DC Tourist AsksMefi; Area Man Responds

December 2, 2005 1:33 PM

TravelFilter: Specific Washington D.C. questions from a tourist.

I'm in D.C., and I have a set of rather specific questions.

a) Is there anywhere in town I can go eat fresh crabs after 10 pm on a Saturday night?

b) Is there anything of cultural interest (a monument or a museum or something) that is open and worth seeing after dark on Friday or Saturday? I've seen the Lincoln Memorial, Nat'l Monument, White House, Capitol, and Vietnam War memorial.

c) I'm definitely visiting a museum on Sunday; I don't want the Air and Space or any post-19th-century art. I like a museum that's not terribly crowded, might have a special exhibit worth seeing; I can look at galleries of paintings, sculpture, coins, urns and jewels for long periods of time, and I like old dusty things of historical interest. Given that, which museum should I visit?

Thanks for the prior answers to DC-related questions, btw; I've found them quite useful, and they allowed me to narrow my questions down to the above three. Money/price considerations aren't constraining, but time is short; I'm staying at the Ritz in the middle of NW, and I'd like to avoid long travel times (more than 30 min one-way).

posted by ikkyu2 to Travel & Transportation around Washington, DC (26 answers total)

As for B, you may take care to revisit everything between the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial (about a mile of walking) after dark. IMO, the monuments look better lit up. On your trek, you'll also get to see the (semi)new WWII memorial, which is impressively large.
posted by The White Hat at 1:45 PM on December 2, 2005 [1 favorite]

In response to part B, the WWII memorial is a definite must see after dark.
posted by mhaw at 1:45 PM on December 2, 2005 [1 favorite]

Best answer: For c I'd recommend that Sackler Museum of Asian Art. I think it's one of the best at the Smithsonian.
posted by OmieWise at 1:50 PM on December 2, 2005

For seafood in general, go to Oceanaire or Kinkead's. (Both are expensive). But crab season is over. Even during crab season, most crabs consumed in the Baltimore-Washington area weren't caught locally. Instead, we fly them in from the Carolinas or the Gulf coast, just as most other large American cities do. (Apparently the Chesapeake Bay has been over-crabbed for a few years now). So don't get your hopes up too high; the crab you eat tomorrow night in DC may not be all that much better than a crab you could buy at home.
posted by profwhat at 2:00 PM on December 2, 2005

Best answer: For C, The full name for the Asian art museum is somethign like the Freer Gallery of Art and Aruthur M. Sackler Gallery. And I know someplaces just refer to it as the Freer. And yes, it's a great place that tends to get over looked. It has almost everything you list. It's not very crowded normally.

If you haven't visited it, the Musuem of the American Indian might have what you're looking for. Although I've only been there briefly. But it will be crowded.

For B: seeing things at dark, the entire mall area is great to see at might. If you feel like walking, going from the Capital to 14th St is a very pretty walk.

I visited the FDR Memorial at dust to dark and it's very pretty at night. It's also a nice place to visit.
posted by skynxnex at 2:09 PM on December 2, 2005

Seconding the Museum of the American Indian.
posted by justonegirl at 2:14 PM on December 2, 2005

if you've seen the memorials right on the mall, it might be worth it to get over to the jefferson memorial, which is also quite purty at night.

the west building of the national gallery is devoted mostly to older art up to the 19th century, and is incredibly beautiful to boot.

i would recommend checking out the holocaust memorial museum, which despite being something of a downer, really is quite special. lots of dusty old things of historical interest there. i was there last weekend and it really is an experience everyone in this modern age should have. seriously, go there.
posted by sergeant sandwich at 2:27 PM on December 2, 2005

Response by poster: Instead, we fly them in from the Carolinas or the Gulf coast, just as most other large American cities do.

Ah! Disappointing, but good to know; now I can quit obsessing about it. Thanks.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:59 PM on December 2, 2005

Response by poster: Er, and thanks to the rest of you, too; I am so jet-lagged I forget my manners. All the above answers are helpful, and if anyone else wants to chime in I'd be delighted to read it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:02 PM on December 2, 2005

I am going to be no help on the crabs. However I do recommend the National Cathedral is pretty cool (day or night)... It might not be as impressive as old European cathedral's but is still very nice. A museum that I like is the Renwick Gallery. Also, I agree that the Freer is very nice. The Phillips Collection usually has some nice stuff. Also the International Spy Musuem is suppose to be very cool, but I might be very busy.

