I'll be down in DC the weekend of the 13/14 and I've been to the Mall, etc. several times.
Anyone have a suggestion for a road trip? I don't mind a couple hours drive to and from. Starting in Alexandria
Thanks
What are you interested in?
The Smithsonian is always good. Then there's Mount Vernon and Arlington. A drive of an hour puts you at Manassas (Bull Run) Battlefield or in Fredricksburg, an hour and a half will get you to Monticello in Charlottesville. It's two hours or so to Yorktown. Richmond has the Museum of the Confederacy, the Confederate White House and a number of Battlefields. It also has a good Museum of Art (The Virginia Museum).
Really it depends on what you want to see.
The Air/Space museum never gets old for me. 8)
I've been to A&S, American History, etc. - I've seen everything on the mall at least once Kinda done with it.
Last time in Baltimore we went to Ft. McHenry - That was very cool
I'm near Arlington Nat'l Cem and have been there before
Anything on those lines - I may even go get a travel guide this time.
Any pay-to-play ranges? The NRA museum in Fairfax was very cool too
Anything offbeat? Any AS shoots nearby? I could work as an IIT...
Bristol TN is too far a drive NASCAR...
Well since you ask there is an IBC in Yanceyville, NC. That trip is more like 5.5 hours each way.
I believe that the NRA range allows guest memberships but you will need to call them and get the details (I haven't shot there since 2003 or 2004).
Personally I avoid the whole DC Metro as much as possible. I would spend a good day walking Bull Run or even make a day trip to Gettysburg (~3 hours) or Antietam (~90 minutes).
Don't know if they are still maintained or open to the public but there used to be a couple of old forts on the east side of the Potomac south of DC. Ft. Foote and Ft. Washington. Real forts, stone, cannons, old buildings, doors at the bottom for the troops to move from the fort to the gun emplacements closer to the river, or retreat back to the fort if the enemy overan the shore batteries.
Haven't been there since 1978 or 1979 but they were kind of cool then.
I travel to DC a lot for work. One thing to remember is TRAFFIC. The traffic on the DC area is horrible, what takes an hour will take your multiple HOURS, plan ahead for the traffic. If you are staying in the city area, use the metro.
The Cherry blossom festival starts March 27-April 11 you might see a few blossoms, but it is worth it to check out the trees.
Suggestions:
Pricey options:
1.) Williamsburg is 2 hours and 40 minutes with light traffic- but is unique and a great place to pick up items for Appleseed shoots. They even have black power classes.
2.) Mount Vernon- Will be busy on the weekend, just an FYI, get there early.
3.) Friends have told me the National Museum of the American Indian is really good - around the Mall area
http://www.nmai.si.edu/
Low or Free options:
1.) National Cemetery- I pay my respects to friends lost overseas and always a very humble place.
2.) Fort Washington National Park- 5.00 fee - Built in 1809- has a lot of history.
http://www.nps.gov/fowa/index.htm
Fort Washington has stood as silent sentry defending the Nation's Capital, for over 180 years. As technologies advanced so did Fort Washington. Fort Washington is one of the few remaining Seacoast Forts in its original designs.
3.) If you drive the George Washington Memorial Parkway there are places you can visit. The National Park Service has a list of the places on the following Website: http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/index.htm
Personally, I love to walk the mall area at night. Everything is quiet and serene. The monuments are all lit and usually there is security out- just be careful.
Have a fun and safe trip,
doubleLL