DU Memeber needs Your Help Planning DC Trip

[rsmith6621]

As some of you may know I work for the airlines and travel on my passes often.

My wife and I are planning on flying to WAS next week on a quick day trip in which we are planning on visiting the SM MOAH and hopfully the MONH if time allows.....

I am planning on flying into DCA and arriving at about 8AM and leaving that night at 7P....yes I know IM CRAZY.....

When you are on the National Mall are there free shuttles up Constitution Ave or Independance Ave to the Capitol and boy georges House on Penn Ave....If not can you recomend how we can best use our time so we can see as much as possible....is this going to be to much walking?

I for sure want to see the WH and US Capitol.....

Thanks for your help

Not comming for the Sept 24th event........

[bertha katzenengel]

1. No free shuttles. But

it's not too far a walk from the museums to the White House - just 3-4 blocks. To Capitol Hill is a bit farther walk.

Here's what I tell guests: buy a day pass on the big bus -- CRAP, I can't remember what the bus is called, but you can't miss it. It's a huge bus, two buses connected, really, with the sides open (no windows). There's a tour guide who tells you all about what you're seeing as you drive around The bus is white and painted with red & blue. There are kiosks on the Mall where you buy tickets - the easiest one to find is just east of the Washington Monument. I think a day pass is $20 and you can get on and off anywhere all day long. It'll take you from Arlington to the Capitol, to Union Station, all the museums on the Mall -- everywhere.

Have a great trip!

[rsmith6621]

2. Are the Blocks long in DC

[marmar]

3. DC blocks east to west are fairly long

but north to south they're pretty short.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. I remembered the name of the bus: Tourmobile.

And Marmar's right about the blocks.

[LynneSin]

5. Here's some helpful advise

Your best bet is to buy yourself a metro daypass. It connects all of this stuff together and can get you to/from National airport

Second, before you go contact your local USSenate/Representative's office. They can hook you up with daypasses to the Capital/White House.

Enjoy your trip! Sorry we can't see you in DC for the protest

[northzax]

7. the only problem with day passes

is that you can't use them before ten am-

[northzax]

6. it's just over a mile and a half from the Capitol to the White House

on Pennsylvania Ave, a little more on the Mall. If you have some way into the Capitol, like a tour from your congressperson's office, plan your day around that (you won't get into the White House, I'm afraid) I also don't know your opinion on walking long distances...

but, if I were you, get into DCA, take the Metro to Union Station (yellow line to Gallery Place/Chinatown transfer to the red line) you can grab some coffee or a brekkie at Union Station. Walk out of the station and you are a block and a bit from the capitol. then wander down the Mall. American History is about a mile from the capitol, but it's a lovely walk (and the museum doesn't open until 10 anyway) you'll pass the Art museums, the Air and Space museum, the Castle and NH on your way. clock your time in AH, hit NH if you want (don't spend more than two hours in each place, they get overwhelming, get a map from the front and go see what you want to see) walk further west, to the Ellipse and see the White House and the Washington Monument (if you want to go up the Monument, get tickets from ticketmaster, you'll pay a surcharge, but won't wait in line as much) continue walking down past the reflecting pool to Lincoln. Then, depending on the time, either walk up to the Foggy Bottom metro stop to head back to DCA or take a cab (it'll be about $15 for rush hour with two people)

all in all, about 2.5-3 miles of walking outside, plus whatever you do in the museums. it's a nice day.