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What to do for a day in Washington DC?
Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 2:46 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> G'Day,
In January i will be in NYC for 12 days but in the middle i will have a day in Washington DC (doing the "tourist" thing but want to make the most of the time and get some nice photos) most likely arriving around 7am and leaving to go back to NYC around 4pm on Monday Jan 10th. I was after any tips on places to shoot (Expecialy a nice vantage point of the White House and Pentagon would be great)
I have read that tours of the White House can be arranged by calling the local embassy however i was wondering if anyone knows if there is any point (IE: are they often accepted or regularly turned down, especially on short notice and for a foreigner) or if cameras are allowed on such tours?
I doubt i will have time to visit some of the museums (Smithsonian and National Crime Museum etc, all of which i would love to visit but would rather spend my time out taking pics)
Any other suggestions would be brilliant.
Thanks and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! |
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Mike Janes, Photographer
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Attica | NY | USA | Posted: 4:10 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> There's a few places in DC that offer photo tours, you sign up and a guide takes you around to all the best places for photography in the capital. Haven't checked them out too much but might be something to look at. This is the one I found while I was there and in the hotel looking for ideas.
http://washingtonphotosafari.com/safaris/C14/
Tours of the White House do believe have to be made well in advance, it says up to six months ahead so might want to try and call your embassy to find out. Cameras though, according to the official White House page, are not prohibited.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours-and-events
Pentagon is the same, no cameras.
http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/tour-selection.html
I stayed downtown and just walked a few streets to the White House, then over to the monuments, capital building, etc. It's mostly all in one area so you can walk around and get good images. Definitely won't be able to do it all in a day, but can get a lot done. Unfortunately shooting just monuments and everything wasn't able to even think about visiting any museums, you do a lot of walking and hours fly by. Get a map so you know where you're going, there's tourist maps everywhere to pick up. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 4:25 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> Thanks
I am planning to get one of the map apps for my iphone which has a pre loaded map (IE: not using my 3G roaming and keeping costs down)
I know there wont be enough time to get everything done which is a real shame however it just means i have to go back again later :D |
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Dave Prelosky, Photographer
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Lower Burrell | Pa | US | Posted: 4:35 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> Angus -
At the risk of being proud, consider this: If this is your first visit to DC, take a p&s camera and do the tourist thing. If you spend a day walking the Mall you'll see a great many of the sites of interest.
While you probably won't make a White House tour, you will see and be able to go into monuments and memorials honoring George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, the service of the US military in WW-II, Korea and Viet Nam, memories of the Holocaust, the Bureau of Engraving & Printing - where the US fabricates it's paper currency, the museums and galleries on the Smithsonian Institute, the US Capitol, the National Archive - where the founding documents are stored and the National Galleries of Art.
Then you move away from the mall.
Arlington National Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, the National Zoo.
Probably much more than will fit in a day trip - particularly if the weather is typical January in DC. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 4:58 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> Thanks for the tip Dave, I will certainly be packing light however don't actually own a P&S so will be taking one body (1D MkIV) and a couple of lenses (Likely 16-35 and 85 f1.2)
The Arlington National Cemetery is certainly something i have wanted to see and looking on a map it appears it fits in nicely geographically with other places i want to visit.
Would the following be too much for a day (i have written it in rough order so help on the order would be good too so i am not walking more then needed) and anything that should be added or taken away?
1) Lincoln Memorial (To see it with the sun low enough to illuminate the interior)
2) Walk along past the Reflecting Pool, Vietnam Vets Memorial, Constitution Gardens and WW II Memorial
3) Washington Monument (Opens 8:30am i think)
4) White House (From outside) via the Presidential Park
5) Lafayette Square
6) Arlington Cemetery (Most likely get a cab or public transport to save time)
Judging by what i can see online and have been told that should fill my 9 Hours with a little bit of time for lunch somewhere (Looks like there is a large selection near the Perishing Park?) and then any time left over when the light will be diminishing anyway i can dedicate to museums. |
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Craig Mitchelldyer, Photographer, Assistant
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Portland | OR | USA | Posted: 5:10 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> Go to newsuem. It's very close to the capital. A great great place. The Pulitzer gallery is cool and the 9/11 exhibit is amazing.
