Visiting the Nations Capitol

jamf · 10-21-2006, 02:20 AM

I need some advice.
I am going to DC for the Cowboys game. This will be my first trip east of New Mexico.

How cold is it going to be? I am a california boy...
Screw the usual sights, What are the really cool things to check out on limited time(3 Days)?
What's the best redskins store in town?
Good places to eat? Where to go at night to enjoy the nightlife?
Should we(3 others) rent a car or just use public transportation?
Should we take the hotel bus to the game or should deal with the parking situation if we drive?

Any info is helpful.
Thanks

Big C · 10-21-2006, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamf

I need some advice.
I am going to DC for the Cowboys game. This will be my first trip east of New Mexico.

How cold is it going to be? I am a california boy...
Screw the usual sights, What are the really cool things to check out on limited time(3 Days)?
What's the best redskins store in town?
Good places to eat? Where to go at night to enjoy the nightlife?
Should we(3 others) rent a car or just use public transportation?
Should we take the hotel bus to the game or should deal with the parking situation if we drive?

Any info is helpful.
Thanks

depends where u are staying. if u stay downtown u can walk pretty much anywhere that matters, at least i have been able to do so from past experiences. weather is never a constant around here so cant really tell you, but bring a heavy coat just incase, it will probably be in the 40s. try chinatown for some restraunts if u like chinese, i think there are some good ones out there, chinatown is connected with verizon center. theres also an espnzone there but not that original i suppose. a personal favorite of mine is "capital city brewing company", a microbrewery near verizon center if u dont like chinese. cant tell u much about nightlife, havent experienced it. ive never been able to go up the washington monument, the line is either too long or they were renovating it, but might be worth a try. tons of museums if u are into that stuff. go to union station also, great place to shop and has restraunts also

That Guy · 10-21-2006, 05:40 AM

if you like museums, try air and space and natural history.

holocaust museum is good too, if you're up for it, and if you like art, the national gallery is the place to go. avoid the spy and indian museums, they really blow, and don't bother going to the udvar-hazey section of air and space (it's in a huge hangar out near dulles). there's nothing there worth the trip.

if you're staying in Northern VA, la tolteca (mexican, and pretty inexpensive for the quality) and tau tau (chinese) are both really good. in DC, i don't really know, i try not to eat there since everything is so HORRIBLY overpriced (McD value meals for $8, only with less food! winner.) there is a pretty good place in the crystal city (arlington) underground that serves some of everything... i used to get ham/egg/cheese croissant sandwiches there daily when i worked there.

there's barriers around everything now though, so it's not nearly as nice as it used to be.

oh yeah, avoid dupont circle at night (really, i mean it), unless you swing the other way...

for shopping, tyson's corner has the most insane amount of shops, but pentagon city mall is actually on the metro routes and closer to DC (higher prices, more upscale... the mall floors are made of marble, etc).

djnemo65 · 10-21-2006, 07:39 AM

That's interesting that you are a Skins fan who has never been to DC. We need more people like you!

RobH4413 · 10-21-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamf

I need some advice.
I am going to DC for the Cowboys game. This will be my first trip east of New Mexico.

How cold is it going to be? I am a california boy...
Screw the usual sights, What are the really cool things to check out on limited time(3 Days)?
What's the best redskins store in town?
Good places to eat? Where to go at night to enjoy the nightlife?
Should we(3 others) rent a car or just use public transportation?
Should we take the hotel bus to the game or should deal with the parking situation if we drive?

Any info is helpful.
Thanks

One of my favorite "not so common" places to go is the Thedore Roosevelt Memorial. It's very low key, nothing fancy, and has some pretty cool little things to check out.

Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial - Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

hooskins · 10-21-2006, 02:05 PM

You should go to SE and Anacostia, the best parts of the city.

That Guy · 10-21-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooskins

You should go to SE and Anacostia, the best parts of the city.

</sarcasm>

just in case.

oh yeah, for the big museums, go after 2 or 3, to avoid school groups (usually only a problem in the summer). They tend to be loud and take up a lot of space. The black cat in also in DC (live music) but i'm not sure who's playing while you're down here... tickets usually aren't bad if there's someone you want to see there.

jamf · 10-21-2006, 07:38 PM

Awesome, Thanks Guys.

