Washington Trip in 2 weeks

[Harms88]

Crime in DC is not that bad. I go into DC all the time and have never had problem.

Air and Space is NOT near Dulles. That is the annex. Air and Space is on the Mall at the base of Capitol Hill.

The crime has never been something we've heard as a something that needed to super worried about. Big cities always have crime and I lived right next to downtown Denver for 6 months and people were always saying that I was going to be mugged and killed and nothing happened. Not that it can't happen, just be careful.

Biggest thing I've heard and read has always been the traffic situation. I wouldn't even be renting a car and tackling the Virginia side of DC if it wasn't for the wife.

 

[bdtex]

I wouldn't even be renting a car and tackling the Virginia side of DC if it wasn't for the wife.

You've learned well grasshopper .

 

[Harms88]

You've learned well grasshopper .

She's especially for it since she's not going to be the one driving.

 

[JeffBrooks]

Crime in DC is not that bad. I go into DC all the time and have never had problem.

I have taken groups of 8th grade kids to D.C. every summer for the last several years. Going again in June. At no point has any thought of crime ever disturbed my thoughts, any more than it would in any big city.

 

[JerryD]

The crime has never been something we've heard as a something that needed to super worried about. Big cities always have crime and I lived right next to downtown Denver for 6 months and people were always saying that I was going to be mugged and killed and nothing happened. Not that it can't happen, just be careful.

Biggest thing I've heard and read has always been the traffic situation. I wouldn't even be renting a car and tackling the Virginia side of DC if it wasn't for the wife.

Yeah, DC traffic is pretty bad. And its worse on the Virginia side. Seems like you have really done your homework on your trip. Enjoy!

This probably goes without saying, but when you visit Arlington you have check out Arlington House, Lee's former home and where he got married. It has an amazing view of DC from the front steps and is pretty neat to see where Lee lived. Kennedy's gravesite and the Eternal Flame are also right at the base of the hill.

 

[David Moore]

So the wife and I will be in DC between March 27-April 2 and here's our current historical sites list of when we are visiting them if anyone wants to meet up and be our tour guides to a few out of the stuff, we'd be glad to have the local knowledge! I'm only going to list the historical stuff since this is a history buff website!

Thursday 28th -

- Mt Vernon
- Arlington Cemetery
- Old Town Alexandria

Friday 29th -

- Lincoln Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- WW2 & Vietnam Memorials
- Smithsonian Museums - Air & Space, American History, Natural History

Saturday 30th - (Baltimore)

- Babe Ruth House
- North Point Battlefield (maybe, depends on time)
- Fort McHenry
- B&O Museum
- Baltimore Ships

Sunday 31st

- Lincoln's Cottage
- Fords Theatre and Peterson House
- International Spy Museum
- Fort Stevens & Battlegroubd Cemetery (depending on time)
- African American Civil war Museum (depending on time)
- The Chinese restaurant at the Surrat Boarding House

Monday 1st (Winchester)

- Patsy Cline House
- Kernstown Battlefield (if they allow, it's offseason but I emailed them asking about it)
- Balls Bluff (as a stop heading out)
- Stonewall Jackson HQ (depending on time/wife approval)
- Third Winchester Battlefield
- Cedar Creek
- Manassas Battlefield (possibly, depending on time and if I want to tackle that traffic heading back)

Thoughts, impressions and so forth are welcome!

Thoughts from someone who has lived his entire life in DC AND has been in the tour business for 40 years:
If you haven't gotten them yet you need to get tickets for Ford's Theater and Downtown ( National Mall) Air and Space museum. Only about 1/3 of the museum is open to the public but that's still a lot. There are several variations on Ford's tour tickets ranging from a walk through to Museum, Ranger Talk and Peterson House which would take an hour and half. Wok and Roll/Mary Surratt House is a short walk from Ford's. Rangers can tell you how to get there.
Washington Monument tickets are also nice if you can get them. https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/234635/ticket/193
I'm not sure when and where you will have a car. There is parking at Lincoln Cottage. Finding it is tricky however so use GPS.
Ft Stevens is not too far away. It's basically a small city park with signage and a cannon. There is a nearby cemetery on Georgia Avenue. I lived in the area as a small child and played in the park.
Not sure what the parking situation is at African American CW Memorial. It is above a metro station. Contact them for more info. https://afroamcivilwar.org/
B&O Museum had parking last time I was there. Babe Ruth House didn't. It's a short walk from Oriole ballpark.
North Point Battlefield is in the eastern suburb of Dundalk. I seem to recall it as a park in an urban setting. Again GPS is helpful
Visit Ft McHenry first. The Rangers there can give you advice about visiting North Point and what is actually there to see.
There is no free parking in downtown DC or Baltimore.
Your itinerary is ambitious. Prioritize what you want to see.
To visit Ball's Bluff will require some hiking in a hilly wooded area.
I'd suggest taking routes 50 or 7 to Winchester and making some stops at CW marker sites.

