The ***OFFICIAL*** Washington, DC thread (1 Viewer)

[MattFancy]

For things to do in Baltimore:

National Aquarium (believe it's $26/person)

Ft. McHenry (especially if your son is into the American Revolution since this is where the Star Spangled Banner was written)

Maryland Science Center (right in the Inner Harbor across from the Aquarium)

Babe Ruth Museum (was originally from Baltimore)

Plenty of good restuarants depending on what you like. I'd recommend wandering around Fells Point as well. Great scenery and resturants including my favorite pizza place (BOP's) and the best breakfast spot ever (Blue Moon Cafe), both were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Also, if you're in Maryland, you have to eat crabs. Plenty of crab houses in Baltimore, though I'd stay away from Phillip's.

Tell me more about the Maryland Science Center. I'm doing 2 nights in Baltimore in August as a mini-vacay. I've got 2 daughters, 4 and 5. Would they be able to appreciate it or is it aimed at older kids?

Would be great for kids that age - it gets a little boring for kids when they're about 10. I'm a big fan of the American Visionary Art Museum, just down the Harbor from the Science Center. "Outsider" art created by inmates, mental patients, old ladies, etc. Might not be great for kids - take a look at the website and decide whether or not it's for you. Happy to help with any Baltimore questions.

Outside of the Science Center and the Aquarium, what else do you recommend for a family with small kids? TIA.

Port Discovery Children's Museum

Can ride the Dragon Boats in the Inner Harbor

Depending on the day and time, they usually have some sort of performer at the Inner Harbor

 

[(HULK)]

Both Port Discovery and the Science Museum look like great options. Thanks!

 

[thecatch]

I'm taking my son (11) on a baseball/history trip next month and could use some pointers. So far the only thing booked are the flights. Here is the bare bones plan...

Fri 8/1 - fly to DC in the evening

Sat - Nationals vs Phillies at 7

Sun - Orioles vs Mariners at 1:30

Mon -

Tue - Phillies vs Astros at 7

Wed - fly home in the evening

Questions:

Rent a car or take public transportation and Amtrak?

Can't miss museums, sites, eats, etc?

Areas to target for hotels? I will likely use hotwire.

Sections to avoid at the ballparks?

Son studied the American revolution this year and was interested. He also is into science.

And yes, I know it will be hot. But we're in Dallas so we should be fine.

I'd rent a car, but mostly because of some of the history sites that I'd recommend. In DC, you have the standard Smithsonian museums (American History, Air and Space), but since he is into the American Revolution, I'd highly recommend Mount Vernon as a stop. It is easier to get there by car.Another car stop that I'd recommend is spending your off day between Baltimore and Philly at Gettysburg. I loved it as a history nerd kid at that age, and still love it.

Philly has some good stuff too, with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, though public transport is okay for that.

ETA: I realized my itinerary leaves out all of the monuments/memorials in DC, White House, and the Capitol. Obviously, all worth seeing too. I guess it's a matter of prioritizing your time.

I saw there is a boat trip to Mt Vernon, so that might be in the picture even without a car. Gettysburg is a good idea I hadn't considered. Thanks.

Mt Vernon is pretty easy to get to via Metro - there's a bus that goes back and forth between there and the end of the yellow line as I recall.

 

[thecatch]

If you're staying in B-more on that Monday, check out the National Aquarium. Best one in the world imo

It's not quite as good as Monterey's but it's definitely up there, I think. I recommend it to people frequently visiting the area as well.

 

[dgreen]

Amtrak between DC and Baltimore and Baltimore and Philly is pretty cheap and easy.

MARC is also an option for the DC to Baltimore leg.

From what I hear from people who take the train to Baltimore for games, they take it to BWI and switch to light rail there to Camden Yards rather than riding up to Baltimore's Penn Station to catch light rail. Both MARC and Amtrak stop at BWI.

Does MARC run on Sunday? I thought it was weekday only (or at least it was years ago when I last considered it).

Yes, they started a weekend schedule in December.

 

[sporthenry]

I'm taking my son (11) on a baseball/history trip next month and could use some pointers. So far the only thing booked are the flights. Here is the bare bones plan...

Fri 8/1 - fly to DC in the evening

Sat - Nationals vs Phillies at 7

Sun - Orioles vs Mariners at 1:30

Mon -

Tue - Phillies vs Astros at 7

Wed - fly home in the evening

Questions:

Rent a car or take public transportation and Amtrak?

