Budget trip to Washington DC

[Ava]

1)Locals seem to sit one to the pair of seats on the metro. Seemed like a waste of space to me, but then my DS said maybe people are scared of who may sit beside them( Like the one guy who was sniffing paper for our 10 minute ride, maybe? ;-)) When we got in with our luggage, noone even made eye contact, so we were standing trying to balance luggage for the long ride, while their bags had their own seat. On our ride back, I was bold and just asked if I could sit.

This is how the locals do it on the subway in NYC too - no one wants to sit next to stranger unless they have to, lol. It is considered rude though to put your bag on the seat. If I encounter that on the train, I just say excuse me and the person usually moves their bag.

 

[torinsmom]

This is how the locals do it on the subway in NYC too - no one wants to sit next to stranger unless they have to, lol. It is considered rude though to put your bag on the seat. If I encounter that on the train, I just say excuse me and the person usually moves their bag.

I was just worried to sit beside someone when there was an extra seat. Is that considered breaking an unspoken rule?

Also, I was glad I read in a book that standers should stay to the right on the escalators, so the walkers can breeze past you. I think I would have gotten run over if I hadn't known that! I couldn't believe how fast some people were going down that 3-4 story tall escalator!

Marsha

 

[amamax2]

I'll definitely do that! In the meantime...contact your senator like everyone is suggesting!!! I'm hoping it will work for us.

Just did that beginning of this week! Hopefully I'll hear back soon. But thanks for the reminder.

 

[PattiPB]

Just returned to Florida from a driving trip to Williamsburg, DC and Daytona. As promised, here is my review of the Capital Hill Suites:

FABULOUS!!!

Not enough? I'll add details. We checked in at about 11 am, and got right in our room. We had the extended studio type with two queens and a sofabed, full kitchen and dining table. We were in the annex building, which is where breakfast is served. Room was great. Breakfast was great. WiFi was great. Two blocks to the Metro, across the street from the Library of Congress. Absolutely a GREAT choice.

We'd originally booked AAA for $116 a night. We have five people, so I can't really priceline/hotwire. A week before we left, rechecked and the price was $101 a night. Rebooked. While in Williamsburg, VA, rechecked and the price dropped again to $91. MORALE: Keep checking the website!!!

They never charged us the $32 per night parking fee, and they kept our car until 4 pm on our checkout day.

GREAT place. I highly recommend it! Any questions???

 

[BLLB]

subscribing

 

[MACfamily4]

DH is taking a group of his journalism students to DC for the National Scholastic Press Association convention in November. DD, DS, and I are going to go along and make a holiday of it. This is great info. Keep it coming.

 

[Lady SnowElla]

Thanks will store this information away for our trip planned next year. Where did you stay in Williamsburg?

 

[D&DDisney]

We were just there last week and camped in MD in cabins for about $70 per night.
If anyone is driving, this might be a great way to save some money. Just had to bring sleeping bags and pillows. The KOA campground was wonderful. Very clean! Offered a shuttle right to the Capitol building, daily.

 

[amamax2]

Just returned to Florida from a driving trip to Williamsburg, DC and Daytona. As promised, here is my review of the Capital Hill Suites:

GREAT place. I highly recommend it! Any questions???

PattiPB -

Thanks for coming back and reporting on the Capitol Hill Suites! I will keep checking the prices - we booked through AAA but would love to get it even lower.

What was the breakfast like? Can you tell me what time breakfast started? We have several things planned somewhat early in the a.m. Where did you eat while in DC while you were out and about? Is there anyplace close to the hotel you'd recommend? We get in around dinner time our first night.

We are also heading to Williamsburg after DC - any suggestions for food there or helpful hints in general?

Thanks again!!

Michelle

 

[PattiPB]

Thanks will store this information away for our trip planned next year. Where did you stay in Williamsburg?

We stayed on property at the Woodlands. Being a fam of 5 dictates where we stay, and the Woodlands had a sleeper chair for the 5th person.

It was the most expensive hotel of the trip $119 per night, but it was worth it being onsite. We are from Vegas. Flew to FL, drove to Williamsburg, then DC then Daytona, then back to Tampa. We wanted to just park the car in VA and DC!!!

Room was nice. Breakfast included frozen waffles, muffins, bagels, fruit, cereals, pretty standard. GREAT location---walk to visitors center and shuttle service. FYI: This was the only hotel throughout the trip with NO FRIDGE OR MICRO!!! Fastfood was a quick drive away in the center of the "regular" town.

 

[PattiPB]

PattiPB -

Thanks for coming back and reporting on the Capitol Hill Suites! I will keep checking the prices - we booked through AAA but would love to get it even lower. Keep checking! Price dropped from $116 to $91 two days before we got there. I literally cancelled at rebooked while in Williamsburg.

