Washington DC questions

[Beer Snob-50]

planning a trip to our nations capital with the family in august. what areas would you suggest staying in and where should i avoid. looking to go on priceline tonight to try and get someplace.

[SaveElmer]

1. Downtown is very expensive

Try and find a hotel that is either in walking distance, or just a short shuttle ride from a metro subway stop. You might try northern Virginia (Vienna or Merrifield).

[Beer Snob-50]

4. How is Alexandria?

[SaveElmer]

7. A little pricey...

And not easy metro access (depends where you stay)..but it is a great place to tour...alot of history and some great old houses

[demnan]

2. Don't come here in August

The weather is unbearable. That's when the rest of us try to leave. Wait till September or October if you possibly can. Even November is better walking weather.

[Beer Snob-50]

6. That is the only time we can get time off to go

we handled the heat and humidity of florida in august hopefully we can go the same here.

[demnan]

11. Well then

make sure your hotel has a pool. It will be the only thing your family will enjoy during their stay.

[Zuni]

20. LOL

The Chesapeake Bay area does get a bit muggy in August. I usually just go naked most of the time *kidding*

[Goathead]

3. Hotel Washington

$145.00 a night for room with two double beds and I think brekkie is included.

[Beer Snob-50]

5. Is that in Washington DC itself?

[Goathead]

12. Across the street from the Treusury Dept.

One block away from the Whitehouse next to the Willard.

[LynneSin]

8. State Plaza Hotel

The place has inexpensive suites where you could even have a separate room from the kids. Suites can run about $129/night. It's located about 4-5 blocks north of the Mall.

[Beer Snob-50]

13. I think I saw that one on expedia

129/night isn't too bad.

[YankeyMCC]

9. The traffic is horendous

I just went down there for April Vacation and we stayed outside the city (with friends) our "commute" for daily tourist stuff into DC was really bad.

You have a Rox Sox avatar so maybe you'll understand this comparision. It's like the Southeast Expressway when there's an accident but it doesn't take an accident to make it that jammed up.

The Metro helps, but you still have to get to the closest station. And watch out for the tricky parking fees. You have to pay $5 just to get a Card which you then load up with money to pay your "actual" parking fees.

[Beer Snob-50]

14. i have heard this problem from more than one person!

We hope to find someplace close to the metro stops and jsut leave the car at the hotel.

[Zuni]

22. If you are coming from N. VA, yes, the traffic is abominable

actually, try to avoid 495---the DC Beltway during rush hour (especially near the two Potomac River crossings--The Woodrow Wilson bridge in Alexandria and the American Legion Bridge out near Glen Echo. It is every bit as bad as an LA freeway, and 95 around Alexandria VA can be quite appalling as well

[FloridaPat]

10. Try to find a place within real walking distance of a metro stop.

A lot of the hotels do have van service, but they only drop off and pick up at special hours. And do double check on a map that they are within walking distance. I stayed at one hotel that said that and it was 5 miles away. Ok, that would be in walking distance if I had an hour and a half to spend going to and from work. Good exercise. But just a little too much exercise before work.

Do not stay at the Howard Johnsons north of DC in Maryland. I stayed there in May. I frooze because they had no heat - not sure if they have air. They are also the only hotel in the US that don't carry national tv channels. I missed the last eposide of Friends!

[bertha katzenengel]

21. I second that! Stay w/in walking distance of a Metro train (not bus) sta-

tion and you can get just about anywhere worth seeing.

Do not stay in Southeast DC.

Best wishes and have a great trip!

[Beer Snob-50]

24. thanks!

[Laughing Mirror]

27. I don't know of any hotels in Southeast unfortunately

But visit the Frederick Douglass home, Cedar Hill, in Anacostia, not only for the history but for the fabulous view of the city you'll find nowhere else.

[GOPisEvil]

15. August in DC is hot!

But I come from Texas, so it didn't bother me much.

Avoid the Ramada Inn in Silver Spring. It wasn't that great. Not awful, I guess, but you can do better.

Go to the Holocaust Museum. It's free (donations accepted) and very moving.

[Beer Snob-50]

16. I have heard that about the museum.

My wife is not keen on the idea however. We will "negotiate"!

[Laughing Mirror]

17. Visit the Mall at night when all the monuments are lit up

And there is no traffic at all, so you can take your car and park most anywhere. Capitol, Jefferson, Lincoln Memorial, Monument all lit up and glowing. Nightime is my favorite time to show visitors around my hometown DC.

I love DC in August. When I was a kid nobody had air conditioners! Not even the buses.

[Beer Snob-50]

18. I am going to have to do this.

You see pictures on tv but will have to see in person.

[Laughing Mirror]

19. Yes you must

And may I add, as the signs say when you cross the District line, Welcome to Washington!

[Zuni]

23. thats when the roads get shitty too

I always know when Rt. 50 become NY Avenue (besides crossing the Anacostia) because suddenly there are potholes everywhere

[Southpaw Bookworm]

25. On all escalators

Standers to the right, walkers to the left.

That is all.

:hi:

[Ron Mexico]

26. I HIGHLY recommend the Crystal City Marriott.

It's walking distance from the more popular and more expensive Crystal Gateway Marriott. It's one Metro stop from a big mall, you can go from your room to the Metro and that mall without ever going outside, there are underground shops at your stop, and it's a nice short Metro ride to all of the tourist traps.

[Catchawave]

28. What fun....I love DC !

I have to agree with the majority here who suggest keeping the metro station nearby, or else the only thing you'll be seeing are rear bumpers !

Try these sites too for comparison shopping:

http://www.hoteldiscounts.com/index.html

http://www.travelocity.com/


Side trips might include: Annapolis, Old Towne Alexandria, Quantico and Kings Dominion (about an hour south of DC, but thinking of your kids!).

DO WRITE your House and Senate reps NOW to set up a visit, Capitol tours and possibly a White House VIP tour. Also, request tickets for the Marine Barracks Sunset Parade at 8th and Eye <---WHOA, Goosebumps!

If you've never been, vist The Wall (Vietnam Memorial) too.

Just remember, Google is your friend in checking out specifics of the DC area! But in August, you may want to have Plan A (outdoor activity) and Plan B (indoor activity) in place :)

Have a blast !