Can't miss museums, sites, eats, etc?

Areas to target for hotels? I will likely use hotwire.

Sections to avoid at the ballparks?

Son studied the American revolution this year and was interested. He also is into science.

And yes, I know it will be hot. But we're in Dallas so we should be fine.

I'd rent a car, but mostly because of some of the history sites that I'd recommend. In DC, you have the standard Smithsonian museums (American History, Air and Space), but since he is into the American Revolution, I'd highly recommend Mount Vernon as a stop. It is easier to get there by car.Another car stop that I'd recommend is spending your off day between Baltimore and Philly at Gettysburg. I loved it as a history nerd kid at that age, and still love it.

Philly has some good stuff too, with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, though public transport is okay for that.

ETA: I realized my itinerary leaves out all of the monuments/memorials in DC, White House, and the Capitol. Obviously, all worth seeing too. I guess it's a matter of prioritizing your time.

I saw there is a boat trip to Mt Vernon, so that might be in the picture even without a car. Gettysburg is a good idea I hadn't considered. Thanks.

Mt Vernon is pretty easy to get to via Metro - there's a bus that goes back and forth between there and the end of the yellow line as I recall.

Different Mt. Vernon. Pretty sure that is Mt. Vernon Square which is the Convention Center.The ferry is a fun way to do Mount Vernon. It will eat up much of your day but if you don't need a car for anything else, it allows you to see Mt. Vernon from the river which is cool. I believe boats leave from both Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'm taking my son (11) on a baseball/history trip next month and could use some pointers. So far the only thing booked are the flights. Here is the bare bones plan...

Fri 8/1 - fly to DC in the evening

Sat - Nationals vs Phillies at 7

Sun - Orioles vs Mariners at 1:30

Mon -

Tue - Phillies vs Astros at 7

Wed - fly home in the evening

Questions:

Rent a car or take public transportation and Amtrak?

Can't miss museums, sites, eats, etc?

Areas to target for hotels? I will likely use hotwire.

Sections to avoid at the ballparks?

Son studied the American revolution this year and was interested. He also is into science.

And yes, I know it will be hot. But we're in Dallas so we should be fine.

I'd rent a car, but mostly because of some of the history sites that I'd recommend. In DC, you have the standard Smithsonian museums (American History, Air and Space), but since he is into the American Revolution, I'd highly recommend Mount Vernon as a stop. It is easier to get there by car.Another car stop that I'd recommend is spending your off day between Baltimore and Philly at Gettysburg. I loved it as a history nerd kid at that age, and still love it.

Philly has some good stuff too, with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, though public transport is okay for that.

ETA: I realized my itinerary leaves out all of the monuments/memorials in DC, White House, and the Capitol. Obviously, all worth seeing too. I guess it's a matter of prioritizing your time.

I saw there is a boat trip to Mt Vernon, so that might be in the picture even without a car. Gettysburg is a good idea I hadn't considered. Thanks.

Mt Vernon is pretty easy to get to via Metro - there's a bus that goes back and forth between there and the end of the yellow line as I recall.

Different Mt. Vernon. Pretty sure that is Mt. Vernon Square which is the Convention Center.The ferry is a fun way to do Mount Vernon. It will eat up much of your day but if you don't need a car for anything else, it allows you to see Mt. Vernon from the river which is cool. I believe boats leave from both Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.

No, he's right that there is a bus that leaves from Huntington, which takes you to Mount Vernon. I'm not sure if I'd call it easy though, since it is a regular bus line, and not a shuttle service. So, metro to bus would take up a lot of travel time between the transferring and stopping. It is another option though.

...The same boat company (in Alexandria, at least) also does boat trips to Nats Park.

 

[dgreen]

I'm taking my son (11) on a baseball/history trip next month and could use some pointers. So far the only thing booked are the flights. Here is the bare bones plan...

Fri 8/1 - fly to DC in the evening

Sat - Nationals vs Phillies at 7

Sun - Orioles vs Mariners at 1:30

Mon -

Tue - Phillies vs Astros at 7

Wed - fly home in the evening

Questions:

Rent a car or take public transportation and Amtrak?

Can't miss museums, sites, eats, etc?

Areas to target for hotels? I will likely use hotwire.

