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I want to go probably in the springtime, but I have some questions. Are the Smithsonian museums open on weekends (I think the answer's no) and how far is Quantico VA (the new Marine museum) from DC as well as Arlington National Cemetary (is that real close to the Pentagon?). Is Arlington walking distance from, say, the Lincoln Memorial?Does DC offer good shuttle services for tourists?
Are the Smithsonian museums open on weekends (I think the answer's no)
Yes, they are open on weekends and they're free, which is pretty awesome. I'd suggest the Museum of American History (south side of the Mall)....depending on how much time you'll be in D.C. you may want to visit it on more than one occasion rather than doing one long bomb session there. There's also a cool Aero & Space museum on the north side of the Mall which is pretty neat. It has items from the history of aviation including some old (or replicas?) missiles which carried nuclear warheads (these things are huge, so it's cool to see them).
how far is Quantico VA (the new Marine museum) from DC as well as Arlington National Cemetary (is that real close to the Pentagon?).
I think that Quantico is actually a few hours from D.C. - probably at least 3 hours. Arlington National Cemetery is right next to D.C. but on the Virginia side of the Potomac. Yes, it is pretty close to the Pentagon.
Is Arlington walking distance from, say, the Lincoln Memorial? Does DC offer good shuttle services for tourists?
I don't think you'd want to walk from D.C. to Virginia as it is much easier simply to take the Metro (this is the best way to get around in D.C.). There are Metro stops all around the Mall and touristy parts of D.C. and No. Virginia, and once you understand how it works you'll be able to go wherever you want.If you're going in the Spring you might be able to catch the Cherry Blossom Festival when the Tidal Basin (where the Jefferson Memorial and other landmarks are located) is lit up with blooming trees. Pretty nice buy pretty busy with tourists during that time.For a guy like you I'd suggest going to the International Spy Museum in D.C. which is not far from the MCI Center (On I Street and 6th, I believe). It's got a lot of interesting historical stuff and it put together quite nicely. When I went there I caught an exhibition entitled "The Enemy Within" which discussed the history of domestic terrorism in the United States.
Thank you, Phid! That's excellent information. I've been there twice, but not for a long time, and both times it was just day trips. Once I just went to the National Gallery of Art and saw some of the monuments real quick. Another time, I went to the Natural History museum and the Air and Space Museum. One day was not even close to being enough time.The spy museum sounds interesting, the American History museum website says it's closed until 2008 :-(, and I'm guessing that's where all the military history is?I'm driving down, so I'll just drive to Arlington and Quantico. I'm thinking 3 days could do some justice. Plus I'll be alone so I don't have see anything I don't want. 😀
Let me know when you are planning to go. Dad and I were talking about going and we could possibly meet up there.
Good idea. Not sure when. As Phid said, the cherry blossom season gets crowded, so it may not be that time. Let me know when you're going. Maybe Phid or others can join us as well. Make it a Western Civ DC-fest.
That sounds cool! I went to D.C. when I was in Boy Scouts almost 20 years ago. I went to the Jamboree outside the city and we toured everything. I got to see the city from atop the Washington Monument, toured the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, saw JFK's grave and Arlington National Cemetary, and toured the Capitol Building. We toured the Smithsonian as well. We went during the Cherry Blossom time and it was pretty. My Dad has never been and he wants to go. Oh I saw the Vietnam Memorial too, and that was probably the best thing. I'm sure they've added several more memorials since I was there last.
I had been meaning to get out there at some undefined time to visit friends, but I haven't been able to do so in a while. Unfortunately I'm not sure when I'll have time to do so; I'm already going out to NY for a wedding in March so my allotment of trips is being “configurated”. Well, I could tell you the names of some bars to visit in D.C. at least….
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