Jen brought us back to the United States and straight to the capitol. Washington D.C. is an iconic place with an amazing history and places to discover that most people don't even know about. We are bombarded with the White House, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, and the Memorials. I love them all, and the mall as well. I love the museums (of which there are many) and so much more. So, while I wish to mention all that stuff, there's some other things that I would like to discuss that you might not be aware of.
Let's discuss that whole downtown/mall area.
On one end sits the Capitol Building. We all know that's where congress meets. There are a dozen different tours you can take of the building. There are some hefty security checks as of late for obvious reasons. What you don't know about the Capitol Building? You cannot take a good picture of it, unless you are quite far away. There's a place called The Post Office Mall. Obviously, this used to be the postal hub in D.C. There's great food, shops, gift shops and architecture inside. It's worth a visit. But, there's an elevator and that tiny little elevator is your first step to going up the tower. From that tower, you get the best view in town. Not to poo poo the Washington Monument, but the windows in the monument are tiny and it's hard to get a good picture.
Second, it's known as the Castle. It's the red brick castle like building that was the original Smithsonian. If you love museums, you must visit the granddaddy of all D.C. museums while in town. Unless you have an over abundance of time, you will not be able to visit all of the 19 Smithsonian museums plus the zoo. Plan ahead and pick the few you really want to see. I love the Air and Space Museum, but get off the mall with that. The best of the Air and Space Museum is located outside of town in Virginia. You can schedule a tour if you don't wish to drive or don't have a car with you. Other favorites of mine are the Native American Museum and the American Museum.
As we go around the mall, you should always visit the National Archives, All of the memorials and monuments; Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam, WWI, WWII, FDR, Korean War, MLK, and more. Be aware; we are told when we go Googling, that the Jefferson Memorial is a mall attraction. No. It's not on the mall. It is close by but you should take transportation, because it's a dangerous walk. If you visit in the spring, the Jefferson Memorial area is where you see the best of the cherry trees in bloom.
Other things that you find right at the mall. The botanical gardens with old style greenhouses and gardens. It's beautiful and worth a visit. The Library of Congress. You can only see parts of the library visible from the balcony/rotunda area unless you submit a request to use the library. Said request must have a research purpose and you will have to submit to a background check. It is a beautiful building and worth checking out. The Supreme Court Building. I'm not sure if you still need a reservation, so check ahead. Also, like Congress, check the dates. They're not always in session. Union Station. Mixed feelings when it comes to this one. It's a beautiful building, and I've gone by train and loved it. I love the shops, the food; it's great. On the other hand, the train station brings a murky problem to a head. There are a lot of homeless people there.
Other things about the mall area. Everything is free except tours. Washington D.C. is in part designed to show off the best of our country, and providing free entry to buildings and museums is one of the ways that we promote our way of life and our government style. We Americans are very proud of our country. Also, during the warmer months, there are events on the mall. There are carnivals, festivals, and even Monday night movies. It gives a home town feel to a symbolic area. It's great fun, and I recommend attending such events.
Now that we've discussed most of the obvious, let's get down to the interesting stuff that you don't always know about. Of course, if you wish to do something outside of town, you can visit Mount Vernon, the National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, or the Air and Space Museum I mentioned which has a space shuttle in it. But, there are some interesting things beyond that.
Take a ride on the Potomac River. There are several cruises you can catch along Washington's world famous waterfront! Along the waterfront are some of the best views in the city, plus dining, shopping, entertainment, and those cruises. If you walk along the river, you'll see crewers rowing in morning practices, paddleboarders, kayakers and all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts. You'll get great views of the iconic bridges in the city and so much more. On a nice day, it's a great place to be.
If you get nervous in a city that can be quite intimidating, take a tour. It's worth the money. You can go by bus, segway, bicycle and other ways. You can find a tour that will take you to see just about anything. Also, there's a state of the art metro system in town that takes you to a lot of prime locations. Best bet is to get a week pass and make good use of it. Walking is a great way to get around downtown as well. There are tourist maps of the area available at most hotels, museums and public buildings. There's also a visitor center on the mall.
Why don't you want to drive? This is stuff that you need to know. Parking on the mall is impossible. Parking in garages can be tedious and expensive. Washington D.C.'s roads are laid out like a wagon wheel with lots of rotaries. If you aren't practiced at that style of driving, use the subway and tour buses, and save yourself the grief. I promise you, taking the subway to Dupont Circle is way better than trying to navigate it in a car. Leave the car at the hotel.
