Trip to Washington

Washington is a city we had never visited. It was part of the "one day, we'll go there" category. It was almost as if it was too accessible to really decide to make the detour. However, it's not right next door to our home.

Finally, we opted for a mini road trip and spent 2 full days visiting this emblematic capital.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Quebec - Albany

Day 2 : Albany - Washington

Day 3 : Washington

Day 4 : Washington

Day 5 : Washington - Fairfield

Day 6 : Fairfield - Quebec

Our favorite

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

In Washington, there are a variety of museums and monuments to visit. The museum that touched us the most is the one dedicated to the Holocaust. Sensitive souls abstain! We came out of there shaken. But it is a period of human history that must not be forgotten, however difficult it may be. This museum allows this work of memory so that "Never again" this will happen again.

Our travels

By car

To make the round trip from Quebec to Washington, we took our car. In total, it's still more than 2400km of road.

By bus

To get from our hotel to downtown Washington, we used the free shuttle provided by the hotel.

Then, we tested for the first time the "up on up off buses". It is a double-decker bus system that allows you to move around the city by getting on and off as you please along the circuit. There are several stops located near the sites to visit and the buses run at an average frequency of 15 minutes. This leaves a nice freedom of movement without too much waiting. We really liked the experience.

Accomodation

Albany : Albany Airport Inn

Washington: Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC NoMa Union Station

Fairfield  : The Inn at Fairfield Beach

Day 1

Quebec - Albany

We chose not to go directly from Quebec to Washington and we stopped in Albany for the night. Albany has been the capital of New York State since 1797 and has a population of about 100,000.

We had no expectations and were pleasantly surprised. We took a quick tour of the downtown area. There were dog statues everywhere. These three-foot-tall statues, decorated by local artists, are part of the annual public art program.

Day 2

Albany - Washington

Departure from Albany towards Washington where we arrive at the end of the afternoon.

In the area of ​​our hotel, it is not easy to find a restaurant.

Finally, we stumbled upon an excellent, very friendly little Indian restaurant, the  Butter Chicken Company 3, a 30-minute walk away. After almost 7 hours of driving, a little walk was welcome.

Day 3

Washington

Washington is a city rich in historical monuments and museums, the majority of which, interestingly enough, are free! These are the 19 museums attached to the Smithsonian Institution. They cover everything from modern art to Native American cultures. It is impossible to visit them all in one day, or even in one week. For our first day in town, we chose to visit two: the National Air and Space Museum and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

All the tourist sites and museums are in the same area of ​​the city. You have to be prepared to walk a lot. A good pair of shoes is a must.

After a busy day, we finished with dinner in Chinatown in an Irish pub, the Irish Channel Restaurant&Pub. Find the error !

Day 4

Washington

Second day in Washington, we continue our visit of the must-sees: Washington Monument, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, White House, Zero milestone.

We add the Madame Tussauds wax museum to our stay, just to be able to meet idols (in wax instead of in flesh and blood).

Day 5

Washington-Fairfield

As a vacation without seeing the sea is not a vacation, we leave Washington to go to the beach in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Although the water temperature was not very high, we still had enough courage for a swim before sunset.

On the beach we came across strange animals, horseshoe crabs. It was the first time we saw them. They look like animals straight from the prehistoric era.

Day 6

Fairfield-Quebec

And that's the end of the road trip.

See you soon !