Washington DC

[tigerest]

In 2 weeks I will be going to Washington DC for the first time for 3 days and 2 nights.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I have no clue what area we should stay in, ect.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks

[bethnjim]

I HIGHLY recommend the Fairmont hotel. My husband and I were just there for the cherry blossom festival and it was fabulous! The hotel was perfect and we loved the location. We took the metro everywhere we went except for the restaurants. We liked the fact that the fairmont had PLENTY of restaurants around it that was great. Try Lauriol Plaza if you like MEXICAN...I dream of that place!!

[mom_to_zoe]

Hi! I'm from DC and my folks still live there so I know the city pretty well. It's a great place and you'll have a wonderful trip.

It woudl help if you could give me some sense of who you are and what your interests are.

If i were me, I'd probably want to stay in a fun area like Dupont Circle or Woodley Park. There are lots of hotels and restaurants in those areas. The downtown area, by contrast, gets pretty deserted at night.

For sights, there are tons of obvious choices, the Capitol, the White House, all the monuments, the Mall, the Smithsonian, the National Zoo (and the pandas!), Arlington National Cemetary, etc. Personally, I've always loved the American History Museum, but others are more partial to Air & Space or Natural History. If you like art, there's the National Gallery, the Asian and African Art museums, the Hirshhorn, the Corcoran and the Phillips galleries. There are great tours of the FBI and the National Mint, unless things have changed since my day. If you are up for a day trip, Mount Vernon in Northen Virginia is really special.

There are tons of choices for meals. Are you looking to splurge or stay on a budget? Do you do ethnic cuisine? I think DC has the best Ethiopian food in the country.

For nightlife, I like walking around the Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle areas
Georgetown is popular for eating, nightlife and shopping. It is a pretty area, if a little touristy.

[lawyerlee]

We're taking a family trip there with my parents and brother in the spring, so hopefully I'll be able to use some of these recommendations, too. I can't wait! :)

[houseblend]

For the first time, I would recommend hitting some of the Smithsonians (Air & Space is especially cool), walking around the White House and the Mall and visiting the Capital and the Monuments. My favorite monuments are the Lincoln and FDR. These things are all best left for the daylight, though, as some of the monuments are not so safe at night.

Dupont Circle and Georgetown are fun places to hang out at night. I personally like the restaurants and shops around Georgetown better, but both are worth checking out.

One of my favorite restaurants there is Old Ebbitt Grill. It's become a big tourist spot, but still good food.

I personally wouldn't waste time at the Zoo. It is not real close and did not have the best upkeep last time I was there (they've been having a number of problems there, which I have issues with).

There's tons of other cool stuff to do, but on such a limited schedule, I would stick to these highlights.

[tigerest]

Wow! What a bunch of great suggestions! This will definitely help! Thanks for the heads up regarding the nightlife too. It looks like we will be meeting up with some friends in anapolis on Sat. But I am thinking about staying in Georgetown, a lot of people have suggested that. I will also look into the Fairmont. What do you guys mean about the Mall? Is there a special mall or something?

Thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions so far!

[houseblend]

Georgetown will be a fun place to stay! The mall is not actually a mall (confusing, I know!). It's actually a lawn area between the Capital and the Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Monument is in between. You've probably seen it in a lot of pictures and movies - the shallow pool near where a lot of people gather. The Smithsonians are all around there, too, so it's a great place to walk around and see a lot of the sites.

Have fun!

[polarama]

Right now, the Zoo is not the best place to visit, especially if you want to see pandas b/c the mom and baby panda are in seclusion. Overall, there is a lot of construction going on at the zoo too.

One thing I love to tell out-of-towners to check out is to go up to the Hotel Washington and have drinks on the roof. It's a great view.

I must second the Lincoln Memorial--it's one of my favorites. Of all the museums, my favorite is the National Gallery, especially for its outdoor sculpture garden. National Cathedral is really pretty too.

If you stay in Georgetown, you won't be as acessible to Metro as other parts of the city, but since the weather has been pretty nice, it would be a great walk downtown, especially if you cut over to the waterfront and walk down that way.

In terms of food, it depends on what you like. DC has some great ethnic restaurants and chef-owned places. 2 Amy's is famous for their yummy pizzas, and Breadline is a great place for lunch. I also love Jaleo (tapas), Cafe Atlantico (Cuban food), and Zaytinya (Middle Eastern) (and all three are actually owned by the same guy).

[vjel]

I agree that Georgetown, Adams Morgan and Dupont are good for nightlife. Georgetown would be great for shopping as well. If you have time, I would check out the Spy Museum as well. It's near Chinatown and is metro accessible.

[HeatherFL]

Another for Georgetown. There is a small Italian restaurant there that I just love. I can never remember the name of it, though!

The Spy Museum is VERY cool!

Sometimes when we go we ask the cab driver to work out a deal with us. We give him a certain amount of money, he takes us to all the monuments and then we walk around awhile. He takes other people somewhere nearby then comes back to get us and we're on to the next stop.

~H.

[tink78]

Hi! My BF and I just went to DC in May for the first time and we loved it! We were there for 4 days 3 nights and stayed at the JW Marriott Hotel on Penn Ave......3 blocks from the White House. It was such an amazing trip we crammed as much in as possible. The Lincoln Memorial was one of my very favorites and the National Archives is where the Constitution and Declaration of Indepedence are held. We made a trip to the Hard Rock, the Vietnam Memorial, Capitol, White House. Arlington is amazing, the changing of the guards and JFK. We walked everywhere since our hotel was right downtown. We saw so much in the little time we were there but there was still so much more to see. We can't wait to go back. If you want to tour the White House you have to set that up with your congressman. I love it there you are going to have so much fun!

[PG-rated]

I wouldn't stay in Georgetown, unless you really like walking. Personally, I think Georgetown is overrated, but it is a beautiful area, and a lot of visitors enjoy seeing it. I would suggest staying in Dupont Circle - it has a great concentration of restaurants, plus you're right by the Metro and not far from Adams Morgan, which I think has a better nightlife than Georgetown. I usually recommend the Jurys Washington Hotel - it's right on the Circle and has a very friendly staff, and good rates.

As for the sights/monuments, I recommend Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington, WWII, FDR (which is beautiful at night, and I always felt totally safe there), Vietnam, and Korea, all of which you can do in one big walking loop just off the Mall. The American History Museum is my favorite, but all of the Smithsonians are great. I haven't been to the Spy Museum yet, but it's supposed to be excellent. Be prepared to buy a ticket, though - it's a shock after seeing everything else for free! The Holocaust Museum is truly impressive, but obviously quite sobering to visit. And don't forget the new Museum of the American Indian. It's true that the Zoo is undergoing a lot of construction and you can't see the mother and baby panda, but if you're into zoos you can see the baby cheetahs and the young (he's not a baby anymore) elephant. You probably can't get into a White House tour at this late date, but if you're interested you should call ASAP.

Hope that helps!

[tigerest]

Thanks so much!!! Sooo much info!!!

What exactly is the spy museum? Sounds interesting?

We will rent a car, but are you suggesting walking is better? Just wondering.

Thanks again.

[mom_to_zoe]

I really think that to do the sights, walking or the Metro is better than driving. There is almost nowhere to park around the Mall and driving in downtown DC can get pretty tricky with all the one ways and the closed streets since 9/11.

[PeanutButter]

Chiming in a little late...

I've lived *in* Washington (not the 'burbs) for the last six years, and taken a lot of folks touring around!!

I disagree with the PP who said that the monuments are not safe at night. IMO they are fine at night, and a couple of them (Jefferson and Lincoln, in particular) are most beautiful then.

I think staying in Dupont is a great idea.

You really don't *need* a car to see most of the major sites. The Metro is clean (probably the cleanest in the country), safe, fairly extensive and easy to navigate. Plus parking around much of the city is either difficult to find or fairly expensive.

I recommend the American History or Air and Space Museums as my favorite Smithsonians.

