Budget Washington, D.C.?

poohs_hunny

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I'm looking into a long weekend (Memorial Day?) in Washington, D.C. Since I have a WDW trip/cruise planned for July, this has to be done pretty inexpensively. I live in CT, so could drive down, but would rather not have to deal with traffic and driving in the city itself. So I'm thinking either train or air (into Baltimore - Southwest often had Ding fares for $39 or $49 from my airport). I'm most concerned with finding a good hotel (nothing fancy, but safe and clean) within an easy distance of all the main attractions - any suggestions? I haven't been since I was a kid, so I don't remember much about how close together everything is. Any advice or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!
 
I'm looking into a long weekend (Memorial Day?) in Washington, D.C. Since I have a WDW trip/cruise planned for July, this has to be done pretty inexpensively. I live in CT, so could drive down, but would rather not have to deal with traffic and driving in the city itself. So I'm thinking either train or air (into Baltimore - Southwest often had Ding fares for $39 or $49 from my airport). I'm most concerned with finding a good hotel (nothing fancy, but safe and clean) within an easy distance of all the main attractions - any suggestions? I haven't been since I was a kid, so I don't remember much about how close together everything is. Any advice or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!


I have no advice about a budget hotel. We went last spring break and stayed a block away from the Air and Space Museum (very expensive but we used hotel points). By staying close we got to see much more than we would of had we had to commute. Anyway, the hotel and food are the most expensive things. They do have food carts all over the place if you are into that. All of the museums are free. Have a great trip!!
 
You don't need to drive once you're there. Their bus and train system is wonderful.

Parking is pretty expensive in the main areas, but we're staying over near the Pentagon at a Residence Inn (but via hotel points). You could get your room(s) via Priceline or Hotwire if needed. The train is a block or two away and is only like 10-15 minutes to the mall area.



All of the Smithsonian museums are free. There are several good websites that have more info on the other venues. I don't think we're intending paying for anything besides meals while we're there except maybe Mount Vernon.

I thought about the wax museum, but I don't think it would be worth what it would cost us to get in.
 
Our family just went in March, and I really used the "forum" section on Trip Advisor for Washington D.C. The key to saving $ is finding a hotel near the Metro line in an area you are comfortable with the commuting distance. Arlington often has better deals and a very short commute. Read the posts on the DC forum on TA...you'll get lots of great info. Check out your Senator or Congressman's webpage and look for what tours he/she can arrange for you. We really enjoyed the Capitol tour. Have a great trip!
 

Crystal City is the area by DCA (National Airport). It is right over the river from DC and you can get from CC to the tourist areas of DC in under 10 minutes by metro (subway). On the weekends, many hotels near the airport offer weekend rates--areas near Pentagon City are also good---same area, just 1 metro stop away---there are by Pentagon City MAll, lots of eating places. Most decent hotels in DC are $$$ and the ones that aren't are not in areas I would want to stay.
Also, BWI is EASY to get to DC--just take shuttle to train station and hop on MARC (maryland commuter train) straight to Union Station (25 minutes---$10 or so for RT ticket). You can connect at Union Station to Metro to get to Crystal City--takes about 30 minutes b/c you have to switch metro trains. Elaine
 
We are going this week...Friday to be exact!!! It was an unplanned trip, but I found an awesome rate on a hotel so we are going for a few days over spring break.


Here's what I found that I hope will help you out too.

We are staying at the Residence Inn Capitol Hill in a 1 bedroom suite that sleeps six for $125 a night...and it includes free breakfast for all of us!!!!

It is a block from the metro and in walking distance to the mall.

I booked it through marriott.com and it is a AAA rate. But...you don't check the AAA box on their site. Instead in the promo box type AY3. It is a special AAA weekend deal they have going with Marriott.

It was such a great deal that I booked it again for a few nights over the summer for only $111 a night!

It is not valid during the week, but you can check in anytime from Thursday or Friday and stay until Monday. Hopefully, this will help you out!!!

We are also driving...from Massachusetts and will probably park at Union Station. Otherwise, we will just pay the $30 a day and park at the hotel.

There is a website I found that I will go see if I can find again where you can type in your dates and it will tell you the cheapest parking around. I'll post if if I can find it.

If the Marriott deal doesn't work for you, keep checking travelzoo.com. Each week they have the best travel deals on the internet.

Good luck!
 
Found that website....it is parkingaccess.com. Just type in Washington, DC and go from there.

Hope it helps!
 
Another CT resident here, and I used to live in DC (many, many moons ago!).

It is an easy drive, however, driving anywhere along the I-95 corridor on Memorial Day weekend is a bear. I'd take the train right into Union Station in DC. The DC Metro is safe and clean, no need for a car.

My last trip into town we drove and stayed at the Residence Inn on Capitol Hill like the PP. Very close to the National Mall and very family friendly. We also stay on Capitol Hill because that's where most of our friends still are -- you could easily stay outside the City a bit cheaper, but make sure you have easy access to the Metro. Visit the Smithsonians, the art galleries and museums (many are free), and honor our vets at the many memorials.

I am sure there will be lots going on as it's Memorial Day weekend, so be prepared for crowds. A hidden gem if you are on Capitol Hill is Eastern Market; get in line early for breakfast :thumbsup2

Have a great trip!!
 
Check out the Holiday Inn Rosslyn Key Bridge. This is a nice hotel and it has free indoor parking. It is one block from the Rosslyn Metro. I just checked and found a price of $75 per night. We stayed there last summer and were amazed at how nice the hotel was.
 
