OT - Washington, DC - please share your travel tips!

[BWVNUT]

Great tips everyone! I've already written our congresswoman for tour tickets and can't wait to hear what we will end up getting.

There are four of us me, DH, DS17, DD10 and we are planning to be there June 30 - July 5.

I'm thinking of staying at the Wyndham Old Town Alexandria because we can trade DVC points thru RCI (I hope...have to call tomorrow to check).

Anyway, if we get to stay there I understand it's a close walk to a metro station. If we do stay there is it worth it for us to buy a weekly metro card for each person or should we just pay as we go as we'll only be there for 6 days? Also, if we do stay out there, can we get away with buying the 7 day rail short trip pass or is the trip from Alexandria into the city considered a longer fare ride?

 

[tiggerlover]

In addition to Crystal City, other hotel enclaves on top of Metro stops are Pentagon City, Rosslyn, and Ballston (search for hotels in Arlington, Va. and look for those words in the names). I'm familiar with all these neighborhoods, so after you choose a hotel let me know if you want recommendations for restaurants or sights within walking distance.

Other tips from a local:

• ASAP, call your congressman’s or Senator’s office to get passes to tour the White House and the U.S. Capitol.
• If your family are hardy souls who want to combine touring the monuments with one or more Smithsonian museums in a single day, do the museums first because the monuments are lovely at night.
• If you want to go to the Spy Museum (highly recommended), buy your tickets ahead of time at their web site.
• If your family usually tours with a large backpack, don’t expect to get it past security at many public buildings and museums.
• There’s no Metro stop in Georgetown, which surprises many people.

Have a great time,
Lee

We are staying at The Virginian Suites near the Roslyn Metro stop, any recommendations on restuarants in that area would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

 

[thatslygirl]

We are staying at The Virginian Suites near the Roslyn Metro stop, any recommendations on restuarants in that area would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Re: Rosslyn
Not many choices for Rosslyn, as it is kind of a business-focused area, and it tends to close once everyone has left the office. However, you can get breakfast at Cosi, tasty salads at Chop't, fill up on burritos at Chipotle for lunch. If I recall there is also a Tivoli bakery that sells tasty treats, and there is a Safeway nearby. Also, if you like Vietnamese pho, there is Pho 75, which is a short walk away. Though in the summer, it may be too hot for pho. However, Foggy Bottom is one metro stop away and from there you can walk or bus to Georgetown, where there are a variety of food options available.

I live in Arlington (Pentagon City) now and I work for a hotel that is walking distance to the museums, so I know the area very well. I also don't own a car and use the Metro rail and metro bus extensively, and I Yelp a lot, so I would be happy to share my experiences and be of any assistance

Asides from working in a hotel, I also love to stay in hotels (not just at work, LOL), and do a lot of "stay-cations" in the area. I always use Priceline and have always been able to get a very good rate for 4* and above. I have paid anywhere from $65-110/night but as we are going into Cherry Blossom season, hotel occupancy will be up, and so will the average daily rate for rooms. Don't be quick to disregard staying in a DC hotel. Who wants to spend up to 45 minutes commuting to and from your hotel outside of the city?

DC has recently raised the pricing for their off-street parking. It used to be $1/hour but now is $2/hour. The hours are now extended to 10pm and includes Saturdays, so please be aware of that. As others have pointed out, parking in Metro's lot will be the least expensive option... I believe it is $4.95/day for 24 hours and it is free on weekends. Depending on the station, parking may be hard to come by because of the commuters. Also, you will need a credit card or SmarTrip card in order to pay for the parking.

Metro has also raised their fares to cover a budget shortfall, so now everything is increased by $0.10.

The rule of thumb for Metro is the further away from the heart of the city you are, the more you will pay. However, be sure to travel during "off peak" times, aka non-rush hour fares, which is 9:30am - 3:30pm, as that will save you money.

All DC establishments that sells food and alcohol are now charge a 5-cent tax per bag, so if you are planning on buying food, bring your own bag (this tax applies to carry out places as well). The tax is supposed to be used to clean up the Anacostia River.

 

[CastawayJP]

First things first... The traffic here in the DC area is awful! But if you drive into the city and park it is not a problem! Just avoid coming into town and leaving during rush hours...

I feel that the Capitol Hill Holiday Inn is a great Central location. You are just blocks from The Mall (where the Smithsonian museums are) and close to a metro stop. You can also get a cab here easily if you want to do that.There is also a Starbucks at the hotel, a couple of decent hotel restaurants, and some fast food places on the same block. There is also a CVS drugstore. The hotel was just recently refurbished, and the rooms are really nice.

Hope that helps!

 

[HillPete]

We are staying at The Virginian Suites near the Roslyn Metro stop, any recommendations on restuarants in that area would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

I'm not sure where this is within Rosslyn, but check and see if this hotel has a shuttle into Georgetown. Rosslyn has a two-story McDonald's and not much else! M Street is right across the Key Bridge and has a million restaurants. Go there!

