Back from Washington DC. Thank you all. A few points.
Sep 3rd, 2003, 03:21 AM
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Back from Washington DC. Thank you all. A few points.
Hi, we had a great time in Washington. The advice you all gave us was great , thank you a lot.
1.We flew to National, to and from the airport we used the Metro , which was easy , simple and saved us money Instead we took several taxis localy specially at night.
Taxi fares for two were $6.50, we paid with tip $7.oo which seemed ok.
2. We did the night tour with one of the taxis we took during the day, he came back promptly
at 9 PM to our hotel, and charged us a pre arranged fee of $25 for a full hour, which turned out to be a very nice and comprehensive tour. We gave him $30
3. for a day tour we took the Old Trolley, which was $27 p/person. We got off at the National Cathedral for 30 minutes, for 90 minutes at Georgetown for lunch and some walking and at Lincoln Memorial. From there we walked to Korea M., FDR M and Jefferson
Memorial we left the tour before finishing and took a taxi to the hotel.
We went several times to the Mall, focusing in the National Gallery of Art and National Åir and Space
Museum, beating the crowds arriving at
10AM, and buying right away tickets for
Imax and Planetarium both fantastic.
We bought a jumbo ticket. $10 p/p
Both days in the Mall we had lunch in the Cascade Cafe between W and E buildings of the National Gallery. We found it excellent,
beautifully designed, and food was very good. They have different food islands, we tried the sushi and the Gelato and Capuccino . Both great.
They also have good bottled wine.
To visit again the National Gallery was delightful , what a great setting!, what a great museum it is!.
We also visited the Sculpture Garden between the E and W wings.
The White House was near the hotel, so we enjoyed passing by close to it, taking pictures , etc. We were amazing how closed we could get to it. Considering the security measures.
4. For a great bird's view osf the City we chose the Old Post Office, no waiting, no lines.
5.For dinner the place we enjoyed most was DC Coast Restaurant, near the hotel We went and come back walking.
Located at (1401 K st NW), nice decoration , with a high celing, airy and chic, food was very good, ( fish and desert, and good Martinis);
for Chinese food we took a taxi to the most recomended- in the guide books- rest.
called Full Kee in H street, to find it closed for good!, the taxi driver took pity on us ( it was lunch time and terribly hot)
and drove us back a block and left us where there were several opened ones.
By Chance we chose,LU Garden at 629
H street, which had an excellent Dim Sum
lunch. Very good.I
Another good choice for lunch while in Georgetown was Clyde's , we were luckly seated in the atrium .It was very pleasant. Nice service and food was good too.
For dinner we also tried the wellkown
Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15 th., not to be missed. Not expensive. It has a traditional feeling. Music. Food was good. Not outstanding .
On the lighter dinner side we tried at Dupont Circle, Pizza Paradiso, very good.
The whole Dupont Circle area was a little disappointing.
3. Hotel:we reserved the Wyndham Washington DC, first through travelweb.com, however we cancelled paying the $25 fee because we saved $80 dollars reserving instead by expedia.com. It was a quiet weekend and rates in expedia kept going down till the last minute.
Now I have my fingers crossed to get the refund, but I am hopeful because I did the transaction with Amex and I know they will respond to me.
For air tickets we used aa.com the long week end offers the have. All together, our self made package, for three nights,
four days, was $267 per person, including air from Florida to Washington,
the hotel and transfers to and from the airport. All taxes included.
I think we did ok. what do you think?
1.We flew to National, to and from the airport we used the Metro , which was easy , simple and saved us money Instead we took several taxis localy specially at night.
Taxi fares for two were $6.50, we paid with tip $7.oo which seemed ok.
2. We did the night tour with one of the taxis we took during the day, he came back promptly
at 9 PM to our hotel, and charged us a pre arranged fee of $25 for a full hour, which turned out to be a very nice and comprehensive tour. We gave him $30
3. for a day tour we took the Old Trolley, which was $27 p/person. We got off at the National Cathedral for 30 minutes, for 90 minutes at Georgetown for lunch and some walking and at Lincoln Memorial. From there we walked to Korea M., FDR M and Jefferson
Memorial we left the tour before finishing and took a taxi to the hotel.
We went several times to the Mall, focusing in the National Gallery of Art and National Åir and Space
Museum, beating the crowds arriving at
10AM, and buying right away tickets for
Imax and Planetarium both fantastic.
We bought a jumbo ticket. $10 p/p
Both days in the Mall we had lunch in the Cascade Cafe between W and E buildings of the National Gallery. We found it excellent,
beautifully designed, and food was very good. They have different food islands, we tried the sushi and the Gelato and Capuccino . Both great.
They also have good bottled wine.
To visit again the National Gallery was delightful , what a great setting!, what a great museum it is!.
We also visited the Sculpture Garden between the E and W wings.
The White House was near the hotel, so we enjoyed passing by close to it, taking pictures , etc. We were amazing how closed we could get to it. Considering the security measures.
