Reni Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Graham and I will be in DC in March. While we have a good day and a half booked up with workshops and a demonstration, we will have day or so to see some sights. Any recommendations for good (and cheap) restaurants and maybe some sights,which might typically be overlooked, would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been to DC in over 15 years. I am thinking about going to the Holocaust Museum and the Vietnam Memorial.....have never been to either. Any ideas? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Do you prefer to remain downtown? What part of town will you be in? What kinds of food do you like? With that info, I might be able to hit up my brother and sister-in-law for some ideas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 We are actually staying in Virginia (much much cheaper) and taking the metro into the city. Alexandria, VA I think....... I am open to most kinds of food (except seafood...blech) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Good and cheap food, eh? Well, if you're into chili-dogs, Ben's Chili Bowl is a must. No, really, its good! I miss that place. My stomach just growled. Umm, aside from that, there's the usual assortment of monuments and museums which you probably don't need me to tell you about. I've never been to the Holocaust Museum--its one of those ones which have been "on my list" for a while, but since I only get back into town once in a while to visit my parents I haven't gotten around to it yet. If your time is limited, I'd just stick with the stuff on The Mall for convenience since everything is pretty close together and you can see a lot in a fairly small amount of time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I agree with q23cd -- you can spend a whole day on The Mall (or rather, in the various buildings that make up the Smithsonian) and not waste your time. If memory serves, Alexandria is a place where you can get good Salvadoran food. I'll see if I can get some more specific info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 If memory serves, Alexandria is a place where you can get good Salvadoran food. I'll see if I can get some more specific info.Dunno about the Salvadorian food, but Old Town Alexandria is also a nice place just to stroll around... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 How easy is it to get to Monticello via public transit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
anodyne Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 the holocaust museum is excellent and well thought out. it's kid safe in that the really horrific images are placed behind barriers you have to look over to see. it's very appropriate and powerful. i'd highly suggest it. when we head to DC sometime in the spring, we're going to hit the main monuments and the air and space museum, the national gallery and the museum of american history. also - drag the river and rocky votolato are playing in dc on march 25th. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hodie Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 You should see both the Vietnam memorial and the Holocaust museum, though I warn you that the holocaust museum will take you half a day to see and another half a day to process emotionally. I don't know your dates, but the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center has free shows every day, and some of them are plenty great. If you come to DC, you need to eat Ethiopian food (we have a huge ethiopian community), and the recommendation for Ben's Chili Bowl is correct. The vegetarian chili cheese fries are so delicious they'll make you cry, and half-smokes are pretty much DC's only regional specialty food. I'm a vegetarian myself, but I've known many carnivores who vouch for them. DC doesn't do good italian-american, but we do great italian-italian. Try 2 Amys and Sette for really great non-chicago, non-NY, yes-neapolitan pizza. Sette has gallons of outdoor seating in case the weather gets good. I've been here 23 (!) years now and I love the place -- feel free to ask me if you've got any questions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viatroy Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 DC is one of those towns you need at least a month to really see. I lived there for years, and despite my dedicated efforts, still missed alot. The Adams-Morgan (north of Dupont Circle) neighborhood typically has more of the funky ethnic type restaurants. Georgetown is cool, but very pricey and crowded and full of drunken college students and hill staffers. One of my very favorite hidden treasures in DC is Dumbarton Oaks ... a private collection tucked away on a beautiful estate in Georgetown, features a damn impressive collection of pre-columbian, mesoamerican artifacts. And a serene setting as well. It's beauteous. Sounds dorky, but the Tourmobile is a GREAT way to take in all the major sites, memorials, etc. You buy a pass for the day, and ride it around the loop and get off/on wherever you choose. Smithsonian, Arlington Cemetery, Archives, Mint, Capitol, Lincoln/Jefferson/Washington monument and on and on and on. It's a great deal in the summer especially, when DC can be absolutely unbearable -- just hop on and ride and cool off for as long as you need to. Highly recommended by me, a DC tourist who actually grew up there. Here's the link DC Tourmobile Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 luckily, this trip will be child free......a much needed "vacation" We just don't have enough time to see everything. I remember going as a kid and trying to hit all of the Smithsonian within a week - impossible. so, we will have to be pretty selective. So, I would like to try and see things I haven't been to before. National Archives sounds good to me too...... I can't believe I have never seen the Vietnam Memorial - I would like to find my uncle on there. -- Ethiopian is my favorite food, period.......so- thanks for that info!! -- Tourmobile might work out perfectly - since we will be reliant on public transit. Thanks!