Crime is in fact a problem in DC but not in the Federal areas and not in the downtown area during daytime. Sadly the area around (Gen Thomas) Circle is an area that has seen an increase in carjackings and street robberies. Crime has seeped into residential areas that were generally considered safe and that has resulted in a bill being passed and signed this week to take stronger anti crime measures. In addition two city council members are facing recall votes over crime.
None of this should affect your visit.

 

[Harms88]

Thoughts from someone who has lived his entire life in DC AND has been in the tour business for 40 years:
If you haven't gotten them yet you need to get tickets for Ford's Theater and Downtown ( National Mall) Air and Space museum. Only about 1/3 of the museum is open to the public but that's still a lot. There are several variations on Ford's tour tickets ranging from a walk through to Museum, Ranger Talk and Peterson House which would take an hour and half. Wok and Roll/Mary Surratt House is a short walk from Ford's. Rangers can tell you how to get there.
Washington Monument tickets are also nice if you can get them. https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/234635/ticket/193
I'm not sure when and where you will have a car. There is parking at Lincoln Cottage. Finding it is tricky however so use GPS.
Ft Stevens is not too far away. It's basically a small city park with signage and a cannon. There is a nearby cemetery on Georgia Avenue. I lived in the area as a small child and played in the park.
Not sure what the parking situation is at African American CW Memorial. It is above a metro station. Contact them for more info. https://afroamcivilwar.org/
B&O Museum had parking last time I was there. Babe Ruth House didn't. It's a short walk from Oriole ballpark.
North Point Battlefield is in the eastern suburb of Dundalk. I seem to recall it as a park in an urban setting. Again GPS is helpful
Visit Ft McHenry first. The Rangers there can give you advice about visiting North Point and what is actually there to see.
There is no free parking in downtown DC or Baltimore.
Your itinerary is ambitious. Prioritize what you want to see.
To visit Ball's Bluff will require some hiking in a hilly wooded area.
I'd suggest taking routes 50 or 7 to Winchester and making some stops at CW marker sites.

Crime is in fact a problem in DC but not in the Federal areas and not in the downtown area during daytime. Sadly the area around (Gen Thomas) Circle is an area that has seen an increase in carjackings and street robberies. Crime has seeped into residential areas that were generally considered safe and that has resulted in a bill being passed and signed this week to take stronger anti crime measures. In addition two city council members are facing recall votes over crime.
None of this should affect your visit.

We already got tickets to Fords Theater and Peterson House. We also got the Air and Space Museum as well.

I definitely am working with things that are not so important being less prioritized over stuff that is much more important. Such as Fort Stevens and the AACW Museum can be dropped as the same as North Point Battlefield depending on time. So it's ambitious, but certainly flexible enough that we can save time for the more important stuff. As I've mentioned, it's a late birthday present to the wife, so her stuff will come first!

 

[JeffBrooks]

This probably goes without saying, but when you visit Arlington you have check out Arlington House, Lee's former home and where he got married. It has an amazing view of DC from the front steps and is pretty neat to see where Lee lived. Kennedy's gravesite and the Eternal Flame are also right at the base of the hill.

The grave of Phil Kearny is also close by, capped with an impressive statue. A must-see for anyone interested in the Civil War.

 

[JeffBrooks]

We already got tickets to Fords Theater and Peterson House.

Warning - be prepared to stand outside in the hot sun for a little while.

 

[David Moore]

We already got tickets to Fords Theater and Peterson House. We also got the Air and Space Museum as well.

I definitely am working with things that are not so important being less prioritized over stuff that is much more important. Such as Fort Stevens and the AACW Museum can be dropped as the same as North Point Battlefield depending on time. So it's ambitious, but certainly flexible enough that we can save time for the more important stuff. As I've mentioned, it's a late birthday present to the wife, so her stuff will come first!

She'll like the drive through Aldie Middleburg and Upperville on Rte 50. There's CW history too.
DC will also be crowded. Be forewarned.

 

[Drew]

So the wife and I will be in DC between March 27-April 2 and here's our current historical sites list of when we are visiting them if anyone wants to meet up and be our tour guides to a few out of the stuff, we'd be glad to have the local knowledge! I'm only going to list the historical stuff since this is a history buff website!

