Washington, DC

[Kelso]

I am not finding anything with searches so Please Help.
We are going to spend 4 days, 3 nights in Washington DC (no kids). We plan to go to the Smithsonian Institution one day. What else is a must see over a couple of days.

Also, any recommendations on lodging that is reasonable for cost conscience seniors? I am worried I will book something and it will not be in a good part of town or far away causing me to fight the traffic more than is necessary. We will be driving as this is part of a larger trip.

 

[Patri]

I'd look for a hotel near one of the metro stops, and take that in for your tourist days. Leave the car at the hotel with the free parking.

 

[ronparise]

Must see in a few days in DC???

A few days is not enough time to do the Smithsonian. Let alone the Capitol, the monuments, visit your Congressman, The Whitehouse, etc..Yow will also not have the time to see Mount Vernon, Georgetown, or take day trips to Annapolis, or Baltimore, or spend a day at the Beach (Ocean City)

This is a Timeshare forum so my first recommendation should be a timeshare resort, but there are very few timeshare resorts in and around Washingtom. Wyndhams National Harbor, or Old Town Alexandria are I believe the only 2. Old Town would be my choice because its on the Metro. Other than that as has already been said, your best bet would be a hotel or motel near a metro stop

George for some reason chose a location in a swamp to build his new Capitol. As a result summers in DC are hot and muggy. (The natives move out in August) (I moved to Florida, to get away from the heat) So if you go in summer, be prepared...The Spring or Fall would be my suggestion..

 

[elaine]

The top musuems are Natural History, American H, Air-space, Indian. East and West wing art and the Spy Museum. There is also a Newseum. Very good National Zoo, Arlington Cemetery. If you have a car, Mount Vernon in Alex is a good 1/2 day visit, as well.
Close in hotels usually charge $$ for parking (sometimes $25-40 a day). If I were staying in a hotel for touring sights of DC (having worked in DC for 20 years), and I could get parking for a reasonable rate, I would choose 1) Residence Inn in SW DC (you can walk to almost everything), 2) Courtyard @ 9th St (around that area, next to Spy Museum)-also walk to most sights, 3) crystal city/national airport area (DCA) (easy 5 minute metro ride). Also, depending on the cost, there are Marriotts and Hyatts in DC that are very nice.
You will need metro for Arlington Cemetery and National Zoo. Both have dedicated stops. The metro is very safe and easy.
Many times, a very economical way to stay is to stay by Dulles airport (IAD) 15 miles out with tons of good hotels, and then take a shutttle (ask if they have one) to the metro. You can buy a day pass on the metro that starts after 9:30 AM.
You can also stay in Springfield (10 miles S on I95) and take hotel shuttle to metro (and use the day pass to get into town).
Both Dulles and Springfield will take 45 minutes to get into DC, but the cost savings might be worth it. the new air-space museum (full size hanger with famous planes, etc.) is near dulles airport. Smaller air-space is still on the Mall in DC (my kids prefer the DC one).

 

[pedro47]

I'd look for a hotel near one of the metro stops, and take that in for your tourist days. Leave the car at the hotel with the free parking.

I totally agree with the above post. I personally would look for a hotel in Virginia and I would never book a hotel again in Springfield, MD. The traffic was awful the last two week last weeks.

 

[Luanne]

I totally agree with the above post. I personally would look for a hotel in Virginia and I would never book a hotel again in Springfield, MD. The traffic was awful the last two week last weeks.

I think Elaine may have meant Springfield, VA. There is a metro stop near there (in fact at least one hotel offers a free shuttle to and from the metro) and the area isn't bad. We've stayed in Springfield several times, but to visit family, not to go into DC.

 

[Bucky]

Last couple of times we were there we stayed at the Wyndham Old Town Alexandria. Unless you're a Wyndham owner it's a very hard trade to get into though.

Even when we've been unable to get reservations there, we have still stayed in Old Town Alexandria because it's one of our favorite places. From either the Embassy Suites or the Hilton in Old Town, you can walk to the Metro in probably two minutes at the most. Another great benefit of staying in any of those three is that there is a free Trolly that stops right in front that will take you down to the waterfront for a great dinner in one of the numerous restaurants located there. Also, the Embassy Suites offers a free shuttle service to the waterfront area both down and back.

Now none of these three places would be considered budget stays but since it sounds like you probably don't get there often, if ever, they would be great places to base yourself. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Nancy]

There are several motels near the King Street metro stop in Alexandia. Since I live in that general area, I'd pick it as a place to stay. As long as you are near a metro in a decent area, you should be fine.

Nancy

 

[Big Matt]

Kelso,
don't rule out the Wyndham National Harbor. It is farther away, but about 10 minutes from the Metro and in a nice location.

By all means, please don't stay any more than 30 minutes from DC or you will spend all day driving. Also, no need to drive into DC ever except for weekends when meters are free. Send me a PM if you want any specifics. I work in the DC metro area and am in DC at least twice a week.

 

[Talent312]

If you prefer to be close to the action in a quality hotel (and don't mind paying garage fees), the Hilton Garden Inn at 815 14th Street NW would be a good choice.

Its across the street from two essentials -- McPherson Sq. Metro station (two stops from the Mall) and a "Five Guys Burgers" (best in town). Its also 2 1/2 blocks to the White House, if you want to drop in.

We stayed there for six nights, indulged in fresh free cookies every afternoon, and never heard any street noise even though our room was above the street.

 

[YeongWoo]

I saw this posting for Old Town Alexandria on Ebay- http://cgi.ebay.com/Wyndham-Old-Tow...80352350386?pt=US_Lodging&hash=item588ec448b2
If I didn't do the link right just copy that into your browser. You didn't give dates for your trip but I thought this might give you an idea of what was out there. This deal works out to about $110 a night which is a steal and I 2nd the opinion that you should stay there in Alexandria. I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the hotels in DC either if you can't work out TS dates.

As far as planning for the trip, I know Big Matt nailed down a perfect DC list on a previous thread. I'll find it. My one comment there is that the tour buses do a great job in DC and they hit about everything.

Turns out I have two threads for you. This one has the list I remembered- http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114664 and I came across this one as well http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118205&highlight=washington.

 

[esk444]

Leave the car at the hotel with the free parking.

Just about every hotel within walking distance of a metro inside the beltway charges for parking. You just have to factor in the parking price into your hotel costs.