SIGHTSEEING: DO IT…. don’t put it off to the end, you will
get busy as the end approaches and many don’t get to do the things they wanted.
Tour Events: try to take advantage of any arranged tours. A lot will be thru classmates with connections and several by the NA . Signup sheets and/or email will be the way you find out, also the NA class bulletin board outside the classrooms. Here is the list of just some of them:
White House: You can contact your local representative’s office from back home at least several months out of your proposed tour date. They have slots for constituents but they go fast. If you don't get the tour then at least take a picture from this spot. It is about the best one.
They did one for us but no photographs were allowed. They train with the helicopters right across the street from the NA. It is great to see them flying over and practicing assaults. They are clearly the best professional LE force in our Nation at this.
New York & Philly Tours: NYPD and Philly PD conducts an excellent tour of the Big Apple and Philly. During the first week or two, there will be a meeting to get the details. Participation is typically limited to only two (2) buses (about 110 students.) They usually conduct a lottery for the slots. Line up early they go fast. Philly usually sells out slower but is a great trip too and more affordable.
Gettysburg: Worth the drive on a weekend. I did not get there but several classmates did and said it was worth the drive. I did Mt. Vernon, see below.
Below: Mount Vernon The home of George Washington. Worth the 30 minute drive on a weekend.
Smithsonian Museums: All the Smithsonian Museums are free, you just need parking. I recommend you go on the website and choose at least one or two while you are here.
Above: Air and Space at Dulles Airport is one of the best. They have the Space Shuttle and , Concord there. IMAX is good there too.
National Zoo is also on this list of free Smithsonian’s. You can take the METRO in or arrive early and park on the street for free. This is great if your kids visit.
Below: Newseum: This trip is set up by the Media Class. Anyone can go and it is mandatory for any Media or Public Speaking Students. It is a good tour, they bus you into DC and you see a lot of media artifacts there.
Holocaust Museum: This is another mandatory tour where you are bused in. It is in DC and you will learn the story of the Holocaust. It is very moving.
The following is a quote that is at the museum. Please think about it.
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out- because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out- because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out- because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me- and there was no one left to speak for me.” – by Matin Niemoller
Click here to find out more information on the museum
National Mall: You can take the METRO in again or arrive early and park. You can spend a whole day walking and seeing sights like the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, WW2 Memorial, etc. They are all in the same area.
This picture above is from Trip Advisor. They have some great information on specific sites at the Mall. I recommend using an App like theirs or similar to use your time the best.
Sports
Events: Some classmates will set up trips to Professional
Sports events. There was a NASCAR trip, a Baseball Trip, and numerous Golf outings while I was at the NA.
Below: We ran in the Arlington 911 5K in the early evening. What an experience running around the Pentagon, then a giant LEO party at the Host Hotel, The Double Tree overlooking DC. We even got 3rd place for the teams!
Pub Crawl: Some classmates will set up a trolley to come to the NA and pick up students for the pub crawls in Fredericksburg, a great way to go and not drink and drive!
Explore the City (DC): One good way to enjoy a day is to drive to Franconia-Springfield Metro Station, (it’s about 10 miles) park and take the Metro into town. You can purchase an all-day, unlimited ride metro pass. Once downtown, the Tourmobile (about $30 for all day tour of everything you would want to see) it will take you to all the major downtown attractions. It’s a good choice to help you get your bearings on your first trip.
Below: Marine Corps Museum: Located right off the base and free, a good 2 hour tour.
Marine One is on the base. If there is a Marine in your class they may be able to get you into see it. Col. Pete was in our class so we got in. Pete was a real Marine's Marine. A great guy to hang out with and hear Marine stories. He did not care for my Prius so when I found one on the base at the PX I had to make sure I sent him a picture... after the tour of course.
Silent Auction: Every class run one and donates the proceeds to the National Police Officers Memorial and Concerns of Police Survivors. Try to find some items to donate. Some suggestions would be autographed sports memorabilia, collectable police items, jewelry, artwork, knives, clothing, liquor, and vacation packages, items that are unique to your region, cigars, and other stuff that cops like.
