Washington D.C.

cupthehand1

Hi all,

I'll be visiting Washington D.C. in late April for a few days and was wondering has anyone done the White House Tour. I know its pretty tough to get on but I have reached out to among others - Irish Emabassy, local TD's and the American Ambassador to Ireland so I'm pretty hopeful of getting on one.

Outside of the White House and the usual suspects of what to see (National Mall, Monuments, Arlington, Pentagon, Smithsonian Museums, Zoo etc) does anybody have any hidden gems that they could recommend or stuff they have done that was enjoyable? Any help would be greatly appreciated

jogdish

cupthehand1 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'll be visiting Washington D.C. in late April for a few days and was wondering has anyone done the White House Tour. I know its pretty tough to get on but I have reached out to among others - Irish Emabassy, local TD's and the American Ambassador to Ireland so I'm pretty hopeful of getting on one.

Outside of the White House and the usual suspects of what to see (National Mall, Monuments, Arlington, Pentagon, Smithsonian Museums, Zoo etc) does anybody have any hidden gems that they could recommend or stuff they have done that was enjoyable? Any help would be greatly appreciated

I enjoyed the post office museum, sorry I never saw national cathedral and the various museums are a massive (in a good way) time sink. If you can avoid brining a backpack - there is usually a smaller line for checking people without bags - lot and lots of checking!

Never did the WH tour, but just viewed it from the outside - but they randomly police and close one of the sides, I assume to stop a large group in any one area, it can be annoying looking at the WH through wirefence. Usually wait at most and hour and its all moved.

Metro wise, pay as you and top up - their version of a multi day saver ticket is stupid expensive if you do more than 4 trips per day. On that pay as you go card, purchase and top in the metro station, you can use it to make the trip on the bus to Dulles airport ($11) even when there is only $2.50 min on the card - perfect for the last day and you don't need the return.

The Davestator

cupthehand1 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'll be visiting Washington D.C. in late April for a few days and was wondering has anyone done the White House Tour. I know its pretty tough to get on but I have reached out to among others - Irish Emabassy, local TD's and the American Ambassador to Ireland so I'm pretty hopeful of getting on one.

Outside of the White House and the usual suspects of what to see (National Mall, Monuments, Arlington, Pentagon, Smithsonian Museums, Zoo etc) does anybody have any hidden gems that they could recommend or stuff they have done that was enjoyable? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Its been a few years since I was there, but we hired bikes and cycled around all the monuments. It is very small and easy to do. Did all the stops and then spend some hours in Arlington cemetery and went to graves of interesting people. Id recommend spending some time there.

cupthehand1

The Davestator wrote: »

Its been a few years since I was there, but we hired bikes and cycled around all the monuments. It is very small and easy to do. Did all the stops and then spend some hours in Arlington cemetery and went to graves of interesting people. Id recommend spending some time there.

Both renting bikes and Arlington are definites for us! Thanks!

rossie1977

Paddle boats at the Tidal Basin/Jefferson Memorial are a fun way to pass 30 minutes.

schemingbohemia

I really enjoyed the http://www.newseum.org/visit/ fascinating place. There's the new museum of African American history which could be good.

Oh, please don't use "reach out" makes me sick in my mouth....

Greg81

I would add Marine Corps War Memorial. Library of Congress in Thomas Jefferson building (Capitol Hill).

Plus Washington National Cathedral. Area in very nice for a walk.
https://cathedral.org/what-to-see/exterior/vader/

tricky D

Also worth considering are Harpers Ferry for historical stuff and easy white water rafting. The Appallachian Trail goes through there too and the Blue Ridge Mountains are south. All about an hour's drive westward.

Daisy 55

Did the White House tour. We had no luck with the embassy in that regard. We contacted a congress person in the area we were staying ( Maryland) and she got us in.
Would recommend the Udvar-Hazy part of the air and space museum. Out near the airport.
Also the pentagon guided tour is free and v good. You just have to email them.
Also, all of the monuments have guides/ talks. All free!

kerry4sam

Thread moved to where it would be better suited.

Thanks
kerry4sam

jack presley

schemingbohemia wrote: »

I really enjoyed the http://www.newseum.org/visit/ fascinating place. There's the new museum of African American history which could be good.

Oh, please don't use "reach out" makes me sick in my mouth....

I'll second the Newseum. A great place to spend an afternoon.

When I was there (last October), you had to book way in advance to get in to the African American History museum so book that before you go if you want to do that.

Not a hidden gem, but if you're looking for something to do in the evening time, I did this and enjoyed it.

https://www.citybrewtours.com/dc/

I also spent a couple of hours just walking around the Georgetown area. It's a nice place just to stroll around and look at the buildings etc.

