Washington DC vacation

[NipponPoke]

Question for Hollywood and others....

I've got a full week at the end of the month free in DC. I've been before but only for a few days.

Planning on hitting the standard Smithsonian/Art Galleries/Fords Theater/Air&Space Museum/etc.

What are some good things from an insider you can recommend around town? Any good hole-in-the-wall bars or odds and ends you like to hit?

Many thanks...

 

[Cowguy]

We really enjoyed the spy museum. The national cathedral is something else as well. We also really enjoyed Georgetown.

Unbelievably expensive town. Lots of food and drink options. I'll let the natives speak to that.
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[hollywood]

Music venues, Rock: Black Cat (Dave Grohl is one of the owners), 930 Club, unfortunately is not in its original location or you may have seen the only club on the east coast that equaled CBGB's, but still has the vibe as it's been at it's current location for 20 yrs now.

If you want to see some of the politicos, the Hawk & Dove was famous for that, but it was closed down and completely renovated a year or two back. I don't know what kind of crowd they get these days, but I would imagine probably the same, as it's not far from the Capital.

So much of what I knew and where I liked to go (especially in Arlington) is gone now when they started renovations and rebuilding skyscrapers where neighborhood joints once stood. (For instance, there was an area in Arlington known as Little Saigon for the plethora of Vietnamese restaurants squeezed into a block and a half. Now, all of that is torn down and gone and I think only 1 restaurant still survives from the 8 or 9 that used to be there.

Places that had been in business 50+ years are now shuttered or gone completely, like Whitey's in Arlington, which had live music nightly and was a wonderful divey place.


For up to date recommendations, I would actually suggest using Washingtonian Magazines guide to bars and food in the DC area. They tend to be fairly good at identifying and finding the "odd" place to get a drink or food and are fairly reliable in their recommendations of mid to upper level restaurants.

 

[Anodyne]

I really liked Bluejacket Brewpub near the Navy Yard. A good way to spend part of a day is a visit to the Eastern Market weekend street market, then walk down 7th past the Marine Barracks and all the way to Navy Yard. It's a bit of a hike but not bad.

There's a bunch of hipster new stuff on H-Street but I can't vouch for it. Union Market is just off Florida NE near Galludet. It's DC's answer NYC's Chelsea Market. Much of it is very annoying, but there is some cool stuff there as far as food and crafts.

My experience with dives and holes-in-the-wall is dated past a decade. But you might check out Quarry House in Silver Spring (just a quarter mile or so north of the DC-MD line). Chief Ike's in Mt Pleasant/Adams Morgan had a killer reggae night. The Raven in Mt Pleasant was always a reliable neighborhood/dive joint but I think it trends hipster these days. A couple of drinks there would be a nice pair with some Salvadorean chow in Mt Pleasant---I preferred Ercilia's (pupusas and a steaming bowl of sopa de mariscos, ftw).

Another rewarding walk: north on Connecticut from Dupont Circle to Adams Morgan/Mt Pleasant. Make a stop at Keren (Florida/U), a family-run Eritrean cafe---you will know you're in the right when you realize you're the only non-East African there. Jaunt over to Meridian Park aka Malcolm X Park on 16th for some of the best views in the city. Or, stay on Connecticut all the way to Columbia and walk east across Rock Creek Park, or continue north on Connecticut for the zoo.

The best spot in Chinatown is Chinatown Express, where they make the noodles and dumplings by hand in house. It's OK but it doesn't sniff the level of anything in NYC or Chicago.

Great museums and monuments that people overlook: The National Portrait Gallery/Museum of American Art (Chinatown/Gallery Place), National Building Museum (amazing atrium ringed by frieze depicting Civil War Soldiers), Frederick Douglass National Park in Southeast, Fort Stevens in NE (Civil War battle site, with existing earthen works), the Civil War cemetery in NW, and the Japanese American Memorial (between Union Station and the Capitol---ring the huge pneumatic chime, and find serenity in the reflecting pool). Bull Run/Manassas is close by. There's an adjacent winery that's pretty cool.