Arlington is a must too. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 5:20 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> Craig, I have just had a quick look online, That looks wonderful. Will add that to the list and possibly slot it after the White House (And spend less time at Lafayette Sq) or head back after Arlington (Which i think will be most likely as i don't want to be stuck with no light in Arlington)
Will certainly be a fast paced visit and i may have to forgo a real lunch but i think i can just squeeze those things in. Will just make sure i get the first flight in to DC in the morning however i think i am stuck leaving at 4 pm. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 5:52 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> I noticed i left the Capitol Building (Completely accidental, in my haste to write everything) off my list which i think best slots in in conjunction with the Newseum so perhaps after Arlington i can drop back, shoot some frames of and around the Capitol Building then head to Newseum.
1) Lincoln Memorial (To see it with the sun low enough to illuminate the interior)
2) Walk along past the Reflecting Pool, Vietnam Vets Memorial, Constitution Gardens and WW II Memorial (apparently a 25 minute walk)
3) Washington Monument
4) White House (From outside) via the Presidential Park
6) Arlington National Cemetery (Most likely get a cab or public transport to save time)
7) Capitol Building
8) Newseum
Any change of order or other recommendations would still be greatly appreciated! |
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Mike Janes, Photographer
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Attica | NY | USA | Posted: 7:01 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> The sun low enough at the Lincoln Memorial you'll have to be there at sunrise. I did sunset instead and it is to the side/behind at that time, all the great lighting I've seen in images is sunrise. The walk isn't bad, hung out for longer waiting for the sun to set, but actual walking/shooting was probably 30 mins like you heard. If you walk along the reflecting pool to the WWII Memorial you'll be going in a circle, unless that's what you want to do. To avoid that the order would be Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Constitution Gardens, WWII Memorial to finish that leg of the tour.
After that portion the White House is probably the best bet, and you honestly will see the Washington Monument from a 100 different angles on this walk anyways so probably won't feel a need to go there, unless you really want to be close to it. It's one Memorial that can be in every shot if you really want it to be.
Capital Building would be my next stop personally, never made it there the first time, though I started LATE in the day driving from Gettysburg. After that then over to Arlington as it's where I'd want to be at sunset and a goal next time. Last stop Newseum and then back to the mall for any night shots you want. Of course need public transportation to and from Arlington area.
Some randoms, after the Gettysburg stuff...though I realized some of my favorite shots were left out, this was just quick pulls when I was there and randomly throwing stuff up, but it's in order of the walk. Constitution Gardens would fit right before the Vietnam wall reflection. However, I started at the White House instead of Lincoln.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=239154&id=731751329&l=0b8c00ec71
If the link works to a private fb page. |
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Mike Janes, Photographer
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Attica | NY | USA | Posted: 7:04 PM on 12.24.10 |
| ->> **Just noticed there is a Constitution Gardens photo in there before the Vietnam Memorial, my bad. Didn't see it at first glimpse. |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Sycamore | IL | USA | Posted: 9:40 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> Tourmobile is your best option:
http://www.tourmobile.com/
You probably won't have time to go into many attractions, let alone stand in line for some of the more popular things, or to tour a museum. Almost any museum will take two hours minimum just to get a feel for the place.
Tourmobile buses drive in a specific route to many of the city's tourist attractions in about 15 minute intervals. You get get off at the Lincoln Memorial and then spend some time there, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, etc. and then catch the next bus to take you to the next destination on the route. You pay one flat fee in the morning for your ticket then you have unlimited reboarding privileges for the day. You won't have any driving or parking hassles, plus the drivers give good narration about the sites you're passing along the way.
I think if you sat on the same bus for the whole tour, you'd make the circuit in about 2 hours so there is time for you to pick and choose things you want to spend more time visiting.
If you are taking the train back to NYC, you can probably even plan it so the Tourmobile drops you off at Union Station half an hour before your departure. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 10:18 PM on 12.24.10 |
| ->> +1 Newseum |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 11:58 PM on 12.24.10 |
->> Just walk around the National Mall. Star at the US Capitol end and wander past all those Smithsonian museums (stop at a couple if your like) and wind up at the Lincoln Memorial end with the Vietnam memorial wall. Walk by the White House.
