Things To Do In Washington

[PJRACER]

Planning a Tampa (bus) - Orlando (Silver Meteor)- Washington,DC then layover approx 7 hrs. and Capitol Limited to Chicago.......(break for 3 or 4 days) and Empire Builder to Mpls/St Paul trip. Are there any short tours of DC available from the terminal or ?????? to do. Also, planning coach on leg to Washington......then roomette on leg to Chicago ....... and coach to Mpls/St Paul. What do I need to know.....what am I doing wrong>>>>>> a neophyte at this stuff......but looking forward to it and need alot of suggestions.

 

[dcf]

Sure. WAS is located only a few blocks from Capitol Hill and the Washington Metro runs right to it.

I'd take the Red Line to Metro Center and switch to Blue or Orange to Smithsonian. You'll come up right in the National Mall and will have your pick of Smithsonian museums. (All Free.) Other Metro stops will get you closer to the Capitol itself or the National Gallery of Art (two buildings) or the White House.

Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II and Korean War Memorial are longer walks from the Smithsonian stop, but if you don't mind a couple of miles round trip in a safe park setting, they're worthwhile. FDR Memorial is good, but a major hike. Cab might be better for that unless you're up for a long walk and weather is perfect.

If you want a cheap meal in the district, which is a pricey place, I like the old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Ave. There's a food court and also a free elevator to the tower of the building, which is very scenic. Shopping mall food, basically, but cheap and predictable. Lots of good places where you can spend more, but if you're out touristing it's fast and easy.

Actual guided tours, probably, but you're so close to such a great spot to go exploring on your own, why bother.

 

[dlagrua]

Union Station is directly across the street from the postal museum. Its another nice free museum to see.

 

[river]

If you are traveling in a sleeper car to Chicago, which it sounds like you are, you can leave your luggage in the Club Acela lounge at Union Station in DC that day before you go sightseeing. The luggage area in the lounge is unattended, but is right next to the front desk--and quite safe as the lounge is locked and can only be entered by ringing the bell and being allowed in. (If you are traveling coach, you can leave your luggage in a nearby baggage storage area for a fee/hr.) By the way, the Club Acela is a wonderful respite away from the busyness of Union Station--there are 2 computers, television, refreshments, and newspapers with comfortable seating. Another good reason to get a sleeper car--you get the perks of the lounge.

The closest attraction is the Smithsonian US Postal Museum is right next to Union Station--you walk across a narrow street and you're there. It couln't be closer. It is an interesting museum to visit for an hour or 2.

Downstairs in Union Station are a great variety of fast food type restaurants, so you could eat a meal or a snack there.

The Botanical Gardens is also a nice place to visit and about a 15-20 minute walk from Union Station.

 

[river]

Air and Space Museum is wonderful, too! You can walk to and around the Capitol Building and check that out--it's about a 1/2 mile away. The Capitol has a new visitors center that is underground behind the Capitol building.

You can actually walk to most of the Smithsonians from Union Station if you don't want to tackle the Metro or take taxis. Many of the museums are about a mile to a mile and a half away and there are sidewalks everywhere.

 

[jmbgeg]

Planning a Tampa (bus) - Orlando (Silver Meteor)- Washington,DC then layover approx 7 hrs. and Capitol Limited to Chicago.......(break for 3 or 4 days) and Empire Builder to Mpls/St Paul trip. Are there any short tours of DC available from the terminal or ?????? to do. Also, planning coach on leg to Washington......then roomette on leg to Chicago ....... and coach to Mpls/St Paul. What do I need to know.....what am I doing wrong>>>>>> a neophyte at this stuff......but looking forward to it and need alot of suggestions.

Visit your member of Congress and make known your support of fully funding Amtrak.

 

[river]

I keep thinking about the WONDERFUL time we had in DC recently --you need to spend several days to a week to do and see what's here...Not sure if you've ever been to DC, but The National Archives would also be a great stop--here you can see the original charters of freedom--the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. Heavily guarded, but can get right up close to view them.

 

[A.J.]

