Recommendations: Washington DC Area

Hi,

First off thank you to the people who (I hope) leave a response.

I am in college park, maryland for work and it ends thursday. I plan to stay through the weekend and fly back home to the bay area Monday. I was hoping to get some recommendations from fatwallet members (doesn't necessairly have to be a deal) for places to visit and places to eat and the mode of transportation to get there. Also, if I need to know anything ahead of time or what to look out for. I have a rental car but I don't know if it's the best way to get there (locals talk about the metro).

I am picking gf up friday at dca airport at 9am and staying in falls church, Virginia fri-mon.

Last time I went to new york, I got some great help from everyone here.

Thanks again-

Use the DC Metro (There's a College Park stop)and get off at the Smithsonian stop (Blue/Orange line I believe). Tons and tons to see within walking distance from there. Lots of museums and art gallerys. The DC metro is very easy to use. Do NOT drive into DC. It's hard to get around and parking is $$$. HTH.

Parking in town isn't too bad once people leave work on Friday afternoon. The traffic can be bad, though, during rush hour. On weekdays, you could park in one of the more residential areas in town, like DuPont Circle or near the U-Street Cardoza metro stations, since people leave their parking spots during the day here. But DCA also works. It's definitely not as much of a parking nightmare as say NYC.

As for things to do, the great thing about DC is that a lot of stuff is free. If you're into art, the National Gallery is fantastic. The Air & Space museum is great too (if you've never seen it.) If the weather's good, the National Zoo can be fun also. If your gf is into shopping or if you're looking for a good place to eat and drink, Georgetown is fun to walk around. Adams Morgan has a great collection of bars too (younger crowd here).

For some off-beat stuff: the Newseum (paid admission), Spy Museum (paid admission), and National Building Museum ($5 donation) are great. The quintisential DC experience is to take a walk from the Lincoln Memorial along the Reflecting Pool to the WWII Memorial and the Washington Monument, though. The leaves still have some great color in them.

Thanks for the ideas roughnready & footballking732

I think I will do the quintisential DC experience. Thanks for the parking places too, Im sure that will come in handy. I think I will check out Georgetown and the Newseum because both of you mentioned it. Im in my mid-twenties and maybe hit up Adams Morgan at night if I am not too tired from all the sight seeing.

Is there any big shopping malls around here (besides Georgetown mentioned above)? My gf is an avid shopper.

Keep the ideas coming and thanks again.

Random experience (Off topic):
Ive actually yelped the area and eaten dinner all around college park. Hanami (Sun), Cornerstone Grill & Loft (Mon), Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa (Tue) and Ruff N Ready Crab House (Today). I was disappointed that the 7-11 across from my hotel didnt sell any beer. Had to have crab and shrimp with no beer. I didnt want to sit in the Baltimore Ave traffic anymore and try to get some. Never come across a 7-11 that didnt sell beer.

Jediknightnip said: Thanks for the ideas roughnready & footballking732

I think I will do the quintisential DC experience. Thanks for the parking places too, Im sure that will come in handy. I think I will check out Georgetown and the Newseum because both of you mentioned it. Im in my mid-twenties and maybe hit up Adams Morgan at night if I am not too tired from all the sight seeing.

Is there any big shopping malls around here (besides Georgetown mentioned above)? My gf is an avid shopper.

Keep the ideas coming and thanks again.

Random experience (Off topic):
Ive actually yelped the area and eaten dinner all around college park. Hanami (Sun), Cornerstone Grill & Loft (Mon), Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa (Tue) and Ruff N Ready Crab House (Today). I was disappointed that the 7-11 across from my hotel didnt sell any beer. Had to have crab and shrimp with no beer. I didnt want to sit in the Baltimore Ave traffic anymore and try to get some. Never come across a 7-11 that didnt sell beer.

Adams morgan is great, but as you would in any part of DC just be careful. Adams Morgan has been subject to crime, even though much less than other areas. I would metro everywhere btw. You can get to anywhere thats worth going to around here via metro, and its not nearly as confusing as some make it out to be. Reduced fares are during the midday, ending at 3 PM on monday through friday. weekends are always reduced fare. just make sure you know when the last train is, because unlike NY our trains dont run all night.

In addition to Adams Morgan you might want to check out Bethesda at night. Great food, a bunch of theaters, amazing atmosphere, and theres just alot more to choose from. Like i said before, if you really like sushi definitely go to Bethesda. Matuba has their buffet, and Tako Grill is a little more expensive but its amazing.

Shopping malls: Tysons Corner, White Flint, Montgomery Mall, Wheaton Plaza. Wheaton plaza is in the rougher area of montgomery county and not a nice mall. Tysons corner and white flint are modeled for higher class (read fancier)

And yes every 7-11 in MD does not sell beer wine or liquor. Nor do grocery stores. Liquor stores only. Watch out for the 7-11 on route 1 by Burger king and taco bell, there was a hostage/shooting incident 2 days ago.

Baltimore Ave traffic sucks, theres always construction or campus buses. But once you drive it enough youll learn its really predictable.

I meant to say Monday night I drove through the crime scene.

Every time I hit edit, it takes me to the home page...?

Yeah adams morgan is a bit of a walk.. But the zoo is a bit of a walk too from that stop. Also from what ive heard georgetown is a walk from whatever metro stop its at too (ive always driven there).

I drive by Clarion Inn everyday lol. I live in Chevy Chase and commute to CP for class. If your into mexican food theres a place called Samanthas off University Blvd that i loveeeee. I was actually their first customer back in the day, and now its turned into a popular restuarant. It is probably 5 minutes drive from the hotel youre staying at.

Thanks for all your posts.

I will post my experience after my trip for anyone else looking to travel the DC area.