Washington DC/Baltimore area

[tamarabannon]

We're planning a 3-4 night trip to the DC area so that we can visit the museums and see "the big president"

Does anyone have advice for affordable accomodations near the area? I don't mind staying in MD or VA

 

[Stan's MaggieMouse]

We were just there between Christmas and New Years for four nights. We stayed at a place called The River Inn about a block and a half from the Foggy Bottom Metro Station. It was about a hundred a night, had a Queen bed and a pull out sofa, small kitchen with full size fridge, two burner stove, microwave and coffee maker. Wifi was very slow but was a nice place.

 

[tamarabannon]

I will definitely check that out. thanks!!!

 

[kiddisney]

we've been a couple of times to dc & baltimore -

for baltimore we stayed north in hunt valley - nice embassy suites w/breakfast & a small mall across the street where we got some snacks - took light rail into downtown -

for dc - we've stayed in alexandria - at what was the sheraton suites - they dropped off at the metro - and it was a quick ride into dc - also stayed at the hyatt by union station - and holiday inn - it really depends on if you're taking a car or not - you would want free parking because parking is rather expensive - or if you're taking the train - then you want to be near union station -

cabs & the metro are convienent and easy - we also take old town trolley tours every time we go - they take you everywhere in the city as well as georgetown, embassy row, the national cathedral -

there's a lot of info on their websites -

 

[tamarabannon]

Oh excellent -- glad to know about parking -- yes, we'd have our car. Thank you!

 

[lisaross]

WE stayed at the Americana Motel- i think Springfield VA? its a short walk to the metro - free continental breafast - nothing fancy - an older motel but great locations! Less then 100 a night

We're planning a 3-4 night trip to the DC area so that we can visit the museums and see "the big president"

Does anyone have advice for affordable accomodations near the area? I don't mind staying in MD or VA

 

[lovemygoofy]

Timing is everything visiting DC. Starting in March and going through May is time for almost every 7-8th grader in America to visit. It's not only crowded but expensive during that time.

Hotel rooms are cheaper on the weekends than during the week. If you can work your time around that it will help with the costs.

You will pay out the nose alot of places to park your car even at the hotel. Check upfront about those extra expenses. If you drive to the metro, it is $4.50 a day to park but free on the weekends.

Old Town Alexandria in VA has some nice family friendly suite style hotels that are extremely close to the metro and not too long of a metro ride. The farther you stay out, the more you are going to pay to ride the metro.

Don't attempt to drive into DC unless you have nerves of steel, tons of patience, and time to kill.

Travelzoo.com usually has some good hotel deals for the city. I cannot stress how great the Dummies Guide to DC is for getting around. It really breaks down everything by metro stops and even time of day and the season visiting.

If you are going to drive to Baltimore from DC, take an afternoon and go see Annapolis if you haven't been. It is gorgeous and just cute little town. Try to get a tour of the Naval Academy if you can. It is really neat to see the history of our Navy.

 

[pixeegrl]

We always stay at the Embassy Suites with out 4 boys. Over Christmas we stayed at the one in Old Town Alexandria as the metro is right across the street. We have also stayed at the one in Crystal City and Chevy Chase Pavilion-metro is under the hotel. Love the large suites, great Breakfast and evening reception. I also recomend going to the Udvar Hazy Center portion of the Air and Space Museum near the airport...no metro transportation. The boys loved all the aircraft including The Space Shuttle, Blackbird, and Transformers Movie props lol!

 

[jama]

Starwood hotels has a 'pay your birth year rate"

Last year we stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton on K Street in Dc..you pay regular rate 1st night and the pay your birth year the 2nd and 3rd night...is a great deal especially if you are old!..my father travels with us, so our rate was $23/night! (after the 1st night)

Also,the hotel has a fantastic restaurant and you can go to www.restaurant.com for certificates

http://www.fourpointsdc.com/

 

[stacie_d]

We always stay at the Embassy Suites with out 4 boys. Over Christmas we stayed at the one in Old Town Alexandria as the metro is right across the street. We have also stayed at the one in Crystal City and Chevy Chase Pavilion-metro is under the hotel. Love the large suites, great Breakfast and evening reception. I also recomend going to the Udvar Hazy Center portion of the Air and Space Museum near the airport...no metro transportation. The boys loved all the aircraft including The Space Shuttle, Blackbird, and Transformers Movie props lol!

We also stayed at the Embassy Suites in Crystal City, just this past veteran's day weekend. We are a family of four, so having a nice hot breakfast to start the day included in the price of the room is nice. Room was clean and comfortable.

 

[tamarabannon]

Oh wow, thank you for all the information!

I'm going to have to find a really old person to travel with me

We're meeting up with friends, so perhaps getting a suite and splitting costs, which is helpful, but really, this isn't meant to be a comprehensive tour -- we're hoping to see the Capitol building, the Mall, the White House, Abraham Lincoln and a couple museums. I wish it could be comprehensive though!

Thanks again!

 

[punkin]

For the white house you are going to need to get tickets very far in advance.

 

[tamarabannon]

You can go IN?!

I had no idea!

I'll look that up, thank you!

 

[punkin]

You can go IN?!

I had no idea!

I'll look that up, thank you!

You can get tickets through your Congressperson or Senator, but they are very limited. There are details on the White House page:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours-and-events

 

[luv2sewtjr]

White House tickets are difficult to get, but tickets to the Capital are pretty easy.

http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/

We enjoyed the tour of that and you can also access the Library of Congress when you are finished. They are connected via an underground passage.

The Archives are also wonderful.

We go to D.C. on a regular basis...it is my 7 year old's favorite place to day trip.

There is security everywhere, so I always pack light. The capital has strict rules about bags and absolutely no water bottles. There were lots of expensive ones in the trash can outside security.

Have fun!

 

[anabelle]

The Mint is very cool too!