DC area - what to see?

good luck on day 5-7, that will be impressive! hope you don't plan on stopping at any of those places.

 

Once you get into the DC area, absolutely.
They're based on distance and speed limits.

They don't take into account waiting 5-10 minutes at every traffic light.

Google maps lists my commute as 16 minutes.
Usually, I'm lucky to make it in under a half hour, *outside* of rush hour.

And weekend traffic is even worse.

 

Did you mean July 31st to August 7th?

Anyway, as far as DC goes, here's some places I enjoy:
If you can get out to the National Arboretum, it's a really nice place: lots of beautiful gardens, just a very peaceful place to be.
The National Archives is a short but interesting trip, and when it comes to the Smithsonian you can't see everything.... personally, I enjoy the Museum of Natural History the most and The National Museum of American History might be up your alley as it has exhibits covering things from the Revolutionary period through today's pop culture, gives a very good look into the life experience of Americans.
You may also wish to visit the National Holocaust Museum--though slightly depressing, it really brings the whole situation into perspective.
Definitely, Arlington National Cemetery is very cool as well, especially if you can catch the "Changing of the Guards"... be sure to stop in the visitor's center here to get a guide to all the significant points of interest (though, really, every single grave in Arlington is important).

DC has festivals almost every weekend. No specifics right now, but these sort of events are usually rather entertaining and you'll get to mix it up with many interesting local people.

Capitol Hill and Georgetown are similar areas-- historical residential areas, quaint, boutique shopping and some good restaurants. Maybe it's because I live here, but I couldn't imagine spending too much time in either place.

If you like zoos, skip the one in DC and go to the one in Philadelphia while you're there.

As far as the White House goes, getting a tour requires tickets from a US Congress-person, so unless you have some kind of hook-up through your embassy, don't expect to walk up and get in. Nonetheless, you can walk around the perimeter and if you're lucky you might catch my new neighbor Barry dropping in on his helicopter.

Also, if you'll be in Philadelphia, go to the Simeone Museum and check out the historical race cars: http://www.simeonefoundation.org/

If you can specify what sort of topics or hobbies you have or are interested in, I might be able to give a few more recommendations.

 

If you like that kind of thing, you could spend an entire day at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

Wright Flier. Lindberg's Ryan. Bell X1. Apollo command module. Etc etc etc.

For my tastes, they've added too many replicas and mock-ups to the "genuine articles", but I'm a traditionalist.
(But then, it's not like they could have the original Sputnik. )

 

i gotta tell you, driving 10 hours to spend 2 hours in pittsburgh wouldn't be my first choice of how to spend a day in this country. Atlantic city either. if you are that adventurous, drive up to NYC and spend the night. That will blow away pittsburgh and atlantic city(and about the same distance). in fact, i really can't think of a good reason to drive from here to either pittsburgh or atlantic city. two pretty depressing destinations.

 

...and the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum. This great Air & Space Museum is at the Dulles Airport area

 

Let's not forget Competizione. Great F car service shop with a number of interesting cars.

 

and they have an F40!

 

USS Constellation and Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

 

1+ on skipping Pitt and hitting NYC. I like Pittsburgh but it's not the most scenic drive or the greatest place to sightsee. On the other hand D.C. is probably one of the best places in the world to sightsee, certainly in the USA. You also have Baltimore only 50 minutes away. I always suggest seeing the monuments at night, it's a very safe part of town and it's much easier to get around at night and I think they are more impressive at night. The museums are closed at night so what else are you going to do. Air and Space and American History and Technology are my favorites. All the Smithsonian stuff is free and incredible. I've never been to the Lourve but I have not seen anything that compared to the Smithsonian Museums, at least in the USA. Abandon the car for a couple days and take a train to New York City.

If you do a search you will find similar posts in this section with suggestions. Plan on 4 hours minimum in each Smithsonian Museum, they are that good.

 

Hit Harpers Ferry area on your way to or from Gettysburg. If you are going to do the civil war stuff most of these battlefields are just big fields of grass now(they didn't leave the dead solders and cannons laying around) and unless you are a civil war buff it may not be that impressive. Harpers Ferry is very scenic and historic and only an hour away, the horse track and Summit Point Raceway are only another 15 minutes past there too if you're looking for more than just civil war stuff.

You can also get tours of the White House, Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Small sections of the Pentigon. Holocoust Museum, Arlignton Cemetery, Fort Washington, Newseum(Museum of news), Spy Museum, Aquarium in Baltimore, National Zoo in DC, and even if you are not an aviation buff don't cheat yourself out of going to at least one of the Air and Space Museums. They are the best, the Hazy Center has a Space Shuttle and the SR71 Blackbird as well as hundreds of other planes and spacecraft. The NSA also has a Museum. Get on the water taxi and hit Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria if it's a nice day for a boat ride. I have been in 48 states and I don't think there is a better place to be a tourist.

 

When near Chesapeake Bay, you must sample Crab stands, be they roadside and/or dockside.
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gotta agree with wax there. Hard to find seafood as good as you can get around here. If you like seafood, let us know and we can point you in the right direction. Annapolis is about 45m from d.c. That pick looks alot like one of my favorites. Mikes on the south river.

 

Can we get a picture of the plate? ; )

For small town America, the Harper Ferry suggestion is pretty neat. You can google a fun route that takes you on the white's Ferry ride across the water (that's open again, is it not?)

If you are going to Philadelphia, check out the Franklin Institute. Neat museum with lots of cool stuff.

Stay in touch with us while you are in route and we can offer additional suggestions.

safe journeys!

ken

 

Another suggestion you might consider...instead of Pittsburgh and Atantic City is going South, to Williamsburg, VA and the Yorktown Victory Center. Those are some important places in American History. Depending on where you're staying that's a 3-4 hour drive from the DC area.

But if you do go to Pittsburgh (and if you're into Architecture) you may want to consider visiting Fallingwater: http://www.fallingwater.org/ a beautiful home built over a waterfall by a famous American Architect - Frank Llyod Wright.

With regards to the roadways and Google Map times, I would suggest that you avoid the top half of the Washington, DC Beltway (aka 495) between the hours of 2-4 PM on the weekends. It's worse than Rush Hour.

Bill

 

Ferrari Club pix from the museum... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249950

 

USNA and many historic sites in Annapolis including the oldest state house in continuous use.
GW slept almost everywhere in town. John Paul Jones crypt is housed in a museum at USNA.

Couple of tour boats run from City Dock almost hourly.

You can sail aboard the schooner filmed in the "Wedding Crashers" - berthed at Pussers Dock at the waterfront Marriott.

PM me if you want a guest pass to the Annapolis Yacht Club for lunch or dinner. AYC is closed on Mondays.

Safe travels and enjoy!