The Spy Museum is relatively new, and it is pretty cool. It has information about the history of spies and spycraft in the US and overseas. I thought one of the neatest things is seeing all the spycraft - pen cameras, exploding deoderant - very James Bond. There are some REALLY yummy restaurants in that neighborhood, too, if you wanted to get lunch or dinner afterwards. In particular Jaleo (tapas), Zaytinya (mediterranean tapas), Austin Grill (cheap and casual Tex Mex), or Zola or Poste for more upscale options.

For something off the beaten path, I would recommend brunch at Eastern Market (any day but Sunday). Right near the Metro, its an open air food/craft/flea market. There is a place called Market Lunch inside the market where you wait in line for cheap and delicious crab cakes and eggs or blueberry pancakes. It would let you see something of the city that isn't TOTALLY touristy.

DC is a GREAT city, and the weather this time of year is wonderful.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions!

[PG-rated]

The thing about driving in DC is that street parking is extremely hard to come by, especially downtown and in Georgetown, and garage parking is expensive (although it's not nearly as bad as New York, if that's the price range you're used to). Everything downtown is easily Metro-accessible, making a car unnecessary. Georgetown doesn't have a Metro stop, so if you stay down there you could use a car, but neighborhood traffic is miserable, and don't expect to find street parking. If you're going out of town for a day or two, I would say just rent a car for the days you'll need it. Then again, I'm used to getting around without a car - if it makes you feel better to have one and you don't mind the expense, go for it.

The Spy Museum covers pretty much what you'd expect: Here (http://www.spymuseum.org/index.asp) is the website - check it out!

ETA: PeanutButter covered most of this info already! But I'll add in two good lunch places in Chinatown (near the Spy Museum) - Matchbox (pizza) and Five Guys (burgers).

[houseblend]

I agree you would be better off walking and taking the metro as you can spend an hour driving around looking for a parking spot in the DC area. However, you mentioned going to Annapolis for the day and I'm really not sure if the metro goes out there or not. Any DC/MD folks know?

As far as Georgetown not being near the metro, cabs are relatively cheap in the area. If your feet get tired of walking, you could always hail a cab to take you to your next destination. It might cost you $10-15 bucks, but that's what you would pay for a parking spot anyway. (BTW - make sure to pack comfy walking shoes!)

PeanutButter (cute name, BTW!) - I was one that posted about the monuments not being so safe at night. I say that because a few years back (in 2000), my mom and I were visiting the Jefferson at night and were parked behind the monument (the opposite side of where most people are walking around). There was a shady guy there that asked us for money and then followed right behind us for aways back to the car, leaving us feeling very uncomfortable. Hopefully not typical, but it is probably better to stay in the more populated areas of the monuments at night just to be on the safe side.

[Myra]

However, you mentioned going to Annapolis for the day and I'm really not sure if the metro goes out there or not. Any DC/MD folks know?



Metro does not go to Annapolis, and I don't know of any easy way to get there without a car.

As far as the monuments at night go, the actual monuments are fine, but the surrounding areas can be sketchy. As long as we're talking about 9-10 PM, not 1 AM, I would not worry. There should be lots of people around

[PG-rated]

PeanutButter (cute name, BTW!) - I was one that posted about the monuments not being so safe at night. I say that because a few years back (in 2000), my mom and I were visiting the Jefferson at night and were parked behind the monument (the opposite side of where most people are walking around). There was a shady guy there that asked us for money and then followed right behind us for aways back to the car, leaving us feeling very uncomfortable. Hopefully not typical, but it is probably better to stay in the more populated areas of the monuments at night just to be on the safe side.
The areas around the monuments are much more heavily patrolled since 9/11, so I don't think you'll have that problem. However, it's always a good idea to stay in populated areas at night in any city. But you'll find lots of people at the monuments after dark.

[maxandmolly]

What are they? I'm headed up there tomorrow for a wedding, and mom & I want to do some sight seeing while there. But I know there's sooooooo much, we'd never get to everything, so what are the absolute must-see sights?
I don't remember a whole from being there when I was 13.

[shouldaeloped]

you absolutely have to go see the new WW2 Memorial. it's right on the mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. I was just up there last weekend and it's fabulous.

other than that. . what do you like to do? museums? shop? monuments?

the National Holocaust Museum is utterly amazing. it takes about 3 hours to go through but is totally worth it. any part of the Smithsonian is worth it too- I like American History and Natural History but the others are great as well.

shopping- Georgetown. all of M street is worth checking out and spending a day perusing.

eating out- I would suggest the waterfront in georgetown. there are several restaurants there and they all sit on the banks of the Potomac River wtih outdoor bars. very nice and you can take you pick of what you want.

good luck and have fun! you really can't go wrong in DC.

[maggieb]

-Holocaust Museum
-Arlington Cemetary
-out of all the Smithsonian museums, my favorite is the Natural History one
-I've heard that the spy museum is fabulous, but I haven't been yet
-Mount Vernon

These are my favorite tourist attractions and I've done all of them several times! :D

[shaqangel]

all the sights are awesome but make it a point to go to the Holocaust Museum. its a very interesting and just a great eye-opener. i've been twice already and still havent seen everything. its a lot to absorb, but worth it.

[maxandmolly]

The wedding is actually going to be held at Ft. Myer. Which, if I understand correctly, is at Arlington Nat'l Cemetary.
The reception is at the spy museum. Who knew museums did wedding receptions?
WW2 mom will probably want to hit, since grandpa was there for D-Day. Holocaust museum will go on the list.
I could spend a week there and not see everything in the Smithsonian museums.....so I should make natural history a priority of those?
Keep 'em coming!

[charmcitygirl]

museums/memorials:
air & space museum is a must-see, as is the roosevelt memorial. i also like the korean war memorial.

shopping:
georgetown

[Jane&Andy]

The Natural History Museum and the American History Museums are my favorite. The gemstone exhibit at the Natural History Museum is incredible!

I haven't been to the Holocaust museum since I moved here but its on my list (was there years ago). The DC zoo is a lot of fun and free. Although the new baby Panda won't be available for viewing til November but there are some adorable cheetah cubs there.

I haven't been to the new Native American museum yet but its another one on my list.

[Sherb]

If you plan on going to the Holocaust Museum, tickets can be a problem. Go to their webpage (http://www.ushmm.org/visit/) for instructions on how to get a permanent exhibit pass. They're free but in high demand.

Another suggestion: Stroll the Mall and see all the sights: Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, WWII, Reflecting pool, Washington, and the Capitol. Another bonus is that most of the Smithsonian museums are right off the Mall.

[Sherb]

For an easy way to get around: Tourmobile (http://www.tourmobile.com/). I've riden it back in the day with my parents and it was a great way to get to all the "touristy" places without taking the Metro and hiking it. ALthough in recent non-touristy trips, I've taken the Metro and enjoyed that too.

[Jane&Andy]

Another suggestion: Stroll the Mall and see all the sights: Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, WWII, Reflecting pool, Washington, and the Capitol. Another bonus is that most of the Smithsonian museums are right off the Mall.

this is exactly what DH and I do when we go into DC. Which is why we never make it to the Holocaust museum - we don't plan ahead and get tickets.

And if you want to go to the top of the George Washington Memorial they sell out of tickets very early. I don't know if they're available online but the line at the memorial forms 30-60min before they start selling tickets. Its totally worth it though - the views of DC are awesome up there.

[maxandmolly]

Keep it coming! I am starting to get very excited about this trip!
(Lots of drama preceeded the actual yes, we ARE going announcement.....no, I can't do anything the easy way!)

[littlebear]

DC Area Local...here are some of my favorites.
Museums (in addition to what other's have mentioned): American History, National Art Gallery, Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden (I hate the Air and Space and the Natural History is just OK compared to some others that I've been too. Museums are all personal preference, I think.)
Other favorite: National Cathedral
Favorite monuments: Korean, FDR, and WWII

Arlington Cemetery can take a long time so you really need to limit yourself there.

Mount Vernon is really nice if you are looking to do something a little way out of the city.

[newyorkgirl]

Three that are slightly off the beaten path, but are a few of my favorites:

1. Not sure if this is a tourist attraction per se, but one of my favorite spaces is the Botanical Garden right near the Capitol building. It's an enclosure, like a big glass terrarium and it's just lovely to walk through.