Screw the "tours". If you've only got a day just wander around and take pictures. |
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Luke Sharrett, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Washington | DC | United States | Posted: 12:38 AM on 12.25.10 |
| ->> If you arrive by train into Union Station you will be a mere 3 blocks from the US Capitol. If you have a good pair of walking shoes you could work your way from the outside of the Capitol down the mall toward the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Once you reach the Lincoln you can walk across Memorial Bridge and spend some time at Arlington National Cemetery. When you're done there, buy a farecard at the Arlington Cemetery Metro Rail station (take a Blue Line train toward Largo Town center) and get off four stops later at McPherson Square. McPherson is only a block North of Lafayette Park and a short Metro ride back to Union Station and the Newseum if you still have time. Enjoy the city! |
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Micah Escamilla, Photographer
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Calimesa | CA | United States | Posted: 12:42 AM on 12.25.10 |
| ->> go to the top of the W hotel - they've got a bar that overlooks the white house (it's next door) + much of the city. nice view of the day is clear. nice drinks at the bar too :) |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 3:55 AM on 12.25.10 |
->> I plan to arrive in on the first flight (Arrives around 6:50 I think) then go straight to Lincoln Memorial as according to google
Sunrise won't be untill around 7:40am so I should get there in time. Walking doesn't worry me too much. The tourmobile looks worthwhile I have done similar tour busses in other cities too, however as Jim suggests with such little time it may end up not helping and it may make me want to do more then I have time for.
I have prebooked tickets to the Washington Monument and will look into tickets to the Newseum online however I hope mid winter will be a bit quieter with shorter lines?
If I'm around for sunset that would be a good aim for Arlington then, anyone know if sunset will be nice this time of year over there, I'm currently in Europe and with the winter conditions and cloud cover the sun just disappears rather then a nice "sunset" so it would be nice to avoid that in Arlington to make the most of it.
Thanks guys!! |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 4:35 PM on 12.25.10 |
->> Angus,
Depending up9on your interest, you could spend the entire time in the National Air and Space Museum.
--Mark |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 9:38 PM on 12.25.10 |
->> I always love it when someone says "Oh, we'll spend a couple hours to see 'the' Smithsonian" Little do they know there are about 18 different museums in the Smithsonian system and it takes 2-3 hours do to a proper "quick" tour of just one of them.
Follow Jim's (and some other's) advice. Just walk the National Mall, see the main memorials and see the people. Stop in a Smithsonian or two along the way to warm up and keep wandering.
If you want to get over to Arlington National Cemetery prepare to devote several hours. You will need to Metro to it or take a cab and even then you are in for a lot of walking to get to the main attraction, the Tomb of the Unkown Soldiers. There you want to catch the changing of the guard at the Tomb, but from the entrance you are walking a mile or two to the Tomb, wait for the ceremony, see it, walk back. Get back to Metro and then to downtown. Again, nearly your whole day gone there. |
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Dave Prelosky, Photographer
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Lower Burrell | Pa | US | Posted: 10:25 PM on 12.25.10 |
->> Further details from the research deapartment -
Mean January temp in DC is 26F.
Mean January wind chill is 15F.
Distance from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol 1.9 miles
Number of public facilities - who knows, but in January, outdoors, probably not enough.
What this boils down to is this: Don't try to see everything in one trip. Look over the possibilities, make informed choices and go where you feel the call...
My personal choices would include the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, Vietnam memorial, Air & Space, the National Archive, and the Capitol. If you make those, you'll have a great take on the American psyche.
You'll walk past the Washington Monument and the White House, thru the WW-II memorial, and be in the neighborhood of the Supreme Court and Library of Congress.
As you visit will be in the dead of winter, you'll avoid the visiting hordes of 8th graders visiting the District on school sponsored trips, shortening lines to reasonable lengths |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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| | | Posted: 10:37 PM on 12.25.10 |
->> Angus,
You plan to land a 6:50am ... if you plan on heading right into the city I have to ask, are you flying into Dulles (IAD) or National (DCA)?
