The Mrs. going to DC

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igor

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Serious question:

Mrs. igor will be attending a job seminar in Washington D.C. this spring. It's her first trip to the U.S. and she has little experience of such cities on this side of the pond either. She is a strong, level-headed lady with considerable karate experience, well aware of her surroundings, but the whole theatre of operations is unknown to her, beginning with the essential cultural phenomena, customs and ways, such as the comfort distance between people, ways to greet people etc. The language is no problem but will give her away as a foreigner.

Where we live there's no street gang activity nor street people in the sense of what I encountered on my single visit over there, and that was Chicago. I survived ;) but I feel I can't provide my wife with significant, coherent accounts of the experience to prepare her for the trip.

She will be staying at the hotel where the conference takes place but she will also take a few days afterwards to take in what the city has to offer. Could you please provide some pointers as to:

1. How to stay safe?

2. What to see & enjoy?

Your help would be most appreciated.
 
Washington is actually a VERY safe city for tourists. I'm assuming she will not be looking to buy drugs at 3:00am. All of the government, monument, tourist and entertainment areas are extremely well policed and protected. Have no fear other than normal awareness.

Washington is a Type A, fast moving city. People are friendly, as friendly as anywhere and welcome strangers and tourists. Tell her don't be afraid to ask for help or directions. She should enjoy the trip...there is a huge amount of history, culture, Americana and sightseeing adventure here.

If she needs a contact phone number for a friendly voice, PM me and I'll send my wife's work phone...she works at the National Geographic Society in Washington.
 
My advice:

DO NOT USE CASH!

Never travel alone, especially at night.

Do not give out personal info such as hotel, room number, and length of stay.

Go the LONG way around to avoid driving through residential areas especially run down nieghborhoods.

Have emergency phone info on speed dial for somone local that can come to her rescue quickly should her rental break down or she misses the last bus/train in/out of somwhere.

Be aware of people following, paying real close attention to her conversations that aren't in the conversation and be very cautious if she "bumps" into the same person more than once.

Find out where the local LEO station/sub-station and use them as land marks and remember quick ways to get there.

I will remember more later, but this works for now.
 
ah yes...What to see,

Arlington National Cemetary is a very moving, somber place and is a short subway ride across the Potomac river.

National Galery of Art. If she likes art, this has many priceless treasures.

National Archives. Holds many famous American artifacts.

Any Smithsonian Museum. Unfortunately the museum of American History is closed. Natural History and Air and Space are two of the busiest museums in the world.

The White House. Hard to get a ticket.

The U.S. Capitol. I understand it harder to get in now. Maybe a hotel consierge could help.

Hershorn Gallery Modern art.

National Cathedral . Beautiful.

The Mall Monuments these include: the Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington monuments, WWII memorial (haven't seen that one yet myself), Vietnam memorial, several others.

Native American museum The newest Mall museum.

This is a start. You can find info on the internet on many of these I've listed and many others.
Here's a map
http://dcpages.com/Tourism/Maps/Washington_DC_Map/
 
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I agree with usp9 on all accounts. I work inside the district just about everyday. it's a beautiful city with lots to offer, no worse then any other big city contrary to what some folks say.:rolleyes: If I can be of assistance to Mrs Igor while she's in town for inside info,by all means please PM me for contact info also.
 
Go nowhere after dark except in the company of others AND by cab door-to-door. The zombies come out in force after dark, and they are everywhere!
 
NRA Headquarters and Museum is actually in Fairfax, VA, somewhat farther outside the District than Arlington. Unless she's a dedicated gun fan, it's probably not worth the effort. (Heresy, I know!) A day-trip to Mount Vernon http://www.mountvernon.org/ might be of greater interest if she wants to get outside the city, but it will depend entirely on her interests.

Others have made good suggestions on places to visit. I'd add that if she wants to go up to the top of the Washington Monument, it's best to get a ticket early in the day. Tickets are sold at a little kiosk down the hill from the monument, not at the monument itself. Tickets may be reserved in advance (http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm) for a small fee, but there may still be a wait in line at the kiosk to pick up the ticket.

Just walking up and down the Mall can be a fun experience in itself, and is generally safe. There have been some recent well-publicized incidents of crime on the Mall, but it's still not a bad place.

