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Other than the obvious, I mean (White House, Capitol, Smithsonian, etc).

I am not sure where to put this query.  This isn't really a food question per se, but more of a "how do you show out of town friends a cool/unique time"?

This will be in July, including July 4th.

Thanks for any thoughts!

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[Note to all Washington, DC tourists: This is an organic, unedited conversation between people who live in the Washington, DC area, replying to a member asking for tourist help - some were born here; others weren't, but everyone in the conversation knows what they're doing - the only thing I've done is add a link for each tourist attraction mentioned, to save you the trouble of hunting for them, and I used my best judgment as to which links would be most helpful to you, as tourists coming in from out-of-town. This entire conversation is well-worth reading, and contains pretty much everything you need to know for a true, "Best Of" trip to Washington, DC, as recommended by intelligent, informed residents. Feel free to join our website, and add your opinions as well, and you can always send me a Private Message once you join - I'll be happy to answer any specific questions you have about tourist attractions or restaurants (I'm a native Washingtonian as well, and have been helping tourists for 30 years). Happy travels, Don Rockwell]

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How long will your friend be in town, and how often will you be coming into the general vicinity of the city?

My two hidden secrets have both been corrupted:

1) The Einstein Memorial (which is no longer hidden because they cut all the trees away)

2) The Awakening (which has been moved from its original location for which it was designed)

I'm sure you'll have loads of replies since this topic has never been addressed before, but the more information you can give us, the better. Just for the record, you may as well still see Uncle Albert, because it's *right there* (*), but it's not special like it once was; The Awakening (not a great work of art, or even a good work of art, but *perfectly* placed at Hains Point, and a ton of fun for people to stumble upon), is just awful at National Harbor, and no longer recommended unless you're already there (**) - and there's no reason to go there unless you're already there during a convention (homage to Yogi Berra (and also to Jason Sheehan (I'm sorry, Jason, but I have so many interesting thoughts that I just *have* to wedge them all in (if you wrote in a conversational, brainstormy style, you'd understand (it also takes some degree of mathematical logic to make everything work))))).

Interestingly, neither of these things *themselves* have changed, but the settings have, and in both cases, that was enough to destroy their worth. I used to love remaining mum, and having my guests see them for the first time and shriek in amazement.

(*) post-2-0-78789400-1431880839_thumb.png

(**) Can you believe they sold the damned thing for Seven-Hundred-Forty Thousand Lousy Dollars?! How many hundreds of children have I seen, some of whom undoubtedly from nearby, low-income housing projects, having a blast climbing all over it? How much joy was taken away for the price of a single-family home? The only worthwhile thing this second-rate hack of an "artist" ever did (even though he stole the idea (cf. Andres/Adria)), other than providing some tabloid fodder by helping to change "Johnson & Johnson" into "Johnson v. Johnson" (where there's a will, there's a way), and by giving poison pens a richly deserved workout (well-done, Blake Gopnik; shame on you, Corcoran) - and it's gone. Let this be your counter-example when people argue everything should be privatized, although a do-nothing government (what on earth is a "deputy associate regional director?") is every bit as much to blame for this fiasco as a greedy foundation.

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How much time do you have?

Pick your Smithsonian museums wisely.

That being said, Arlington Cemetery.  For something unique, the Franciscan Monastery.  The Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Fireworks on the 4th?  You can sneak in on the Mall late if you aren't carrying anything, but you can perhaps sneak in at the last minute around the Marine Corps Memorial.  Otherwise, the top parking deck for Terminal C at National Airport.

Market Lunch at Eastern Market.  July 4 is a Saturday, and it will be slammed.  Get there before 8:30 a.m.

Congressional Cemetery.

Anderson House, home of the Society of the Cincinnati.

The George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria (I'll admit, I left more confused about Masonry than when I went in, but a great view).

The grotto on the Capitol grounds, west front, Senate side.

The Botanic Garden on the West Front of the Capitol.

The Old Soldiers' Home / Lincoln Summer House.

The Marine Corps Memorial (aka. Iwo Jima Memorial).

If you can, the 9/11 Memorial (now open 365 days a year) at the Pentagon.

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Pick your Smithsonian museums wisely

Also, pick your visits within each museum wisely - one museum can knock you flat on your back if you don't have some general idea of what you must see - do the must-sees first, and the rest as time and energy permit. I had a friend in town a couple weeks ago, and other than a visit to the National Arboretum (which you should absolutely do - grab some Bullfrog Bagels and corned beef there or at Deli City, and have a picnic before seeing the Bonsai (don't let the swarm of carpenter bees you'll be walking through worry you - they do not have stingers)), we clustered three days-worth of touring around the Capitol (which, along with the Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress, is closed on Sundays), and didn't stray more than a few blocks on either side.