Sections to avoid at the ballparks?

Son studied the American revolution this year and was interested. He also is into science.

And yes, I know it will be hot. But we're in Dallas so we should be fine.

I'd rent a car, but mostly because of some of the history sites that I'd recommend. In DC, you have the standard Smithsonian museums (American History, Air and Space), but since he is into the American Revolution, I'd highly recommend Mount Vernon as a stop. It is easier to get there by car.Another car stop that I'd recommend is spending your off day between Baltimore and Philly at Gettysburg. I loved it as a history nerd kid at that age, and still love it.

Philly has some good stuff too, with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, though public transport is okay for that.

ETA: I realized my itinerary leaves out all of the monuments/memorials in DC, White House, and the Capitol. Obviously, all worth seeing too. I guess it's a matter of prioritizing your time.

I saw there is a boat trip to Mt Vernon, so that might be in the picture even without a car. Gettysburg is a good idea I hadn't considered. Thanks.

Mt Vernon is pretty easy to get to via Metro - there's a bus that goes back and forth between there and the end of the yellow line as I recall.

Different Mt. Vernon. Pretty sure that is Mt. Vernon Square which is the Convention Center.The ferry is a fun way to do Mount Vernon. It will eat up much of your day but if you don't need a car for anything else, it allows you to see Mt. Vernon from the river which is cool. I believe boats leave from both Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.

Looks like this bus runs daily between Huntington and Mt Vernon. Definitely not the scenery of cruising down the Potomac, but cheaper and higher frequencies.

 

[thecatch]

I'm taking my son (11) on a baseball/history trip next month and could use some pointers. So far the only thing booked are the flights. Here is the bare bones plan...

Fri 8/1 - fly to DC in the evening

Sat - Nationals vs Phillies at 7

Sun - Orioles vs Mariners at 1:30

Mon -

Tue - Phillies vs Astros at 7

Wed - fly home in the evening

Questions:

Rent a car or take public transportation and Amtrak?

Can't miss museums, sites, eats, etc?

Areas to target for hotels? I will likely use hotwire.

Sections to avoid at the ballparks?

Son studied the American revolution this year and was interested. He also is into science.

And yes, I know it will be hot. But we're in Dallas so we should be fine.

I'd rent a car, but mostly because of some of the history sites that I'd recommend. In DC, you have the standard Smithsonian museums (American History, Air and Space), but since he is into the American Revolution, I'd highly recommend Mount Vernon as a stop. It is easier to get there by car.Another car stop that I'd recommend is spending your off day between Baltimore and Philly at Gettysburg. I loved it as a history nerd kid at that age, and still love it.

Philly has some good stuff too, with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, though public transport is okay for that.

ETA: I realized my itinerary leaves out all of the monuments/memorials in DC, White House, and the Capitol. Obviously, all worth seeing too. I guess it's a matter of prioritizing your time.

I saw there is a boat trip to Mt Vernon, so that might be in the picture even without a car. Gettysburg is a good idea I hadn't considered. Thanks.

Mt Vernon is pretty easy to get to via Metro - there's a bus that goes back and forth between there and the end of the yellow line as I recall.

Different Mt. Vernon. Pretty sure that is Mt. Vernon Square which is the Convention Center.The ferry is a fun way to do Mount Vernon. It will eat up much of your day but if you don't need a car for anything else, it allows you to see Mt. Vernon from the river which is cool. I believe boats leave from both Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.

Looks like this bus runs daily between Huntington and Mt Vernon. Definitely not the scenery of cruising down the Potomac, but cheaper and higher frequencies.

This is what I was talking about.

 

[sporthenry]

I'm taking my son (11) on a baseball/history trip next month and could use some pointers. So far the only thing booked are the flights. Here is the bare bones plan...

Fri 8/1 - fly to DC in the evening

Sat - Nationals vs Phillies at 7

Sun - Orioles vs Mariners at 1:30

Mon -

Tue - Phillies vs Astros at 7

Wed - fly home in the evening

Questions:

Rent a car or take public transportation and Amtrak?

Can't miss museums, sites, eats, etc?

Areas to target for hotels? I will likely use hotwire.

Sections to avoid at the ballparks?

Son studied the American revolution this year and was interested. He also is into science.

And yes, I know it will be hot. But we're in Dallas so we should be fine.

