summer family vacation this year to Washington DC. the kids are old enough now to appreciate the history and enjoy it without having to go to a theme park or waterslide somewhere. I went with my family 35 years ago when i was 17 and loved it. I have heard that if you contact your congressman or senator you may be able to get some passes, tours, access to some things... anybody done this?

Just did this Spring Break. Took a tour through Bill Flores' office. A very informative intern will take you through the Capitol. It's kind of cool, because we went through a tunnel that the congressmen go through to get from the Congress offices to the Captiol (which is not open to the public, unless you are escorted by a staff member). We got to take a picture with Flores too, who was in his office. They also give you passes to go to the Senate Gallery and the House Gallery. We went in both, and it was pretty cool. Session was going on in House.

The other "general public" tours are just general tours. It was great going through Flores' office, because they showed us all of the statues related to the state of Texas. I heard of people who went through Cruz's office... and they just gave them tickets for a general tour.

Love that place! Try to see if you can get a White House tour too!

Years ago went through congressman to get tickets to tour the White House.

Flores' people did a guided tour for us and it was great, call them.

If you haven't requested a White House tour for the summer at this point, you will almost certainly not be able to get that tour this summer. The Capitol tours are still an option, and I'd probably recommend seeing if the Capitol dome tours are an option as well. I also requested a Kennedy Center tour - it was pretty cool as well.

Try to get a tour of the Pentagon. Apparently, the numbers are very limited, but go to their website and apply. It is worth seeing. Also, you'll get a chance to see the Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial which is located outside, near where the plane hit.

The White House tour is a little underwhelming. You'll stand in a long line to get in, including clearing security. You'll go through the East Room and the adjoining rooms downstairs in the East Wing. I think we were out in about 15-20 minutes. Because of obvious security concerns, you don't see much. Don't get me wrong: it's very cool to say you visited the White House, especially the East Room with all its history. But, if you don't get passes, it isn't the end of the world. Make it a reason to come back.

Also -- and this was recommended to me -- walk the war memorials at night. If you start at WWII, you can make your way down the mall toward the Lincoln Memorial. In between, you can hit Korea and Vietnam. Both are very powerful at night for different reasons: Korea because of the lifelike nature of the statues; Vietnam because of the ironic solitude of it. Since it is basically a berm-type monument, you walk down into it. The topography goes a long way to block out the hustle and bustle of traffic and tourists around you. It's very powerful. They also have guides to help you find servicemen who died.

For getting around, I can't recommend Metro enough. The city is relatively small -- geographically speaking -- and the subway can get you just about anywhere in a matter of minutes. Just be mindful traveling with family. Some of the stations are very busy.

I recommend a night tour of the monuments.

We hated the Metro, dirty, and confusing. I would just take taxi's...

Don't miss the Smithsonians...

Also, if you want a tour of the FBI building, you need to contact them as well.

DC Metro is cheaper than cabs - most major tourist spots in DC are within a short walk of a subway station

Bill Flores's office is very good about helping set up tours if you contact them.

Ditto the Smithsonians and everything else above.

I would also recommend the Holocaust museum - it is very powerful and moving. It has some pretty graphic exhibits so it may not be appropriate, depending on the ages of your kids.

The spy museum is another one that we enjoyed - it has a cost associated with it but it was really cool.

D.C. by Foot is amazing!! Tour guides are great. You pay whatever you feel is appropriate at the end of the tour.

http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/washington-dc-tours/

The Newseum is worth the admission even with all the free ones available.

Rep. Flores' is great about setting up a tour.

GranMaq11 said:

---

aggiepaintrain said:

---

We hated the Metro, dirty, and confusing. I would just take taxi's...

---

Wut?

The Metro is so simple, convenient, and inexpensive. I can't imagine anyone calling it confusing - I've seen people who have never used public transportation in their lives figure it out after just a couple of trips.

---

I wouldn't call it confusing, but compared to uber...
I go with some frequency, Metro is good for some trips depending on the Hotel.
That said, I usually walk or take uber.

Thanks for all the help. you guys are always great. gonna contact Bill Flores' office asap.We are doing a night tour, spy museum, monuments, Smithsonians ...etc. got most of the basic places covered. btw, since I'm kinda of a foodie, anybody got some good places to eat? not high end. I'm more of a go where the locals go to get good food at a good price guy.

How many days are you planning on spending in the capital? We'd like to do a similar trip in a couple years as well.

As a fellow foodie...I have a few suggestions.

My favorite hangout is Kramer's Books & Afterwords. Located at the t It is a bookstore with a restaurant in the back. Interesting wine list, upscale-but not too pricy food. Be sure to save room for dessert--outstanding pie.
Be sure to save time to peruse the bookstore. You will find an eclectic mix of books that you won't find in a typical bookstore.
Take the Metro to DuPont Circle (red line), take Q Stree exit, and you will see the sign after you get off the escalator. And Metro is super easy, and cheap, in my opinion. Uber is great, but traffic is not...


I'm big fan of Asian food, so I always spend time in ChinaTown. My favorite place there is Royal Thai. Fantastic, authentic Thai cuisine. Order Green Curry Pad Thai. You will thank me later.

If you are a bit adventurous, try Chinatown Express. Understand that there are whole ducks in the window, and a fish tank where the catch of the day is swimming. No atmosphere. But OMG the food is amazing. Steamed dumplings, hot and sour soup that is actually hot AND sour, lobster lo mein....yum!

We are spending 4 nights and 3 full days in DC. 2 families, 3 teenagers. Hopefully we can get all the basic places in. I think we can, if we stay on schedule.
Raider, thanks for the rec. Sounds like places i would like to eat. but not so sure about the teenagers.

You're going to be lucky to get everything you want to do in.

I could easily spend 3 full days at the Smithsonians.

What dave said. Figure a day for the Smithsonians you want to visit.

RepBillFlores said:

---

Gig em!
Bill '76

---

Welcome to TexAgs!

I'd probably avoid the Politics board.

Thanks, RepBillFlores! really looking forward to our summer vacation trip to DC this July! found out today that we have filled out the online form, so fingers crossed for a tour on our days there.

a little disappointed in the response from Bill Flores office regarding summer vacation tour of the capitol bldg. we called the office, filled out the online form like they told us to. it was confirmed that they got it. been 3 weeks. have gotten no response.

Spent a long weekend in DC a couple years ago. Stayed at the Renaissance Downtown so we ate within walking distance. My favorite was Zaytinya (Mediterranean ... somewhat expensive ... probably wouldn't interest teens... ate there twice.). Also ate at Acadiana (Cajun....was not impressed but OK) and Ella's Wood Fired Pizza (small restaurant .... enjoyed it ... craft beer) All of these were on 9th Street.

Tons of food trucks everywhere.

Would love to go back as with only three days of touring we weren't able to see near what we would have liked. By the second day of walking my feet were killing me.

Smithsonian Museum of American History and the Holocaust Museum were my favorite museums.
Arlington National Cemetery to me is a must.

Really enjoyed the walk from the White House, to Washington Monument...around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial ... Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (impressed with this area) ... MLK Memorial ... Korean War Veterans Memorial (sculptures are amazing) ... Vietnam War Memorial ... Lincoln Memorial (crowded). I was never so happy to see a taxi after this day.

Couldn't work the Capitol or the Library of Congress in. Ran out of time. Had an invite for a tour of the Capitol but we had to catch an early morning plane that day.

Washington, DC is a most impressive place. I hope I am able to get back.