Looking for tourist tips in Washington, D.C.

[Kmvreter]

I may have a chance to visit Washington this fall. I'll be in the core and will have some time to be a tourist. I definitely want to see the big ticket places (White House, Capitol, various memorials and monuments, Smithsonian.) Not sure how longlasting the impact of 9/11 has been on access to the major public buildings so are there tours of major sites?
More importantly, are there any hidden gems you can suggest I not miss to make this a unique visit?

 

[nated05]

I was just there last spring I have relatives that live near DC. Most of the attractions on the Mall are easy to get into. If you want to do the Washington monument. it is free, but get there early because they have a limited number of passes for the day. In order to see the White House you need to contact your local senator and they will perform a backround check, I think you need at least a 3 month advance notice. We parked outside of town and took the subway in, that worked pretty good.

 

[GatorGreg]

I have a brother who lives there and one place he took us to the last time we visited was the "old postoffice". Sounds boring I know but it was actually pretty interesting and an excellent view of the city from the top. I think it may be the tallest thing there other then the Washington monument.
Here's a link to info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Post_Office_Building_(Washington)

The zoo is also pretty nice (and no I'm not referring to Congress )

 

[fitzt4r]

I commute to DC daily and have been to every museum and touristy thing many times. I grew up in the DC area and ever year in school we would take a field trip to DC.

Every museum is open to the public and most are free. The Smithsonian, Air and Space, National Archives (where the Dec of Independence is) are all free. The Old Post Office Pavillion is cool. It is basically a clock tower that you can ride an elevator up to a see most of the city from there.

You have to pay to get into the CIA Spy Museum and they just opened a Madame Tussauds wax museum that costs also.

You cannot tour the White House or the FBI Headquarters anymore after 9/11 but these are the only two places I know of that are restricted now.

Let me know if you need any other info.

Ryan

 

[Kmvreter]

Thanks for the tips.

Being a foriegner, I don't have a Senator. I wasn't thinking I would get in the White House anyway. Maybe they'll let me go knock on the front door to see if Shrub is home. I'll ask him if he has all his belongings because you are sending him packing.

Back to the tour...
I'll put the Old Post Office building on the to do list (thanks for the link.) Glad to see the place isn't in shutdown mode (I was at Cape Canaveral a month after 9/11 and it was basically locked down; you couldn't do much.) I hope to have enough free time to hit everything I want to see.

 

[Kmvreter]

I commute to DC daily and have been to every museum and touristy thing many times...

Let me know if you need any other info.

One more thing. I know there is a high crime rate and some co-workers are saying to be careful. Just how safe is it in the major tourist areas or on the metro?

 

[ALt4r]

The last time i went this was my impression. The major tourist areas are fine, downtown, the zoo, 7th street. If you move farther to the east or north it can get somewhat more dangerous. The eastern market is an example of a tourist area where there might be more crime. FYI, I visited all over DC and didn't get robbed or witness any crime. But i hear the chances are increased in the eastern and northern part (relative to the white house area etc.)

 

[fitzt4r]

One more thing. I know there is a high crime rate and some co-workers are saying to be careful. Just how safe is it in the major tourist areas or on the metro?

The tourist areas are very safe. The police patrol and do a good job of keeping things enjoyable for tourists. I think Southwest is the bad part of town but that is all neighborhoods and you would have no reason to visit this area...

Northwest is where most of the tourist stuff is and I think you will be fine and have a good time. There is a lot to see.

 

[SonRunner]

Air and Space Museum, Holocaust Museum, Spy Museum, the Arlington Cemetary, Mt. Vernon (George Washington's home), are all worth seeing. I'm not sure if they still give tours of the FBI building, but that's pretty cool as well. National Geographic also has a nice little museum a couple blocks from the White House.

 

[SonRunner]

One more thing. I know there is a high crime rate and some co-workers are saying to be careful. Just how safe is it in the major tourist areas or on the metro?

It's not bad at all in the tourist areas. You'll know when you're in a bad part of town (South East, South West DC). And, as long as you're not in those places at night, I wouldn't even worry about it. If you get caught down there, just put some liquor in a paper bag and stagger, you'll fit in. j/k. The metro is very clean and safe, you'll have a good trip. I lived there up until a few years ago and never had any problems.

 

[SonRunner]

Back to the tour...
I'll put the Old Post Office building on the to do list (thanks for the link.)

Make sure you go up to the tower of the Old Post Office building. Once you come back down get some ice cream in the food court area... it's really good.

 

[Kmvreter]

Thanks for all the tips.