Comments on: DC Bound

By: Guy Serumgard

Guy Serumgard — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:19:29 +0000

Would agree with most comments–would add:

Mt. Vernon–not immediately in D.C but worth a ride to get there–big new visitor’s center has opened since I was last there. . .If he’s there, a real live “General Washington” does a fantastic job of playing the first president.

East Building of the national Gallery of Art (I.M.Pei design) right on the mall–great interior space. .

National Archives–something powerful about actually seeing those documents we’ve heard about and quoted all these years. . .

National Air and Space Museum–fantastic for children of the space age especially. . .

By: chef Kevin

chef Kevin — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:06:36 +0000

Well, if you haven’t left yet, check out a review of some of the restaurants I went to while I was there last fall.

http://chefkevin.blogspot.com/2006/10/play-in-peoria.html

The best thing about the American Indian Museum\Memorial was the food. The artifacts and history were cool, but after a whole 4 story building of it, it felt repetitious. I think the American History part of the “Smith” is closed.

I didn’t have much of a wait (15 minutes) for the Washington Monument so I have to disagree with Jonathan. Now if I had to wait an hour….different story. However, it took this 4th trip to DC for me to finally find it open, so I actually waited 13 years. I like the Jefferson Memorial as it is so much different in architecture than the other sites. Over the years, I’ve seen most of the sites, so when I visit friends there now, we usually hang out at the wineries, ethnic food markets and restaurants.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:56:08 +0000

I really enjoyed touring Frederick Douglass’s home and the Ford Theater. Also, the Library of Congress is a beautiful building to stroll through.

By: Mahkno

Mahkno — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:14:21 +0000

Take a drive or ride to the Kentlands in Gaithersburg MD, take your camera, and see a completed New Urbanist development.

http://kentlandsusa.com/kentlands/community.php

By: Jonathan Ahl

Jonathan Ahl — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:01:08 +0000

Wow, Jack, I certainly didn’t mean any offense by putting the Vietnam Memorial on the “Should see/do list”. I think that you raise a valid point about the personal connection issue. Anyone that has any personal connection to Vietnam, World War II, Korean War, or the Holocaust should certainly visit the corresponding memorials. I’m sure there are others I am forgetting.

I am fortunate to not have any relatives taht died in Vietnam. Still, each of the five or six times I have visited the Vietnam Memorial struck me with an intense feeling. That’s why I mentioned it, and called it “Powerful”. There aren’t any other words for it. It should be experienced.

Again, no offense meant. I do think visitors to DC should spend some time at the Vietnam Memorial.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:17:04 +0000

I agree with Jonathan for the most part. But unless it has a strong personal/cultural applicability, there is absolutely no way that the Holocaust Memorial should be on the Must See/Do list…especially to the absence of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. As the son of Vietnam veteran whose name is on that slate wall, I take offense to it being on a “Should see/do” directed at first-time visitor.

It is nothing short of amazing…to say nothing of the small honor you will be paying those who died for OUR/THEIR country.

By: Eyebrows McGee

Eyebrows McGee — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:06:55 +0000

Spy Museum!

By: PeoriaIllinoisan

PeoriaIllinoisan — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:08:59 +0000

My wife bought me a fancy National Geographic book on DC that I just started thumbing through. (the same fancy book that I passed by because I thought it was too expensive, but that’s another story). We’re staying within walking distance of Georgetown, if my geography is accurate, so we’ll have to check that out. I’ve also read that the Foggy Bottoms neighborhood is chock full of historic houses.

Haven’t figured out which Smithsonians we’re going to visit, but I know that will be a big part of the trip. I already know that the portrait gallery is on the chopping block, beyond that I need to do some reading. The last issue of Nat. Geographic had a feature on Arlington, which I really want to check out.

The holocaust memorial wasn’t high on my list, but if you put it on your “must” list, then it’s gotta be good. I assumed we’d see the Vietnam Memorial and other sights just from randomly walking around.

Thanks for the suggestions, Jonathan, I’m really looking forward to it!

By: Jonathan Ahl

Jonathan Ahl — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:37:03 +0000

Also… the Metro is easy to use and awesome. Should be easy to get to everything you need from Metro stops. There is a Metro station at Regan National, if that is where you are flying in to.

One more thing… lots of great cool, out of the way restaurants in Georgetown. It’s a bit of a walk from any Metro station, but on a pleasant night, it could be worth checking out.

By: Jonathan Ahl

Jonathan Ahl — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:34:12 +0000

I’ve been to DC seven times (five in the past 10 years).

Here are my thoughts:

Must see/do:
-Smithsonian. I could spend five days there alone.
-Holocaust memorial. Get there before it opens, but worth it.

Should see/do:
-Vietnam memorial. Powerful.
-Arlington National Cemetary (if it’s really hot, it may be rough)
-Library of Congress. Suprising number of cool exhibits.
-National Gallery of Art (if you like art museums)

Avoid:
-White House tour (lame!)
-Bureau of Engraving and Printing (sounds cool in the brochure, but poorly organized and way too crowded.)
-Top of the Washington Monument (way too much waiting for not enough payoff)

There’s my $0.02.

By: Cory

Cory — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:48:43 +0000

I’ve been twice, but the first time was in 5th grade with the Safety Patrols, and the second time was in 7th grade. I really don’t remember much from 15 minutes ago, nevermind 15 years. One thing I do recall is wishing I had more time at the Smithsonian, so make sure you save a day for it.