Market Lunch at Eastern Market.  July 4 is a Saturday, and it will be slammed.  Get there before 8:30 a.m.

Note that lovehockey is recommending Market Lunch for breakfast (get the blueberry pancakes).

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Second to Don's comment about The Awakening.  It was perfect and impressive and just damn awesome at Hains Point.  At National Harbor it's shoved into this tiny space which strips it of all it's scale and glory.  Don't bother unless you're already there.

How about a drive or walk along Embassy Row?

Maybe a trip to Great Falls?  Pretty impressive for being so close to DC.

Going up in the Old Post Office Tower [closed during renovations - click for details] is pretty cool too.  It's in the heart of town but somehow off the beaten track.

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Haven't seen one of my most favorite spots in DC mentioned above: the FDR Memorial along the Tidal Basin.  Truly a hidden gem, hiding in plain sight.  It's not grand, like the Jefferson Memorial, but it is thought-provoking, with numerous inspiring quotations from FDR.  It also has several wonderful water features -- the whole place creates a kind of meditative environment.

I also second the recommendations for: the National Arboretum (especially the Asian Collection and the Conifer section), Arlington Cemetery (a truly beautiful place and emotionally very moving), and the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon (a really well-planned and designed memorial that also invites contemplation).

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Agree that Uncle Albert was a better secret when he was hidden behind the trees.  I too miss The Awakening's delightful former location at Hains Point, but it wasn't authorized as a permanent public artwork.

Where are your friends coming from, and can you rattle off a couple of their interests?

If visiting the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard, tell them to pick a spot near the rightmost end of the viewing area (i.e. if you're facing the river).  The guards approach from around the south end of the building, and the ceremonial inspection always takes place at that end, near the corner of the path.

This year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival is later than in past years, smaller (only one theme: Peru), and will overlap July 4th weekend.

The often-overlooked Folger Shakespeare Library, which is also hosting *the* exhibit on ship clocks and longitude all summer, on tour from the British National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.  Pair with Capitol or Library of Congress visit.  Free admission.

Take them to a free Millennium Stage performance at the Kennedy Center.  Smithsonian Folklife performers the week prior; high school jazz musicians on July 4 itself (click on "Millenium Stage performance" to see full schedule)  Performances usually start at 6PM, or sometimes a little earlier.

Walk the tidal basin by day and visit the FDR and Lincoln Memorials, but my favorite time to visit the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument is after dark.  Washington, especially...although the daytime tour of the interior is popular interesting, there's something special about walking up to it when the sky is black and looking up at the starkly illuminated hand-hewn stones.

Slightly underappreciated art museums in town: the Phillips Collection (for its collection), the Kreeger (as much for the building as for the art).

The Marine Barracks Evening Parade (Fridays), or the 3rd Infantry Twilight Tattoo (Wednesdays except July 1).

If they're not from the coast, lunch al fresco from the stalls at the Maine Avenue Fish Market.

Since they're likely to need to make *some* use of Metro while in town, keep an eye on the WMATA website for limited-edition commemorative SmarTrip card designs.  At the moment, they only have two available - the Obama 2013 inauguration design, and the Silver Line opening design - but there have been some fun ones in the past, and they're the same price as the boring regular SmarTrip cards.

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Don: He will be here for a while although we will be going to NYC at some point too so I can't be sure how much time in DC just yet. Enough to see a lot of things, though, although July will suck.  My best guess right now is about 10 days on the ground in DC although it might be more than that.

I hear ya re: Hains Point being a great location for that statue.

Will try for Einstein, why not. We will be crawling all over the Mall for sure. Likely a night monument wander, which is prettier as well as less hot.

Arlington Cemetery for sure.

Smithsonians / National Gallery of Art / National Portrait Gallery - will have to check exhibits.

I can't decide re: where to see the fireworks.  The Marine Corps Memorial would be my first choice, but, he hasn't been to DC before so hanging around downtown would be cool too.  Can someone fill me in re: security?  How bad is it? How tough is it to just hang out in DC, away from the security points... during the day...  then sneak over to either the Mall or Iwo Jima for the actual fireworks?  I know that whatever we do we will not be heading home until midnight at least due to the overload of people on the metro.

And on July 4th, other than the Mall where is a great place to hang out and feel festive yet not be stuck in the craziness of the Mall?  I am envisioning being downtown maybe mid-late afternoon, hanging out, doing DC stuff that does not include the Mall, then finding a place to park our butts for the actual fireworks.  Mostly to avoid the heat all day long as I live in Ashburn and once we are there, we are there.

However if we do it that way, we will have no refreshments while we are hanging out on the Mall - we'd go there just to see the fireworks.  That is kind of a bummer because it would be nice to be able to eat/drink while hanging out down on the Mall.

Unless someone I know here or elsewhere is planning a picnic down near the Fireworks, that is!

