7 hr layover in DC, what would you see?

[Erich]

I'd see if I could get a nonstop flight or else if I could connect somewhere else.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Try The Royal Palace.
Tell them that rburg sent you and you want Sipowicz's table

 

[walnutred]

Minimal info provided by OP...

Train? DCA? BWI? IAD?

Choices for your layover are very site specific.

Layover is probably not the correct choice of words, delay would be better. Every fall I go to Crystal City for a Society for Chemical Hazards Communications conference and this year I'll be there from Sunday afternoon until around 10:00 AM on Wednesday. My return flight is not until 7:30 PM on Wednesday out of National.

I schedule a late return flight so I can do a little sight seeing after a couple days of concentrating on hazardous chemicals. Last year it was Arlington and one of the Smithsonians, year before it was a stroll around the reflecting pool and the war memorials, year before the weather was bad so I ended up doing work on my laptop in the airport. You get the picture.

 

[The Big D]

Understand, walnutred.

First, whilst you are still "working" in Crystal City steal a bit of time and head down to the 9-11 Memorial at the Pentagon. Haven't been there yet, personally, but understand it's quite moving. (It's walking distance...and you can't park at the Pentagon.)

On Wednesday I suggest hopping on a train and spend some time meandering about the National Mall. One of the best times of the year to visit; nice weather and less people than usual. You can kill several hours doing that...easily.

Do get to DCA circa 1700, check-in and treat yourself to a nice dinner at Legal Seafood or one of the other restaurants there. You likely know DC traffic is a mess at rush hour...even the Metro is packed.

Do have fun!

Be safe.

Layover is probably not the correct choice of words, delay would be better. Every fall I go to Crystal City for a Society for Chemical Hazards Communications conference and this year I'll be there from Sunday afternoon until around 10:00 AM on Wednesday. My return flight is not until 7:30 PM on Wednesday out of National.

I schedule a late return flight so I can do a little sight seeing after a couple days of concentrating on hazardous chemicals. Last year it was Arlington and one of the Smithsonians, year before it was a stroll around the reflecting pool and the war memorials, year before the weather was bad so I ended up doing work on my laptop in the airport. You get the picture.

 

[Andy Griffith]

In DC?

Do like Davy Crockett and head west...out of town as fast as possible!

After all, you're in enemy territory!

 

[truckemup97]

On Wednesday I suggest hopping on a train and spend some time meandering about the National Mall.

I agree, but watch out for the goose poop. Can I say poop here? If not, it will look like ****.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I agree, but watch out for the goose poop. Can I say poop here? If not, it will look like ****.

Naw....poop lokes like poop. Type **** and it comes out ****.

 

[Iggy]

I would see if I could get out of town in 2 hours.

 

[DeadAye]

Go see your congressman (or congresschickie) and/or senator and tell him, or her, just how you feel. Maybe stop in and chat with the prez and have a beer.
BTW - Good luck with that!

 

[HEAD0001]

If you haven't seen the dinosaurs?? Then that is where I would go first. Aerospace is a place on my list that I have never seen-I am really looking forward to going when I get my power wheel chair(please no hover-round jokes).

Can you get in the NRA Museum with a wheel chair?? Thanks, Tom.

 

[ChuckS1]

If your layover is at Reagan, then hop on the Blue Line and go over Crystal City and spend your time at the Crystal City restaurant.

 

[JimSupica]

Thanks for the mentions of the NRA National Firearms Museum!

We are fairly close to Dulles (15-20 minutes w/ good traffic, 30-45 with bad), in the NRA HQ building at 11250 Waples Mill Dr.

Open every day of the week, 9:30 to 5 pm, free admission. Wheelchair accessible entrance via back parking lot, loaner wheelchair available at desk.

If you need public transport directions, call Wendy at the Museum, 703-267-1620.

Approx. 3,000 guns on display, including some important S&W's --
* Ed McGivern's revolvers
* Theodore Roosevelts New Model #3
* Herb Parsons' exhibition shooting S&W's
* Some magnificent engraved Smiths
* Julian Hatchers Victory Model V3
* NYPD Officer Weavers J frame, recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center
* Annie Oakley's Model One
* Silver plated engraved target Triple Lock

Get a better idea by checking out the "Treasure Guns" here:
The National Firearms Museum: Treasure Collection
(click on the video links once you get to a gun you're interested in)

... or by browsing the galleries here:
The National Firearms Museum: The Galleries
(click on a gallery, select a case in that gallery, and then click on the gun in that case you want to take a closer look at)

Jim

Jim

 

[michael thornton]

I got stuck there from friday untill sunday! i didnt see anything that would make me ever go back! but i had been gone two weeks and wanted to see my babys pretty bad.

 

[mtelkhntr]

Without mentioning your age, it's hard to suggest an interest. Being a child of the '60's and early 70's I've yearned to go alone to D.C. just to see the vietnam memorial. The son of one of my Dad's co-workers flew a recon. mission over n. vietnam and never came back. I wore a P.O.W./M.I.A. bracelet with his name until it wore off. A few years back, a scaled down version of the memorial came through town and I went and found his name and it became such an emotional thing I found myself sitting there and reliving that era and trying to make sense out of it all and what my life had become. I don't think being from that era that I could see D.C. like walking through the mall of america which I just did with my wife last week but rather as a time to see, wonder, ponder and reflect. I just want to see the names again, sit and contemplate, see the names again, see the emotions of others then quietly go back home. Now, that's just the view of one middle aged man.

 

[ancient-one]

I guess that I am old and cynical and glad that I don't have to fly anymore. But if I had a similar situation I think that I would find a place to eat, a good seat and sit there and watch the people and keep count of those who did or didn't speak our language. Could be interesting.

 

[A10]

+1 for the Korean War memorial. It struck me hard, being as Dad was there. And the whole thing was paid for by families of veterans. It's pretty amazing.

 

[A10]

Thanks for the mentions of the NRA National Firearms Museum!


Get a better idea by checking out the "Treasure Guns" here:
The National Firearms Museum: Treasure Collection
(click on the video links once you get to a gun you're interested in)

... or by browsing the galleries here:
The National Firearms Museum: The Galleries
(click on a gallery, select a case in that gallery, and then click on the gun in that case you want to take a closer look at)

Jim

Jim

Great links Jim, thanks!

 

[john3136]

If you need public transport directions, call Wendy at the Museum, 703-267-1620.

I'm in DC in December and I'm hoping to get out to the museum.
Had a quick look on Google and public transport seemed "hard".
Looked like the cheapest/easiest way would be to hire a car for a day.

Am I wrong?
You guys drive on the wrong side of the road!
[although I have driven around Herndon/Reston and into DC before without causing an accident ;-)]

 

[Sprefix]

Other than the WWII, Korean War and Vietnam memorials, I would be on the lookout for anything moving in my direction. With the current level of handicap from the neck up, I'd very leery of getting hurt by the "occupants" of D.C. You are very brave. Good luck and enjoy a safe journey.

 

[JimSupica]

I'm in DC in December and I'm hoping to get out to the museum.
Had a quick look on Google and public transport seemed "hard".
Looked like the cheapest/easiest way would be to hire a car for a day.

Am I wrong?
You guys drive on the wrong side of the road!
[although I have driven around Herndon/Reston and into DC before without causing an accident ;-)]

Altho I've been here 3 years now and love my job (this is a job???), I have refused to adapt to DC as a matter of principal, so i'm not the best help on this. Wendy knows tho. I do know there is a subway stop a few miles from the museum, and that and a cab might be a better option. She can splain it to you. -- Jim