OT: What to see in Washington DC over 24 hours

I know this is off-topic...




I'm going to Washinton DC next week. Arriving one morning for business purposes, and leaving next evening. I'll be done with business by noon the first day, and will have the rest of that day and most of next day (till 5pm) off.

What should I visit? I know it may sound a dumb question, but still I wanna know suggestions. I wanna keep it low budget, and wanna see some nice places that I could photograph. For me, it's once in a life opportunity (at least as it stands today)

I may not even check into some INN to spend the night, but might just roam around all night and catch up on sleep in the airplane on the way back.

I'm thinking riding a bike (renting one) or just use the metro and walk to travel around.

My vote goes to the Air & Space Museum.

But, this is a "life time opportunity?" Going to Washington? People do that on a weekend; even from China it's only a little over a thousand dollars and not much time...

As a 4 time visitor to DC ( last trip in June last year ) I would recommend start walking from the Lincoln Memorial then walk up the National Mall until you get to the Science / Space Centre which has been recommended and is indeed splendid. But along the way there are all the museums / people / scenery of the Smithsonian etc. The War Memorials are very moving and worth a look and the lake next to them. The Native American Centre next to the Space Centre is great also. If you get time Georgetown good for photography as well especially along the creek which runs parallel to the main street but down the hill. Of course the White House and the blocks surrounding it are great too.


Cheers Gordon




Vietnam Memorial




Native American Museum

Since I live in the North East and my step daughter lives in the area I go to DC all the time. I've been there 20-30 times at least. 90% of what is worth seeing is within walking distance of the Capitol Hill area. The White House, Lincoln and Washington Memorials, Capitol Building, Smithsonian Museums and many many other attractions are within easy reach. There is more in that single area than you could ever see in a single day.

Unfortunately some of the best exhibits are at the The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport. The Museum collection is far too large to fit in the Mall these days.

Wow, thank you for all the advice. I'm downloading a map and starting to plot my route with big dots




Looks like it's going to be quiet a day (or two). I'm going to have the a57 with 3 lenses and thinking that I can stop by some McDonald to charge the battery if I needed to...

Are you American?

The rent a bike makes me wonder.








John D. Conley, Canuck

Skip the Mall and whatnot. Winter days are too short and dim to obtain than a few "standard" shots of landmarks you've already seen depicted a million times, and which may appear bleak or tawdry in January. If you had more time, and came in April, it might be a different story.

Stroll down to the Potomac and visit the Fish Market adjacent to Maine Avenue and near Banneker Park. You'll see lots of Chesapeake crab, oysters, and fish on sale and get a cheap, tasty lunch, plus some neat pictures, even on a gloomy winter day.

The "tourist" destinations can be a fantastic place for photo opportunities at NIGHT...the later the better. Another huge benefit is that the monuments are sometimes quite empty, especially during the week. Below are some shots take with my A65 (with tripod).




Washington Monument from reflecting pool in front of Lincoln Memorial




Viet Nam Memorial looking toward Washington Monument


Entrance to MLK Monument

John Koch said:

John Koch wrote:




Stroll down to the Potomac and visit the Fish Market adjacent to Maine Avenue and near Banneker Park. You'll see lots of Chesapeake crab, oysters, and fish on sale and get a cheap, tasty lunch, plus some neat pictures, even on a gloomy winter day.

Click to expand...

While there are good places to eat I don't think the photo opportunities are anything special. I like the photographic opportunities around the Mall better.

Memorials around the Tidal Basin: MLK, FDR, Jefferson

Memorials nearby: Washington, WWII, Vietnam War, Korean War, Lincoln

Gold hour as well as night shots of all of the above can be amazing.

Enjoy!

Mt. Vernon is great. The Udvar-Hazy museum at Dulles is amazing but both of these are on the outskirts of D. C. You may be best off just to spend the time on the capital mall.

I live in this area. You got real good suggestions here!

BTW, there's a McDonald in the Air and Space museum. Great place to stretch your legs and recharge.

Good luck. You'll enjoy it.

Not sure what the weather is like but walking the mall is my suggestion. Our last trip we ended up taking the metro back to Arlington but depending on your timing and willingness to walk, you can walk west from the Lincoln Memorial across the bridge to Arlington. You might need to prioritize the museums, monuments, etc., because there is a lot to see. FWIW, I found the exterior of the National Museum of the American Indian to be visually stunning and a nice change from the monumental styling of so many of the civic buildings in the area.




I was just looking at the Smithsonian's security page and they stated tripods and monopods were not allowed in the facilities (as opposed to not allowed to be used) and that working members of the media who needed to use one had to get permission and an escort. At the time we visitied, I carried a small travel tripod strapped to my backpack and had no trouble bringing it in, just didn't use it. as "locker" space is limited and not always available, you might need to clarify with them their current restrictions or to not plan to carry one.

It better not be raining tomorrow!!! I would not mind some snow though... Everybody, cross your fingers!

It will be sunny and a nice 39 degress Fahrenheit tomorrow and warmer Saturday. From my standpoint, these are my favorite places near the mall area:

Grouping 1:

1. Lincoln Memrial

2. Vietnam memorial (on one side)

3. Korean War Memorial (on the other side)

4. WW2 memorial

All four are relatively close to each other

Grouping 2:

1. National Air and Space Museum

2. Cross the mall and go to the National Gallery of Art, East and West wings (the NGA contains some of the best artwork in the world and is not overly crowded).

3. The National Archives (they have a great exhibit of the Cuban Missle Crisis at the moment, and have the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta)

4. Library of Congress

The museums take more than a day by themselves, but very much worth it.

I like visiting the Lincoln Memorial at night.

You can go the the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Union Station, and the National Cathedral. A drive through Mass. Avenue allows you to see various embassies in the town. The White House needs a pass, and D.C. is gearing up for the innaguration on Sunday.

And if you like the city nightlife, Georgetown at night, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan - lots of places to visit.

Have fun.

If you're going to be there on Monday, there's the small matter of the Presidential Inauguration on Martin Luther King Jnr Day.

Having been there for the last one, I'd say it's definately worth a look-see.

I used to live in DC - the thing we'd always do and seemed to impress visitors the most was to go to the various monuments/memorials after the sun went down. They are fabulously maintained, and beautifully lit in the evening time. The lighting at night really provides a very moving experience for most.

Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam, WWII (my least favorite, but it's right there with a bunch of others so worth doing), iwo jima, arlington cemetary, haven't seen the new MLK but given your timing.


-Matt

Well, I'm in DC now. It's not snowing or raining but definitely cold. I'll hit the monuments and museums tomorrow, as I actually met up some friends I didn't expect and spent the day with them. It's definitely a nice city, lots to photograph even just on the streets.

I'll put something up here in 2-3 days. I do need to get back home tomorrow, so I won't see the inauguration...

Cheers

Put your coat on, hat, camera and tripod and go out to take night tour around monuments. You will never regret. There is no traffic around night, easy to park. Monuments look fantastic against dark sky.