 

[OKW Lover]

Don't know when the OP plans on going to DC, but wanted to mention that if its the first weekend in April it will be smack in the middle of Cherry Blossom season. An absolutely spectacular sight which this picture comes nowhere near doing justice.

 

[FireDancer]

I will be in DC from the evening of the 18th until the evening of the 21st (this month). I'll be staying for the first time in DC proper at a friend's in DuPont Circle. If the president's schedule had worked out I would have been able to meet him but unfortunately it didn't. Oh well.

 

[thatslygirl]

Hi Frank, Dupont Circle is a great neighborhood for restaurants! I love going there to eat. My personal faves:

Breakfast
- Teaism on R Street (next to Starbucks). Try the chai!
- Le Pain Quotidien

Brunch
- Tabard Inn: Very popular place for brunch. Doughnuts are supposed to be good. Reservations are a must.

Lunch
- BGR Joint: They are expensive. Think $8.99 for veggie burger. Milkshakes made with Gifford's ice cream, with really high butterfat. Delish!
- Five Guys: Cheap burgers. Five Guys started in the DC area.
- Sakana: Small mom 'n pop type of Japanese restaurant

Happy Hour/Dinner
- Urbana at Hotel Palomar. Very chill and casual place, meet all sorts of interesting people there.
- Firefly at Hotel Madera. Also has a good 3-course dinner from 5-7pm for $30.
- Hank's Oyster Bar
- Pizza Paradiso. Love their Bottarga pizza! (Tomato, Egg, Garlic, Parsley, Parmesan, Bottarga)

Late Night
- Kramers Books & Afterwords: Combo bookstore, bar, and restaurant. Good for late night munchies, desserts, and brunch.

For the Serious Foodies
- Komi: Reservations hard to come by, very popular chef's tasting menu

 

[uncleleo]

We are staying at The Virginian Suites near the Roslyn Metro stop, any recommendations on restuarants in that area would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Most of the hotels in Rosslyn are only steps from multiple culinary choices, but Virginia Suites is actually on the remote side of the neighborhood, separated from the action by a 10-minute walk and U.S. Route 50. Don't worry, this isn't suburban sprawl, there are sidewalks everywhere. But be prepared from a hardy stroll if you don't want to deal with parking at mealtimes.

thatslygirl mentioned many of the restaurants I know in Rosslyn. Chop't is always a good bet, and the Tivoli bakery/deli is great quality, though overpriced. Try the mango mousse cake! A few other places of note:

The original Red Hot & Blue is nearby. This is a regional barbecue chain and everything there is outstanding. Ribs and pulled pork are the obvious choices, but I also enjoy their chicken and burgers. Appetizers are all worth trying.

Ray's Hell Burger is where Arlington hamburger snobs go now that the rest of the world has Five Guys (it started here!).

Asia Cafe is a trendy pan-Asian place. The Thai selections are very good, the sushi is OK, the noodle soup is not worth trying with Pho 75 just up the street.

China Garden in the Twin Towers has very good dim sum on the weekends. I haven't tried their regular menu.

There used to be a good Italian restaurant in the Hyatt. It has since been replaced by a place that I haven't been to but have heard mixed reviews about.

As you can see, while Georgetown is probably a better bet for gourmands, there's definitely much more to Rosslyn than the McDonalds next to the Metro! Actually, for families, a better choice than Georgetown is Clarendon, two metro stops west of Rosslyn. Clarendon has Arlington's thickest concentration of restaurants, ranging from chains like Cheesecake Factory and Bertucci's to locals' favorites like Hard Times Cafe (chili), Mexicali Blues (Mexican), and Faccia Luna (pizza & pasta). Also in Clarendon are very good Vietnamese, Indian, tapas, gelato, etc.

Enjoy!
Lee

 

[FireDancer]

Hi Frank, Dupont Circle is a great neighborhood for restaurants! I love going there to eat. My personal faves:

Breakfast
- Teaism on R Street (next to Starbucks). Try the chai!
- Le Pain Quotidien

Brunch
- Tabard Inn: Very popular place for brunch. Doughnuts are supposed to be good. Reservations are a must.

Lunch
- BGR Joint: They are expensive. Think $8.99 for veggie burger. Milkshakes made with Gifford's ice cream, with really high butterfat. Delish!
- Five Guys: Cheap burgers. Five Guys started in the DC area.
- Sakana: Small mom 'n pop type of Japanese restaurant

Happy Hour/Dinner
- Urbana at Hotel Palomar. Very chill and casual place, meet all sorts of interesting people there.
- Firefly at Hotel Madera. Also has a good 3-course dinner from 5-7pm for $30.
- Hank's Oyster Bar
- Pizza Paradiso. Love their Bottarga pizza! (Tomato, Egg, Garlic, Parsley, Parmesan, Bottarga)

Late Night
- Kramers Books & Afterwords: Combo bookstore, bar, and restaurant. Good for late night munchies, desserts, and brunch.

