Washington DC Review

Maybe my favorite sightseeing city in the whole United States.  Washington DC has everything.  Sights, fine dining, world class museums, a great transit system, history, spectacle, and a mall that goes on forever it seems.  You can find everything in Washington DC, and it's a great walk-a-bout or back packing city for tourists, traveller's with a limited amount of time, professional or budding photographers, and families.  Best of all, most of the sites are free.  The White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Viet Nam Memorial, the National Archives Building, the FDR Memorial, the Koren War Memorial, the Smithsonian, the list goes on and on.  Free!  This town rocks out for tourists like no other!

Traveler's Note:  Bring some good hiking boots or walking shoes because you can put on miles and miles before you know it.  From the White House you can see the Washington Monument, then from there, you can see the WW II Memorial, then Lincoln, then the Viet Nam Wall, from there the Jefferson Memorial, and you haven't even wandered from the Mall yet.  Before you know it, you've done five miles, or ten.  It's good to hit the treadmill with vigor before you leave on your vacation to build up your stamina.  The kids will sleep like rocks from the days walking. 

Traveler's Note # 2:  Pick your destinations. The Smithsonian alone has nine buildings, and can take months to see it all.  The National Archives Building is a must, housing the Constitution, Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, and just a building alone thats worth gawking at.  White House tours require advance reservations. 

Traveler's Note # 3:  Get a map and learn the Metro system.  It's an inexpensive way to move through the city, and Metro stops are close to all the major sights, shopping, and dining areas.  Metro passes for multiple travel days make it easy to get around, and are very affordable. 

Favorite Restaurant:  Morton's.  Expensive, but worth every penny.  Try the Filet Mignon with garlic potatoes and a Bordeaux.  Port after dinner.  The Grey Goose martinis are perfect. 

Favorite Museum:  International Spy Museum.  Great for the normal sized kids, and the big kids too.  Expensive, but worth every penny.  A museum of real life James Bond stuff. The Spy Cafe is next door.  Reasonably priced, and discount tickets are provided with museum entry.

Favorite Monument:   The Lincoln Memorial, 2nd Jefferson Memorial, 3rd FDR Memorial

Souvenirs:  Everywhere you look.  Booths on the Mall, in stores, in museums, and on the streets.  Whatever your heart desires, or can imagine.  Tee shirts, monuments, buttons, replicas, photos, or whatever else you can dream up. 

Best Buy Hotel in DC:   Days Inn.  It's a 1 star no doubt, but it's close to the action, near the Van Ness Metro stop, and has a great Italian restaurant downstairs with outdoor dining. 

Best Buy Hotel across the River:  Doubletree Hotel Crystal City @ Arlington, Virginia  Good location, fair price, free shuttle from airport, close to Metro

Best Airport to fly into Washington DC:  I'm talking DCA (Reagan National), ya know. Close to city, and you can ride the Metro into town.  The others, Dulles or nearby Baltimore don't come close to the ease and convenience of National.   

A DC trip is a must for every traveler and tourist alike.  Family friendly, built to impress, and it does.  I give it a 5 star thumbs up.