<p>^^^ you might also want to check out the National Building Museum</p>
<p>[National</a> Building Museum](<a href=“http://www.nbm.org/]National”>http://www.nbm.org/)</p>
<p>You can exit at one end of the Judiciary Square metro stop and be right in front of the main entrance. (Judiciary square is a great place to snag street parking on the weekends since all the courts are closed, but you’d still have to get there early). The NBM has a huge central space that is a favorite for inaugural balls and the museum only takes up a small part of the building. Kids love to run around in there, and they’re usually voted the best museum gift shop in town.</p>
<p>For Mt. Vernon, consider visiting the renovated George Washington distillery, a few miles from the Mt. Vernon estate:</p>
<p>[George</a> Washington’s Distillery - Virginia Is For Lovers](<a href=“http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrid=43790]George”>http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrid=43790)</p>
<p>Also, see if you can get reservations for the restaurant at Mt. Vernon. The food is good and the only other alternative is a nasty, crowded food court.</p>
<p>[George</a> Washington’s Mount Vernon - Mount Vernon Inn Lunch Menu](<a href=“http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/dining/index.cfm/pid/3/]George”>http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/dining/index.cfm/pid/3/)</p>
<p>Speaking of food… you probably want to visit the Penn Quarter neighborhood, which is quite popular these days. The American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery is there (Gallery Place stop - red line) as is the Spy Museum and the Museum of Crime and Punishment. For restaurants, there is Jaleo (be prepared to wait), Fado, RFD, Oyamel, etc. etc. etc.</p>
<p>We live in VA and sons have had internships in DC. Recommend staying in a Dupont Circle hotel. Why? In the evenings it is safe for going out to supper and there are good options…this is the district where all the Ambassadors live and Embassies are. I would skip Mount Vernon (not that it isn’t great but it doesn’t meld all that well logistically) and concentrate on what you can do in DC instead. The Woodrow Wilson home is in the Dupont Circle neighborhood as is the cozy and smaller Phillips Art Collection Gallery…always wonderful. Both of these attractions take about an hour each and don’t wipe you out. Dupont Circle Metro is uber convenient to the many hotels there and drops you easily for a day on the Mall. Natives come into the city to eat in Dupont Circle. Everything on the Mall is free which is way more than you can do in a day. You can get guided tour buses at Union Station if you like easily. Near the L’Enfant stop you could choose to go to the very well thought out Holocaust Museum. I didn’t like the Spy Museum myself…too jangly and too much media racket for my taste. We always lunch in the wonderful cafeteria under the National Gallery of Art. The Mall becomes pretty deserted at 5pm which is why I don’t really recommend the hotels near the Mall or in the Watergate area either. I like to stay at the Topaz and breakfast at the next door Tabard Inn. Any of the hotels owned by the Topaz chain are cozier and less corporate. The website for these boutique hotels (I think there are five including the Topaz and the George) can be challenging but they do run bargains like free parking and discounts if you hunt. for current comments, check Tripadvisor.com before you book anything. I also like the George a lot…it has a great restaurant that is pricey though and on foot less options for places to eat that are safe and affordable near the George.<br>
Another way to go is to stay in Crystal City hotels near that Metro Stop…shorter hop into the district from there.<br>
We have also done Alexandria Holiday Inn. Alexandria has its own cobblestone walks and charms and is a good walking district.<br>
If I was going to take a son on a side trip I would relocate for a night in Annapolis and show him the Naval Academy and stay at the Loews there. Very fun place to stroll and shop at night and fun to see the sailing on the bay…gives you a taste of the Chesapeake life.</p>
<p>Oh, wow, you guys are making me wish we had more days there! Son did a summer program a couple of years ago and saw the Spy Museum. We stayed at an awful Holiday Inn Georgetown for the night before, but I remember driving through the Embassy area and wishing I had stayed there. We went to the National Harbor for dinner, food not good, but the view spectacular. I am interested in staying in Alexandria, though, to see what it’s like. Didn’t know about the cobblestones. That will be neat to see. </p>
<p>Thanks for the tip on the National Building Museum. Will check that out. </p>
<p>Planning a Virginia trip and a Maryland trip on two different vacations another time.</p>
<p>I’m hoping son will get a DC internship one day, and maybe even go to grad school up there.</p>
<p>Intparent, make sure to let us know about your college visits. </p>
<p>Thanks again for the tips, guys!</p>