2. The Eastern Market on Saturdays (there's a Metro stop for this). Go early in the morning if you can and get the blueberry pancakes. Even without the pancakes, the Market is a fun place to shop for local artisanal products. There's also a small farmers' market.

3. The Dumbarton Oaks gardens in Georgetown. Just beautifully landscaped gardens and whatnot. Makes you wish it was open for weddings.

[Myra]

That is so cool that the reception is at the Spy Museum. Pleeeeaaaase post pictures when you get back!

[Daisy]

I just visited the Holocaust Museum last Monday and we didn't have a problem with tickets (perhaps because it's getting to be off-season and kids are back in school?). Anyway, it was very moving and very tasteful. Allow yourself lots of time - for this museum/memorial, as well as the others. Two and a half hours wasn't enough for us!

Other interesting sites: Air and Space Museum, Archives (where the Constitution and other documents are). We also visited the Capitol building (took about 3 hours total), you can get tickets the same day in front of the tour entrance.

Have fun!

[nettreefrog]

My hometown...I say sobbing uncontrollably as I think of the multitude of places I wish I could be right now...

1- If art is your thing --def'ly go to the National Gallery (both wings). I really enjoy the Phillips, but you might want to check out the Corcoran and Hirshorne.
2- Then there are the other Smithsonian museums --mostly on the Mall... Sackler, Museum of Natural History (I am partial to the Orkin insect zoo inside), Air and Space (and the Annex in NOVA), Museum of the Native American, Museum of African Art, etc. I like the Castle --it'll take you a minute --but it has a great model of the area that I think is neat. If I had a minute, I would go to the Air and Space--pick up some freeze dried ice cream and sit outside on the Mall and just take everything in...
3- People already mentioned most of the Memorials--but I really like them at night. I also like the rose garden at the National Cathedral... and if you are in that area also check out the zoo...You can take Calvert on through...
4- Then there are the government buildings... you can go on some tours, but you should at least pass by the White House, OEOB (Old Executive Office Building), Congress, Supreme Court, etc.
5- Then there are the neighborhoods... Eat in Adams Morgan, stroll through Georgetown, and play pool around Dupont. Then go to the Eastern Market flea market on the weekend... If you are going to be at Arlington Cemetery, go to Robert E. Lee's home --it is quite interesting. Oh --and drive through Massachusetts Avenue to see all of the embassies.

I am leaving out so much that I would recommend if you were relocating...so contact me if you want other thoughts... And I have been to the Spy Museum--it is quite neat :D

[Bee]

I would also recommend touring the memorials along the mall. My fave is the Jefferson Memorial - it is where the Cherry Blossoms are in the springtime. But it's still beautiful there along the water. You can get some really pretty pictures. Plus the weather is supposed to be awesome this weekend. The WWII Memorial is also very impressive & it is in between Lincoln & Washington Monument.
My fave museum is the Natural History, especially the Gem Exhibit. The good thing about the Smithsonians is that they are free... so if you get in and decide it's not your thing, you can just leave & go to the next one.
The FDR memorial is on the other side of the tidal basin & is also neat. When I went, we walked through backwards (it's like 4 sections, goes from young to old)... so try to start at the right end!
The zoo is also great & free - but it's in a different part of town, so you may not have the time.

[AmyE]

DC is lovely this time of year, and not too crowded. However, it's very easy to get museum'ed out in DC. My advice - worth what you paid for it! - is to pick a couple and enjoy those, rather than trying to pack a bunch of them in. Unless you and you're mom love to run around and see a billion things in two hours, I'd plan for three museums, max. Holocaust should be one. If you like art, do the Sackler and National Gallery. If you like history, Natural History and American History. If you like science and modern history, Air and Space. For some quiet time, the Botanical Gardens are great. Also good on a rainy day. (as are all the museums, naturally). All of those are on/close to the Mall, so easy to do together.

Monuments are best on a nice day or at night. Lincoln is my personal favorite, and you can easily do Vietnam and Korean memorials at the same time, since both are a short stroll away. The FDR memorial is on a lovely walk from Lincoln to Jefferson, and you can make it a loop - Holocaust Museaum, Lincoln/Vietnam/Korea, FDR, Jefferson. (Or go the opposite direction - Holocaust to Jefferson...) I'd plan about 2 hours for that loop, after seeing the H. museum.

One way of seeing DC without being overwhelmed is to pick your favorite era and focus on that. Say, Holocaust, WWII memorial, FDR memorial, Arlington.

Off the Mall, Ford's theater is nice. Kennedy Center often has free concerts in the evenings - just check the schedule and show up at the entrance. Good if you want to do something "DC" at night but inside. The Custis-Lee mansion at Arlington Cemetery is also fun.

You can get to all these place by Metro, fyi.

DC is a great place for eating, too. You can find just about anything in any price range. Check www.washingtonian.com for their various restaurant guides.

Have a great time and let us know what you did/thought!!

[redletterband]

We're planning a trip to D.C. next month and I'm booking a hotel online. I've heard there are plenty of dangerous areas and I want to be sure not to book a hotel in one of those spots. Can anyone help me identify areas to steer clear of? I've seen some great deals right near the White House and at The Watergate Hotel. Are those good zones?

Thanks in advance.

[mollyeilis]

So what problems is the National Zoo having? I haven't been there since right after 9/11...

My mom was a FONZ (Friends of National Zoo), and my stepdad put a plaque in memory of her at the tiger/lion island...so I really don't like hearing that they are having problems! :(

[maxandmolly]

I'm back!
Thursday was mostly just ravel day, but we did get out and wander the city a bit in search of food and a strapless bra for mom's dress.
Friday we walked down 9th to Constitution and hit the Natural Histry and American History museums. By the time we made it to the 3rd floor of American History, we were dragging!
Saturday was all wedding. The ceremony was at the Old Post Chapel at Ft. Myer, very pretty, my cousin looked gorgeous, wore her mother's headpiece from her own wedding, they did the saber arch thing, etc.
Reception was at the Spy Museum, but we didn't get to wander the museum, just went to the private room. They had these awesome white cranberry martinis, with dried cranberries at the bottom......yum.
Anyway! Sunday we tried to make it another sight seeing day, but we were both hung over, exhausted, and our feet hurt from all the walking, then the uncomfy shoes all day Saturday, so we wandered the Mall a bit, hit the Air & Space museum, called in a vacation and went back to the hotel and crashed.
We didn't make it to any of the memorials, or even half the stuff I really wanted to see.
I'll have to go back again sometime soon!

[HEW?B]

My favorite place to stay in DC is called the Hotel Rouge. It is TONS of fun and right near the center of everything. Very safe for sure. Have fun. I LOVE DC

[redletterband]

Thank you HEW. I should add that we're going to have a car and we're on a budget. So, we'd be fine with staying a little way out of the action if it meant getting a better hotel for less. I'm trying to stay under $200 a night and I don't want to get murdered ;) . I have no clue about which areas are safe. More help?

Thx!

[msnicolea]

Most areas in DC are relatively safe, but it's a big city, so you should be cautious regardless of where you stay. I would avoid almost all of SE DC and areas around the MCI Center--otherwise, you'll be just fine.

[lmg159]

I agree with msnicolea. However, if you're looking to save even more, you might want to consider staying outside the city. The Metro system in DC is excellent, so when we visit there, we always stay somewhere in Maryland or in Alexandria, VA and travel via Metro into the city. Usually saves us some money that way.

[HEW?B]

Just an FYI. Hotel Rough is right in the city and less than $200 a night. Also, I have never been a big city person but in all the times I was ever in DC, I never felt unsafe. I am sure there are bad parts, but in general, when I was working and walking around the area where most of the White House stuff and all the monuments and such, I always felt safe.

[maxandmolly]

We just got back from DC and stayed at the Marriott Courtyard at 9th & F St. It is sorta near the MCI Center (a few blocks), but wee felt nothing but safe and well taken care of there. We booked last minute on expedia, and even with all the taxes, etc, it only came to about $140 a night.

