Baltimore/DC travel advice

[ukwebfan]

Since my wife spent 2 years in Cockeysville and graduated from Dulaney, I'm considering taking her back for a visit.

I'm thinking about flying out of Dayton (half the price of CVG) to BWI and staying at the Airport Westin. It's centrally located to both cities and the MTA will take us almost anywhere we want to go I assume. Any ideas, thoughts about hotels, restaurants, sights, sounds etc?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[moody85]

G & M Crabcakes!!!!

"Crabcakes rock." - JWade

[capcat]

I know you'll be able to get around in Baltimore without a car, but am wondering about public transportation to DC, especially on a weekend.

[DenCat]

Since my wife spent 2 years in Cockeysville and graduated from Dulaney, I'm considering taking her back for a visit.

I'm thinking about flying out of Dayton (half the price of CVG) to BWI and staying at the Airport Westin. It's centrally located to both cities and the MTA will take us almost anywhere we want to go I assume. Any ideas, thoughts about hotels, restaurants, sights, sounds etc?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
The Inner Harbor in Baltimore used to be great. It could still be, it's been a few years since I was there. There are/were quite a few restaurants and shops. The USS Constitution is moored there, as is a WWII sub. There is an aquarium there also. If you are into baseball, you can hit Camden Yards and watch the "O's". It is a great ballpark.

:thumbup::thumbup: On the crabcakes. They are awesome. The best I've eaten always come from the Eastern Shore though.

[DenCat]

I know you'll be able to get around in Baltimore without a car, but am wondering about public transportation to DC, especially on a weekend.
I'm not sure if there is service between DC-Baltimore from either transit company.. I do know Amtrak does, but not sure of the schedule.

[cumberlandredskin]

I know you'll be able to get around in Baltimore without a car, but am wondering about public transportation to DC, especially on a weekend.

Metro is available all weekend in DC. The subway trains are open until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights. But be aware they have been having a lot of breakdowns lately that have caused major delays. I've been caught in three in just the last week trying to get home from work. Their system hasn't been maintained that well over the years. With the increase in riders due to high gas prices it's putting a big strain on the system.

[capcat]

Someone who has lived there suggested the Holocaust Memorial museum. An article in the link below describes it, in case you're interested.
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/washington-dc/us-holocaust-memorial-museum.php

A place I'm glad I visited was Arlington National Cemetary. It was extremely hot when we went, but it was well worth it.

For meals, I liked the availability of different types of cuisine, as in the Ethiopian, Salvadorian, etc. restaurants in DC.

[Jeff Craddock]

There are so many good restaurants in DC that I don't know where to start. As capcat noted, there are many good ethnic eateries. My preferences run to Indian and Thai, so I can give you some good recommendations on those. I also like Central/South American--Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Peruvian (metro DC must be ground zero for Peruvian chicken joints--inexpensive rotisserie chicken, marinated and cooked over wood or coals. If you see an El Pollo Rico or "Crisp and Juicy", go!).

In Baltimore, my favorite restaurant is Charleston, near the Inner Harbor. Very pricey, but the food is incredible. We celebrated an anniversary there a few years ago. Low Country (SC) cooking taken to another level. In DC, I like some of the more upscale Italian eateries--Dino (not terribly expensive, with a great wine list) in Cleveland Park (get there by metro Red Line), and Palena--also in Cleveland Park, a block from Dino--named after a town in Italy, but with a very eclectic menu. The latter is considered one of the five or six best restaurants in DC. To save money, eat in the cafe/bar section--no reservation needed or accepted in the cafe.

There are also some terrific eateries near the Comcast Center, in Penn Quarter. Some very good Mexican, as well as Jaleo (Spanish tapas/small plates) and Rasika, which may be one of the best Indian restaurants around. For the latter, make reservations.


Here's a link to the most recent Washington magazine 100 best restaurants, listed by type of cooking. (http://www.washingtonian.com/packages/verybest2008)

Please note "Passage to India", which is our favorite Indian restaurant, anywhere.

Also from the Washingtonian, "Cheap Eats" (http://www.washingtonian.com/packages/cheapeats2007/index.html)

From the same publication, "Dirt Cheap Eats" (http://www.washingtonian.com/packages/dirtcheapeats2007/index.html)

And finally...

Here's a page on the Washingtonian website that lists all the dining guides and rates restaurants by locale and type of food. (http://www.washingtonian.com/sections/restaurants/DiningGuides/index.html)

A lot of info, for sure, but this is a pretty good overview of the eating possiblties in our neck of the woods.