ArtMonkDrillz · 10-21-2006, 07:51 PM

I like the bars in Adam's Morgan and Georgetown, it's usually a younger crowd (college age/20s) so I don't know if that makes a difference for you. I think there are also some good bars around the ESPNZone, which is considered Gallery Place. If you're staying in the city Metro and taxis are pretty good. With the taxis, like anywhere, you run the risk of getting screwed because you don't know the town.

That Guy · 10-22-2006, 12:04 AM

oh yeah, DC drivers are terrible. and the city has lots of one way streets and usually a couple random street closings just to piss people off.

BDBohnzie · 10-23-2006, 11:10 AM

November weather, mid to upper 40s, lower 50s during the day, lower 40s to upper 30s at night. But be prepared for anything, as it's been a pretty warm autumn thus far...until this week of course.

Cool sights? National Building Museum is underrated. But, do some research...the Washington Post has a few sections devoted to sights around town. Definitely check out the Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetary.

Well, Snyder runs the Redskins stores in town, and for some ungodly reason, there isn't one in DC. Here's a list of the stores around town.

There are tons of great places to eat in and around town. Areas to check out dining and nightlife are Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Gallery Place/Chinatown, Ballston/Clarendon, and Bethesda. Again, the Washington Post has a huge listing of restaurants and bars/clubs. I highly recommend the Brickskeller in Adams Morgan/Dupont Circle or RFD in if you're into beer. The Brickskeller has over 1000 beers to order at a time, and RFD has 40+ on tap, plus a large bottle collection.

If anything, try to stay near a Metro stop, and use it. You can get $5 all day passes, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than trying to use a rental car and park, or using taxis. And if you're flying into National Airport, you can use the Metro to get from there to your hotel.

Again, use the Metro to get to the game. It's less than a mile from the Morgan Blvd Metro station. It's $35 to park at the stadium. And there are plenty of Warpathers that have tailgates you can crash.

GhettoDogAllStars · 10-23-2006, 11:21 AM

awww yeeeaah boyeee! I'm gonna be goin' to the dallas game also ... can't wait!

Hail2theskins · 10-23-2006, 04:54 PM

did someone honestly mention la tolteca as good mexican?? hahahahahaha, wow, hey, avoid la tolteca, unless you're under 21 and want to find a place to drink...

jamf · 10-23-2006, 07:22 PM

Thanks everyone! I can't wait. Now hopefully my skins wont let me down.

hooskins · 10-23-2006, 08:18 PM

Dont go to SE or Anacostia btw, I was joking.

10-21-2006, 02:20 AM	#1
jamf Pro Bowl Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Ca Posts: 5,348	Visiting the Nations Capitol I need some advice. I am going to DC for the Cowboys game. This will be my first trip east of New Mexico. How cold is it going to be? I am a california boy... Screw the usual sights, What are the really cool things to check out on limited time(3 Days)? What's the best redskins store in town? Good places to eat? Where to go at night to enjoy the nightlife? Should we(3 others) rent a car or just use public transportation? Should we take the hotel bus to the game or should deal with the parking situation if we drive? Any info is helpful. Thanks

10-21-2006, 05:40 AM	#3
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,620	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol if you like museums, try air and space and natural history. holocaust museum is good too, if you're up for it, and if you like art, the national gallery is the place to go. avoid the spy and indian museums, they really blow, and don't bother going to the udvar-hazey section of air and space (it's in a huge hangar out near dulles). there's nothing there worth the trip. if you're staying in Northern VA, la tolteca (mexican, and pretty inexpensive for the quality) and tau tau (chinese) are both really good. in DC, i don't really know, i try not to eat there since everything is so HORRIBLY overpriced (McD value meals for $8, only with less food! winner.) there is a pretty good place in the crystal city (arlington) underground that serves some of everything... i used to get ham/egg/cheese croissant sandwiches there daily when i worked there. there's barriers around everything now though, so it's not nearly as nice as it used to be. oh yeah, avoid dupont circle at night (really, i mean it), unless you swing the other way... for shopping, tyson's corner has the most insane amount of shops, but pentagon city mall is actually on the metro routes and closer to DC (higher prices, more upscale... the mall floors are made of marble, etc).

