DC Resources « Under the Dome Travel

D.C. Resources

Day Trips

Washington, DC, is not just history museums and government buildings.  The Capitol Region and surrounding areas offer many different options and they are simple get to and from about anywhere in the area. You can travel to Baltimore via train or car in about 45 minutes and see the National Aquarium, Camden Yards, as well as, historic Fort McHenry where the Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner during a decisive battle of the War of 1812.  In addition, Northern Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains offer some of the most breath-taking scenery amid several Civil War battlefields and state and National Parks.  You can also take a fishing trip on the Chesapeake Bay after touring the Naval Academy in Annapolis.  The options are endless and there’s plenty to do and see for everyone.

Tickets and Reservations to Events and Attractions

Lots of events and attractions are in Washington, D.C. require advance reservations even though they are free. Don’t spend all day waiting in long lines for a limited amount of public tickets. We’ll help you plan enough in advance to help mitigate the crowds.  Our travel experts know which times of the year and days of the week are best for many of the most popular tours and events and will help you get in and out with minimal time waiting around.

Transportation

One of the biggest frustrations that many people have when they travel to D.C. is that they felt that they spent so much time and money just trying to get around.  Yes, Washington, D.C. is big and the transportation options can be very confusing for the first time visitors. Crisscrossing the city on the “Metro” (subway) is certainly one of the most economical ways to get around, but it doesn’t always go directly where you need it to and it can get extremely crowded during rush hour. On the other hand, taxi cabs/Uber services are readily available, but they can devour a travel budget very quickly without saving a lot of time. Knowing which form of transportation to take depending on the time of day or year can save both time and money.  We’ll help you arrange an itinerary that focuses on getting around in the most efficient way possible.

Start Planning Your Trip

Here are some of the best sites to see in Washington, D.C. Please note that this information is always subject to change. Make sure that you check these sites as well as, local news and government site for seasonal closures, construction, special events and exhibits.

The White House

https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/tours-and-events

Visiting the White House is a once and a lifetime experience. However, the public tour hours vary depending on events and the President’s schedule.  Make sure you plan ahead and let your personal travel coordinator to make this a top priority of your trip.

The U.S. Capitol Building

https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit

The US Capitol is full of history as well as beautiful artwork and statues.  Make sure you block out a sizeable portion of the day in order to take it all in. It is also a very popular destination for tourists and business people alike.  The crowds and the lines start forming early in the morning, especially during the summer time. It is always better to have us book through your Member of Congress, plan accordingly to ensure that you get to see it all.

The Smithsonian

http://www.si.edu/Visit

The Smithsonian Institution is comprised by multiple free museums, and is rather expansive. It is virtually impossible to see everything in one trip.  Do your research ahead of time and prioritize which ones you want to see. Also make sure that you add extra time to your schedule so that you don’t feel rushed.  The Air and Space and Natural History Museums are some of the most popular destinations in all of DC.   Be sure you start early in the day if you are trying to cram a lot into a short period of time.

Arlington National Cemetery

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Visit

This is one place that should not be missed on any trip to D.C. Visit the final resting place of President John F. Kennedy and pay your respects to our fallen heroes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is truly a moving experience. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier happens every hour on the hour most of the year (they add a changing of the guard on the half hour during the summer).  It is always better to tour Arlington National Cemetery when the crowds are small.  We can assist you with the best times to visit.