What was the breakfast like? Can you tell me what time breakfast started? 6-9 weekdays, 7-10 weekend. Standard muffins, cereals, fruit. Good enough. It's in a nice residential area with local bars/grills right around the block. We found the prices in the area reasonable compared to, say Disney. We also ate at the Library of Congress cafeteria (fine) and the Smithsonian cafeteria (also fine). The food store is about 3 blocks from the hotel, and we went there and made spaghetti one night. Cheap, fast and good.

We are also heading to Williamsburg after DC - any suggestions for food there or helpful hints in general? Williamsburg was great! We got the two day tix, and we were busy both days. Did the ghost walk---kids LOVED it for $12 it was wonderful.

Thanks again!! Keep asking! I've taken so much from the DIS through the years I'm thrilled to give back every once in a while! Heading to WDW next week before we fly back to Vegas. Speaking of which---free Wifi in VA and DC hotels!
Michelle

Any other questions??

 

[Teacher03]

Any other questions??

How far is Williamsburg from DC? I'm going to visit my daughter next week, and we are looking for something different to do.

 

[amamax2]

How far is Williamsburg from DC? I'm going to visit my daughter next week, and we are looking for something different to do.

3 hours driving is what I've been told.....

 

[amamax2]

Any other questions??

Thanks again, so much, for all the info! I'll keep the questions coming as I think of them. I love the idea of making dinner at the hotel one night - spaghetti will be just right!

We have two-day tixs for Williamsburg and definitely plan to do the Ghost Tour. Did you do the Tavern Ghost tour or The Ghosts Among Us one? Did you order the tixs ahead of time? We are also staying at the Woodlands - just booked this week. I should have just had you plan my whole trip, lol, as it seems we are following you!

Well, we are almost as crazy as you, we are heading to WDW from Williamsburg! We live in San Diego and figure as long as we are "back East" we might as well hit everything we can!

Michelle

PS What website did you find that great price at the hotel? Their's, AAA, or someplace like Hotwire?

 

[Echo queen]

Great tread, we decided today we are going to DC June 2010.

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

We are going the last 5 days of August and decided to stay at the Residence Inn Marriott Capitol - 1 bedroom suite for $104.00 night with breakfast only 1.5 blocks to Federal Center SW metro stop. Thank you to everybody who posted advice and tips here as I have been taking many notes for months during planning.

I am getting into planning the details now for our 3 full days of touring Friday/Saturday/Sunday. I booked Washington Monument tickets online for 9am Friday morning. Now I am having trouble deciding do we do the DCONFOOT walking tour More than Monuments to see the other monuments or wait and do a "monuments by moonlight" trolly tour during an evening? We are planning on taking the metro around but not sure if I should book a Trolly Tour for a day to see everything or just take metro? Anybody have any tips on tour vs. doing touring on your own?

I think when we go to Arlington Cemetary the Tourmobile is the only tour available inside the park

Any tips would be appreciated... thank you!

 

[Echo queen]

We just decided we are going early June next year. Love this tread. I hope those of you that are going will come back and post more tips and facts.

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

I read many negative reviews on TripAdvisor for the Old Town Trolly tours and also the tourmobile. I guess we will plan our own touring without paying out the high amounts for a tour

 

[ntink]

We loved Old Town Trolley. The tour was very informative and well worth the $$. The Monuments by Moonlight Tour was fabulous. We had done the daytime tour also.

 

[PattiPB]

We have two-day tixs for Williamsburg and definitely plan to do the Ghost Tour. Did you do the Tavern Ghost tour or The Ghosts Among Us one? They did Tavern Tour. The Ghosts among us has people "pretending" to be ghosts talking to you. The Tavern tour goes to more places, and just talks about the legends. The kids LOVED it!!! Did you order the tixs ahead of time? No, and they had availability for both nights at any time. Luckily, I thought before I booked, because the earliest tour is wasn't even dark yet! Why do a ghost tour if it's light out!?!? We are also staying at the Woodlands - just booked this week. I should have just had you plan my whole trip, lol, as it seems we are following you!It was absolutely one of our best family trips, and that is saying something!! LOL!!!!

Well, we are almost as crazy as you, we are heading to WDW from Williamsburg! We live in San Diego and figure as long as we are "back East" we might as well hit everything we can!That's what we do. Next summer we're thinking it's the northern route: NJ (my home state), CT, NY and Boston

Michelle

PS What website did you find that great price at the hotel? Their's, AAA, or someplace like Hotwire?

Booked Woodlands on their own site. Booked Capitol Hill Suites through AAA.