Thing to Do
Created by jrm4013
Mon 03/06/06 (day 1)
Memorials and the American History Museum
I had been to Washington D.C. before, but only on business and didn't get a whole lot of time to look around. Not that three days is enough time to see everything, but we sure gave it a try.
Neighbor Mike and I decided over a few beers in my drive way that since neither of our wives were interested in going to Washington D.C. that we should just go. So...we did.
After we flew into Regan National, we checked into our hotel. We then took the subway to the Smithsonian station and began by just getting our barrings. We walked over to the WWII Memorial. It was very nice, but I noticed that none of the fountains were on. It was cool how you could walk toward the back of the memorial where a fountain (not working) was and be almost eye level with the reflecting pool.
From there we walked to the Vietnam Memorial. Even the most obnoxious group of teenagers were quiet when walking along the wall.
We then walked up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, took a couple of pictures and then over to the Korean Memorial. We thought about walking over to the Jefferson Memorial, but decided against it since there was no easy way over there.
We then decided to go to the American History Museum. When you first walk in you see this huge flag hanging on the wall. It was the flag that hung from the Pentegon after the September, 11, 2001 attacks. I was suprised to see there wasn't more from those events. We walked down the hall that apparently is a replica of a portion of the White House. There was a lot of things that belonged to the first family all the way back to George and Martha Washington. There was also a room dedicated to the first ladies and their inagural gowns.
Two areas that I really enjoyed were actual items throughout American History, like the table and chairs that Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee sat at Appomatox (sp?) court house at the end of the Civil War. The other was whole wing dedicated to items from America's war. My favorite article in there was sword that was surrendered to end the American Revolution.
While touring that area the museum closed so we didn't get to finish that day. We were wiped out anyway and ended up taking the subway back to our hotel.
A Yahoo! Contributor
Looks like it was a lot of fun!
Posted 2 years ago.
Report Abusejrm4013 (View jrm4013's trips)
It was a lot of fun. Most of the museums and memorials are free. I think the only thing we paid admission to was the Holocost Museum, but that was well worth it. As far as hotels and airfare, it just depends on how far out you want to stay and where you're flying in from.
Posted 2 years ago.
Report AbuseA Yahoo! Contributor
Thank you for the itinerary. I am headed there for basically 3 days, and I really had no idea what to do when and where to go. Your description really helped!
Posted 2 years ago.
Report Abusethui1234 (View thui1234's trips)
Thanks for the information!!! I will be there for a working vacation (12 days)and need a great example of how to adjust my time off.
Posted 2 years ago.
Report Abusehoonjim (View hoonjim's trips)
which hotels should i stay , where is downtown n near white hse
Posted 2 years ago.
Report Abusessneed3 (View ssneed3's trips)
The only thing that I would add is a guided tour of the National Cathedral. It is breathtaking, and you need the tour to get the full information. Otherwise I am taking my son for the first time and we are going to use your trip as a guide. Thanks
Posted 2 years ago.
Report AbuseA Smalltown Girl (View A Smalltown Girl's trips)
Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for the information, I am planning on taking the kids in a month or 2 for 3-4 days, your trip gave me ideas. Where may I ask did you stay?
Posted 2 years ago.
Report AbusePOW! WOW! (View POW! WOW!'s trips)
I am planning on a 2 day trip to Washington DC inside another trip from NY but I guess I will have to reduce the amount of sights to see. What I considered is the wwII,korean,and vietnam wall. The lincoln memorial and arlington where the tomb of the unknowns is. If any time is left then I will visit a museum.
Posted 2 years ago.
Report Abusegidyup1313 (View gidyup1313's trips)
We are finally getting to go back in mid-July...we spent a fast/furious 3 days 3 years ago and have been looking forward to returning ever since. A couple of additions that we stumbled onto back then that we definitely plan to budget more time for this time around (we have 6 days) are the FDR Memorial and the Library of Congress...especially the FDR...we kept seeing the little bitty sign for it posted next to the big sign for the Jefferson Memorial and we finally decided to check it out...oh, my!!!!!!!!!!!!!...it looks at first glance like a very small park, but luckily we saw a couple coming out of a path leading into the woods...what you find is an 2-acre granite world of waterfalls, statues and dedications, set up chronologically to model the 4 administrations of FDR...it is spectacular...I grew up hearing stories of the Depression, the War and the "fireside chats" and this Memorial was outstanding...the Library of Congress was another favorite, if for no other reason, because of it's "maze-like" series of national treasures...from the Guttenberg Bible to room after room of books, documents, murals and paintings, it was incredibly interesting...BTW, we rode the Metro like nobody's business and it is great...buy the daily unlimited pass or if you are there 5 days or more, invest in the weekly unlimited...also, the MARC trip from Union Station (a cool place in it's own right) to Camden Yards in Baltimore for an Oriole game and Baltimore Inner Harbour sights is well worth a day if you can spare it...one last thing...GO NON-STOP...you will be exhausted, but worse is realizing all the things you missed while you relaxed...relax when you get home!!!
Posted 2 years ago.
Report Abusepepsislawsonbl (View pepsislawsonbl's trips)
This sounds like a great trip and adventure.
Posted 2 years ago.
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