Lovehockey, did you mean hanging out on the airport parking garage to watch?  How hard is it to do that?  My cousin USED to be ATC there, many years ago, but I don't know anyone there anymore.  All great ideas, thank you!  Will look into them all. Was also trying to think of some "insider" things for him, too.

I live near Udvar so I suppose we will be going there!

And definitely monuments by night.

I know someone at the NTSB and he is willing to take us on a tour of the labs.

Is there any other really cool government place in DC that would be a neato tour?  I applied for a tour of the White House, which I hope was done in time. The Capitol would be cool, maybe the Supreme Court or LOC if those are easy to get into...

Thanks, getting very excited about this!

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[NOTE to all readers: my links stopped here, and the ball rests in my court to continue putting them in. I hope you find this thread useful - I learned a lot just by putting in the links up to this point. Cheers, and welcome to Washington, DC! Please join our community at donrockwell.com, and write me personally (via our Private Messaging system) if you need any help once you join. We'll help you to find some good restaurants as well - we are the only restaurant resource you need, and have a greater expertise in that area than all other resources combined. Plus, we're nice and we want to help you enjoy your visit. :) Cheers, Rocks]

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One of my favorite places is Theodore Roosevelt Island. 66 runs across the southern point; the path onto the island is about a quarter of a mile from the Key Bridge. It's got a wonderful little path around the perimeter, and the memorial to Teddy is in the middle. July might be kind of an icky time to be on the island, but it's very peaceful and not very well known among out-of-towners.

Also a little off the beaten path is the GPO Museum in the GPO Building (732 North Capitol Street). It is very cool, if you or your guest are interested in government materials or old-school printing.

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I hadn't heard about the ships' clocks and longitude exhibit at the Folger. I'll have to go see that.

My recommendations: The Vietnam memorial, among the most beautiful things in Washington and the best new thing in Washington in my lifetime. The Spanish Steps, so called, which carry 22nd Street NW for half the block between Decatur Place and S Street. Unique and lovely. The trail along Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway from P Street to the Zoo, which gives you wonderful views of the remarkable Rock Creek bridges: P Street (now renamed Lauzun's Legion Bridge); Dumbarton Bridge (Q Street, the Buffalo Bridge, although the good views of the bison sculptures by Alexander Phimister Proctor are to be had at street level, and there's no easy communication between the trail and the street there); the Glover Bridge (Massachusetts Ave.), not that interesting; the majesticTaft Bridge (Connecticut Avenue), the single most beautiful structure in Washington to my eyes; and the Duke Ellington Bridge (Calvert Street), a deco masterpiece by Paul Philippe Cret. You could do a lot worse than visiting the other structures in the city designed by Cret: The OAS building (formerly the Pan-American Union) at 17th and Constitution; the Federal Reserve building at 20th and Constitution; the Folger mentioned above; the Central Heating Plant on C Street SW between 12th and 13th; and the Klingle Valley Bridge on Connecticut Avenue between Woodley Park and Cleveland Park, with its fabulous deco street furniture.

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Keep in mind that some attractions (Washington Monument, White House (which you already have covered)) and some exhibits at the Smithsonian require timed tickets for entry.  I don't believe you have to opt for the next available time so you might consider making a ticket run in the morning for a time later in the day as most tickets for the day have already been distributed by mid-morning.  Keep in mind that many monuments (I know FDR and Jefferson for sure) have regular tours given by a park ranger where no tickets are required.  You just assemble at a specific location at a specific time (generally hourly).  Having the benefit of the ranger's information make the visits more enlightening (Thanks to lovehockey for Saturday's wonderful tour of the Capitol Building).

Also, with 10 days you might consider taking a day to venture out of town.  There are many civil war battlefields in the area and Harper's Ferry is another possibility.  Have fun.

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I think the Newseum is one of the best museums we have in town - and we have a lot of good ones.  It costs money, but it is well worth it, in my opinion (I am an annual member, I love it so much).

For other recommendations, I'd need to know how active you and your visitors are.  If you/they are game, horseback riding in Rock Creek Park is pretty rad (just did it for my birthday) - you have to make reservations in advance (and it costs money), but it is a really good time and a very fun memory.  Also, paddleboating in the Tidal Basin is a fun way to see the monuments.  There's also kayaking/paddleboarding on the Potomac, which would give you some really cool sight lines.

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Annapolis is highly recommended.  There are tourist boats which get you on the water and give a tour of the harbor.  Or just hit one of the local joint s for a crab feast.  Tour the Naval academy.  See the boats on Ego alley.  Drinks at the Chart House.

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The waterfront at the Navy Yard is awesome!

Meridian Hill Park

Arena Stage

The gardens at Dumbarton Oaks

Meridian Hill Park is a stunning work of art, and I second this recommendation enthusiastically.

