WVGS WASHINGTON, DC RESEARCH TRIP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 

1. What airline will we be using?

We will be flying with USAir or Southwest Airlines (nonstop to/from Baltimore Washington International airport (35 miles from our hotel).

2. Can I make my own air travel arrangements?

If you would like to fly first class or at a different time or on a different airline, you are welcome to do so. The price of the tour will be adjusted accordingly.

3. How do I get from home to Sky Harbor?

You are responsible for making arrangements to travel to and from Sky Harbor International airport. Once the group arrives in Baltimore, ground transportation to and from the hotel is provided by Super Shuttle (at no additional cost).

4. How do we get around in DC?

Most members of the group will travel by subway (Metro). Budget $20 for Metro tickets. A few people may prefer to travel by taxi, which is inexpensive if several people share the cost.

5. How should I dress?

Fall in Washington, DC is like Winter in Arizona. In past years, temperatures have ranged from just below freezing at night to a balmy 60 degrees during the day. Casual dress is the norm. Buildings are well heated, so wearing several lightweight layers is the best way to deal with varying temperatures. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as there is a good deal of walking on old (sometimes broken) sidewalks and wet marble stairs. Pack long johns, ear muffs, a warm hat, a scarf, and gloves. If you need to buy anything in DC, Macy’s and other “chain” stores are open until 11 p.m. or midnight.

6. The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant. Where do we eat?

The hotel provides an extended continental breakfast every morning (hot beverages/juice/fruit/cold cereal/assorted pastries/bagels/muffins/sweet breads/boiled eggs/yogurt.) There are numerous casual restaurants (and finer dining establishments) near the hotel. Past groups have dined at these restaurants (prices are about the same as at home):

Bullfeathers, 410 1st St., SE # 1, (202) 488-7160 (casual pub/restaurant)
Hunan Dynasty. 215 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, (202) 546-6161 (Chinese, delivers to hotel)
Tortilla Coast, 400 1st Street, SE, (202) 546-6768 (Tex-Mex)
Subway, 406 1st St., SE, 202-547-7827
Cosi Cafe, 301 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, (202) 546-3345 (coffee, salads, sandwiches, pizza)
Hawk ‘n Dove, 3 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, (202) 543-3300 (pub food)
Le Bon Cafe, 210 2nd St., SE, (202) 547-7200 (breakfast/lunch only)
The Tune Inn, 331-1/2 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, (hole-in-the-wall bar/restaurant popular w/young congressional staffers)
Thai Roma. 313 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, (202) 544-2338 (Thai food, free delivery)

7. Is there a grocery/liquor store near the hotel?

Roland's Grocery, 333 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, (202) 546-9592, small city market, sandwiches made to order at the deli counter
Gandel's Liquors, 211 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, (202) 543-1000, luxury liquor store and deli (soups/sandwiches made until 7 p.m. M-F, 5 p.m. on Sat.)
Congressional Liquors, 404 1st St. Washington DC, (202) 547-1600

8. Should I bring my laptop computer?

You are going to DC to access unique resources, not to surf the net or input data (things you can do at home). The National Archives, Library of Congress, and DAR Library have computers that you can use. When working with ORIGINAL records at the National Archives, all personal belongings must be stored in a locker.

9. Is there a bank near our hotel?

Credit cards can be used almost everywhere, so don’t bring wads of cash. There is a Bank of America branch 1/2 block from our hotel on the corner of 2nd St. and Pennsylvania Ave. The ATM is on busy Pennsylvania Ave. where there is a steady stream of congressional staff and government workers. Policemen are frequently on duty at this busy intersection.

10. Can I bring a nonresearching spouse, relative, or friend along?

Recreational travelers are very welcome. They may participate in group activities or do their own thing.

11. What research document(s) should I bring with me?

If you only bring one thing, it should be your PEDIGREE CHART (the chart that begins with you and goes back generation by generation).
Librarians and archivists will be able to instantly “see” your problem areas and can direct you to the materials most valuable to you. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

SCAM ALERT

The only scam you'll encounter in D.C. is an elaborate story from a panhandler. To evoke sympathy, a well-dressed panhandler may pretend to have lost his wallet and need money to get home or a woman may say she needs cab fare to take a sick child to the hospital. A simple "I'm sorry" is usually enough to send them on their way. (Info from Fodor’s, but I fell for this scam late one night, right outside another DC hotel.)