[maggieb]

I live in DC and in probably what you would consider a dangerous area. Anyway, if you stick close to downtown and the touristy areas then you'll feel safe.

[Bee]

Make sure to factor in the parking fee of your hotel. Some of them can be pricey! I've also heard good things about Hotel Rouge - it's pretty contemporary I think, but supposed to be reasonably priced for such a hip place.
If you want to stay outside the city, go to www.wmata.com for a map of The Metro. I would recommend staying on the Orange or the Blue Lines in VA for easy access to the city and possibly cheaper prices than downtown DC. Old Town Alexandria would be a nice place to stay with good restaurants.
Good Luck!

[redletterband]

You guys rock! Thank you so much.

It sounds like we might want to ditch the car and just take the metro, considering the high cost of parking. Looking into all your suggestions...

[ktsb]

I was in D.C. in July. We stayed right outside of Georgetown which felt ver safe and I second the ditch the car suggestion. Parking would have been expensive and impossible and navigating would have been a chore as well.

The metro took us virtually right to the steps of everything we needed plus we were pretty centrally located to start with.

[redletterband]

We were intending to rent a car in NYC (our starting point) and drive to DC. Is there another means of transportation that you guys would recommend? I checked into Amtrak and it's $160 for both of us, which is too much! Might've been fun though...

[ktsb]

We went from Hartford to D.C. and did the Amtrak thing because $160 was cheaper than renting a car, driving through all of the tolls and then paying to park the car in D.C. not to mention the gas. Plus the train station and the Metro station were in one place in D.C. Made it real easy and really lowered the hassle factor which is big with me.

[nettie]

If you're looking for cheap transportation between NYC and DC, there's always the bus...

http://www.washingtondeluxe.com/

The Washingtonpost Travel section did an article recently about the quickest/cheapest/easiest way to travel between the cities and the bus was reccommended. That said, I've never tried it myself.

I'm not very good at answering questions about "safe" areas of DC because everyone seems to define that differently. I also live in an "unsafe" area by some people's standards. And, the area around the MCI center has changed dramatically in the last few years. My recommendation would be to stay in a hotel near either the red line between metro center and dupont circle or the orange/blue line between farragut west and federal triangle. These areas of the city are well populated day and night which make them feel safe to me, and you'd be in the heart of the city which is more fun.

[tgal]

I've seen some great deals right near the White House and at The Watergate Hotel. Are those good zones?


I actually work in this vacinity and yes, this is a good area. I am not sure which hotels you are referring to around the Watergate. If you can post the names or address, I might be able to give you more info. I had some business people stay at some of these smaller locals and they just complained about some being old, not really as posh as some of the others you might be able to get at the same rate. Near the White House, Hotel Washington and the Willard are good, but again if there are others you want to mention I can give you a better idea.

Also be advised, most hotels down here charge 15-20 bucks a day to park, not included with your room rate! Might have been a better idea to take the train if you are staying more than a couple of days.


You want to stear clear of NE and SE DC.

[la_Mer]

I want to second the recommendation for the Hotel Rouge. It's a fabulous "boutique" hotel, near DuPont Circle. I was there alone and I felt completely safe the entire time. I walked by myself to DuPont circle at night to meet friends for dinner and it was fine. It is surrounded by the the foreign embassies so there is a lot of security. I was able to walk to the metro to get around, but if you are into longer walks I was also able to walk to Adams Morgan and down to the White House. I never felt like I needed a car in DC. Have a great time!

[December27JJB]

I used to live in DC. We went back for a visit in Feb and stayed at the Willard Intercontinental. Its near the White House and not too far from the national mall. I highly recommend that place.

[PG-rated]

My office uses the Rouge for business, and I agree with everyone else that it's a good option. So are the other Kimpton-owned hotels: the Topaz, Helix, and Madera. Anywhere near the White House will be fine, but Dupont Circle is probably the most "fun" area. I often recommend the Jurys Washington, which generally has very good rates and is right on the Circle. I disagree that the MCI Center area should be avoided; it's really gotten nice over the past few years. But I agree that you do probably want to avoid NE and SE. Have fun!

[RemyBlue]

Hi everyone,

My DH and I are thinking of taking our two kids, ages 5 and 7, to Washington DC in a couple of weeks. We're looking for a hotel that's not outrageously expensive. Ideally, it would be near a Metro stop and have at least a refrigerator, if not a small kitchenette, so we could save some $$ by being able to make sandwiches and keep our own snacks & drinks handy. I guess that means we'll need a suite? Anyway, if anyone has a suggestion for a nice, clean, family-friendly hotel near Metro that's not more than $200 a night, I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks!

Remy

[dh5678]

I think it might be tough to find a hotel <$200/night in DC proper, though I haven't looked at rates recently myself. You may find a better deal for some of the hotels in Northern Virginia near the blue or orange Metro lines (Rosslyn, perhaps Ballston on the orange line and Pentagon City/Crystal City on the blue line).

Sorry that I don't have more concrete suggestions, but I hope this helps!

[PG-rated]

Depending on the dates you're going, you can probably find something good on Capitol Hill, because the hotels that cater to lobbyists are discounted on weekends. Also, a lot of hotels have mini-fridges or kitchenettes available. I would start with One Washington Circle (http://www.thecirclehotel.com) and Virginian Suites (http://www.virginiansuites.com) (in Rosslyn) to start, because they both offer kitchens and I've worked with them before. But hotels.com can get you a good deal, too, and if you have questions about a specific property come back and ask, and I'll tell you anything I know.

FYI, you should book soon, since we're about to move into DC's heavy tourist season (starting with the Cherry Blossom Festival), and a lot of the good places sell out fast.

[RemyBlue]

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies! We found a good deal in Arlington not far from Metro. Now I can't wait to go. :-)

Remy

[Julss05]

It may seem silly considering we live in Virginia but we've never actually visited DC, always driven through or should I say around to avoid traffic. Anyway my husband and I thought it would be a great weekend trip. We have friends in Baltimore we might stay with and then all go to DC by some non-car means. I noticed the Cherry Blossom Fesitival is coming up and there is a tour bus called the Tourmobile that takes you to every main attraction you could think of. I was wondering if anyone could give advice on non-vehicle travel into DC from Baltimore and could give us a reasonable priced recommendation for a hotel in the southwest part of the city. Thanks!

[PG-rated]

The MARC train has a cheap and easy route to DC from Baltimore - the problem is that it's a commuter train and doesn't run on weekends. I know there's a Metrobus that runs from BWI airport to Greenbelt Metro station - check http://www.metroopensdoors.com for details. You can also take Amtrak, but it's expensive - about $25 one way.

As for hotels, is there a reason you want the southwest part of the city? That's really not a good area to stay in, unless you stay right by the Mall. The only hotel I really know in the area is the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, because I go to a conference there every year. Rooms have been filling up for the Cherry Blossom Festival for awhile now, so I would suggest checking hotels.com or a travel website to see what's available. As always, I'm happy to give my opinion on any hotel you come up with. :)

[KK812]

There's also the mandarin oriental, but that rules out the reasonably priced part :p

[Julss05]

Thanks for the advice:). Yes I'm noticing hotels are outrageous! I thought our prices were bad but DC's hotel prices are well over our summer rates. DH is military so we even thought of staying at a hotel on base which is a lot cheaper! My reason for picking the SW was because I was thinking of staying at a hotel nearby where the fireworks will be going off instead of traveling across town afterwards. I guess it might be good idea to check out some maps first:rolleyes:.

[bookworm]

Since your husband is military, you're eligible for government rates (at least at Marriotts). Search on rate code "GOV" at marriott.com. Also check the best available rate--gov is usually lower but not always.

ETA: The Courtyard near Dupont was not even remotely luxurious, but it was pretty clean and in a safe area (maybe 5-7 min walk from metro). Gov rate at the time was under $100.

ETA again :rolleyes: : I took a quick look, and the gov rate is showing as $180 for the few places I've checked. That seems a bit high, but there are some nice hotels coming up in that category (like the Mayflower and the JW).