I'd rent a car, but mostly because of some of the history sites that I'd recommend. In DC, you have the standard Smithsonian museums (American History, Air and Space), but since he is into the American Revolution, I'd highly recommend Mount Vernon as a stop. It is easier to get there by car.Another car stop that I'd recommend is spending your off day between Baltimore and Philly at Gettysburg. I loved it as a history nerd kid at that age, and still love it.

Philly has some good stuff too, with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, though public transport is okay for that.

ETA: I realized my itinerary leaves out all of the monuments/memorials in DC, White House, and the Capitol. Obviously, all worth seeing too. I guess it's a matter of prioritizing your time.

I saw there is a boat trip to Mt Vernon, so that might be in the picture even without a car. Gettysburg is a good idea I hadn't considered. Thanks.

Mt Vernon is pretty easy to get to via Metro - there's a bus that goes back and forth between there and the end of the yellow line as I recall.

Different Mt. Vernon. Pretty sure that is Mt. Vernon Square which is the Convention Center.The ferry is a fun way to do Mount Vernon. It will eat up much of your day but if you don't need a car for anything else, it allows you to see Mt. Vernon from the river which is cool. I believe boats leave from both Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.

Looks like this bus runs daily between Huntington and Mt Vernon. Definitely not the scenery of cruising down the Potomac, but cheaper and higher frequencies.

This is what I was talking about.

My bad. I stopped at Metro and didn't read the bus part.

 

[Don Quixote]

A random recommendation that I thought I'd share (mostly for locals). I made my first trip over to the National Museum of Health and Medicine recently. It's pretty small, but still a good stop. I was mostly interested because I had recently read a book on Gen. Sickles and it mentioned that his amputated leg was on display there (and that Gen. Sickles used to "visit" it), and to see the bullet that killed Lincoln. A bunch of other odd stuff on display there (such as a section of President Garfield's spine and President Grant's tumor cabinet).

Some of the stuff is a bit hard to stomach, and reminded me why I went down the law path instead of the medicine path, but one of the more underrated museums in the area, I think.

 

[Disco Stu]

Has anyone here done the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour? Seems like it could be a good use of our first night (land at 5:15pm) and help with getting our bearings for the rest of the trip.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Has anyone here done the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour? Seems like it could be a good use of our first night (land at 5:15pm) and help with getting our bearings for the rest of the trip.

Don't know anything about that particular tour but my first piece of advice for out-of-towners is always to visit the monuments at night. The crowds are smaller which is nice, but more importantly they look so much better at night. During the day they're just those kinda cool buildings you've seen in a million pictures At night they are awe-inspiring.

 

[Apple Jack]

Has anyone here done the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour? Seems like it could be a good use of our first night (land at 5:15pm) and help with getting our bearings for the rest of the trip.

Don't know anything about that particular tour but my first piece of advice for out-of-towners is always to visit the monuments at night. The crowds are smaller which is nice, but more importantly they look so much better at night. During the day they're just those kinda cool buildings you've seen in a million pictures At night they are awe-inspiring.

It's also much cooler, as in temp, at night. I've been riding over there on my morning rides lately. I watched the sunrise from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday morning. There was nobody there. I hadn't done that since the all-nighters back in high school.

 

[Don Quixote]

Has anyone here done the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour? Seems like it could be a good use of our first night (land at 5:15pm) and help with getting our bearings for the rest of the trip.

Don't know anything about that particular tour but my first piece of advice for out-of-towners is always to visit the monuments at night. The crowds are smaller which is nice, but more importantly they look so much better at night. During the day they're just those kinda cool buildings you've seen in a million pictures At night they are awe-inspiring.

Agree with TF. Haven't done the tour, but they are definitely worth seeing at night. You could walk and see most of them by yourself. Clicking on the link, it looks like the tour brings you to Iwo Jima too, which is in Virginia and not walkable from the others, so it might be worth the tour just to see that.

 

[dgreen]

Is There a D.C. Dialect?

And some YouTube videos with D.C. accent tags.

 

[(HULK)]

Is There a D.C. Dialect?

And some YouTube videos with D.C. accent tags.

I've always considered the DC "accent" to actually be a non-accent. We're probably the most transient area in the country, a blend of all accents work their way in here. Plus, its the nation's capitol imo.

 

[dgreen]

Is There a D.C. Dialect?

And some YouTube videos with D.C. accent tags.

