Answer for question 4180.

[fabrisse]

[Error: unknown template qotd]I live in Washington, DC which means there's no way anyone can see everything in 24 hours. The key thing is to ask what they want, or know their personalities well enough, to focus on a particular area.

The one thing I would do is make certain we saw the Mall at night whether on foot, by bus, or in a cab. The buildings are beautiful at night, and it's the one thing I remember my parents doing for guests in my childhood. Of course, in those days you could get closer to the Lincoln Memorial at night in a car.

If they leave the decision up to me, we'll spend most of our day at either several of the museums (with lunch at the Museum of the American Indian -- Mititsam is delicious and has several vegetarian options) or going through the Capitol and the Library of Congress (with possibly the Supreme Court added in).

Whenever possible, I'd include a theatrical performance, either the Shakespeare Theatre, Synetic Theater, or something at the Kennedy Center -- usually dance if it's my choice.

Comments

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

The one thing I would do is make certain we saw the Mall at night whether on foot, by bus, or in a cab. The buildings are beautiful at night, and it's the one thing I remember my parents doing for guests in my childhood.

SECONDING! We happened to still be there at night a few years back (usually when we do go, it's for day trips), and were surprised at how beautiful the buildings were. It gave me an entirely new view of the city, I'm not joking.

I've been to a great place for lunch/dinner there (twice!), but I forget the name. It might be Ebet's, but I also might be thinking of a place in Philadelphia.

Heh, I left DC out completely in my response. Sorry! In my defense, the question calls for a day visit, and DC can be two hours away from me depending on traffic (just an hour if there's no traffic), so realistically speaking, it would make more sense to stay closer if I only had a day with that person.

I want to go back to DC now. :P

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Old Ebbits Grill. Yep, it's pretty great!

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I remember the original Old Ebbit's Grill when the ground floor was the main restaurant and, at lunch, the second floor was the omelet room. The new space is lovely, and I often take friends from out of town, but I do miss the old building.

[harvey-rrit.livejournal.com]

Take them to the Smithsonian, but make sure they have tracking chips first.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

And make certain they've made up their minds beforehand which branch they want to go to. Dear lord, the number of tourists to whom I've had to explain that the "Smithsonian" has 9 open buildings on the Mall, one building at Gallery Place, and another museum being built -- plus there are two National Gallery buildings and the Botanical Garden on the Mall. They somehow expect it to be one museum.

[harvey-rrit.livejournal.com]

What part of "Institution" do people not get, I wonder?