Jeff Matthews Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 As part of an up-coming trip up the East Coast, I will have 2 days in DC, 3 days in NYC and 2 days in Boston. For all those who know the area well, how about some advice on how I should spend those days? I've never been. Obviously, there will be the "can't miss" things like the Statue of Liberty, but still, include them in your advice. Also, advice on signature-quality local fare would be nice. We are not looking to dine in fancy, expensive places, but rather, looking for popular places that represent a slice of the local flavors. I was told that in NYC to ask for the NY-style dogs with the red onions. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Well, as most everyone will probably say, there's way more to see than you have time for, but, that's ok.. Don't know what your tastes are, but you can easily spend 2 days in DC at all of the monuments and museums. Monuments are easily walkable, as they are all fairly close by. Then, you would need to chose your museums, based on your tastes, but the Smithsonian, National Gallery, and Air and Space Museum are no brainers. The Georgetown area of DC has lots of great bars, pubs and other spots to eat. And, for me, Arlington National Cemetery would be a don't miss, very powerful and moving. Have a good time, sounds great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) I highly recommend taking in a show on Broadway. You can get discount tickets same day of a show at a kiosk in Times Square called TKTS. https://www.tdf.org/nyc/7/TKTS-ticket-booths When I say "show" that can be a musical or a play. I would got to a musical. Lion King and Phantom of the Opera would be top choices, both are hugely popular, so get tickets early. Others good choices would be Aladdin, Book of Mormon, and a classic, Les Miserables. If you go to a matinee (afternoon show) those are cheaper. There is something else that is close to that called "off-Broadway" shows (Broadway is a street in NYC). Check out those shows too if you wish, there are very high quality shows off-Broadway. http://www.broadway.com/ Edited August 19, 2014 by wvu80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I'm sort of an ex-New Yorker, actually Long Island. My advice is to pace yourself. The Statute of Liberty would not be my first suggestion because I think it can chew up half a day or more. The view is not that great. But a tour of the immigration buildings could be rewarding, particularly if you have kids who have to write a report. As a technical guy I can recommend the American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium. There is also the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art, and the United Nations. There are around mid-town. My favorite place was The Cloisters in Fort Trion Park. It is peaceful but maybe not exciting. Hot Dogs? What are you talking about. Go to a New York Jewish Deli like Katz's for some pastrami. There is a Chinatown if you like. I'm sure there is a lot of Hispanic food, too. The locals eat stuff they call pizza. If you want pizza, come to Chicago. In DC I like Lincoln Memorial above everything else. It is a spiritual place with the second inaugural address and the Gettysburg address. Abe was deep. There is a small version of National Air and Space near the Mall which is time efficient. You can take a tour of the Capitol with a very self serving movie which is sooo lame. I don't know what the White House is offering. Boston has a Patriot Walk which I saw people taking when I was there a few years ago. A bit of a tourist trap. In my view it is a bit revolting to recall the Founding Fathers and their creation and what goes on in DC -- how far we've fallen (my personal gripe). I did not see Old Ironsides but it has gotta be worth seeing. WMcD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) Hi, Jeff - have a great time! Too many places for me to suggest. I've always considered the Lincoln Memorial to be very special -- great sculpture, Gettysburg Address on one wall to the side, the Second Inaugural Address, surely the greatest ever, on the other. (Gil and I wrote at the same time.) Can you parse out a bit of time for dinner or lunch or coffee at a place convenient for you? Closer to Bethesda (suburban MD) is better for me, of course, but not a stipulation. Naturally, you're welcome to stop by for a listen if you'd like. Larry Edited August 19, 2014 by LarryC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 It is spooky, but good spooky, that Larry and I were typing the same thing at the same time re the Lincoln Memorial. By visiting the Memorial, you are visiting a site of the original "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Klaatu says something that those are great words and that he'd like to meet a man like that. Smile, WMcD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 have been to the Lincoln memorial; against my will...I throw a Lincoln cent into every commode I own...bet he wishes I could actually **** on him right now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 ^^^ the above is self censored... prefer the Washington Monument & Jefferson Memorial & Smithsonian Museums (as many as you care to see) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Matthews Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Thanks for the list so far, you all. Keep them coming. Larry, I had no idea you were that close. It looks like 10 miles or so. Sure, I'd love to see if our clocks align for lunch or dinner. I will have a couple of friends with me. Name a good restaurant that won't break a poor man, and I'll jot it in the list we are making. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 how I should spend those days? fly to california. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Larry, I had no idea you were that close. It looks like 10 miles or so. Sure, I'd love to see if our clocks align for lunch or dinner. I will have a couple of friends with me. Name a good restaurant that won't break a poor man, and I'll jot it in the list we are making. Yeah, 10 mi. or so. I dine out too rarely to be able to suggest a place, and I don't know what would be convenient for you and your friends anyway. I think we'll do much better if you find something you like online (not Mexican or too hot, for me). Then, I'll fire up the car GPS and come to you if that's OK. Whereever you choose, valet parking would be a plus, given DC parking.It would be really great to meet you and chat about several things -- look forward to it! Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Matthews Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 how I should spend those days?fly to california. That's next year. LOL! OK, Larry, I'll flesh it out when the time is closer. First week of October +/-. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 If you are staying right in DC then you want to go through this right before you come for some entertainment and dining info. DC gets all the good acts, and has several great performance venues. http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/ If you are staying in-the Virginia suburbs you may want to check out Hazy Center at Dulles Airport. It's an offshoot of the Aerospace Museum and hosts things like the Enola Gay, a space shuttle and a SR70 Blackbird. Of course, some believe that I am the main attraction in DC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Enola *** my favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatgrass Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) Most of the time when we have visitors, we recommend that they take the first day and use one of the hop-on, hop-off type tours. They make the rounds of most of the monuments and the museums in the city proper. It gives you a overall perspective of the high value targets you may want to hit the next day. Also, if you come across something, just get off, visit, and wait for the next pick-up. Easier a lot of times than having to deal with the metro and saves a lot of walking. (Boston has these same type of tours, also). I believe the Washington monument is open again. Look here for timed tickets to get to the top. They are free as part of the National Parks system. We like the Portrait Gallery and the Building Museum. Edited August 19, 2014 by flatgrass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 The Guggenheim & the old Waldorf Astoria, if still there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angusruler Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 As part of an up-coming trip up the East Coast, I will have 2 days in DC, 3 days in NYC and 2 days in Boston. For all those who know the area well, how about some advice on how I should spend those days? I've never been. Obviously, there will be the "can't miss" things like the Statue of Liberty, but still, include them in your advice. Also, advice on signature-quality local fare would be nice. We are not looking to dine in fancy, expensive places, but rather, looking for popular places that represent a slice of the local flavors. I was told that in NYC to ask for the NY-style dogs with the red onions. Thanks in advance. grew up just outside of d.c. must see the Smithsonian museums...especially the air and space. it's really nice because most of them are located on the mall, along with the viet nam memorial, wash monument, etc. pick up a "Washingtonian" magazine, or check it out online for good eats, it's usually very reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted August 19, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 19, 2014 must see the Smithsonian museums The Smithsonian museums was my favorite part of a trip to DC, the second and most upsetting was the Vietnam Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Air and Space Museum in D.C. absolutely awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 As part of an up-coming trip up the East Coast, I will have 2 days in DC, Jeff, is meeting still in the cards? Any details available? PM me, and I'll PM my phone no. to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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