Advice requested for Washington DC

[Samson]

I friend and I are travelling to Washington DC (from the UK) for work, and are going to stay on a few days for tourist type things. Does anyone have any advice? In particular (but anything you want to add would be appreciated):

Most importantly, what is the best area to stay in? We would like to be within walking distance of the night-life type areas, assuming that during the day we could use public transport. We are not too worried about it, but I have heard some areas of DC are not that safe, and to have some chance of surviving our trip would be good.

What is best to see? We had thought that the Smithsonian is a high priority, but looking on the web there are about 19. Which is the best? We are both scientists, and interested in technology. Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Lillefix]

I cannot stress this enough: AVOID THE GRAVEYARD.

It's boring.

 

[Dachs]

I friend and I are travelling to Washington DC (from the UK) for work, and are going to stay on a few days for tourist type things. Does anyone have any advice? In particular (but anything you want to add would be appreciated):

Most importantly, what is the best area to stay in? We would like to be within walking distance of the night-life type areas, assuming that during the day we could use public transport. We are not too worried about it, but I have heard some areas of DC are not that safe, and to have some chance of surviving our trip would be good.

What is best to see? We had thought that the Smithsonian is a high priority, but looking on the web there are about 19. Which is the best? We are both scientists, and interested in technology. Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Most of the nightlife worth going to is in Northwest. Adams Morgan, that sort of area. Chinatown's pretty all right too, but it's a little low on the "China" part. (Lots of good restaurants though.) Most of the places I tend to go to are sports bars e.g. around the Navy Yard area, but you guys probably wouldn't be interested in that, and that also means going through Southeast, which can be pretty sketchy. (If you've been told to avoid any area of the District, Anacostia, and by extension the rest of Southeast, is probably it.)

I don't really know about staying in Northwest for hotel type stuff, though. I mean, I just live here, I've never actually stayed in the DC area for a visit. Pricing and availability would be way out of my expertise. Most of the places I've seen in that area look pretty snazzy, but as you get closer to like Chevy Chase and stuff I guess there'd probably be something midrange.

For science/tech people, the Air and Space Museum is probably the most interesting place on the Mall. It's the Smithsonian's biggest draw by far, along with its annex, the Udvar-Hazy Center out in Fairfax County. (Which is about twenty to forty minutes away by car depending on traffic; the Metro won't take you all the way there, unfortunately, since the Silver Line isn't finished yet. So if you've only got a few days I'd recommend against going there.) The rest of the Smithsonian is pretty awesome, too, of course. I imagine Natural History would be reasonably important for you. The National Art Gallery is one of my favorite places to just loaf around on the Mall, but I guess you probably wouldn't be as interested in that as I am.

I doubt you'll get into the White House; I think foreign nationals have to go through their embassies and submit to background checks before they're cleared to visit, unfortunately. It's a shame, because the tour's pretty okay. But the stuff on the Mall's all good to go, from the Capitol on down to the Washington Monument.

also this would be a grand excuse to have another dc area cfc meetup

I cannot stress this enough: AVOID THE GRAVEYARD.

It's boring.

You mean Arlington National Cemetery? It's actually pretty great, if you're there when something important's going on (at the very least, see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns). I suppose it helps if you have something more than just a rudimentary sense of American history.

 

[Lillefix]

Let's just say I've been one day in Washington DC and because of my father, over half that day was on that cemetery. I barely saw the Smithsonian. I'm still annoyed because of that.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Besides Air and Space, I also found the American History museum to be fun. I also heard good things about the Newseum, though that's not a Smithsonian one.

Also the monuments are good, go for the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

If you can, try to get a tour of the Capitol or the White House, I got to see the Capitol when I went and it was pretty awesome inside, especially the dome room.

 

[Samson]

Thanks for the comments. I guess it is the Air and Space 1st choice then.

About accomodations, it is pretty expensive isn't it. This place looks OK, I am not sure how my friend would feel about dorm rooms but both are available, you do not know it do you?

 

[BSmith1068]

Air and Space, Natural History and American History are all good choices.

(Random side note about the American History museum – in the American Wars exhibit – I think that is what it is called – there is a Huey from Vietnam. I have flown on that helicopter twice. )

I am also pretty sure that there is a bus between the downtown Air and Space museum and the Udvar Hazy center out at Dulles. It might even be free (not sure on that). Incidentally the Space Shuttle Discovery is now at Udvar Hazy. If you have the time it would be worth the trek out there.

