Kevin's Watch

Allright, I now have specific dates for my trip to Washington DC. I'll be in the US from November 13 to November 28; the first week will definitely be in Washington DC (but I'll be mostly busy with the conference), while the second week is still pretty much uncharted territory. If I get interviews, I might have to go there; otherwise, I'd like to take a few days to visit Washington in peace and then to see New York before coming back to Washington for the flight back.

What about the Watch contingent?

...oh my g-ds...

You're here for American Thanksgiving.
How I wish you could come here so you could join our feast...

Well, would love the chance to meet you Xar and meet some of that area's watchers and impose upon Aliantha to let me crash at her place but my planned trip in December is going to negate the fundage and time off available to do both. Have fun and dress WARM. It's gonna be hecka cold that time of year.

Menolly wrote:...oh my g-ds...

You're here for American Thanksgiving.
How I wish you could come here so you could join our feast...

I hadn't realized that... hmm, then perhaps it would be a better idea to go to NY immediately after the conference, and come back to visit Washington around Thanksgiving... I don't know if museums are closed for the holiday, but even if they are, I could use the day to visit the monuments and memorials...

On the other hand, if I were in NY at the time, I could see the Thanksgiving Day parade...

Choices, choices, so many choices!

If you are flying out Friday, I would stay in DC for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, regardless of the date. If you must fly out of DC, you would have to fly in from NYC and on to your flight back to Germany the same day. I know it's done a lot, but connections aren't always reliable. And the day before and after Thanksgiving are really busy travel days.

But...

I've never seen the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person either. That does sound really tempting. I know Philadelphia also has a major parade. Perhaps DC does as well?

Thanksgiving is a Federal holiday, and I am pretty sure the museum and indoor memorial employees are Federal government employees, so I expect they will be closed. But, I have never been to DC either, so I could be totally mistaken about that...

Menolly wrote:If you are flying out Friday, I would stay in DC for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, regardless of the date. If you must fly out of DC, you would have to fly in from NYC and on to your flight back to Germany the same day. I know it's done a lot, but connections aren't always reliable. And the day before and after Thanksgiving are really busy travel days.

But...

I've never seen the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person either. That does sound really tempting. I know Philadelphia also has a major parade. Perhaps DC does as well?

Thanksgiving is a Federal holiday, and I am pretty sure the museum and indoor memorial employees are Federal government employees, so I expect they will be closed. But, I have never been to DC either, so I could be totally mistaken about that...

Hopefully someone from Washington DC will answer these questions (*pokes Creator*)...

Xar wrote: Hopefully someone from Washington DC will answer these questions (*pokes Creator*)...

Or aliantha, or jay, or Cail, or...

The museums only close on Christmas day. DC doesn't do anything like NYC parade-wise.

You'll probably want to be back in Washington by Monday, or Tuesday at the latest on Thanksgiving week, unless you want to travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, which might be a lighter travel day than the couple of days before. You'll want to check out the Smithsonian museums in Washington, and I see from their website they are open every day of the year save Christmas day.

Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving day, a lot of restaurants will be open though - it's not everyone's idea of fun to ruin a turkey in the oven.

Damelon wrote:You'll probably want to be back in Washington by Monday, or Tuesday at the latest on Thanksgiving week, unless you want to travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, which might be a lighter travel day than the couple of days before.

hmm...that's true.

The parade could be done in the morning, and a flight back to DC taken later in the day. Or...is it a very long rail ride between DC and NYC?

Damelon wrote:You'll want to check out the Smithsonian museums in Washington, and I see from their website they are open every day of the year save Christmas day.

I've been told you could spend a month and still not see all of the Smithsonian...

Damelon wrote:Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving day,

ahhh, but the Black Friday shopping the day after!!!

Damelon wrote:a lot of restaurants will be open though - it's not everyone's idea of fun to ruin a turkey in the oven.

Thankfully, that doesn't happen to my turkeys...

...especially since I deep fry one of them...

Yeah, yeah, I know...

Damelon wrote:You'll want to check out the Smithsonian museums in Washington, and I see from their website they are open every day of the year save Christmas day.

That's very good, I'm guessing there won't be too many people visiting the museums on Thanksgiving Day either...

Menolly wrote:

Damelon wrote:Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving day,

ahhh, but the Black Friday shopping the day after!!!

Unfortunately I'm told that, when traveling back, there is a limit to the total value of items you purchase in the US... not sure if it only applies to tech items or not.

Cail answered your direct question so here's a supplemental link with useful information.

There are LOTS of Watchers in DC. It will be fun getting together!

www.si.edu/visit/hours.htm

Devaguhya wrote:Cail answered your direct question so here's a supplemental link with useful information.

There are LOTS of Watchers in DC. It will be fun getting together!

www.si.edu/visit/hours.htm

Cool, thanks! Given the limited amount of time, which museums do you think are most worth seeing?

Make sure you let me know about NY. A shame you're flying out on T-Day, or you maybe coulda had dinner at my house. But still, I'll almost definitely be able to take a train to the city to meet you on one day or another.

Fist and Faith wrote: A shame you're flying out on T-Day, or you maybe coulda had dinner at my house.

That would be one blessed dinner!!

Right?? And Eiran would be entirely covered by forests within a few turns!

Xar wrote:

Menolly wrote:

Damelon wrote:Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving day,

ahhh, but the Black Friday shopping the day after!!!

Unfortunately I'm told that, when traveling back, there is a limit to the total value of items you purchase in the US... not sure if it only applies to tech items or not.

Unless you're a sadist, Xar, you don't want to be in the stores on the day after Thanksgiving anyway.

Oh no...

He wouldn't possibly want to miss the adrenaline rush of Black Friday "shopping."

Menolly wrote:Oh no...

He wouldn't possibly want to miss the adrenaline rush of Black Friday "shopping."

... I think I can survive without the thrill...

Xar wrote:

Devaguhya wrote:Cail answered your direct question so here's a supplemental link with useful information.

There are LOTS of Watchers in DC. It will be fun getting together!

www.si.edu/visit/hours.htm

Cool, thanks! Given the limited amount of time, which museums do you think are most worth seeing?

I would order them:

Air and Space
Natural History
National Art Gallery



I am sure other locals have favorites as well!