Bucky's going to DC & Northern Virginny. What should I see, do, eat?

[Bucky]

What should I avoid is an acceptable side topic of speculation. But mostly I'm wanting to hit something cultural in the evenings that will keep me amused and possibly give me bragging rights when I get home.

[FarPoint]

1. The Hawk -n-Dove Tavern

http://www.hawkanddoveonline.com/

[MADem]

3. That's where Patrick Kennedy got hammered the evening before his

early morning "Ambien moment."

It is a pretty cool joint.

[Bucky]

5. Hmmm, is it okay if I don't pop pills with my beer, or is that culturally offensive?

[MADem]

7. Preferred, actually--stay outta the rental car if you go wash down a few! nt

[MADem]

2. Go see the Smithsonian. Go to Congress. That's always fun.

Go see Arlington cemetery, Tomb of the Unknowns. Very impressive.

How old are you? Do you want to spend lots of money or do it on the cheap? What are your interests?

Are you limited to evenings?

[Bucky]

4. Interests include anything involving George Washington, the obscurer the better

I got money to spend and my days are free. Arlington Cemetary sounds intriguing, but monuments tend to be too crowded & too touristy. Last time I was there, they'd shut down Congress, the Washington Monument, & other tourist traps for some security thing or t'other.

[MADem]

6. Go to Mount Vernon. You'll enjoy it!

Here -- http://www.mountvernon.org/

Mount Vernon is open seven days a week, every day of the year, including holidays and Christmas. Every child ticket purchase includes a * FREE * Adventure Map of Mount Vernon to inform and entertain! Special events and seasonal activities re-create the bustle of 18th-century life.

[elleng]

8. Things are open now.

Get a map. Along the National Mall, there are lots of things; Smithsonian museums etc.

[lynne]

9. Certainly Mt. Vernon is a must but also check out Old Town Alexandria -

- and I'd suggest the new WWII Memorial. I grew up in the region and have seen more monuments than I can count but that one took my breath away and literally put tears in my eyes. Maybe because my dad was in WWII, who knows, but it just blew me away.

If you want unusual and bizarre, try the Army Medical Museum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Medical_Museum
I went there with a friend who was in medical school. It was fascinating but also GROSS and CREEPY. To this day I can't look at the pictures we took in there!

Dumbarton Oaks if you like gardens and architecture. The Washington National Cathedral also for gardens and architecture.

The Holocaust Museum is excellent but takes a while and is very intense. Anything Smithsonian is worth the effort. The Air and Space museum near Dulles Airport is great but I can't think of the name of it.

Info on Old Town Alexandria activities, events, etc. here > http://oha.alexandriava.gov/
Check Fairfax County, VA for events, historical properties, too.

Enjoy!

Edit: Better URL for Medical Museum. http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/

[arcadian]

14. Obscure?

There is the Weems-Botts museum, I have never been there but it's in Dumfries, closer to Fredricksburg. There is also the Washington gristmill and distillery, it's kind of separate from Mount Vernon, they make hooch out of the still which is an exact replica of GW's down to the dents and dings.

http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/plan/index.cfm/pid/356/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weems-Botts_Museum

Who were Mason Locke Weems and Benjamin Gaines Botts?

Weems, a native Marylander, was a clergyman who decided to become an author and book store owner. Why he started his business in Dumfries is unknown. Here, at this house, Weems wrote an 80-page booklet that would influence the thoughts of Americans to this day: he documented the life of George Washington, and was the creator of the famous cherry tree myth. He also created the myth that Washington threw a silver dollar more than 300 feet across the Rappahannock River. He also wrote biographies on Benjamin Franklin, Francis Marion, and William Penn. <3> Weems sold his shop in 1802 to an attorney named Benjamin Botts.

Benjamin Botts used the building as his law office. Best remembered as one of the lead lawyers who successfully defended Aaron Burr during his infamous treason and conspiracy trial, Botts was a Dumfries native and rising star in Virginia's legal community. Unfortunately, Botts was killed in the tragic event of the Richmond theater fire on December 2, 1811.

[MountainLaurel]

10. Cultural stuff

There are several small theaters in Arlington, and George Mason University has a great arts center: http://www.gmu.edu/cfa/. Mt. Vernon is always a good choice, as is Arlington National Cemetery. In town, the Newseum has a good reputation (I haven't been there since they moved into the District). Get a copy of the City Paper (free) to see what's happening around town. The city bookstores often have great authors doing readings. My favorite is Politics & Prose, where I've seen everyone from Senator Byrd to an innocent man who escaped Death Row.

Food: Some of my favorite places (not sure if all of them still exist -- it's been a few years since I've lived in DC):

Cafe Deluxe (Glover Park)
Afghan King (Fairfax)
Heritage India (Glover Park)
Five Guys (all over town)
Latin American chicken rotisserie place in Baileys Crossroads
Vietnamese: Eden Center
Layalina (Arlington)
Artie's (Fairfax)
Four Provinces (Falls Church and Cleveland Park)

[lynne]

11. Ohh, yes, Newseum is really good. So is the Spy Museum, that was unbelievable!

I thought all that spy stuff was only in the movies. WRONG! http://spymuseum.org/

[Bucky]

13. Excellent suggestions, Lynne & Laurel, from both of you.

the spy museum is definitely on my to do list now

[lynne]

15. Great! If you're going to the Spy Museum, let me suggest a restaurant -

- it's right above the museum, you won't even have to go outside to get to it. The name is Zola's. I went after touring the museum and it was wonderful. Here's the link to the restaurant > http://www.zoladc.com/ And here's a link that includes a menu and price info > http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=2082

Zola's isn't inexpensive but it's a treat worth the price and is a great ending to the Spy Museum.

[hootinholler]

12. The Spy Museum!

Then if you need a semi-obscure Washington fix, There's the Masonic Washington Monument/temple/thingy in Alexandria.

Come up my way (about an hours drive) and you can see the Civil War Corespondents memorial, great entertainmet for about 5 minutes!

See what's playing at the National, Fords, or The Kennedy Center.

If I knew more about your trip, business or pleasure, your availability maybe I can do better with suggestions.

-Hoot

[lamp_shade]

16. Put the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetary at the very top of your list.

It is THE most awesome thing you've ever seen.