Historical 5 Day Trip to the Nations Capital
Description:
This trip is designed to give you a thorough overview of some of the DC areas best historical and cultural landmarks. It includes many of the monuments and museums that makes DC postcards, but it also includes time to get out of the city, relax, and enjoy some of the beauty of the areas surrounding the district. It is a complete trip for someone who has never visited before, and the majority of the daytime activities would be perfect for a family. This trip can be easily customized ? although the days are packed with museums and monuments, one can easily add or remove many of the activities depending on interests. None of the dinner options included are inexpensive, but they are a sampling of some of the best and most unique restaurants in the city.
Author: Jennifer
Day 1 - Washington DC, Arlington
Day 1. Welcome. Start your visit in Georgetown. You can easily walk there by heading to DuPont Circle, and walking down New Hampshire (south). One you get to M street, make a right. You can sign up for a historical tour in advance – it is one of the best ways to see one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods. After lunch, head over the bridge (either take a cab or drive if you have a car) and head to Arlington National Cemetery. Ask the cab driver to drive you past the Imo Jima Memorial, then spend the afternoon at Arlington National Cemetery. Be sure and walk up the hill to see the Custis-Lee House and enjoy one of the best panorama’s of Washington. Head back into DC, and enjoy dinner at Vidalia, a southern restaurant that is walking distance from your hotel (reservations required). After dinner, take in an independent film at the Landmark E Street cinema before heading back to the interesting and unique Tabard Inn.
1
Hotel Tabard Inn
Location:
view in google maps1739 N Street Northwest
Between 17th and 18th sts
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
+1 202 785 12772
Georgetown House Tour
Location:
view in google maps3240 O Street Northwest
St. John's Church
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
+1 202 338 22874
Arlington National Cemetery
Location:
view in google mapsArlington National Cemetery
Just across the Memorial Bridge from the base of the Lincoln Memorial
Arlington, VA 22226
Phone:
(703) 607-80006
Vidalia
Location:
view in google maps1990 M Street
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
1 202 659 19907
Landmark's E Street Cinema
Location:
view in google maps555 11th Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20004
Phone:
202 452 7672Day 2 - Washington DC
Start day 2 your day off in DuPont Circle. Stroll the shops along Connecticut Avenue. If you feel like a hot dog, head to one of DC’s famous institution, Ben’s Chili Bowl, for a chili half-smoke or some chili cheese fries for lunch. Get on the Green Line/Yellow line and head down to the mall. While on the mall visit some of DC’s best museums, including the moving Holocaust Museum and the Air and Space Museum. Head back up towards DuPont Circle, and if you have time, stop in Chinatown to see the National Portrait Gallery. Then head back to DuPont Circle and walk just north of the circle to Bistro Du Coin, a relaxing French bistro. If you still feel like heading out, head to Local 16 or the recently opened Marvin’s (14th and U) for a couple of drinks on the roof deck.
1
Dupont Circle
Location:
view in google mapsConnecticut Avenue
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
+1 202 789 7000 (Tourist Information)2
Ben's Chili Bowl
Location:
view in google maps1213 U Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20009
Phone:
1 202 667 09093
National Air and Space Museum
Location:
view in google maps6th Street and Independence Avenue Southwest
On Independence Ave. SW, between 4th and 7th sts., on the south side of the Mall, with entrances on Jefferson Dr. or Independence Ave
Washington DC, DC 20576
Phone:
+1 202 633 10004
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Location:
view in google maps100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW
Formerly 15th St. SW; near Independence Ave., just off the Mall
Washington DC, DC 20250
Phone:
+1 202 488 0400 / +1 202 488 04065
National Museum of Natural History
Location:
view in google maps10th Street and Constutution Avenue, Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20560
Phone:
+1 202 633 1000 / +1 202 357 17296
National Portrait Gallery
Location:
view in google maps8th & F Sts NW
Washington DC, DC 20560
Phone:
+1 202 275 17387
Bistrot du Coin
Location:
view in google maps1738 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20009
Phone:
1 202 234 69698
Local 16
Location:
view in google maps1602 U Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20009
Phone:
1 202 265 2828Day 3 - Washington DC
Day 3 is all about memorials and monuments. Head back down from the mall and start your day at the Lincoln Memorial. You can spend the morning and most of the afternoon walking between the Jefferson, Vietnam, Korean, World War II, and FDR memorials. Be sure and walk to the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. After spending the day outdoors, head to Belga Café for mussels and frites. If you still have energy, close out the day at the DC Improv.