I second the nomination of the Air & Space Museum. it's a wonderful museum, with a amazing collection of historic items. it's super fun. of course, it all depends on what kind of thing interests you. the National Portrait Gallery is in a wonderful building with the American Art Museum, the Spy Museum is nearby that, and the Newseum is fun too.

there are guided tours, which is a nice way to get around the city and see the monuments. I have taken a Trolley Tour in DC and not only did it depart from directly outside Union Station, but it was fun and informative. the particular tour I took was about two and a half hours long, driving around all the monuments (plus the capitol and supreme court), with stops at the memorials for Lincoln, FDR, and Iwo Jima. I believe they also have hop-on, hop-off tours. just remember to leave enough time to get back to the station with time to spare!

 

[WMJ_NJ]

If you're into different kinds of beer there is the Capitol City Brewing Company next to the Postal Museum. They brew their own. They also have great food!

Bill J

 

[abcnews]

If you enjoy good food - check out a cafe on Capital Hill. You can walk or take a cab.

If you are just killing time, but interested in filling the time with a scenic rail ride - consider The Cardinal. It would reduce your layover in DC by about 5 hours. Catch the Cardinal out of DC to Chicago - really nice in October and early November (fall leaves). Keep in mind, in November it will get dark at about 5:15 PM, The Capital Limited departs at 4 PM - the Cardinal around 11:15 AM. Both go west into the mountains, just different routes. With the Cardinal you have some nice daylight riding through Virginia.

But the Cardinal may cost more in a sleeper - and only runs 3 days a week. Also - The CL has a Sightseer Lounge (nice). Just wonder how valuable that is at night.

 

[Ryan]

It all depends on what you're interested in - most everything mentioned here is great (I was a little underwhelmed by the Spy Museum myself). Have you ever been to DC before?

I've never done one (no need, since I live here) but if I were in your shoes I'd consider one of the tours that departs from/returns to Union Station. Combine that with a meal at one of the restaurants mentioned and you've seen the most amount of stuff (albeit in not much detail) in the shortest time possible.

 

[the_traveler]

if I were in your shoes

... it would be pretty tight - especially if at the same time!

 

[PJRACER]

Some place on this forum.....somebody mentioned a "trolley"-----they took from the train station and it took you all around Washington.....kind of a sight seeing tour. That may be what we would be interested in. The picture was of an open air trolley///and the people looked to be sitting on very uncomfortable wooden seats. Anybody??????

 

[Ryan]

That'd be these guys.

http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/union-station.asp#

Like I said, I've never been on one, but it seems a quick and easy way to see a lot of the sights.

 

[dan72]

That'd be these guys.

http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/union-station.asp#

Like I said, I've never been on one, but it seems a quick and easy way to see a lot of the sights.

I did this tour last year as I had five hours to kill in DC. Had enough time to cover both major routes, but did not get into Arlington National. It's a great way to get an overview of DC. Also, be sure to set aside time to explore Union Station as well.

Dan

 

[daveyb99]

Planning a Tampa (bus) - Orlando (Silver Meteor)- Washington,DC then layover approx 7 hrs. and Capitol Limited to Chicago......

Visit your member of Congress and make known your support of fully funding Amtrak.

YEP YEP YEP.

Bend their ear.

No appointment needed: just walk in, say "I am a constituent, and want to speak to [use first name] about AMTRAK, and get a photo or two"

(they LOVE taking photos with ya)

Your Member might even get you some museum tickets if you ask.

 

[guest]

Planning a Tampa (bus) - Orlando (Silver Meteor)- Washington,DC then layover approx 7 hrs. and Capitol Limited to Chicago......

Visit your member of Congress and make known your support of fully funding Amtrak.

YEP YEP YEP.

Bend their ear.

No appointment needed: just walk in, say "I am a constituent, and want to speak to [use first name] about AMTRAK, and get a photo or two"

(they LOVE taking photos with ya)

Your Member might even get you some museum tickets if you ask.

Museum tickets? Don't think so as every Smithsonian and other government museum is free!

Maybe you mean tickets to sit in the seats overlooking the House and Senate chambers?

 

[jmbgeg]

Planning a Tampa (bus) - Orlando (Silver Meteor)- Washington,DC then layover approx 7 hrs. and Capitol Limited to Chicago......