Thursday 28th -

- Mt Vernon
- Arlington Cemetery
- Old Town Alexandria

Friday 29th -

- Lincoln Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- WW2 & Vietnam Memorials
- Smithsonian Museums - Air & Space, American History, Natural History

Saturday 30th - (Baltimore)

- Babe Ruth House
- North Point Battlefield (maybe, depends on time)
- Fort McHenry
- B&O Museum
- Baltimore Ships

Sunday 31st

- Lincoln's Cottage
- Fords Theatre and Peterson House
- International Spy Museum
- Fort Stevens & Battlegroubd Cemetery (depending on time)
- African American Civil war Museum (depending on time)
- The Chinese restaurant at the Surrat Boarding House

Monday 1st (Winchester)

- Patsy Cline House
- Kernstown Battlefield (if they allow, it's offseason but I emailed them asking about it)
- Balls Bluff (as a stop heading out)
- Stonewall Jackson HQ (depending on time/wife approval)
- Third Winchester Battlefield
- Cedar Creek
- Manassas Battlefield (possibly, depending on time and if I want to tackle that traffic heading back)

Thoughts, impressions and so forth are welcome!

As others have said, don't worry about street crime. That's ridiculous.

Worry about traffic and the cost of parking, if you can find it.

Your itinerary is putting 28 pounds of dirt into a ten-pound bag, however. You can't see Mt. Vernon, Arlington Cemetary and Old Town Alexandria in a single day. Well, maybe you can, but you won't see anything. Each of these is a full day getting there, parking, eating and getting back to your hotel.

Same with the rest of it. Cut it back, way back.

Patsy Cline House, Kernstown, Balls Bluff, Stonewall HQ, Third Winchester, Cedar Creek and Manasses in the same day?

I'm sorry to be snarky, but there are programs that can help people with substance abuse problems work things out. You'll need one trying to pursue this.

Best of luck and cheers, Drew.

 

[Harms88]

As others have said, don't worry about street crime. That's ridiculous.

Worry about traffic and the cost of parking, if you can find it.

Your itinerary is putting 28 pounds of dirt into a ten-pound bag, however. You can't see Mt. Vernon, Arlington Cemetary and Old Town Alexandria in a single day. Well, maybe you can, but you won't see anything. Each of these is a full day getting there, parking, eating and getting back to your hotel.

Same with the rest of it. Cut it back, way back.

Patsy Cline House, Kernstown, Balls Bluff, Stonewall HQ, Third Winchester, Cedar Creek and Manasses in the same day?

I'm sorry to be snarky, but there are programs that can help people with substance abuse problems work things out. You'll need one trying to pursue this.

Best of luck and cheers, Drew.

As I did say in the original post, some stuff is obviously depending on if there is time to do them. Obviously, not everything can be hit, especially in Winchester where at least one thing isn't even open. Theres also the fact that I'm willing to drop stuff if we need to give ourselves time.

For example, on Sunday, we have tickets for 10 am at the Lincoln Cottage. Than 12:30 at Fords Theater/Peterson House. She's debating whether she wants to actually buy tickets to the Spy Museum and the Bond Exhibit due to their prices, but would probably schedule it for 6:30. Giving us ample time for getting to the next place between the ticketed stops. Then obviously we'll want to stop and have dinner and the Chinese restaurant is a perfect stop.

Fort Stevens and the AACW museum? Maybe if there's time to put them between one of the ticketed spots, maybe. But if there is no time to do it, they can be dropped.

I was talking with the wife today and mentioned that if we did hit any battlefields, I'd probably limit us to some of the highlights on those battlefields. Because she'll certainly have a limit on how much she wants to stay and the highlights would keep it exciting enough for her.

 

[David Moore]

As I did say in the original post, some stuff is obviously depending on if there is time to do them. Obviously, not everything can be hit, especially in Winchester where at least one thing isn't even open. Theres also the fact that I'm willing to drop stuff if we need to give ourselves time.

For example, on Sunday, we have tickets for 10 am at the Lincoln Cottage. Than 12:30 at Fords Theater/Peterson House. She's debating whether she wants to actually buy tickets to the Spy Museum and the Bond Exhibit due to their prices, but would probably schedule it for 6:30. Giving us ample time for getting to the next place between the ticketed stops. Then obviously we'll want to stop and have dinner and the Chinese restaurant is a perfect stop.

Fort Stevens and the AACW museum? Maybe if there's time to put them between one of the ticketed spots, maybe. But if there is no time to do it, they can be dropped.

I was talking with the wife today and mentioned that if we did hit any battlefields, I'd probably limit us to some of the highlights on those battlefields. Because she'll certainly have a limit on how much she wants to stay and the highlights would keep it exciting enough for her.

