Historical 5 Day Trip to the Nations Capital

Description:

This trip is designed to give you a thorough overview of some of the DC areas best historical and cultural landmarks. It includes many of the monuments and museums that makes DC postcards, but it also includes time to get out of the city, relax, and enjoy some of the beauty of the areas surrounding the district. It is a complete trip for someone who has never visited before, and the majority of the daytime activities would be perfect for a family. This trip can be easily customized ? although the days are packed with museums and monuments, one can easily add or remove many of the activities depending on interests. None of the dinner options included are inexpensive, but they are a sampling of some of the best and most unique restaurants in the city.

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Author: Jennifer


Day 1 - Washington DC, Arlington


Day 1. Welcome. Start your visit in Georgetown. You can easily walk there by heading to DuPont Circle, and walking down New Hampshire (south). One you get to M street, make a right. You can sign up for a historical tour in advance – it is one of the best ways to see one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods. After lunch, head over the bridge (either take a cab or drive if you have a car) and head to Arlington National Cemetery. Ask the cab driver to drive you past the Imo Jima Memorial, then spend the afternoon at Arlington National Cemetery. Be sure and walk up the hill to see the Custis-Lee House and enjoy one of the best panorama’s of Washington. Head back into DC, and enjoy dinner at Vidalia, a southern restaurant that is walking distance from your hotel (reservations required). After dinner, take in an independent film at the Landmark E Street cinema before heading back to the interesting and unique Tabard Inn.


1

Hotel Tabard Inn

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Location:

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1739 N Street Northwest
Between 17th and 18th sts
Washington DC, DC 20036

Phone:

+1 202 785 1277


2

Georgetown House Tour

Location:

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3240 O Street Northwest
St. John's Church
Washington DC, DC 20007

Phone:

+1 202 338 2287


4

Arlington National Cemetery

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Location:

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Arlington National Cemetery
Just across the Memorial Bridge from the base of the Lincoln Memorial
Arlington, VA 22226

Phone:

(703) 607-8000


6

Vidalia

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Location:

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1990 M Street
Washington DC, DC 20036

Phone:

1 202 659 1990


7

Landmark's E Street Cinema

Location:

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555 11th Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20004

Phone:

202 452 7672


Day 2 - Washington DC


Start day 2 your day off in DuPont Circle. Stroll the shops along Connecticut Avenue. If you feel like a hot dog, head to one of DC’s famous institution, Ben’s Chili Bowl, for a chili half-smoke or some chili cheese fries for lunch. Get on the Green Line/Yellow line and head down to the mall. While on the mall visit some of DC’s best museums, including the moving Holocaust Museum and the Air and Space Museum. Head back up towards DuPont Circle, and if you have time, stop in Chinatown to see the National Portrait Gallery. Then head back to DuPont Circle and walk just north of the circle to Bistro Du Coin, a relaxing French bistro. If you still feel like heading out, head to Local 16 or the recently opened Marvin’s (14th and U) for a couple of drinks on the roof deck.


1

Dupont Circle

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Location:

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Connecticut Avenue
Washington DC, DC 20036

Phone:

+1 202 789 7000 (Tourist Information)


2

Ben's Chili Bowl

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Location:

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1213 U Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20009

Phone:

1 202 667 0909


3

National Air and Space Museum

Location:

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6th Street and Independence Avenue Southwest
On Independence Ave. SW, between 4th and 7th sts., on the south side of the Mall, with entrances on Jefferson Dr. or Independence Ave
Washington DC, DC 20576

Phone:

+1 202 633 1000


4

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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Location:

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100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW
Formerly 15th St. SW; near Independence Ave., just off the Mall
Washington DC, DC 20250

Phone:

+1 202 488 0400 / +1 202 488 0406


5

National Museum of Natural History

Location:

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10th Street and Constutution Avenue, Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20560

Phone:

+1 202 633 1000 / +1 202 357 1729


6

National Portrait Gallery

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Location:

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8th & F Sts NW
Washington DC, DC 20560

Phone:

+1 202 275 1738


7

Bistrot du Coin

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Location:

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1738 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20009

Phone:

1 202 234 6969


8

Local 16

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Location:

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1602 U Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20009

Phone:

1 202 265 2828


Day 3 - Washington DC


Day 3 is all about memorials and monuments. Head back down from the mall and start your day at the Lincoln Memorial. You can spend the morning and most of the afternoon walking between the Jefferson, Vietnam, Korean, World War II, and FDR memorials. Be sure and walk to the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. After spending the day outdoors, head to Belga Café for mussels and frites. If you still have energy, close out the day at the DC Improv.


