Discussion
Hi all,
Looking to visit Washington DC soon, just wondering if anyone has any recommendation for hotels? I'm on a bit of a budget and don't want to rent a car if I can help it.
Any city tips or reccomendations for food and activities also greatly appreciated. Air and space museum is already high on the list.
Cheers
Looking to visit Washington DC soon, just wondering if anyone has any recommendation for hotels? I'm on a bit of a budget and don't want to rent a car if I can help it.
Any city tips or reccomendations for food and activities also greatly appreciated. Air and space museum is already high on the list.
Cheers
Air and Space will be a pain to get to without a car, especially if you're there as a family. Renting one for a day won't break the bank (especially if you get something small like a Fiesta - it'll cost less than the bus for a family of 4) and it'll make getting to the slightly far flung things a whole lot easier.
Now then.
I am in DC as we speak... I'm staying in Rosslyn, Virginia which is a high rise business district just across the river from the National Mall (a couple of stops on the Metro to the tourist sites or a $1 bus to Georgetown).
As the previous poster suggests the city centre seems to be a Ghost-town at weekends, for good or ill.
I am in DC as we speak... I'm staying in Rosslyn, Virginia which is a high rise business district just across the river from the National Mall (a couple of stops on the Metro to the tourist sites or a $1 bus to Georgetown).
As the previous poster suggests the city centre seems to be a Ghost-town at weekends, for good or ill.
We spent three days there years ago and it wasn't long enough.
The Smithsonian is a whole series of museums and although we spent a whole day at the air and space museum it wasn't time to see everything on display.
Loads of monuments, from the Vietnam Wall and the Iwo Jima statue, to the Lincoln and Washington memorials, not forgetting the Capitol Building and the White House (not sure if tours are available nowadays?) Similarly, the J Edgar Hoover building used to have a museum but I don't know if it is still open to the public.
Arlington cemetary was strangely tranquil, the changing of the Marine Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is worth seeing, and both JFK and Robert Kennedy are buried there. The Americans are VERY respectful at JFKs eternal flame so don't let child in your party push to the front demanding to see Jack-In-The-Box like our youngest did! There's also a grave for Glenn Miller but, as far as I recall, his body was never found.
There are lots of pubs and restaurants full of movers and shakers and wannabees of an evening so, if people-watching and maybe a little discrete eavesdropping is your thing, that can be fun too.
One thing I would say is that walking anywhere after dusk is a big no-no. Certainly when we were there it was dangerous city and a cabby who picked us up during a 2-block walk to the pub and wouldn't take any money for the ride was proved right on the way back when we saw loads of cops in action!
I can't remember the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was very centrally located between the Capital and the White House and there are plenty of other business/convention hotels in that area.
The Smithsonian is a whole series of museums and although we spent a whole day at the air and space museum it wasn't time to see everything on display.
Loads of monuments, from the Vietnam Wall and the Iwo Jima statue, to the Lincoln and Washington memorials, not forgetting the Capitol Building and the White House (not sure if tours are available nowadays?) Similarly, the J Edgar Hoover building used to have a museum but I don't know if it is still open to the public.
Arlington cemetary was strangely tranquil, the changing of the Marine Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is worth seeing, and both JFK and Robert Kennedy are buried there. The Americans are VERY respectful at JFKs eternal flame so don't let child in your party push to the front demanding to see Jack-In-The-Box like our youngest did! There's also a grave for Glenn Miller but, as far as I recall, his body was never found.
There are lots of pubs and restaurants full of movers and shakers and wannabees of an evening so, if people-watching and maybe a little discrete eavesdropping is your thing, that can be fun too.
One thing I would say is that walking anywhere after dusk is a big no-no. Certainly when we were there it was dangerous city and a cabby who picked us up during a 2-block walk to the pub and wouldn't take any money for the ride was proved right on the way back when we saw loads of cops in action!
I can't remember the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was very centrally located between the Capital and the White House and there are plenty of other business/convention hotels in that area.
davepoth said:
I think he's probably referring to the Udvar-Hazy Center out at Dulles. It's really not that well served by public transport.
Ahh true.I quote like the city, just not in the summer. Some good food to be had. Very open plan, expansive city. May, early June would be ideal.
I didn't think too much of Washington DC. I just didn't click with the place.
We stayed at the St Gregory hotel. There was good deals for this hotel and it was more than good enough.
A bit of walking or the Metro and you could get most places in a reasonable time. I really wouldn't want a car with me around Washington DC. I dropped our hire car off when we arrived in DC, and I'm glad we did.