Some things on timing:
Arlington Cemetery opens everyday at 8.
You'll need to go through security.
Length of visit is 2-3 hours depending on what you see.
Changing of guard is on the hour every 60 min until April 1 when it's every 30 min.
Remember Mar 31 is Easter Sunday. There is a sunrise service that day.
Arlington is hilly. There is a bus tour through the cemetery.
Mt Vernon also can take 2-3 hours; plenty to see there. Tickets can be purchased in advance on line.
Old Town Alexandria is between Arlington and Mt Vernon. It is a historic and entertainment district best seen on foot by the atmosphere of the place can be seen from a car. The recently sold Robert E Lee boyhood home is there on Orinoco st.
All of this could be done in a long packed day. You have to allow for missed turns and getting lost. Food is available at Mt Vernon.

Spy Museum is pricey - especially with so many free museums available- so one should spend two hours there.

Lincoln cottage is a lesser visited site that is very interesting. Finding the entrance can be tricky. Use GPS. It is adjacent to The Soldiers Home and Cemetery.
To get back to Fords and find parking will take 30-60 min depending on traffic.
As far as parking almost all downtown buildings have underground parking. More convenient than trying to find metered street parking which has become pricey.
Consider Uber.
The Chinese restaurant/Surratt House isn't a big deal. Neither is Washington's Chinatown aside from an arch unless one has never seen a Chinatown. Clyde's Gallery Place restaurant is a nicer and more atmospheric place to eat.

Plan Your Visit to Mount Vernon

Plan Your Visit to George Washington's estate, located just outside of Washington, D.C. Get hours, ticket prices, and more.

www.mountvernon.org

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/

President Lincoln's Cottage: Historic museum in Washington, D.C.

President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site and museum located on a 250 acre campus in Northwest Washington, D.C. Learn more and get your tickets now.

www.lincolncottage.org

 

[Harms88]

Some things on timing:
Arlington Cemetery opens everyday at 8.
You'll need to go through security.
Length of visit is 2-3 hours depending on what you see.
Changing of guard is on the hour every 60 min until April 1 when it's every 30 min.
Remember Mar 31 is Easter Sunday. There is a sunrise service that day.
Arlington is hilly. There is a bus tour through the cemetery.
Mt Vernon also can take 2-3 hours; plenty to see there. Tickets can be purchased in advance on line.
Old Town Alexandria is between Arlington and Mt Vernon. It is a historic and entertainment district best seen on foot by the atmosphere of the place can be seen from a car. The recently sold Robert E Lee boyhood home is there on Orinoco st.
All of this could be done in a long packed day. You have to allow for missed turns and getting lost. Food is available at Mt Vernon.

Spy Museum is pricey - especially with so many free museums available- so one should spend two hours there.

Lincoln cottage is a lesser visited site that is very interesting. Finding the entrance can be tricky. Use GPS. It is adjacent to The Soldiers Home and Cemetery.
To get back to Fords and find parking will take 30-60 min depending on traffic.
As far as parking almost all downtown buildings have underground parking. More convenient than trying to find metered street parking which has become pricey.
Consider Uber.
The Chinese restaurant/Surratt House isn't a big deal. Neither is Washington's Chinatown aside from an arch unless one has never seen a Chinatown. Clyde's Gallery Place restaurant is a nicer and more atmospheric place to eat.

Plan Your Visit to Mount Vernon

Plan Your Visit to George Washington's estate, located just outside of Washington, D.C. Get hours, ticket prices, and more.

www.mountvernon.org

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/

President Lincoln's Cottage: Historic museum in Washington, D.C.

President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site and museum located on a 250 acre campus in Northwest Washington, D.C. Learn more and get your tickets now.

www.lincolncottage.org

This is a really big help! It's good to see the times for traveling between places.

 

[SJU]

Definitely spend the evening walking around Old Town Alexandria. You AND the wife will enjoy it. There are usually lots of people of all ages strolling around and there is just a pleasant vibe to the place. At least that's been my experience.

 

[Drew]

For example, on Sunday, we have tickets for 10 am at the Lincoln Cottage. Than 12:30 at Fords Theater/Peterson House. She's debating whether she wants to actually buy tickets to the Spy Museum and the Bond Exhibit due to their prices, but would probably schedule it for 6:30. Giving us ample time for getting to the next place between the ticketed stops. Then obviously we'll want to stop and have dinner and the Chinese restaurant is a perfect stop.

