From: Nancy_R_DEUEL@UMAIL.UMD.EDU (nd26)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.travel-l
Subject: Washington DC info
Date: 17 Nov 92 22:38:00 GMT
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Comments:     Resent-From: Nancy_R_DEUEL@umail.umd.edu (nd26)
Comments:     Originally-From: Nancy_R_DEUEL@umail.umd.edu (nd26)
Comments: To: travel-l%trearn.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu

Matt asked for DC info and since I wrote out a fairly long response, I
thought I'd post it to the list. Since we've been hearing so much on the
list about the holiday attractions in the Big Apple, why don't y'all think
about our nation's capital for the Inauguration?


>Nancy, I saw your post about DC housing and hope you won't mind a tourist
>question.  My wife and I are planning to go there for a three day weekend
>next year.  We basically want to see the museums and want to avoid crowds.
>Therefore, I was thinking of going in February.

Not at all! I love the area and I'm glad to chat about it. My first
recommendations would be to get a Sunday Washington Post and in the travel
section you'll find lots of listings on weekend package deals at the major
chain hotels for the "non-business/family" traveler.

I'll assume that you're not looking for elite lodging like the Willard or
Mayflower downtown, although if you *really* wanted to splurge they would
probably be among the first names that would come to mind. Also the JW
Marriott, which is also right downtown, newer, and connected to a fair-sized
shopping arcade.

Probably the best "close-in" deals will be in Crystal City, VA. They can put
the high-rise hotels across the Potomac, close to National Airport and
downtown, where there aren't the DC height
restrictions. On the lower end there I believe that there's a Days Inn and a
HoJos. There is good Metro access there, it's not a scary neighborhood, and
also a shopping arcade. On the downside, it's really an office area and
nothing is within walking distance, you would have to Metro everywhere. This
is really not a drawback, though, since Metro is clean, cheap, and fast. It
does stop running at midnight, however, in case you're out late some night.
It's also usually pretty easy to find a taxi and you should be able to get
almost anywhere in DC for $5-$10 or so.

By the way, if you're flying, National Airport is the way to go. There's a
Metro stop there too which can take you anywhere.

>Any information you could provide on the weather and places to stay would
>be appreciated.  Thanks.

The weather will probably be chilly but not terribly cold--30s or 40s--and
expect dreary overcast, flurries, or light rain. Then if we have a warm
sunny spell you'll be pleasantly surprised. We haven't had any accumulation
of snow whatsoever for the last 2 winters.

There are a zillion great ethnic restaurants. I recommend starting with
anything recommended by Washingtonian magazine--they're on the ball. They
put out a listing of "100 best cheap eats" and "100 best restaurants" every
year. Get a few issues before you go, you'll find it helpful. The Dupont
Circle area has the best metro access of the "trendy" neighborhoods.
Georgetown and the Adams Morgan area also are interesting.

If you like that kind of thing, I also recommend getting tickets for most
anything at Kennedy Center before you go. I always enjoy going there, it
always feels like a "big-city" elegant evening out on the town. Dress up or
not, you'll see both.

The latest "hot" museum exhibit is a display of the artifacts left at the
Vietnam Memorial "Wall" (at the Smithsonian American History Museum--my
personal favorite museum) I tried to get in last week and the line
was too long with veterans in their old fatigue jackets. The wall itself is
recommended, really quite touching. If you're out at night--be careful!--but
any of the major monuments, etc. are especially moving at night--the wall, the
Jefferson, Lincoln, the Capitol dome.... the dramatic lighting in the quiet
darkness really magnifies the impact. Also a good way to beat crowds!

For crowd avoidance, like anywhere, go to the museums early in the day and
if it's nice weather, save the afternoons for strolling outside. If the
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum is high on your agenda be sure to do that
first thing in the morning, it's always the most crowded. As soon as you get
there in the morning get tickets to whatever special films they're showing
later in the morning and go back to those when your feet get tired. I think
the tickets are usually free, or very low cost, just in great demand.

Later in the day you may want to go to the National Archives or the National
Portrait Gallery. They're usually not too crowded, except for the
Declaration of Independence display, etc. in the Archive rotunda. I always
thought that those two museums sounded really boring, but they turned out to
be a couple of my favorites. Just the right combination of history,
politics, unique Washington stuff, Americana, art, etc., and usually not
too many busloads of KIDS (the bane of all DC sites).

Just a few random thoughts....
Feel free to post me back if you have more questions!



Nancy Deuel
University of Md
Phone: 301/405-1385






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