Traveling to DC

[activeStick]

I'll be visiting DC every now and then for business for the next year. Looking for some suggestions of sights, neighborhoods, etc. to check out each time I visit. I'll be staying in Washington some times, but probably Bethesda, Maryland, most of the time. Restaurant recommendations would be excellent (open to all types and all prices), festivals, neighborhoods with a buzz, lounges and bars. And of course recommendations of the museums that are a must-see down there! Thanks in advance for any tips/recommendations!

[Whynotnow]

Great thing about the Smithsonian’s is they are free, you can just stroll in see a few things and stroll right out. The spy museum is pretty cool.

[jar_e]

Lived part time in the DMV area for a couple years and have been back and forth since. Always fly into DCA if you can, infinitely easier and convenient.

Restaurants - minibar, Kinship, Dabney, Oyster Oyster would be my top four. Pineapple and Pearl just got two Michelin stars and is supposed to be fascinating. Unconventional Diner, Red Hen and Mayan also come to mind as I type this out.

Neighbourhoods - H Street, Georgetown, Wharf District and Adam’s Morgan are all worth the trip. Pretty easy to get to on the metro and have enough things to do day/night.

Museums - Holocaust Memorial Museum is by far one of the best museum’s I’ve ever been to. It’s incredibly well done. National Museum of African American History is also well done. The Smithsonian’s are usually pretty good but some show their age. The art ones seem to be much better kept. Artechouse and National Building Museum are also pretty neat to check out.

It’s already passed this year but Passport DC is a neat event in May that allows you to goto a bunch of Embassy’s on Embassy Row.

Capitol Hill and Library of Congress are two tours I’d definitely check out as well. Non US citizens can get access to the Senate/Gallery passes easily with a Canadian passport.

[billybob123]

George's King of Falafel and Cheesesteak in Georgetown is surprisingly good shawarma.

[Mickey76]

The Air and Space Smithsonian is really something but you need a free timed entry ticket to get in. We were there last November and you couldn’t get one same day except for maybe a 5 minute window around noon when they released some tickets.

The National Archives was also very interesting but a very long line where I believe they only let people in as people leave. If you part of a tour you go right to the front of the line which was nice.
I’ve been to DC 4 times over last 20 or so years (just as a tourist, I love US history) and definitely found the trip last November by far the busiest for all the typical touristy stuff. So allow extra time for all the popular destinations .

[fotze2]

I thought Treliving was going to Washington.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

I'm in DC right now... Whenever I travel I check to see what bands are playing nearby.

On this trip, Green Jello will be in Mechanicsburg, PA. Not close but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Green Jello...lol.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by jar_e

Lived part time in the DMV area for a couple years and have been back and forth since. Always fly into DCA if you can, infinitely easier and convenient.

Restaurants - minibar, Kinship, Dabney, Oyster Oyster would be my top four. Pineapple and Pearl just got two Michelin stars and is supposed to be fascinating. Unconventional Diner, Red Hen and Mayan also come to mind as I type this out.

Neighbourhoods - H Street, Georgetown, Wharf District and Adam’s Morgan are all worth the trip. Pretty easy to get to on the metro and have enough things to do day/night.

Museums - Holocaust Memorial Museum is by far one of the best museum’s I’ve ever been to. It’s incredibly well done. National Museum of African American History is also well done. The Smithsonian’s are usually pretty good but some show their age. The art ones seem to be much better kept. Artechouse and National Building Museum are also pretty neat to check out.

It’s already passed this year but Passport DC is a neat event in May that allows you to goto a bunch of Embassy’s on Embassy Row.

Capitol Hill and Library of Congress are two tours I’d definitely check out as well. Non US citizens can get access to the Senate/Gallery passes easily with a Canadian passport.

Damn it lol. First flight is booked already to IAD but will keep the DCA tip in mind for the next flights.

[_Q_]

I lived in the DC area for a couple of years. Here are some tips.

1. The weather is never nice. If you go in the summer, get out early if you plan to be outside. As in leave your hotel at 8 am so you can go back in the early afternoon to escape the heat and humidity. Go back out after 7pm. The weather forecast can be deceiving. 30 Celsius there does not feel like 30 Celsius in Calgary.

2. The touristy stuff is actually great. Don't try to avoid it. The Air and Space museum in downtown is cool, but the one by Dulles airport will blow your mind. Since you're flying in and out of there, I highly recommend it.

3. Don't sleep on visiting Northern Virginia. Old Town Alexandria is literally identical to Georgetown in so many ways, but much more approachable with less crowds. Similarly, Clarendon in Arlington is a great area for a night out.

4. For cool neighbourhoods, what's been mentioned is great. I would also add, 14th street and the Navy Yards. Go watch a baseball or soccer game and just wander around the Neghbourhood.

5. Try to take the metro everywhere.

6. There are extremely sketchy areas in DC. If you end up somewhere that doesn't feel right, just turn around and get out.

7. The drivers all act like they're OK with dying. If you drive, be extremely careful.

8. Annapolis is incredibly cool and is worth the 45 minute drive. Baltimore, however, is not.

9. Go to Quarterdeck in Arlington and eat all the crabs. It's going to be extremely messy, but very worth it. With that said, the crab cakes in the area are all incredible if you don't want to Crack open crabs yourself.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Damn it lol. First flight is booked already to IAD but will keep the DCA tip in mind for the next flights.

Are you in Calgary? If so, flying direct to IAD from Calgary vs connecting to get to DCA probably makes up the time anyway.

[timun]

Fuuuuuuuuck United Airlines and flying direct in and (especially) out of Dulles. https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showth...34#post8756134