D.C. should definitely beon the list of places to go. A lot of things happen in D.C. around this season, and honestly, it's the nations capitol, that has to count for something.
I grew up here, and love D.C. It's beautiful, as long as you don't end up somewhere you shouldn't be, just like any other big city. The metropolitan area also partly makes up D.c., like the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetary in Virginia, and Baltimore in Maryland. Our area is very diverse, and rather heavely populated, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Please, come see our nations great capitol!!
As for where to go, almost everything you want to see in D.C. is right on the mall. All the momuments, all the muesems, are right there. But D.C. is more than just that diamond on the map. It is Virginia and Maryland as well. The Shenandoah valley is beautiful this time of year, and offers great sights. If you want more of our nation's history, there's Mount Vernon or Monticello. There are so many places to go here, it's hard to just tell you one. I hope you guys have fun figuring out where you want to go! And congrats!
Museums are a good idea because it's a wealth of culture that's FREE. However, I would also encourage getting off the beaten path. There are landmarks that many don't know about like Ben's Chili Bowl on U St.
Why not do things recommended by Washingtonian's themselves? Google: Washington post and "you haven't lived" to find the archives of an article series. You'll find so many ideas of things to do and you'll get to see how Washington operates beyond the tourist traps.
And since you'll be so close to Discovery Headquarters, make thebigcheese take you out to dinner. Twice.
The National Mall and surrounding areas for sure. Georgetown, maybe Alexandria if they're looking for a daytrip. Alexandria is probably around an hour away from DC...very very beautiful/historical town, worth seeing.
Alexandria is 10- 15 minutes from D.C. no ,more than that. And that's with traffic, an hour would be out in Loudon. Old Town Alexandria is right on the water and you can see Reagan National from the pier. So an hour, definitely not. And Alexandria would make a great day trip, it beautiful, and absolutely goergeous at night. And if you take a boat on the Patomac, Alexandria is five seconds away.
I'm not sure how much D.C. will mean to people who aren't from the U.S. The highlight of our trip was seeing the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence at the National Archives.
The monuments are easy to see - start at the Lincoln Memorial and just walk along the water to the Washington Monument, catching the Veterans memorials and FDR monument along the way. Along the Mall, if you can't find anything to eat, find the Old Post Office - there's a food court inside (we had trouble finding food in D.C. near the tourist attractions. Not like NYC). The FBI (J Edgar Hoover) building tour was interesting. The Kennedy Center has free performances (we were there at Christmastime and they had holiday music).
The best museums are the Holocaust Museum and the Spy Museum (though you have to pay for this one).
I'd agree that the Holocaust Museum is a must. We went there on our 8th grade trip to DC. It's very touching and sad. They even give your information about one specific person that went through the holocaust and everyone gets a different person.
Another place that might be a place to visit that isn't a presidental related historical place is the Old Post Office located at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004. It has a lot of history, plus you can go to the top of the tower and have a nice view of the city. When my class went there for our 8th grade trip we didn't go up to the tower but we did go to the post office for lunch. There are a bunch of fast food restraunt there (and a Ben and Jerry's ice cream place, the ice cream there is the BEST). Though the shops there are kinda touristy...like cheapo t-shirt shops and stuff.
Definitely go to Ben's Chili Bowl it will give you a perspective of the real non tourist DC. No one who actually lives there spends any time down on the mall. The thing that sucks is the city just isn't that big when it comes to not doing the traditional stuff. Its always somewhat entertaining to stop by the supreme court building and see the crazy protestors.
While in DC, I think you should definately visit Adams Morgan which is located on 18th street. This strip of clubs, bars, and restaurants will give you a hint of all the cultures that DC has to offer. While in Adams Mogan, there are 3 locations that you must visit. The Bukom Cafe which has really good food, for a resonable price, the Common Share which has great drink specials (you must try the cherry bomb), and Timerhi's which is a personal favorite of mine because it is a Guyanese club.
Georgetown should not be missed. It's the oldest part of DC and offers a variety of extravagant shopping and night life. For movie buffs - the stairs the priest fell down in The Exorcist are located at the end of the main road in Georgetown (go past the last gas station at the end of the strip).
Walking the Mall is a must, as well as seeing the white house up close. National Geographic headquarters is located in DC and has a small museum and store.
The best time to visit is in the spring, I think around mid-April, for the cherry blossom festival. Take a paddle boat out by the Jefferson Memorial to really see the blossoms. There's a parade and local restaurants offer special fare throughout the week.
