Question about Beltway Region

[ChicagoUrbanlife]

I'm visiting this region in March. What is there to do in and around Virginia and Maryland and what kind of cities are there worthy of a visit?

[diz]

Washington DC

[Zaqattaq]

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

http://www.geraldbrimacombe.com/East%20Coast/Virginia%20-%20Williamsburg%20Mall%20Hz.jpg

[Zorba]

Washington DC
Really? I would have never guessed.

Aside from DC you should go to some of the nearby Suburbs in Maryland such as Bethesda or Silver Spring or those in Virginia like Tysons Corner or old town Alexandria. Those are if you are into urban enviroments.

[svs]

There's more in that area than you will probably have time to do. A few suggestions:
1. Washington tour capitol and White house. You will probably have to get tickets fot the white house tour from your congressman. Book ahead of time.
2. Presidential monuments. Lincoln. Jefferson, and Roosevelt are best. The Washington monument is best seen by takingthe elevator up and walking down.
3.Smithsonian. Don't miss history museum, or aerospace museum. I am told the museum of the American Indian is worth seeing, but haven't been there myself yet.
If you like art the national gallery has one of the best collections in the country. If you really like art, go to the Hirshhorn also on the mall.
4. Holocaust museum
5. Phillips collection, also for art lovers.
6. National zoo for the pandas.
7. Georgetown for entertainment.
8 Take in a play at Ford's theater or a concert at the kennedy Center.
9. Stop at the national memorials to the Veterans at Arlington cemetary, but also check out the WWII, Korean War, and Veit-Nam memorials.
10.Check out the Einstein bench not far from the Viet Nam memorial.
11. Stroll arount Dupont circle
12. Make an appt. and visit with your congressman or senator.
13. Visit old Alexandria, see the sites associated with G. Washington.
14. I think you may be a little early, but if the cherry trees around the tidal basin are in bloom, don't miss!!

Outside of Washington:
Baltimore is a very underrated city. Don't miss the sights around the inner harbor including the National Aquarium and the Museum of Outsider art. Fell's point for a good Italian meal. or explore Liberty heights. You can also tour fort MacArthur of Star Spangled Banner fame. Visit the Baltimore city Markets. Eat a lot of Crab cakes. If you are into baseball, Camden Yards is one of the best of the new baseball parks. There is a fairrly good train museum, H.L. Menken's home and the original Washington Monument.

Stop at Annapolis, one of the best preserved colonial cities. Visit the Naval Academy. The city gives tours led by docents dressed in colonial garb. The Maryland statehouse is one of the oldest and most unique of the state capitols. Visit the Delmarva peninsula. Stop for blue crab at one of the waterfront restaurants in the small towns along the eastern shore like St. Micheals or see the wild ponies on the islands off the Maryland and VA. coast.

Take the bridge tunnel across the mouth of the Chesapeake into Virgina proper. Tour the oceanic museum in Norfolk, then go up to Yorktown and Jamestown. Busch Gardens will probably be closed but it is probably the prettiest theme park in the country including Disneyland. Don't miss Colonial Williamsburg. take the tours and learn what life was like during the late colonial period. Visit William and Mary college right next door.

Continue on to Richmond. Visit the Confederate White house. If you are lucky enough to see the guy dressed as a house slave out side the front door, sign up for his tour. See the monuments in the "Fan". There is a nice art museum and the Museum of the Confedracy as well.

If you have time stop in Fredricksburg and tour the four civil war battle fields in or near town then continue up to Mount Vernon and a visit with George Washington before flying home.

If you have the time there is plenty else to see in VA. I especially recommend Monticello, the most interesting of the presidential homes, luray caverns with its "tuned Stalagpipe organ" the Shenandoah valley, and Gettysburg Pa. Also, think about a visit to the natural bridge, the only natural wonder I know that was once owned by a president (Jefferson).

Plan your time carefully, you can always come back and catch the stuff you missed on your first trip.

[xzmattzx]

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

http://www.geraldbrimacombe.com/East%20Coast/Virginia%20-%20Williamsburg%20Mall%20Hz.jpg

williamsbirg is closer to norfolk/virginia beach/newport news, in the hampton roads area. it's a few hours drive from washington, dc.

[urbane]

since nobody mentioned it:

if you have time and inclination visit the Great Falls, located just north of the Beltway.

[CU_rak]

Ok, so while you are touring DC and Baltimore you should also try the following:
1) Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport (in VA)
2) Annapolis (downtown and Naval Academy)
3) Colonial Williamsburg
4) Mount Vernon
5) Civil War battlefields/historic sites (Antietam, Harper's Ferry)

For Baltimore, I recommend:
1) National Aquarium
2) Fort McHenry
3) B&O Railroad Museum
4) Visionary Arts Museum
5) Walters Art Gallery
6) Fells Point
7) Water taxi and/or duck boat ride
Make sure to stop by the visitor's center in the inner harbor when you get there!