Reccommendations from Sunil

A trip to Washington without some history is not complete-- so head out to the Cedar Hill Home of famous abolitionist & author Frederick Douglas...

It is accessible by Metro (Anacostia station) and either walk or take a bus 3/4 of a mile to the park.

The Washington Masonic Memorial sits high above King Street in Alexandria and is open to the public during the day. Provides a sweeping view of Alexandria, if you can climb all the steps up.

The Potomac Riverboat Company offers several different river cruise options, if you want to see Washington from a different view.

And finally, George Washington's Mt. Vernon Estate and Gardens are just 8 miles south of Alexandria by car. It is a popular attraction; if you want to visit, book your tickets ahead of time.

Information

Options for registry in case you are inclined....

** Doctors Without Borders (Medecin Sans Fronteiers) - an international medical humanitarian organisation working all over the globe. You can make a tax free donation online, do put in our names/address so that we get notified. It also has options for sending an e-card or letter by mail for the tribute gift.

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/tributes/

** Oxfam America - an international relief and development organisation. You can make a tax free donation online via the following links.

oxfam donations page - http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/donate/pages/otherwaystogive

1) oxfam - online donation as gift link

https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1520&1520.donation=form1

2) oxfam unwrapped site

how unwrapped works - http://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/How-it-works.html

http://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/home.php

** Macy's - http://www1.macys.com/registry/wedding/guest/?registryId=555483

** Crate & Barrel - http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Gift-Registry/Guest/View-Registry.aspx?grid=4768997

Hiking Trails

As much as we enjoy living near the city and all it has to offer, sometimes its nice to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. Here are a few of our favorite walking and hiking trails:
Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Island National Park - Small island on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, across from the Kennedy Center. Small island with large memorial and statue of Theodore Roosevelt with running trails around the island. Accessible by the Mt. Vernon biking trail, and by car off the GW Parkway.
Billy Goat Nature Trails - 3 separate trails along the C&O Canal in Maryland. Accessible by car, and can park at the Carderock National Park for the B&C sections; Angler's Inn for the Section A.
Tidal Basin to Reflecting Pool: Walk along the Tidal Basin from Thomas Jefferson Memorial, over to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and if you're up for it, cross over to the Lincoln Memorial. Its a long walk, but its an easy way to see the monuments up close. Just a note that the Reflecting Pool at the bottom of the Lincoln is under construction and is not filled.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial will open to the public on August 22, it stands on the opposite end of the Basin from TJ. (Metro: Smithsonian or circulator bus)
Edited to Add: on Aug 5 it was announced that President Obama will be speaking at the official unveiling on August 28th  (Link goes to WaPo article) and the statue will be covered from Aug 26 until the event on Sunday. Looks like that event will be a big party.
Sky Meadows State Park - approximately an hour west of Washington, this park has several hiking trails that once past the steep climb, provide views of the surrounding countryside.
Sugarloaf Mountain - an hour north of Washington in Maryland's countryside. Great 3 and 5 mile hikes at any time of year.

Favorite Eats

The Washington, DC area provides a wide range of food from all over the world. Here are some of our favorites:
Etete: Small Ethiopian restaurant over by U street. Consistently tasty and flavorful food, meat and veg, served on large plate covered with flat spongy sour bread., which you eat with your hands. We usually get the combination of vegetarian items but have also enjoyed their chicken stew. (Metro: U Street/ Cardozo)
Amsterdam Falafel:  Build your own falafel and paper cones filled with fries. Served piping hot straight from Amsterdam. (Metro: U Street or walk up from Dupont)
Pizzeria Paradiso: Wood fired pizzerias with huge beer selection. 3 locations: Old Town Alexandria (King Street), Georgetown (Walk from Foggy Bottom, or take circulator) and Dupont (Dupont station)
Rasika: Upscale new-Indian restaurant. Popular for their palak chaat appetizer and curries (Metro: Archives or Chinatown Stops)
Oyamel: Mexican small plates restaurant - perfect for groups to order a few dishes and share. Similar concept as sister  Spanish restaurant Jaleo, just up the street. (Metro: Archives or Chinatown)
Teaism: Delicious mugs of chai tea, perfect for a mid-afternoon rest with naan and chutney or salty oat cookie. 3 locations: Penn Quarter (Metro Center or Chinatown) Dupont (Dupont station) and Lafayette Square (Farragut West or Farragut North)
Busboys and Poets: Restaurant, and bar and shop; great gathering place, vegan and vegetarian items. 3 locations: Original location on 14th street (U Street) 5th and Massachusetts Ave, NW (Chinatown) and Shirlington (Arlington VA) 
Cafe 8: Restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes over on Barracks row.  (Metro: Eastern Market)

Outside of Washington DC, accessible by car:
Pizzeria Orso in Falls Church, Dama Ethiopian next to Air Force memorial, Minerva Indian Restaurants in Fairfax, Herndon and Chantilly, Meat in a Box in Falls Church

Yes, this is a long list, but hopefully there is something for everyone here.

Local Airports

Flying into Washington, DC? 
The closest airport is Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), just 3 metro stops from Alexandria on the blue and yellow lines. The next closest would be Dulles International Airport (IAD), but it is approximately 25 miles from Alexandria and not accessible by Metro. Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is located north of Washington, approximately 43 miles to Alexandria.

Transportation

The Washington area offers several ways to view the sights, here are a few reccommendations (but you don't have to take my word for it) 

WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) http://wmata.com/
Metro serves DC, Maryland and Virginia
(Fare prices vary depending on time of day: peak rush hour vs non rush hour)
-- Airport to Alexandria: Take Blue or Yellow line from National Airport to King Street Stop
-- Both Blue and Yellow lines will take you into Washington, DC

Alexandria Trolley http://alexandriava.gov/Trolley
Free trolley drops near Hilton Hotel, travels all the way down to the waterfront stopping along King Street

DC Circulator: Red buses travel around DC on various routes [map]
Easy way to get around DC without transfering metro lines

Capital Bikeshare how it works
Rent a bike for the day or several from bike stands next to metro stations
(not yet in Alexandria, but all over Arlington and Washington)

Favorite arts activities

Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (free)
contemporary art and sculpture in doughnut shaped building along the Mall
- Metro station: L'Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian

National Gallery (free)
large collection of artwork by Picasso, Matisse, Degas, Monet, rotating collections of donated works filling up two buildings along the Mall
- Metro Stations: Archives or Smithsonian

Library of Congress (free)
rotating exhibits throughout older building, exquisite mosaic work on ceilings and walls of entire building; tours given of Thomas Jefferson building
- Metro Station: Capitol South or Union Station


Eastern Market Craft and Flea Market on Saturdays and Sundays 10am - 4pm
Large Neighborhood market that has everything and anything from fruits and veg to linens, original artwork and household items; Numerous restaurants along market, and also across street along 8th Street, SE 'Barracks Row'
- Metro Stop: Eastern Market

Torpedo Factory Arts Center: 
In Alexandria, former torpedo making facotry, now artists collective and galleries within entire space. Open to the public.
- Metro Stop: King Street