[kindermom]

Personally, I would drive in to the city and park at either Union Station or L'Enfant Plaza. Both have parking garages, are at the metro line, and are relatively easy to get to. The MARC Commuter trains do not run on the weekends. The Amtrak is convenient from BWI but it is expensive and you still have to pay for parking.

I am happy to tell you a little more about the easy way to get into DC if you want.

[Bee]

There are a few Boutique hotels that are reasonably priced. Try Hotel Rouge or Hotel Topaz. I had a friend that stayed at one once & she said it was nice. Let me find you a website - they often have last minute deals.

Here you go: http://www.rougehotel.com/
At the bottom of their site is a link to their other DC hotels.

[PG-rated]

Yeah, my organization uses the Kimpton hotels (they own the Rouge and the Topaz) all the time, and I definitely recommend them. But on weekends their prices tend to be higher, since they cater to tourists. On the other hand, if you find one of the business hotels that cater to lobbyists (there are a bunch of them on the Hill), they tend to have lower prices on weekends.

[Janey]

Bumping with more questions about DC. :) We're seriously considering going for 10 days in October, beginning either Oct. 18 or Oct. 25.

The Marriott and those sorts of places want $230/night. From looking around at different travel websites, that seems to be about standard for Mid-October. B likes the idea of staying at a B&B rather than Big Corporate Hotel. Fine by me, but I'd prefer a private bath. :) So, I'm looking at these places, and wondering if anyone knows of any of these, and how easy they are to get to/from the Metro, since we're not planning on renting a car.

Doolittle Guest House (http://www.doolittlehouse.com/ratesandreservations.html). Rooms from $135 to $235/night. Of course it doesn't say what that means in regards to when we want to go.

Adam's Inn (http://www.adamsinn.com/index.htm) - This one has a the $570 weekly room rate listed on their website. Faaaantastic! I'm kind of thinking it's booked from now through 2016 since it was recommended on the Today show. We'll see -- I've emailed them asking what their rates & availabilities are.

The Dupont at The Circle (http://www.dupontatthecircle.com/rooms/index.htm#TheVictorianRoom) - The Lincoln room is $179/night; the Victorian room is $195/night.

The Inn at Dupont Circle (http://www.theinnatdupontcircle.com/rooms.htm) - If I give up the idea of a private bath, they have rooms for $130/night. Otherwise, it's $205/night.

The Embassy Inn (http://www.windsorembassyinns.com/embassy/home.html) - $179/night. The rooms look less quaint than other places... so this one is lower on the list.


Thanks in advance for any tips!

[Peppy]

I have never stayed at any of these places, so I'm not offering an opinion about which are nicest because I don't know. But in terms of metro access--

The Adams Inn is about seven blocks from the metro. The Dupont at the Circle is only a block away, and the Inn at Dupont Circle is only about two blocks away. The Embassy Inn is about three blocks from the metro.

I'm not familiar with the area that the Doolittle is in, so I can't tell you much about that one.

In terms of location, I would probably stick with one of the three near Dupont Circle (Dupont Inn, Dupont at the Circle, Embassy Inn). It's a fun area with restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Obviously, you are close to the metro so you can get to the monuments, museums and (if you go north as opposed to south) the National Zoo.

[vjel]

I've not stayed in any of the mentioned B&Bs either but my bridal shower was at the Doolittle House. It was lovely and so was the woman who runs it. It's w/in walking distance to the metro, but the metro is not RIGHT there. It's also w/in walking distance to Eastern Market (open air flea market) which would be cool to check out.

I agree that Dupont Circle would be a fun place to stay. Lots of things around and you can walk everywhere and easily metro accessible.

One of my gf's had her bridal shower at the Swann House (http://www.swannhouse.com/) in Dupont Circle. It seemed like a great place too. The room rates are $$$ but The Shanghai'daway room looks FAB and is $180-195 (rate goes up on the w/e). It's not the typical looking B&B room but I'd choose it above the others. I think the room is cheaper b/c it's on the 1st floor and may not get as much light. Different rooms listed here (http://www.swannhouse.com/guestrooms.html).

[meatpie]

The Inn at Dupont Circle is supposed to be amazing!!

[wine_o_girlie]

Bumping with more questions about DC. :) We're seriously considering going for 10 days in October, beginning either Oct. 18 or Oct. 25.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Do you want to spend the entire 10 days in DC? October is a lovely time of the year and you might want to consider some other places nearby to mix it up a bit. What did you want to do during your time in DC?

[PG-rated]

I've stayed at the Adams Inn. It's cute, but if you're not interested in spending a lot of time in Adams Morgan, it's not the best location (the Metro is a good 15 minute walk). I don't know anything about the ones in Dupont Circle, but that's a great location. Another one that I've heard good things about is the Woodley Park Guest House (http://www.woodleyparkguesthouse.com), and that's in your price range and literally right outside the Woodley Park Metro. It's not as "fun" a neighborhood as Dupont, but it's still very nice.

[msnicolea]

Definitely stay near a Metro--that's a must when visiting DC! Driving is no fun and parking's even worse.

[kindermom]

I know of people who have stayed at Swann House and the Inn at Dupont Circle. Both were a hit.

10 days is alot of time to spend in DC proper but you can certainly stay busy if you plan ahead. One thing to be aware of is that there have been a series of crimes on the National Mall at night. Hopefully it will be cleaned up by the time you come in. But if not, I would recommend getting a group night tour and not doing it yourself. Like any city, this is a city and you have to be alert.

[doublej]

Have you thought about using priceline.com? I was having a hard time deciding where to stay in D.C. I knew all the hotels were expensive. I thought if I am paying a high price, I might as well be paying for something nice. I went to priceline and requested the highest rated hotels in Washington and set my price that I was willing to pay. I ended up getting the Madison Hotel. We loved it! Super nice and super quiet! We were 4 blocks from the White House. The metro was really close (use the metro for every where you go!) Try to go through your Congressman to get passes to the White House. You are suppose to make a request 6 months in advance. We didn't but a group canceled and we got their tickets. We were lucky! Also get passes to the Senate. I had my mom watch C-Span to see what they were doing so we would know when to go. We got to see all the senators and that was awesome. Go on the night tour of all the monuments. We went on Gray Line, I think. That was fun! We did just about everything there was to do. We didn't get to go the FBI building because it was closed. I hate I missed that. We rented a car and went to Mount Vernon. I wish we had went to Monticello since we were that close.( I think Gay Line has a tour that goes out there and spends the day.) Spend some time in Alexandria, VA. Such a nice little town. We stayed 7 days and 6 nights and it wasn't long enough! We stayed busy all day and night. We got to eat out night. We ate at Subway, etc. because we just didn't have enough time. I didn't even have time to shop! I love D.C. Writing all of this is making me want to go back!

[Janey]

PG-Rated - Thanks for the tip about the Woodley Park Guest House! It looks great. I'll definitely put them on the list.

wine_o_girlie - Good question. Mostly, I want to do the tourist thing -- see the museums, monuments, gov't buildings, etc. Do a little "history tourism" type trip. I hope to avoid renting a car, which is why the trip was "DC Only." Are there things to do that are outside the city, available by bus or other public transportation?

We had originally said that we wanted to do 7 days. Then I thought that since I'll be 6 months pregnant, maybe I'd want to take it at a slower pace, so we kicked it to 10. B worries that we will get "Museumed Out" though. So, we may go back to 7 days. That part is still up in the air.


P.S. - Kindermom I love your avatar. :D

[doublej]

I believe Gray Line has a Mount Vernon tour. Best I can recall, they have a tour that goes around Alexandria and then goes to MV. We rented a car for just a few hours. It cost the same to rent a car as to take the bus tour. DH had no problems getting out of the city. I had printed out a copy of the directions from the car rental place to MV. We just thought we would enjoy it more going on our own.

[PG-rated]

There's also a combination river cruise/Mount Vernon tour through Spirit Cruises (http://www.spiritcruises.com). It takes all day, but it's a nice, relaxing way to see the area.

If you want to do a lot, but don't want to pack things in, then I think 10 days isn't too long. It's easy to spend a week here and not run out of things to do. Heck, I've lived here seven years and still have a huge list of things I want to do!