4. For a great bird's view osf the City we chose the Old Post Office, no waiting, no lines.
5.For dinner the place we enjoyed most was DC Coast Restaurant, near the hotel We went and come back walking.
Located at (1401 K st NW), nice decoration , with a high celing, airy and chic, food was very good, ( fish and desert, and good Martinis);
for Chinese food we took a taxi to the most recomended- in the guide books- rest.
called Full Kee in H street, to find it closed for good!, the taxi driver took pity on us ( it was lunch time and terribly hot)
and drove us back a block and left us where there were several opened ones.
By Chance we chose,LU Garden at 629
H street, which had an excellent Dim Sum
lunch. Very good.I
Another good choice for lunch while in Georgetown was Clyde's , we were luckly seated in the atrium .It was very pleasant. Nice service and food was good too.
For dinner we also tried the wellkown
Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15 th., not to be missed. Not expensive. It has a traditional feeling. Music. Food was good. Not outstanding .
On the lighter dinner side we tried at Dupont Circle, Pizza Paradiso, very good.
The whole Dupont Circle area was a little disappointing.
3. Hotel:we reserved the Wyndham Washington DC, first through travelweb.com, however we cancelled paying the $25 fee because we saved $80 dollars reserving instead by expedia.com. It was a quiet weekend and rates in expedia kept going down till the last minute.
Now I have my fingers crossed to get the refund, but I am hopeful because I did the transaction with Amex and I know they will respond to me.
For air tickets we used aa.com the long week end offers the have. All together, our self made package, for three nights,
four days, was $267 per person, including air from Florida to Washington,
the hotel and transfers to and from the airport. All taxes included.
I think we did ok. what do you think?
Sep 3rd, 2003, 05:41 AM
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time Graziella!!
Just read the Washington Post this morning and the White House is re-opening for visitors - however you must have an appointment!! So hopefully next time you visit you'll be able to see the inside too.
Just read the Washington Post this morning and the White House is re-opening for visitors - however you must have an appointment!! So hopefully next time you visit you'll be able to see the inside too.
Sep 3rd, 2003, 09:02 AM
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I am leaving for DC tomorrow and greatly appreciated your timely update. I have resevations at Old Ebbitt Grille and liked your candid review of the place. It echoed what the guidebooks all say: "great atmospehere, not to be missed, but the food is nothing spectacular." I am glad you had a good time.
Sep 3rd, 2003, 09:30 AM
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Grazilla - thanks for the great report. We will be leaving for a week long visit this month and I will keep your suggestions handy. And I just wanted to say a special THANK YOU to LN for your post. I immediately went to the article, read it, and wrote to my congressman requesting a tour of the White House. They have already arranged other tours for us so here's hoping we pass the security screen. 
Wait, did I pay my taxes this year?
Wait, did I pay my taxes this year?
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Sep 3rd, 2003, 09:51 AM
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The Old Ebbitt is a landmark here and many of us enjoy stopping by for lunch or for dinner before or after a show at the Warner. We enjoy sitting at the bar as DH really loves their freshly shucked oysters. As to its having fantastic food - no - but it can be pretty tasty. We've also eaten at some highly raved about restaurants and found them to be a bit down on the night we were there.
Most of us are happy that the WH is re-opening with reservations. I believe the WH has a web site also. Another great tour (if it's reopened) is the Naval Observatory evening tour with the huge telescope to view the stars. There's also a great National Aquarium in the basement of the Commerce dept at Penn and 15th (?).
Enjoy your visit!!
Most of us are happy that the WH is re-opening with reservations. I believe the WH has a web site also. Another great tour (if it's reopened) is the Naval Observatory evening tour with the huge telescope to view the stars. There's also a great National Aquarium in the basement of the Commerce dept at Penn and 15th (?).
Enjoy your visit!!
Sep 3rd, 2003, 10:06 AM
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Graziella -
I'm glad you had a great time in my adopted hometown!
Some thoughts, for others who may be traveling:
If you want a good view of the White House and Wash. monument, try the restaurant at the top of the Hotel Washington. You can grab a drink or some food and have a great view.
The best martinis I have found are at the Mayflower Hotel on Connecticut.
No offense, but I would tip at least 10% to the taxi drivers. I do more than that, but I'd say 10% would be a minimum.
I always recommend Pizzeria Paradiso to people visiting - good choice!
Glad you had fun, and welcome to everyone else!
Karen
I'm glad you had a great time in my adopted hometown!
Some thoughts, for others who may be traveling:
If you want a good view of the White House and Wash. monument, try the restaurant at the top of the Hotel Washington. You can grab a drink or some food and have a great view.
The best martinis I have found are at the Mayflower Hotel on Connecticut.
No offense, but I would tip at least 10% to the taxi drivers. I do more than that, but I'd say 10% would be a minimum.
I always recommend Pizzeria Paradiso to people visiting - good choice!
Glad you had fun, and welcome to everyone else!
Karen
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