I've always considered the DC "accent" to actually be a non-accent. We're probably the most transient area in the country, a blend of all accents work their way in here. Plus, its the nation's capitol imo.

I've seen some accent maps give our area a non-accent label. Apparently, though, the area does have certain words that other areas I guess don't use nearly as much. For example, I never realized "bama" was a DC thing. Also, kind of funny that "cised" is now considered a DC word. I don't listen to the Junkies much anymore, but they must be on cloud 9 with that news.

You don't have to go very far from DC to get a very distinct accent. I usually call it a Souther Maryland accent because I work with so many people from that area. I guess it's similar to a Baltimore accent. I can hear it in their "o"s.

I rarely hear "Warshington" or "Warter". I guess I kind of hear it from a couple people, but not very clearly and not from a lot of people.

Oh, and I've never heard "the devil is beating his wife" before.

 

[Apple Jack]

Baltimore is the funniest accent in the country, hun.

 

[fatness]

Baltimore is the funniest accent in the country, hun.

It's pretty easy to learn too. Just insert an 'e' before other vowel sounds.

home = heome

down = deown

ocean = eocean

 

[Don Quixote]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

 

[Apple Jack]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

Call both Lost Dogs in Arlington.

 

[Don Quixote]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

Call both Lost Dogs in Arlington.

Thanks. Looks like they have on tap.

 

[sporthenry]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

You try Total Wine & More in Virginia?

 

[Don Quixote]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

You try Total Wine & More in Virginia?

They were on the list on Flying Dog's web site, but I did not make it down there. I was hoping to avoid that clusterf***. Desperate times call for desperate measures though. But, since I've now had a few beers watching the World Cup, quest will have to resume next week.

 

[Apple Jack]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

You try Total Wine & More in Virginia?

They were on the list on Flying Dog's web site, but I did not make it down there. I was hoping to avoid that clusterf***. Desperate times call for desperate measures though. But, since I've now had a few beers watching the World Cup, quest will has to resume next week.

If it makes you feel any better, it's not especially good and you can't taste the Old Bay.

 

[Don Quixote]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

You try Total Wine & More in Virginia?

They were on the list on Flying Dog's web site, but I did not make it down there. I was hoping to avoid that clusterf***. Desperate times call for desperate measures though. But, since I've now had a few beers watching the World Cup, quest will has to resume next week.

If it makes you feel any better, it's not especially good and you can't taste the Old Bay.

That does make me feel better, actually. Still curious to try, but I won't go as much out of my way.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Not sure if this is a honda, but does everyone know that the Silver Line of the Metro will begin service on July 26, 2014? Yeah for us in NoVA!!!!

 

[Apple Jack]

Not sure if this is a honda, but does everyone know that the Silver Line of the Metro will begin service on July 26, 2014? Yeah for us in NoVA!!!!

I saw signal lights on the first time a couple days ago.

 

[tom22406]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

You try Total Wine & More in Virginia?

They were on the list on Flying Dog's web site, but I did not make it down there. I was hoping to avoid that clusterf***. Desperate times call for desperate measures though. But, since I've now had a few beers watching the World Cup, quest will has to resume next week.

If it makes you feel any better, it's not especially good and you can't taste the Old Bay.

That does make me feel better, actually. Still curious to try, but I won't go as much out of my way.

I can confirm that the beer itself is nothing special and in fact I would call it rather poor.

Bought a 6 pack a few weekends ago and still have 3 left in the fridge,not impressed at all.

 

[dgreen]

Not sure if this is a honda, but does everyone know that the Silver Line of the Metro will begin service on July 26, 2014? Yeah for us in NoVA!!!!

Based on the amount of development already underway and planned in Tysons, this is obviously a big deal.

Not long until Tysons has the tallest building (excluding the Washington Monumnet) in the region.

 

[Apple Jack]

Not sure if this is a honda, but does everyone know that the Silver Line of the Metro will begin service on July 26, 2014? Yeah for us in NoVA!!!!

Based on the amount of development already underway and planned in Tysons, this is obviously a big deal.

Not long until Tysons has the tallest building (excluding the Washington Monumnet) in the region.

It's odd that nobody has built a high rise in Arlington or Tysons yet.

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

 

[dgreen]

Not sure if this is a honda, but does everyone know that the Silver Line of the Metro will begin service on July 26, 2014? Yeah for us in NoVA!!!!