[kindermom]

Thanks MrsHill. Just think, you get to set up your own photo-ops like that soone enough!

DC is a great place to visit. You will definitely have a good time here.

[Peppy]

I just thought of another place you could stay--
The Tabard Inn (http://tabardinn.com/)

It is only a few blocks from the Dupont metro and the house is VERY cute. I have never stayed in a room, but I have been at the restaurant--great brunch, and a fun place for dinner as well. It's a popular place to get a meal in DC.

If you get a room you WILL have to climb stairs, so if you decide to stay here perhaps ask to be on one of the lower floors, since you will be pregnant and might not want to schlep up and down four or five flights of stairs.

[PG-rated]

I totally forgot about the Tabard Inn! The Post's restaurant critic loves it, and the rooms look so cute!

[Janey]

I saw the listing for the Tabard Inn at lonelyplanet.com (where I found the other B&B's). I have no idea why I dismissed it the first time -- it looks FANTASTIC! I like that they are close to the metro, have cute rooms, are in our budget, and I like that their restaurant is open for dinner. Live Jazz on Sunday nights too - we will stick around for that. DingDingDing! We may have a winner! I've emailed them to find out their availability.

Another hotel that someone recommended on Trip Advisor -- Hotel Harrington (http://www.hotel-harrington.com/index.htm). It's only $100/night, but the rooms look very plain. Part of me thinks that we're not going to be in the hotel very much anyway, so who cares how plain the rooms are? But another part of me thinks how nice it would be to come back to a comfortable and cute B&B after our day of cavorting around the city.


PG-Rated - I love the idea of the Spirit cruise to Mt. Vernon. It will be nice to take a day in the middle and relax on a boat. I definitely do not want to pack things in. We are "go! go! go!" in our regular lives, so when on vacation, I want to tone it down a notch. B said he likes the idea of the cruise, and that he wants to go to the zoo. So now we're back to a 10-day vacation. ;)

DoubleJ - I'm glad to know that you easily rented a car for the day. We'll keep that in mind in case we find out that we want to do something off the beaten path!

[PG-rated]

Hotel Harrington is in a terrific location (Metro Center, where three Metro lines meet), but it just screams tourist trap (IMHO), and it looks a little run down from the outside (I've walked by it many times). I suspect you'll get what you pay for.

Since it looks like you'll have a little extra time, I'll suggest you stop by the National Building Museum. It has one of the most gorgeous interiors of any space in DC, but a lot of tourists never see it because the subject matter isn't all that amazing (you guessed it - buildings).

[Janey]

PG-Rated - Oh yes. B is an Architect, and collects Souvenir Buildings (http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/9711/souvenirs/buildings.html) (currently 356 buildings in his collection). You better believe that particular museum is on our list of must-do's. ;)

[Emilie]

Since it looks like you'll have a little extra time, I'll suggest you stop by the National Building Museum. It has one of the most gorgeous interiors of any space in DC, but a lot of tourists never see it because the subject matter isn't all that amazing (you guessed it - buildings).

We are planning a trip to DC in under a month - change of circumstances means we get to take a vacation - so this thread has been great! And I have been informed by DH (a PM for a commercial construction firm) that we are spending half a day in the building musuem. Yippie! :p

[kindermom]

As a nonarchitect it is a pretty interested museum and too frequently overlooked.

[MsPeachy]

I just saw this thread and wanted to say the Tabard is pretty nice but very 'antiquy' IMO. I haven't stayed there but I've seen the rooms. It felt like I was in grandma's house. The restaurant is very good though as is the Iron Gate Inn which is pricey but has great food and even better outdoor dining atmosphere. Iron Gate is practically right across the street from the Tabard in case you want to try it.

[Janey]

Awesome Emilie! I hope you'll report back here how your trip went. :)

[catch]

Bumping for some restaurant suggestions. DH and I will be in DC for Easter weekend. We'll be staying at St. Gregory Luxury Hotel and Suites. I'd really appreciate suggestions on where to eat while we're there. Not really into any fancy restaurants and will pretty much eat any kind of food - it just has to be super delicious ;)

TIA!! :)

[dh5678]

There are lots of restaurants that are not too far away and not too expensive. Here's some:

-Nooshi 1120 19th St NW (pan-Asian, between L & M Sts NW)
-Malaysia Kopitiam 1827 M St NW
-Cafe Asia 1720 I St NW (pan-Asian)
-Pizzeria Paradiso 2029 P St NW
-Teaism 2009 R St NW (also Asian)
-Bistrot du Coin 1738 Connecticut Ave NW (between R & S Sts NW) -- have the mussels
-Annie's Paramount Steak House 1609 17th St NW (between Q & R Sts NW)
-Lauriol Plaza 1835 18th St. NW (Tex-Mex, between S & T Sts NW)

Have a good trip!

[udsweetpea]

We just got back from a day trip to DC and must say we're highly disappointed. It took us almost 2 hours to find a parking space around The Mall. Two of the museums were closed- American History and the main art museum. The line to see the Declaration of Independence was extremely long as was the line to see the Hope Diamond, so we didn't see either. Air & Space and Natural History just weren't exciting as they used to be when we were younger, and we both walked out saying they were lame. Something about them just didn't capture our interests. They both looked as though needed to be updated. We almost got hit with a baseball by people playing baseball on The Mall. Are they allowed to do this? They almost hit 2 elderly people straight in the head with a line drive. We both really wanted to check out Capital City Brewing but couldn't find it on Mass. and 2nd. Jeff didn't listen to me when I said "print out directions especially getting out of DC" so we got lost and spent two hours getting out of the city. What a day!?! But I got some great pictures!

[AirForceLove]

We just got back from a day trip to DC and must say we're highly disappointed. It took us almost 2 hours to find a parking space around The Mall. Two of the museums were closed- American History and the main art museum. The line to see the Declaration of Independence was extremely long as was the line to see the Hope Diamond, so we didn't see either. Air & Space and Natural History just weren't exciting as they used to be when we were younger, and we both walked out saying they were lame. Something about them just didn't capture our interests. They both looked as though needed to be updated. We almost got hit with a baseball by people playing baseball on The Mall. Are they allowed to do this? They almost hit 2 elderly people straight in the head with a line drive. We both really wanted to check out Capital City Brewing but couldn't find it on Mass. and 2nd. Jeff didn't listen to me when I said "print out directions especially getting out of DC" so we got lost and spent two hours getting out of the city. What a day!?! But I got some great pictures!

Unfortunatly, this was the first good weekend in about 4 weeks that we have had decent weather. That is one reason why there are so many people out. Unless you go visit the museums during the week (exclude summer time when the kids are out of school) you are going to run into long lines. Sorry you didn't like the museums. The best thing to do in the future is to get on line and check out he Smithsonian Institute's website and they will let you know what is open and closed. To help you with the parking, you can always park at any of the Metro stations that have parking and Metro it anywhere. Again, sorry for your bad day. I hope you pictures turn out good though.

[PeanutButter]

I'm not really surprised you couldn't find parking anywhere near the Mall. The weather here is beautiful today, and there really aren't that many parking spaces in DC, anyway. I would never recommend that someone drive into DC with the goal of parking near the Mall.

The National Gallery of Art was closed? Are you sure? I am not sure what other "main art museum" you would be referring to. The American History museum is closed for the year or more, I believe, as they renovate it.

Next time you visit, you might want to try the National Portrait Gallery. It's recently been renovated, and is REALLY interesting - a combination of history and art. There is also the National Sculpture Garden, the Museum of the American Indian, the Freer Gallery, the Sackler, the Hirschorn... those are just the free ones!

Sorry you had such a disappointing trip.

[udsweetpea]

Yeah, The National Gallery of Art looked to be closed yesterday. Either it was closed or not very popular because no one was going inside and there was no line for security check like the rest of the buildings. We walked through the Sculpture Garden and liked the fountain but were surprised some of the sculptures were considered art.