Pickpockets don't seem to be as common here as in Europe, but they can still be a problem, particularly in crowded places like buses, subway cars, and waiting areas. (In Paris I lost my Metro cart orange to a pickpocket some years back, and separately in Paris my dad passively foiled a pickpocket who reached for the wallet in dad's back pocket only to find dad's overcoat was solid down the back, despite appearing to have a slit partway up.) If she'll be carrying a purse, she'll want to sling it so it's in front of her, rather than behind or to the side.

As you noted, she should be aware that she might see homeless or other "street" people (including some on the Mall, especially in the quieter areas) which can be startling to someone not used to being in an urban setting, but in my limited experience the homeless type people I've passed by when visiting D.C. haven't been aggressive. Nonetheless it is probably best to try not to pay too much attention to any one person unless she thinks they are a threat, in which case she should be actively moving away from the threat. In general, she should be aware of her surroundings, but there's no reason to be freaked out.

If she feels compassion and wants to help them, there are various worthy shelters and "helping-hand" type organizations that can help ensure a donation will be effectively employed in helping someone improve their life, rather than simply enabling a habit/addiction/disorder. Compassion is good - making a passing but up-close-and-personal contact with an addict is bad. Giving $50 to an organization the works with the homeless will almost certainly do more good than giving $10 to a panhandler.

Last time I visited D.C. it was with my wife. We walked quickly while entering the National Air and Space Musuem, because a street preacher was lecturing (berating) the passers-by about their lack of compassion or something like that, and was trying to engage in conversation anyone he could make eye contact with. Not wanting to get involved in a religious discussion at that time (we might very well have agreed with some of what he believed, but that was neither the time nor the place for an impromptu debate on the plight of the destitute), we avoided eye contact and he found others to accost.

-twency
 
This is precious advice and most friendly of you all!

She isn't a gun person beyond knowing her way around what we have in the house, so the museums, monuments and Mount Vernon -type sights sound just like her. The insights on how to go about with people are very informative and a big help.

Thank you very much for your time, everyone, but do keep the advice coming! :)
 
Forgot to mention that the Cherry Blossom Festival will start soon. If Mrs. Igor will be here early April, there will be lots to do even if cherry blossom isn't at its peak.
 
There is not a demon behind every tree. Just tell her to use her common sense and not to listen to strangers. High quality rental. yada, yada. Park on lighted streets. Good hotels. Most of it is black on black crime.
 
The U.S. Botanic Garden is across the street from the Capitol. It's open 10 to 5 and it's free. It's very relaxing after a few hours of rubbing shoulders with the crowds at the Smithsonian.

"The U.S. Botanic Garden has reopened after a four-year renovation. Highlights include the Garden Court, Orchid House, Jungle House (formerly Palm House) and the Garden Primeval."

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You can't miss it.

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"The International Spy Museum is located in Downtown, Washington, DC within the Pennsylvania Quarter neighborhood and stretches the entire city block between 9th and 8th Streets at 800 F Street, NW — one block from the Gallery Place/China Town Metrorail Station and the MCI Center."

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www.spymuseum.org/index.asp
 
"The language is no problem but will give her away as a foreigner."

That's funny, she won't be alone because most of the people in D.C. are foreigners. I grew up around D.C. and there are huge numbers of people there from all over the world (and the U.S.) - some working, some visiting, some retired and some just attending school and partying. Then there are the embassy workers and I don't know what they do unless they're all spies mingling at catered dinners.

I'm convinced the traffic in D.C. is so crazy because everyone brought their local driving customs with them from home and thinks that their way is the right way.

John
 
I'd suggest that unless she's a highly confident driver, she not rent a car. There's public transportation and cabs available.

There are bus tours available for tourists that hit the highlights for a reasonable price..depending on how much time, that might be worthwhile for her.

It would be easier if we knew her interests..history, politics, gardens, shopping, architecture?
 
I also will recommend against a rental car. The cost will be far more than any reasonable tourist would spend on transport, even with the high taxi fares in DC, and driving can be a nightmare, especially in "rush" hours. (I have never figured out why a time when most vehicles seem to be stationary is called "rush" hour. Actually, the only big city I have never been able to drive in is Baltimore. Worse than NYC, LA, SF, London, Rome, or even Tokyo.)

BTW, the DC taxi system still uses a silly "zone" system rather than meters. If the ride is in one zone, the fare is low. But once a zone boundary is crossed, the price goes up steeply. So be warned. Zone maps are available on the net or at most hotels.

