Quote:
Originally Posted by eyebooger
If I were visiting DC for 2 or 3 days, what should I do?
(I've already done this, just wanna know if I did it right)
Quote:
Originally Posted by eyebooger
Also what are the 3 best Smithsonian museums?
I would recommend coming when it's warm out, since there's a bit more to do and see and its not miserable walking everywhere. However, this doesn't necessarily mean in the summertime, since that's the peak tourist season (some days there are literally droves of people downtown and its pain to be a part of) and it can get quite humid (historically DC was built on wetlands)
I would recommend seeing the monuments and memorials downtown. Start with Capital Building and go west. Washington monument. WWII memorial, reflecting pool, Lincoln Memorial. Then go toward the tidal basin and see MLK, then FDR, and keep making your way around to the Jefferson Memorial. The tidal basin area is beautiful in summer evenings, and is one of my favorite 'getaway' spots in the city.
You can of course see museums on your way. My top three are Natural History (ldo), Botanical Gardens (not affiliated with Smithsonian), and Air and Space. American History is a close fourth. The National Zoo would be in the top three if i wasn't restricting the museums to being located on the mall. In nice weather you can totally walk there if you're not too lazy. I highly recommend visiting the Newseum, but unfortunately its not free. I think its well worth the admission price to at least see once. I've heard the spy museum and crime and punishment museums (which you also have to pay for) are not really worth it. American Indian is an awful museum (imo). Hirshhorn is ok if youre into weird art. Portrait Gallery is up there in my list, but thats over in Chinatown, which is close but not on the mall exactly. The Holocaust Museum is also high on my list, and is near the tidal basin.
If youre into drinking and going out, i would recommend going out one of the nights just to see some of the night life. U st. is my favorite place to go out. Tons of bars and restaurants and just a really eclectic mix. Also two of the major gay bars/clubs are there
Dupont has a good night scene (there's a really cool bar called Board Room, which has a huge collection of board games that you can play while drinking), as well as H st. and Adams Morgan.
I went to Roosevelt Island this past summer and i think that's an awesome place to see. Its located inbetween Georgetown and Rosslyn areas, so its not really a typical 'tourist' destination. One of my favorite places to go was the Old Post Office Building. It has an observation tower that you can take an elevator to the top of and have a view of the entire city. Its awesome and not many people know it exists, so its never really super crowded. Unfortunately Donald Trump bought the building recently and is converting it into hotels. **** him. However, the city deemed the tower itself a historical landmark that he can't touch, but due to the renovations its closed for the next two years.
There's obviously a ton of other things to do and many awesome restaurants to eat at, but that's just a cursory description of things i'd do if you were here for a few days. Also depends on the season and really what you're into. There's stuff for everyone.
Last edited by SuqAta8; 02-09-2015 at 12:46 AM.