<p>A few no one has yet mentioned:</p>
<p>The recently opened MLKing memorial;
The FDR memorial;
Roosevelt Island;
Tour of the State Department 7th floor as an option to the White House tour.</p>
<p>If you are in DC during Spring Break AND when the cherry blossoms are peaking you have my sympathy…</p>
<p>Does the department of state offer those tours on Saturday?</p>
<p>I very coincidentally saw the cherry blossoms in full bloom last year. They peaked a couple of weeks early and the weather was gorgeous to boot. We drove to the tidal basin and drive around. Yes, it was crowded but it didn’t take away from the beauty of the trees.</p>
<p>^^^ No Saturday tours.</p>
<p>Yep, the blossoms peaked way early last Spring. My experience is that it’s a perfect storm of a mess if the peak blooms occur during Spring Break, but yeah, that’s when many people have their DC vacations.</p>
<p>We live in the DC area. I have not read the entire thread, so may be repeating here.
The Mall is wonderful to see at night- the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, especially the Vietnam Memorial shouldn’t be missed. Most of the Smithsonian buildings have cafeterias. For a healthy choice head to the Native American Museum (next to Air & Space). Lots of vegetarian options. If you have the time for a Washington-power lunch/dinner go to (with reservations) the Occidental Grill. Pictures everywhere of famous, and not so famous politicians. Or a little more casual, The Old Ebbitt Grill, which has a nice bar. Both are close to the mall.</p>
<p>
What’s so special about the 7th floor of the State Dept? What is there to see?</p>
<p>You could also visit the headquarters of the National Geographic society. If you’re members, then the exhibits are free (the gift shop is always free). It’s on 17th street, not too far from GWU if you want to combine it with a college visit.</p>
<p>OP here. I am back from my trip and want to thank everyone who posted. Your advice was great and will be incorporated on a future trip back to the area, hopefully, in the fall where I will have more time to do what I couldn’t this time round.</p>
<p>Headed to the Mayflower Sunday morning for early check in. Dumped the bags and wanted to go to the museums right away, but the 8th grader was starving, so we stopped off at the Bombay Grill for an Indian buffet lunch. Pricier than your usual Indian fare, but really good quality. Sufficiently fortified, we braved the sunny but very chilly weather to take the Metro over to the Air and Space Museum. Spent a fair bit of time there, focusing mainly on the missile and space stuff per teen’s interest, then went to Natural History taking a somewhat meandering path to view the outdoor sculptures. </p>
<p>“Did” almost all sections of Natural History, then headed over to the Sackler and Freer Galleries. Loved the Peacock Room and the Japanese art collections. Took the Metro back to the hotel, grabbing some Starbucks snacks for food later. Warmed up briefly and then got picked up by Old Time Trolleys for the Monuments by Moonlight tour. </p>
<p>Clear, but chilly night, glad to have taken a fleece blanket, gloves etc. because there was a draft in the trolley. Tour was great and having been to the monuments by day, the lit effect was a new experience. Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam War (this one did suffer from the lack of light), MLK, Iwo Jima, Arlington cemetary and, of course, the Washington monument and all the other sights visible from an evening drive-by. Tour narration was informative and entertaining.
Was dropped off back at the hotel around 10:30.</p>
<p>Next morning, I would have gone back to the Smithsonian area, but felt like it had burned the teen out, so opted to walk to Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan instead. Lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant in Adams Morgan and walk back to hotel. </p>
<p>Shuttle pick up from hotel in early afternoon to airport.</p>
<p>So, knowing that we could only do a tip of the iceberg, felt like we saw a lot in the short amount of time – thanks so much, everyone!</p>
<p>I like the Vietnam memorial being dark at night! I think it is good for reflection…</p>
<p>I know you have had your trip already but I wanted to let others know, most of DC shuts down at night but the theater in the Folger Shakespeare Library often has performances. We got to see The Tempest there. Also, there is Ford’s Theater.</p>
<p>not sure if it was mentioned here, but my daughter & I (both GF) found a great salad bar and buffet in the basement of the National Gallery of Art. Most of the other museums did not have any GF options.</p>
<p>The 7th floor of the State Department is where they do diplomatic receptions. It has a lot of amazing antiques & art, and some interesting stories from the tour guides. You have to register ahead of time for the tour. I enjoyed it, not so sure younger kids would be into it.</p>
<p>Just spent a couple of days last week in DC (unexpected trip to east coast for family funeral). I have done almost all the “obvious stuff” on trips there in the past few years, but had not been to the Holocaust museum, so we did that. Obviously it is a sobering experience (someone mentioned it is quiet – I was wearing new shoes with a squeak in them, and it was quite audible in the exhibits!). I learned quite a few facts (mostly about the logisitics) of the Holocaust I had not known before. And about things like companies in Germany using camp captives as forced labor. 
I am glad I did it, though.</p>
<p>Also went to the Postal Museum. It was okay… but I would put it about 50th on a list of things to do in the city if you don’t go to DC often.</p>
<p>Thank you to all for the advice on this thread. My family is going to DC for a week this summer and I have been taking copious notes from all the wonderful suggestions. CC advisors are the best!!! :)</p>
<p>One favorite place is the Renwick. The gates were designed and made by Albert Paley. </p>
<p>[Renwick</a> Gallery / American Art](<a href=“http://americanart.si.edu/renwick/]Renwick”>Visit Renwick)</p>
<p>[Portal</a> Gates by Albert Paley / American Art](<a href=“http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=19204]Portal”>Portal Gates | Smithsonian American Art Museum)</p>
<p>The Renwick is closing soon for a major renovation. Go while you can!</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips on the 7th floor of the State Dept. I hadn’t heard of tours of that before and didn’t know it was used for receptions. It sounds like it’d be worth a tour.</p>
<p>Forecast for cherry blossoms is peak bloom between 26-30 March 2013.
[Peak</a> bloom of Washington cherry trees expected March 26-30 | Reuters](<a href=“http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/04/us-usa-cherryblossoms-idUSBRE9230T020130304]Peak”>http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/04/us-usa-cherryblossoms-idUSBRE9230T020130304)</p>