If you don't want to pay for a taxi out to Dulles airport, you can walk 5 minutes down to Foggy Bottom Metro, go a stop or two, then catch the shuttle bus to the airport.
We stayed at the St Gregory hotel. There was good deals for this hotel and it was more than good enough.
A bit of walking or the Metro and you could get most places in a reasonable time. I really wouldn't want a car with me around Washington DC. I dropped our hire car off when we arrived in DC, and I'm glad we did.
If you don't want to pay for a taxi out to Dulles airport, you can walk 5 minutes down to Foggy Bottom Metro, go a stop or two, then catch the shuttle bus to the airport.
I can't say we ever felt in danger walking about in Washington DC. We were out and about ever evening and often walked large distances.
There was lots of usually older black men in many areas with park benches, but they never approached us. They didn't seem to beg and certainly not with the aggression they do elsewhere in the USA.
There was lots of usually older black men in many areas with park benches, but they never approached us. They didn't seem to beg and certainly not with the aggression they do elsewhere in the USA.
Vaud said:
davepoth said:
I think he's probably referring to the Udvar-Hazy Center out at Dulles. It's really not that well served by public transport.
Ahh true.I quote like the city, just not in the summer. Some good food to be had. Very open plan, expansive city. May, early June would be ideal.
We stayed in Alexandria when we went. It's a nice area, a very colonial feel to it. You have the Metro or the ferry up the Potomac to take you into DC. We stayed at the Monaco Alexandria. It was a nice hotel, but can't remember how much it was. There is a free bus that runs up and down King St to the metro station.
We only had 1 day in DC itself. If you just want to see monuments and the buildings that is ok - we covered the National Mall and most of the memorials, the perimeter of the White House and a visit inside the US capitol building (including the senate room!). You can actually arrange a visit to the senate room beforehand and you'll be allowed into the viewing gallery (after ALOT of security) to observe the senate.
We only had 1 day in DC itself. If you just want to see monuments and the buildings that is ok - we covered the National Mall and most of the memorials, the perimeter of the White House and a visit inside the US capitol building (including the senate room!). You can actually arrange a visit to the senate room beforehand and you'll be allowed into the viewing gallery (after ALOT of security) to observe the senate.
Done DC 4 times with different family members and each time we have done this tour on the first full day.
http://washingtondctours.onboardtours.com/dc-it-al...
It is a great way to see the majority of the important stuff and decide where you may want to spend more time and the guides are generally really entertaining - I cannot recommend it enough.
(Caveat the last time I did it was 2012 and things do change)
I've stayed at The Palomar Dupont Circle and Hotel Rouge near Scott Circle (both Kimptons) good value, comfortable huge rooms & free wifi.
Also stayed at Sofitel Lafayette Square - more expensive but great location and good hotel.
If it's still open go up the Old Post Office Tower - their skyscraper! - great views across the city.
If you want go up the Washington Monument - assuming it's open - you need to book in advance.
I would also advise caution regarding walking at night - never seen any issues but certainly did not feel as safe as NYC.
http://washingtondctours.onboardtours.com/dc-it-al...
It is a great way to see the majority of the important stuff and decide where you may want to spend more time and the guides are generally really entertaining - I cannot recommend it enough.
(Caveat the last time I did it was 2012 and things do change)
I've stayed at The Palomar Dupont Circle and Hotel Rouge near Scott Circle (both Kimptons) good value, comfortable huge rooms & free wifi.
Also stayed at Sofitel Lafayette Square - more expensive but great location and good hotel.
If it's still open go up the Old Post Office Tower - their skyscraper! - great views across the city.
If you want go up the Washington Monument - assuming it's open - you need to book in advance.
I would also advise caution regarding walking at night - never seen any issues but certainly did not feel as safe as NYC.
DB4DM said:
Mount Vernon is worth seeing in a National Trust sort of way
Forgot we went to see this too! Definitely worth a visit if you have the time. The other thing we did was visit the Mason Neck national park. This was an unexpected highlight. We hired a canoe for a few hours from the very friendly and knowledgeable park rangers, took some food and water and paddled up Kanes Creek. Saw all sorts of animal and birds in particular, including eagles and storks! I think the 3 hours we spent out cost us about $35. Beautiful place, and i get the impression under-appreciated by a majority of the natives.
You would have to drive there though, so perhaps not much help to the OP.
GoneAnon said:
We spent three days there years ago and it wasn't long enough.