If you're thinking of going memorial day weekend please check to see what else is going on in town. I was in DC 2 yrs ago on that weekend & the town was very full. Rolling Thunder was in town with over 30,000 bikers so some of the bus tours & routes were not running that weekend. The subway there is easy to use, just read the directions. The cost varies depending on how far you travel & there are different lines too ( all color coded). Have fun with the trip. Id also get a guide from the Library to give you an idea of neighborhoods and so on.
 
Thanks for everyone's help so far. After thinking further, I think driving may be the best option after all. Train fares are very high, and so far I haven't seen any DING fares become available. Now I'm concentrating on the hotel - I'd like to keep it $100 or less per night if possible. Memorial Day weekend isn't definite, but it would be easiest since I wouldn't have to take a day off from work. And once summer hits, you run the risk of it being very hot. Keep the advice coming!
 
"Budget" and "DC" don't often go together, especially on a holiday weekend. Some posters have given you great rates that they've gotten but I'm concerned that these rates will be on blackout during a holiday weekend.

As another poster pointed out, we get Rolling Thunder here every Memorial Day weekend for the Veteran's Memorial services. It's fabulous to watch 300,000 bikers roll in all the way up I-95 into DC and then back out on Monday. They all need a hotel to stay in that weekend too!

I don't discourage you from coming that weekend, but rates may not be cheap. Priceline and the like will probably get you the best deals. If you're driving, look for a place that doesn't kill you in parking. Some of the suburban hotels won't charge that much but you'll have a longer Metro trip into town.
 
Check out the Holiday Inn Rosslyn Key Bridge. This is a nice hotel and it has free indoor parking. It is one block from the Rosslyn Metro. I just checked and found a price of $75 per night. We stayed there last summer and were amazed at how nice the hotel was.

I am hoping to go to DC in June. I am looking at Virginian Suites, which is across the Potomac River by Arlington National Cemetery. It got good reviews, and has a full kitchen. Looks like a good deal, weekend nights are usually under $100. Free wireless internet and free shuttle to the Rosslyn Metro(which is a block away)

http://www.virginiansuites.com/

Reviews

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=5022/crti=7/hotel-reviews

Are these in descent areas? We are also going this summer.
 
When I posted a few months ago, people said the hotel (Virginian Suites) was in a safe area, but not to count on the shuttle to the metro. I believe it is only 2 blocks to the metro station, if it is not a time for the shuttle. I like that there is a full kitchen. I figure we can make breakfast in the morning and save money. We could also bring back leftovers from restaurants for the next day's lunch.

Marsha
 
I am hoping to go to DC in June. I am looking at Virginian Suites, which is across the Potomac River by Arlington National Cemetery. It got good reviews, and has a full kitchen. Looks like a good deal, weekend nights are usually under $100. Free wireless internet and free shuttle to the Rosslyn Metro(which is a block away)

http://www.virginiansuites.com/

Reviews

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=5022/crti=7/hotel-reviews

The hotel looks beautiful - brand new. However, the rates for weekends in May that I plugged in come back well over $100 per night.
 
We're also from CT and planning to drive in May. Thought we'd save money by staying midweek, but am finding that the hotel rates for Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are twice as high (or more), so we're going to check in on a Thursday. Thursday seems to be considered weekend rates when you stay over a Friday night.

DH really wants some space from the kids, so decided to look at places with suites -- found the Embassy Suites, a chain we have never stayed at but it looks nice on-line. Rate is $159-$169, but with the free full breakfast for all 4 of us (plus there's some evening snacks and drinks included) it's the same as staying at a Marriott Courtyard and paying for the breakfasts -- plus Courtyard would be a room, so DD would be sleeping in a sleeping bag. There are 2 in DC that seems relatively close to the sites we'd be going to, and it has great reviews on tripadvisor. Anyone been?
 
Very glad to find this thread. My family of 5 (15,13, & 8) will be heading out to DC (driving) this summer. I currently have reseravations for Embassy Suites in Alexandria. We had originally planned on staying at Comfort Suites in Mansassas but learned it would take about an hour to get into the city. It is going to cost us about $1,050 to stay Sat - Wed (this includes $24 per day parking). (Making our $150 per night from last summer look very reasonable). I considered staying at Virginian Suites but was a little worried about the location. It is quite a bit cheaper but I started thinking "you get what you paid for". I also like the idea that we are right across the street from the Metro. I would love to hear how everyone's trips go and any other budget tips.
 
We're also from CT and planning to drive in May. Thought we'd save money by staying midweek, but am finding that the hotel rates for Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are twice as high (or more), so we're going to check in on a Thursday. Thursday seems to be considered weekend rates when you stay over a Friday night.

DH really wants some space from the kids, so decided to look at places with suites -- found the Embassy Suites, a chain we have never stayed at but it looks nice on-line. Rate is $159-$169, but with the free full breakfast for all 4 of us (plus there's some evening snacks and drinks included) it's the same as staying at a Marriott Courtyard and paying for the breakfasts -- plus Courtyard would be a room, so DD would be sleeping in a sleeping bag. There are 2 in DC that seems relatively close to the sites we'd be going to, and it has great reviews on tripadvisor. Anyone been?

You can't go wrong with Embassy Suites. We've stayed in the Chevy Chase one. IIRC the Metro stop is right directly under the hotel and you don't even have to go outside.

I've also been to one of the Courtyard by Marriotts downtown. This one was near Ford's Theater and the Convention Center. It was an old bank building nad you can see the old vault as part of the lobby. We had no problems there.
 












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