I believe Arena Stage is dark for the entire month of July, but if you and your friend want theatre, the Shakespeare Theatre is doing Molière's Tartuffe through July 5th at their beautiful newish Sidney Harman Hall at 6th and F Streets NW (Gallery Place Metro). Pretty much everything they do is worth seeing.

The Dumbarton Oaks gardens are surpassingly lovely, and I haven't visited them for far too long, and am making a note to myself to go there soon. Be aware that they're closed on Mondays and on July 4; between March 15 and October 31, they are otherwise open only from 2 pm to 6 pm; and it costs $10 to enter. (The rest of the year they're open from 2 to 5 and admission is free.) You won't find many such places in any cities in the world. Go! (A little personal anecdote: I visited the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks some time in the mid 1970s with someone I was half in love with, or probably more than half, while we were tripping on LSD. Yes, we did that then. Things happen when you're tripping, and I don't mean imaginary things but real things, that don't happen when you're not. We were sitting on the grass in some fairly secluded part of the gardens, and a chipmunk came up to us and was obviously willing to interact with us, which is chipmunk behavior I've never seen before or since. I got the little fellow to climb up onto my hand, and it bit me.)

While you're in that neighborhood, nearby Oak Hill Cemetery is serene and beautiful and you might as well have a ramble through it as well.

And then you're really not very far at all from Stachowski's Market.

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Meridian Hill Park is a stunning work of art, and I second this recommendation enthusiastically.

I believe Arena Stage is dark for the entire month of July, but if you and your friend want theatre, the Shakespeare Theatre is doing Molière's Tartuffe through July 5th at their beautiful newish Sidney Harman Hall at 6th and F Streets NW (Gallery Place Metro). Pretty much everything they do is worth seeing.

The Dumbarton Oaks gardens are surpassingly lovely, and I haven't visited them for far too long, and am making a note to myself to go there soon. Be aware that they're closed on Mondays and on July 4; between March 15 and October 31, they are otherwise open only from 2 pm to 6 pm; and it costs $10 to enter. (The rest of the year they're open from 2 to 5 and admission is free.) You won't find many such places in any cities in the world. Go! (A little personal anecdote: I visited the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks some time in the mid 1970s with someone I was half in love with, or probably more than half, while we were tripping on LSD. Yes, we did that then. Things happen when you're tripping, and I don't mean imaginary things but real things, that don't happen when you're not. We were sitting on the grass in some fairly secluded part of the gardens, and a chipmunk came up to us and was obviously willing to interact with us, which is chipmunk behavior I've never seen before or since. I got the little fellow to climb up onto my hand, and it bit me.)

While you're in that neighborhood, nearby Oak Hill Cemetery is serene and beautiful and you might as well have a ramble through it as well.

And then you're really not very far at all from Stachowski's Market.

These days I wouldn't suggest an Acid trip while visiting DC's most memorable features.

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My favorite way to get to the Mall for 4th of July is take Metro to Arlington Cemetary, walk across Memorial Bridge, enter Mall at Tidal Basin near Lincoln Memorial.  That whole walk is beautiful.  You can get right up to the fence nearest the fireworks. BIG problems getting on Metro to get home, but just be patient.

We once had a memorably pleasant experience watching the fireworks from the shoulder of 395 pulled off near the Pentagon.  Illegal, of course, but many people do it.

Another memorably pleasant experience watching the fireworks from a cruise boat on the Potomac, but it was too darned hot and if I ever do it again, I will pay up for an air conditioned boat.

Every visitor I have taken to Udvar Hazy was blown away, even the ones not so interested in air and space. The permanent collection at the National Gallery is superb.  TWO Vermeers, too many other wonderful things to list.  If your visitor likes art, see that one before all others.  Natural History, especially the Ocean Hall and the Hall of Human Origins.

A visit to the Library of Congress is very impressive.  The dome in the Jefferson building is almost as nice as the Capitol, and easier to get into.  Some special exhibitions look interesting but no blockbusters at the moment.

Every place you are likely to visit already has the special exhibitions planned, and online, so you can decide in advance.

I agree that a walk along Great Falls is impressive.  I like the Virginia side better.

Natural Arburetum has an almost monthly full moon hike but not in July.  Blooming will be daylilies and some crape myrtles, but July isn't a big month for flowers.  The spectacular azaleas will be done way before that.  The columns are beautiful.

A day trip to Baltimore's National Harbor is fun, especially a visit to the National Aquarium.

If your visitor likes blue crabs, a visit to an authentic crab house can be a special trip.  Here's a good list.  I really like Cantler's, but Joe H. raves about Suicide Bridge.

How about a little trip to the Atlantic shore?  Rehobeth, Chincoteague, Virginia Beach?

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Meridian Hill Park is a stunning work of art, and I second this recommendation enthusiastically.

