Our Trip to Washington, D.C.

Let me first say that we had a GREAT time in our nation's capitol.  It was a better trip than I expected.  My wife, kids, and my mom and dad all think I'm the "Turbo tour guy".  That's ok.  We got to see a TON of stuff in 4 days.  And we didn't just "rush" through it.  But we didn't read every little plaque either.  I would say it was a great balance.  If you want to visit D.C., below is how our days worked out. 

Here's how it went down. 

Thursday, October 6th.
Left Mobile, AL at 2:30 P.M.  Flew to Atlanta, then on to BWI in Baltimore.  We met my parents in the ATL airport, and flew to BWI together.  This was our kids' first time to fly.  They were champs!!

We actually stayed in Crystal City, VA.  It's by Reagen Intl airport, but it was cheaper to fly to BWI.
We rented a Super Shuttle for our transportation.  We did an exclusive van, b/c it was only $10 more than one that we would've shared with others.  And there were already 6 of us. 

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City.  Very nice hotel.  Our check-in was smooth.  The hotel guest services was great in answering any questions we had (metro maps, possible tours, holding our luggage, etc.).  We had a King size bed in our room and a couch.  One kid slept on the couch each night, and one slept with us.  This was out of necessity to save on costs. 

Each morning, we took a free shuttle (courtesy of the Hyatt) to the METRO, D.C.'s version of the Subway.  This was our primary mode of transportation.  We bought prepaid METRO cards once to the station.  Paid for these with a debit/credit card.  We loaded $15 each on 4 cards to cover our costs.  We wound up having to add a little more to finish out our last day.  Total we spent about $21 each on the METRO over our time there.  BTW....you can download an app for your android phone that was a GREAT help for us. 

Friday, October 7th
Got on shuttle at Hyatt headed to Crystal City Metro station.
--Took Metro to Union Station.  Walked around for a bit to see the station. 
--Walked about 2-3 blocks to the Supreme Court building.  Cool stuff.  Saw the actual Supreme Court room.  Viewed some exhibits. 
--Went to Senator Wicker's office in the Dirkson building for our Capitol tour.  Met up with our intern/tour guide Brad.  He was great!!
--Capitol building.  Brad took us underground to the Capitol, and we got a full tour with him.  Viewed the Capitol movie (13 min. long). 
--Brad took us around the Capitol, and showed us some cool stuff.  (The cornerstone of the Capitol laid by George Washington.  It's basically in a small room that no one goes into.  One of those cool things you get to see on a private tour.) 
--Melanie's friend, Michelle, met up with us in the Capitol rotunda.  They cried.  Almost made me cry. 
--Went into the House of Rep. room.  The Senate was not in session and was closed. 
--We ate in the Capitol cafe.  Good food.  Plenty. 

--After our Capitol tour, we went back to Wicker's office to pick up our backpacks (can't carry bags into the Capitol).  Cameras....yes. 
--Library of Congress.  Saw some exhibits here.  Gershwin room, Kids' reading room, the building.  Bible exhibit.  Others.  Lots to see. 
--Then we walked down to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.  This was really good as well.  Tons of things to see!!
--We walked out onto the Mall....took a few pics and headed back on the Metro to Crystal City. 
--Ate at Ted's Montana Grill that night with Michelle and Mike. 

Saturday, October 8th (Marathon Day)
I had a plan this day.  I wanted to see as much as possible.  I was on a mission.
--Took shuttle to Metro.  Took Metro to Smithsonian metro station.  Came out right on the Mall.
--Walked to Washington Monument.
--Walked to World War II Memorial.  HIGHLIGHT OF MY TRIP:  Seeing the WWII Veterans on the Honor Flight at the WWII Memorial.  I was speechless.  So thankful for those guys.  They won't be around in 10 years.  It was something the next generation won't see.....the actual guys who fought for our freedom there at the memorial of those who were killed.  Amazing!!
--White House Tour.  We walked a nice little hike to the White House for our tour at 11 A.M.  No bags of any type.  No cameras.  Only your cell phone and keys allowed inside.  Wallets too.  You can only take pics outside.  Good tour if you can get one.  Not my highlight though.  Kids liked it.  And everyone should go if you could. 

--We then started what I will call "the Trek".  Although it probably started that morning with the Washington. 
--We ate a block West of the White House at a Cosi.  Great food for lunch. 
--Walked to the Vietnam Memorial. 
--Walked to the Lincoln Memorial.  This is what Malaree really wanted to see. 
--Walkedd to the Korean War Memorial. 
--Walked to the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. 
--Walked to the FDR Memorial.  This is mine and Melanie's favorite.  We arrived right at 2 p.m. and got to walk through it with the Ranger talking with us.  Like a personal tour.  We LOVE this Memorial. 
--Walked to the Jefferson. 
--Walked to the Bureau of Engraving.  Closed on the weekend. 
--Took Metro back to Hotel. 
--Ate at a Chili's not far from our hotel. 
The above proved to be A LOT of walking.  We did not "rush" through these.  But we didn't read everything either.  All of this can be done in a day.  If you wanted a day not quite as rushed, do the above without the White House tour. 

Sunday, October 9th
--Took shuttle to Metro. 
--Took Metro to Arlington National Cemetary.
--Went to Kennedys' gravesite.
--Went to Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.
--Watched the Changing of the Guard. 
--Got back on Metro, got off at Smithsonian metro station.
--Went to Holocaust Museum.
--Ate lunch.
--Went to Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. 
--Took Metro back to Crystal City Station. 
--Ate at Portofino's Italian restaurant.

Monday, October 10th
--Checked out of hotel.  Left our luggage with guest services. 
--Took shuttle to Crystal City Metro
--Went to Dept. of Archives to see Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights.  Many others exhibits as well.  Went into the vaults. 
--Ford's Theater.  Where Lincoln was shot.  This was REALLY COOL.  I walked with the kids up on the balcony and walked right up to the booth where he was sitting when he was shot.  They have a great museum here. 
--Ate lunch at another Cosi's. 
--Petersen House.  House where Lincoln was taken after he was shot.  This is where he died. 
--Smithsonian Museum of American History.
--Sculpture Art Garden/Park.
--Navy Memorial.
--Paul's.  A real pastry type shop.  Had an awesome Chocolate Beignet.
--Took Metro back to hotel. 
--Picked our luggage up from guest services.
--Took Super Shuttle to hotel near BWI. 
--Ate at G&M Seafood.  Great crabcakes.

Tuesday, October 11th
--Fly home.  BWI to ATL to MOB. 
--Arrived at home. 

Comments

[carly]

Sounds like my kind of trip! I love the pack as much in as I possibly can. Who knows when you'll go back? And that way you can vacation in other places. I spent a brief day in DC when we drove up to Maryland with the church like 11-12 years ago... I love history. Glad the kids could keep up with all of the walking. I'm sure you all slept great at night!