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Newtonian

Washington DC

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Just spent 3 days in The Swamp. Observations:

 

* Already on the warm side -- I don't recommend visiting during hot months

* Fewer redheads this time than 3 years ago. Females looked pasty and tired. Are skin tight pants a style these days?

* Don't visit when school is out. Everywhere we went there were a million kids

* Every building in DC is guarded by dozens of people in uniform. For a gun-free district it's amazing that every single one has a gun, baton, two radios. Job descriptions that don't earn you a whistle in NY get you a Glock in DC

* About 40% carry revolvers. Yay.

* I wonder how much training they get. 

* Got snagged for a pocket knife at the National Archives. Tried to hide it under my phone through the scanner but that didn't work. "Is this yours?" Hid the knife behind a statue of a unicorn right outside and went back in. A-OK. Same guy: "I wanted to tell you to hide it and come back in but I'm not supposed to."

* As rooms in the city were in the $350-450 range we stayed across the river near the Pentagon, where we were protected by 5,000 pansy-assed transexual colonels and generals. Oak View has apartments for $179. Gorgeous place, great views. $5 Uber ride into the city. 

* Hill Country  BBQ on 7th St. is the best place for manly fare.

 

There, that's my trip report.

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I took the family there August 2015. Wasn't too hot and wasn't too busy.

 

Stayed in the city at Hilton Homewood Suites at Thomas Circle. Right next to National City Church. Walking distance to the White House.

 

Easy Transport on the Subway System to everything.

 

Good Restaurants.

 

An Ungodly amount of bums. Worst one was right in front of the White House ripped out of his mind with half his ass hanging out of his ripped shorts. Cops all over and they did nothing. Church steps were covered in bums in the early morning when I went to get coffee.

 

Enjoyed seeing the Memorials and the Smithsonian. Highlight of the trip was taking my older daughter to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While it wasn't too hot, it was hot. By that point in the day the younger one was done walking. It was a hike to the Tomb, but well worth it. Got to watch the changing of the guard. After going there my daughter truly understood why those who have given their lives for our freedom are heroes. She called it powerful and amazing. I plan on going back this year so the younger one can experience it as well.

 

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I took the family there August 2015. Wasn't too hot and wasn't too busy.

 

Stayed in the city at Hilton Homewood Suites at Thomas Circle. Right next to National City Church. Walking distance to the White House.

Ha, I took the family there at the same time and I think at that same hotel as well.

 

It's a trip every American should make.

 

The homeless people are ridiculous, a block from the White House and "citizens" are high on drugs.

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Ha, I took the family there at the same time and I think at that same hotel as well.

 

It's a trip every American should make.

 

The homeless people are ridiculous, a block from the White House and "citizens" are high on drugs.

That's funny. We may very well have been there and never crossed paths. One negative about the hotel is the lack of on-site restaurant but rooms were clean, and you got a suite for under $300 a night in Downtown DC. IIRC correctly it was the 3rd-4th week of August 2015. Did you go to Arlington?

 

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That's funny. We may very well have been there and never crossed paths. One negative about the hotel is the lack of on-site restaurant but rooms were clean and you got a suite for under $300 a night in Downtown DC. IIRC correctly it was the 3rd-4th week of August 2015.

 

I stand corrected, we stayed at the Hyatt. But yes, we were there the last week of August.

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We always stay in Virginia just over the river.  Weekend rates are cheap since most people visiting the swamp are there to profit off of your tax dollars Monday through Friday.   We drive to the nearest Metro station and take the Metro everywhere.  If you're used to the NYC subway, this is 1,000 x nicer. 

 

Since the museums are all free, it's a nice family trip for a couple of days.  We have a favorite food vendor out the back doors of the air and space museum where we always get egg rolls for lunch.  While you're there, check out the spy museum if you have boys.  Lots of fun.

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I've been there once for pleasure, but I go frequently for business. I have a couple of clients there...Smithsonian Department of Gemology, the Library of Congress, and the Mint.

 

I enjoyed the personal trip we did a few years ago, but business travel down there is miserable. Because of the test equipment I carry, I must drive.

Horrible place to drive around. If you go, do as suggested, take the Metro, or Uber it around. There is also a tourist bus you can buy a day pass for, and ride all day as you desire.

 

When there on business, I stay at a Holiday Inn right across from the Capitol. It's usually $300/night, and it's a pretty nice HI.

There are less expensive options in Arlington I use when the above hotel is booked, or crazy expensive. Keep in mind that driving to/from these hotels can be a nightmare. It once took us 2.5 hours to go 4 miles. Maddening.

 

All kinds of good food in DC. The food trucks outside the National Mall are pretty damn good for fairly cheap eats.

My favorite is Bub and Pop's on DuPont Circle. An amazing porchetta sandwich. It's owned by the son of my wife's friend. I go there every time I'm in town.

Comet Pizza (yep, that place...) is pretty good, but I haven't been there since the incident a few years ago.

 

If you're going to visit, I'd recommend going in October. The weather is much nicer then. DC in the summer can be oppressively hot...and that's coming from a Texan!

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We took the metro the first day but it cost $12 for three of us during peak. Uber, if you don't mind sharing, was consistently under $6, a couple of times under $5. Even if you tip the guy a fin it's cheaper than the subway and a lot more convenient.

 

I also noticed the homeless. I am not girly-girly but some of those poor bastards really bummed me out. I know homelessness is a big problem with veterans. Meanwhile the invaders get free everything. 

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I've been there once for pleasure, but I go frequently for business. I have a couple of clients there...Smithsonian Department of Gemology, the Library of Congress, and the Mint.

 

I enjoyed the personal trip we did a few years ago, but business travel down there is miserable. Because of the test equipment I carry, I must drive.

Horrible place to drive around. If you go, do as suggested, take the Metro, or Uber it around. There is also a tourist bus you can buy a day pass for, and ride all day as you desire.

 

When there on business, I stay at a Holiday Inn right across from the Capitol. It's usually $300/night, and it's a pretty nice HI.

There are less expensive options in Arlington I use when the above hotel is booked, or crazy expensive. Keep in mind that driving to/from these hotels can be a nightmare. It once took us 2.5 hours to go 4 miles. Maddening.

 

All kinds of good food in DC. The food trucks outside the National Mall are pretty damn good for fairly cheap eats.

My favorite is Bub and Pop's on DuPont Circle. An amazing porchetta sandwich. It's owned by the son of my wife's friend. I go there every time I'm in town.

Comet Pizza (yep, that place...) is pretty good, but I haven't been there since the incident a few years ago.

 

If you're going to visit, I'd recommend going in October. The weather is much nicer then. DC in the summer can be oppressively hot...and that's coming from a Texan!

 

Edited to add: there are a LOT of unsavory characters walking around D.C. at all hours of the day and night (and that's not JUST the politicians). Be aware of your surroundings, and don't look like a tourist, just like anywhere you go.

My wife had to correct my sister, who was walking around clueless trying to make sense of a map, that she looked like an easy target for someone to mug.

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October is a good time of year. We had a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house on I street with parking pass for about $300 per night. Easy walk to the Metro and Georgetown. Saw Senator Bob Dole in a restaraunt, sat and spoke with him for a while. Of course I wore NRA hat during the day.

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