10-21-2006, 07:39 AM	#4
djnemo65 Playmaker Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,836	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol That's interesting that you are a Skins fan who has never been to DC. We need more people like you!

10-21-2006, 02:05 PM	#6
hooskins Most Interesting Man in the World Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chantilly, VA Age: 38 Posts: 8,606	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol You should go to SE and Anacostia, the best parts of the city. __________________ Vacancy

10-21-2006, 07:38 PM	#8
jamf Pro Bowl Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Ca Posts: 5,348	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol Awesome, Thanks Guys.

10-21-2006, 07:51 PM	#9
ArtMonkDrillz Franchise Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ellicott City, MD Age: 42 Posts: 8,029	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol I like the bars in Adam's Morgan and Georgetown, it's usually a younger crowd (college age/20s) so I don't know if that makes a difference for you. I think there are also some good bars around the ESPNZone, which is considered Gallery Place. If you're staying in the city Metro and taxis are pretty good. With the taxis, like anywhere, you run the risk of getting screwed because you don't know the town. __________________ "Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." The Dude

10-22-2006, 12:04 AM	#10
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,620	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol oh yeah, DC drivers are terrible. and the city has lots of one way streets and usually a couple random street closings just to piss people off.

10-23-2006, 11:10 AM	#11
BDBohnzie Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Frederick, MD Age: 46 Posts: 4,628	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol November weather, mid to upper 40s, lower 50s during the day, lower 40s to upper 30s at night. But be prepared for anything, as it's been a pretty warm autumn thus far...until this week of course. Cool sights? National Building Museum is underrated. But, do some research...the Washington Post has a few sections devoted to sights around town. Definitely check out the Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetary. Well, Snyder runs the Redskins stores in town, and for some ungodly reason, there isn't one in DC. Here's a list of the stores around town. There are tons of great places to eat in and around town. Areas to check out dining and nightlife are Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Gallery Place/Chinatown, Ballston/Clarendon, and Bethesda. Again, the Washington Post has a huge listing of restaurants and bars/clubs. I highly recommend the Brickskeller in Adams Morgan/Dupont Circle or RFD in if you're into beer. The Brickskeller has over 1000 beers to order at a time, and RFD has 40+ on tap, plus a large bottle collection. If anything, try to stay near a Metro stop, and use it. You can get $5 all day passes, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than trying to use a rental car and park, or using taxis. And if you're flying into National Airport, you can use the Metro to get from there to your hotel. Again, use the Metro to get to the game. It's less than a mile from the Morgan Blvd Metro station. It's $35 to park at the stadium. And there are plenty of Warpathers that have tailgates you can crash. __________________ Bad Things man, I mean bad things... “WE TOOK HIM IN THE SIXTH ROUND SO WE'RE NOT SMART EITHER.” - Shanny on what the Skins saw in Alfred Morris

10-23-2006, 11:21 AM	#12
GhettoDogAllStars Playmaker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Age: 43 Posts: 2,762	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol awww yeeeaah boyeee! I'm gonna be goin' to the dallas game also ... can't wait! __________________ To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.

10-23-2006, 04:54 PM	#13
Hail2theskins Special Teams Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Herndon, VA Age: 39 Posts: 488	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol did someone honestly mention la tolteca as good mexican?? hahahahahaha, wow, hey, avoid la tolteca, unless you're under 21 and want to find a place to drink... __________________ HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!! LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!

10-23-2006, 07:22 PM	#14
jamf Pro Bowl Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Ca Posts: 5,348	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol Thanks everyone! I can't wait. Now hopefully my skins wont let me down.

10-23-2006, 08:18 PM	#15
hooskins Most Interesting Man in the World Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chantilly, VA Age: 38 Posts: 8,606	Re: Visiting the Nations Capitol Dont go to SE or Anacostia btw, I was joking. __________________ Vacancy

Visiting the Nations Capitol

Parking Lot