Where shall you stay? This is a challenge in Washington D.C. It's a melting pot, and has tons of different neighborhoods. Some are great, some are expensive, and some you don't want to spend the night in to save your life. Also, a lot of hotels listed on large websites are not in D.C. They're in Virginia or Maryland; as far out as Baltimore. It doesn't look like a long drive on a map, but it is. For my money, I love to stay in Georgetown. The prices are reasonable. The hotels are nice. The food is good. The metro is close by.
Specialty museums and food.
Washington D.C. has some great museums, aquariums, and the zoo. It's our capitol and all factions are represented. There are museums and attractions that require you to pay. Do your research and choose carefully. Madame Tussaud's is popular, but with everything there is to do in Washington; do you really need to visit something that is probably represented closer to where you live? Not so much, given the choices. The Spy Museum; give me a break. I've spent a lot of time in D.C. so I checked this one out. Hokey at best. The Hillwood Estate. It's a driving attraction on the north side of the city. For me, this was the living end with the largest collection of Russian items outside of Russia. Loved it and the grounds. Make sure you buy a good guidebook before going to Washington. Make sure you're seeing what you wish to see.
Food.
Pick a neighborhood and pick a food. Can't stress this one enough. Washington is a foodie destination. There are immigrants from all over the world starting a life in the area. There's food from the world over represented. I recommend looking on Yelp or Open Table and look at ratings, menus and hours. Also, make sure that the address is easily accessible. I found out the hard way that some aren't.
Clubs and night venues.
Make sure you don't go clubbing alone. People from all over the world are out partying in D.C. at night. Be safe. Don't accept drinks in glasses or open containers from other patrons. Only from a bartender. This is just good advice the world over. Don't party stupid. That being said, there are all kinds of clubs in D.C. Check your guidebook and ask the staff at your hotel for advice, so you find what you're looking for.
Other locations to visit.
Don't forget Embassy Row if you like architecture. If not, you may not want it on your list. Don't miss the White House. I don't think tours are currently on, but if so, book in advance and expect a background check. Also, don't forget to wander around the neighborhoods close to the White House. There are all kinds of historical buildings close by, including the Ford Theater. If you don't know what that is, you should probably read a book or two before visiting D.C.
There are parks worth looking into. Once again, get a good guidebook. There's so much going on in Washington that you'll need it. And, don't plan too much into your itinerary. Everywhere you go has the potential for the discovery of something wonderful that you didn't expect. Every time I'm in town, I find something I've never seen before. Give yourself some free time for discovery.
Is Washington a comfortable safe place to visit?
For all the troubles that have landed in Washington, from planes crashing on the White House lawn, to January 6th, to 9/11; you'd think the place would be set up like a prison, but it's not. There is security everywhere, but they're well trained and won't give you a hard time unless you give them a hard time. Most security people are happy to answer questions, give directions, and tell you where to get a great meal. Most people you encounter aren't from Washington D.C. That's where you have to be careful. Check the reviews of hotels to determine the nature of the neighborhood. Some of them are not safe. It's a reality. However, most places in the city are perfectly safe. I've even sat on the ground on the mall in the dark watching "Psycho" before. Everyone was lovely to me. That being said, don't put your valuables where they're easily accessible. Have a zipper on your purse. Put your wallet in a front pocket. Minor crimes are common in almost every city in the world.
So, when planning a trip to Washington D.C. do some research. Plan a few key things that you really want to see and do. Research your hotel and transportation. Make sure that what you want to see and do is happening at the time you visit. Summer is the busy time. In May and June, many schools bring thousands of kids on class trips. For my money, August through October are great times to visit the city.
Washington D.C. is a city that I've spent more time than I ever planned in. I've never done all the same things twice. It's always an adventure and worth every minute. I recommend so much of the city that you couldn't fit it all into one trip. Just make sure you do a little research into our history. It will make a lot of attractions make a lot more sense. Be prepared to spend some money, but it won't be on the national museums of the Smithsonian or government buildings. Make the most of your trip by planning a little and leaving some time for discovery. Washington D.C. isn't a town that you just want to stop by with no previous information. That can be a miserable trip. But, make sure you know what you want to get out of the trip, plan a great place to stay, plan a method to get around and enjoy!
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