Washington Travel Guide

  A rather magnificent building....
by Suet
 
  • A rather magnificent building....
      A rather magnificent building....
    by Suet
  • General Field Scott Hancock
      General Field Scott Hancock
    by Suet
  •   Washington
    by Suet
  •   Washington
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  •   Washington
    by Suet
 

Pro

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 There are tons of FREE things to do.... 


Con

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 You have to walk for miles to see them all 


In a nutshell

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 Worth the visit but will take days to see it all!! 

 

Explore Washington

Things to Do  

Washington Monument

Washington Monument, Washington

 Suet Says:  I really like the Washington Monument. It is impressive in its height and history, looks VERY pretty on a sunny day and you can see the whole of Washington DC from each of its small windows at the top.Last time I visited this was when I was a young woman full of enthusiasm... 

Vietnam Memorial

Vietnam Memorial, Washington

 percy961 Says:  The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a black granite wall inscribed with the names of 58,191 soldiers who died in the Vietnam War. As visitors look over the names etched into the monument, the mirror-like surface of the smooth granite reflects the sky, trees and visitors... 

Hillwood Museum & Gardens

Hillwood Museum & Gardens, Washington

 kevbo1 Says:  Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973), heir to the Post cereal fortune, was the founder of Hillwood Museum and Gardens - her former twenty-five acre estate in Washington, DC "While in Russia, with the opportunity to see and enjoy the Russian love of color in all forms of... 

Basilica's interior

Basilica's interior, Washington

 barbskie Says:  The interior of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Mother Mary is very consecrated area. For me it is here a holy place. I usually do not make photos inside unless i have the chance to do so. During this visit, there were many churhgoers at the hall near the... 

Getting around D.C.

Getting around D.C., Washington

 barbskie Says:  The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Concepcion is a great place to visit. It is probably the largest Catholic Church of America. Its Byzantine and Romanesque architecture, and the elaborate collections of mosaics and arts are very fascinating. 

Hotels  

Topaz Hotel - A Kimpton Hotel

 1 Review and 659 Opinions  Topaz hosts a free standup comedy show on Thursday nites at 8pm in the basement level --features... 

Restaurants  

Wildfire: Good place for a business lunch

Wildfire: Good place for a business lunch, Washington

 Ingeborga Says:  The restaurant is located inside the mall, but don't be encouraged by that. A nice, cozy atmosphere, a fireplace, very friendly staff - will make your clients feel right at home and at ease when talking business. Located conveniently in Tysons Corner and close to major... 

Native Indian Restaurant: Since you are there why not?

Native Indian Restaurant: Since you are there why not?, Washington

 Wellanna Says:  Every Smithsonian museum has a restaurant. They are a bit expensive but since you are there why not try it? Ours had a cuisine of North and South America. I have to say that the service was one of the slowest and most rude ever seen. If there is a crowd you will have to wait... 

Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock Cafe, Washington

 Wellanna Says:  What makes it so special? A silly question when this cafe is concerned. I entered three of them in the US and they are all exactly the same. Of course everyone knows it is much more then just the food. There are many guitars and posters of famous rock stars on the walls. The... 

Transportation  

Washington, DC tours

Washington, DC tours, Washington

 tracylacie Says:  There are several tour companies which operate daily. Theses range from monderately priced to expensive. There are several tours that leave from Union Station and tickets can be purchased at the desk at the main entrance. The best way to find the tour that is right for you... 

Metro

Metro, Washington

 tracylacie Says:  There are day passes available from automated machines at each Metro station the cost of a day pass ia approximately $6 US this is great if you are traveling between sites that are far apart (i.e...National Zoo and Capital Mall) it is not really worth the cost of a day pass... 

Shopping  

Shop in the National Archives: Learning can be fun

Shop in the National Archives: Learning can be fun, Washington

 Wellanna Says:  The shop clearly sells things aimed at educating people and especially kids about the US history and that is something I liked. They can learn about history in a fun and amusing way. And they do not sell just books but all sorts of games as well. Well I bought my copy of... 

