On Sunday I am off to Virginia for two weeks of training with the FBI and will be looking for things to do, folks to meet while there.

Anyone got a trophy room, places or things of Africana worth touring? I'll try and get up to the Smithsonian. Gun shops worth seeing? Good restaurants?

The National Firearms Muesum at NRA headquarters in Fairfax (about 12 to 15 miles from Quantico). Come north on 95 to the 495 beltway (west) the west on 66. You will see it on the left. You may want to stop in at Gilberts Small Arms Range in Lorton (a couple of miles up the road from Quantico) just off of 95. There is another gun store in Woodbridge that is even closer to Quantico.

MikeB

If you're interested in the Civil War you could take a trip down to Fredericksburg. Or there's Mount Vernon and Alexandria for those interested in Revolutionary War history. I lived in Dumfries back in the 80's and there wasn't a whole lot going on right in Dumfries itself, but it was changing fast.

Gettysburg is a couple hours, depending on traffic -- and an incredible place if you haven't been there before.

Ann,

Please check your PMs.

Regards, Tim

Anne:

I live about 12 miles north of Quantico.

The other suggestions are great.

If you like a good, clog your arteries cheeseburger, you HAVE to visit Five Guys. There are a lot of places in the NoVA area. The closest to Quantico, I think, is on Rt. 1 in Woodbridge.

If you like Chili, give Hard Times Cafe a try.

If I didn't already have plans, I would offer to meet up with you. But of course life gets in the way.

Hit the Smithsonian natural history museum. Quite a few african critters in there.

Ann,
No trophy room yet but the Smithsonian Natural History Museum is worth seeing. If you don't want to drive to D.C. you can actually take the train from Quantico to a couple blocks from the Museum, free parking at the Quantico station. While you are here check out the Globe and Laurel Restaurant in Triangle just off base, your instructors will know right where it is. It has a ton of Marine Corps and law enforcement memorabilia and is a really neat place. They are working on widening Rt. 1 and my understanding is that they will have to tear down this restaurant when they get that far north so make it out there this trip. Another local attraction to the base is the Marine Corps Museum they just opened.

As for gunshops that is a great question, I moved in the area and took a job on Quantico in June but none of the local gunshops have much in the way of African rifles, I haven't gotten to the D.C. area ones yet, 577NitroExpress any recommendations to check?

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the helpful tips. I will make do, I won't have a car but hope there is public transportation if none of my classmates are keen on these sorts of sights.

I don't think there are places that specialize in "African" rifles, but for places with large selections of guns, there is Gander Moutain down near Fredericksburg and Clark Brothers near Warrenton.

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
I don't think there are places that specialize in "African" rifles, but for places with large selections of guns, there is Gander Moutain down near Fredericksburg and Clark Brothers near Warrenton.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
On Sunday I am off to Virginia for two weeks of training with the FBI and will be looking for things to do, folks to meet while there.

Anyone got a trophy room, places or things of Africana worth touring? I'll try and get up to the Smithsonian. Gun shops worth seeing? Good restaurants?

Well darn, I'm off to Nicaragua Saturday.
Richmond has a great gun shop 'Greentops'
There's lots of good food up there, especially if you can get into Washington, Georgetown in particular.
Jim

For some of the best Prime Rib, and a nice look thru the histoy on the walls, go to the

Globe and Anchor,, or Globe and Iron can't remember the name now, its just outside the main gate,,as you leave the base make the right at the light its on the left,,,,

Several pieces of Marine history there

quote:

Originally posted by Dave James:
For some of the best Prime Rib, and a nice look thru the histoy on the walls, go to the

Globe and Anchor,, or Globe and Iron can't remember the name now, its just outside the main gate,,as you leave the base make the right at the light its on the left,,,,

Several pieces of Marine history there

Yep that's the Globe and Laurel, great place!

Go to the Vienna Inn in Vienna, just ourside of DC, near Tysons Corner. ask for the chili-mac but dont ask for a menu...

quote:

Go to the Vienna Inn in Vienna, just ourside of DC, near Tysons Corner. ask for the chili-mac but dont ask for a menu...

Having "dined" there many times, that places is a local institution!

If you do go up DC way you may wish to stop by The Gentelman Hunter in Bethesda.
http://pages.montgomerycountymd.com/sports/hunter.htm

I do believe the GEntleman HUnter is gone now. Art had a hell of a time staying open from what I understand but he did have some nice guns in the walk-in vault spent many days there long ago.

_Baxter