I believe Arena Stage is dark for the entire month of July, but if you and your friend want theatre, the Shakespeare Theatre is doing Molière's Tartuffe through July 5th at their beautiful newish Sidney Harman Hall at 6th and F Streets NW (Gallery Place Metro). Pretty much everything they do is worth seeing.

The Dumbarton Oaks gardens are surpassingly lovely, and I haven't visited them for far too long, and am making a note to myself to go there soon. Be aware that they're closed on Mondays and on July 4; between March 15 and October 31, they are otherwise open only from 2 pm to 6 pm; and it costs $10 to enter. (The rest of the year they're open from 2 to 5 and admission is free.) You won't find many such places in any cities in the world. Go! (A little personal anecdote: I visited the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks some time in the mid 1970s with someone I was half in love with, or probably more than half, while we were tripping on LSD. Yes, we did that then. Things happen when you're tripping, and I don't mean imaginary things but real things, that don't happen when you're not. We were sitting on the grass in some fairly secluded part of the gardens, and a chipmunk came up to us and was obviously willing to interact with us, which is chipmunk behavior I've never seen before or since. I got the little fellow to climb up onto my hand, and it bit me.)

While you're in that neighborhood, nearby Oak Hill Cemetery is serene and beautiful and you might as well have a ramble through it as well.

And then you're really not very far at all from Stachowski's Market.

This and Hersh's other post are full of excellent suggestions, particularly dropping acid and hitting the Dumbarton Oaks neighborhood.  Along those lines I'd just like to add that Dumbarton Oaks has a swell, small museum of Byzantine and pre-Columbian art and that nearby (like, next door) Montrose park is a great place to eat sandwiches from Stachowski's or snacks from Dean & DeLuca, and discretely sip wine (no one has ever complained, but we always drink from unmarked cups),

Oak Hill is extraordinary and is where Mrs. P's ashes are scattered -- she did a paper on its architectural significance as an undergrad.

Per Hersch's earlier post, note that the Spanish steps are right around the corner from the Phillips collection (surely someone has suggested that) and the Woodrow Wilson House, as well as Embassy Row and a lot of big, swell houses.

The Hillwood Museum is little known and another sort of wealth voyeurism place, with its Faberge Eggs, gardens and - my favorite part -- butler's pantry with a dozen different China sets.  It's right off Rock Creek if you're in a picnic mood and walking distance form Adams-Morgan or the zoo, if you 'd like a little stroll.

The Kennedy Center is arguably an architectural monstrosity but it does have free concerts every single night at 6PM on the Millennium Stage and a grand view  of the river from the balcony.  (Speaking of River views, try to hit the Lincoln at sunset after the Millenium stage and wander around the back for the kind of 70s-nostalgia take-LSD-and-snog-a-friend view of the river and the Eternal Flame - even Roslyn looks lovely).

Also, if you're seeking that counterculture vibe, hit Meridian Hill on Sunday for the drumming, then shake it off with some 14th Street yuppie chow.

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Seconding two suggestions which have already been mentioned - I think the National Portrait Gallery/Museum of American Art provides the best bang for your buck (figuratively speaking; admission is free). There are two great museums in one building, plus the historic building itself. One recent July 4th, The Airmen of Note (U.S. Air Force jazz band) played concerts in the courtyard. Also, if you're going to be on Capitol Hill, definitely make time for the Botanic Garden. 

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The National Building Museum, an engineering marvel built by one of the Great Men of 19th-century America, Montgomery C. Meigs. The great hall is one of the most spectacularly impressive indoor spaces in the world. Admission is free. They have docent-guided tours of the building daily at 11:30, 12:30, and 1:30, which I've never taken but must, one of these days; these are also free.

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The National Building Museum, an engineering marvel built by one of the Great Men of 19th-century America, Montgomery C. Meigs. The great hall is one of the most spectacularly impressive indoor spaces in the world. Admission is free. They have docent-guided tours of the building daily at 11:30, 12:30, and 1:30, which I've never taken but must, one of these days; these are also free.

Actually, the Building Museum does charge for admission to its exhibits, unless you're a member ($8 for adults, $5 for kids); I just checked the Web site. But it is a fun place to see; and you can go to the bookstore/gift shop, which is the best museum shop in the city, for no cost.

Out of the way, but fascinating in its own way, is Congressional Cemetery, where you can wander among the graves of the likes of J. Edgar Hoover, Marion Berry, and John Philip Sousa, and other luminaries.

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another vote for the Building Museum. The building itself is quite interesting and there is (I think it continues) a free tour throughout the day. Also, the summer exhibit opens on July 4 - they are building a beach inside this year, but not of the sandy variety. http://www.nbm.org/exhibitions-collections/exhibitions/the-beach.html  This follows the mini golf and maze of the past two years.

Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Key Bridge and paddle around Roosevelt Island. Rent bikes and go out the C&O with a picnic lunch/snack, or bike to Old Town (or if energetic, Mt. Vernon). Get lunch at the 8th and D Teaism and sit by the Chagall mosaic somewhat hidden in the Natural History Museum sculpture garden.

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Can I put in a shameless plug for Mount Vernon? (My husband works there- full disclosure.)  They do fireworks during the day on July 4th and have other cool events I didn't really know about until MK started working there.  You can also take the water taxi to/from old town to Mount Vernon, which is fun.

My favorite things to see/do in Washington as a tourist before I lived here and just living here other than Smithsonians/ memorials is to get a tour of the National Cathedral, go to the rehearsal for the Capital 4th concert with a picnic and hope it doesn't rain AGAIN, Eastern Market/Union Market.  Drinks at POV (even though it can be kind of clubby now, great view still). Oh, and a Nats game, I love going to National's Stadium.

Edited by ktmoomau
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Thank you so much everyone!

Does anyone have any tips on attending Obama's public events - or even (hahahahaha) the non-public ones?  You don't know unless you ask!

I thought I'd throw this out there:  I got a season's pass for kayaking at the boat house in Georgetown under the key bridge.  This is the Keybridge Boathouse, not Thompson.  200 bucks for unlimited paddling on ANY of their boats.  All season - ends in October.  Otherwise it is 15 bucks an hour which is a bargain.

Anyone plans to kayak any weekend, I might be there - early early early...  lmk!

Don, thank you for the edits, too.  This is really a great thread, and thank you again to everyone for contributing.

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This is really a great thread, and thank you again to everyone for contributing.

Totally agree!

Don, you should pin this make it a sticky or archive it somewhere where it can be easily found a month, year or decade from now.

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My parents were just in town so we did a ton of DC stuff.

I would highly recommend the National Arboretum, esp. the Bonsai pavilion.  Pack a picnic with locally produced foodstuffs, there are lots of places to picnic.  If you are lucky you might even catch a view of the bald eagles that are nesting in the park (the area is cordoned off but they have a viewing location).

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Grandma's assisted living took a trip to Mount Vernon last Friday and she LOVED it - still going on about it

Can I put in a shameless plug for Mount Vernon? (My husband works there- full disclosure.)  They do fireworks during the day on July 4th and have other cool events I didn't really know about until MK started working there.  You can also take the water taxi to/from old town to Mount Vernon, which is fun. `

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Things I love that no one has mentioned yet:

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is gorgeous and different and not far at all from the Arboretum, so it's nice to make a day of it. One of my favorite bucket list DC days included a start at the Aquatic Gardens, a meander through selected parts the Arboretum (it's BIG so you could definitely spend hours and hours here alone), late lunch at Fast Gourmet (no idea if it is still good, but man, that chivito, back in the day...), then hanging out at Meridian Hill Park (it was a Sunday, so there was the drum circle).

Folks have already mentioned Great Falls but specifically, another outside day could include a romp down the Billy Goat trail. Go early because it's packed during the summer, plus you will beat the heat.

Wolf Trap is wonderful if there is a show you want to see. Remember you can pack wine and picnic on the lawn!!!

Similarly, Ford's Theater has great programming but is best if they are playing something political or historical. They're probably dark at night during the summer and I've never taken in the historical daytime programming, but if your friends are interested in Lincoln, it might be worth a look.

Depending on your musical/religious interest, choral evensong at the National Cathedral, or maybe an organ recital.

The Bureau of Engraving does tours on the weekdays. You need tickets but they are free. Might have to go early to get them, though.

Great thread. Ye gads I miss DC.

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Folks have already mentioned Great Falls but specifically, another outside day could include a romp down the Billy Goat trail. Go early because it's packed during the summer, plus you will beat the heat.

I would add that, even for people who are young and fit, the Billy Goat Trail is not just a walk in the park, so to speak. I mean, it *is*, but hiking the entire thing is moderately challenging for just about anyone, and includes having to scamper up rocks on all fours.

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I would add that, even for people who are young and fit, the Billy Goat Trail is not just a walk in the park, so to speak. I mean, it *is*, but hiking the entire thing is moderately challenging for just about anyone, and includes having to scamper up rocks on all fours.

Oooh, good point. But conversely, that part of the C&O Canal towpath is perfect for folks looking for an even gentler hike/walk than usual, because it's completely flat and that section is quite scenic.We've taken our parents loads of times. Also, you can break up sections of the Billy Goat (there's part A, B, and C) and come back to the towpath if the going gets tougher than your taste. For the optimal towpath scenery start from the far end (Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center) because it has the walkway out to the falls. Even if you're going to do the Billy Goat, this way might be easier than starting at the Old Angler Inn because you go up the hardest rock scramble, rather than down.

