DC in June, what to do, where to stay, etc?

[tiggerlover]

We are officially going to DC in June, we have tickets for Father's Day to see the NY Yankees at the Nationals, so we will be planning the weekend around this event. We plan to arrive later in the afternoon on Friday, staying until Monday. We thought we might stay outside DC (VA side) and metro in to save on parking hassels. Any thoughts on where to stay, what to do or where to eat, I would love to hear all your thoughts. I know arrival day we won't have much time, but we will have all day Saturday and part of the day Sunday to site see, just not sure what the MUST DO things are in that period of time. Monday we are going over to Busch Gardens to complete the weekend, so lots to fit in before returning home on Tuesday.

 

[tiggerlover]

Bumping this back to page one....I know someone out there has a response.

 

[soccerchick]

I'd suggest staying in Arlington. The Rosslyn area has some nice hotels and close Metros. Some of the cools things are the new Native American Museum, the Spy Museum, and the Smithsonian museums if you haven't been. Check out our new panda cub, Tai Shan (sp?) at the National Zoo. There is also the relatively new (2 years maybe) Air and Space Museun (Udvar-Hazy Center) by Dulles Airport. I *think* there is a shuttle from DC to the airport for this, but I'm not sure since I live about 10 miles from Dulles.

Some of my favorite restaurants in Arlington include the Carlyle Grand (pricey) in Shirlington and Metro 29 Diner.

DH grew up in Arlington and works there; I can ask him about some specific hotel recommendations when he gets home.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Debbi, don't forget to check out the Navy Lodges in that area. There are 2, and both should be fairly reasonable. We have stayed at them in Virginia, Philly and CT and love them. You get 2 queen size beds and a kitchenette. A good deal and very clean and safe.

 

[tiggerlover]

soccerchick, we thought about staying in Arlington, but wondered if there is a metro line that ran into DC and if there were what hotels were near a metro stop.

Jeanne, I know the Navy Lodge is there, we were just hoping for something a little nicer...hopefully with a pool. Hoping all is well with you {{{HUGS}}}

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

A web site I recommend to friends who come here to visit is Stationmasters (www.stationmasters.com, then click on the Metrorail System Map link). The site has a general map of the Metro system, and when you click on a station you are interested in a more detailed map appears that shows you hotels and attractions in the area. When you find the map you need you can print it out and take it with you. This mapping system is very helpful if you expect to rely on the Metro system as your main mode of transportation while you are visiting because it's easier to visualize where the station is and places of interest nearby.

Oh, and when you use the Metro system, please remember there is no eating or drinking allowed in any of the stations or on the trains and please, if you ride the escalators rather than climbing the stairs, stand to the right side of the escalators as you ride them and allow walkers to pass to your left. Regular Metro riders will be so grateful!

 

[Otto's Doll]

soccerchick, we thought about staying in Arlington, but wondered if there is a metro line that ran into DC and if there were what hotels were near a metro stop.

Jeanne, I know the Navy Lodge is there, we were just hoping for something a little nicer...hopefully with a pool. Hoping all is well with you {{{HUGS}}}

That's good, Debbi. I didn't realize that they didn't have pools. That would count us out too! We are headed to DC in June as well. DD has a school trip there for the kids in the News program, and we are chaperoning.
Thanks for the hugs, we are doing okay. Not sleeping well yet, but that will come in time. Saw your mom today, she looks great. It was good to see her.
Hugs to you too!

 

[soccerchick]

Check out the site Tink's Pixiedust recommended!

Also, here are some Metro stations and hotels near them:

Ballston ---- Marriott (Orange line; close to lots of restaurants, grocery, small mall)
Courthouse ---Quality Inn, Hilton (Orange line:some restaurants here too)
Rosslyn -- Holiday Inn, Best Western
Crystal City -- not sure of names, but several hotels within walking distance to Metros (oh, Ritz at Pentagon City mall; I think this is a yellow and blue line; we usually take this Metro to MCI)

 

[mcnuss]

Check out this pretty recent thread, I gave a bunch of hotel & restaurant suggestions. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1047025

 

[tiggerlover]

A web site I recommend to friends who come here to visit is Stationmasters (www.stationmasters.com, then click on the Metrorail System Map link). The site has a general map of the Metro system, and when you click on a station you are interested in a more detailed map appears that shows you hotels and attractions in the area. When you find the map you need you can print it out and take it with you. This mapping system is very helpful if you expect to rely on the Metro system as your main mode of transportation while you are visiting because it's easier to visualize where the station is and places of interest nearby.

Oh, and when you use the Metro system, please remember there is no eating or drinking allowed in any of the stations or on the trains and please, if you ride the escalators rather than climbing the stairs, stand to the right side of the escalators as you ride them and allow walkers to pass to your left. Regular Metro riders will be so grateful!

Thanks for the link I will check it out, sounds like it could be very useful. And thanks for the escalator tips.

 

[tiggerlover]

That's good, Debbi. I didn't realize that they didn't have pools. That would count us out too! We are headed to DC in June as well. DD has a school trip there for the kids in the News program, and we are chaperoning.
Thanks for the hugs, we are doing okay. Not sleeping well yet, but that will come in time. Saw your mom today, she looks great. It was good to see her.
Hugs to you too!

When are you going to be there? Are you staying at the lodge or with the group somewhere else?

Night time was hard for me for a long time, it is still early, it will get easier as time passes.

Mom is doing really well, I think she has finally made the adjustments that she needed to make to be happy and well.

 

[tiggerlover]

Check out this pretty recent thread, I gave a bunch of hotel & restaurant suggestions. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1047025

I will when I have more time, thanks!

And thanks also to soocerchick, I appreciate the added input.