[BuffaloBlondie]

We just got back from a day trip to DC and must say we're highly disappointed. It took us almost 2 hours to find a parking space around The Mall. Two of the museums were closed- American History and the main art museum. The line to see the Declaration of Independence was extremely long as was the line to see the Hope Diamond, so we didn't see either. Air & Space and Natural History just weren't exciting as they used to be when we were younger, and we both walked out saying they were lame. Something about them just didn't capture our interests. They both looked as though needed to be updated. We almost got hit with a baseball by people playing baseball on The Mall. Are they allowed to do this? They almost hit 2 elderly people straight in the head with a line drive. We both really wanted to check out Capital City Brewing but couldn't find it on Mass. and 2nd. Jeff didn't listen to me when I said "print out directions especially getting out of DC" so we got lost and spent two hours getting out of the city. What a day!?! But I got some great pictures!

I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy youself. We just got back and had an awesome time!! Give it another chance, if you can. I would hate for you to feel that way about DC just because of one unplanned visit. Just remember to research where you want to go before you leave.

[alex67]

We are considering taking a DC vacation in October. My DD (13 yrs old) is very excited and I know she will learn and enjoy a lot, but my DS will have just turned 2. Do you recommend traveling to DC with a toddler? Will it be difficult to take the Metro with a stroller (we can take the umbrella stroller)? What area should we stay in that is family friendly?

[AirForceLove]

alex67
DH and I travel with both of our toddlers every weekend that we go into DC. The Metro is the only way we travel. I would suggest an umbrella stroller actually. The elevators in some of the Metro stations are small, yucky, and they smell so we alway take the ecalators. We fold up the strollers and up or down we go. As far a family friendly areas, we love to go down to the Mall area where all the museums are. That is a family orenated place. Enjoy!

[Jane&Andy]

We are considering taking a DC vacation in October. My DD (13 yrs old) is very excited and I know she will learn and enjoy a lot, but my DS will have just turned 2. Do you recommend traveling to DC with a toddler? Will it be difficult to take the Metro with a stroller (we can take the umbrella stroller)? What area should we stay in that is family friendly?

I live outside of DC so we periodically make daytrips. I always take my regular stroller and we get it through the metro just fine.

As far as where to stay - I'm no help.

[PG-rated]

Yeah, The National Gallery of Art looked to be closed yesterday. Either it was closed or not very popular because no one was going inside and there was no line for security check like the rest of the buildings. We walked through the Sculpture Garden and liked the fountain but were surprised some of the sculptures were considered art.
Well, according to this (http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/calendar-3.shtm#21), they ran a full day of activities yesterday, so it seems you could've gone in. Most museums only have security lines on very busy days, so that's really not a good indicator as to whether a place is closed.

I'm sorry you didn't have a good time, but it sounds like you didn't plan as well as you could have. It's extremely difficult to find parking around the Mall at any time, and on a sunny weekend day it's really impossible. You could easily have parked at a Metro station and taken the train in. Also, the line at the National Archives can get really long, but it also moves pretty quickly, so it might have been worth the wait, had you stayed. I understand your frustration about the Hope diamond, though - the display is poorly designed and can never handle the crowds.

alex67 - You'll do fine with an umbrella stroller, so don't worry. As for family-friendly locations, I can make some suggestions, but really you should check hotels.com - they often have deals on places on the Hill that cater to lobbyists and need to fill their rooms on the weekends. I use a lot of hotels in town for work, so if you have questions about a specific place I'd be happy to help you if I can.

[PeanutButter]

really you should check hotels.com - they often have deals on places on the Hill that cater to lobbyists and need to fill their rooms on the weekends. I use a lot of hotels in town for work, so if you have questions about a specific place I'd be happy to help you if I can.

Agreed. I would shop around and them come back here and say, "is Hotel X in an ok location?" I've had friends get some really fantastic deals on downtown hotels on the weekends - like $99 instead of the $359 weeknight rate. But it can be tricky to figure out which neighborhoods are better than others, or are close to the Metro...

[udsweetpea]

Well, according to this (http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/calendar-3.shtm#21), they ran a full day of activities yesterday, so it seems you could've gone in. Most museums only have security lines on very busy days, so that's really not a good indicator as to whether a place is closed.

I'm sorry you didn't have a good time, but it sounds like you didn't plan as well as you could have. It's extremely difficult to find parking around the Mall at any time, and on a sunny weekend day it's really impossible. You could easily have parked at a Metro station and taken the train in. Also, the line at the National Archives can get really long, but it also moves pretty quickly, so it might have been worth the wait, had you stayed. I understand your frustration about the Hope diamond, though - the display is poorly designed and can never handle the crowds.


I noticed when we got home that they truly were open. But all of the other museums had long lines for the security check. Not one sole was going up and down the stairs.

I've been several times to DC on warm weather days and was able to find parking, so I assumed Saturday would have been the same case. I knew getting out was going to be hard, but my hard-headed BF thought for sure he knew how to get out and didn't need directions.

But overall, the museums didn't hold our interest like they did when we were younger. I guess I always enjoyed the scenery more than anything.

But we both left thinking, why on earth don't they have parking garages?!?! We were unaware of the Metro because we have never used it before.

[PeanutButter]

But we both left thinking, why on earth don't they have parking garages?!?! We were unaware of the Metro because we have never used it before.

There are no parking garages ON the Mall (some might argue it would be tad bit unsightly), but there are plenty of parking garages in downtown DC.

Again, you would have had to do a tiny bit of planning ahead, but there are garages all over the place. For example, you could have parked anywhere in the neighborhood of E-F-G Streets, near 10-11-12-13-14. I can think of several garages in that general area. There are also a number directly on, or just off, Pennsylvania Ave. All of these locations are walkable to the National Mall, and within walking distance to the Metro.

Finally, the Metro is extremely easy to use, and very friendly to tourists. It's safe and clean, and really is the best way to travel through the city.

[udsweetpea]

There are no parking garages ON the Mall (some might argue it would be tad bit unsightly), but there are plenty of parking garages in downtown DC.

Again, you would have had to do a tiny bit of planning ahead, but there are garages all over the place. For example, you could have parked anywhere in the neighborhood of E-F-G Streets, near 10-11-12-13-14. I can think of several garages in that general area. There are also a number directly on, or just off, Pennsylvania Ave. All of these locations are walkable to the National Mall, and within walking distance to the Metro.


DBF said he researched parking garages and didn't find any near the Mall. Can't let the men do anything! But thanks for the tips! I'll make sure I do more planning next time we go. I definitely want to go back for the Kennedy Center, Ford Theatre, and the Folger Theatre (I think that's the name of it).

[polarama]

If you are driving to DC from out of town, I highly recommend driving to one of the suburban Metro stations that have parking (free on weekends!) and taking Metro in. You can find a list of those stations at www.wmata.com (look at the metro map, and then for stations that have a little car sign next to it). Google/Mapquest which station is closest to whatever highway/route you're using to come in. It's so much easier to deal with the city w/o worrying about a car. In the summer, between the people traffic and the car traffic, getting around the Mall can be challenging.

[alex67]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will check out hotels.com and other travel sites to look for deals and then ask specifically about any that I find. :)

[LKMang]

Hi! We are planning to go to DC this Thursday for the day (on our way down to Williamsburg for our 5 year anniversary trip!) and I am having a hard time finding one more thing to do. The Archives are #1 on my list of things to see, plus we definitely want to walk around the monuments. We were going to see one of the Smithsonians, but after Andrea’s experience, I’m changing my mind. Any suggestions? I don’t want to plan too much, since we are only there for one day, but I want to have something else planned.

Thank you!

[PeanutButter]

As I mentioned earlier, I think the Portrait Gallery is really amazing. It's a very cool combination of history and art.

The National Gallery of Art is also beautiful. It is not closed.

I find the Air and Space and Natural History Museums filled with children at this time of year, and therefore not as enjoyable.

You could go visit the Botanic Gardens, the Sculpture Gallery, the Spy Museum, the Hirschhorn, the Sackler, the Corcoran, the National Museum of the American Indian.

Personally, because you'll be on the Mall anyway, I would choose the National Gallery of Art or the Portrait Gallery.

