What to do in Washington D.C.

[nitrorocks]

In flying up to Washington D.C. This week and I Wanted to know what there is to do. My family has already planned out the monuments and all of the usual tourist attractions. I was wondering if there is anything to do with Auto Racing, or Car museums, Slot car halls, etc. I did some Internet searching and didn't really find anything except for some cars in the Smithsonian. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[opelgt1969]

The only thing I got is to mark off about 5 states to visit out of the 50 being as they are so close to each other. Va,W. Va,Maryland,Del,Penn,and N.J. OK so I found 6 just watch out if you go to NJ you might get a bad view (Jersey Shore).

 

[Slash]

I went there a few years sgo. Nothing real interesting but sight seeing. Check out the Lincoln/Washington monument at dusk. The sun sets behind the Washington monument, so if you get ground level to the pool of water at the opposite end, makes a great photo. The trees on the site was were the famous scene in Forest Gump takes place were he runs and loses his leg braces. Check out the Whitehouse. By the Senate I think (white domed building), theres a flight of stairs by a pond, gets the building in the background for a second photo. Mulligans Adventure (think its near DC) mini-golf has go carts and a cool track (they drift nicely), a very interesting course, arcade etc. Don't know if it will be open though as its late in the year. The Smithsonian was cool as well, rather large complex, believe a lot of Star Wars movie ships are in the one building Space shuttles snd stuff.. The Old Post Office Restaurant is a great place to eat as well, excellent food. If you can find time, its a bit of a drive, but check out Arlington National Cemetary. Well worth the trip to the tomb of the unknown soldier and JFK's eternal flame.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

The Smithsonian museums. I highly recommend them, and if you have the time and interest, the Air and Space museum out by Dulles Airport is epic.

 

[Slash]

The Smithsonian museums. I highly recommend them, and if you have the time and interest, the Air and Space museum out by Dulles Airport is epic.

Been there too, epic indeed. Might be the place I was thinking of.

 

[nitrorocks]

The Smithsonian museums. I highly recommend them, and if you have the time and interest, the Air and Space museum out by Dulles Airport is epic.

Yeah we're planning on going there. Sounds fun! But nothing on cars?

 

[Slash]

Nah, unfortunately there wasn't much in the way of cars. Might see a few Lambos or something driving around but even thats rare. Best thing I got is those go carts but Im willing to bet its closed for the season. I went in September of 2009 I think.

 

[slims]

There's a section in one of the museums dealing with transportation that has some cars but that's about it I think. Just appreciate the monuments and museums. I enjoyed my short trip there this year.

 

[Joey D]

I can tell you what not to do, go to any form of immediate surrounding areas. Washington D.C. is a hell-hole outside the main government complex and isn't in anyway safe.

One thing I stumbled upon while I was there was the International Spy Museum, it's really cool and has some pretty unique stuff in it. The Museum of American History also has an exhibit called "America on the Move" which is about transportation in general.

 

[Nicksfix]

I can tell you what not to do, go to any form of immediate surrounding areas. Washington D.C. is a hell-hole outside the main government complex and isn't in anyway safe.

+1
He speaks the truth on this. Even in broad daylight, your taking chances.

 

[slims]

One thing I stumbled upon while I was there was the International Spy Museum, it's really cool and has some pretty unique stuff in it. The Museum of American History also has an exhibit called "America on the Move" which is about transportation in general.

Yeah that's what I was talking about. It's not huge but still something to interest a car person. Really wanted to go the Spy Museum when I was there but didn't have the time.

 

[nitrorocks]

I can tell you what not to do, go to any form of immediate surrounding areas. Washington D.C. is a hell-hole outside the main government complex and isn't in anyway safe.

One thing I stumbled upon while I was there was the International Spy Museum, it's really cool and has some pretty unique stuff in it. The Museum of American History also has an exhibit called "America on the Move" which is about transportation in general.

Yeah I heard its sketchy. We are going to beck out the spy museum. It sounds really cool.

 

[David]

Yeah, I can recommend the spy museum as well. They have a lot of neat stuff in there, and the museum itself is in a nice area near the Verizon Center. There are a lot of good restaurants and bars right around there and plenty of garage parking.

Edit: Unlike the Smithsonian and stuff, you'll be paying to get into places like the Spy Museum, so look up the prices before hand.

 

[ParkourVeyron]

Hope I'm not too late...

Virginia resident here, I go to DC a few times a year.

As said before, the Smithsonian is awesome, and I can vouch for the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum, as those are the only ones I've been to so far. The Art one looks cool and they have an awesome outdoor exhibit right off the street that has a bunch of sculptures.

Never done the monuments, but I'd check them out if I was you.

Right outside the Pentagon is the 9/11 memorial, and that's definitely worth checking out, there's running water and it's probably the only peaceful part of DC.

(Not my photo)

It looks disorganized but it has an order to it, and when you learn what how it goes it gets creepy...

I don't know if the White House Christmas tree is up yet, but if it is you need to go and check it out, but only at night. It's freaking boring during the day.

As far as I've seen there's not much in the way of food in DC that's not expensive or a chain. I've heard that Ben's Chili Bowl is pretty good.

 

[wfooshee]

National Archives.

If you can stand in the presence of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independance, and the Bill of Rights and not be moved, then you are not human. These are not pictures of the documents framed up real pretty, they are The Documents.

I like the Air and Space Museum as well. Some parts of of it seem cluttered, and other parts seem like there's not really that much there. But what is there is . . . well, calling it historically significant is like saying the surface of Mercury is kinda warm. The Wright flyer, the very one from Kitty Hawk. The Spirit of St. Louis. Chuck Yeager's X-1. John Glenn's Mercury capsule. The Apollo 11 command module. Cars be damned, that is some special machinery they have in there!