Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

[Guest guest]

We live about 30 minutes outside of DC. You are

correct, security is everywhere now. The Air & Space

museum (one of the most popular) actually has metal

detectors that people must walk through similar to the

airport. However, if you have NO BAGS at all (not

even a purse), you can go through a much shorter line.

We also found that the entrances on the opposite side

of the mall were less crowded than those on the mall.

That is, the museums all have two entrances -- one

facing the green mall and the other at the back facing

the street. The street side was definately less

crowded (unless the rest of the world has caught onto

this since we went in late March.)

When we went to the Washington monument two years,

they gave out timed tickets, so it wasn't a matter of

waiting in a long line. I think they still do that.

They also did it for tours of the U.S. Treasury.

That's a fun place to visit too, where you can see the

huge rolls of money being printed.

And if you're in DC on a hot summer day, the FDR

monument incorporates water. Although not the most

respectful, kids always seem to play in the water. (I

know mine did and had a ball -- just make sure the

hearing aids don't get wet!!) There's also the zoo

and two amusement parks that are within 90 minutes of

the city. All in all, there is plenty to do.

Judy

--- LuAnn wrote:

> Thanks! I just got everyone new walking shoes to

> minimize the complaining

> about tired feet--the sonian is huge that's for

> sure so we will be on

> our feet a lot. In scoping this out I found that

> security everywhere in D.C.

> is tighter--no large tote bags or backpacks are

> allowed inside anywhere, and

> there are no lockers to stash things in--so we will

> be out and about all day

> with whatever fits in my small purse. And the number

> of tickets for tours is

> reduced because the security checks take so long--at

> the Capitol, for

> instance. And there are no White House tours except

> for prescheduled school

> groups. No FBI tours either.

> Still I think we will have a good visit--my boys are

> at the right age to

> appreciate what they see there.

>

> Has anybody been up the Washington Monument? I hear

> that the lines are

> really long, and I'm wondering about whether we

> should do it or pass on it.

>

> LuAnn

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

We live about 30 minutes outside of DC. You are

correct, security is everywhere now. The Air & Space

museum (one of the most popular) actually has metal

detectors that people must walk through similar to the

airport. However, if you have NO BAGS at all (not

even a purse), you can go through a much shorter line.

We also found that the entrances on the opposite side

of the mall were less crowded than those on the mall.

That is, the museums all have two entrances -- one

facing the green mall and the other at the back facing

the street. The street side was definately less

crowded (unless the rest of the world has caught onto

this since we went in late March.)

When we went to the Washington monument two years,

they gave out timed tickets, so it wasn't a matter of

waiting in a long line. I think they still do that.

They also did it for tours of the U.S. Treasury.

That's a fun place to visit too, where you can see the

huge rolls of money being printed.

And if you're in DC on a hot summer day, the FDR

monument incorporates water. Although not the most

respectful, kids always seem to play in the water. (I

know mine did and had a ball -- just make sure the

hearing aids don't get wet!!) There's also the zoo

and two amusement parks that are within 90 minutes of

the city. All in all, there is plenty to do.

Judy

--- LuAnn wrote:

> Thanks! I just got everyone new walking shoes to

> minimize the complaining

> about tired feet--the sonian is huge that's for

> sure so we will be on

> our feet a lot. In scoping this out I found that

> security everywhere in D.C.

> is tighter--no large tote bags or backpacks are

> allowed inside anywhere, and

> there are no lockers to stash things in--so we will

> be out and about all day

> with whatever fits in my small purse. And the number

> of tickets for tours is

> reduced because the security checks take so long--at

> the Capitol, for

> instance. And there are no White House tours except

> for prescheduled school

> groups. No FBI tours either.

> Still I think we will have a good visit--my boys are

> at the right age to

> appreciate what they see there.

>

> Has anybody been up the Washington Monument? I hear

> that the lines are

> really long, and I'm wondering about whether we

> should do it or pass on it.

>

> LuAnn

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

>Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro into

the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient as

I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig and

all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about getting

mugged...

LuAnn

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

> For the monument you need to get a ticket (free) and it gives you a time

to

> get in. You pick them up right by a ticket booth close to the monument.

Its

> best to be there early when they open. You may want to check online to see

if

> you can reserve tickets... which will cost you.They only let so many

people

> on at a scheduled time. I also know the holocaust (sp) museum you also

need

> tickets. I had got those online so I wouldnt have to wait in line. Cost me

> about a dollar a ticket. Lincoln is the best to see by far, the Monument

is a

> little cramped for my style. Natural history is the best for kids. And of

> course the zoo. Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro into

the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient as

I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig and

all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about getting

mugged...

LuAnn

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

> For the monument you need to get a ticket (free) and it gives you a time

to

> get in. You pick them up right by a ticket booth close to the monument.

Its

> best to be there early when they open. You may want to check online to see

if

> you can reserve tickets... which will cost you.They only let so many

people

> on at a scheduled time. I also know the holocaust (sp) museum you also

need

> tickets. I had got those online so I wouldnt have to wait in line. Cost me

> about a dollar a ticket. Lincoln is the best to see by far, the Monument

is a

> little cramped for my style. Natural history is the best for kids. And of

> course the zoo. Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro into

the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient as

I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig and

all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about getting

mugged...

LuAnn

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

> For the monument you need to get a ticket (free) and it gives you a time

to

> get in. You pick them up right by a ticket booth close to the monument.

Its

> best to be there early when they open. You may want to check online to see

if

> you can reserve tickets... which will cost you.They only let so many

people

> on at a scheduled time. I also know the holocaust (sp) museum you also

need

> tickets. I had got those online so I wouldnt have to wait in line. Cost me

> about a dollar a ticket. Lincoln is the best to see by far, the Monument

is a

> little cramped for my style. Natural history is the best for kids. And of

> course the zoo. Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We took the Metro the last time we visited D.C. and we loved it! It was much

better than trying to drive around the city and find parking! Plus, the kids

thought it was great fun - kind of like riding the monorail at Disney World! I

never felt unsafe.

in NC

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

>Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro into

the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient as

I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig and

all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about getting

mugged...

LuAnn

[Guest guest]

We took the Metro the last time we visited D.C. and we loved it! It was much

better than trying to drive around the city and find parking! Plus, the kids

thought it was great fun - kind of like riding the monorail at Disney World! I

never felt unsafe.

in NC

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

>Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro into

the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient as

I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig and

all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about getting

mugged...

LuAnn

[Guest guest]

We took the Metro the last time we visited D.C. and we loved it! It was much

better than trying to drive around the city and find parking! Plus, the kids

thought it was great fun - kind of like riding the monorail at Disney World! I

never felt unsafe.

in NC

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

>Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro into

the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient as

I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig and

all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about getting

mugged...

LuAnn

[Guest guest]

Thanks--I am so glad to know that. I have been reading all these guidebooks

that emphasize the crime down there, but evidently it is confined to certain

areas.

L

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

>

>

> >Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

>

> We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro

into

> the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient

as

> I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig

and

> all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about

getting

> mugged...

>

> LuAnn

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks--I am so glad to know that. I have been reading all these guidebooks

that emphasize the crime down there, but evidently it is confined to certain

areas.

L

Re: sonian exhibitionWe are going to D.

>

>

> >Have fun looking for a parking space......LOL

>

> We plan to garage the car at the hotel in Virginia and take the Metro

into

> the district. I'm hoping that it really is as clean, safe and efficient

as

> I've read. I'm used to putting up with the T in Boston and the Big Dig

and

> all that inconvenience, but at least there I'm not so worried about

getting

> mugged...

>

> LuAnn

>

>

>

>

>