A couple of Q's about DC and NYC

[wafliron]

I'm going to be in DC for a three days and NYC for approx two weeks in mid-to-late March through early April, and was hoping for some assistance with a couple of questions:

1) The absolute top-of-my-list of things to do in DC is to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in the National Mall - I always enjoy science museums and am fascinated by most things science and technology-related - particularly aviation and space flight! What I can't decide though, is whether it's worth my while also visiting the Udvar-Hazy Center near IAD. Doing both would essentially take up two out of the three days I have in DC, and given I've never been there before there are plenty of other things I could see and do with some of that time.

Those that have been there before, and been to either/both of the Air and Space Museum locations, what do you think?

2) This is perhaps a bit of a strange question, but any suggestions as to what sort of clothing I'll need for DC/NYC in the second half of March / first half of April? I ask because I've literally never spent any time in a true "cold weather climate" other than when skiing - and in those cases I've been wearing ski gear or inside 99% of the time. Would typical mid-winter-in-Melbourne attire be warm enough? Or do I need more?


Thanks!

 

[schomers87]

I'm going to be in DC for a three days and NYC for approx two weeks in mid-to-late March through early April, and was hoping for some assistance with a couple of questions:

1) The absolute top-of-my-list of things to do in DC is to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in the National Mall - I always enjoy science museums and am fascinated by most things science and technology-related - particularly aviation and space flight! What I can't decide though, is whether it's worth my while also visiting the Udvar-Hazy Center near IAD. Doing both would essentially take up two out of the three days I have in DC, and given I've never been there before there are plenty of other things I could see and do with some of that time.

Those that have been there before, and been to either/both of the Air and Space Museum locations, what do you think?

2) This is perhaps a bit of a strange question, but any suggestions as to what sort of clothing I'll need for DC/NYC in the second half of March / first half of April? I ask because I've literally never spent any time in a true "cold weather climate" other than when skiing - and in those cases I've been wearing ski gear or inside 99% of the time. Would typical mid-winter-in-Melbourne attire be warm enough? Or do I need more?

1. Done all the Smithsonian's - absolutely fantastic. Haven't been to Udvar-Hazy, but heard it is supposed to be very good.
2. That time of the year it can really be a lottery. You can get days in NYC where it is 16C or it can get down 0C, best to pack for all weather. DC is often more temperate by that time of the year, and will hover in the 8-12C range with the odd 15+ day. However, its the east coast of america where any weather can happen.

 

[QF029]

The weather can be quite variable but I was there in early April last year and in NYC it was about 16 degrees most days (but sunny) but warmed up into the 20's the day I left for DC where is was mid-20's. Early September in Melbourne would be my comparison.

 

[Mwenenzi]

1) The absolute top-of-my-list of things to do in DC is to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in the National Mall - I always enjoy science museums and am fascinated by most things science and technology-related - particularly aviation and space flight! What I can't decide though, is whether it's worth my while also visiting the Udvar-Hazy Center near IAD. Doing both would essentially take up two out of the three days I have in DC, and given I've never been there before there are plenty of other things I could see and do with some of that time.

You easily spend 3 days in the DC Smithsonian. A work colleague (an aviation geek) visited Udvar-Hazy last year: Well worth it he said

 

[robd]

I'm going to be in DC for a three days and NYC for approx two weeks in mid-to-late March through early April, and was hoping for some assistance with a couple of questions:

1) The absolute top-of-my-list of things to do in DC is to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in the National Mall - I always enjoy science museums and am fascinated by most things science and technology-related - particularly aviation and space flight! What I can't decide though, is whether it's worth my while also visiting the Udvar-Hazy Center near IAD. Doing both would essentially take up two out of the three days I have in DC, and given I've never been there before there are plenty of other things I could see and do with some of that time.

Those that have been there before, and been to either/both of the Air and Space Museum locations, what do you think?

I did the Udvar-Hazy Center last Sept. Absolutely loved it and wish I could have spent more time there. I did a trip report :-

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....p-photos/taking-junior-to-school-42827-2.html

I also highly recommend the Segway tour. Great fun!

 

[Sprucegoose]

I did the Udvar-Hazy Center last Sept. Absolutely loved it and wish I could have spent more time there. I did a trip report :-

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....p-photos/taking-junior-to-school-42827-2.html

I also highly recommend the Segway tour. Great fun!

agree the Dulles tour is superior!!


so many wonderful museums in DC.

put the Capitol building on your list and the open bus tour. White House, I didn't but I understand tour is only so so.

lincoln memorial, how memorable!!