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Can I put in a shameless plug for Mount Vernon? (My husband works there- full disclosure.)  They do fireworks during the day on July 4th and have other cool events I didn't really know about until MK started working there.  You can also take the water taxi to/from old town to Mount Vernon, which is fun.

My favorite things to see/do in Washington as a tourist before I lived here and just living here other than Smithsonians/ memorials is to get a tour of the National Cathedral, go to the rehearsal for the Capital 4th concert with a picnic and hope it doesn't rain AGAIN, Eastern Market/Union Market.  Drinks at POV (even though it can be kind of clubby now, great view still). Oh, and a Nats game, I love going to National's Stadium.

My cousin & his wife came up last week to visit their son, who lives up here now, & we did Mount Vernon, because I live right down the road. I advised them to put on sneakers & we had a great visit (still haven't toured the mansion, because it's a huge time sink), we did get to see a friend of mine, who is fortunate enough to work w/ the animals at MV, shear a sheep, & tour the gardens. We also visited the gristmill, which is quite interesting, & much less crowded.

After reading a Gawker article about people who wonder about living in NYC, I realize again how lucky I am to live here-out in the burbs, close enough to the city, w/out exorbitant rents & the smell of garbage. I am a fortunate woman, in many ways, & I try not to forget that fact.

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My cousins spent the previous (rainy) day in DC, hitting the obvious sites-Lincoln memorial, the mall, museums, White House, & after spending about 3 hours w/ me at Mount Vernon, were going to the Pentagon memorial & Arlington cemetery, & then going to a Nats game- I wisely bowed out. I am too old for hard core sightseeing.

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The "Exorcist Steps" in Georgetown. These may mean more to those who have seen the movie, which I have not. But they're still really cool.

The Anderson House museum, open Tuesday-Saturday 1-4 pm, free. One of the grandest of the grand houses that line Embassy Row. I don't know if it's still the case, but you used to have to ring the doorbell for admission.

The Octagon house museum, open Thursday-Saturday 1-4 pm, free. Supposedly the most haunted house in Washington, also one of the oldest, completed in 1800 or thereabout, in a magnificent state of preservation. President Madison used it as his office and residence after the British burned what's now called the White House in 1814. He signed the ratification papers of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, here in February 1815, in the second-floor front room. I've actually never been inside it that I recall, but intend to go tomorrow. I work on the same block (1700 block of New York Avenue; interesting Washington fact: New York Avenue formerly extended southwest all the way to 23rd Street NW, through what is now the OPM building and the State Department, among other things).

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Hey again!  What great information - I hope everyone who stumbles across this has a lot of fun following up...

Another Q:

Any ideas on SMALL comedy venues?  You know, that bar that you wouldn't think would have comedy but on certain nights, it does?  Or ones which have regular comedy, etc, open mikes, etc..  including in Virginia?

I already know about the big-big ones (Improv, Drafthouse)..

Any thoughts in this regard would be Awesome.

Thanks!

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Hey again!  What great information - I hope everyone who stumbles across this has a lot of fun following up...

Another Q:

Any ideas on SMALL comedy venues?  You know, that bar that you wouldn't think would have comedy but on certain nights, it does?  Or ones which have regular comedy, etc, open mikes, etc..  including in Virginia?

I already know about the big-big ones (Improv, Drafthouse)..

Any thoughts in this regard would be Awesome.

Thanks!

ComedyInDC.com

Short form improv. I used to perform with them when they were in Ballston. An awesome time, IMHO.

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The "Exorcist Steps" in Georgetown. These may mean more to those who have seen the movie, which I have not. But they're still really cool.

Speaking of the Exorcist Steps, they're (in)famous among DC's rowers.  Almost any local you see on the river has spent time sprinting up and cursing those goddam stairs.  They were a common practice-ender and occasional punishment when I was a freshman rowing for GW in the late 70s; today there are a band of hardcores on my crew who do them every Sunday.  Fortunately, my knees will not tolerate that sort of thing any more.

Speaking of GW, I have not been to the new location, but the Textile Museum (now owned by GWU) -- which may still have an awesome gift shop --  can be an exceptional way to spend an hour, especially if you're down in Foggy Bottom (now owned by GWU) already to see the Kennedy Center or the Watergate or Thompson's Boat House which has great picnicking and you can park there for free after 6:30 or so and walk to Georgetown or the Kennedy Center as long as they don't come around to check the meters which they never do.

Speaking of Thompson's, if you're tired of museums you can rent a canoe there and paddle over to Roosevelt Island or the Three Sisters "Islands" (which are haunted) and go swimming (possibly illegal but they never bothered me) off the rocks or swill wine (possibly illegal but they never bothered me).

