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Old 03-19-2009, 01:48 PM   #1
Hugmonster
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Baltimore or DC??

We are flying into BWI for a family function. We will be free to do what we want Friday night and Saturday all day. We leave Sunday midday.

Would you take the train into DC from BWI or would you stay in the BWI area and see things there.

My DH and I have not been to DC since we were small children.
Does anyone have a good website to look for these locations either?
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Old 03-19-2009, 02:10 PM   #2
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Since you're going to be there an entire day, most DEFINITELY ride into DC!

If it were me, I would probably go in Friday evening and go to the monuments as they are "open" after dark then start early on Saturday and do a quick tour of the museums on the Mall (it won't be possible in one day to see everything in every museum, but at least a quick tour is better than nothing! ). Smithsonian Institution

I would definitely do a quick tour of the Natural History and American History museums . . . maybe a bit of the Air and Space museum.

If you want to see the Archives, you may have a long wait as the line can get really long (people start lining up well before it opens )

I am sure one of the "locals" will have some more advice for you as well!
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Old 03-19-2009, 04:04 PM   #3
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HI!
You might start by looking at this thread:
http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post2614317

there is a LOT of new things to see... It depends on what you like.
You might also want to look at my Trip Reports as well as Sarah's from when they went to DC last year...
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Old 03-19-2009, 04:17 PM   #4
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You might also want to look at my Trip Reports as well as Sarah's from when they went to DC last year...
Which reminds me . . . I think with all the "stuff" going on in the last few months, I left my report hanging at the halfway point.

Must get back to work on that and my Mousefest report!
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Old 03-19-2009, 04:34 PM   #5
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I would definitely head into DC.
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Old 03-19-2009, 04:39 PM   #6
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Speaking as a local who loves to explore the area (we live about 1/2 hr away) I would say DC. Just the National Memorials themselves are worth the trip. Smithsonian museums are great but expect to spend most of your time there if that is your goal. Lots of dining choices. If you decide to check out Baltimore go to the inner harbor. There is the Aquarium, shops and tasty food. Have fun!!!!
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Old 03-19-2009, 05:00 PM   #7
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If you decide to check out Baltimore go to the inner harbor. There is the Aquarium, shops and tasty food. Have fun!!!!


I love to visit the monuments in DC. I especially love the Lincoln, Jefferson and FDR. Even though I have been there too many times to count, I still love to go. The museums are amazing too. I love the Natural History Museum. Also, Arlington National Cemetery is something you might enjoy.

Have a great trip.
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Old 03-19-2009, 08:28 PM   #8
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Which reminds me . . . I think with all the "stuff" going on in the last few months, I left my report hanging at the halfway point.

Must get back to work on that and my Mousefest report!
I wasn't calling you out (I still have one of my own to finish), you have been VERY busy and your DH has been at sea!
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Old 03-20-2009, 09:32 PM   #9
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I think that I would buck the trend here and suggest that you explore the Inner Harbor instead of DC. It's not that I don't love our nation's capitol, but I don't think you have enough time to do it justice. To me, D.C. needs 3-4 days just to scratch the surface.

In a day and a half you could explore much of the Inner Harbor. Ft. McHenry is a wonderful National Park and the Maritime Museum consists of a number of ships from different eras, plus a lighthouse. The aquarium is world class, and the shopping and restaurants of the Inner Harbor are fabulous.

You really can't go wrong either way, but I would save D.C. for another trip.
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Old 03-21-2009, 07:26 AM   #10
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I just returned from three weeks in DC - and as someone that used to also live up there - another vote for the DC area! The memorials are wonderful and the cherry blossoms are just starting to open!! As you can see from my sig pic - DC means something special to me!
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Old 03-21-2009, 08:09 AM   #11
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Can you take the White Rail from BWI-DC?We took it to Camden Yards and got off to walk to our hotel.I'm just wondering if we could take it right into DC and do you think it's safe for a 50 year old couple?
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Old 03-21-2009, 08:33 AM   #12
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Can you take the White Rail from BWI-DC?We took it to Camden Yards and got off to walk to our hotel.I'm just wondering if we could take it right into DC and do you think it's safe for a 50 year old couple?
I think you mean light rail?
There is a regional (MARC) train from BWI / Thurgood Marshall Airport to Union Station in DC. From there you can take busses, taxis, metro rail and even a Duck Ride! Title

The light rail would take you from the airport to downtown Baltimore.
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Old 03-21-2009, 10:10 AM   #13
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There is a regional (MARC) train from BWI / Thurgood Marshall Airport to Union Station in DC. From there you can take busses, taxis, metro rail and even a Duck Ride! Title
Keep in mind, the MARC train is a commuter train so it only runs Monday - Friday. You could probably take an Amtrak train from BWI into Union Station in DC. I live between Baltimore & DC (live closer to Baltimore but work in DC). Both cities have things to offer. Do you think you would have an opportunity sometime in the future to come back and visit DC for a few days? If so, with such a short trip, I would recommend going into Baltimore and heading to the Inner Harbor. However, if this is your only chance to see DC, I say go for it. Walk around the monuments. Maybe pick one of the Smithsonian Museums to go through.
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Old 03-21-2009, 10:16 AM   #14
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Keep in mind, the MARC train is a commuter train so it only runs Monday - Friday.
Yep, I forgot that! Oops!
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Old 03-21-2009, 10:30 AM   #15
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... and as someone that used to also live up there - another vote for the DC area! The memorials are wonderful and the cherry blossoms are just starting to open!! - DC means something special to me!
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