Travel Thread

[count2infinity]

It's not bad, but it's not very good either.

[NTP66]

It's just vanilla, if I'm being honest.

[tifosi77]

Mrs Tif has to go to Chicago for work Mon-Tues next week.

[count2infinity]

I love visiting Chicago for work. I typically stay right on the river downtown.

They're pushing really hard at the moment for me to go to Boston in September. I've done everything up to just flat out saying no because I don't think it will go well should I turn it down. I've been to Boston once and it was enjoyable, but that was with my wife and we made a good time out of it.

[NTP66]

@PFiDC: I'm looking at taking a trip to DC next month to basically do nothing but museums for a few days. If you were visiting, where would you stay to make the most of it? I'd love to be able to walk or get quick access to a number of museums (don't know which ones yet), but am not sure how practical that is.

[NTP66]

I may have to take that back. Every museum I'm interested in is in the same area, and hotel prices are dirt cheap.

[PFiDC]

Yeah anywhere near the Mall is good as that is where most of the museums are. Trump has a hotel near there I believe...

If you've never been there definitely check out Air and Space and US History. Those are 2 of my favorites.

[NTP66]

Source of the post If you've never been there definitely check out Air and Space and US History. Those are 2 of my favorites.

I went there when I was really young, so I remember basically nothing of it. And yeah, those two are on the definite list. Thinking the Spy museum could be cool, too.

[shoeshine boy]

I had heard that most museums are doing timed entry and time slots go fast.

[tifosi77]

The American History Museum is fabulous. The last time I was there was 2014, but the last time before that was 1997. In those intervening years, they added Julia Child's TV kitchen set, and it gave me a bit of a start when I saw it.

[NTP66]

I think I've narrowed it down to either the Riggs or JW Marriott just north of the mall. Both are about a 10 minute walk to the center of the mall, which would be ideal.

[tifosi77]

I've also recc'd before that if you have the time you might want to reach out to your Congressperson/Senators to schedule a meeting. (Honestly don't know if they're doing those now, given, you know the insurrection and whatnot) They can also help you arrange tours of the FBI HQ, which is super cool, and BTS tours of the Archives, which for a history nut is just about the coolest thing you can do.

[tifosi77]

Also, I like to stay in Alexandria, because the non-DC stuff is nicer than DTDC imo. That may or may not be an accurate reflection of reality, but it has been my experience. It's only like a 10-minute Metro hop into the heart of the District, but you do pay a fare premium crossing the VA/DC border.

[PFiDC]

Spy museum is OK but it has an entry fee. The Smithsonian Museums are free. The only museum in DC I would pay money for is The Holocaust Museum.

[NTP66]

If we were doing anything other than museums and the zoo, I'd consider it, but I really do want to be right at the mall for this one.

[tifosi77]

I agree PFiDC, but I wouldn't be too keen on taking a young child to that museum. Yeesh, it gave me nightmares for a week as a 21-year old college student.

[NTP66]

Hmm, good to know. I'm also now wondering if it's worth staying south of the mall, like at the Mandarin Oriental, as it's right next to the wharf.

[tifosi77]

If we were doing anything other than museums and the zoo, I'd consider it, but I really do want to be right at the mall for this one.

If you're doing the zoo, there used to be a nice hotel (was a Sheraton back in the day, not sure what the property is today) that's like across CT Ave and down a block that also has a Metro stop at the corner. Just north of Dupont Cir, so it's removed from the hustle and the bustle of DTDC. And it's right by the cathedral; I'm by no means a religious person, but I do like a good church tour.

[tifosi77]

Just checked: The property is a Marriott today. The neighborhood is Woodley Park, and the hotel is the Marriott Wardman Park. Intersection of CT and Calvert NW.

[PFiDC]

Unfortunately the Zoo is a bit north of The Mall. Well worth it though. And it's free. Go see the Pandas

[NTP66]

Damn, parking is insane at every hotel. $50/night and up.

[blackjack68]

Princeton... blech.

Most of the cicada boom has passed. You should be good.

Try Conte’s pizza is you like a thin crackery crust.

[NTP66]

Source of the post Try Conte’s pizza is you like a thin crackery crust.

Go **** yourself if you like thin crackery crust.

If you're going to Princeton, I recommend Candela Brothers pizza in Lawrenceville: https://www.candelabrothers.com They've been owned and operated by friends of my wife forever, and their food is terrific.

[PFiDC]

Damn, parking is insane at every hotel. $50/night and up.

I highly recommend street parking. It can be tough to find, especially in that part of town, but worth it to save the $$.

[dodint]

Source of the post Try Conte’s pizza is you like a thin crackery crust.

Go **** yourself if you like thin crackery crust.

How DARE you.

I don't eat it every time, but it's good every time I eat it.