Greetings all, Just looking for insight on park and Washington, D.C. in general. Our 1st time to D.C. Going to arrive Wednesday evening, Cook, eat Turkey and watch football on Thanksgiving. We have reservations for a tour of the Capitol on Friday. That is all we have planned to date. We are interested in the Smithsonian Air and Space as well the crime and punishment museum. I think that we will be about 18 miles out of town; staying at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD. Will be pulling out on Sunday. We are absolute novices in regards to the Washington area and suspect that this will be the first of many trips. Must sees and stay away froms - suggestions welcomed. Also, if the park does not have "The N.F.L. Network" are there recommended sports bars near by. Thanks for you input.
First, the access to the places you mentioned is very easy using the shuttle to the Metro Green Line into DC. The campground can help you get to and from the rail line on the shuttle and they are very helpful. There are lots of sports bars in DC and in College Park, MD where the campground is located. Again, I think you can get to University of Md. Campus via bus shuttle and I'm sure you'll find a watering hole/sports bar there.
If you have kids, they will love the Spy Museum. We liked the Native American Museum and, of course, the monuments - Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and The Vietnam Memorial is moving.
I could spend a week in each of the Smithsonian Museums....
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At Cherry Hill, you will be very close to the University of Maryland. I think that the park provides tranportation over to the subway station, which is what we recommend. I understand that the park is very nice, although I have never stayed there, I did stay in the apartment complex overlooking it a number of years ago. I also hear that they have a lot of activities for most of the holidays.
As Far as Washington goes, do the subway to get downtown, then either walk to the Museums you want to see. Better, at least one day, take one of the trams all day passes, they will carry you everywhere, and unlimited on and off.
Concerning the Air and Space Museums, plan most of one day for the one downtown, there is a good resturant inside, and although you will have to drive to it. be absolutely sure to do the new one out at Chantilly (sp?). Plan on two days for it. One day for Natural History, another for American History and the Monuments all over the place. Have fun, be careful, and most of all, ENJOY.. Pa is not that far from Washington, so if you can't get it all down this trip, you can get back soon.
Noel and Betty Johnson '99 Hurricane 2007 HHR 1 wife, 2 1/2 dogs
We'll be there too! But we arrive on Friday afternoon. Can't say I remember what channels are offered, but I wouldn't count of NFL Network being one of them. I'm sure you could do a google search on DC sports bars.
As a "don't miss" I would say walking the length of the Mall to see all the monuments and war memorials-one the the most moving experiences you could have.In the past we've done the Museums of Natural History, and American History and enjoyed them both. Also been to the Air and Space- really good if you are into that. DH, son and granddad loved it. This time we are going to The Spy Museum. They have a tour called "spy in the city" where you get a personal gps and follow clues and get coordinates to different places all while trying to 'disupt a terrorist cell'. It's a roughly one mile loop through the city. My kids are really excited about this!
On weekends I would recommend driving to the Metro station, only about 1.5 miles away. We waited over an hour for the bus from the Metro to the park on a Saturday and it is not a place you want to hang around. The office staff will be very helpful giving you directions.
It sounds like you only have one day to look around. Stay inside of the mall and you can visit many monuments and the Smithsonian. That takes more than one day. Bring your walking shoes. Actually I would recommend taking a tour the first time. They can be very helpful and give you an idea of what you can visit.
On weekends drive to the Greenbelt Station, parking is free. On weekdays take the shuttle bus from the camp office to the College Park Station because parking is limited due to the large commuter traffic. Check the times for the "express" bus to the station.
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, and Sarah 
