OT: DC activity choice

[wbcbus]

Our firm’s retreat is coming up in DC and we have to pick a leisure day activity/tour. I know there’s a lot of guys in here from the area, so which of the following I’ve narrowed it down to for a first time visitor would you recommend (or specifically say not to choose):

1. Smithsonian air and space and American history tours
2. Mount Vernon tour and lunch at Inn
3. Potomac River cruise
4. Spy museum
5. Holocaust museum

 

[LionJim]

Our firm’s retreat is coming up in DC and we have to pick a leisure day activity/tour. I know there’s a lot of guys in here from the area, so which of the following I’ve narrowed it down to for a first time visitor would you recommend (or specifically say not to choose):

1. Smithsonian air and space and American history tours
2. Mount Vernon tour and lunch at Inn
3. Potomac River cruise
4. Spy museum
5. Holocaust museum

I would suspect that the Holocaust Museum would be too emotionally taxing for a company retreat.

Maybe:

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The Udvar-Hazy Center displays thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Concorde, in two large hangars.

airandspace.si.edu

 

[OaktonDave]

Our firm’s retreat is coming up in DC and we have to pick a leisure day activity/tour. I know there’s a lot of guys in here from the area, so which of the following I’ve narrowed it down to for a first time visitor would you recommend (or specifically say not to choose):

1. Smithsonian air and space and American history tours
2. Mount Vernon tour and lunch at Inn
3. Potomac River cruise
4. Spy museum
5. Holocaust museum

Here's my take:

1. Smithsonian air and space and American history tours - can't go wrong here, although the best air and space display is at the location near Dulles Airport in Virginia.
2. Mount Vernon tour and lunch at Inn - This is a "meh" for me, even as a history buff. It's interesting and nice, but it's limited.
3. Potomac River cruise - depends on the cruise and what you're looking for. The views are spectacular, but cruise vibe can range from nice restaurant to floating party bus.
4. Spy museum - excellent experience that strikes a nice balance between informative and fun.
5. Holocaust museum - the only negative is the subject matter. It's outstanding, and moving, but it's emotionally draining.

 

[nittanymoops]

I will say the smithsonians are excellent, and air and Space is great, but also echo the others about the annex near Dulles.

Not on your list but I think it’s a great spot downtown is Ford’s Theatre.

 

[psuro]

Holocaust Museum might be a bit too emotional. Strike that.

Spy Museum probably would only appeal to a few people. No on this.

I think that leaves you with only 3 choices - and of those - I think the cruise is the most "leisurely"

Have fun.

 

[bbrown]

Our firm’s retreat is coming up in DC and we have to pick a leisure day activity/tour. I know there’s a lot of guys in here from the area, so which of the following I’ve narrowed it down to for a first time visitor would you recommend (or specifically say not to choose):

1. Smithsonian air and space and American history tours
2. Mount Vernon tour and lunch at Inn
3. Potomac River cruise
4. Spy museum
5. Holocaust museum

Any of the Smithsonian Museum's are good.
Mt Vernon is a nice tour
Spy Museum is kind of fun
Holocaust Museum whoo boy, its an eye opener but I wouldn't call if fun. Not sure its a "firm type activity".

Another from me would be the American Indian Museum.

 

[wbcbus]

Thanks for the quick replies all. I should’ve been clearer that these are the options the firm has already selected for us to choose from, so different groups will be attending different activities, and I’m trying to choose which I’ll do. I agree with most that the holocaust would be a rough day for this.

One other request: staying at the Marriott marquis on Massachusette and will need a good watering hole nearby after the leisure day.

 

[LionJim]

Thanks for the quick replies all. I should’ve been clearer that these are the options the firm has already selected for us to choose from, so different groups will be attending different activities, and I’m trying to choose which I’ll do. I agree with most that the holocaust would be a rough day for this.

One other request: staying at the Marriott marquis on Massachusette and will need a good watering hole nearby after the leisure day.

In that case, I’d go American History. Everyone should visit the Holocaust Museum at least once, though, but ideally not as part of a work outing.

 

[s1uggo72]

For work related tour I would think the Smithsonian would be the ‘safest’.

 

[Woodpecker]

3. Potomac River cruise - depends on the cruise and what you're looking for. The views are spectacular, but cruise vibe can range from nice restaurant to floating party bus.

 

[Midnighter]

Echo what others have said but will add the downtown Air & Space Museum has just reopened in Oct. 2022 after undergoing a sizable renovation (not complete until 2025) and has eight new galleries. I haven’t been since before renovations but this would be my pick.

National Air and Space Museum Reopens With Eight New Galleries Oct. 14 | Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum reopens Friday, Oct. 14, with eight new and renovated galleries in the west wing of its building in Washington, D.C. The planetarium and museum store will also reopen, along with the new Mars Café. The east wing of the museum will remain closed...

www.si.edu

 

[Midnighter]

Also appears to be no shortage of watering holes near your hotel but I typically don't venture to that area much.

 

[ElJefe603]

Thanks for the quick replies all. I should’ve been clearer that these are the options the firm has already selected for us to choose from, so different groups will be attending different activities, and I’m trying to choose which I’ll do. I agree with most that the holocaust would be a rough day for this.

If you haven't been to the Holocaust museum, I would recommend doing that. I know it's not really "leisure day" material but it's really well done and certainly worth the visit if you're up to it.

 

[psuro]

Hookers and cocaine!

 

[s1uggo72]

Hookers and cocaine!

Gram for gram I always thought Marion Berry was DC best mayor