Stop in Washington DC on the way back About This Page:

[wdw_forever]

I would like to have your ideas about a stop in Washington DC on the way back from my upcoming trip to WDW.

We're planning to stop during the day and continue driving after we're done. Mainly taking pictures of the main historic or important monuments with maybe some visits.

I recently watched "Disney's National Treasure" and I got the idea from there. So what's your suggestions??? How easy is it to get around (I know about the metro)??? We're also gonna have our luggages in the car with us so is it safe???

Thanks

[Stephanie P.]

We just went to DC for a weekend last month and enjoyed the trip. It looks like you're talking about September. I swear that Washington DC is the hottest place I've ever been in the summer and I've always lived in the south all my life!

There is a LOT of walking involved, even when using the Metro, so heat can play a big factor in how much you can do in a day. For instance, you can get off the Metro to see the Washington monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial all in 1 stop, BUT it's like a 20 minute walk between the Washington and Lincoln Memorials. Everything looks closer together than it really is.

I'm not sure how much you can get done in just an afternoon. We had 3 days there and needed all that time to just see the basics and we didn't do any official tours. We basically just went around and saw the buildings and monuments from the outside. We did also see the Arlington Cemetary and we did go in the Archives and see the Declaration and Constitution.

I'm not sure about luggage in the car b/c we had our car parked in a hotel garage there. I know that certain areas of Washington are supposed to be safer than others, but I can't tell you what they are.

I probably haven't helped you at all. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think you'll be able to see as much as you might be hoping in just 1 day in the summertime. But, it is fun to go there!

[Kylesmom]

I grew up right outside DC. I would say DO NOT leave your luggage is you car if it's visible through any windows. If it's hidden and your sticking to tourist spots I'd say it's as safe as at the mall. Depending on what you want to see metro is easy I have a chart somewhere that tells you what stop to get off at for what site you want to see. I'll find it if you would like me to send it to you. I don't know exactly what you want to see. You can see alot in an afternoon if just taking pictures and not going on tours or looking inside. If you let me know what you want to see I proably help more. There is ALOT to see in DC. I lived 10 minutes away for 25 years and haven't seen anywhere near all of it. It really depends on what yuor interested in. I like to lunch at the Old Post Office Pavillion and take the elevator to the top and look out over DC. It is IMHO one of the prettier cities in the US. The Monuments can be seen in an afternoon if you do nothing else and don't stop to read anything inside. Let me know if want my help with this. If your going to be there on a weekend I might be able to meet you as a tourguide.

[Plannergirl]

hey I live just outside of DC (in Arlington) and happy to pass on any info. Dont leave your things in your car if they can be seen at all. The metro is wonderful and I would say park at a stop and take the metro in but still as others have said be ready for LOTS of walking. The metro stops that are the closest to the monuments etc still are a haul. The heat and humidity will rival that of Disney. Pick out the TOP things you want to see, the 2nd tier and work from that. The best thing to save time is say OK pick all the things in one close location so you dont spend your whole time walking and walking and walking. The Mall is HUGE.

[TiggerTails]

I just wanted to add bathrooms are far and few between.
On a recent visit we concluded that a lot of the port-a-potties had been removed for security reasons.
Museums are a great place to cool off, get a snack, and use the restroom!

[luv2sail]

One thing that I like to do in DC is take one of their tours. I cannot remember the name of the one that we took. I'm sure some of the "locals" can help me out but it's similar to the open air trams that you take in the Disney parking lots. For one price you can take it around the city and get on and off at different stops. They stop at places such as the Capital Building, several of the Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetary, other monuments and all the while they give a narrated tour. If you don't want to get off you don't have to. It's a great way to get around the city, not have to do a ton of walking, get some history and see the sites. I highly recommend it!

As for the parking situation I cannot help you with that. I can't remember for sure but I think we may have parked at Arlington National Cemetary for the day and I felt the car was safe there.

[wdw_forever]

[ QUOTE ]
There is a LOT of walking involved, even when using the Metro, so heat can play a big factor in how much you can do in a day. For instance, you can get off the Metro to see the Washington monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial all in 1 stop, BUT it's like a 20 minute walk between the Washington and Lincoln Memorials. Everything looks closer together than it really is.

We did also see the Arlington Cemetary and we did go in the Archives and see the Declaration and Constitution.

[/ QUOTE ]

that sounds great to me it may be not my home country but I enjoy learning about my "neighbor" country mainly since I took a course in collegue about the USA history starting with the original 13 colonies up to present day

[ QUOTE ]
I probably haven't helped you at all. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think you'll be able to see as much as you might be hoping in just 1 day in the summertime. But, it is fun to go there!

[/ QUOTE ]

well you made me smile

[wdw_forever]

as I said before, it would be mainly taking pictures but also seeing the places shown in "National Treasure"

as few of you mentionned, some places are safer when having the luggages in the car (I say the same thing about my hometown ) but I guess we'll have to decide about the possibility of stopping for the night somewhere outside Washington and maybe leaving them for the day

I'll see what happens

[AmyJune]

I live in about 60 miles south of DC. When I have to go in to the City I park at a shopping mall called Pentagon City. They have a Metro stop in the basement of the mall. There is lots of parking in the garage attached to it and it has security. I'd park there if I had to leave things visible in my car. There's still no guarentee that someone wont' bother it but it's better then parking on the street.

Things to do in DC- The Smithsonians on the Mall have lots of great exhibits. They are showing their age abit but still great to look at and a nice chance to get out of the heat after hoofing it from the Lincoln Memorial. The National Archive is a must to see the declaration. The other must is the American History Museum. The are working on restoring the original Star Spangled Banner. It's very interesting to watch. I haven't seen the WWII monument yet. I actually may do that today since I have to go pick up my husband from Reagan Airport (formerly National).

Be warned they do search your bags when you go into any of the govt buildings including the museums so travel light if you can.

LInks for you -
www.wmata.com (Metro rail and Metro Bus)
www.nps.gov (the run the monuments and Ford's Theatre, etc)
http://www.si.edu/ Smithsonian Information

Enjoy! There are lots of great restaurants too. Wish I could think of some!

OH I just found a Disney connection. The American History Museum is supposed to have a Dumbo & Teacup from DIsneyland in celebration of the 50th!

[wdw_forever]

thanks for the infos Amy