IAD is a long pain in the @$$ schlep into DC, I tend to leave an hour, although I think there is a bus from IAD to L'enfant that takes about 45min with no traffic ... where as DCA is minutes away from DC on the Metro.
Even from DCA to the Lincoln Memorial, if you land at 6:50am and somehow manage to run like Carl Lewis and catch the 6:58 train, you won't get to Foggy Bottom for about 15 minutes, then its 3/4 of a mile walk to the memorial.
You may need to factor that in.
(Oh yea ... and ... are you traveling with carry on only?) |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 10:49 PM on 12.25.10 |
->> You can also go online and reserve a time to go up in the Washington Monument for an "aerial" view of the city. Tickets are fee in person, but you don't know the time you will get a tour until the day of, and you spend too much time waiting in line. Going online and ordering tickets for a set time through the National Park Services costs you a dollar and you can then plan your walking schedule.
Yes, it can be cold, but for the first half of the route going from Capitol to Lincoln Memorial is lined with Smithsonian museums so you can duck in to warm up, hit the bathroom and get a coffee. Then there is nothing close until you get to the Lincoln which has bathrooms and a small concession stand off to the side for coffee and such. |
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Adam Brimer, Photographer, Assistant
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Knoxville | TN | USA | Posted: 11:17 PM on 12.25.10 |
->> Go check out the Jumbo Slice in Adams Morgan (it's the one closer to a bar called Madam's Organ) and have the biggest piece of pizza you'll ever see in your life.
Let me know if you finish it! |
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Robert Benson, Photographer
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San Diego | Ca | USA | Posted: 11:44 PM on 12.25.10 |
| ->> Sit in traffic. |
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Corey Perrine, Photographer
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Augusta | GA | USA | Posted: 12:00 AM on 12.26.10 |
->> 01.) Newseum
02.) Vietnam War Memorial
03.) Lincoln Memorial
05.) U.S. Capitol
06.) U.S. National Arboretum
07.) Museum of Natural History
08.) Washington Monument
09.) The White House
10.) Air & Space Museum
11.) National Museum of American History
12.) WWII Memorial |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 5:36 AM on 12.26.10 |
| ->> It's not so mch a visit to spend indoors at museums which I would rather do on a longer future trip. I fly in to DCA and will be traveling only with camera in hand and think tank belt pack with some extra stuff. I will be sure to try and catch the changing of the gaurs at the national cemetery. |
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Paul Calhoun, Photographer
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Hillsborough | NC | U.S. | Posted: 7:16 PM on 12.26.10 |
| ->> As noted above, just walking the Mall and making stops along the way can make quite a day. Assuming you have to eat and warm up at some point, definitely consider the Newseum for that. |
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David Minton, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Denton | TX | USA | Posted: 7:46 PM on 12.26.10 |
| ->> Also keep in mind that the Smithsonian museums close at 5:30 p.m. and Arlington closes at 5 p.m. this time of year. The monuments around the Mall are open 24/7. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 1:31 AM on 12.27.10 |
| ->> Cheers, I will try and do the running tour but if not it does always leave more for next time, and i already plan to be in the states again in the next few years. |
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Ben Mackey, Photographer
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Columbia | MD | USA | Posted: 10:07 AM on 12.27.10 |
->> While it looks like you plan on being outside shooting most of the time, it's always good to know when things open up.
The doors to the Newseum open at 0900, the Smithsonian museums (with the exception of the castle) don't open until 1000. The castle opens at 0830 but is mostly office space. BTW, entrance to the Smithsonians is free, the Newseum costs $19.95.
I imagine everyone has their own favorite things to see around town but here are a three exhibits that are fairly easy to find when you duck inside to warm up:
- The Star Spangled Banner in the American History Museum
- Touch the moon rock just inside the entrance to Air and Space
- The 9/11 exhibit at the Newseum.
Sunrise will be at 0727, sunset at 1705 with twilight starting at 0657, and ending at 1734 so you'll make sunrise at the Memorial if you hustle but you'll be jetting back to NYC at sunset. http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-on...