1

Lincoln Memorial

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Location:

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900 Ohio Drive Southwest
National Mall & Memorial Park
Washington DC, DC 20024

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841


2

National World War II Memorial

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Location:

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National Mall
On 17th St., near Constitution Ave. NW
Washington DC, DC 20024

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841


3

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Location:

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900 Ohio Drive Southwest
National Mall & Memorial Park
Washington DC, DC 20024

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841


4

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Location:

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900 Ohio Drive, Southwest
Northeast of the Lincoln Memorial, east of Henry Bacon Dr. (btw. 21st and 22nd sts. NW, on the Constitution Ave. NW side of the Mall)
Washington DC, DC 20576

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841 / +1 202 485 9880


5

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Location:

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French Drive Southwest
Southeast of the Lincoln Memorial, on the Independence Ave. SW side of the Mall
Washington DC, DC 20001

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841


6

National Mall

Location:

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900 Ohio Drive, Southwest
Washington DC, DC 20024

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841


7

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (FDR)

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Location:

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900 Ohio Drive Southwest
Washington DC, DC 20024

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841


8

United States Botanic Garden

Location:

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100 Maryland Ave. SW
Between 1st and 3rd sts. SW, at the foot of the Capitol on the National Mall
Washington DC, DC 20216

Phone:

+1 202 479 3211 / +1 202 479 3030


9

Library of Congress

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Location:

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101 Independence Ave. SE
At 1st St. SE
Washington DC, DC 20541

Phone:

+1 202 633 4674


10

Belga Café

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Location:

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514 8th Street, SE
At Pennsylvania Ave
Washington DC, DC 20003

Phone:

1 202 544 0100


11

The Improv

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Location:

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1140 Connecticut Ave. NW
btw. L and M sts
Washington DC, DC 20036

Phone:

202/296-7008


Day 4 - Washington DC


Days 4 and 5 are focused outside of the city, primarily, so if you would like to change hotels to the Hyatt in Arlington, now is the time to do it. Given the intensity of days 1-3, day 4 is designed to be slightly less packed with things to do. Start out by heading to the second branch of the Air and Space Museum. This is located at Dulles Airport, and can be accessed via bus from the downtown Air and Space Museum or more easily via car. Return to the city and head to the Dancing Crab, where you can spend the afternoon participating in a DC tradition, cracking and eating blue crab. After dinner, head back to Georgetown for the evening. If you like Motown and Jazz head to the Saloun, where there is live music and a huge selection of draft beers.


2

National Air and Space Museum at Dulles (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)

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Location:

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14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Washington DC, VA 20151

Phone:

202.633.1000


3

Dancing Crab (The)

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Location:

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4611 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20016

Phone:

1 202 244 1882


4

Saloun

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Location:

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3239 M Street Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20007

Phone:

202 965 4900


Day 5 - Washington DC


Day 5 takes you, once again, outside of the city. Drive up to Great Falls park and spend the morning and early afternoon outdoors. Perhaps pack a picnic basket and sit and watch the waterfalls. After lunch, head to Mount Vernon, which is located just 20 minutes south of DC. Spend the afternoon at Mount Vernon, before heading back to Arlington for one of DC’s best deals on steaks, at Ray’s (reservations required). If you are still up for a party after dinner, head to Whitlow’s, just up the street (on Wilson Blvd.) from Ray’s, for some beers with the locals.


2

Mount Vernon

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Location:

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3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Washington DC, VA 22121

Phone:

+1 703 780 2000


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