This post was edited on 3/3 9:20 AM by Anodyne

 

[CarrolltonPoke]

I'll second the Spy Museum, it was a fun and interesting place. If you are a beer guy I recommend the District Chophouse. It is (or at least was 10 years ago) part of the Rock Bottom Brewery chain but had outstanding food and several very good brews.

 

[Dally1up]

Holocaust Memorial /Museum is must see material. Most powerful place I have walked into.

 

[squeak]

Agree with Holocaust museum.

I spend a lot of time at Post Pub near 15th and M I think. Complete dive bar. Also like the Bottomline at 17th and I. You should go to Old Ebbit and the Round Robin too. Old bars.
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[FMPoke]

You could spend a week at the Smithsonian by its self but check out the Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Holocaust Museum as mention. Arlington cemetery and all the monuments. If you have a car both Monticello and Mount Vernon are worth a trip. Great Falls State Park is also very cool.

 

[Anodyne]

Originally posted by squeak:
Agree with Holocaust museum.

I spend a lot of time at Post Pub near 15th and M I think. Complete dive bar. Also like the Bottomline at 17th and I. You should go to Old Ebbit and the Round Robin too. Old bars.
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Good calls.

 

[NipponPoke]

Great ideas, guys. Very much appreciated. Some good stuff here.

One thing about Vernon....we weren't planning on renting a car but it's looking like that's by far the best way to see Mt. Vernon. Looks like there's a lot to see there....and am not sure a tour bus would be ideal.

Also, wasn't initially interested in the Holocaust Museum but sounds like some strong recommendations here.

 

[Dally1up]

Gettysburg is not far away either. I loved it.

 

[SKC]

Ford's Theater was a good visit. It's more than just the theater. Nice museum downstairs.

Go visit the House and Senate chambers. I'm sure there's several ways to do it, but we just visited our local Senator's office and got passes.

It's probably too late to get on the list, but if you can swing a White House tour, it's something that's definitely worth the time.

 

[Poketologist]

Udvar-Hazy air and space museum out at Dulles is pretty badass. It's part of the smithsonian. Has a Concorde, a SR71 Blackbird, , a space shuttle, one of Doolittle's raiders planes, and the Enola Gay.

Would also do Arlington cemetary- tomb of the unknown soldier.

 

[nathajw]

Wow, I'm really grad I stumbled onto this thread because I just book a 3 night stay in Arlington, VA at the Embassy on Jefferson Davis Highway in May.
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[jon_osu]

1. the dubliner
2. old ebbitt grill
3. national cathedral
4. holocaust memorial
5. tomb of the unknown soldier
6. filomena ristorante in georgetown

 

[BigBobBarker]

I went 3 years ago and really enjoyed it. I was only there for a couple nights for a conference but
so I didnt get to do as much as I wanted. Korean War Memorial is excellent. Air and space museum is a must. See the actual Wright Brothers plane! How cool is that.

Ate at a couple places that i thought were excellent.
1. old ebbitt grill - great politico atmosphere I thought
2. Hanks oyster bar - best oysters I have had. They have different varieties and the taste differences are notable

 

[NipponPoke]

Excellent stuff. Many thanks, gentlemen.
Hopefully March 27 to 31 will be prime cherry blossom viewing.
This post was edited on 3/7 1:52 PM by NipponPoke

 

[SKC]

Air and space museum is a must. See the actual Wright Brothers plane! How cool is that.

As a lifetime aviation nut, seeing the Wright Flyer was definitely a highlight. In a couple of weeks, we're going to Virginia Beach for a weekend getaway and will make my first trek down to Kill Devil Hills to see the Wright Monument there. It's something I've always wanted to do, but just getting the chance to do it.

 

[NipponPoke]

Thanks again, gentlemen, for the tips.

We're off tomorrow. I'm thinking it's doubtful we'll see cherry blossoms and our request for White House tickets was denied but I'm sure everything else will be aces. Staying cater-corner from the Ford's Theater/Hard Rock so we're in a pretty decent location.