Visiting DC

[mrjones]

Hello CAM guys! I'm coming up your way soon, and wanted to hear some advice from you guys on where to stay, any of the don't miss attractions, etc.

I'm leaving here around June 23 and driving up there with my 9YO daughter. A friend of mine has a daughter graduating from a class at Quanitco on Thursday the 28th. He and his son are flying in and we're picking him up for the graduation, then sightseeing a bit and driving home together. It's going to be a daddy/daughter/son road trip. My plan is for me and my daughter to get there early enough to have a day or two to see some of the monuments and museums before my buddy shows up.

We'll hit the typical touristy spots, but any recommendations you have on places to see or places to avoid would be appreciated.

[Bluerauder]

Hello CAM guys! I'm coming up your way soon, and wanted to hear some advice from you guys on where to stay, any of the don't miss attractions, etc.

I'm leaving here around June 23 and driving up there with my 9YO daughter. A friend of mine has a daughter graduating from a class at Quanitco on Thursday the 28th. He and his son are flying in and we're picking him up for the graduation, then sightseeing a bit and driving home together. It's going to be a daddy/daughter/son road trip. My plan is for me and my daughter to get there early enough to have a day or two to see some of the monuments and museums before my buddy shows up.

We'll hit the typical touristy spots, but any recommendations you have on places to see or places to avoid would be appreciated.

I am about 20 miles north of Quantico, VA. While you are there, don't miss the National Museum of the US Marine Corps right there. >>>> http://www.usmcmuseum.org/index.asp

For a visit to DC, I would recommend staying at one of the hotels in Crystal City, VA just south of the Pentagon. Map here >>>> http://www.acq.osd.mil/osjtf/cc_map.html List of Hotels here >>>>> http://travel.nextag.com/crystal-city-va-hotel/Arlington-Virginia-2716249/hotels-html and take the Metro (subway) into Washington, DC. >>>> http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm There are convenient stops at Arlington Cemetery, Smithsonian/Mall area, Air & Space Museum, Georgetown, and the National Zoo.

Driving into DC can be "dicey" for an out-of-towner. Once you get there, parking is usually a problem. Taking the Metro makes it easy and each train car has a map. System cards showing the stops are typically available at each station. >>>> http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

Another option (and probably cheaper) is to stay at one of the Springfield, VA hotels. That is about 1/2 way between Quantico, VA and Washington, DC. There is a Metro Stop at Springfield/Franconia that is less than a mile from the hotels. They may even offer a shuttle service to-an-from the Metro station. >>>> http://www.metrotravelguide.com/hotels/springfield/va/usa/

Having your car will allow you to take a side trip to the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum near Dulles Airport. Definitiely worth the trip. >>>> http://airandspace.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/

If you are into Civil War history, the city of Manassas >>>> http://www.manassascity.org/index.aspx?NID=106 and the Manassas National Battlefield are not far away. >>> http://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm

Depending on how much time you have available, I would also recommended driving up to Baltimore (about 50 miles) and seeing the Baltimore Harbor area, Maryland Science Museum and the National Aquarium (all located at the harbor within walking distance). There are tons of shops and restaurants along the waterfront. >>>>> http://baltimore.org/about-baltimore/inner-harbor

The Washington National Harbor is on the Potomac River (Maryland Side) and the Gaylord Convention Center just south of I-495 Wilson Bridge is also worth a trip. They have weekly events there. >>>>> http://www.nationalharbor.com/intro.htm

Have a nice trip and enjoy !!!

[mrjones]

Great Info - Thanks! I especially like the Baltimore info. I've got to PU my buddy at BWI on Wednesday, so we may go up there and spend Tuesday there.

[fastblackmerc]

If your going to be at BWI stop at G&M Restaurant for the best crab cakes you'll ever have!

http://gandmcrabcakes.com/

[Bluerauder]

Links added to all info in my post ^^^^^ above.


If your going to be at BWI stop at G&M Restaurant for the best crab cakes you'll ever have!

http://gandmcrabcakes.com/

I will agree with this ^^^^ too. G&M is only about a mile or two from the airport. Best & BIGGEST crabcakes.

[88LTDCV351]

When I visited DC on business, I did the national mall stuff via the Metro in D.C.. Visited Mount Vernon. Met up with the local Marauder group in Gettysburg. Visited a number of other Civil War Battle Grounds. Wanted to visit Thomas Jefferson's home but never found the time. Saw the Air and Space Museum in Dulles.

[88LTDCV351]

Manassas (Bull Run). I think Antietem was another one that I did. Sharpsburg, right?

[fastblackmerc]

List of some of the site to see in D.C.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_Washington, _D.C.

You definitely want to go to Arlington National Cemetery. The changing of the guard is one of the most moving things you'll ever see.

The Spy Museum

http://www.spymuseum.org/

You might want to see the Bureau o=f Engraving and Printing... they don;t give free samples... I checked....

http://www.moneyfactory.gov/

Alot of attractions are free but you need to get tickets in advance.

[Bluerauder]

Manassas (Bull Run). I think Antietem was another one that I did. Sharpsburg, right?

Correct !!! 1st and 2nd Manassas = 1st and 2nd Bull Run. Sharpsburg = Antietam. The Union named battles after terrain features (e.g. Antietam Creek and Bull Run Creek). The Confederacy named them after the closest city or town. Or vice versa, I forget. :o Two notable exceptions are Gettysburg and Fredericksburg where they both used the name of the city/town.

"The Landscape Turned Red" by Stephen Sears is an excellent read on the Battle of Antietam.

[88LTDCV351]

Don't be afraid of the Metro. It was no big deal and I found my way just fine. When I came up in the middle of the National Mall, everything was within walking distance.

