty bad for me. Anything over 80 and I hate being outside.

[Rain Man]

Gochiefs lives in Dallas, doesn't he? It's like 105 and no rain for 6 months a year.

That's what I was wondering. Dallas is possibly the worst place outside Baghdad to spend a summer.

[blaise]

That's what I was wondering. Dallas is possibly the worst place outside Baghdad to spend a summer.

Last summer in Dallas was the worst I've ever experienced. And I've lived in Florida, Georgia, Houston and DC.

[whoman69]

Gochiefs lives in Dallas, doesn't he? It's like 105 and no rain for 6 months a year.

Sounds hellish.

I should have visited in the fall. I was walking everywhere for the most part and it was pretty bad for me. Anything over 80 and I hate being outside.

That's what I was wondering. Dallas is possibly the worst place outside Baghdad to spend a summer.

Last summer in Dallas was the worst I've ever experienced. And I've lived in Florida, Georgia, Houston and DC.

I always heard Houston was even worse.

[blaise]

I always heard Houston was even worse.

It rained in Houston, at least. After like 80 straight days of 100+ temps and no rain last year in Dallas it was really getting to me.