Recent comments in /f/washingtondc

mjshep t1_jaaml8c wrote

Reply to Does this timeline seem achievable for first time visit, am I missing anything “major” or would you shift anything around? by [deleted]

For day 4, plan your cemetery trip in advance if there are specific sites you want to see. I worked there for 2.5 years and you can do a lot of walking and not see a whole bunch.

Changing of the guard is on the hour (or every 30m from 1 Apr to 30 Sep) and best to do at this time of year in the mid-afternoon. Ed: since your flight is in the afternoon, mid or late morning is equally good.

Get the ANC Explorer app on your phone or visit the website - https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/.

You can walk one of the pre-built tours, customize them, or walk your own path. The south and east of the cemetery are newer sections, whereas the north and west are older (as a general rule of thumb). If I were to recommend something so that you see some decently cool stuff there in a compact time, you can check out the area between the confederate section in section 16, east to Memorial Amphitheater where the Mast of the Maine and Audie Murphy's grave are before going in to see the changing of the guard. Then, head north along Crook Walk and just east to the JFK and RFK, then back west past Tanner Amphitheater and the Civil War Unknown to section 1 in the NW near the gate to Fort Myer.

If you get a little more time, I'd check out General Hill in section 30 by Taft's grave (just NW of the Welcome Center). And, while you're on Crook's Walk, you can go visit the Arlington House, if it's open. I am not sure, since it's run by the National Park Service rather than the Army, and I've never been. Or you can check out the Notable Graves and devise your own points of interest.

If all that walking (and the hills) aren't appealing, there are tram tours at cost, but they come with a guided tour and a few stops.

Also, obligatory comment that I no longer work there because the organization's leadership is incredibly toxic and tries to cover up anything that could lead to bad publicity. But enjoy your visit.

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twenty-six-sixty-six t1_jaalc4n wrote

Reply to how to thrive in dc with no big city experience? by Fresh_Dragonfruit702

the biggest shock will probably be how pretentious and irritating so many DC transplants are

I know a couple of people from the south who felt like they were intelligent when they were in their hometowns, then moved to DC where they felt extremely unintelligent, and then after staying in DC for a while realized that most DC people were faking it and they actually were intelligent after all

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AGameOfTiddlywinks t1_jaakpav wrote

Reply to I made a website that showcases the best DC restaurants by hydro1289

This is a cool idea, thanks! I second the motion to add Ethiopian and Indian.

I also think It'd be nice to include stuff that's Metro accessible, but not necessarily inside district limits. I absolutely love District Donuts, but I wouldn't want people to miss out on Duck Donuts just because it's in VA.

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marcove3 t1_jaak1gc wrote

Reply to comment by resdivinae in Things DC does really well by erichinnw

Does this apply to breweries? Or only for places that sell spirits? I feel I've been to breweries/wineries in VA that dont sell food or just have food trucks that dont seem to be affiliated to the establishment.

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PatrickAplomb t1_jaajwy5 wrote

Reply to comment by Jeeperscrow123 in Does this timeline seem achievable for first time visit, am I missing anything “major” or would you shift anything around? by [deleted]

You can easily spend 30 minutes at each memorial/monument. The mall is about 2 miles long so plan time walking the whole thing.

The White House/archives are both a little ways off the actual mall. The archives almost always has a huge line of people there so plan to spend time to be able to see all the documents.

Capitol/Supreme Court/LOC are each quite a bit too depending if you want to do tours or just see the outside.

I would try to do some of it the morning of day three if possible

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marcove3 t1_jaajpi1 wrote

Reply to comment by ChucktheUnicorn in Things DC does really well by erichinnw

I love cycling around the city. We have amazing trails and many places are reachable using only bikelanes. Still dream of the day they make them all protected. Maybe even raise some to sidewalk level. 15th street would be an amazing place to start.

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202markb t1_jaajlgi wrote

Reply to how to thrive in dc with no big city experience? by Fresh_Dragonfruit702

Hey!

VA guy whose been in dc since ‘90. Don’t worry. Just be your authentic self. People will be drawn to you or not.

DC is a larger city than you are used to but you can also think of DC as a collection of many smaller subgroups. You being you will naturally find one or more that you enjoy. Do what you love and meet friends that way.

Yeah, there will be scammers and complicated parking regulations and weird national protests and loud neighbors, but just take them in stride. Don’t avert your eyes and shun them. Most people respond well to being treated as people even if you don’t agree with them or pay them. :)

People talk a lot about crime and whatever else bugs them on this sub and, sure, maybe don’t walk alone with earbuds blasting tunes while drunk on a deserted street at 3am. But also don’t expect the worst from people. I’m no social genius and have managed just fine.

Be a part of it and it will become a part of you, and enjoy! Once you are here feel free to ask more specific questions. ‘Till then don’t worry too much. Over a million people successfully navigate this city every day. You will too.

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