Julie’s guidebook for Washington DC
National Monuments and Museums
Security is tight in museums. It goes faster if you are bag free. Some will make you empty water, so it is better to use refillable containers so you don't lose a purchased water bottle.
Lincoln and Jefferson are most scenic at sunrise and sunset because of the reflecting pool and tidal basin. WWII is best at night because of lights and water features and less crowds to find your state for a people free backdrop.
Night walking of the mall and monuments is really romantic and safe in groups. You can grab the metro back at Smithsonian if you walk to the Washington Monument and head home to Capitol South
One of the most underrated and also the most beautiful buildings in DC. Exhibits include a replica of Jefferson's Library at Monticello. Architecture and art on ceilings is inspiring.
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Biblioteca del Congresso
101 Independence Ave SEOne of the most underrated and also the most beautiful buildings in DC. Exhibits include a replica of Jefferson's Library at Monticello. Architecture and art on ceilings is inspiring.
My favorite spot to take my personal guests. It is walkable from my home and just such an incredible place to visit. Be sure to climb catwalks and explore canopy species. Kids can sign up for Junior programs. My friend's 9 year old was obsessed. Themes include dessert plants, tropical plants, native plants, carnivorous plants, orchids, and summertime it occasionally hosts jazz concerts on lawn.
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Giardino Botanico degli Stati Uniti
100 Maryland Ave SWMy favorite spot to take my personal guests. It is walkable from my home and just such an incredible place to visit. Be sure to climb catwalks and explore canopy species. Kids can sign up for Junior programs. My friend's 9 year old was obsessed. Themes include dessert plants, tropical plants, native plants, carnivorous plants, orchids, and summertime it occasionally hosts jazz concerts on lawn.
This place is always PACKED! Just go there with some patience because it is just so cool to climb through a rocket ship and see satellites hanging from the ceiling in real/size. A must see for engineers and anyone that looks up and wonders. Plan for 3 hours at a minimum. Great hands on activities for kids, check website for times.
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The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution
655 Jefferson Dr SWThis place is always PACKED! Just go there with some patience because it is just so cool to climb through a rocket ship and see satellites hanging from the ceiling in real/size. A must see for engineers and anyone that looks up and wonders. Plan for 3 hours at a minimum. Great hands on activities for kids, check website for times.
Dinosaurs, Oceans, Geology, Asteroids, and a Butterfly room! I highly recommend going through the "mine" room and finding the room where the gem stones fluoresce with a black light. Also don't miss the butterfly exhibit. It is worth the wait and the cost of a ticket. The butterflies will land on you and make you happy!
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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWDinosaurs, Oceans, Geology, Asteroids, and a Butterfly room! I highly recommend going through the "mine" room and finding the room where the gem stones fluoresce with a black light. Also don't miss the butterfly exhibit. It is worth the wait and the cost of a ticket. The butterflies will land on you and make you happy!
This is hard to get into for a reason. It is incredible. You will need to go to website and reserve a time, but this has everything from music and sports memorabilia to some really heavy impact history from 1600s through modern history that will teach reverence to all. If you don't say "wow" more than 5 times out loud, I will have a 6 pack of beer delivered to welcome you back home to the Airbnb for your inconvenience!
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Museo Nazionale della Storia e della Cultura Afroamericana
1400 Constitution Ave. NWThis is hard to get into for a reason. It is incredible. You will need to go to website and reserve a time, but this has everything from music and sports memorabilia to some really heavy impact history from 1600s through modern history that will teach reverence to all. If you don't say "wow" more than 5 times out loud, I will have a 6 pack of beer delivered to welcome you back home to the Airbnb for your inconvenience!
I like this place because it makes me feel classy. My favorite section is the originals landscapes of the American West National Parks by Thomas Moran. There is a great open air enclosed patio that is great for photos and relaxing from heat, rain, or cold on any extreme weather day.
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National Portrait Gallery
I like this place because it makes me feel classy. My favorite section is the originals landscapes of the American West National Parks by Thomas Moran. There is a great open air enclosed patio that is great for photos and relaxing from heat, rain, or cold on any extreme weather day.
Consigli per viaggiatori
Muoversi in zona
Metro: Most of DC is accessible by Metro.
The closest Metro stop is Capitol South Blue/Orange/Silver. This is on the adjacent block. Cards are available at the bottom of the elevator/escalator. Capitol South is a safe stop and you will have plenty of time to consider your options. Trains come very frequently unless there are repairs. Google Maps helps with timing as it calculates the trains for you.
Note: the metro generally stops at midnight.
Note: the trains are labeled by the last stop on the line the direction it is headed.
Muoversi in zona
Scooters
They are fun but can be a pain.You will find them around the house on various blocks. But the National Park Service won't let you leave them at the door of any of the museums on the mall or on Capitol grounds. So you should plan to park them on a street on the outside of the mall on the sidewalk across the street (Independence or Constitution). It is infuriating, you may want to curse the Gods, and chuck it into the air. But now you know and can plan in advance to scoot to dinner or someplace else.
Do be careful. Pedestrians get irritated when you're on sidewalks and cars are bigger than you
Usanze e culture
Dealing with people US Perspective
US Residents: DC is in the middle of New York City's trigger anger and South Carolina's bless your heart patience. It is an East Coast City for sure where people are here to work hard and play hard. Tourists are part of the fabric.
ESCALATORS: Stand on the right. Walk on the left. You will get yelled at if you stand on left. Don't.
People will generally help you but won't go out of their way. You may get honked at or yelled at from a car if you are crossing too slowly. Always watch for turning vehicles at any crossing. Drivers are distracted. Lights are on the side and not in middle.
Usanze e culture
Foreign Travelers Advice for DC
I know the news paints the city in a negative light. It is a city of people who are powerful contrasted by those who do not have much. But overall, I think you will find your stay enjoyable. My neighbors are friendly, kids abound the sidewalk, and people may stop to assist you if you look at a map too long or look confused. They also may not. Despite media the police are very friendly and always happy to talk if they are on foot. And every museum has a front desk. Stop and ask them whatever you need.
Reach out to me if you have trouble or concerns. I'll seek out answers from the community