Hello Everyone,
I would just like to add a few more sites that are well worth a visit.  The
National Building Museum, right off the red line at the Judiciary Square
Metro stop, is absolutely one of the most gorgeous buildings in DC (believe
me its deceiving from the outside).  We also have some really great
exhibitions, such as "In Transit: Transportation and the American City!
Also, I would definitely take a trek over to the Roosevelt memorial, its
about 1/2 mile from the Lincoln memorial and is spectacular at night.

Have a great trip!

Cecelia Gibson

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Deb Fuller [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 8:23 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Visiting Washington DC
>
> --- Elizabeth Walton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Museum time depends on your interests and how much you read, I would
> give a
> > half day for each place on average, maybe more for American History and
> > Holocaust and zoo. But most museums could take most of a day or even
> more
> > if you are really interested in the content. The national portrait
> gallery
> > and museum of women in the arts are good too
>
> I thought that the NPG and American art were closed for renovations.
>
> But if you have the time, both are right in Chinatown, which is worth a
> visit.
>
> As for museums to see, I strongly suggest that you plan on seeing either
> one or
> two museums a day. Any more and you'll run yourself ragged. Go to their
> websites and pick some exhibits that you really want to see and then
> wander
> through the galleries. A lot of them especially at Natural History, are
> undergoing much needed renovation so be flexible.
>
> Also at this time is a special Egypt exhibit at the National Gallery of
> Art (a
> Federal museum but not part of the Smithsonian) that is a must see. Get
> advanced tickets to avoid wasting your time in line.
>
> The Vietnam memorial is past the Washington Monument and near the Lincoln
> memorial and reflecting pool. It is a major hike from the Smithsonian!!
> Heck,
> walking from Air and Space to American History is nearly a mile. Distances
> are
> deceiving on the Mall. I think Federal Triangle is the nearest metro stop
> but
> check the maps.
>
> The zoo is another major hike. The closest metro stop is Woodley Park
> which is
> about a mile from the entrance. Then you have to walk all over the zoo.
> Personally, I find it easier to drive in and pay for parking if you have
> hired
> a car. I think there might be a bus that runs to the gate but by the time
> you
> have waited for the bus and done all the transfers, it's about the same
> amount
> of time as walking in the first place.
>
> Other things to take into consideration is that most museums (if not all
> of
> them) now have x-ray machines and guards checking bags at the door. Plan
> on
> waiting in line and delays there. Yes, it's a major pain. (And the SI has
> always had bomb threats and yahoos coming through the doors so I don't see
> why
> this time in history is any different but I won't get started on it. :)
>
> Other DC things to do:
>
> - The cheap tickets place in front of the Old Post Office Pavillion.
> Definitely
> catch a show if you can. DC has great theater. If you can get to the
> Kennedy
> Center, do it. It's an amazing venue. The National Theater is also a great
> place. Ford's theater is neat, but not a great theater venue as it's older
> and
> rather small. Studio Theater and Arena Stage put on marvelous productions.
> The
> Folger/Shakespere Theater are also good.
>
> - The Old Post Office Pavillion - eat at the food court and look around.
> It's
> now full of cheesy shops but it's a cool building and not that far off of
> the
> mall.
>
> - The Library of Congress - has exhibit space and a tour. More books than
> you
> can possibly imagine and it's right behind the Capital. (The *other* dome
> at
> the top of the Mall.)
>
> - The National Aquarium - There's a little aquarium in the basement of The
> Department of Labor (someone help me here) that's a nice place to go to
> get
> away from the tourists. Not expansive by any means but good for taking a
> breather.
>
> - The Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan areas - great resturants, quirky
> shops and
> plenty of atmosphere. Dupont is sort of the "gayborhood" but there's a
> wide mix
> of people that live and hang out there. Adams Morgan has excellent
> resturants.
>
> - The National Cathedral - A ways from everything but worth the drive if
> you
> want to get out there. It's got a spectacular garden and a nice tour.
>
> - Old Town Alexandria - Right off the King Street Metro. Full of great
> shops
> and resturants and dates back to the early 1700s. (I know, that's early
> for you
> Europeans. :) You'll have to walk a bit from the metro stop but it's worth
> it.
> If you go, check out the Torpedo Factor art center right on the
> waterfront. It
> would be a nice evening trip. I don't think I've ever eaten at a bad
> resturant
> in Old Town and the shops are open until 9 or 10 on the weekdays and some
> later
> on the weekends.
>
> Things to avoid:
>
> - The White House Tour - unless you have a facination for china. Long
> lines and
> you see like 3 rooms. Whee!
>
> - The Washington Monument - look at it but don't waste your time in line
> to go
> up it. You look out. You see the city. Whee!!
>
> - The FBI tour - It's kind of cool but again, you'll wait in line for ages
> just
> to see a couple of exhibits and a few labs that aren't used that much.
> Sadly,
> Scully and Mulder do not hang out there but there is a little exhibit to
> the
> Silence of the Lambs. If you come back during the off-season, it would be
> something to see if you have time.
>
> - The National Archives - Okay you archivists, don't shoot me here but
> you'll
> stand in line to see old bits of paper and that's about it. Again,
> something to
> see if there isn't a wait but I don't think it's worth fighting the
> crowds.
>
> - Georgetown - it's not on the subway system and it's being over run by
> yuppies. There are some nice shops and resturants there but it's not worth
> time
> on a short trip. But if you are an Exorcist fan, it does have the stairs
> that
> Father Damian gets thrown down at the end of the movie. Georgetown U has
> some
> neat architecture but it's a pain to get to.
>
> - Standing in line for more than 30 minutes at anything. There's too much
> to
> see in DC to waste your time waiting around at any one place. If it's
> something
> that you simply *have* to see, then go ahead and wait. But don't do it
> more
> than once.
>
> Have a great trip!!
>
> Deb
>
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