[PG-rated]

If you only have one day, I think the Archives plus the monuments will be plenty, actually. That's a lot of walking, if you're doing Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam and Korea. Add in FDR (which I highly recommend), and I know I'd be ready to call it a day.

I haven't been to the Portrait Gallery yet, but I hear it's terrific, and I really love the National Gallery of Art, so those would be top on my list. The National Museum of the American Indian has the best museum cafeteria around, so you could take a lunch break there, since you'll be nearby, and head through the exhibit quickly. The Holocaust Museum is amazing but can be overwhelming, and it takes 2-3 hours to see it all. I wouldn't recommend the Spy Museum, because with the amount of time you have to spend there, the ticket price won't be worth it (IMHO). If you want something unique but easy to navigate, try the National Building Museum. It's really cool and the exhibits are short.

[WillyWonka]

Go to Arlington National Cemetary and be sure to watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. It is amazing! I have gone to D.C. 3 times with middle school kids who were also completely amazed by the ceremony. It's usually their favorite part of the trip.

[May27JnJ]

So Melrose...is that in a nice area within walking distance of the museums and Whitehouse?

ETA: I'm adding a couple of other hotels that I'm interested in knowing about.

Hotel Washington
Beacon Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn - Downtown
Old Town Hotel

Since I really don't know what the nice areas are and whether these are complete dives, I'm hoping to get some help! This is for our 1 year wedding anniversary.

[May27JnJ]

I also requested a tour to the Whitehouse. It's a little late notice, but I figured it would be worth a try. The Whitehouse was my first choice and the Capitol Bldg was my 2nd.

[LUMBERCHIC13]

May27JnJ Hopefully someone else has more recent iformation than I do but when I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn dwontown two years ago the hotel staff was rude and the service was horrendous. We had been out all day walking and seeing the sights. When we got back to our room it had been cleaned but they didn't give us any towels. Well two hours later and multiple calls to the front desk we were finally able to get someone to tell us that the linen service truck had broke down and had not returned yet with towels :rolleyes: . The location of the metro station across the street was nice and so was the room itself but the attitudes of the staff left something to be desired.

[May27JnJ]

What area is it in? I'm not familiar with the areas. I know the metro can take me anywhere and I've been to the MCI Center, but that's about it. TIA!

[LKMang]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions! I'm thinking we are gonna stick to just the archives and monuments, considering all the walking. I really want to see FDR's monument (which I didn't see last time).

As far as parking, I am printing out this thread for the location of some garages. Any ideas what I can expect to pay? I really don't care, just want a ballpark range.

[May27JnJ]

What about the Courtyard Marriott - Navy Yard?

[PeanutButter]

I haven't stayed in any of these hotels, so I can't tell you anything about service - but location-wise...

Courtyard Marriott - emerging area. Near Metro, but not much else. Would not be my first choice.

Melrose - if it's the one I am thinking of, this is a good location. Bit of a walk to the WH, but not impossible. Nice thing about this location is you could walk to Georgetown, which is cute.

Hilton Garden Inn - fine location - very close to WH and monuments. Very near Metro.

Hotel Washington - great location, right near the WH, but it always looks kind of run-down to me. The rooftop bar is fabulous. Food is horrendous, but go up there for a drink at night and the view is amazing.

Old Town Hotel - I am assuming is in Old Town Alexandria? I definitely wouldn't stay there if you are going to spend all your time in DC. NOt really metro-accessible.

[May27JnJ]

Great PB! Thanks so much! That helps a LOT!

[PG-rated]

I work with the Hilton Garden Inn and the Beacon regularly, and I like them both. We've never had any complaints about service or cleanliness. The Hilton is in a slightly better location in terms of proximity to the White House and the Orange/Blue Metro line, which gets you to the Mall. However, I think the Beacon is prettier and is near Dupont Circle, which is a nicer place to be over the weekend (cute shops, great restaurants/bars, etc.). The restaurant at the Beacon is better, too. It's really a tossup between those two, though, so you should probably just pick whichever is cheaper.

I second PB on all of the other hotels.

[May27JnJ]

I can actually get them for the same price. (Or so it says on the internet) We're going to take a train and then get on the Metro to the hotel. Can the train station get me to whatever Metro line I need?

[PG-rated]

The train station comes into Union Station, which is on the Red Line. There are transfer points to all of the lines at different stations. Metro is generally quite easy to use.

If they're the same price and it's a special occasion, I'd stay at the Beacon, personally.

[May27JnJ]

I thought so too. It seems nice. Is it really close to the Metro? From what I've read the Hilton Garden has a station across the street.

[May27JnJ]

Well I went ahead and booked the Beacon Hotel. And our Amtrak tickets are booked too! Yay!

[PG-rated]

The Beacon is ~3 blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro, and maybe five blocks or so from Farragut North and Farragut West. So it's not across the street, but it's a better neighborhood.

Not that you asked, but here are my suggestions for restaurants near the hotel:
- Tabard Inn (romantic)
- Kramerbooks/Afterwords (best for dessert and drinks)
- Cafe Citron (fun and festive)
- Julia's Empanadas (fast food)
- Teaism (brunch)
- Singapore Bistro (pan-Asian, casual)
- Heritage India (contemporary Indian)

Also, I don't know if this sort of thing interests you, but you'll be about a block away from St. Matthew's Cathedral, where JFK's funeral mass was held. There's a plaque inside commemorating it.

[December27JJB]

I second Heritage India! We are going to DC tomorrow morning and we will stay there this weekend. We're definitely doing a take-out from Heritage India (but from the Glover Park location) I so can't wait!!! YUMMMMM :D

[May27JnJ]

That's not bad. It wouldn't hurt DH and I to walk a bit anyway! Thanks for the restaurant suggestions! I didn't ask, but I wanted them! This may be a good place to try different things! I'm excited!

[PeanutButter]

You're also only about 2-3 blocks from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro stop, which is orange and blue lines (closer than Farragut West, IMO).

For restaurant recs, I would add:

Firefly - upscale comfort food (but not expensive)
and second Tabard Inn, esp. for brunch. Both are in your general neighborhood.

[May27JnJ]

Thanks PB! I'm really excited and I am very thankful for the recs!

[PG-rated]

You're also only about 2-3 blocks from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro stop, which is orange and blue lines (closer than Farragut West, IMO).

For restaurant recs, I would add:

Firefly - upscale comfort food (but not expensive)
and second Tabard Inn, esp. for brunch. Both are in your general neighborhood.
If we're talking about the Beacon, Foggy Bottom is much farther away than Farragut West. The Beacon is at Rhode Island and 17th, and Farragut West is a straight shot down 17th (three blocks).

I keep meaning to get to Firefly - I hear it's great!

[May27JnJ]

You ladies are so great! Thank you!

[May27JnJ]

Are there anyother good breakfast places around there? Can you still get breakfast at the Hyatt even if you're not staying there?

[PG-rated]

If you want to be really decadent, have breakfast at Cafe Promenade (http://www.cafepromenade.com/index.php) in the Mayflower Hotel. Supposedly they have a prix fixe brunch on the weekends, but I don't see it on their website, so you'd have to call.

[May27JnJ]

Our trip is in 4 days. Any more must-sees, or must-eats? Thanks so much for all the info you've already given me.

[May27JnJ]

The Beacon website said that the hotel is 4 blocks from DuPont Circle Metro and 3 blocks from Farragut North. Is this right?

[PG-rated]

Yeah, but also keep in mind Dupont is an uphill walk. You're also about four blocks from Farragut West (Blue/Orange line).

[May27JnJ]

Ew. Thanks for the heads up!! We leave tomorrow and I got a tour scheduled for the Capitol Building. I'm excited!!

[May27JnJ]

We got back on Monday. Thanks for all the help. We had a great time. The Beacon was wonderful! We were very happy with them.

[ambula704]

I am getting ready to read through the entire thread but wanted to bump in case anyone had anything to add!

[Taurus]

Bump! Looks like we are headed cross-country to DC for a fall wedding at the Fairmont hotel. I need to decide if the kids (will be 1 and 2.5) are coming. Also, DH has never been to DC!