[chevelle]

This was a trip done on 31st march 2010. We(me and my fiance) went on 1-day tour of D.C covering important landmarks while limiting ourselves to just main attractions of D.C only. We didn't go to any Smithsonian Museums as we didn't had much time.

But our member - Vnabhi has nicely covered them so I feel like i have already been there. Nevertheless, if i plan to visit only the museums the next time i got there.

So here is how it panned out.

We started from Maryland at 9am. Manage to get to Union Station at around 10 am. We took a tour bus which was $35 per head. There are plenty of options ranging from $25 to $100 depending on how you want to see it. $25 one's come with pre-recorded guide while ours was live commentary given by an experienced guide. Open top buses are available at higher rates.

It is advisable to get these tour bus as its a long walk if you are to cover major landmarks as well as museum. These tour buses have hop-on hop-off facility which is very good.

So our first stop was Capitol Building. It is truly majestic. The lady at the top of Capitol Building is called Freedom Lady. She is around ~ 19 feet tall. There is a rule that a statue of lady in the whole of D.C cannot be taller than Freedom Lady's statue.




No tripods are allowed on the premises. I was about to set up a tripod but was stopped by police. The guy is standing to extreme left of the photo below.



So after looking around, we went across the street and greeted by splendid view of whole Capitol. I set up the tripod and went on clicking spree.







To the other side of capitol is Washington Monument and behind it is Abraham Lincoln Memorial. They are in straight line.

[MX6]

When I was there, they'd barricaded the road that leads to the Capitol. We weren't even allowed near that. You are lucky!

[ranjith.rajaram]

Cool Pics chevelle, got any automobile snaps... Being a BHPian I would love to see some car/byke pics from WDC .

[csentil]

Woo.. Nice. I've been wanting to post my snaps from DC for a long time. Looks like you beat me to it.

Hope you had a great time. Its a beautiful city and even 2 days is not enough.

Did you take the Old Town Trolley? Thats a neat one. I went off season, so I got one day free for a one day ticket. If you buy online its only 31$..

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by MX6

When I was there, they'd barricaded the road that leads to the Capitol. We weren't even allowed near that. You are lucky!

When did you go? I went in April 2008 and then also i was able to go to this same place. Though this time we weren't lucky in seeing rear side of white house from near as it was barricaded in the evening.

Originally Posted by ranjith.rajaram

Cool Pics chevelle, got any automobile snaps... Being a BHPian I would love to see some car/byke pics from WDC .

Ranjith, i didn't click any interesting auto pics. You may be able to see some cars in some photos but didn't find any interesting cars to click specifically.

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by csentil

Woo.. Nice. I've been wanting to post my snaps from DC for a long time. Looks like you beat me to it.

Hope you had a great time. Its a beautiful city and even 2 days is not enough.

Did you take the Old Town Trolley? Thats a neat one. I went off season, so I got one day free for a one day ticket. If you buy online its only 31$..

You can share your pics of DC in this thread if you wish to. I don't mind.

Yes, its really a beautiful city. I also wanted to see Pentagon which was across the river but couldn't due to time constraints.

Yes it was old town trolley. We couldn't get any special offer as it was peak time as it was cherry blossom season.

Here is the pic

[ranjith.rajaram]

Originally Posted by chevelle

Yes it was old town trolley. We couldn't get any special offer as it was peak time as it was cherry blossom season.

Here is the pic

This was the one I was taking about, She looks glorious. OLD IS GOLD.

Keep them coming .....

[chevelle]

Some more pics on the premise of Capitol Building and around it.

The park around Capitol



Cherry Blossom tree with Capitol.





The Washington Monument, behind it is Lincoln Memorial, to the left is Smithsonian Castle.





This photo is for Ranjith. I am sure he will love this pic. Shows a boat formed from a bus and Pontiac Vibe.

[MX6]

I was there sometime in 2002. Those days it was heightened security in every important place in US!
The trolley is still there! I was on that too! Been there done that!

[ranjith.rajaram]

Hey chevelle, thanks for the lovely pics loved the Cherry Blossom tree, looks so amazing.

The - boat formed from a bus - looks like two way locomotive as though they can ride both on land & water… funny but cool , and Pontiac Vibe seems to be a second generation model.

[sammyboy]

Hey Chevelle, thanks for the lovely pics bro. I feel so nostalgic, I had visited DC and MD in 2003 Feb so its lovely to relive those memories.

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by ranjith.rajaram

Hey chevelle, thanks for the lovely pics loved the Cherry Blossom tree, looks so amazing.

The - boat formed from a bus - looks like two way locomotive as though they can ride both on land & water… funny but cool , and Pontiac Vibe seems to be a second generation model.

Yes the boat-bus is kinda weird, it easily belongs to weird and wacky thread. remove the tires and it can easily float on water

Originally Posted by sammyboy

Hey Chevelle, thanks for the lovely pics bro. I feel so nostalgic, I had visited DC and MD in 2003 Feb so its lovely to relive those memories.

I am happy that you are able to relive those memories. Some more coming on the way.

Originally Posted by MX6

I was there sometime in 2002. Those days it was heightened security in every important place in US!
The trolley is still there! I was on that too! Been there done that!

Yes, during those times it was too much of a hassle for tourist as it was just after 9/11

[chevelle]

Once we were done with Capitol it was time to move to our next destination - The Jefferson Memorial. The trolley comes every 20-30 mins, so we timed it that way so we didn't have to wait.

While on the way we came across pretty interesting architecture of various museums.

The government buildings for Labor





The downtown



Love the Cherry Blossom Tree. these are suppose to turn pink and that's when there is a big festival here. It was a week later.



This photo was taken as a normal view, but when i saw it on my pc magnified, i could see the reflection of Capitol Building on the glass. It was unintentional but looks real cool.



The modernization of building is shown by the pyramid.







National Museum established in 1879

[chevelle]

The Smithsonian Castle. There are approx. 19 museums of Smithsonian. There are also many private museum like Spy Museum, Science Museum. The Smithsonian's entry is free while others charge nominal fee of $5 per person.





The Museum for African Art.

[vnabhi]

Lovely pics, dude! Makes me feel nostalgic!!

Keep posting.