How to plan a trip to dc
20 Essential Tips for a First Visit to Washington, DC
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the seat of american government bustling
washington dc is home to the touchstone
by which all other museums are judged as
well as monuments and memorials that
tell the story of the nation's rich
history a dc trip can be easier on the
budget than other destinations across
the country because so many attractions
within the city are free
if you plan on spending time in the
district and you've never been here
before we've put together a list just
for you
in today's video we're going to share
with you 20 essential tips for a first
visit to washington dc
ways to get around landmarks and museums
where advanced tickets are required in
the best neighborhoods you should
explore to get away from the crowds i
promise you you don't want to miss these
tips
all of that and so much more straight
ahead from the nation's capital
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a trip to washington d.c is great any
time of the year but most would agree
springtime is one of the best seasons to
visit the national cherry blossom
festival takes place from mid-march
through mid-april every year with a full
calendar of cultural events held around
the city
peak bloom for the cherry blossom can be
difficult to accurately predict however
the national park service keeps the
public updated on its website and can
usually have an estimate about 10 days
out
when it comes to driving in dc the best
piece of advice i can give you is don't
do it
take the easiest route to the place
you're staying park your car and forget
it during the duration of your time here
with all the one-way streets that fan
out in all different directions it's
best to leave the driving to someone
else
washington has an excellent public
transportation system including the
metro subway and buses
both are popular with locals and
visitors alike and should be utilized if
you really want a successful trip
the metro features six color-coded lines
that connect with each other at transfer
stations the metro services the district
as well as suburban virginia and
maryland
fares range from a dollar for seniors
and riders with qualifying disabilities
to peak fares as much as six dollars
the website on your screen is the best
resource to learn about the current fair
schedule
there are also single and multiple day
unlimited passes regular routes for
metro bus have a two dollar cost to ride
while you'll pay 425 for an express
route be aware something called a smart
trip card is needed to enter and exit
the system we have links to where you
can learn more about the rechargeable
card including how and where to purchase
along with information about the
smartphone app at our website
plenty of activities in dc that make it
so easy to stay within your vacation
budget
the 17 museums galleries and zoo that
make up the smithsonian institution have
free entry
visiting at least a couple of these
remarkable educational resources should
be part of any trip to the nation's
capital
while the dc metro is awesome for
getting you around the city it does not
service the national mall
the museums and landmarks along this
expansive green space are better
experienced on foot so be sure to pack
comfortable shoes you will be doing a
lot of walking in the district but let
me also recommend this the dc circulator
is a different public bus system from
metro bus and provides several distinct
routes across the city including around
the national mall
it makes 17 stops along the route with
buses scheduled to arrive every 10
minutes saving you precious time and
energy
best of all rides are only a buck with
seniors and persons with disabilities
only charged 50 cents per ride
the first time abby and i paid a visit
to washington dc we spent three nights
and we just about killed ourselves
exploring most of the landmarks in the
district i still don't know how we did
it but the metro was definitely a
lifesaver
for a first time visitor to d.c it's
important to lower expectations you need
to have a list of the places you
definitely want to hit try to stick to
it and realize you won't be able to see
every landmark or visit every museum in
one vacation it's okay though saving
things to see and do for the next visit
is always a good thing
going through security checks is the
norm around washington almost all
attractions and museums have some type
of security to go through with some a
lot more stringent than others you'll be
passing through a metal detector at many
of the museums whatever you do don't
bring mace or pepper spray with you to
any museum in dc they're considered
weapons
one of the most emotional places you'll
visit in dc is the national archives
museum
inside this building that houses more
than three billion records are the three
most important documents in american
history the declaration of independence
the u.s constitution and the bill of
rights these can be viewed in the
building's rotunda for the charters of
freedom many people report needing a
moment after seeing the documents in
person so bring your hanky entry to the
national archives is free
want to tour the white house during your
visit plan ahead as far in advance as
possible white house tours can be
arranged by contacting your member of
congress public tours are typically
available from 8 am until 12 30 pm
tuesday wednesday thursday friday and
saturday excluding federal holidays or
unless otherwise noted the tours are
subject to change with little notice but
they are free of charge
advance reservations are now required to