If you are looking for an day thing, maybe Arlington National Cemetery but be aware it closes at 5pm right now. Also, we do have a panda baby at the National Zoo. I think you need to reserve a time slot...
posted by kashmir772 at 3:12 PM on December 2, 2005

a) take the Metro to Silver Spring, walk back south along Georgia Ave until you go under the B&O train tracks -- on the west side of Georgia you'll find Crisfield's, a fine old DC seafood restaurant, which is open till 11PM Saturday nights.

b) Since it gets dark early now, the various Smithonian museums may suit, since they're open until 5:30PM.

c) for coins see the Musuem of American History (between 12th and 14th, entrances on either Constitution or Madison Dr) and for jewels, the Museum of Natural History (next door, between 12th and 9th).

The full name for the Asian art museum is something like the Freer Gallery of Art and Aruthur M. Sackler Gallery. And I know someplaces just refer to it as the Freer.

This is because the Sackler's only a few years old, whereas the Freer's been a fixture on the Mall for decades. Also, the Freer is a building you can see, whereas the Sackler (and the adjacent African Art Museum) are subterranean delights under the Smithsonian Castle garden. Since they're both nodes of Asian Art, a pedestrian tunnel was dug later, to connect the Freer and the Sackler, creating the Asian Art Museum.
posted by Rash at 3:13 PM on December 2, 2005

I would recommend checking out the holocaust memorial museum

Seconded. I went there during the week and librarian MeFite arco gave me a tour of the library there which was very interesting in addition to the rest of the museum.
posted by jessamyn at 3:13 PM on December 2, 2005

When I lived in DC I loved the Monument walk from the Einstein Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial and around the tidal basin to the Jefferson Memorial. You'll pass the Roosevelt Memorial and the Korean War Memorial (my favorite at night) along the way. It's a very safe walk even at night.

Also, there might be something going on at the White House. One of my friends joined a group who would play drums and party in the Lafayette park across the street from the White House. They are a fun group to hang out with if they are still around.

For museums the Renwick is great, but really quick. The National Holocaust Museum is amazing, and it is a work of art itself. If you have not been to the National Gallery, then you should take a look. The collection is quite good. The Corcoran Gallery has wonderful sculptures and is really close to the White House.
posted by Alison at 3:26 PM on December 2, 2005

Best answer: If you do go by the monuments, stop by the Korean War and WWI memorials as well, if you can. The WWI memorial is my favorite; it's very quiet and serene and not-flashy. (Though it may not be lit at night.)
posted by occhiblu at 3:29 PM on December 2, 2005

Allow me to recommend a nice stroll in Rock Creek Park at night; so much unobstructed nature in the middle of an urban setting can be breathtaking.
posted by jonson at 4:04 PM on December 2, 2005

Third holocaust memorial. I also got the arco tour, but will go back at my next opportunity to spend more time. A downer, yes, could hardly not be, but intensely interesting and well put together.

When I was there last winter, the WWII was beautifully lit all evening. I visited at night and it was very good.
posted by Miko at 4:51 PM on December 2, 2005

The National Archives has a great exhibit called the Pubilc Vaults. They also have the old "Charters of Freedom" exhibit with a 1297 Magna Carta. Its on the Mall and often overlooked.
posted by modavis at 4:52 PM on December 2, 2005

You might like to see the Awakening at night.

"He's 70-feet long, half-buried in the ground and doesn't look very happy about it. You have to go out of your way to find him - all the way down to Haines Point, the southern tip of DC's East Potomac Park. He's the "Awakening Giant" - a 5-part cast aluminum sculpture, assembled to look like a man struggling to escape from the earth." (via WAMU)
posted by clgregor at 4:57 PM on December 2, 2005

Best answer: (I grew up in DC)

A) Recognizing that you're not getting the famed annapolis blue doesn't mean that crabs aren't worth eating after 10 on a Saturday. I'm a fan of The Dancing Crab which is attached to The Malt Shop. It's at the intersection of 41st, Wisconsin, and Brandywine, near the Tenleytown metro. The kitchen stays open until at least 11, and the malt shop is open pretty late. It used to be a common after-work hangout for the local sports commentators from the nearby TV stations (including Glenn Brenner, George Michael and even Sonny Jurgensen back in the day).

