Jenny & Mark

For our guests who may have a day or two to spend in Washington D.C., here are a few suggestions of sights to see. The weather is usually pretty nice and warm in September. Daytime highs average in the 80s. And down by the Capitol the hypocrites are in full bloom.

Except as noted, all these sites are free and easily accessible via the Metro. Leave from the "Bethesda" stop on the Red Line (just steps from the hotel) and exit at the stops indicated.

Something Old

• Monuments, monuments, monuments. The Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln never fail to move us. Same with the Korean, Vietnam and World War II memorials, all clustered near each other on the National Mall. The light in early morning and late afternoon can be breathtaking. Blue or Orange Line to Smithsonian.

Something New

• The International Spy Museum. ($) One of D.C.'s newest attractions, this fun, interactive museum traces the history and tradecraft of espionage, with large exhibits on World War II and the Cold War. Also has a very cool gift shop. Red Line to Gallery Place/Chinatown.
• National Museum of the American Indian. The most recent addition to the National Mall, this Smithsonian museum chronicles Native American history and folklore. The large, striking yellow stone building sits next to the Air and Space Museum, near the U.S. Capitol. Blue or Orange Line to Smithsonian.

Something Borrowed

• Giant Pandas at the National Zoo. So they're technically on loan from China… That won't stop us from adopting them as our own. When Mark lived in Washington, the cute bamboo-eating bears were his next-door neighbors. They recently produced an adorable cub bear, Tai Shan, who turns 1 this July. Lots of other animals to look at too. Red Line to Woodley Park/Zoo.

Something Blue

• The Potomac. It's more of a brownish-blue, really. But lovely nonetheless, whether you take it in from the Georgetown waterfront, or along the hiking trails of Great Falls. Georgetown features historic homes, D.C.'s best shopping, and plenty of fine restaurants and watering holes along M St. and Wisconsin Ave. Take the Blue or Orange Line to Foggy Bottom (plus a ten-minute walk). Great Falls Park, which spans both the MD and VA banks of the river, is a 15-minute drive from Bethesda, but requires a car.

Keep on reading

Here's a Metro map of the Red Line and major downtown areas.

Click to see a full version in a new window.