Washington DC alone?

[Lynn J Mc]

My DH and I are going to DC for 4 days. He will be in meetings and I will be on my own. What should I do? This will be my first tirp there and I can't wait!

[biodtl]

I love to vacation alone, and I have done DC several times. The goodt thing about DC is that they have a great metro system that will take you almost anywhere you need to go.

Head to the mall and check out all the (free) museums and monuments (There is only a fee for heading up in the Washiington monument). Being alone means you can take it at your own pace - lingering where you want to and skipping through what you don't like as much.

There are also a lot of things to do and see outside the mall - check out a visit DC website and you can get a ton of info.

The zoo is wonderful, also - and a short walk from the metro (and free).

[Hair_Razor]

Agree with above the mall could keep you busy all 4 days I recommend the American History museum there are a lot of really interesting thing here plus it was newly remodeled. I also recommend the Holocaust museum very well done. I would get a little guide book with a metro map in it, you will find the city very user friendly. Have fun it's one of my favourite places.

[BrowncatP]

USE the METRO!! I live in the D.C. area and go down to the Mall alot. Look through some guide books to figure what you want to see. The big attractions are on the Mall. If you go to the zoo, use the Cleveland park Metro stop, and head south. That stop is closer to the zoo than the Woodley Park stop. Any questions, let me know.

[BrowncatP]

The American History Museum is still closed.

[Hair_Razor]

When is it supposed to open? I thought it was opening earlier this year. I haven't been since October.

[#1CinderellaFan]

I am planning to go to DC alone. I will be taking Amtrak from Phila. It looks like the station is very close to everthing. I went 2 years ago with an unimpressed friend. I never did get to see the White House or find anywhere to get something to eat. That was our last vacation together. My next endeaver is to get the nerve to go to WDW alone. Just hate the single supplement.

[Hair_Razor]

*UPDATE*
American History is closed till Fall '08. However when I was there in October they had pieces from the exhibit at the Air and Space Museum.

[ImagiAsh]

I am planning to go to DC alone. I will be taking Amtrak from Phila. It looks like the station is very close to everthing. I went 2 years ago with an unimpressed friend. I never did get to see the White House or find anywhere to get something to eat. That was our last vacation together. My next endeaver is to get the nerve to go to WDW alone. Just hate the single supplement.

Amtrak goes right into Union Station. If you exit out in the direction of all of the Taxi signs, you will be able to see the Capitol from there. So, it is quite close to everything. You can also get on the metro from Union Station and take it up to the Smithsonian stop, instead of having to walk that distance. That will bring you right to the heart of the mall.


And in regards to the original post, many people have already mentioned the museums to visit, which is obviously a great idea if you want to do the touristy things. If you enjoy shopping, I would recommend Georgetown or Old Town Alexandria. You can get to Georgetown by taking the Metro to Foggy Bottom and then walking (if you want to use the metro system), and you can also get to Old Town via the metro...the stop goes by that name. Enjoy!

[#1CinderellaFan]

Thanks for all your helpful info!!! Now I am going to look for a cheap hotel in the museum area if anything exists! Is the Cherry Blossom Fest a very crowded time to go?

[ImagiAsh]

Thanks for all your helpful info!!! Now I am going to look for a cheap hotel in the museum area if anything exists! Is the Cherry Blossom Fest a very crowded time to go?

Yes. But, it is also a very fun time to go. The cherry blossoms are beautiful. I was actually down by the mall earlier today and noticed that they are already starting to bloom. The cherry blossom festival is fun when a) the cherry blossoms are in bloom and b) the weather looks good. Obviously, you really can't know if it will rain the weekend you plan to come, but my suggestion is to just visit DC at any time during the spring season. It is beautiful. If you plan to be here during the festival, the hotels near the mall get booked up fast, so you may want to look at hotels anywhere near metro stations. The metro is a really easy to use and you can get anywhere you want to in DC. Good luck!

[aurorafan]

The Cherry Blossom Festival is the *most* crowded time of year around here--great weather, beautiful flowers and landscaping (thanks Ladybird!) spring breaks, school trips, etc. If you come then make sure you use Metro--there will not be any parking anywhere near the Mall!! There will also be road closures due to the parades and other happenings for the festival .

I seriously doubt you'll be able to find a cheap hotel room "in the museum area", but if you're willing to go a bit further afield (i.e. Northern VA or suburban MD) you'll have more luck . A lot of hotels around here have shuttles to the nearest metro station, so it will still be easy to get around .

[#1CinderellaFan]

Thank you. I feel more confident about getting around. I think I will pass the actual fest.

[biodtl]

Is the Cherry Blossom Fest a very crowded time to go?

Yes - and you definitely don't want to drive at that time.

As for "cheap" hotels, I have gotten some great deals in Crystal City right on the metro line.

[Lynn J Mc]

I've read that a lot of tours start at Union Station but when I looked on line it looked like a mall not a Station. Any helpful hints about it?

[thrillme]

I don't think CHEAP is in Washington DC language. I did find the Hampton Inn in Alexandria very very nice and reasonable. It wasn't right on the metro but it had a shuttle that took you to the metro whenever you wanted (You'll be doing PLENTY of walking once you get there). The shuttle also takes you to Old Town. Enjoy the museums and the zoo. Even though the American History museum is closed the others are more than enough to keep you occupied for quite a bit of time.

Maybe you can even stop by the Treasury and see if they're handing out any "free samples"

You might be able to get a white house tour but I think you have to go through your congressman or something for reservations.

[aurorafan]

You might be able to get a white house tour but I think you have to go through your congressman or something for reservations.

You also have to have a group of at least 10, which to me is a bit absurd--I hate to think how many people try to get tickets and find out they can't go because it will only be their family...

[ImagiAsh]

I've read that a lot of tours start at Union Station but when I looked on line it looked like a mall not a Station. Any helpful hints about it?

It is a station. This is actually where all of the Amtrak lines come into DC and it is also a stop on the metro. There are stores, but it's not a mall. You can catch tours outside of the building (usually in the direction of the Taxi line area).

[IamBelle]

I am going down there in May, and it is my 1st trip there also. I heard that the tour of the mint is really interesting. Also Ford's Theater. Have fun, and let me know if there is anything that I shouldn't miss out on! -IamBelle

[Tiggerlovr9000]

When my son went to DC I got a tourist book and there was a whole section on how to be safe. One of the main tips was to stay in the tourist areas. It said not to travel off the beaten path. Have a great time and be safe..