It's casual, friendly, relatively inexpensive, good, and full of locals. Pay it a visit. Don't be disappointed if the crab isn't superb (though it's different from what we get on the West coast -- try it). Visit Annapolis in April if you want to eat the real blue crab (and yes, they're excellent, and the soft shells can be near-divine).

B) While it's old enough to be a museum, this recommendation is a little different -- and while crab season is over, oyster season is here. I like to remind people that DC is a city where people live and go to work, day in and day out. Some of those people are incredibly powerful. They still need a bar after a hard day at the office. Pay a happy-hour visit to The Old Ebbitt Grill, which has been a few feet from the White House since before the Civil War. You'll see people there that you've seen on Nightline and Wonkette.

C) Despite being in there probably 100 times in my life, I still can get lost in the American History museum (full of dusty old relics from the US, some pop-culture related, some not). If gemstones are your thing, check out the Natural History museum (known more for it's dinosaurs, so the gemstone area is usually pretty empty)
posted by toxic at 5:39 PM on December 2, 2005

The American Indian museum is interesting since it's the first new museum to be built on the Mall in a long time. It is a little underwhelming though. The first 2 floors are nothing but stores and cafeteria. But the architecture of the building is quite impressive.

Spy museum is cool too, but you have to pay to enter, which is a little jarring since almost everyting in D.C. is free entry. You'll also have to hike a few blocks from the Mall through the city to get there.

The Corcoran is hit-or-miss, and also pay to enter. I was there about 3 months ago, and they essentially had one exhibit. And the place looked quite worn.

There is a beautiful Botanical Gardens glass building on the side of the mall near the Capital building. It has a wonderful tropical section which is a great place to visit to escape the winter temperatures.

Oh, and since it's cold now, the ice skating rink in the Sculpture Garden in front of the National Archives should be open. Its between the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Art. I think they might be open at night too.
posted by jsonic at 5:58 PM on December 2, 2005

You might like to see the Awakening at night.

I think Haines Point is closed after dark.
posted by jsonic at 6:02 PM on December 2, 2005

For B, I highly recommend the Jefferson Memorial. It's my favorite of the monuments/memorials, and is, I think, the prettiest at night. The National Cathedral is really pretty, too, but it's a bit out-of-the-way. (Just a bit, but probably enough.)

The Zoo is great, too, but the baby panda is only available if you get tickets online, and I believe those are only accessible if you're a Friend Of the National Zoo. Nevertheless, the zoo is really neat, especially "Amazonia." I went there last weekend.
posted by Alt F4 at 6:44 PM on December 2, 2005

I second, third, fourth and fifth the FDR Memorial. I found it to be very moving and I'm convinced that if George Bush paid regular visits and took its message to heart this country would be a much better place.

In other words, reconsider visiting it if you're a dittohead as it'll probably make you stroke out.
posted by Opposite George at 6:58 PM on December 2, 2005

The answer to C is the Hillwood Museum, the estate of Marjorie Post (yes, like Post Cereal - they serve Postum, a coffee alternative, at the cafe). Lots of Russian art, including paintings and eggs and antiques and jewels, combined with a view into the lifestyle of this particular family. Also, there are lovely gardens and if memory serves, a greenhouse full of very nice flowers. If you're looking for a unique experience and an uncrowded locale, go there. Take a cab rather than walking and you'll get there very quickly.
posted by lorrer at 7:01 PM on December 2, 2005

PS call ahead for reservations - they allow only a certain number of individuals in each day. Hopefully you can still get in. Also, they're not open every Sunday.
posted by lorrer at 7:09 PM on December 2, 2005

Response by poster: Thank you very much, everyone who answered. I marked the 'best answers' based on what I actually did, which was to wander along the Mall to the Smithsonian, stopping at all the monuments (in the daytime).

Then I spent some time in the Asian Art Museum, which was exactly what I'd wanted. Really good curating of some very interesting and beautiful objects; thought-provoking gift shop, too.

Then I went to the Dancing Crab and ate 3 little crabs. They were good. I wish I'd been able to stay a little longer.
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:47 PM on December 5, 2005