DC area people. Most important things to see in one day?

[Kelvrick]

So, I'm leaving on a red-eye flight tonight and will be checked into my hotel around 7am friday. I have no work obligations until saturday though, so me and probably a few others are going to go sightseeing in the DC area. Since theres only one day, what do you guys think I HAVE to see? I figure the lincoln, washington monument, Smithsonian, aerospace museum.

Anything else thats good that probably won't be on any kind of tour site or anything else I'm looking at?

Oh! And food, sandwiches, something that is a local taste.

 

[Cander]

Really the only HAVE to see's are the Smithsonian museums. Everything else is just boring, IMHO.

Also if you can, goto the Aquarium in Baltimore. Its really nice.

 

[marvdmartian]

About a half dozen national monuments and the Smithsonian Museum. In one day? :laugh:

Sorry.......you could do the monuments no problem in a day, barring unforseen traffic problems. The Smithsonian you could take a MONTH to go through, and probably still miss something. The nice thing about that museum, though, is that it's not just one building. They have different buildings, that showcase different themes (sections), so you can pick which one interests you most, and go check that one out.

Oh, and no offense.......but anyone who finds the monuments boring is, imho, just not getting why they're there. That's our history, ya know? :roll:

Oh yeah, and if you have the time, check out the treasury tour, if they still do them in DC. Pretty cool, watching sheets of bills rolling off the presses!!

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Cander
Really the only HAVE to see's are the Smithsonian museums. Everything else is just boring, IMHO.

Also if you can, goto the Aquarium in Baltimore. Its really nice.

Interesting. I was thinking the Air and Space Museum too.

EDIT:

About a half dozen national monuments and the Smithsonian Museum. In one day?

Yea, I know... Its all I got though. Most people in the company are flying in friday, but me and another guy chose the redeye so we could have at least one day.

So far, I'm thinking starting at Arlington Cemetary, and heading east, hitting the Lincoln, WW2 Memorial, Washington, heading all the way down to the library and the capital with all the rest. Then making a trip to the whitehouse, and smithsonian buildings.

*rubs walking legs*

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
So, I'm leaving on a red-eye flight tonight and will be checked into my hotel around 7am friday. I have no work obligations until saturday though, so me and probably a few others are going to go sightseeing in the DC area. Since theres only one day, what do you guys think I HAVE to see? I figure the lincoln, washington monument, Smithsonian, aerospace museum.

Anything else thats good that probably won't be on any kind of tour site or anything else I'm looking at?

Oh! And food, sandwiches, something that is a local taste.

The Mall and Smithsonians (Air & Space is part of them) can easily fill an entire day. Those would be my choice as the Mall is still largely open. Personally I find all the government buildings and monuments depressing in the extreme to visit with the current paranoia in full flower. The Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials are surrounded by jersey barriers with nary a hint of the irony that implies along with the Capitol and Whitehouse as well.

 

[vailr]

A few suggestions:
Eateries:
Georgetown
Interesting sites:
(A Gray Line Tour is probably the easiest: Text )
Mount Vernon (George Washington's home).
White House
Capitol Building
National Archives, National Gallery
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
J. Edgar Hoover F.B.I. Building
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Marine Corp's Iwo Jima Statue
JFK Grave, Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers; both at Arlington National Cemetary
Embassy Row, Watergate Building
National Zoo
Georgetown has the C & O Canal; further west is Harper's Ferry, W. VA., and Antietam Civil War Battlefield. Amtrak serves that area, from Union Station.
There's also the subway, for getting around quickly.
If you bring or rent a bicycle, there's an excellent bike path between Mt. Vernon and the D. of C.
If you only have a short period of time in the area, I'd suggest: the Smithsonian (you could easily spend your whole time at the various Smithsonian buildings/exhibits), the Capitol Building & the White House. At least: walk by and take a few photos, anyway...

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Cander
Really the only HAVE to see's are the Smithsonian museums. Everything else is just boring, IMHO.

Also if you can, goto the Aquarium in Baltimore. Its really nice.

Smithsonians would take a week.

Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, White Hoiuse, The Wall, Korean memorial, Arlington