Based on the amount of development already underway and planned in Tysons, this is obviously a big deal.

Not long until Tysons has the tallest building (excluding the Washington Monumnet) in the region.

It's odd that nobody has built a high rise in Arlington or Tysons yet.

Arlington has some legal height restrictions. Rosslyn is the current home to the area's tallest, which I believe is a little under 400 feet.

I don't believe Fairfax County has put any legal restrictions on height in Tysons, so it's probably just a matter of time before the market goes 500+.

 

[Don Quixote]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

District Taco is good for what it is. It's a good, casual lunch spot.

 

[thecatch]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

District Taco is good for what it is. It's a good, casual lunch spot.

I've heard good things but there's no way I'm standing in those lunch time lines.

 

[Don Quixote]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

District Taco is good for what it is. It's a good, casual lunch spot.

I've heard good things but there's no way I'm standing in those lunch time lines.

That is the biggest problem with it. The lines do move somewhat quickly though. I usually end up only going to the one by Metro Center when it is a government (but non-work) holiday. The one on Lee Highway is not as bad, and I've been in and out pretty quickly on the weekends.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Not sure if this is a honda, but does everyone know that the Silver Line of the Metro will begin service on July 26, 2014? Yeah for us in NoVA!!!!

Based on the amount of development already underway and planned in Tysons, this is obviously a big deal.Not long until Tysons has the tallest building (excluding the Washington Monumnet) in the region.

It's odd that nobody has built a high rise in Arlington or Tysons yet.

Arlington has some legal height restrictions. Rosslyn is the current home to the area's tallest, which I believe is a little under 400 feet.I don't believe Fairfax County has put any legal restrictions on height in Tysons, so it's probably just a matter of time before the market goes 500+.

I remember hearing at one point that there were parts of this area that were the fastest developing in the country. That was a long time ago, and there has been a ton of development since then!!

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

District Taco is good for what it is. It's a good, casual lunch spot.

I've heard good things but there's no way I'm standing in those lunch time lines.

That is the biggest problem with it. The lines do move somewhat quickly though. I usually end up only going to the one by Metro Center when it is a government (but non-work) holiday. The one on Lee Highway is not as bad, and I've been in and out pretty quickly on the weekends.

Lines are fine at District Taco because they're not dependent on them making the tacos in front of you. And even when it seems to be peak, I've never had a problem getting a seat while my meal is being made. I still normally do DT for dinner instead of lunch, but its less of a pain than most Chipotles.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

Are you looking for a fast casual lunch spot or an actual restaurant? For instance, Oyamel is great, but it's an actual trendy restaurant that's pricey and crowded. .

Bandolero and El Centro are decent and (only a little bit, sadly) cheaper. Bandolero is a bit more interesting of the two. Big fan of their suckling pig tacos with habanero mustard and apple.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

You can order District Taco online and avoid the wait. Or just go really early or late for lunch. In my opinion it is indeed much better than the Chipotle/Qdoba type chains.

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

Are you looking for a fast casual lunch spot or an actual restaurant? For instance, Oyamel is great, but it's an actual trendy restaurant that's pricey and crowded. .

Bandolero and El Centro are decent and (only a little bit, sadly) cheaper. Bandolero is a bit more interesting of the two. Big fan of their suckling pig tacos with habanero mustard and apple.

Thanks for all the input here. Let me just go to all of them to see what I like. Now to look all the addresses up on Yelp...

 

[sporthenry]

Just moved here. Is there a good Mexican joint in the city? I heard District Taco is good. Anyone confirm?

Are you looking for a fast casual lunch spot or an actual restaurant? For instance, Oyamel is great, but it's an actual trendy restaurant that's pricey and crowded. .

Bandolero and El Centro are decent and (only a little bit, sadly) cheaper. Bandolero is a bit more interesting of the two. Big fan of their suckling pig tacos with habanero mustard and apple.

Thanks for all the input here. Let me just go to all of them to see what I like. Now to look all the addresses up on Yelp...

Might want to check out Lauriol Plaza as well. It is by Dupont but on T street. I've found it very good and relatively cheap for a sit down place. Margaritas are great but they can get pricey.

 

[dgreen]

Just moved here.

Did you find yourself a deluxe apartment on the east side?