As for places to stay – I’m like Dachs. I used to live there and never really stayed downtown much. When I did it was at nice places like the Mayflower and the Marriott at Wardman Park. Probably not in your budget. Overall hotel room prices in DC are fairly expensive as there is a shortage of rooms in the District. If budget is a big concern I’d consider looking in Arlington or other Northern Virginia locations that are on a Metro line. They might be a little cheaper but still give you decent access downtown.

There are quite a few hotspots for nightlife, but not all of them are convenient to Metro. Adams Morgan and Georgetown are two areas with lots of bars and restaurants, but at least a 10-15 min walk to the nearest train station. Old Town Alexandria and Clarendon (in Arlington) are other options. Clarendon is right on top of the Orange Line.

 

[Neonanocyborgasm]

I friend and I are travelling to Washington DC (from the UK) for work, and are going to stay on a few days for tourist type things. Does anyone have any advice? In particular (but anything you want to add would be appreciated):

Most importantly, what is the best area to stay in? We would like to be within walking distance of the night-life type areas, assuming that during the day we could use public transport. We are not too worried about it, but I have heard some areas of DC are not that safe, and to have some chance of surviving our trip would be good.

What is best to see? We had thought that the Smithsonian is a high priority, but looking on the web there are about 19. Which is the best? We are both scientists, and interested in technology. Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Stay in hotels either in central DC, near the National Mall, or in NW DC. Generally avoid NE and SE DC. Those are the bad areas (with some exception). The night life is generally in and around the areas of Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Georgetown, U Street, and Cleveland Park. Those are in the NW quadrant.

The Smithsonian manages many museums but the easiest for you would be to visit any of a number at the National Mall, such as the Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery, or the Natural History Museum. There, they are all located near each other, and some one right next to the other.

Public transit runs throughout the city. There is metro and buses.

 

[Dachs]

If you do go to Dupont Circle, make sure you go to the right kind of bar. :3

 

[kochman]

I friend and I are travelling to Washington DC (from the UK) for work, and are going to stay on a few days for tourist type things. Does anyone have any advice? In particular (but anything you want to add would be appreciated):

Most importantly, what is the best area to stay in? We would like to be within walking distance of the night-life type areas, assuming that during the day we could use public transport. We are not too worried about it, but I have heard some areas of DC are not that safe, and to have some chance of surviving our trip would be good.

What is best to see? We had thought that the Smithsonian is a high priority, but looking on the web there are about 19. Which is the best? We are both scientists, and interested in technology. Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Stay in Georgetown or Adams Morgan if you can. Good nightlife there...
Smithsonian, yes... Aerospace and Natural History Museums are cool.

 

[madviking]

Georgetown/Adams Morgan are good as previously stated, but the former also has a university right next to it. But since it seems that you're gonna be going during the summer that wouldn't matter.

Speaking of summer. Don't be surprised if you wanna die because of the weather. DC is the summer is a load of hot air (and I'm not talking about the Hill) and with very bad humidity. So stay inside as much as you can during the summer (i.e. go to some museums).

Speaking of museums. Air and Space, Natural History, National Gallery of Art, and NOT the Native American (despite their rampant advertising on the Metro, they are still not a real museum, really) are all worth visiting, but it varies depending on how much time you have to kill.

Metro is probably one of the worst subway-type mass transit systems known to man. On weekends, trains run every half hour if that. The Metro also has a knack for single-tracking at the most inconvenient of times and a knack for mystically getting packed at 3pm on a Saturday (as seen in my recent foray into NW).

Also, AVOID CROSSING THE ANACOSTIA AT ALL EXPENSES. DO NOT VENTURE INTO SE. Thank you.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Speaking of summer. Don't be surprised if you wanna die because of the weather. DC is the summer is a load of hot air (and I'm not talking about the Hill) and with very bad humidity. So stay inside as much as you can during the summer (i.e. go to some museums).

Oh god I forgot about this.

I'm from Chicago, and even I found the humidity and heat unbearable during the day. Stick to sidewalks with trees, and get inside museums as quickly as possible.

 

[jtb1127]

Lillefix is right, the cemetery is pretty boring. There aren't much touristy things in Arlington except for bike paths. The Iwo Jima and Airforce memorials are somewhat interesting, but the pentagon tours aren't thrilling. Don't go to SE DC; you will get AIDS and die! There's a second Air and Space museum near Dulles that you should consider checking out. I agree with the others about the weather. It sucks. It's already starting to suck and it's only May.