For the Serious Foodies
- Komi: Reservations hard to come by, very popular chef's tasting menu

Thanks for the info, I"ll be taking a copy of this to have it. Any good Italian restaurants you would recommend? Not just DuPont by anywhere in the ward? We are there for a half marathon and we always do Italian the night before. Looking for something nice but not bank breaker and the more authentic the better.

 

[thatslygirl]

My current favorite Italian restaurant is Siroc. I have eaten there twice, once for New Year's Eve and for lunch. I have a skewed perception of "cheap" for lunch, since DC is all about the power lunch. $6-8 for me is on the cheap side, with $15-20 on the more expensive side. Siroc is a little more on the expensive side but it's not exorbitant. They are located within walking distance of McPherson Square Metro. I've had the Squid Ink Capellini with Baby Clams, White Wine, Garlic and Oven-dried Tomatoes, which was outstanding. People wax ecstatic about the House-made Black Pepper Tagliatelle with Sweet Garlic, Olive Oil, Red Pepper Flakes and Seared Scallops. (Hmm, maybe I should dine there this week!)

Another favorite is Dino in Cleveland Park. I haven't been to them in a couple of years, but they have a very good wine list and are not too expensive.

In Dupont Circle, people seem to like Otello and Obelisk.

 

[elemusing]

Someone recommended a restaurant called Ebbits or Ebitts or something. Can anyone verify and explain the food/location?

 

[schoen]

Great tips everyone! I've already written our congresswoman for tour tickets and can't wait to hear what we will end up getting.

There are four of us me, DH, DS17, DD10 and we are planning to be there June 30 - July 5.

I'm thinking of staying at the Wyndham Old Town Alexandria because we can trade DVC points thru RCI (I hope...have to call tomorrow to check).

Anyway, if we get to stay there I understand it's a close walk to a metro station. If we do stay there is it worth it for us to buy a weekly metro card for each person or should we just pay as we go as we'll only be there for 6 days? Also, if we do stay out there, can we get away with buying the 7 day rail short trip pass or is the trip from Alexandria into the city considered a longer fare ride?

I LOVE Old Town Alexandria! It is such a charming area! My family and I always walk down to the port in the evenings and get ice cream and just people watch. There are usually entertainers strolling around too. There is a great guy that plays water glasses (like on Miss Congeniality) So much fun!

My family also really enjoys a restaurant called The Gatsby Tavern in Old Town. It period themed and there is no electricity. Really cool atmosphere. My family always calls though, if we are interested in dining there. We like to see if the "Town Crier" is in for the evening. He is this guy that just walks from table to table and chats with you, but he is very entertaining. He isn't always there though, so we like to make sure he is around.

If you have a car, I really enjoyed Washington's residence.... I can never remember the name... It was great though. My family has also visited Monticello, which is where Thomas Jefferson lived. It is pretty far out, but interesting.

Gettysburg is also within driving distance. BUT if you are not interested in civil war stuff, I would not recommend this day trip, because it is almost a two hour drive, and for me, it was BORING! My uncle, who likes war stuff, loved it though...

Also, you will be there for the 4th. My family always goes for the 4th too. it is CROWDED! just be prepared for that, also... if you are used to Disney fireworks you may be disappointed with the national fireworks display. I know I was... It is still really cool. I would suggest for great viewing, situate yourself somewhere between the Washington Monument and the US Capitol.

Have a great time!

 

[dpuck1998]

I didn't read the entire thread, but I'm sure recommendations can be repeated

The Spy Museum is great, buy early and go early, it was packed in the afternoon.

The big monuments are better at night. The Natural History Museum is great and of course the Air/Space. The second Air/Space museum that isn't on the mall, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, near Dulles is amazing. If you can get out there, its worth the trip.

The Metro is a must, lots of walking, the Mall is huge. These aren't as close as they appear!

Old Town is great, loved staying there. My favorite of locations to stay.

Arlington is a MUST DO! Watching the changing of the guards should not be missed.

 

[jcb]

Someone recommended a restaurant called Ebbits or Ebitts or something. Can anyone verify and explain the food/location?

I expect the reference is to the Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House. The menu has considerable variation but the place prides itself on its oyster bar. Everyone should try it once. It can be as busy as the MK at Christmas.

 

[Kellygurlz74]

Sorry, I'm going to be the sourpuss......

But why oh why do you want to come to DC of all places? The entire time that I have lived in this area the only cool things to see are the Smithsonian, the Air & Space Museum, and of course the steps at the IRS building so us tax payers can shake our fists at them.