 

[Blackbird]

Too long in NYC and to short in DC in my opinion.
There's a lot to see in DC. Impossible to see it all in 3 days.
If you are arriving by Dulles would be easier to do both Air & Space tours.

 

[drron]

Just dont worry.You will never see all DC has to offer in 2 weeks if you reversed the itinerary.But you will not see all there is to see in NYC in 2 weeks either.We have spent over 6 months in NYC and still haven't seen everything.

March/April can still be very cold.It was a few years ago now but it was snowing in late March when we visited DC.And we have been trapped by a blizzard in the first week of april in southern Vermont.

 

[wafliron]

Thanks very much for all the answers and advice everyone, really appreciate it.

Re re museums, I think I'm sold; I'll have to do both of the Air and Space Museum locations. I just can't turn down the chance to see a space shuttle up close!!

Re the weather, sounds like I might have to see if I can find a long-term forecast before I leave Aus and choose clothes based on that (I don't want to just throw everything in - I prefer to travel as light as reasonably possible). I don't have much real "cold weather" gear though, so hopefully the weather is kind to me!

I did the Udvar-Hazy Center last Sept. Absolutely loved it and wish I could have spent more time there. I did a trip report :-

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....p-photos/taking-junior-to-school-42827-2.html

I also highly recommend the Segway tour. Great fun!

Thanks very much for posting this link robd, and for writing the TR originally! Your photo of the space shuttle is what sold me (as per above)

Appreciate the tip re the Segway tour - and from the others that recommended it too. Looks like fun, and probably also a good way to "optimise" seeing the National Mall and surrounds given it's looking like I'll only have one day to do that.

Too long in NYC and to short in DC in my opinion.
There's a lot to see in DC. Impossible to see it all in 3 days.

I didn't put full detail in my OP - I actually don't have as much leisure time in NYC as I made it out to sound like. There's 13 full days between my arrival and departure days, but I'll be working five of those, plus ducking up to Vermont for a couple of days to visit distant relatives. So only about five days in NYC in which I can actually get out and see the city.

If you are arriving by Dulles would be easier to do both Air & Space tours.

I arrive into DCA and am staying just north of GWU, so not anywhere near IAD unfortunately. I might depart from IAD for NYC, but not sure that will really make things any easier given I'd have luggage with me (I'd rather catch the train to NYC, but I need to fly at least one paid *A flight this year and WAS-NYC may be my only opportunity).

 

[Boris spatsky]

You said it yourself: udvar-Hazy has the Space Shuttle Discovery... It's on my bucket list!

 

[Isochronous]

IAD museum also has a SR-71 Blackbird as well.

On an unrelated note, make sure you go to Good Stuff Eatery (near Capitol South metro) for a burger and fries plus milkshake. Honestly the best burger joint in the world.

 

[wafliron]

IAD museum also has a SR-71 Blackbird as well.

Oooh, oooooh, I didn't even realise that!

On an unrelated note, make sure you go to Good Stuff Eatery (near Capitol South metro) for a burger and fries plus milkshake. Honestly the best burger joint in the world.

Thanks - will do

 

[Pushka]

Loved the smithsonian Air and Space. Museum. Touched moon rock.Fabulous place.

 

[amaroo]

I'm going to be in DC for a three days and NYC for approx two weeks in mid-to-late March through early April, and was hoping for some assistance with a couple of questions:

Any chance of getting a mini TR?

Just booked a 4 week trip over x-mas/NY. Haven't been to the East Coast of LOTFAP for 16 years.

Trip is totally wide open.....arrive LAX....9 days later arrive JFK.....20 days later fly out of DFW.

Should be fun!

 

[wafliron]

Any chance of getting a mini TR?

Sure, but you might have to wait a little bit - sorry, just super-super busy at work at the moment, my schedule seems to be nothing but work-eat-sleep-work-eat-sleep (-quickly-catch-up-on-AFF-watched-threads-at-1am-before-I-have-to-be-up-for-work-again-at-6am) Definitely well before Xmas though

 

[drron]

Well we will be in NYC 9/12-17/12 then a couple of days in Miami hopefully to catch a sighting of a celebrity here.Flying out on 20/12.

 

[amaroo]

Well we will be in NYC 9/12-17/12 then a couple of days in Miami hopefully to catch a sighting of a celebrity here.Flying out on 20/12.

Bugger, we don't arrive in NYC until the 23/12 and probably will stay 5 nights before moving on.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Loved the smithsonian Air and Space. Museum. Touched moon rock.Fabulous place.

Agree it's a great experience