USNA --> Washington DC.

Michael_T

Michael_T

NU '26
Joined
Oct 29, 2020
Messages
692
Alrighty!

As some of you know, I am from Indiana, which of course is a long way from the Naval Academy. On October 7, I will be attending the overnight visit (Thursday night - Saturday Morning), I was curious, if would be a feasible idea to try to get down to Washington DC while I am so close to it?

I figured out that USNA is literally 45 minutes to Washington which sounds like a incredible experience to pass up, since as I mentioned, coming from Indiana is such a long ways, and I probably won't have another chance to get down to Washington DC, anyway.

Any ideas? I would want to stay like 1 - 2 days after USNA if possible, consequently these dates fall exactly on my Fall Break, so I won't worry about missing any school

Any thoughts would be appreciated!
 
The M&M&M visit! Monuments and Museums and Memorials. Yes, if you can handle all the logistics of where to stay and how to get there.

There are buses that run from Annapolis to DC. There is the DC Metro train (subway) transit system, with lines/stops near all the places you might want to go in DC. The nearest Metro station is New Carrollton, the northern terminus of the Orange Line. There are Metro buses to New Carrollton. The Metro lines are color-coded, with transfer stations strategically placed. You can figure it out.

Use their trip planner and other info on the site:
www.wmata.com

WMATA | Trip Planner

Metro news and service information for the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
www.wmata.com www.wmata.com

Use the DC tourist bureau site to identify what you want to see/visit, as well as individual websites for insight on hours, nearest Metro stop. There are also other tourist info sites, unofficial. Just Google DC tourist info.

Visitors Resource Center | DC

The following is a listing of resources for visitors to the District of Columbia. This list focuses primarily on services provided by the District of Columbia government, although there are many other sources of information for visitors to Washington, DC.
dc.gov dc.gov

A Hop On/Hop Off bus is always a good way to see a city for the first time.

Big Bus Tours DC | Washington DC Sightseeing Bus Tours

Discover the city of Washington DC on our hop on hop off bus tours and explore its historic landmarks. Save when you book online today!
www.bigbustours.com www.bigbustours.com

And, DC at night, with the monuments lit, is always special.

First-timer notes:
Watch out for your wallet and phone, especially in crowds and transit centers. If someone bumps you, check immediately.

On escalators, stand on the right, walk and pass on the left, as locals know how to do.

So much to see: various Presidential Memorials, all the Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery, all the other Museums, National Archives…
 
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Thank you for your extensive respond, utmost helpful!

My plan would be, that I would want to see the National Mall (Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, etc.)

In my opinion, I really want to see The Arlington National Cemetery; as a future officer of the Army...
 
A good and basic one-day itinerary: Take the Metro into DC and get off at the Smithsonian station. Walk along the Mall west toward the Lincoln Memorial. Along the way you’ll pass the Washington, WWII, Korean War and MLK memorials. From the Lincoln, loop back east toward the Capitol. You’ll pass the Vietnam War Memorial and then farther down, the White House to the left. Keep going to the Smithsonian museums and pick one or two or three to enter and browse. Then continue to the Capitol and then to one of the Metro lines near there that brings you to Arlington Cemetery. At Arlington, climb up the hill to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You won’t regret it. Also gaze at the eastward view of the Mall.

All this is easily done by foot and rail. You can also speed things up a bit by using the rental scooters or bikes. A very simple and satisfying one-day primer of our nation’s capital. You’ll be amazed by how much is packed into such a compact space. And then you can return to dig in deeper. I lived in DC for several years and still discover new things whenever I return.
 
We were in DC last week and took one of those Night Bus Tours of 10 DC Sites (or whatever it was called.) Tremendous: no crowds, informative guide, great weather, and the sites were very cool all lit up at night. Otherwise same as above: mass transit to the Mall, walk til you drop, repeat as able.
 
StPaulDad said:
We were in DC last week and took one of those Night Bus Tours of 10 DC Sites (or whatever it was called.) Tremendous: no crowds, informative guide, great weather, and the sites were very cool all lit up at night. Otherwise same as above: mass transit to the Mall, walk til you drop, repeat as able.
Click to expand...
My brother flew up from Alabama years ago for my daughter’s wedding. She and my wife and I picked him up at National and drove across the river and did a windshield tour. I had seen the District at night before but still drove around in awe. He just wanted to find a place to eat. My daughter complained the whole time because I couldn’t find a place for her to pee until we got back in Virginia.
 
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