Vietnam Memorial is sad. I cried leaving it. and the Lincoln Memorial is just a gigantic statue of president lincoln. the washington monument is a giant tower in the middle of a park.

Ok, maybe the white house & the capital. Jefferson Memorial especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

If you really must come then.....
Agree don't drive at all. Metro metro metro. And even then that's scary, but a lot safer then driving in DC.

If you can get outside of the city, see the area- Arlington, Alexandria, the eastern shore is beautiful.

 

[OKW Lover]

Sorry, I'm going to be the sourpuss......

But why oh why do you want to come to DC of all places? The entire time that I have lived in this area the only cool things to see are the Smithsonian, the Air & Space Museum, and of course the steps at the IRS building so us tax payers can shake our fists at them.

Vietnam Memorial is sad. I cried leaving it. and the Lincoln Memorial is just a gigantic statue of president lincoln. the washington monument is a giant tower in the middle of a park.

Ok, maybe the white house & the capital. Jefferson Memorial especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

If you really must come then.....
Agree don't drive at all. Metro metro metro. And even then that's scary, but a lot safer then driving in DC.

If you can get outside of the city, see the area- Arlington, Alexandria, the eastern shore is beautiful.

Interesting perspective. I have a similar one of Plymouth MA (my home town) and all the Pilgrim stuff.

But to be fair, the Smithsonian stuff in DC is really a must see. Absolutely fascinating displays that you could spend days doing if you just had the time.

Yes, the Vietnam memorial is sad. Especially for those of us who lost buddys there. I can't visit there without tearing up, yet I still go every time I'm in the city. I just have to visit panel 63W - can't stay away.

The monuments are spectacular and really get you thinking about the heritage of the country.

On the real downside is the realization that just about all those buildings off the Mall are occupied by people spending our tax dollars.

 

[thatslygirl]

Someone recommended a restaurant called Ebbits or Ebitts or something. Can anyone verify and explain the food/location?

Old Ebbitt Grill is an institution. It does indeed get very crowded, for which Opentable.com comes in handy.

The National Geographic Museum is fun to go to. While not on the Mall, they do have a Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit until the end of March.

There is nothing scary about riding the Metro, but be sure to do the following:
1. Stand on the right side of the escalators, going up or down
2. Please don't bring the gigantic baby strollers (I call 'em Stroll-vees, they are ridiculously large) onto the Metro... I think if it's bigger than a wheelchair, it shouldn't be allowed.
3. Don't walk down a crowded platform and then just suddenly stop. There are people all around you. Be courteous.
4. If you don't know where to go, just ask very nicely. People will help you out, we're used to it. If you get a grumpypants, ask another person.

 

[thatslygirl]

Great tips everyone! I've already written our congresswoman for tour tickets and can't wait to hear what we will end up getting.

There are four of us me, DH, DS17, DD10 and we are planning to be there June 30 - July 5.

I'm thinking of staying at the Wyndham Old Town Alexandria because we can trade DVC points thru RCI (I hope...have to call tomorrow to check).

Anyway, if we get to stay there I understand it's a close walk to a metro station. If we do stay there is it worth it for us to buy a weekly metro card for each person or should we just pay as we go as we'll only be there for 6 days? Also, if we do stay out there, can we get away with buying the 7 day rail short trip pass or is the trip from Alexandria into the city considered a longer fare ride?

Old Town has a free trolley that runs the length of King Street and all the way to the King Street Metro Station, so you may not even have to walk (useful in humid July weather).

Metro charges its fares based on distance and the time of day you're traveling. Expect to pay higher fares irregardless of distance from 5am - 9:30am and 3-7pm on the weekdays, and 2am - closing on the weekends. You will pay a reduced fare during off-peak hours. The WMATA Trip Planner will tell you how to get from Point A to Point B and tell you how much it's going to cost.

Some sample itineraries:
Leaving King Street Metro heading to Smithsonian Metro, to arrive by 10am: $2.80, if you enter the King Street Metro station before 9:30am.

If you enter the station after 9:30am, it will cost you $1.95 one-way

So let's say you are only going from the hotel to the museums and back. If you are okay with arriving at the museums at 10:30am, you can pay $1.95 reduced fare. The museums close at 5pm, so if you go back to the hotel around that time, it will be $2.80, for a total of $4.75 for the day. That's $28.50. It would be cheaper to get the 7-day pass, however, note this:

Pass is valid for seven consecutive days for Metrorail trips costing up to $2.65 from 5-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on weekdays. If the trip costs more than $2.65, you must use the Exitfare machine to pay the additional fare. The pass is valid for any rail trip at other times. The pass will be returned for continued use during the valid period.

As it gets crazy crowded during Fourth of July weekend from tourists and locals, I recommend buying the fare cards online.

I hope that helps you out!

 

[BWVNUT]

Thanks a bunch schoen and thatslygirl! Appreciate it very much!