Washington DC for adults trip

[clori]

We have stayed at Embassy Suites across the street from I think it is King Station in Alexandria. Without having to change trains we easily made it to many tourist places. I made advanced reservation tickets for both the Holocaust Museum and African American Museum and found them both to be wonderfully done. I would look at your state senate/rep sites to see what tickets they may be able to help with. The last time I went I was unable to get tickets to the Washington Monument. There are so many free things to do but I did pay for the spy museum and a night time monument tour. We did not plan where to eat ahead of time and ate where/wehn we were hungry including Old Town Alexandria and our hotel so I can't answer those questions.

 

[BrianL]

Not to hijack the thread but... Does anyone have a suggestion for a place to grab lunch close to the Air & Space Museum and/or the American History museum? Doesn't need to be anything fancy or special. Also parking suggestions? I will be coming in from Baltimore direction next week -- I'm fine with taking the light rail in instead but I think my parents won't want to. Thoughts?

I was once told that the small cafe in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian had great food. This is next door to the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall (keep in ind that doesn't really mean that close). I wanted to try it, but it was actually closed when we went there, so I can't say for sure, but it has some uniqe native offerings, probably better than the typcal museum snack bar.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not to hijack the thread but... Does anyone have a suggestion for a place to grab lunch close to the Air & Space Museum and/or the American History museum? Doesn't need to be anything fancy or special. Also parking suggestions? I will be coming in from Baltimore direction next week -- I'm fine with taking the light rail in instead but I think my parents won't want to. Thoughts?

Want to go “off campus”?
Old Ebbits is nearby and is well known for their oysters. It’s a lot like a chop house so meat and seafood are the norm. You can eat at the bar or a table.

Olio e Piu is a nice trattoria if you feel the need for Italian. You can find it here and it’s not too far:

https://www.olioepiu.com/location/dc/

Don’t want to leave the Mall? Great eats in a hurry at Cascades( also has a gelato bar) at the National Gallery of Arts. Keeping what a poster said in mind I still think the food court at the Museum of American Indian makes a good introduction to a cuisine many have never experienced.

 

[firefly_ris]

I was once told that the small cafe in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian had great food. This is next door to the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall (keep in ind that doesn't really mean that close). I wanted to try it, but it was actually closed when we went there, so I can't say for sure, but it has some uniqe native offerings, probably better than the typcal museum snack bar.

Want to go “off campus”?
Old Ebbits is nearby and is well known for their oysters. It’s a lot like a chop house so meat and seafood are the norm. You can eat at the bar or a table.

Olio e Piu is a nice trattoria if you feel the need for Italian. You can find it here and it’s not too far:

https://www.olioepiu.com/location/dc/

Don’t want to leave the Mall? Great eats in a hurry at Cascades( also has a gelato bar) at the National Gallery of Arts. Keeping what a poster said in mind I still think the food court at the Museum of American Indian makes a good introduction to a cuisine many have never experienced.

Perfecto, thank you both. It's been a minute (like...years) since I've been down there and I'm 'in charge' of navigating my parents and kids for 2 day trips next week so want to be prepared.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Not to hijack the thread but... Does anyone have a suggestion for a place to grab lunch close to the Air & Space Museum and/or the American History museum? Doesn't need to be anything fancy or special. Also parking suggestions? I will be coming in from Baltimore direction next week -- I'm fine with taking the light rail in instead but I think my parents won't want to. Thoughts?

We live north of Baltimore and go into DC fairly often. We use the Metro from either the Greenbelt or New Carrollton station. Both are right off the DC beltway. We mostly use New Carrollton now. Both have parking.

DH and I are in our early 70s and find the Metro easy to use. I lived in NYC for a year, back when it wasn't real safe, and used that subway and didn't like it. This is much easier and you can get fares online to you phone ahead of time. When our grandkids went with us, they loved the Metro - it was part of the experience.

 

[goofyernmost]

The good thing about taking an adult trip to DC is that there is a very good chance you will be the only adults there!
"ah-hyuck!"

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Thank you for all the great advice and information!

We will be driving, but plan to leave our car at the hotel. We do enjoy walking and are used to walking long distances even on vacation but will take the metro when needed.

We are looking at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf.

We contacted our Congresswoman’s office to see what they can book. They will get back to us on Monday.

Now looking at what we can book ourselves. So many amazing options!

Also looking into going to a Nationals game.

Thanks again and feel free to keep sharing any other suggestions!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Things we booked so far:

•Capitol Tour
•Smithsonian National Zoo
•People’s White House
•Washington Nationals game
•Dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill

Thanks again and feel free to keep the suggestions coming!

 

[tetera]

Ford’s Theatre/The Peterson House/Aftermath Exhibit (you could also just go see a play at Fords Theatre, but I’m not sure you will have access to the museum and it will definitely cost more!)

Ford’s Theatre is both a working theatre and a National Park site- in the spring they also have a one-act play about Lincoln’s assassination (but that may or may not work with your schedule).

 

[soccerdad72]

Things we booked so far:

•Capitol Tour
•Smithsonian National Zoo
•People’s White House
•Washington Nationals game
•Dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill

Thanks again and feel free to keep the suggestions coming!

FYI - I've heard a number of people say that the People's White House was not worth the time or money.

 

[BrianL]

Ford’s Theatre/The Peterson House/Aftermath Exhibit (you could also just go see a play at Fords Theatre, but I’m not sure you will have access to the museum and it will definitely cost more!)

Ford’s Theatre is both a working theatre and a National Park site- in the spring they also have a one-act play about Lincoln’s assassination (but that may or may not work with your schedule).

This is very good exhibit.