Tour Events: try to take advantage of any arranged tours. A lot will be thru classmates with connections and several by the NA . Signup sheets and/or email will be the way you find out, also the NA class bulletin board outside the classrooms. Here is the list of just some of them:
White House: You can contact your local representative’s office from back home at least several months out of your proposed tour date. They have slots for constituents but they go fast. If you don't get the tour then at least take a picture from this spot. It is about the best one.
New York & Philly Tours: NYPD and Philly PD conducts an excellent tour of the Big Apple and Philly. During the first week or two, there will be a meeting to get the details. Participation is typically limited to only two (2) buses (about 110 students.) They usually conduct a lottery for the slots. Line up early they go fast. Philly usually sells out slower but is a great trip too and more affordable.
Gettysburg: Worth the drive on a weekend. I did not get there but several classmates did and said it was worth the drive. I did Mt. Vernon, see below.
Below: Mount Vernon The home of George Washington. Worth the 30 minute drive on a weekend.
Smithsonian Museums: All the Smithsonian Museums are free, you just need parking. I recommend you go on the website and choose at least one or two while you are here.
Above: Air and Space at Dulles Airport is one of the best. They have the Space Shuttle and , Concord there. IMAX is good there too.
National Zoo is also on this list of free Smithsonian’s. You can take the METRO in or arrive early and park on the street for free. This is great if your kids visit.
Below: Newseum: This trip is set up by the Media Class. Anyone can go and it is mandatory for any Media or Public Speaking Students. It is a good tour, they bus you into DC and you see a lot of media artifacts there.
Holocaust Museum: This is another mandatory tour where you are bused in. It is in DC and you will learn the story of the Holocaust. It is very moving.
The following is a quote that is at the museum. Please think about it.
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out- because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out- because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out- because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me- and there was no one left to speak for me.” – by Matin Niemoller
According to the Holocaust Memorial Museum Matin was a German theologian and pastor who originally supported the Nazi’s in Germany and later was sent to prison for his opposition of the Nazi party.
Click here to find out more information on the museum
National Mall: You can take the METRO in again or arrive early and park. You can spend a whole day walking and seeing sights like the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, WW2 Memorial, etc. They are all in the same area.
Below: We ran in the Arlington 911 5K in the early evening. What an experience running around the Pentagon, then a giant LEO party at the Host Hotel, The Double Tree overlooking DC. We even got 3rd place for the teams!
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| My 5K Partners |
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| View of the 5K race start from the Double Tree Crystal City |
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| Night Time View... Wow! |
Pub Crawl: Some classmates will set up a trolley to come to the NA and pick up students for the pub crawls in Fredericksburg, a great way to go and not drink and drive!
Explore the City (DC): One good way to enjoy a day is to drive to Franconia-Springfield Metro Station, (it’s about 10 miles) park and take the Metro into town. You can purchase an all-day, unlimited ride metro pass. Once downtown, the Tourmobile (about $30 for all day tour of everything you would want to see) it will take you to all the major downtown attractions. It’s a good choice to help you get your bearings on your first trip.
Below: Marine Corps Museum: Located right off the base and free, a good 2 hour tour.
Marine One is on the base. If there is a Marine in your class they may be able to get you into see it. Col. Pete was in our class so we got in. Pete was a real Marine's Marine. A great guy to hang out with and hear Marine stories. He did not care for my Prius so when I found one on the base at the PX I had to make sure I sent him a picture... after the tour of course.
Silent Auction: Every class run one and donates the proceeds to the National Police Officers Memorial and Concerns of Police Survivors. Try to find some items to donate. Some suggestions would be autographed sports memorabilia, collectable police items, jewelry, artwork, knives, clothing, liquor, and vacation packages, items that are unique to your region, cigars, and other stuff that cops like.