d.c.

special notes on traveling to d.c.

1. don't use your car once you get to the city. the city has a great metro system that is easy to use and safe. seriously, you don't want to deal with the traffic.

2. you can stay for cheaper outside the district. just make sure you're near a metro stop. i'm partial to the crystal city/pentagon city area myself.

3. some general site seeing activities:
--the monuments. there are tours that take you around the national mall monuments, but it's really just as easy and satisfying to do your own walking tour. especially in the late evening. again, very safe area, and it's a good stroll all the way around hitting the washington monument, jefferson memorial, roosevelt monument, lincoln memorial, vietnam memorial, etc but it's not too long.
--the smithsonians. first, natural history - in my opinion a must. and to do it justice you need maybe 4 hours. i know some people just pick 1 or 2 exhibits and see those instead of the whole museum but by doing this, you really miss out. second, american history, can be done in 2 hours. some interesting exhibits for those who enjoy seeing strands of our nation's past. third, air and space. probably my least favorite, but then again, i'm not big into mechanical things. next trip, i intend to hit up the american indian museum. udvar-hazy - again, if you like looking at planes, you'll enjoy. myself...ehhh. national gallery of art - love. see what special exhibits are being shown in the west building. last time i was there, it was art and sculpture from pompeii. awesome. the permanent exhibitions are in the east building. and there's a great cafe between the two (underground).
--the holocaust museum. definitely worth a visit, though it's very thought provoking so make sure your children are age appropriate. it's very moving to see the stories throughout the the museum.
--arlington national cemetary. lots of walking, but a great place to visit. see the change of the guard at the grave of the unknown soldier and make the trek up to the lee mansion where you can get an oustanding view of the city from l'enfant's grave.
--national cathedral (shrine of immaculate conception). great for architecture lovers. certainly worth a visit.
--spend an afternoon walking around one of d.c.'s great neighborhoods. georgetown and old town alexandria are two top choices. both have lots of shops, great restaurants, and gorgeous townhomes to drool over.