[BrassowFan]

I'm planning to spend 3 days in DC next month to just see the monuments and a few locations that have always interested me.

I've been told to get a hotel a few miles away and the use the public transportation to visit the tourist locations, however, I really would like to get some pictures at night, which makes me think it would be better to stay closer to town.

I've never been to the city so I would appreciate any advice by those who have either visited or live in the area.

[capcat]

I'm planning to spend 3 days in DC next month to just see the monuments and a few locations that have always interested me.

I've been told to get a hotel a few miles away and the use the public transportation to visit the tourist locations, however, I really would like to get some pictures at night, which makes me think it would be better to stay closer to town.

I've never been to the city so I would appreciate any advice by those who have either visited or live in the area.
I'm curious...what was the reason given for staying a few miles away? Ease of public transit? Cost of hotels in DC? I stayed in Alexandria, only because I had family there. We walked to the metro and were in DC in no time, but I saw several DC hotels online that I would have liked to have stayed in.

[BrassowFan]

I'm curious...what was the reason given for staying a few miles away? Ease of public transit? Cost of hotels in DC? I stayed in Alexandria, only because I had family there. We walked to the metro and were in DC in no time, but I saw several DC hotels online that I would have liked to have stayed in.

I think the suggestion was because of the price of the hotels and the crime in the area.

[Jeff Craddock]

I'll second the idea of Alexandria if you don't want to stay in the city. It's easy to take the metro, it's close to the city, and there are many good restaurants--Restaurant Eve is sublime--in the area. Old Town has a lot of charm.

Google <Alexandria, VA+hotels> and look at the choices, including several reviews. I've heard pretty good things about Embassy Suites.

[Jeff Craddock]

I think the suggestion was because of the price of the hotels and the crime in the area.

Crime isn't much of a problem in many parts of the city, including NW Washington, where many of the better hotels can be found. Price can be an issue, however. Summer is tourist season, so I'm guessing the rooms are more expensive.

[capcat]

Regarding your comment, Jeff...I enjoyed Old Town, with its shops, restaurants and historic homes. We stayed near the Del Ray neighborhood, which has some charm as well.

[BrassowFan]

Crime isn't much of a problem in many parts of the city, including NW Washington, where many of the better hotels can be found. Price can be an issue, however. Summer is tourist season, so I'm guessing the rooms are more expensive.

I think that I'm only going to be there a couple of nights so as long as it's not too crazy, price shouldn't be much of an issue. I just want to make sure that I can see as much as possible and get some incredible pictures.

[capcat]

Are you flying into Washington Reagan? I liked the convenience of it, with a metro stop right there.

[BrassowFan]

Are you flying into Washington Reagan? I liked the convenience of it, with a metro stop right there.

I'm actually going to drive. It's approx 5 hours and I'm not on a schedule so I'm just going to enjoy the trip.

[capcat]

Hope you get some good pictures, and maybe share them with us.

[ukwebfan]

Thanks for the help! The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is planned for the week of the 4th so we may be traveling then.

I can stay at the airport Westin for $94.00/night. It's highly recommended on Trip Advisor with free shuttle access to the airport/trains/car rentals etc. If there's a better deal that's as centrally located to both cities, I'm all ears. But we could be very happy with something that has a little more charm, scenery and cost. Within walking distance to public transportation is always a plus in a busy city.

At some point we plan to rent a car to drive to Cockeysville. Hopefully my wife will remember a good restaurant that survived the last 28 years.

[capcat]

Thanks for the help! The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is planned for the week of the 4th so we may be traveling then.

I can stay at the airport Westin for $94.00/night. It's highly recommended on Trip Advisor with free shuttle access to the airport/trains/car rentals etc. If there's a better deal that's as centrally located to both cities, I'm all ears. But we'll be happy with something that has a little more charm, scenery and cost. Within walking distance to public transportation is always a plus in a busy city.

At some point we plan to rent a car to drive to Cockeysville. Hopefully my wife will remember a good restaurant that survived the last 28 years.
We just got back from the Texas Folklife Festival last week. Much fun, but I'll bet the Smithsonian does it better. :beer: Have a great trip.

