Posted on 06/29/2013 3:32:26 PM PDT by usconservative
Taking the family to Washington DC for the Fourth of July. We'll be there starting July 2nd through 5th. Staying 2 blocks from White House. (No, I won't say anything remotely smart-ass/smart-alecky here.)
I want to see the following:
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery. #1 on my list is to pay my respects to those who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.
#2 The National Archives where our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and the 1297 version of the Magna Carta are all stored.
#3 Lincoln Memorial
#4 Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Family served in that war, they thankfully came home.)
I’ve heard that at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing they give the visitors generous samples of their products, like they do at the Hershey’s factory or at an Anheuser Busch brewery.
A good shrink! Do you know how miserable foggy bottom is on July fourth?!
I went there for 7/4/2004 celebration. Stayed at the Mayflower. If I went outside for a smoke I had to come back in for a cool shower!
Here’s a useful website which you of course pay for:
http://www.nps.gov/foju/directions.htm
And it appears we’re back to the ever popular security checkpoints.
You're either psychic, a genius or both. Youngest son is into marine life big time (large fish tanks, dozens of types of fish, etc..) You've just made him a happy kid. That just went on the list. TYVM.
Ditto on the Air and Space.
I really like the Jefferson Memorial.
Also, I love the Smithsonian. The Star Spangled Banner is a must IMHO.
Sounds just like Chicago on the 4th of July.
(Dad was a US Marine.)
The NRA museum is in Alexandria, I think. I said Arlington before. As I remember, it is open every day. They have exhibits of firearms dating from Jamestowne (in dioramas with figures in period dress) until present day. They have an entire room devoted to Teddy Roosevelt’s personal arms and trophies. The museum is just outside DC, and the people there are so nice. The museum itself has the most beautiful mahogany woodwork and moldings. It’s a class act all the way. It would be a good stop after DC, or if DC is just too crowded to enjoy. You won’t regret it.
BTW, the DAR Museum is located right around the corner from the Capitol. Another FREE attraction. Check because it’s been about 10 years since I’ve been there.
The fireworks on the Mall can be a little scary—half a million people or so in a relatively small area. It’s very easy to lose each other in the darkness and noise. Make plans to connect with each other if that happens.
There’s usually a patriotic concert on the east lawn of the Capitol before the fireworks. No seating; you’ll want to get there early and stake out a place.
You should see the Capitol and the rest of the museums on the Mall, not just the Archives. Go to the Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art (West Building only), the American History Museum. I’m sorry, you’ve chosen one of the most crowded weekends of the year to visit.
If you can get out of town, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia is just a few minutes south of DC and it’s enchanting. You can dine by candlelight at an historic tavern where George Washington ate, visit Christ Church where he had a pew (and worship there if you are Protestant), see the beautiful eighteenth-century houses and gardens a few blocks from the water. There are many charming shops, restaurants, and galleries. It’s like Charleston SC moved 500 miles north but without the palmettos. Lots of men wearing seersucker and bow ties on Sunday mornings there.
From there you are a delightful 15-minute drive down the George Washington Memorial Parkway to Mount Vernon. You can also take a boat tour that starts in Alexandria and goes down to Mt Vernon. If Mount Vernon is too crowded for you, and it might well be, then a few miles further on is Woodlawn Plantation, which also has Washington family connections. Take a tour of this beautiful National Trust property to see what 18th-century life was like.
IF you were going to be staying longer I’d have other suggestions.
I’d say don’t bother with Georgetown. Don’t bother with Maryland.
Be careful after dark; don’t stray too far to the east or north of the Mall area. There be dragons.
Natural History museum is not to be missed. Air and Space, and American History museum are pretty good too.
1) National Cathedral
2) Changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery
3) The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
4) National Gallery of Art
Have lunch at:
Great American Restaurants
Artie’s
3260 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030
Get the Chicken Piccata, OMG!
LOLOLOL. Believe me, I have lived in Chicago and I assure you that Chicago has got nothing on DC in terms of heat and humidity. Nothing. Not a thing.
Lucky for you, we're having a cool summer so far and the weekend of the Fourth should be bizarrely nice. You should have no trouble at all.
One thing I did want to add was when you go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Changing of the Guard is at the top of every hour. A true must-see, IMHO. Here's hoping you have a great time with your family!
Why pay homage to a dream that no longer exists?
By going there and ogling the landmarks, you are just enabling and enriching those who ignore and abuse the Constitution every single day.
The NRA museum is in Fairfax, Virginia. It’s a good hike straight west out of DC on interstate 66. Worth the drive if you’re into guns, but DO NOT attempt in rush hour. 66 is impassible and impossible. You might find this is best left for another trip as it will consume most of a day just getting out there, seeing the museum, eating, and getting back.
Admission is free. It's at 8th and F Streets NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, open 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. daily. From three you can stroll to the nearby Restaurant District around 7th to 8th Sts or Washington's Chinatown restaurants, or you could also tour the International Spy Museum, which is fascinating and fun (especially for kids), also at 8th and F Sts. It usually opens earlier, from 9 AM.
DC 4th is always an experience. I’ve done it a few times. The metro is going to be a zoo after the show. Make plans to do something afterwards.
I typically hit up a bar, but that’s not the most family friendly thing to do ;) Monuments you saw in the day look a whole lot different at night so that’s always a winner.
Up at the Senate building, there will be a concert type of thing that ends with the fireworks. That can be interesting, but just sitting on the lawn and relaxing is the big draw for me.
I saw someone suggested the national aquarium. Skip it. Time is your enemy when faced with all the free stuff that there is to do in DC and from what I’ve heard, it’s not worth the time. If you’re driving from the north, the one in Baltimore is worth every penny.
Regardless of which museums you settle on, time box your self. You can easily drop hours into any one of them which can be okay! It’s just something to be mindful if your going into them with a checklist.
The most beautiful landscaping in DC is at St. Elizabeth’s (where they keep Hinckley), the architecture and grounds date back to the Civil War (there are actually several small graveyards with soldiers interred there). The only catch is that it is in the dead center of DC’s warzone. I worked there in the early 90’s, and it’s only gotten worse. Shame, truly amazing place, and from it’s heights you can see most of the city.
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