I am planning a trip to Washington DC in mid-November.
I have researched many to the amazing places to see in the metro DC area.
I have also heard that Great Falls National Park northwest of DC is a great area for photography. I will probably have about 3 days outside of time in the metro area. Can you suggest other areas for scenery or even some bird photography? I will most likely rent a vehicle for time outside of the metro area places of interest.
Thanks for you suggestions.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park also known as The National Zoo.
3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
---
Was just there 4 wks ago. Although didn't see birds a side trip to George Washington's Mt Vernon (half hour away) and a night Trolley tour of the DC Monuments (many stops) made for some great scenic shots.
You may consider a drive to Gettysburg. About 90 miles. Leaves will probably be gone by then. Heading there today.
Stay on top of rental cars. They are scarce sometimes in the DC area.
There is also the air and space museum just on the outskirts. Was there many years ago. I heard it underwent a billion dollar renovation.
coolhanduke wrote:
There is also the air and space museum just on the outskirts. Was there many years ago. I heard it underwent a billion dollar renovation.
It's the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly VA, good half hour away if traffic is light. It houses the B-29 Enola Gay, the SR71 that set the US speed record, the space shuttle Discovery, and much more but not very scenic.
Gettysburg in early November would be a great trip. Also in that direction / distance is the Antietam battlefield, smaller with less monuments, but just as historic.
Arrived Gettysburg today but it was dark so can’t tell how the colors are.
American Veterans Disabled for life is the only monument in DC dedicated to living Veterans. Visiting at night was very emotional. Definately worth the visit.
***
Through juxtaposition of granite and glass, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial conveys a combination of strength and vulnerability, of loss and renewal. Dedicated on October 5, 2014, the Memorial shines a light on the important lessons of courage, sacrifice, tenacity, loyalty and honor by bearing witness to the experiences of war heroes who were disabled as a result of military service. It is the first national memorial dedicated solely to disabled veterans, paying tribute to the hidden and visible disabilities from all conflicts and all branches of service.***
ronichas wrote:
American Veterans Disabled for life is the only monument in DC dedicated to living Veterans. Visiting at night was very emotional. Definately worth the visit.
***
Through juxtaposition of granite and glass, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial conveys a combination of strength and vulnerability, of loss and renewal. Dedicated on October 5, 2014, the Memorial shines a light on the important lessons of courage, sacrifice, tenacity, loyalty and honor by bearing witness to the experiences of war heroes who were disabled as a result of military service. It is the first national memorial dedicated solely to disabled veterans, paying tribute to the hidden and visible disabilities from all conflicts and all branches of service.***
American Veterans Disabled for life is the only mo... (
show quote)
I had never heard of that memorial. I just looked at the site and will be visiting DC again. I'm just not sure how I will react walking through there. "The Wall" was pretty gut wrenching the first time I walked along it looking for names.
---
Bill_de wrote:
I had never heard of that memorial. I just looked at the site and will be visiting DC again. I'm just not sure how I will react walking through there. "The Wall" was pretty gut wrenching the first time I walked along it looking for names.
---
I completely understand. My daughter went to GW, going to *The wall* was very emotional. My ex husband was in Viet Nam, came home changed forever. He is married to his 4th wife and she is helping him with PTSD. He was my jr/senior high school sweetheart. We lost a good friend in Nam.
Bill, I assume you served, thank you for your service.
Jerry Coupe wrote:
I am planning a trip to Washington DC in mid-November.
I have researched many to the amazing places to see in the metro DC area.
I have also heard that Great Falls National Park northwest of DC is a great area for photography. I will probably have about 3 days outside of time in the metro area. Can you suggest other areas for scenery or even some bird photography? I will most likely rent a vehicle for time outside of the metro area places of interest.
Thanks for you suggestions.
I am planning a trip to Washington DC in mid-Novem... (
show quote)
Most residents opine that the Virginia side of Great Falls is more scenic, but MD is also nice. The C&O Canal is pretty as well, all along its several mile path parallel to the Potomac. Fletcher's Boat House sits between the canal and the Potomac, and can afford some nice scenes. Brookside Gardens in Wheaton/Silver Spring is gorgeous. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in DC is also beautiful. The architectural lines of the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art are fun to capture, as is the art itself. A lot depends on what you like to shoot.
coolhanduke wrote:
Arrived Gettysburg today but it was dark so can’t tell how the colors are.
Photographing DC at night with all the key Gov't buildings illuminated could be very unique. Among the outside DC options I would consider Annapolis as a more unique photo experience, about an hour. The falls at Great Falls Park in VA would be the 1st thing I did outside DC, about 30-40 minutes North.
ronichas wrote:
American Veterans Disabled for life is the only monument in DC dedicated to living Veterans. Visiting at night was very emotional. Definately worth the visit.
***
Through juxtaposition of granite and glass, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial conveys a combination of strength and vulnerability, of loss and renewal. Dedicated on October 5, 2014, the Memorial shines a light on the important lessons of courage, sacrifice, tenacity, loyalty and honor by bearing witness to the experiences of war heroes who were disabled as a result of military service. It is the first national memorial dedicated solely to disabled veterans, paying tribute to the hidden and visible disabilities from all conflicts and all branches of service.***
American Veterans Disabled for life is the only mo... (
show quote)
. . . ." paying tribute to the hidden and visible disabilities" . . .
Thank you for posting.
Your pics choked me up . . . .
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.