Field Trip to DC by train

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Virginia Teachers Chatboard

Field Trip to DC by train

by Rebecca Absher

Mar 19, 2010

I am planning a field trip for our high school students (all 25 of them) and need help planning for meals while we are on the national mall. Does anyone know the area and can tell me if there any fast food places near that we can walk/take metro to that we can buy lunch at so we won't have to pay outrageous prices at the museums? Thanks,

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Mar 20, 2010

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Mom to Three I would suggest you look up Post Office Square (the old Post Office Building) which has been redone as there is a large food court and restroom facilities right there. We have gone there over the years at times walking down from some of the Smithsonian Buildings on the Mall so it is not far. Also, it is located close to metros,which you could find ...See MoreI would suggest you look up Post Office Square (the old Post Office Building) which has been redone as there is a large food court and restroom facilities right there. We have gone there over the years at times walking down from some of the Smithsonian Buildings on the Mall so it is not far. Also, it is located close to metros,which you could find by looking at a metro map on line. This way you would have a plan in place if raining or freezing out and you could also be sure there would be something for everyone to eat without them scattering about. And restroom stop could be done there.

Also, if you will be coming into DC via a train or metro, there is a huge food court on the lower level of Union Station. The metro is also right inside at this site and might be worth taking if you plan on going up to the area of the White House for example and then walk across the eclipse and start working your way down the Mall area to see some of the Smithsonian museums.

If you plan to go see the Capital and tour the new visitors center, do get in touch with your local representative to get admission tickets/information ahead of time. Everyone stands in the same long line outside, but once inside it can save you a bit of time. Also, if your seniors want to at least see the inside of the house chamber, you need to request that from your Congressman's office as this would be done at the end of the group tour.

If the students have never been to DC and are unlikely to ever go again and you are going for just a day, I would recommend pricing the trolley that goes around from site to site because Washington DC is such a visually impressive City. To at least go by with a short stop at say the White House, Arlington Cemetary - where you can look down on the entire city and see the Capital and view JFK's grave with the eternal flame and all of the fallen soldiers, to see/get on and off for at least a time at Lincoln, Jefferson and/or Washington Monument and then to see the Capital area is just so very, very impressive for a day trip rather than just getting lost in one museum. But again, you would need to consider the price.

Mar 20, 2010

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Rebecca Absher thank you for the information! I found information on the union station since we are planning on arriving there by the amtrak, and appreciate you recommending it. That eases my mind since we will be arriving at lunch time! Also, thank you for the information about the old post office. I didn't know they had a food court. Our budget is very small an...See More

Mar 22, 2010

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Mom to Three I would say you need to prioritize and time out your day because:

1- Capitol Visitors Center - Even with the ticket from the Congressman, you will have to wait in the line outside along with everyone else which can be long if you are coming during spring break. I imagine you do have a time to do this right after lunch so go to the capital ...See More