You guys should visit georgetown university and see the national cathedral. If you have ever seen the movie, The Exorcist, then the stairs that the girl throughs the man down, is in georgetown. it is narrow and scary to clime up when it is wet. I have tried it.Also, The Main building in Gerorgetown is great and you will know what it looks like because it is really tall.The National cathedral is an amzing building. They also have an observation deck where you can see the entire Washington D.C. It looks great from the building(D.C.)

sorry, the URL i provided earlier didn't work. try this, then click "Visiting the Capitol" in the top right.
http://www.aoc.gov/

many people have said to go to gettysburg, but i think you should think about going to antietem. Gettysburg has a lot of tourists, but in antietem there isn't many, and it is really peaceful. I also think that if you decide to go to antietem, that you should visit harrpers ferry, which I think someone said. Harrpers ferry is beautiful. There is a church ontop of a hill that looks great. Also, you can view the entire city by hiking up a mountain across the river. you can get to the other side by walking on the train bridge on the side wlak.I also think that in harpersferry, you should go to the wax museum they have. that is interesting. harrpers ferry is in west virginia, but is really close to antietem in maryland. And one more thing that you should do around that area is go to frederick and see all of the little shops and restaurants they have. There are soooo many in frederick.

as you take the main road getting into Harpers Ferry, where you can see the whole town, it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO picturesque. especially in the fall! it's just...indescribeable how it looks when you drive in it's just....wow.

if you follow all of the "out of D.C." suggestions that we've all made, however, you will not have nearly enough time for D.C. itself. so my suggestion is to look into each one and pick a couple that you would like to do.

thanks for reading, and as always, happy travels!

I am so glad to have the TJs visiting Washington DC! Our town has a lot to offer, but be aware that your budget will be stretched. Thankfully, there are amazing museums without an entrance fee and plenty of other inexpensive activities.
While everyone's suggestion of the Shenandoah Valley is stellar, the trip will be difficult and expensive if you are without a car. I do not know if the show's producers will change some of the financial and transportation rules of the past, but not having a car restricts the Shenandoah possibilities; easily a 2 hour drive outside the city (depending on the traffic). A great alternative would be a trip down to Mount Vernon. You do not have the amazing vistas of the valley, but the leaves are just as brilliant, there is an amazing history and the trip is a short one out of the city. There are a variety of options, but I really must suggest the water. The trip does monopolize a good amount of time, but there are few other tours in DC that can compare. If money becomes a problem, the Metro's yellow line and the Fairfax Connector can transport you there just as easily.
I second the recommendation of the Eastern Market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. It is a great place to people watch and pick up souvenirs from your trip.
Georgetown is where I was raised. I love the neighborhood but dislike fighting the crowds. M street is great for the masses, but one of the best ways to experience Georgetown is following the canal or renting a canoe. There is nothing like picnicking on quick pita while cruising along in a Thompson's canoe. The whole of Georgetown takes on a different light that most tourists (and locals for that matter) never get to see. Take it from a rower!
I hope you all have great experiences in our nation and city. Enjoy!

tar4life is right. There are so many out of D.C. suggestions.I think the thing that you should do is Baltimore . In baltimore, you can go to the aquarium, go to the observation deck in the b-more wtc, take a water taxi to view the city,walk the inner harbor,eat sea food, which people love around here,you can go to the science center,you can see the beautiful city hall,and go to federal hill which provides AMAZING views of the city. Federal hill is strait across from downtown on the other side of the inner harbor with a huge american flag on top.The flag dosn't have as many stars on it as today because the flag on the hill was the one when francis scott key wrote the star spangled baner in baltimore(the star spangled banner is our national anthem).Federal hill is a man made hill that is now a park.Also, there is a power plant that was converted into a hotrock cafe and an espn zone and also, a baltimore landmark is the domino sugar building. You are sure to notice the building from the observation deck. It has a GIGANTIC sign on top of it and at night it is one of the biggest neon lights in the country. It glows red at night and is yellow at daytime.Also, there are a lot of performers at the inner harbor. You can also go on a 300 year old ship for free. There is a lot of art in baltimore, but they are scattered all over the place. You can do all these things in a day. The baltimore world trade center's observation deck is i think 10 dollars, federal hill is free, and I don't know about the water taxi.Getting to baltimore should be easy.

quote:

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 approximately 10 minutes from DC proper. All you have to do is cross a bridge. Oldtown Alexandria is worth the voyage--especially the Torpedo Factory just off of King St.

Baltimore is a city of its own, so i think you guys should venture away from there and stick to the other suggestions.

if you are looking for a cheap lunch in D.C., you can never go wrong with a classic American artery-clogging hot dog! if you're looking for a nice place to eat it, try somewhere along the Tidal Basin (around the Jefferson Memorial).

here is a link to D.C. events and festivals this fall:

http://godc.about.com/od/seasonalevents/a/fallfestsevents_3.htm

ok, here I am again!
D.c. Is one of my fav cities only cause theres so much diversity and I love food.
Therefore! You guys should have dinner or a late snack in Adams Morgan. I's a nearby city that actually has endless entertainment.
Here's a city "guide" about it.

http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions/profile-791326...on_Adams_Morgan.html

It's pretty informative, and from what I remember about 4 years ago, they have a buncha different ethnic restaurants where I'm sure you'll find some good food/entertainment and scenery for cheap. I think you can get there off the metro.. or subway whatever they call it there! So it won't be confusing to navigate.
p.s. taxi drivers are weird in D.c. Even more so that New York! (eep)
Also... I'm huge geology nerd, go see the natural history museum, if you're not ready to puke from all the ones you'll be reccomended to see! Take care.

Visit Fort McHenry in Baltimore to see what inspired the "Star Spangled Banner". It is a 15 minute ride from the Inner Harbor. It has a visitors center that is run by the National Park Service. The presentation in the center is free. Sit by the windows for a great view!Many Americans don't even know where our National Anthem was written or why. We take our out of town guests there for a great history lesson. Then find a place in Harbor Place for a soft shell crab sandwich or a crab cake sandwich! You'll see Ravenstown banners all over the city. That's our football team. Enjoy your visit!

Well, as 2007 is the America's 400th birthday - kinda' - okay, so it is the anniversary of the first permanent English-speaking settlement - head to Jamestown, Virginia as a day trip from Washington DC. Be sure to visit the Jamestown Settlement which has recreations of an Indian village and of the settlement created by the English who sailed over in 1607. Also visit Jamestown Island to see some of the artifacts unearthed from the original settlement in an impressive museum, see the statue of John Smith. Close by is Colonial Williamsburg, also worth stopping by.

Here's a secret free tip in Washington DC itself. Head to the old Post Office tower; there's no charge to take the elevator to the top for amazing views of the city and surrounding areas. Definitely one of the best photo opportunities.

You guys definitely need to check out Georgetown and Adams Morgan. I'd also try and see a show at 9:30 club, it's always fun there. You could also check out a Capitals hockey game. You can get tickets for $5-$10, so its not that expensive.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tar4life:
Baltimore is a city of its own, so i think you guys should venture away from there and stick to the other suggestions.
Yeah baltimore is different then d.c. but the TJs are here to learn and see the U.S. why not see a charming american city like batlimore?

they should go to U street. Its about 1 second away from 18st adams morgan i just moved up the street from there on 13th st. Visit the clubs and resteraunts on U st, and they must go to Dukes resteraunt. If they have to go shopping they should go to Downtown Locker Room on 14th and Ust