Before I booked, I was told to go have a look at Arlington town but I ended up staying there as it was cheaper than the city and while it is pleasant enough, I wouldn't venture out from DC just to have a look around if I was you.

SHOVELLER

As a DC resident I would back everything here except the Smartcard pay as you go comment! They recently got rid of that so you cannot have a negative amount on your card. That bus is $7.50 one way.

If you want to bike around the city they have the equivalent of Dublin Bikes plus in the last few months dockless bike-share systems have popped up everywhere!

I've been a Newseum member since I got here and it is truly a fantastic experience and a hidden gem as a lot of tourists skip it unfortunately because of the admission fee. My annual membership is $75 but it is $24.95 for an adult but you do get admission for 2 consecutive days which you might need if you visit all the exhibits. It is in a great location too on Pennsylvania Avenue and after you can walk down the street to the Trump Hotel!

I've been twice just to see it and although I wouldnt dream of spending a cent there it is well worth a look as architecturally it is a classic as it is a listed building. You can also go up to the top of the building next door. Nearby is the legendary Willard Hotel which is a DC institution. Have a drink in the Round Robin bar. Around the corner is the Old Ebbitt Grill which is also an institution here and it is also the nearest bar to the White House. The service is top class as is the food.

I'm also a member of The National Building Museum which is another hidden gem as it has the best gift shop of all in the city:
https://www.nbm.org/

In Chinatown there is the Spy Museum which is pretty cool for kids of all ages!

If you want to see something different art wise check out the Renwick Gallery diagonally across from the White House and the Hirshhorn Museum.

If you want to tour the White House you have to contact the Embassy here with sufficient notice and your chances are 50/50 as it is all down to timing and access. The Pentagon you can arrange yourself online.

The African American museum is meant to be astounding and I havent been yet but the location is fantastic next to the iconic Monument which is unfortunately out of service. The Mall is well worth seeing and yesterday I cycled down there as the weather was so good so that was pleasant!

By all means do the usual suspects but as they are free expect crowds and give yourself time. You wont see everything in a few days so you'll need to come back to this great city!

jack presley

As for travelling around, I was only there 5 days but found great value in the 7 day short trip Smarttrip. It cost $38 and you get unlimited metro trips that are $3.85 or less. For trips over $3.85, you pay the difference. So if you're travelling at peak time, your trip might cost you an extra $1 or so. I put $50 credit on my smart trip card and it was fine.I think I still had a fiver credit or so at the end of my trip.

SHOVELLER

Also to add if you wanna socialise the U Street corridor is where its at. From 14th Street over to 8th in Shaw is humming. Stop into Bens Chili Bowl for an iconic half smoke!
For a more diverse crowd head to Adams Morgan where 18th Street is buzzing.

cson

jogdish wrote: »

cupthehand1 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'll be visiting Washington D.C. in late April for a few days and was wondering has anyone done the White House Tour. I know its pretty tough to get on but I have reached out to among others - Irish Emabassy, local TD's and the American Ambassador to Ireland so I'm pretty hopeful of getting on one.

Outside of the White House and the usual suspects of what to see (National Mall, Monuments, Arlington, Pentagon, Smithsonian Museums, Zoo etc) does anybody have any hidden gems that they could recommend or stuff they have done that was enjoyable? Any help would be greatly appreciated

I enjoyed the post office museum, sorry I never saw national cathedral and the various museums are a massive (in a good way) time sink. If you can avoid brining a backpack - there is usually a smaller line for checking people without bags - lot and lots of checking!

Never did the WH tour, but just viewed it from the outside - but they randomly police and close one of the sides, I assume to stop a large group in any one area, it can be annoying looking at the WH through wirefence. Usually wait at most and hour and its all moved.

Metro wise, pay as you and top up - their version of a multi day saver ticket is stupid expensive if you do more than 4 trips per day. On that pay as you go card, purchase and top in the metro station, you can use it to make the trip on the bus to Dulles airport ($11) even when there is only $2.50 min on the card - perfect for the last day and you don't need the return.