 

[Swing 51]

Cactus Cantina up near Amercian U and the Cathedral.

 

[nittanylion]

Two joints in Columbia Heights are worth checking out, in my opinion, more than anything mentioned thus far:

El Chucho - 3313 11th Street NW, no website I know of, only a facebook page), caddy-corner from one of the most underrated beer-centric bars in DC, Meridian Pint http://meridianpint.com/ and Room 11 http://www.room11dc.com/

This is a great triangle of spots worth checking out, especially on a late-morning/early afternoon Sunday to get a feel for them before venturing during a typical high-volume time.

Mama Chuy - 2620 Georgia Ave, between Euclid and Fairmont http://mamachudc.com/index.html

...but if you really want the best tacos in the greater DC/MD/VA metro area, get yourself out to Falls Church, VA for...

Taco Bamba - http://tacobambarestaurant.com/ ... you'll thank me for this.

Agree with RHE about Bandolero and El Centro. It just doesn't make sense to me to spend that kind of dough to get chef-driven Mexican fare. Jose Andres being one of my culinary mentors probably biases me, but it appears I'm more a fan of Oyamel than RHE is, but I like all three places I mentioned above more than these 3...I like El Centro more than Bandolero. Mike Isabella is a solid cook and a solid dude, but he didn't base Bandolero off personal experiences researching authentic taquerias in Mexico - he based it off places he ate in America (NTTAWWT)...None of these places hold a candle to any of Rick Bayless' spots, which are some of the best upscale Mex in America, IMHO.

...you could do just as well, or better, by heading up to Bethesda, MD, to my buddy Roberto's place, Gringos and Mariachis - http://www.gringosandmariachis.com/ - it reminds a lot of food-savvy folks of what Bandolero was in it's early days...great food and drinks, fair value, and like most 'hot' spots in Bethesda, plenty of eye candy to enjoy.

District Taco is District Taco. It just is what it is. Take it, or leave it. It's a change of pace from Chipotle, IMO.

Lauriol Plaza and Cactus Cantina, Rosa Mexicana, etc. - not a big fan. Would encourage a visit to one of my 3 spots listed above to compare. Might find you've been missing something.

Oh, almost forgot to mention one other must-try: Erik Bruner-Yang, the Chef behind the outstanding ramen joint Tokai Underground, recently turned his pop-up Tacos Impala into Impala Cantina y Taqueria - 1358 H St. NE. Tokai is a special place. Impala is exactly what you'd expect from EB-Y - big hit.

HTH!

 

[Vike Me]

Has anyone here done the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour? Seems like it could be a good use of our first night (land at 5:15pm) and help with getting our bearings for the rest of the trip.

We did it and I'll be honest - I don't think it was worth it. Now, I do think seeing the monuments at night is cool, but we did that on our own the other days we were there. Spent the hot days in the Smithsonian and then went back to the hotel - ate dinner at the manager's receptions (pounded as many beers as I could) and then took the subway back to the Smithsonian stop and walked around the mall until about 9:30 or so... Great vibe around sunset, people playing softball around the Washington monument, our kids doing cartwheels on the grass. Then we walked to the Lincoln when dark. Good stuff.

But back to the tour, we didn't enjoy it as much as we thought we would. (we did the "old town trolly" tour)

 

[dgreen]

...but if you really want the best tacos in the greater DC/MD/VA metro area, get yourself out to Falls Church, VA for...

Taco Bamba - http://tacobambarestaurant.com/ ... you'll thank me for this.

Wow, looks awesome. Thanks for the rec.

 

[Apple Jack]

...but if you really want the best tacos in the greater DC/MD/VA metro area, get yourself out to Falls Church, VA for...

Taco Bamba - http://tacobambarestaurant.com/ ... you'll thank me for this.

Wow, looks awesome. Thanks for the rec.

Not far from me. Will probably check it out today. Thanks!

 

[Swing 51]

...but if you really want the best tacos in the greater DC/MD/VA metro area, get yourself out to Falls Church, VA for...

Taco Bamba - http://tacobambarestaurant.com/ ... you'll thank me for this.

Wow, looks awesome. Thanks for the rec.

Not far from me. Will probably check it out today. Thanks!

I've been pretty much once a week since it opened. Really good and very different from anything I've had though I'm not a big foodie. I get at least one El Beso everytime. Really good for less than $20.