1
Lincoln Memorial
Location:
view in google maps900 Ohio Drive Southwest
National Mall & Memorial Park
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 426 68412
National World War II Memorial
Location:
view in google mapsNational Mall
On 17th St., near Constitution Ave. NW
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 426 68413
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Location:
view in google maps900 Ohio Drive Southwest
National Mall & Memorial Park
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 426 68414
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Location:
view in google maps900 Ohio Drive, Southwest
Northeast of the Lincoln Memorial, east of Henry Bacon Dr. (btw. 21st and 22nd sts. NW, on the Constitution Ave. NW side of the Mall)
Washington DC, DC 20576
Phone:
+1 202 426 6841 / +1 202 485 98805
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Location:
view in google mapsFrench Drive Southwest
Southeast of the Lincoln Memorial, on the Independence Ave. SW side of the Mall
Washington DC, DC 20001
Phone:
+1 202 426 68416
National Mall
Location:
view in google maps900 Ohio Drive, Southwest
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 426 68417
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (FDR)
Location:
view in google maps900 Ohio Drive Southwest
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 426 68418
United States Botanic Garden
Location:
view in google maps100 Maryland Ave. SW
Between 1st and 3rd sts. SW, at the foot of the Capitol on the National Mall
Washington DC, DC 20216
Phone:
+1 202 479 3211 / +1 202 479 30309
Library of Congress
Location:
view in google maps101 Independence Ave. SE
At 1st St. SE
Washington DC, DC 20541
Phone:
+1 202 633 467410
Belga Café
Location:
view in google maps514 8th Street, SE
At Pennsylvania Ave
Washington DC, DC 20003
Phone:
1 202 544 010011
The Improv
Location:
view in google maps1140 Connecticut Ave. NW
btw. L and M sts
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
202/296-7008Day 4 - Washington DC
Days 4 and 5 are focused outside of the city, primarily, so if you would like to change hotels to the Hyatt in Arlington, now is the time to do it. Given the intensity of days 1-3, day 4 is designed to be slightly less packed with things to do. Start out by heading to the second branch of the Air and Space Museum. This is located at Dulles Airport, and can be accessed via bus from the downtown Air and Space Museum or more easily via car. Return to the city and head to the Dancing Crab, where you can spend the afternoon participating in a DC tradition, cracking and eating blue crab. After dinner, head back to Georgetown for the evening. If you like Motown and Jazz head to the Saloun, where there is live music and a huge selection of draft beers.
2
National Air and Space Museum at Dulles (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)
Location:
view in google maps14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Washington DC, VA 20151
Phone:
202.633.10003
Dancing Crab (The)
Location:
view in google maps4611 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20016
Phone:
1 202 244 18824
Saloun
Location:
view in google maps3239 M Street Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
202 965 4900Day 5 - Washington DC
Day 5 takes you, once again, outside of the city. Drive up to Great Falls park and spend the morning and early afternoon outdoors. Perhaps pack a picnic basket and sit and watch the waterfalls. After lunch, head to Mount Vernon, which is located just 20 minutes south of DC. Spend the afternoon at Mount Vernon, before heading back to Arlington for one of DC’s best deals on steaks, at Ray’s (reservations required). If you are still up for a party after dinner, head to Whitlow’s, just up the street (on Wilson Blvd.) from Ray’s, for some beers with the locals.
2
Mount Vernon
Location:
view in google maps3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Washington DC, VA 22121
Phone:
+1 703 780 2000