Planning a trip to Washington DC, MD, DE and NJ

[emily_the_spoiled]

Arlington and Mount Vernon are south of DC, so you will be heading away from where you want to go. You might want to re-think that.

If you are going to the zoo, check the website to see about getting tickets for Tai Shan (the baby panda). He is supposed to be most active first thing in the AM (like 7:30AM).

The Air and Space museum is very very noisy because of the acoustics in the building, so be prepared for that.

All of the Smithsonian's have fast food places in them (usually Mickey D's or some equivalent). The restuarants tend to be a little pricey, but they have a captive audience, because you have no other options while you are there.

Depending on where you are staying, you might be better off getting dinner closer to the hotel.

BTW, bring a bag that is easily searched. Everytime you go into a new museum you have to go through security (including a bag search). (Someone told me that is a true sign I have lived here to long, that I would actually be able to give that advice to people )

You are better off taking the Metro (i.e. the subway) and do NOT drive in the downtown area if you can avoid it. Traffic can get pretty hairy around here. (They are closing many of the streets today for the immigration rally...)

[Vermontcat]

Emily, our hotel is in Georgetown and we plan to park our car there and walk or use the nearest Metro to get around to The Mall and the Zoo.
We have heard that the traffic in DC is bad and would rather not drive in it.
What is the best way to get to Baltimore from Georgetown then? Go around by 495?
Can you walk across a bridge to Arlington from The Mall area?
My Fodor's guide to DC also says that bags will be searched at all the museums.
I plan to travel as light as possible.
Do they allow cameras or flash photos in the museums?
I do plan to get tickets to see the panda bears.
Our hotel has a kitchenette so we will have some things to eat there.
Hopefully 4 1/2 days is enough to see as many sights in DC as we can.
Thanks for the advice.

[emily_the_spoiled]

You are wise to use the Metro. I live here and almost never drive downtown because I don't have the patience and you never know what will happen to shut traffic down.

If you are staying in Georgetown there are lots and lots of different restaurants to eat at. This is actually one of the best areas in town for that, so your problem will be deciding where to eat

The easiest (but not the shortest) route from Baltimore to DC, is go down 95 and take 495 (into Virginia). Just make SURE that you do not travel during rush hour (495 is REALLY bd at the best of times).

You can bring in cameras and flashes into all the museums, so that is not a problem. I would also recommend getting the tickets for Tia Shan now, because they go really quickly.

I suppose that you could walk across the bridge, but that could be a long walk... you would be better off taking the Metro across and then walking from there.

The one thing to know about travelling in DC, is that cabs are not that expensive. They are paid on the grid system, so it is a flat rate within each grid. Then once you pass over into another grid, there is an increase. But they do not charge by the mile or the minute, so taking a cab might be an option for you.

If you would like I will PM my home and work phone number for you. (I work down by the Mall)

[Vermontcat]

Emily, thanks for reminding me to get the tickets for the pandas and the Washington Monument. I meant to do that this weekend but I have been fighting off a cold that my son gave me.
There were no tickets for the Washington Monument on the Sunday so we are going there on Monday and to see the pandas on Tuesday. I booked both sets of tickets last night.
My husband and I still have to decide on a hotel in the Atlantic City area of NJ.

Yes, I was thinking of getting your (and Lbaker's) phone # before we leave for DC. Right now my PM box is full again (sorry) I hope to give it a good cleaning out tonight when I have more time online. So if you can wait until tonight or tomorrow to PM me your info, I will be able to PM you back with my contact info.

[Ginger's Mom]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I will need to check for a good route from Atlantic City to NY. But my gut says Garden State Parkway or Atlantic City Expressway to the Turnpike. I would not recommend 206, it is one lane in both directions in the southern-most section, it is busy, it is not well kept up (plan on your car going *thunk-thunk, thunk-thunk* for about 3-5 miles in Burlington County), not real scenic. Nah, not my choice. I will check Map Quest tonight and see if anything looks like a nice drive.

[catnapper]

Hmmmm.... I do not see Pennsylvania in that listing!

Perhaps you couls swing by good ol' PA?

[Vermontcat]

Emily, I got your PM so I have the contact #'s for you and Lbaker now. Thanks.
I will PM you my contact info this weekend.

Ginger's Mom, it looks like we better stick to a main route and stay off those bumpy back roads. We have enough roads like that here in Vermont.
Let me know if you come up with a better route, I may just want to head over through Trenton or Philly into PA if that is a better route.

Catnapper, actually I was thinking of asking you and Jen what town the Petsmart is in that you work at and some of her foster kitties are at.
Do you work on Saturdays? What are your hours? Does Jen still have DaVinci up for adoption there? On Saturday the 29th we may have time to visit if we go through that area. You can PM me if you don't want to post it here. I still have your phone # from last summer.