Speaking of Three Sisters, one day years ago a bunch of us were hanging out on the rocks, swimming and swilling wine, when a rowboat came by and the guy not rowing stood up, stark naked with a joint in one hand and a beer in the other and yelled "white punks on dope!" before they rowed off. Sadly, this sort of thing rarely happens in Washington any more.

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Old Post Office is closed for renovations until some time in 2016 according to National Parks website.

We have Mr. Trump to thank for taking it away.  It will reopen as a hotel.

Lovehockey, did you mean hanging out on the airport parking garage to watch?  How hard is it to do that?  My cousin USED to be ATC there, many years ago, but I don't know anyone there anymore.  All great ideas, thank you!  Will look into them all. Was also trying to think of some "insider" things for him, too.

And definitely monuments by night.

Another option is Gravelly Point Park is next to National Airport.  It's a great place for a picnic while you watch the planes land.  I imagine if you are going for the 4th you need to get there early.

The monument are 100 times better at night and not just because the crowds are smaller.

Speaking of the Exorcist Steps, they're (in)famous among DC's rowers.  Almost any local you see on the river has spent time sprinting up and cursing those goddam stairs.  They were a common practice-ender and occasional punishment when I was a freshman rowing for GW in the late 70s; today there are a band of hardcores on my crew who do them every Sunday.  Fortunately, my knees will not tolerate that sort of thing any more.

Lacrosse coaches liked to use them as forms as torture as well.

On the 4th of July across the city there are a number of local, community based parades.  The one held on Barracks Row (8th street SE) could easily be in small town America and not next to the only ungated US military base in the world.  If you do go to a parade at 8th and I, and you should, see if you have any connections to get you tickets in the center.  You are closer to the action and the silent drill team will be right in front of you.  The drill team alone makes sitting out in the hot weather worth while.

Has anyone recommended listening to the National Symphony Orchestra rehearse July 3rd on the grounds of the Capital?  Same concert you'll hear the next night with only half the people.  No fireworks though.

While at The Kennedy Center for Millenium Stage be sure to take a free tour of the Kennedy Center itself.  There are rooms where events are held that the you only get to see if you know the right person or have enough money.  There is also magnificent art that most people walk right past and depending on what's playing or in rehearsal you'll get to see the three different theaters.

Finally, if you hit Eastern Market keep in mind things are a bit wonky right now while the school is torn down and new construction begins.  The number of vendors at the flea market has shrunk and is in a different location.

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Regarding the closing of the Old Post Office Pavilion:

We have Mr. Trump to thank for taking it away.  It will reopen as a hotel.

I have no wish to defend Donald Trump, but this was the doing of the GSA. I'm not even sure that it was a bad decision, although I'm certainly willing to be persuaded that it was.

Returning to a recommendation of mine earlier in the thread, last Friday I did a self-guided tour of the Octagon, at 18th and New York Avenue. A very interesting place, to be sure. Not worth a special journey, but certainly worth spending 30 to 60 minutes exploring, if you're in the neighborhood. I found the basement level especially interesting, with its brick floors and exposed bits of the 1800 building that you mostly don't see on the upper floors. It's pretty cool, though, to stand in the room on the second floor that James Madison used as his office during part of his presidency, without any of the supervision you'd experience in the White House. (And the White House is much more of a replica of a Federal-era building than the Octagon is. The rebuilding of the White House during the Truman administration left nothing of the original structure but the skin.) They give you a little guide to the museum when you enter, and then you're completely at liberty to wander about the place. Most of the rooms have laminated info-sheets available at the door. I don't know how good the docent-guided tours are, which you can schedule by appointment for $10 per adult, but they might be worth checking out. They don't say what the minimum number of people is, but do say discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. I was there with a colleague from about 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm, and we were the only visitors there, so it certainly allowed for a leisurely visit. No ghosts as far as I could tell.

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Thank you so much again, everyone.  I am going to look into the 4th of July near the Marine Barracks.  Any tips on getting downtown near that, on the 4th?  No street closings on that end of town, etc?

I made rez at Brasserie Beck for 2 PM on that day - good or bad idea, based on being at the barracks, or not?  I'm also thinking of how heavy the food and beer will be and how hot it will be...

If we make it to the barracks on the 4th, where would you lunch?

More soon..  this is so fabulous.

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Thank you so much again, everyone.  I am going to look into the 4th of July near the Marine Barracks.  Any tips on getting downtown near that, on the 4th?  No street closings on that end of town, etc?

I made rez at Brasserie Beck for 2 PM on that day - good or bad idea, based on being at the barracks, or not?  I'm also thinking of how heavy the food and beer will be and how hot it will be...

If we make it to the barracks on the 4th, where would you lunch?

More soon..  this is so fabulous.

If it was me... Hank's you a shrimp or lobster roll seems pretty 4th of Julyish.  I also think Nooshi or Cava would be good.  I do think BB would be pretty darn heavy.

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