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Health & Fitness

Vacation Plans gone awry?

Is Washington D.C. too "Disney-esque"? Make sure to plan your vacation trip ahead - Tickets needed for some of the best places to visit in D.C.

George and I just returned from a trip to Washington D.C. with friends of ours.  We have been there several times and have always enjoyed our trips. 

Our friends hadn’t been there in many years, so they were looking forward to seeing it as adults, without the “school time-table” of previous visits. 

Imagine our chagrin to find that we were now visiting the new “Disneyesque” Washington D.C. complete with “fast-pass”.  At several locations we went to over the 4 days we spend in Virginia and D.C., you needed a ticket to enter what is free to the public. 

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For example, on arrival at Ford’s Theatre, there was a line, which we got into, and when wondering how long the wait was, the people in line in front of us informed that although it was free admission, you did need a ticket.  Leaving the others in line to “save our place” I went to the box office and was told the next ticket available was for 4 p.m. 

Being that we had just eaten lunch, we decided not to hang around for 3½ hours, and upon inquiring about tickets for the next day, we were told that they were sold out until 4:30 p.m.  Oh well! Cancel that tour for this trip.  Next time I’ll get them online, or go to the box office before lunch. 

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We found the same type of scenario at the new Holocaust Museum, which we had really looked forward to, as none of us had been to D.C. since it was opened.  We received tickets as we entered, and were told about the exhibit downstairs on Propaganda, that was available for viewing while we waited. 

We enjoyed the exhibit, learning how Hitler was able to dupe the German population into following his lead.  Upon return to the main area, there was still 2 ½ hours to go before our “tour”.  Hoping to be able to see more of D.C. than the museum’s lobby, we turned the tickets in so someone else could use them, and went on our way. 

By the way, get your tickets ahead of time if you plan on visiting Mt. Vernon also, they have the same ticket procedure.  Luckily, we were able to get tickets, which left us plenty of time to take the boat ride on the Potomac and not rush to get back to the house tour.  While resting in the shade, the guide let us in ½ hour early as they were having a slow day (or others decided not to wait around for a tour).

We did enjoy wandering through the Smithsonian buildings _ still open to whoever wanders in the door.  The updated First Lady’s Exhibit was excellent, showcasing not only the Inaugural Gowns, but daytime dresses, and pictures of all the first ladies, from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, and including in some cases what their cause was, during their husbands presidency.

However, I was disappointed to find that along with changing exhibits, which is great, the American History building had been updated to Marble and Glass showcases, with large open areas with nothing in them.  Our group would have liked more substance, less marble. 

I guess we are getting older, it seemed that by updating the museum, they were attracting more school groups.  While I am in favor of the museum’s catering to all ages, could we please not “dumb it down”?  More is better in this case. 

There was no wait, and no crowd at the Museum of Modern Art.  It was wonderful to walk around and admire the masters, although I was asked to leave when my phone rang (just until I finished the conversation _ which was over before the guard got to me) that will teach me to keep it on vibrate in the future.

So overall the trip was enjoyable, and it was great to get away.  Our hotel didn't have a swimming pool - which would have been welcome, however, as we walked back from Old Alexandria one night we saw four large coach buses dropping off their junior high charges.  I'm glad we stayed in the smaller boutique hotel.

I guess the days are gone when you could just pack up the car and head out.  Now planning is everything.  Make sure to research your vacation.  Don’t get “locked” out due to poor planning. 

Next trip _ camping with the grandchildren (and their parents) at Lake George!  Can't wait to tell you all about it.

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