The Smithsonian is a whole series of museums and although we spent a whole day at the air and space museum it wasn't time to see everything on display.
Loads of monuments, from the Vietnam Wall and the Iwo Jima statue, to the Lincoln and Washington memorials, not forgetting the Capitol Building and the White House (not sure if tours are available nowadays?) Similarly, the J Edgar Hoover building used to have a museum but I don't know if it is still open to the public.
Arlington cemetary was strangely tranquil, the changing of the Marine Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is worth seeing, and both JFK and Robert Kennedy are buried there. The Americans are VERY respectful at JFKs eternal flame so don't let child in your party push to the front demanding to see Jack-In-The-Box like our youngest did! There's also a grave for Glenn Miller but, as far as I recall, his body was never found.
There are lots of pubs and restaurants full of movers and shakers and wannabees of an evening so, if people-watching and maybe a little discrete eavesdropping is your thing, that can be fun too.
One thing I would say is that walking anywhere after dusk is a big no-no. Certainly when we were there it was dangerous city and a cabby who picked us up during a 2-block walk to the pub and wouldn't take any money for the ride was proved right on the way back when we saw loads of cops in action!
I can't remember the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was very centrally located between the Capital and the White House and there are plenty of other business/convention hotels in that area.
I second all of this! I also visited the Pentagon (2 months after 9/11) and the zoo which was well worth the walk. Hop on hop off tour buses were used for most trips. Also saw the Wizards NBA and Capitols NHL so worth checking schedules.The Smithsonian is a whole series of museums and although we spent a whole day at the air and space museum it wasn't time to see everything on display.
Loads of monuments, from the Vietnam Wall and the Iwo Jima statue, to the Lincoln and Washington memorials, not forgetting the Capitol Building and the White House (not sure if tours are available nowadays?) Similarly, the J Edgar Hoover building used to have a museum but I don't know if it is still open to the public.
Arlington cemetary was strangely tranquil, the changing of the Marine Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is worth seeing, and both JFK and Robert Kennedy are buried there. The Americans are VERY respectful at JFKs eternal flame so don't let child in your party push to the front demanding to see Jack-In-The-Box like our youngest did! There's also a grave for Glenn Miller but, as far as I recall, his body was never found.
There are lots of pubs and restaurants full of movers and shakers and wannabees of an evening so, if people-watching and maybe a little discrete eavesdropping is your thing, that can be fun too.
One thing I would say is that walking anywhere after dusk is a big no-no. Certainly when we were there it was dangerous city and a cabby who picked us up during a 2-block walk to the pub and wouldn't take any money for the ride was proved right on the way back when we saw loads of cops in action!
I can't remember the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was very centrally located between the Capital and the White House and there are plenty of other business/convention hotels in that area.
I stayed in april 2014 at the best western near Arlington cemetery. Spring is a great time on the east coast as everything is in bloom, but the temperatures are perfect and little humildity. I actually drove from miami to dc over thre weeks.
Good value hotel as out of the centre, they had half hourly shuttle bus to the nearest metro and it was then just a few stops to the centre. They have a system similar to the Oyster card.
The walk from the capitol all the way to the Lincoln memorial is a must. It must be s couple of miles at least but so much to see. You can go in the Capitol and the library of congress. Both pretty much a must do. Foreigners can no longer go in the Whitehouse. U.S. citizens can. You can visit the pentagon, but have to book a slot weeks in advance, I didn't get the chance to go.
I only did a couple of museums/galleries. The space museum in the centre is great. I spent all day in there and barely scratched the surface.
Arlington cemetery is good too. The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is worth watching. There is an open shuttle around Arlington, but I walked all around it. Parts of it are just empty of visitors and it was humbling to see row after row after row of white head stones.
Big fan of Washington!
Good value hotel as out of the centre, they had half hourly shuttle bus to the nearest metro and it was then just a few stops to the centre. They have a system similar to the Oyster card.
The walk from the capitol all the way to the Lincoln memorial is a must. It must be s couple of miles at least but so much to see. You can go in the Capitol and the library of congress. Both pretty much a must do. Foreigners can no longer go in the Whitehouse. U.S. citizens can. You can visit the pentagon, but have to book a slot weeks in advance, I didn't get the chance to go.
I only did a couple of museums/galleries. The space museum in the centre is great. I spent all day in there and barely scratched the surface.
Arlington cemetery is good too. The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is worth watching. There is an open shuttle around Arlington, but I walked all around it. Parts of it are just empty of visitors and it was humbling to see row after row after row of white head stones.
Big fan of Washington!
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