*snort* I must be used to the tourists. They don't bother me all that much. Now the locals, who sometimes invade your personal space in a bad way - that bothers me. Nah, I take that back, about the tourists not bothering me. I tried to see the hope diamond once. It's a rock. Big deal. But it was in a room with what seemed like fifty other people, all moving and bumping, and the rock was moving too, on this little whirly pedestal. I ever mention I get motion sick? I couldn't breathe in there, and got out as fast as I could. Not fun.
I think the graphics on the Smithsonian's map imply that the Mall is a lot smaller than it really is. The Smithsonian area is huge. It can be several unprotected blocks from one museum to another, and that walk is cold. But I'll stop fussing. Really.
Huh, the Portrait Gallery is supposed to open on the first of next month. I don't remember ever being in there. I wanted to go, but it's been closed for years. Renovations, I think. What on earth took so long? According to the website, it's been closed since 2000.
Food in the cafes under the museums can be expensive. I'd pack a lunch, but that can be difficult if you're staying in a hotel, and cold food isn't any fun in the winter anyway. There's an a la carte cafeteria under the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, and an underground concourse connects the East and West buildings. The only fast food place I know of within the Smithsonian is the McDonald's inside the Air and Space museum. There's also L'Enfant Plaza with lots of shops, but most of it shuts down when the museums do and on weekends. And... oh screw it. this proves I don't know DC as well as I think I do.
*blinks* There's an aquarium. Oooh...
Okay, Smithsonian. All the museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institution are free. These are the ones marked in red on its map. There's not actually all that many that have entrance fees. Even the zoo is free.
And I'm going to stop now, because you probably already did your research.
I think the graphics on the Smithsonian's map imply that the Mall is a lot smaller than it really is. The Smithsonian area is huge. It can be several unprotected blocks from one museum to another, and that walk is cold. But I'll stop fussing. Really.
Huh, the Portrait Gallery is supposed to open on the first of next month. I don't remember ever being in there. I wanted to go, but it's been closed for years. Renovations, I think. What on earth took so long? According to the website, it's been closed since 2000.
Food in the cafes under the museums can be expensive. I'd pack a lunch, but that can be difficult if you're staying in a hotel, and cold food isn't any fun in the winter anyway. There's an a la carte cafeteria under the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, and an underground concourse connects the East and West buildings. The only fast food place I know of within the Smithsonian is the McDonald's inside the Air and Space museum. There's also L'Enfant Plaza with lots of shops, but most of it shuts down when the museums do and on weekends. And... oh screw it. this proves I don't know DC as well as I think I do.
*blinks* There's an aquarium. Oooh...
Okay, Smithsonian. All the museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institution are free. These are the ones marked in red on its map. There's not actually all that many that have entrance fees. Even the zoo is free.
And I'm going to stop now, because you probably already did your research.
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