Sure, the devil's in the details, but so is delight. Read this guide to confirm that you've thought of everything as you prepare for your trip, and to allow anticipation to take hold. As you find yourself thinking about attending an event that's on tap when you're in town, contemplating whether to take the Metro or taxi into the city from the airport, or imagining a stroll along the street you're looking at on the map, you might reach a natural conclusion: planning's just another way to whet your appetite to travel.
Destination Washington, D.C.: Predeparture Checklist
Have you booked theater and restaurant reservations? If you're hoping to dine at a hot new restaurant or return to an old favorite, or if you're keen on catching a performance scheduled during your stay, why not play it safe by calling in advance? Two weeks is realistic to reserve a table, and you can't book theater tickets too early.
Have you checked to make sure your favorite attraction is open? Some sites, such as the Pentagon, remain closed indefinitely to public tours for security reasons. Other attractions, such as the FBI Building, are closed for renovations. Call ahead for opening and closing hours, and again on the day of your visit to confirm that it's open.
Would you like to avoid the wait of a long line or the ultimate disappointment of missing a tour altogether? A number of sightseeing attractions permit you to reserve a tour slot in advance, including the Library of Congress, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the National Archives, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (Advance tickets are not necessary to tour an attraction; they just save you a long wait in a ticket line.)
Do you have your credit card PINs? If you have a five- or six-digit PIN, did you obtain a four-digit number from your bank? Most ATMs in the Washington, D.C., area accept four-digit PINs.