I visited many of the Smithsonian. Saw the Declaration and Constitution at the National Archives. Went to the Holocaust Museum. Natural History. And others. Walked by the White House. Walked by the Washington Monument. And then fist bumped my buddy Abe at the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting Pond. And as a part of that there is the Vietnam Memorial, Korean, and WWII all right there.

[88LTDCV351]

There was another battleground that I didn't get a chance to do. Harper's Ferry or something. Just ran out of time. There is also that Revolutionary War place nearby. I didn't do that but a co-worker did.

[Bluerauder]

There was another battleground that I didn't get a chance to do. Harper's Ferry or something. Just ran out of time. There is also that Revolutionary War place nearby. I didn't do that but a co-worker did.

The Battle of Harper's Ferry, WVa September 1862 >>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harpers_Ferry

Gunston Hall (10 miles south of Mount Vernon) was the colonial era plantation estate of George Mason >>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunston_Hall

I don't know of any Revolutionary War sites nearby (i.e. within 50 miles) of Washington, DC. Williamsburg, VA dates to the colonial times but is about 152 miles away to the south and east. Mount Vernon and Monticello were George Washington's and Thomas Jefferson's estates, respectively. Mount Vernon is about 15 miles south of DC. Monticello is near Charlottesville, VA about 115 miles south and west from DC. Annapolis, MD pre-dates the Revolution but has alot of colonial buildings (about 34 miles east of DC).

Fort Washington on the Potomac River provided protection (not very well) for the British advance on the City of Washington, DC during the "War of 1812". Fort McHenry did the same thing (with better success) for the Port of Baltimore on the Patapsco River during the same period.

[F8LBITEva]

the Baltimore aquarium is a must see! The museum of natural history is awesome too

[Haggis]

The Battle of Harper's Ferry, WVa September 1862 >>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harpers_Ferry

Gunston Hall (10 miles south of Mount Vernon) was the colonial era plantation estate of George Mason >>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunston_Hall

I don't know of any Revolutionary War sites nearby (i.e. within 50 miles) of Washington, DC. Williamsburg, VA dates to the colonial times but is about 152 miles away to the south and east. Mount Vernon and Monticello were George Washington's and Thomas Jefferson's estates, respectively. Mount Vernon is about 15 miles south of DC. Monticello is near Charlottesville, VA about 115 miles south and west from DC. Annapolis, MD pre-dates the Revolution but has alot of colonial buildings (about 34 miles east of DC).

Fort Washington on the Potomac River provided protection (not very well) for the British advance on the City of Washington, DC during the "War of 1812". Fort McHenry did the same thing (with better success) for the Port of Baltimore on the Patapsco River during the same period.

Ft Frederick in Big Pool, MD is about 20 minutes west of Hagerstown, Md and is an French & Indian War and Revolutionary War fort.

[mrjones]

Great info, guys. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to add G&M and the National Aquarium to my list. I was there 3 years ago to see my buddy graduate from the FBI National Academy, and we drove around some in DC. Parking wasn't great, but we made it. I'll use the Metro this time to get around. My daughter loves riding trains anyway.

[Brad33]

Great info, guys. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to add G&M and the National Aquarium to my list. I was there 3 years ago to see my buddy graduate from the FBI National Academy, and we drove around some in DC. Parking wasn't great, but we made it. I'll use the Metro this time to get around. My daughter loves riding trains anyway.


Don't forget to check Metro's website for track closures during the weekend. That will ruin your day...and steal a few hours.

http://www.wmata.com

Enjoy our traffic!

[Ozark Marauder]

I went with my son a while back, took the rail system from Bowie, MD to D.C. and enjoyed this bus tour. Did it a couple of days in a row. You can get off and explore sites, and then get back on later. No parking hassles, the guides were great. reasonable rates.

http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/

http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/washington-dc-map.html

OZ

[mrjones]

Made it here today. Has been a great trip so far. My 9 year old Sara is a helluva a road tripper. She even wanted to go onto NYC today!

Houston to Memphis with a side trip to Hot Springs the first day. Second day we ended up in Lexington, VA. This morning we rode up the BRP and Skyline and came down in Warrenton, then on up in to the city. About 35 hours in the car so far, and my daughter has not shut her eyes once!

We're going to play in the city on Tuesday. I'm going to try the trains and buses you've talked about. Up to BWI on Wednesday to PU my buddy and then back down to Quantico. We'll probably start home Saturday morning.

I saw two MMs on the trip up here, and one of those was today on 211 just west of Warrenton, probably around 4:30 or so. Anybody here?

[Bluerauder]

Houston to Memphis with a side trip to Hot Springs the first day. Second day we ended up in Lexington, VA. This morning we rode up the BRP and Skyline and came down in Warrenton, then on up in to the city. About 35 hours in the car so far, and my daughter has not shut her eyes once!

Guess you just did an RON at Lexington, VA off I-64. The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is located there. On the campus is the Gen. George C. Marshall Museum. Worth a visit if you get a chance. Better if they have one of the afternoon cadet parades out on the Parade Field.

Skyline Drive is a nice trip. We did it with a convoy of about 16 MMs during Marauderville V (MV5) and visited Luray Caverns as one of the side trips.

Enjoy your trip .... your daughter will remember this "road trip" forever. :up:

[mrjones]

Well, we made it through. We spent three days in DC, and my fat butt is tired! We're down in Stafford, VA now, and going to start back today. I appreciate all the suggestions. We did go to G&M for lunch when I picked up my buddy at BWI, and it was very convenient to the airport.

It's been a great trip, but I'm about ready to head home. I'm hoping we can get everyone to agree to the Barber Motorsports Museum on the way. Thanks for all the suggestions.