As Dave points out, expect cold weather (but probably nothing compared to what you're getting in Europe this month). If you want to keep an eye on the weather as your visit gets closer, try http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 10:18 AM on 12.27.10 |
->> Cheers for those links and times Ben, The 9/11 exhibit is certainly something i hope to visit having been in New York myself on 9/11/01, i was actually due to be in Windows on the World (Levels 106/107 of North Tower) at 8:30am however due to running late i am still here today.
Its currently -1 here in Italy without the windchill however no snow currently. Was about -12 in Oslo though!
Might be worth ducking in to touch the moon rock, one of those thing just to say i did it! |
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Brad Mills, Photographer
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Falls Church | VA | USA | Posted: 12:24 PM on 12.27.10 |
->> I live a few miles outside of DC. The suggestions you have gotten are good.
Metro from the airport will be your quickest option arriving when you are.
One thing to be relevant of is the distances involved. Walking around the mall is doable but walking a loop from the Capitol to Jefferson to Lincoln to the Capitol is aprox 6 miles. Adding in Arlington Cemetery would add about 3 more miles round trip.
The tourmobile suggestion is good. As the earlier poster said you can get on / off the vehicle as you please. It will take you to many of the tourist spots and the driver/guides do a nice job of giving you some of the history as you drive around the city.
Another good place for an areal view is the Old Post Office. It is a couple blocks off the Mall. Unlike the Washington Monument there is no timed ticket required.
Eating options on the Mall are limited. There are OK options in the museums that are quick. The Newseum has a better lunch option. The Old Post Office has a food court as does the Ronald Reagan Building. You can get $3 tee-shirts and drinks and a hot dog from street vendors.
Shoot me an email if you have specific questions. |
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Jeff Stinson, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Carlisle | PA | USA | Posted: 12:32 PM on 12.27.10 |
->> - American History
- Natural History
- Lincoln Memorial
- WWII Memorial
- Vietnam Wall
- Korean
- Arlington
- U.S. Capitol
- Air & Space
- Old Post Office (Make sure to go up in the tower. It’s free. Good view and great for photos. (There is a tad bit of a fence if I do recall) |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 11:20 PM on 01.10.11 |
| ->> Just thought i would let you know i JUST made it around to the places i had wanted to. I have posted some images on my blog. http://www.mordantphoto.blogspot.com |
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Ray Anderson, Photographer
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 4:11 AM on 01.12.11 |
->> I was born and raised in Alexandria spent many a weekend in DC growing up I have been back many times to photograph and enjoy all the FREE museums.
From a photographers point of view who would want to get the most out of my time here is what will give you the best shots if it is not raining.
1.start at sunrise Lincoln Memorial
2.right next to the Lincoln Memorial is the Korean Memorial
actually a great Memorial to shoot in the rain or snow
3.then a short walk to the Viet Nam Memorial
4.On to the WW II Memorial
5 not sure if I would do the top of the Washington Monument takes to much time. I would only go inside a museum or monument if its raining.
5.So if it is still not raining continue on to the see the exterior of the White House,should be getting close to lunch go get a quick bite at the
6.Beautiful old Post Office building where you have a large selection of places to eat,while there take the free elevator to the top for a 360 degree view of the city.You can wait in the line at the elevator while eating your lunch.
Exit the Post Office building and head toward the Mall area check out and photograph
7.the beautiful exterior of one of the oldest buildings in DC the Smithsonian Institution Building.
8.Up past other beautiful museums the Air and Space museum
9.The Native American Museum etc.etc.
10.On to the exterior of the Capitol
11.Stand on the steps of the Capitol to look back at the view of the Mall towards the Washington Monument and realize why your legs are so tired.
12.Shake off the pain and continue to the Library of Congress
13.Continue next door the Supreme Court.
if you have a little time left go check out the interior of the Library of Congress
14.Now you have just enough time to walk to the Metro to catch your flight.
Enjoy the Mall area. |
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Ray Anderson, Photographer
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 4:16 AM on 01.12.11 |
| ->> P.S. being a native of the D.C. area it is my advice is to never pay to get into any Museum in D.C. if you are only going to be there for one day, there are to many nice free museums to enjoy. |
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