Airline Pilot Forums

I have a 20 hour layover in Washington D.C. in two nights. I have never been there before and want to get out and see some of Washington. I know that I can't even come close to covering it. I've heard it's a multiple vacation place to cover.

However, 20 hours. I get there about 4pm and leave the next afternoon at 1pm. What are some suggestions of must hit places.

Arlington National Cemetery (watch a changing of the guard while there): Metro can get you there from DCA
National Mall: Again metro can get you there
-on mall see the Capitol
-Air and Space Museum
-Lincoln Memorial
-Washington Monument (no need to go into it)

Go to any other Smithsonian's you're interested in

PM me if you want more suggestions but this should be plenty

I live 15 min here so I'm pretty knowledgeable

Arlington National Cemetery (watch a changing of the guard while there): Metro can get you there from DCA
National Mall: Again metro can get you there
-on mall see the Capitol
-Air and Space Museum
-Lincoln Memorial
-Washington Monument (no need to go into it)

Go to any other Smithsonian's you're interested in

+1

In that short amount of time do the National Mall thing where you don't have to enter any of the buildings that may not be open. Lincoln, White House, Jefferson, WWII, Washington, Capitol, new MLK.

Make sure to check out the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials down by the Lincoln Memorial. Look for "Michael J. Blassie" on 1W Line 23. While I believe every name on the Wall is important, 1st Lt. Blassie was in the Tomb of Unknowns from the Vietnam era until DNA analysis revealed his identity in 1998.

Arlington hours are 0800-1700 and Smithsonian museum hours are 1000-1730.

Stay warm as it'll be in the 40s while you're there.

Use the Metro Rail to get around......Metro - Rail - Maps - Rail/Google Map (http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm)

Air and Space Annex @ Dulles. Metro Red line to Shady Grove, then cab.

Peking Gourmet Inn @ Bailey's Crossroads (Hwy 7). Peking Duck, Peking Gourmet (Fried + Garlic) Beef and Toffee Peaches. May be out of pilot's food budget ($50/Lunch). One of the Orange Metro stops Falls Church Metro stops (East/West), then cab. It's in a strip mall. Sesame celery is a must as well. Peking Gourmet Inn (http://www.pekinggourmet.com/)

Air and Space Annex @ Dulles. Metro Red line to Shady Grove, then cab.

Peking Gourmet Inn @ Bailey's Crossroads (Hwy 7). Peking Duck, Peking Gourmet (Fried + Garlic) Beef and Toffee Peaches. May be out of pilot's food budget ($50/Lunch). One of the Orange Metro stops Falls Church Metro stops (East/West), then cab. It's in a strip mall. Sesame celery is a must as well. Peking Gourmet Inn (http://www.pekinggourmet.com/)


Bad advice unless you want to spend a ton of money on a cab ride. Take the orange or blue line to Rosslyn then take a bus to Dulles airport. Quite a bit easier on the wallet.

With your limited time, I'd just walk around the mall and see the monuments. At night, the Korean war memorial is spectacular. Same goes for the Vietnam memorial.

Bad advice unless you want to spend a ton of money on a cab ride. Take the orange or blue line to Rosslyn then take a bus to Dulles airport. Quite a bit easier on the wallet.

May have gotten my airports mixed up. Rosslyn might be closest to CSG. Thanks for the correction - it's been a few years. I'll be glad when they finally finish the line all the way to IAD.

If you are already out at IAD then definately take in the Udvar-Hazy (guy that donated the money) National Air and Space museum. Cheap bus from IAD. If you are going out there from DCA then take the orange line(metro) to west falls church and grab the washington flyer bus to IAD. $4 per leg for employees with ID.

to go downtown from IAD the easiest is the 5A bus which will take you all the way to L'enfant Plaza and its 2 blocks to the mall from there. $6 bucks for the bus, bring cash, exact change. the 5A bus isnt as nice as the washington flyer and takes a while but it will drop you right by the mall at the last stop.

From DCA, the mall is easy, just take the yellow line.

as far as what to see, yes there is TONS. bring your walking shoes and take a lap around the mall and you will see all the big monuments and buildings. if its real cold then shelter in the museums is the way to go. since its your first time pick one and really get to know it rather than trying to go to lots. the museum of american history is really great and the natural history museum rocks. (pun intended)

Have a good time!

Hit the mall first. Take metro into one of the many stops near there, hope off and just check off all the boxes along the mall. after that venture further. Mt Vernon is a nice peaceful drive from DCA.

I enjoy King Street and TJ Stones has a great beer collection in Alexandria

You have got to try the burgers at linda's.