BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Midatlantic USA What's your top 10 in DC?

Earlier this week, I came across a visitor from a Scotland. As I gave him directions to his hotel, we began talking about some of the best places he should see while on his trip in the U.S. You can't believe how difficult it was to come up with something off the top of my head, even as a travel writer. So, I came up with a top 10 list that I can always refer to.

I chose Ben's Chili Bowl, CakeLove, and the National Botanical Garden among others in my list of top 10 places to visit in Washington, DC.

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What would your top 10 list in DC include?

I think any of the Smithsonians are EXCELLENT.
The Holocaust Museum was definitely an eye opener. We also love the zoo, Union Station (the architecture is amazing), the Postal Museum,

Yes, those are all good choices, too. I've never been to the Holocaust Museum, though. I'll have to add it to my list.

And about the postal museum, I took my "I'm too cool for museums" teenage neice once and she actually liked it. It's good family fun.

I think it's sad that they have almost stopped tours of the White House. You used to be able to stand on line to get tickets to see it. Now I heard that they only give tours for groups and you have to write your congressmen or someone to get tickets. We went on the tour back in the 90's.

The FBI building (tour) is also pretty awesome, especially the demonstration at the end.

One of the newest editions, the Marine Corp Museum is also a must see. It's about 30 minutes south of DC but it's worth the trip.

Yes, you're right about the White House tour. You have to book it several months in advance now, and when you do finally get to go on the tour, it is unguided and it shows much like a museum. It is not a tour I recommend these days.

I will have to check out the FBI tour and the Marine Corp Museum soon.

I went into DC today with my 2 sisters (one here in Md the other from CA). We went to the White House vistors center and bought White House easter eggs (the ones that they use in the White House Roll). We also went to the top of the Bell Tower in the old post office.... this was free (took a minute or two because they only had the one elavator) but the view over DC in all 4 directions was fantastic!!! I did find out that they no longer offer the FBI tour which is sad because it was really interesting...
There were a lot of kids in DC today because of the event at the White House but it was still really nice.

What re your top restaurants in DC? I just moved to the area and am still exploring...evn though I live here I still feel a bit like a tourist :)

Hey DCgirl06,
Welcome to the area. That's a good question. I have to say my favorite is Old Ebbitt Grill. WE just like to experiment by eating at different places. They can get pricey sometimes so we make it a treat.
Where did you move from?

As a long-time Washingtonian, here's my list of great DC restaurants:
Rasika, Indian food
Oceanaire, seafood
Black Salt, seafood
Citronelle, Continental

Happy eating.
Best,
Candyce

Some places I loved in DC are the Spy Museum, the Newseum and the DAR museum. At the DAR Museum the entire second floor is different rooms representing each state at some period in history. Like one would be a sea captain's parlor in the 1700's or a log cabin. Things in the room come from that state. It's really great and not someplace you'd ordinarily go in DC.

The Newseum just opened this past year and is beautiful! I'm a writer so loved finding out about the history of journalism. You can watch old movie news reels too and read old newspapers.

The Spy museum is just what it sounds like - a history of espionage. Their gift store is terrific.

I liked the Holocaust museum also. I've studied a lot of WWII history so it was an emotional experience to see it.