Washington, D.C.
Introduction
In 2010, when our kids were 12 and 15, we spent their spring break exploring Washington, D.C. I was thrilled to plan and go on this vacation, because I had never been before. The sights and history did not disappoint! Everything we did was great. I highly recommend walking to and around the monuments at night. It was amazing and my favorite part of the trip! As a tidbit: we didn’t drive or take a taxi anywhere. We took the Metro or walked. Also, there is a Newseum that was recommended, but we didn’t make it there. An additional bonus we experienced were the spectacular cherry blossoms!
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My Itinerary
March 31
We arrived at midnight, so we didn’t get out until the afternoon
Check into The George Washington University Inn (now ARC THE.HOTEL)
Walk around National Mall **
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There are tons of museums at the Mall--don’t feel like you need to do all of them
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Our children really enjoyed the few we did
Washington Monument (outside)
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If you don’t mind getting up early to get the elevator tickets, it is worth going to the top of the Washington Monument
Dinner at Luigi’s (permanently closed)
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Food food but long wait
April 1
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Arranged through Congressman Howard Berman’s office before we left
Walk around Georgetown
Dinner at Old Glory Barbecue (permanently closed)
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Delicious Southern barbecue food
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Great cornbread!
April 2
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Had fun taking the Metro and public bus to arrive
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Really enjoyable
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Nice tour of the home and grounds
Lunch at Mt. Vernon Inn
Order in Chinese food for dinner from Magic Gourd
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Good
Night walk to the Memorials: Lincoln, FDR, Jefferson
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Really nice walk from The George Washington University Inn (now ARC THE.HOTEL)
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Highly recommend night walk
April 3
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Dinosaur 3D
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Lunch at Museum Café
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Good
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Walk to White House
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Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get tickets to tour inside. You should definitely try and do this ahead of time if you can
Dinner at Elephant & Castle Pub
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Very good
April 4
Went very early to get Washington Monument elevator tickets
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It was worth the early trip there in order to secure tickets to go to the top
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
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Interesting but sad
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We didn’t spend too much time there
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Fun!
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Lunch at Spy Café
Dinner from Notti Bianchi (now NOTTI 824) in The George Washington University Inn (now ARC THE.HOTEL)
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Good
April 5
Nationals baseball game​
Walk to Georgetown ​
Eat dinner at Martin’s Tavern
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Good
April 6
Breakfast at Cup’a Cup’a at Watergate Building (the restaurant may be in a different location now)​
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Good
Capitol tour and Supreme Court tour​
Lunch at Capitol cafeteria
US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) on the way to airport
Leave D.C.