Mrs. Arch and I decided to make a bit of a spur of the moment decision last night and are heading to DC for a week next month. Planning on spending 2 days at Udvar-Hazy. Think that will be enough? Too much? Better to not go on a weekend for crowds?

If Mrs. Arch decides thats too much, I might be doing it solo

What other absolute MUST SEEs are there for a couple of Canadians that may quite possibly never make it down again?

We're thinking about Natural History Museum, Air and Space Museum (in addition to Udvar-Hazy), Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln memorial, Washington monument.

We're staying near Reagan Airport so we'll be metro-ing around unless it's recommended I rent a car, which I can... but I suspect traffic and parking probably isn't that fun. Although maybe I should for going to Udvar-Hazy?

It seems like us dirty foreigners can't readily get into the White House or the Pentagon so that's off my list.. unless Obama posts here incognito and can get me in!

The White House is a tough tour to get if you're American and I believe you have to be on a waiting list. My family lived in the DC suburbs years ago and never got to go. We did get to meet my Grandparents California rep when they came to visit one year and we took a underground train ride from his office to the Capital building (was very cool). Lots of stuff to see and most everything is free, Arlington Cemetery had a profound impression on me as a kid that sits with me still as an adult.

EDIT: This subway

We did the WH tour last year, pretty cool. We also did Congress tour but walked through the tunnel, didn't ride. Yes, you have to write your congressperson and let them know you want to tour, and then fill out a form. Very interesting. Fun walking around the congressional office building and reading the name-plates (for good or bad ).

Udvar-Hazy is GREAT, lovely big space so you can see everything in relation to each other, nicely lit also. I have a ton of pix, will have to upload some at some point.

The Smithsonian is not to be missed. Be prepared to want to stay all day!

If you get to Udvar-Hazy right when they open, you can probably see everything you want there in one day. I was there in the museum's early days, and it indeed took me about 5-6 hours to see everything I want to see. It's an absolutely great museum, with some very unique aircraft on display. The Enola Gay, of course, is the centerpiece of the WWII aircraft on exhibit there.

I second the Smithsonian.

Hey Arch,

Udvar-Hazy could realisitcally be done in a day. The museum is huge, but so are the planes. I don't think metro goes out there, yet. So you may want to investigate shuttles or just get a car for the day.

I little known museum in DC that I'd recommend is the US Navy Museum located on Washington Naval Yard. It's a military installation but I think a picture ID will get you in to see the museum.

It has a great though small collection of stuff and is the current resting place of the Trieste, the Bathyscaphe that went down to the bottom of the Marianas Trench.





Deacon

Wow, didn't know the Trieste was in a museum. That's awesome!

You can easily spend two days at Udvar-Hazy. I suggest taking the guided tour, it highlights key pieces in the museum and the guides give a lot of background on the craft and where they fit in the history of aviation.

Thing is as you go through the tour, you will pass dozens and dozens of other planes you will want to take a good look at. That is why you will want to come back. Not to mention the main museum on the Mall, where the Wright Flyer and Spirit of St. Louis is housed.

I would suggest doing the main museum and the Mall first, and if your wife is still having fun take the trip out to Udvar Hazy (you can get directions from the website) first thing in the morning.