Washington DC, 2018

Washington DC Trip #2 November 1-4, 2018

Our return trip to DC did not disappoint.  There is so much to learn and explore that you can not cover it all.  We were specifically brought back to our Capital to see the new African American History Museum as well as the Museum of the Bible.

We were very fortunate to receive White House tickets and a Capitol tour through U.S. Representative Mark Walker's office.  We were unable to make the Capitol tour this time because we spent most of a day in the AAHM.  Tickets are in very high demand for this museum and had to be acquired 3 months in advance so we did not want to skip out early.

Brooks and Landry wanted to be home for Halloween and since our White House tour began at 8:30 on November 1, we decided to make an adventure out of our first day.  We left home at 1:50 AM!!!! and drove straight into DC.  We stayed at the Hyatt Washington DC / National Mall and were very pleased.  The hotel is located between 2 very close metro stop and a stone's throw from the Museum of the Bible.  But even more importantly, it was walking distance to the National Mall, Museums, Monuments and the Wharf which is the waterfront area with great restaurants.  The hotel was fully renovated, very spacious rooms and the breakfast was over the top.

Day 1:
White House Tour - 40 year ban on pictures has been lifted so it was cool to take pictures inside.  Learned that the Secret Service is staffed slimmer than in the past because young adults are not as willing to dedicate 70-80 hours a week to the post.  Also learned that the President received guests most days of the week in the rooms we walked through.  Tours are in the morning so the rooms are available every day by 12.


Bureau of Engraving & Printing - We were impressed to learn that $10,000 and $100,000 notes have been in circulation in the past but more importantly, during the early 1900's when they would have been "worth" even  more than now.  We enjoyed watching the employees printing the money and one even pretending that he was going to fold a sheet of bills into a paper airplane.  It is amazing how much money is printed annually because it doesn't seem like paper currency is used very much nor that it would need to be replaced so frequently.

USDA Cafeteria was a perfect and little-known lunch spot.  The food was delicious and affordable.  We really enjoyed ourselves more on this trip and took about 1/2 the steps because we had better luck finding restaurants.

Museum of the Bible - The rest of the day was spent here.  We enjoyed it very much and were impressed by how interactive it was as you navigate multiple times through displays of the "highlights" and more popular happenings of the Bible.  Surprisingly, the Gospel was not shared and there wasn't discussion or references to Jesus being the Savior of the World and how to receive salvation.  The entire purpose of God's Word is to point us to Jesus and bring us into a relationship with Him.

A noodle restaurant was just around the corner from Museum of the Bible so we had dinner there.

Day 2:
National Archives Tour -
This was truly one of the highlights.  The original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution are all on display here.  The Magna Carta is also displayed here.  There are millions of items preserved here that are constantly rotated such as a 1920's census, bracelet sent to Capital in memory of Sandy Bradshaw, patents, letters to the President and so much more.

National Museum of African American History-
This museum is brand new and really done so well.  We are fortunate to have the International Civil Rights Museum right here in Greensboro as well and have visited there too.  The new museum traces the American history of African Americans beginning around 1400.  It was inspiring to see Rosa Park's dress and Harriet Tubman's shawl.  I find it important to learn from the horrors of our nation's history as well as the strength of character God has given so many and to celebrate those who have fought for what is right.  I am thankful to be able to teach our kids about the truth of our history and pray that they will see our world with love rather than prejudice, self preservation and hate.  We especially enjoyed the more recent sections that included sports, Oprah Winfrey and pop culture.

Lunch/ Dinner was enjoyed at the National Museum of African American History.  The food was delicious and the portions were huge so we shared 3 plates and didn't need dinner.

We visited the Washington Monument and WWII Monument before heading close to the hotel and grabbing sundaes at McDonald's.

Day 3:
Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Building -
This was a last minute addition.  We all agreed that it is probably the most beautiful building we have ever been in.  The mural on the ceiling of the Reading Room was just so breathtaking and the architecture and marble surround was classic.  There was a traveling Baseball Americana exhibit which was fun to visit as well as Thomas Jefferson's Library set up for display and the books arranged in the manner he preferred them, by topic.

Smithsonian Museum of American History -
This was our favorite Smithsonian on our first DC trip so we were excited to return.  Landry specifically wanted to see the gowns worn by First Ladies and we all wanted to revisit the original Star Spangled Banner.  We also saw Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz and many items from our presidents.  Original barstools sat on by the Greensboro 4 were seen in both the American History and African American History Museums.

We had lunch at American History.  It was good but too expensive.  Again, it was great to not have to walk in search of a restaurant or have to leave our museum.

Return to the National Archives -
We just had to return once more to take a look at the documents on display.  This trip was general public and much different.  We definitely recommend the private tour and standing out front against the front doors.  They must be 40+ feet tall and are quite impressive.

United Stated Holocaust Memorial Museum -
This trip all 4 of us were able to explore the entire museum.  Marking and remembrance of this time in our history is done so well here.  Brooks and Landry have both been drawn to the stories of this time and I am thankful for that.  If from a young age our kids understand how hate and racism can play out to the extreme, I pray that they will help lead the way toward unity and love.  A replica is built of a bunk inside of a prison camp that was impactful to walk through.  The pictures of the regular families who were loaded up without any understanding of what was happening always leaves a big impression.  At the end of our time, there was a movie shot in the 1980's of survivors and their stories.  Seeing this film gave faces to the stories and the after-effects of the war and genocide.

Dinner - Shake Shack at the Wharf

Memorials @ Night! -
Definitely a benefit of visiting this time of year was being able to see the memorials at dark with their beautiful lights.  We began at the Lincoln Memorial, headed to the Korean War Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, viewed Jefferson Memorial across the water from MLK Jr. and finally the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Beautiful and inspiring to remember all who have faithfully served our country.

Day 4:
Stop at Mount Vernon - George Washington's Estate -
The estate is wonderfully set up for visitors.  There are many interactive movies, a visitor center, museum, mansion, surrounding buildings and gardens to explore.  I was surprised to learn that the home is actually made of wood that has been beveled to look like stone.  I don't know why he didn't use brick?  The work buildings and employees' small homes were bigger and nicer than most people would have owned at that time.  Positioned on the water with the grand back porch, I can only imagine what life was like on the estate.

This was a great time away for our family.  I continue to appreciate how much Brooks and Landry enjoy learning and now can apply what they are seeing to what they have discussed in the classroom. We would like to tour the Capitol again in the future, take another glance at the Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian of Natural History and visit the Supreme Court for a lecture.