The Spy Museum is a very expensive tourist trap. If that's your thing, call your local congressman's office and ask for help with tickets to tour FBI headquarters instead. It's just down the street and free. They'll walk you through the history of Huckleberry Dillinger and all of that.

The Surratt House/Chinese Restaurant is walking distance from both places, but I wouldn't count on it being open for Sunday evening dinner. Ask Professor Google for a phone number and call to make sure.

 

[David Moore]

The Spy Museum is a very expensive tourist trap. If that's your thing, call your local congressman's office and ask for help with tickets to tour FBI headquarters instead. It's just down the street and free. They'll walk you through the history of Huckleberry Dillinger and all of that.

The Surratt House/Chinese Restaurant is walking distance from both places, but I wouldn't count on it being open for Sunday evening dinner. Ask Professor Google for a phone number and call to make sure.

There is a new Spy Museum building at L'enfent Plaza near the National Mall. The old one was near Ford's/Surratt boarding house. It's interactive and pretty interesting and probably be filled with school kids. The organization that runs the Spy Museum has hosted many lectures on intelligence and espionage many of which have covered by C-span. I wouldn't call it a tourist trap.

It's probably too late to get tickets for the FBI experience. I've visited it once. I did the old FBI tour many times. Interestingly- to me- the exhibit on Watergate didn't mention Mark Felt who was the number two guy at FBI and also "Deep Throat." I asked a docent if he thought Felt should be mentioned and he replied " You'd think so."
Perhaps they have added him to the exhibit.

From the FBI Experience website:

[Visiting The FBI Experience
Reservations for The FBI Experience must be submitted through your Congressional Representative's Office up to five (5) months in advance but no less than four (4) weeks prior to your desired tour date. Once submitted, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your reservation. Approximately one (1) week prior to your reserved tour, you will receive email notification of your approval or denial to enter FBI space and the necessary tour logistics.

 

[JeffBrooks]

Definitely spend the evening walking around Old Town Alexandria. You AND the wife will enjoy it. There are usually lots of people of all ages strolling around and there is just a pleasant vibe to the place. At least that's been my experience.

When I take my 8th grade groups to DC, we often do the "Old Alexandria Ghost Tour", which is a lot of silly fun. My favorite part is actually sitting around in the town square waiting for the tour to begin. There's often a band playing and my kids like to run into an ice cream place to grab a sweet treat before the tour starts. It's just a very pleasant place.

 

[JerryD]

Some things on timing:
Arlington Cemetery opens everyday at 8.
You'll need to go through security.
Length of visit is 2-3 hours depending on what you see.
Changing of guard is on the hour every 60 min until April 1 when it's every 30 min.
Remember Mar 31 is Easter Sunday. There is a sunrise service that day.
Arlington is hilly. There is a bus tour through the cemetery.
Mt Vernon also can take 2-3 hours; plenty to see there. Tickets can be purchased in advance on line.
Old Town Alexandria is between Arlington and Mt Vernon. It is a historic and entertainment district best seen on foot by the atmosphere of the place can be seen from a car. The recently sold Robert E Lee boyhood home is there on Orinoco st.
All of this could be done in a long packed day. You have to allow for missed turns and getting lost. Food is available at Mt Vernon.

Spy Museum is pricey - especially with so many free museums available- so one should spend two hours there.

Lincoln cottage is a lesser visited site that is very interesting. Finding the entrance can be tricky. Use GPS. It is adjacent to The Soldiers Home and Cemetery.
To get back to Fords and find parking will take 30-60 min depending on traffic.
As far as parking almost all downtown buildings have underground parking. More convenient than trying to find metered street parking which has become pricey.
Consider Uber.
The Chinese restaurant/Surratt House isn't a big deal. Neither is Washington's Chinatown aside from an arch unless one has never seen a Chinatown. Clyde's Gallery Place restaurant is a nicer and more atmospheric place to eat.

Plan Your Visit to Mount Vernon

Plan Your Visit to George Washington's estate, located just outside of Washington, D.C. Get hours, ticket prices, and more.

www.mountvernon.org

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/

President Lincoln's Cottage: Historic museum in Washington, D.C.

President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site and museum located on a 250 acre campus in Northwest Washington, D.C. Learn more and get your tickets now.

www.lincolncottage.org

Great advice from a pro....

 

[Harms88]

When I take my 8th grade groups to DC, we often do the "Old Alexandria Ghost Tour", which is a lot of silly fun. My favorite part is actually sitting around in the town square waiting for the tour to begin. There's often a band playing and my kids like to run into an ice cream place to grab a sweet treat before the tour starts. It's just a very pleasant place.

Never done a ghost tour but it's something that's interested me.