tour the u.s capitol building available
monday through friday 9 a.m until 3 p.m
tours are led by professional guides and
include the rotunda national statuary
hall and the crypt the tour does not
include the senate and house galleries
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the world's largest collection of books
is located across from the capitol at
the library of congress
in a city of impressive buildings this
is the one most likely to leave your jaw
on the floor plus the large gift shop
has an impressive collection of books
and unique souvenirs you can take back
home
experiencing the nation's capital city
should not be limited to just the famous
landmarks and museums
factor in some time to explore some of
the district's diverse neighborhoods we
love popping in to some of the galleries
boutiques and eateries near dupont
circle
georgetown is also a favorite known for
its cobblestone sidewalks and gorgeous
architecture along with upscale home
design stores
we always make it a point to grab a
photo of the friendship archway in
chinatown and head up to u street where
we indulge at the original location of
ben's chili bowl just be prepared for a
line out the door
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ranked as one of the most literate
cities in the nation bibliophiles love
dc for its independent and locally owned
bookstores so when you're checking out
neighborhoods like dupont circle make it
a point to find a couple of good reads
at second story books or cramers we have
links to some of our favorite bookstores
at chatgallivanter.com
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while there's no admission fee for any
of the dc smithsonian some require timed
passes to save visitors from waiting in
long lines this applies to the national
museum of african american history and
culture the u.s holocaust memorial
museum and the national zoo
you can find out more by visiting the
websites of each location we have links
at our website
the major monuments like the lincoln
memorial jefferson memorial and
washington monument are iconic and hard
to miss because of their placement
but some of the smaller newer memorials
and monuments should not be overlooked
the fdr memorial is on a 7.5 acre more
secluded plot along the southwest side
of the tidal basin
dedicated in 2011 the mlk memorial is
located at the northwest corner of the
tidal basin on a sight line connecting
the lincoln memorial to the northwest
and the jefferson memorial to the
southeast the black granite walls of the
vietnam memorial are within constitution
gardens adjacent to the national mall
and a short walk from the lincoln
memorial
these memorials tend to blend into their
surroundings more and their sometimes
easy to pass by unless you plan ahead
and know where to look
your first time in dc should include a
visit to arlington national cemetery
these hallowed grounds across the
potomac river from downtown are where
the heroes who served in the nation's
military are laid to rest
it's also where you'll find the tomb of
the unknowns and the gravesite of
president kennedy and those of his
brothers bobby and teddy
the easiest way to get to arlington is
by taking the metro blue line there's a
station on memorial avenue just before
the cemetery's main entrance
search out more than a hundred gargoyles
and grotesques at the washington
national cathedral this neo-gothic
building looks old but was actually
constructed in the 20th century
sightseeing hours vary and there
normally is an admission charge check
our website for a link to information
about the cathedral
the collection of theaters known as the
kennedy center is the nation's busiest
performing arts center free guided tours
of the campus are offered daily and on
select days you might be able to catch
free film screenings or a live music
concert
and don't miss the spectacular views of
the city from the rooftop terrace we
have a link to the kennedy center on our
website
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a lot of good food options in one place
can be found at union market this
gourmet food hall has become dc's
hippest feasting ground a former
mid-century produce and meat-selling
bazaar that today is occupied by food
stalls informal restaurants and
kitchenware boutiques
established by an act of congress in
1927
the national arboretum covers nearly 450
acres and is free to visit
the grounds here are visually
captivating almost any time of the year
but really come alive during the spring
time
on site you'll find the national capital
columns the same set of corinthian
columns that once supported the east
portico
of the capitol building
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founding father and the nation's first
president george washington called this
estate overlooking the potomac home
mount vernon is open daily 365 days a
year capacity is limited and tours
require a timed tour ticket for
guaranteed entry it's recommended you
purchase your tickets in advance online
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that's it our list of 20 essential tips
for a first visit to washington dc
what would you add to the list let us
know in the comments we always love
hearing from you
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gallivanter75 where we provide quick
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website chadgalavanter
as always thank you for watching
from the nation's capital
see you next time
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you
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