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!
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.