 

[Verarde]

The Newseum is great. If you're interested in science and technology, then you can't go wrong with the Natural History Museum or the Air and Space Museum. Frankly, any Smithsonian museum is interesting. Haven't been in DC for touring in a while, but there are plenty of nice hotels around, and everything is within walking distance or a quick cab ride. The Arlington Cemetery is great for the Changing of the Guard, though. I highly recommend that. The rest of it is pretty boring. The Metro is terrible.

 

[mangxema]

As for places to stay – I’m like Dachs. I used to live there and never really stayed downtown much. When I did it was at nice places like the Mayflower and the Marriott at Wardman Park. Probably not in your budget. Overall hotel room prices in DC are fairly expensive as there is a shortage of rooms in the District. If budget is a big concern I’d consider looking in Arlington or other Northern Virginia locations that are on a Metro line. They might be a little cheaper but still give you decent access downtown.

When I was in DC over Veterans Day, I stayed at the Crystal Gateway Mariott and it was perfect for my purposes. It has sheltered access to the subway and amazingly comfortable beds for about $100/night.

You mean Arlington National Cemetery? It's actually pretty great, if you're there when something important's going on (at the very least, see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns). I suppose it helps if you have something more than just a rudimentary sense of American history.

Yeah, I literally just barely missed getting in to see that.

 

[Dachs]

As somebody who has spent at least part of virtually every summer for the last two decades in Louisiana, DC really isn't that bad.

I imagine it'd suck for the average Britisher though

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

I don't really know about staying in Northwest for hotel type stuff, though. I mean, I just live here, I've never actually stayed in the DC area for a visit. Pricing and availability would be way out of my expertise. Most of the places I've seen in that area look pretty snazzy, but as you get closer to like Chevy Chase and stuff I guess there'd probably be something midrange.

I think most of the hotels are either in downtown/Capitol Hill, Bethesda, or Arlington Co.

I doubt you'll get into the White House; I think foreign nationals have to go through their embassies and submit to background checks before they're cleared to visit, unfortunately. It's a shame, because the tour's pretty okay. But the stuff on the Mall's all good to go, from the Capitol on down to the Washington Monument.

To clarify this: You can still walk around the White House, you just can't enter the grounds. You can view the south lawn from the National Mall, and the front side from the pedestrian-only part of Pennsylvania Ave.

also this would be a grand excuse to have another dc area cfc meetup

It would indeed!

Speaking of summer. Don't be surprised if you wanna die because of the weather. DC is the summer is a load of hot air (and I'm not talking about the Hill) and with very bad humidity. So stay inside as much as you can during the summer (i.e. go to some museums).

Meh, maybe it's because I'm a native Marylander, but I love our summers. They will probably feel oppressive to a European, but this will be a great opportunity to introduce them to the greatness that is seersucker. :3

Metro is probably one of the worst subway-type mass transit systems known to man. On weekends, trains run every half hour if that. The Metro also has a knack for single-tracking at the most inconvenient of times and a knack for mystically getting packed at 3pm on a Saturday (as seen in my recent foray into NW).

Only in recent years. It's a consequence of putting off too much necessary repairs for too long. It's inconvenient for tourists or out-of-towners because they generally do the single-track work on weekends, when ridership is lower than during the business week.

Also, AVOID CROSSING THE ANACOSTIA AT ALL EXPENSES. DO NOT VENTURE INTO SE. Thank you.

What if he wants to go to a Nats game?

 

[Samson]

Another question: The working meeting organisers (who do not know washington) have suggested that the best way to get between the meeting venue near the Twinbrook Metro Station and the diner near the Bethesda Metro Station is the Metro. We would be starting the meal at 8pm, finishing some time around 11pm I guess (on a weekday). After what everyone has said about the Metro is this sensible for about 50 odd out of towners?

 

[Cutlass]

Metro schedule here. But for 50 people you might even want to consider hiring a bus.

 

[Samson]

Metro schedule here. But for 50 people you might even want to consider hiring a bus.

That looks like a pretty good schedule, a train nearly every 10 minutes, going fairly late into the evening. I had expected much worse from what was said here and the general expectations of public transport in the US (which are not high).

Thanks.