Posted: 7/6/2008 11:25:10 AM EDT
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Thanks for all those who advised to say out of DC, but it looks like I might need to keep the hotel near by the sights, due to my 6 month old that will still need to nurse. Any recommendations or places to stay away. The boys are thrilled to goto the Marine museum. Or is it easier to just say outside and take the train, somewhere within 10 to 15 min ride? Looks like a stay in the Clarendon neighborhood in Arlington county could be an option. |
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I'm not sure if you know this already and my apologies if you do, but keep in mind that the Marine Corps museum is not actually in DC or really near it at all - about a 40 minute drive or so south depending on traffic. You will be unable to reach it by metro as the furthest south it goes is Springfield. I highly recommend it if you have a rental car though! My personal recommendations are the Newseum, Spy Museum and the new National Museum of Crime and Punishment. All have incredible displays/artifacts/etc. For free stuff and especially with your kid the Smithsonians can't be beat. As an addendum, DC has a bad rap but as long as you're keeping to the touristy part of the city around the monuments and museums, you won't have any problems. |
We'll drive there and to the Udvar Hazy. |
By all means make the drive to Quantico to the Marine Corps museum. Time it so that you're not on I-395/I-95/U S 1 during morning or afternoon rush, since interchanges generate congestion in both directions. Same for Udvar-Hazy and I-66/Route 267. The Smithsonian museums can keep kids fascinated for weeks, at little to no cost (unless you plan to eat in their dining facilities). I think you'll also find that there are family-friendly areas at some of their facilities where mom can take care of that business discreetly. Clarendon-Rosslyn-Courthouse area as well as Crystal City are great options if you're traveling with the family since Metro stations are close by as are an abundance of family-friendly restaurants. If you're coming in for a weekend, shop the major hotel chains or one of the Orbitz-type sites for weekend special deals. I've frequently been able to stay in a top-quality (4-star) hotel room in Crystal City for around $80 per night on the weekend. Weekdays not so much. As far as areas to avoid, most of the shootings take place well away from the tourist attractions, however there are occasional bad experiences to be had anywhere in the city. Maintain a normal degree of situational awareness, head for the suburbs when you see the other tourists leaving, and you should be just fine. |
Thanks everyone, Run for the hills? what I can't lock and load my ebr? |
sorry....I missed this because of the subscription system limit... From Quantico, I would go north on 95 exit at Occoquan (123 North - Ox Rd) to Fairfax County Parkway (7100) north to I66 west to 28 north GPS will probably tell you 95 north to the beltway to 66 west |
It is fine. As a matter of fact, my dad and I were going through some of his stuff, and he found pics from his HS trip to DC, and he had pics of the guards at the Tomb. The pics were b7W, but it was neat to see. And DC wasn't a shithole back then. |
I concur with Fairfax County Parkway as the route if you do Quantico and Udvar-Hazy in one road trip. For all your forays into Touristland, Metro is your friend and chauffer. The trip planner in the top right corner is usually pretty reliable for getting you where you want to go. Edit for: SDK (Spellin' Don't Kount) |
No it would not, as long as you are quiet. And if you see some guys in tan pants & black Polo shirts walking around & watching the change, they are Tomb Guards. Most are willing to talk with you, answer questions & take pictures with you. My son was Commaner of the 3rd Relief, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from March 1, 1999 to September 10, 2001. He was one of the best of the best! And one proud Dad here!!!  Mike |
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You guys ROCK, had a great time and avoided everything that I should have avoided. Went to Fairfax VA, got some great pics. The pic's of the Old Guard can out great. My hyper, full of energy son stood at attention for the 30 minutes without even of a twitch, during the changing of the guards. Later, he even told me this is where hero's go when they die. Oh, yea, no one told me about the Ron Paul convention that decend, lol. Again, wish I was in VA more instead of DC, would have CCW'ed. |
Aforementioned incident |
Glad to hear the trip worked out well. Come back and see us again. There's a lot more of our naton's history to be seen here in Virginia, and a some of it (the parts that aren't under National Park Service jurisdiction) you can see while carrying a gun. |