Shop in the National Museum of the American Indian: Something original

Shop in the National Museum of the American Indian: Something original, Washington

 Wellanna Says:  The shop is in the Museum and it is here that you can buy some beautiful original items produced by the Native Indians and the best part is that all the money goes the the artists and Indian communities. I bought a Navajo bracelet for my brother (he loves it and wears it all... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Watch for Pickpockets

Watch for Pickpockets, Washington

 tracylacie Says:  There are numerous pickpockets in the Mall area. To keep your valuables/cash safe here are a few tips:Women: Keep you hand on your handbag at all times. If it has a shoulder strap but this around your neck and arm so that it is harder to be grabbed. If the bag has a flap on... 

Watch for Pickpockets

Watch for Pickpockets, Washington

 tracylacie Says:  There are numerous pickpockets in the Mall area. To keep your valuables/cash safe here are a few tips:Women: Keep you hand on your handbag at all times. If it has a shoulder strap but this around your neck and arm so that it is harder to be grabbed. If the bag has a flap on... 

Tourist Traps  

Restuarants in the Museums!
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

tracylacie 49 reviews

The restuarants in the musuems are outrageously priced!! Avoid these if you can! There are several Kiosks on the Mall if you want not quiet so expensive meals..but they are still overpriced!!

Unique Suggestions: The sandwiches served in the museums are large so...split one with your travel companion. These are usually too much for one person anyway!

Fun Alternatives: Or....Pack your own lunch and have a picnic on the mall. If you are staying close this is an easy alternative to expensive meals.

Updated Jun 5, 2006

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Family Travel

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What to Pack  

Comfortable Walking Shoes are a MUST
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

tracylacie 49 reviews

Luggage and bags: If you plan on traveling the Metro from the airport to your hotel pack light. The Metro is not as crowded as Londons' Tube but it can be at times.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES....I cannot stress this enough!! On a map it may not seem far from one monument to another but it is....I walked 15 miles in one day of touring. There are several places to stop and take a rest but you will do a lot of walking! A light waterproof jacket in spring and fall.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Not much need for sunblock unless you come in the middle of Summer. A small first aid kit isn't a bad idea for when out touring especially if you are walking (don't forget pain medication for the leg cramps and sore feet). Bring lots of bottled water.

Photo Equipment: Most of your shots will be distance shots as the monuments here are large. I suggest an extra flash for fill lighting as some of the interiors of the monuments tend to run a bit dim. A second memory card and battery is a must, also, would suggest a tripod to steady those long shots if you are using a large lens.

Written Jun 5, 2006

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Family Travel
 Historical Travel

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Off The Beaten Path  

Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park, Washington

 percy961 Says:  Great Falls Park, a site that is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, is an 800 acre park located along the Potomac River 14 miles upriver from Washington D.C. The park is known for two things, its scenic beauty at the head of Potomac River fall line and the... 

Manassas National Battlefield park

Manassas National Battlefield park, Washington

 percy961 Says:  Manassas National Battlefield park was established in 1940 to preserve the scene of two major Civil War battles. Located a few miles north of the prized railroad junction of Manassas, Virginia, the peaceful Virginia countryside bore witness to clashes between the armies of... 

A child-friendly coffee shop - At Play Cafe

A child-friendly coffee shop - At Play Cafe, Washington

 Ingeborga Says:  Are you in town, have seen all the major sights, your kids are wearing you out and you just want to find a nice place to sit down, read your e-mails and have your kids play with some toys and well, leave you alone for a while? Well come no further, there are a lot of... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Washington Nationals/Baltimore Orioles

Washington Nationals/Baltimore Orioles, Washington

 tracylacie Says:  Washington, DC now has their own baseball team...It is in it's second season and has done pretty well. Or...There is the more established team of the Baltimore Orioles..Both teams are worth watching if you like sports. Hat to block the sun and sunscreen if it is a day game. 

Comments

 
Map of Washington