[ukwebfan]

We just got back from the Texas Folklife Festival last week. Much fun, but I'll bet the Smithsonian does it better. :beer: Have a great trip.That's very interesting since this one has an exhibit called Texas: A Celebration of Music, Food, and Wine. I want to see the NASA exhibit to satisfy the geek in me.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival (http://www.folklife.si.edu/festival/2008/index.html)

[capcat]

Some good music listed for their Texas program.
I notice that Hoover Alexander will be there as one of the representatives of Texas food. Go Hoover :beer: I sort of know him. Well, my husband does, anyway. :)

[capitolkatnorm]

Since I live 13 blocks from the Capitol I guess I'll weigh in. I would stay in the city- maybe Dupont Circle as it has a great nightlife, good metro connections, and gives you an idea that DC is really a first class city. Take one of the tour buses around the city- DC Trolly or others and you can get off and on all day. They take you to Arlington Cemetery and see the changing of the guards on the tomb of the unknowns, visit the Kennedy grave site, and if you are in good shape walk up the hill to Robert E. Lee's home at the beginning of the Civil War- most of Arlington Cemetery is carved from his ancestral home. Bring good walking shoes, and be prepared to give them a work out as even with the metro there's a lot of places to visit between stops/

The holocaust museum is one of my favorites as you can get timed tickets, and come back when it's your time. During the week get tickets from your congressman/woman and go see the Bureau of printing and engraving and see money made- buy a bag of $10,000- shredded of course or uncut sheets of dollar bills- nice gifts for folks at home. Also get tickets for the tour of the US Capitol from your congressperson. It's a really great history lesson and the building is beautiful with great artwork. Library of Congress across the street from the Capitol is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in DC and the tours are again worth the time- seen a Guttenburg bible?? It's your chance. go to the National ARchives on Pennsylvania Ave at 7th- see the Constitution or the Magna Carta--I really can't see stayin at the airport Westin at BWI as it's just a hotel and no neighborhood, no surrounding restaurants, you have to take MARC train to get to the metro and a cab would cost over $60 if you missed the last train.

There are so many secret treasures in DC, Dumbarton Oaks- where much of the work by Presidents and others was done during WWII, the Lincoln cottage at the old soldiers home where he drafted the Emancipation Proclamation. The pews in Foundry Methodist church on 16th street where FDR and Churchill prayed after Japan bombed Pearl harbor, the pew at the NY AVe Presbyterian that was used by Lincoln and his hitching post outside, and he donated the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamtion to the church and it's on display in the Lincoln parlor. A few blocks away go to the Sunday jazz brunch at the Corcoran museum and get a free pass to the museum-which is famous for it's exhibits of art from all ages. buy a Christmas ornament from the White House Historical Society for all your good friends and they will treasure it- for sale at the White house vistor center on Penn and 15th.
go down the hill from the Capitol and see Grant mounted looking over the Mall on the world's tallest equestrian statute. visit the Lincoln memorial at the other end of the Mall at night and see the lights on his countenance and then walk over to the the Vietnam Memorial where people leave mementos day and night- then cross over to the Korea War memorial which can only be fully appreciated at night with it's shadowy soldiers walking across a field and then go over to the Jefferson Memorial and sit on the steps as others contemplate the beauty of the tidal basin in the nightime lights. Stay in the city so you can catch a cab to your hotel when you are worn out from the touring- and I haven't even mentioned the Smithsonian museums--

Have fun it's a great city-- it's your city --- Norm

[capcat]

^
I've been there twice and have only seen/done a portion of what you mentioned. Guess I need to go back. :cool:

[Jeff Craddock]

^
I've been there twice and have only seen/done a portion of what you mentioned. Guess I need to go back. :cool:

I'm with you....and I live here! Guess I've gotten too complacent, so it's time to go out and visit a few of the places Norm mentioned. :thumbup:

[BrassowFan]

Norm, thanks for the advice, I'm printing your post right now and will start trying to figure out what to see over the next few days.

[BrassowFan]

So far it has been an incredible trip! I've been to the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Ford's Theatre (closed for renovation :mad:). I've walked for miles but love every minute of it.

I went past the Capitol, Pentagon, Jefferson Memorial and the House where Lincoln died and plan to see all of them except the Pentagon before leaving. I have a tour of the Capitol scheduled with my Rep's office tomorrow.

As someone who loves architecture, I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed with that aspect of the city. I had thought that the Capitol would've stood above all other buildings, and while there are many great sightlines, it's just not the case. Also, the feds have done very little to consider aesthetics when making adjustments for security.

So far I've been most impressed with the WWII and Lincoln Monuments and the Capitol. The White House is less impressive, much smaller than I had anticipated, but I'm sure would've been more exciting had I actually been able to arrange a tour. Since I have to come back to see Ford's Theatre, I'll take care of it then.

I'll post some pictures later in the week.

BTW, I have to say that the drive here was incredible. I never knew how beautiful the mountains of West Virginia and Maryland were. Very impressive and well worth a trip on their own merit.