Washington DC (trip this summer)

[Koronin]

Thank you.

Apparently I made a mistake telling my mom that we are planning on using the metro while we're in DC instead of driving. She is sure we'll get attacked, beaten up, robbed and possibly killed just because we are going to take public transportation. UGH!! I know I cannot in anyway tell her we'll be alright. My plan is use to the metro for a couple of reasons, the main one being we do NOT know DC at all. The last time I was there was about 15 years ago when I was in high school. My husband has never been in DC. So it will be a lot simpler to use the metro to get where we're going. Then there's the whole saving money thing. Between not knowing where we're going, the cost of gas and the cost of parking I would think taking the metro would be cheaper. (It may not be, but it will definitely be easier.)

[Possegal]

Oh most definitely metro it!! And honestly, as public transportation goes, it is really quite safe compared to most other cities.

[Koronin]

Thank you for comfirming what I was thinking.

[Selkie]

Agree that the Metro is relatively safe.

If you get a chance, check out Eastern Market.

When you are down by the cemetery, visit the USMC memorial, too. The 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon is another good place to visit. One of my favorite things to do is walk the Tidal Basin in the early morning---check out the FDR memorial, which is along the path.

[Xrayted]

The Air and Space Museum is popular and one of my favorites. Someone mentioned the Holocaust Museum. Very riveting. You will walk out changed in some ways. You will need to make reservations for a time though, if you do that one. People like to take their time and really read most of it, take it all in. It's incredible. For that reason, they limit how many per hour are allowed entrance. It's still pretty many, but if you don't get a time ahead of time, you will be SOL. They won't let you in because there just aren't any tix left. I loved the natural history and the art museum, but the two I mentioned, there are things in those you can only see in DC. That makes them top of my list if I only were going to take one day to go to the mall. You do have the Kennedy Center not too far away and could do an evening show, if you have time.

The Washington Monument is cool and people bring their kites to fly around it, down on the mound at the base. The Lincoln Memorial is definitely a favorite of mine, but is a bit away from the rest I mentioned. You can stroll the long reflecting pool, made so famous in many movies over the years. If you don't do the Art Museum, at least go down to the food court. The waterfall is really cool.

Also, even if you wanted to drive, there is only one parking space for a million people there. Take the Metro. It pops up all over the mall area and is faster, safe and kinda fun to ride. Traffic and how things are named will drive you nuts if you drive. I tried it not once, but twice. Never again. Also, if any of you are staying outside of DC, on weekends, the park and ride parking fee is free. You just have to pay for the Metro. Well worth it, IMO. I used to be able to ride pretty much wherever, all day, for about $5 each person. I'm sure it's gone up a bit in the last 5 years but still, so much better than driving.

[indysteel]

Someone mentioned the Holocaust Museum. Very riveting. You will walk out changed in some ways. You will need to make reservations for a time though, if you do that one. People like to take their time and really read most of it, take it all in. It's incredible. For that reason, they limit how many per hour are allowed entrance. It's still pretty many, but if you don't get a time ahead of time, you will be SOL.

It is riveting and definitely provides an extremely profound experience. It's the most memorable museum I've ever been to--and I've been to a lot. If nothing else, it is a beautifully designed public space. Like I said, it may not be someone's cup of tea on a vacation, but I'm so glad I've been there (multiple times, actually). Admittedly, the first time I went there, I spent an hour crying at the Mall afterwards, but it was a life-altering experience.

[Koronin]

Thank you all for your comments and help. I drove in DC once and got lost and it took me 3 hours to find a way out of DC and to one of the freeways. I swore then never to do that again. I thought the metro would be best. I think my mom is just afraid of all public transportation. The city I grew up in (and where she still lives) does not have any public transportation.