The Metro (subway) is fast, convenient, clean and quite safe, and there are stations at all the tourist attractions. It uses fare cards which can be bought at all Metro stations from machines. It is best to buy only as much as you need for one trip or trips you know you will take. At one time, I had a bunch of fare cards with five, ten, fifteen cents on them; I eventually threw them out as it was too inconvenient to cash them.

The mention of a fast moving city is true. If an average pedestrian in NYC were suddenly transported to DC, he would be trampled.

Jim
 
Metro is the way to go

My brother lives in Arlington, VA, and when I visit, the Metro is the only way I get around. +1 on ease of use, cleanliness, convenience, etc.

If she keeps her wits, maintains awareness of her surroundings, and so forth, she should be fine. Have a great visit.
 
I live in Alexandria, VA right across the river from DC. LOTS of stuff to do, and the Smithsonian Stuff is free. The only museum that's not is the SPY museum.

Some other spots to check out:

Air and Space Museum, Dulles annex: http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/

International Spy Museum: http://www.spymuseum.org/index.asp

The BrickSkellar, it has the world's largest beer list: http://www.thebrickskeller.com/

Smithsonian museums: http://www.si.edu/

Mount Vernon:
http://www.mountvernon.org/

The National Zoo: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/

That's just a start. Nice areas in the city include Georgetown, and Adams Morgan. Just tell her to keep alert and she will be fine.
 
DC has gotten better in the past years. I feel comfortable around Most of the city. During the day its a lot different than when the sun goes down. If you stay around the southside of town which is where the White House is and the Musuems are, then you will be ok.

What ever she does, make sure she stays out of Maryland. :D
 
You all are most kind! The various tips and advice are very helpful.

She won't be renting a car, so it seems the metro will be a good bet for transportation. Otherwise, door to door with a taxi.

The museums will be a hoot for her - say, what about music and theatre?
 
So long as she stays within the tourist areas, she'll be perfectly safe. Besides the Smithsonian Museums (and there's over a dozen of them), the Cocoran Art Gallery (at the end of the Mall), there's also Ford's Theatre where Lincoln was shot and the hotel across the street where he died. The National Archives has the Declaration of Independence & The Constitution displayed - I go there to do research. The Library of Congress is worth seeing (but I don't sit in that fancy reading room when I go there to do research) and there's the Octagon House (owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution). See Lincoln Memorial at night (I've seen it both during the day & night). If she has time, Arlington Cemetery has Robert E. Lee's plantation house and it's worth seeing (catch the Metro to Arlington).
 
If the Kennedy center is having any of their "Millennium Stage" events they are always free and usually top notch entertainment.

People have given you TONS of good stuff. I'm going to pass along a little of the more "gritty" practical advice.

Escelators on the metro system... Stand to the Right, Pass on the left. A lot of people walk up and down the escelators, especially during rush hour so don't stand on the left or people -will- get annoyed.

Don't stop at the top or bottom of an escelator, keep moving until you are out of the way. I see this type of "tourist jam" every year and people get hurt this way.

Have your fare card ready BEFORE you get to the fare gates ESPECIALLY at rush hour. You wouldn't believe how fast things jam up when somebody blocks a gate while rummaging in pocket or purse for their ticket.

Taxi cabs. If a cab doesn't look clean and well maintained DON'T USE IT. There are a lot of independant hacks around that simply shouldn't be on the road. If the cab doesn't have a meter, establish your fare ahead of time. Ask them "how much to go to XXX". 99% of the cabbies are honest, the ones that are not are pretty obvious.

If you are planning on touring any of the Smithsonians, carry minimal stuff with you. They are still stupidly anal about checking bags and such as you enter. Air and space is the worst, Museum of art is the easiest.

Have COMFORTABLE SHOES. DC is a walking city but it's kinda spread out. I've seen the "oh God" look on a lot of tourists faces when you tell them that walking from the capitol building to the Lincolin memorial is one and a half MILES one way (what's that, like 2.25 KM or so).

Don't let the panhandlers make you feel guilty. Tell them you don't hand out money and move ON.

Like any big city, maintain situational awareness.

Food in DC is expensive. Especially down on "the mall" sorry but there it is so be prepared.

Having said all of that, DC is a great city to visit. I've lived in this area for 16 years and I'm still finding things I never knew existed.
 
I've had bad experience with Museum food. :barf:

Union Station is a good place for a quick bite in downtown DC. Within walking distance if you're close to the Capitol, and reachable on Metro Red Line.
 
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