Thats gone now mate, WMATA don't let you carry a negative SmarTrip balance any more.
OP; I've lived in the City for over a year now so I can answer any questions you have.
Couple of points;
- You won't get a White House tour at this stage unless you've diplomatic connections, we've been trying for a year over here with no success.
- Smithsonian Air & Space in the Mall and out near Dulles (that one has a Space Shuttle) are must do's.
- Would recommend a Segway tour of the Mall, its about 2 miles long and you'll be knackered walking it
- Try get out to Arlington to catch the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Cemetary and a hidden gem called Gravelly Point if you're into your aircraft. Great Irish pub in the area called Irelands Four Courts too.
- For going out; U St is frat central (think Dawson St), Adams Morgan is more authentic (think Camden St).
- Try get to a Nats game (baseball), go drinking in the Bull Pen pre match.

cson

jogdish wrote: »

cupthehand1 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'll be visiting Washington D.C. in late April for a few days and was wondering has anyone done the White House Tour. I know its pretty tough to get on but I have reached out to among others - Irish Emabassy, local TD's and the American Ambassador to Ireland so I'm pretty hopeful of getting on one.

Outside of the White House and the usual suspects of what to see (National Mall, Monuments, Arlington, Pentagon, Smithsonian Museums, Zoo etc) does anybody have any hidden gems that they could recommend or stuff they have done that was enjoyable? Any help would be greatly appreciated

I enjoyed the post office museum, sorry I never saw national cathedral and the various museums are a massive (in a good way) time sink. If you can avoid brining a backpack - there is usually a smaller line for checking people without bags - lot and lots of checking!

Never did the WH tour, but just viewed it from the outside - but they randomly police and close one of the sides, I assume to stop a large group in any one area, it can be annoying looking at the WH through wirefence. Usually wait at most and hour and its all moved.

Metro wise, pay as you and top up - their version of a multi day saver ticket is stupid expensive if you do more than 4 trips per day. On that pay as you go card, purchase and top in the metro station, you can use it to make the trip on the bus to Dulles airport ($11) even when there is only $2.50 min on the card - perfect for the last day and you don't need the return.

Thats gone now mate, WMATA don't let you carry a negative SmarTrip balance any more.
OP; I've lived in the City for over a year now so I can answer any questions you have.
Couple of points;
- You won't get a White House tour at this stage unless you've diplomatic connections, we've been trying for a year over here with no success.
- Smithsonian Air & Space in the Mall and out near Dulles (that one has a Space Shuttle) are must do's.
- Would recommend a Segway tour of the Mall, its about 2 miles long and you'll be knackered walking it
- Try get out to Arlington to catch the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Cemetary and a hidden gem called Gravelly Point if you're into your aircraft. Great Irish pub in the area called Irelands Four Courts too.
- For going out; U St is frat central (think Dawson St), Adams Morgan is more authentic (think Camden St).
- Try get to a Nats game (baseball), go drinking in the Bull Pen pre match.

SHOVELLER

You dont need diplomatic connections to tour the White House. As said you need to apply to the Embassy here but there are many variables determining if the tour happens.

Schindlers Pissed

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but there seems to be a couple of people with lots of local knowledge here. I'm a long time traveller to the US, almost always to NYC (approx 20 times).....and normally it's for St. Patricks Week....(Pattys??). Anyway, next March we are looking for something different and thinking of Washington DC. Four of us travel together and during the day we do all the tourist things, but at night we like a nice good few pints and not get thrown out to early!

What's the pub scene like in DC? Does it close early? Would you recommend any area to stay? We normally go for five nights.

Thanks in advance.

SHOVELLER

DC is a lot quieter for Paddy's than NY! Have a look at previous page here for tips but here bars close earlier than the 4ams in NY. Around 2am normally plus this is a small city so easy to get around too.

Fr Tod Umptious

Schindlers Pissed wrote: »

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but there seems to be a couple of people with lots of local knowledge here. I'm a long time traveller to the US, almost always to NYC (approx 20 times).....and normally it's for St. Patricks Week....(Pattys??). Anyway, next March we are looking for something different and thinking of Washington DC. Four of us travel together and during the day we do all the tourist things, but at night we like a nice good few pints and not get thrown out to early!

What's the pub scene like in DC? Does it close early? Would you recommend any area to stay? We normally go for five nights.

Thanks in advance.

If St Patrick's day is your scene then take a look at Savannah Georgia as a place to go some time.

Great St. Patrick's day festivities there.

Plus there are direct flights to Atlanta from Ireland.

notobtuse

Spent a couple of days in Washington, DC last week visiting American University for daughter. Went to The Crown & Crow. We liked the old-world feel. Opens at 4:00 pm and I think it closes at 2:30 am most days and 3:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. I think bars are best looked into regarding your age and the social status you’re interested in. We stayed at the Sheraton in Silver Spring, MD because it was reasonable, wasn't too far from DC, it had a restaurant and bar, and also an underground parking area (many hotels don’t have either). Good stay.