Just found out that I’m going to the DC/Arlington, VA area the last part of February.
I am flying into Reagan on the 24th and my course doesn’t start until 1:00 on the 25th. I haven’t been to DC since I was 10 so I want to do some type of touristy thing. Plus, I want to check out any art museums. My hotel is about a mile from the airport.
I have already talked to Gobear and we are going to try and get together for dinner some time. Anybody else interested?
The bad thing is that I don’t think I’m renting a car so my transportation will be rather limited unless somebody is free and wants to be my tour guide for a couple hours. I’ll even buy your lunch!
I will have to put in some study time each night for the exam I’ll take on Saturday but I still want to meet up with as many people as I can.
So, who is in the area and wants to show me some Northern hospitality?
My dear, we are in The South. The North starts at the Pennsylvania border.
You’ll be able to get around anywhere on the DC Metro, it’s pretty extensive. You need to narrow down what kind of art museum you’d like to go to, as well - the Smithsonian alone has something like 13 buildings.
It’s our little dude’s birthday party on the 24th, but how long will you be in DC? We may be able to meet you a different night, but without knowing your schedule I can’t synch it with yours.
Gobear I’ve sent you an email this morning giving you a little more of my plans.
Gingy I’ll be in town the 24th through the 28th. My class starts at 1:00 on the 25th but I’m free that night. I’ll be in class all day on the 26th but again, free that night…same deal on the 27th.
I’ll have an hour or so lunch break every day but unless someone is really close to my hotel then I doubt I’ll be able to meet up with anybody for lunch.
Basically, I’m free all day on the 24th once my flight gets in and then until 1:00 on the 25th. I want to fit in as much as I can while I’m there.
Like I said, I haven’t been to DC since I was 10 so I don’t remember much.
You guys tell me what are must sees and I’ll go from there. Mainly I just want to make sure I don’t get lost!
My hotel is on Jefferson Davis Highway…the Sheraton Crystal City.
I’m making my flight arrangements today. Would it be better to fly into Baltimore and take a cab to the hotel or just stick to flying into Reagan?
After poking around on the net a little how about some of these attractions?
National Gallery of Art
Holocaust Museum
Naturally a walk around the sights at the reflecting pool
I am even thinking about extending my stay through the weekend and seeing if Sauron and the oldest minion could fly up to join me on Friday. The minion loves historical type stuff and since the hotel will be paid for all but one night and flights aren’t terribly expensive… Hmmmm…
Another thing…late February weather in DC…I’m going to freeze my ass off, right? Will there be snow?
Crystal City is right next to Reagan National. It’s one stop on the Metro, or a few bucks for cab / hotel shuttle fare.
Cab fare from Dulles to Crystal City should be a lot less than from BWI. If you get a really cheap ticket into Dulles, that might be worth it. Check your prices.
AOP: If you fly into Reagan National, stay seated!
Done properly each of the museums here would take day easy.
I would merely note that, from what I am told, the only Da Vinci in the Western World (or the US, or something) is in the Gallery. It is fairly noticeable since it is in the middle of the room where it is situated.
There is also a massive collection of both sculpture and painting. I took fizzy there this past summer; it was her first gallery and I’m not sure it can be beat, at least in this country.
The Holocaust museum … well, I have a morbid sense of curiousity. If you are intrigued by some things that other people are horrified by, you will find yourself being asked to leave when the place closes. It is … it will take you a while. The sheer volume of material is tremendous.
See, aren’t you glad you didn’t splurge on that MPB? Seriously, though, I have class MWF, but if you can hold out on leaving until the … 28th, possibly the 29th, then the chances of me being able to get up there to see you (with fizzy in tow, one hopes) increase. But I don’t think I could drive 900 miles Monday night (after having had class until 845, in theory), then stay until mid-late Tuesday, then drive back and be in any sort of shape for anything but a very long nap.
It’ll probably be cold. Metro will probably be fairly warm as long as you’re not using one of them above-ground stations. I’d bring good socks and such, but you’re not exactly staying with inuit people for a year;)
If you decide to visit the Holocaust Museum, let me know which day and how many people and I can swing you some VIP tickets. (No waiting in line) My younger brother is a researcher / exhibit designer for the museum.
I may be up for a little Ethiopian, or for that matter, a big one!
iampunha I certainly would love to meet you and fizzy but I wouldn’t dream of you driving 900 miles in one day to do so! I am trying to finalize my plans this week so I’ll know more about how long I’ll be in town.
dbygawdcapn I really do want to visit the museum I am just worried about having enough time to fit everything in. It doesn’t look like Sauron is going to be able to come with me so I’ll be on my own. I would love to meet you if you have the time.
I’ve ordered a Metro visitor kit to try and study the maps and figure out how to get where I’m going. That is a huge fear of mine…getting lost when I travel. I don’t travel much by myself, in fact, this will be the first trip I’ve gone on by myself and actually ventured out past my hotel. But, I want to get out and see the sights so I’m going to go for it this time. If I get lost, I am sure there will be some friendly person to point me to the right rail or bus to take back to my hotel.
Seriously, though, I have class MWF, but if you can hold out on leaving until the … 28th, possibly the 29th, then the chances of me being able to get up there to see you (with fizzy in tow, one hopes) increase. But I don’t think I could drive 900 miles Monday night (after having had class until 845, in theory), then stay until mid-late Tuesday, then drive back and be in any sort of shape for anything but a very long nap.