Washington, D.C.

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Sightseeing in Washington, DC

A February 2006 trip to Washington, D.C. by LauraGorman

All about the nation's capital

  • 5 reviews

Sightseeing in Washington, DCBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Although I live right outside of Washington, DC I do not make it into the city very much due to the hustle and bustle and the crowds. I spent a weekend doing the typical tourist things in DC when friends recently came to visit. The cultural experiences are good, if you are interested in that type of thing. There are plenty of museums and monuments to see, and it is very easy to get around the city.

Quick Tips:

Walking around the National Mall is a great way to see the sights and do a variety of the things that Washington has to offer. The Metro stop is the Smithsonian, and there are many historical and art museums as well as monuments within walking distance.

Best Way To Get Around:

Take the Metro system instead of driving/renting a car. The Metro is very comfortable and easy to navigate. Wait times are a bit slower on the weekends, so expect a 10-15 minute wait for a train.

Windows Over WashingtonBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The Windows Over Washington is a very popular restaurant with spectacular views of the city. It is located on top of the Crystal City Double Tree Hotel. The price tends to be around $18-30 for entrees. I would recommend this as a one-time choice, but do not see the novelty in going back more than once. I would highly recommend it for a romantic dinner, such as an anniversary.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by LauraGorman on April 6, 2006

Windows Over Washington
300 Army Navy Drive, Doubletree Crystal City, 14th Floor Arlington, Virginia 22202
(703) 416-3894

National ZooBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Going to the zoo is a particularly fun thing to do in DC if you have children. It provides a nice break for them so that they don't get bored with the museums, however it can still offer a fun and educational experience. The pandas are by far the most popular zoo attraction. Admission is free, but parking can be difficult. If you take the Metro, it is the Woodly Park - Adams Morgan station on the red line.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by LauraGorman on April 6, 2006

National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, D.C., United States 20008
(202) 633-4800

Smithsonian Institution: National Museum of Natural HistoryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "National Museum of Natural History"

The Museum of Natural History is one of the more interesting museums to visit. They often have a variety of hands on activities to participate in, and I would highly recommend this museum for families with children. There is a good amount of animal information and exhibits in this museum, so it would be great to pair this with a trip to the zoo.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by LauraGorman on April 6, 2006

Smithsonian Institution: National Museum of Natural History
900 Jefferson Dr. SE Washington, D.C., United States 20001
(202) 357-1300

National Cherry Blossom FestivalBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a very popular attraction for DC tourists. It takes place each year during peak cherry blossom tree blooming in late March - early April, and the city is beautiful while it takes place. However, the number of tourists is nearly unbearable, and it is difficult to even navigate between the people in the peak areas. The rates for hotels and such are also very expensive and book up fast during this time. I would not recommend coming to DC only for this purpose, unless it is very important or interesting to you.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by LauraGorman on April 6, 2006

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington, District of Columbia

About the Writer

LauraGorman
LauraGorman
Arlington, Virginia

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