Visit your member of Congress and make known your support of fully funding Amtrak.

YEP YEP YEP.

Bend their ear.

No appointment needed: just walk in, say "I am a constituent, and want to speak to [use first name] about AMTRAK, and get a photo or two"

(they LOVE taking photos with ya)

Your Member might even get you some museum tickets if you ask.

Better though to call ahead and get an appointment. Ask for their "scheduler".

 

[PJRACER]

I can put a halt to the "visit with my congressman" idea.............I have no desire to talk or meet with any of the politians in Washington, DC. SORRY to put a damper on this angle......but I am interested in the "trolley" idea..........just to see Washington, DC as a visual tour. Thanks however.

 

[daveyb99]

Museum tickets? Don't think so as every Smithsonian and other government museum is free!

Maybe you mean tickets to sit in the seats overlooking the House and Senate chambers?

Oh sure, you can get the 'free' tickets if you want, and wait in line with everyone else.

Members offices have the No Waiting Front Of Line type tickets.

do think so....

...and NO, constituents in town do not need an appointment.

 

[Jim G.]

Planning a Tampa (bus) - Orlando (Silver Meteor)- Washington,DC then layover approx 7 hrs. and Capitol Limited to Chicago.......(break for 3 or 4 days) and Empire Builder to Mpls/St Paul trip. Are there any short tours of DC available from the terminal or ?????? to do. Also, planning coach on leg to Washington......then roomette on leg to Chicago ....... and coach to Mpls/St Paul. What do I need to know.....what am I doing wrong>>>>>> a neophyte at this stuff......but looking forward to it and need alot of suggestions.

My wife and I did the trolly tour in Aug. and really enjoyed it. The ticket office is right at the front door of Union station and the trolly stops right outside. It's the easiest way to see Washington, hear things explained, and take some good pictures. If you want to get off to see something special, you can do that and get on the next trolly that comes by. Highly recommended.

 

[Ryan]

Museum tickets? Don't think so as every Smithsonian and other government museum is free!

Maybe you mean tickets to sit in the seats overlooking the House and Senate chambers?

Oh sure, you can get the 'free' tickets if you want, and wait in line with everyone else.

Members offices have the No Waiting Front Of Line type tickets.

do think so....

...and NO, constituents in town do not need an appointment.

There are no tickets and there are no lines for any of the Smithsonian museums. Perhaps you're talking about the Washington Monument?

 

[frugalist]

A short one-half mile walk down 1st St. NE from Union Station is the Library of Congress. When my son and I visited DC for a few days last July, this was the biggest positive surprise attraction of our visit. There are free guided tours of the building scheduled several times a day that provide informed commentary on the history of the building and its artwork. By the time we finished we both felt like we had gone through a really nice museum. One nice plus to the tour is you get priority viewing of the famous main reading room, which you view from behind glass on the upper floor. You can't get into the main reading room itself without a researcher's card. Little known secret: get your own LOC reader's card at the Madison Building next door to the Jefferson Building. As with almost all other major monuments and museums in DC, the LOC and guided tour are free. http://www.loc.gov/index.html

We spent almost two full days at the Air & Space Museum. Lots of really cool history of air travel and spaceflight here. There is also a free guided tour scheduled at A&S daily. Ours lasted about 90 minutes. Highly recommended if you're at all into this sort of thing. http://www.nasm.si.edu/

Right next door to A&S is the very new National Museum of the American Indian. I took a quick look at it near the end of one of our days at A&S and it's definitely on my list to go back and spend more time at next time I'm in DC. http://www.nmai.si.edu/

These and other suggestions given by earlier posters should give you plenty of things to do. Good luck choosing!

 

[daveyb99]

There are no tickets and there are no lines for any of the Smithsonian museums. Perhaps you're talking about the Washington Monument?

perhaps not.

How about:

Holocost Museum

White House

US Capitol

Engraving and Printing

Library Of Congress

Supreme Court

those are just some listed on my Members website.

Check your Members' Constituent Services link on their official House.Gov website for more info.

Just ask, and they can provide.

 

[Ryan]

None of those are Smithsonian Museums, and only one of them is an actual museum.