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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 **

  • There are tons of museums at the Mall--don’t feel like you need to do all of them

  • Our children really enjoyed the few we did

National Air and Space Museum

Washington Monument (outside)

  • 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)

  • Food food but long wait

April 1

National Archives

  • Arranged through Congressman Howard Berman’s office before we left

Arlington National Cemetery

Walk around Georgetown

Dinner at Old Glory Barbecue (permanently closed)

  • Delicious Southern barbecue food

  • Great cornbread!

April 2

Mount Vernon

  • Had fun taking the Metro and public bus to arrive

  • Really enjoyable

  • Nice tour of the home and grounds

Lunch at Mt. Vernon Inn

Order in Chinese food for dinner from Magic Gourd

  • Good

Night walk to the Memorials: Lincoln, FDR, Jefferson

  • Really nice walk from The George Washington University Inn (now ARC THE.HOTEL)

  • Highly recommend night walk

April 3

Natural History Museum

  • Dinosaur 3D

  • Lunch at Museum Café

    • Good

Walk to White House  

  • Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get tickets to tour insideYou should definitely try and do this ahead of time if you can

Dinner at Elephant & Castle Pub

  • Very good

April 4

Went very early to get Washington Monument elevator tickets 

  • It was worth the early trip there in order to secure tickets to go to the top

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

  • Interesting but sad

  • We didn’t spend too much time there

Washington Monument elevator

Spy Museum

  • Fun!

  • Lunch at Spy Café

Dinner from Notti Bianchi (now NOTTI 824) in The George Washington University Inn (now ARC THE.HOTEL)

  • Good

April 5

Nationals baseball game​

Walk to Georgetown â€‹

Eat dinner at Martin’s Tavern

  • Good

April 6

Breakfast at Cup’a Cup’a at Watergate Building (the restaurant may be in a different location now)​

  • 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.

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