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Sounds dorky, but the Tourmobile is a GREAT way to take in all the major sites, memorials, etc... Highly recommended by me, a DC tourist who actually grew up there.This is probably correct, tho I have to admit that, having grown up there myself, I could never bring myself to ride the tourmobile because it really did seem kind of dorky. It probably is a fantastic way to get around, tho, if you don't mind the locals giving you the "damned tourists" glare. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viatroy Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 If you're up at the Capitol, take a peek inside the Library of Congress (across the street from the Capitol, and next door to the Supreme Court). Of course this is coming from a library geek, but the rotunda and the vastness of the card catalogs is mind-boggling. (I wonder if they still have card catalogs. ) I've never been one to be hampered by the 'dorky' factor. Especially since when I did it I had 3 little ones in tow, and all of our abilities to hoof the considerable distances was limited. In my mind, not to be missed: Lincoln Memorial (Abe was HUGE, dude!), Jefferson Memorial (esp. in spring), Library of Congress and Dumbarton Oaks. I've never seen the Holocaust Museum or the Native American museum -- some day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Library of CongressAgreed. This is a pretty impressive place just to walk into and look around. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Ethiopian is my favorite food, period.......so- thanks for that info!! You'll be fine in D.C., then. In some areas of that town it seems like there's an Ethiopian place on every corner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 holy moly - yesssssssssss....... I am getting so excited, sitting here thinking about all of this stuff!!! I was also thinking - anyone know what the jails are like in DC?? We are participating in non-violent civil disobedience outside of the White House, with risk of arrest.......so, who wants to possibly come and get us out of jail?? haha! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I was also thinking - anyone know what the jails are like in DC?? We are participating in non-violent civil disobedience outside of the White House, with risk of arrest.......so, who wants to possibly come and get us out of jail?? haha! God bless you Kate, and Graham too. That just warms my heart. Be careful, but give 'em hell! I'll be thinking of you guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Tony Margaritatime Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I live in Old Town Alexandria. There are a good number of great restaurants and shopping on King St. (I imagine you're staying somewhere around King St. metro). All of the above recommendations are great, and I agree that there is WAY too much to do here. I'm an art buff, so I love the National Gallery. The Freer Gallery has a nice collection of Asian and Middle Eastern art. The also just reopened the National Portrait Gallery. As far as food, I love the Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House (675 15th Street, NW). Lunch there is quite reasonable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viatroy Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 power to the people!!!!! When I was a senior in HS, a couple other of us chicas did internships in DC. One in particular did an internship in the DC jail. She never clued me in on the accomodations or atmosphere of the place, but she did run away with the circus (literally) with one of her coworkers. Ringling Brothers was in town, her coworker was an aspiring clown, and they left town on the circus train. Apropros of nothing, but a true story nonetheless. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 I am just so excited about being able to participate in the demonstration this year......when I read about it, I knew I had to go. I was never able to get out there in the last few years - because of the expense. But, we got a smokin' great deal on airfare and a hotel. It's even cheaper than a road trip, which was our original plan. I never even consider flying anywhere because of the cost - travelocity to the rescue! I am still in shock at the low price we got. -- Tracy - that is a great story!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
summertweedy Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 some great suggestions here. as for my suggestions, i really love filomena's restaurant in georgetown. it's worth the hassle to get into georgetown. the food is outstanding and a real treat. other than that, check the black cat & 930 club's websites to see if there's a good show when you're a town, they're both a great place to catch a show. lastly, for a great independent book/record store, check out olsson's. it's a chain within DC and worth a visit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Make sure to get to the FDR memorial. If you're hanging around Lincoln and Jefferson, you'll probably end up there anyway, but really, make a point of going to it. It's awesome. Last time I was there I went to Mt. Vernon. It's a bit out of the city, and I don't know how easy it is to get there by public transport, but it's worth it if you can make it out there. Favorite restaurants: Cafe Asia in Rosslyn and Thai Phoon in Dupont Circle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 anyone know what the jails are like in DC?? They must be nice--even the city's (former) mayor has been known to stay there on occasion! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rghammo Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 If you contact your (House) representative in enough time, you can get free tickets for a tour of the Capital. It's guided and has lots of cool stuff. The only problem is that sometimes they are given by interns who make shit up. I made lots of shit up when I gave them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Ction told me he would bail us out, no matter what. Thanks, Ction! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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