OT - Washington DC review

[brymolmom]

With lots of tips from here...I went for a 3 night quick sightseeing trip to DC last weekend. Thought some of you might appreciate my thoughts/take-aways from it (travel party is me, dh, ds8 and dd7):
1) LOVED Marriott Wardman Park - AWESOME location - Metro right out the door. Walked 10 min to the zoo. Plaza across street with lots of eating options. Got a great deal with their Escape Zoo package - included free self-park and kids eat free. Paid $109 a night -would definitely stay there again for that price. Issue with self-park and our parking swipe card not working and no one seemed to know how to fix it - was a rather annoying issue, but would still stay here again.
2) Arrived about 4:00pm on Thursday - after parking fiasco taking an hour - decided not to do any sights that first night. Took advantage of Stone's Throw restaurant in the hotel, with kids eat free. DH and I both got the '3 courses for $30' on the menu - and the kids got a free kids meal. It was a lot of food. With hindsight, likely would have split one adult and one kids meal.
3) Woke early and were on the Metro by 7:30am on Friday. We were planning on Metro day passes, but these don't start til 9:30am, so we just bought 4 $5 each fare cards - and it worked fine. Went right to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing - we were too late at 8:15 to get same day tickets. Line was enormous. Next time I will be sure to get some through our Congressman's office (decided too late this time).
4) Walked over to Washington Monument and took some pics outside - line for tickets was HUGE. I guess at busier times they are usually gone by 8:30 or so - likely most of the people we saw in line did not get in. We had gotten ours online (there is a small processing fee this way, but TOTALLY worth it).
5) Went to the Smithsonian Castle - watched their brief video - the kids liked seeing some of the offerings of the Smithsonians and liked having something in mind at each of our stops to see (like they reference the Ruby Slippers - so we looked for those at the American History Museum).
6) Went to Air and Space Museum - dh got in line right away for IMAX tickets. Honestly we ran into this in several areas - DC could learn some things from WDW. They do NOT know how to handle large crowds of people efficiently - the line to get into the IMAX wrapped around nothing in particular and I'm sure they had a lot of people cutting in because they had no real queue area. And if it WAS free that's one thing - but the movies are not free and I'm sure they make a ton of money off of it - the least htey could do is put some of that into creating a better system. Overall - liked what we saw there - did some interactive games and saw the Wright brothers stuff and Amelia Earhart (who the kids have learned about at school). We had lunch at the Air and Space food court - mostly McDonald's, Boston Market sandwiches and some sort of pizza. NOT the best food and I was hoping to do something better - but you can't beat the convenience there. When you're walking and your young kids are walking for 5 - 6 hours already, it is more difficult to walk another half a mile to get to better food offerings.
7) Went to the Capitol for our tour. Got tour time thru Congressman's office. Saved a long wait in line inside. Be prepared, last time we went they didn't have the new Visitor's Center - there was a long line to even get into the building, with security checks, etc. Only took about 15 minutes to get in - but it is more of an ordeal now. Our tour was lousy - I will only do it again if our own Congressperson offers a tour guide (they would have this time but it was Good Friday so were close). Our tour guide mumbled and you wear these microphone devices and we couldn't understand a word he said. I was happy to get in there for some pictures - but the tour could have been a lot better.
8) Went to American History Museum - didn't last long - we had been on our feet for 8 or so hours and we were wet (it was in the 40's and raining much of the day) - so not everyone was enthusiastic about continuing our touring. We really liked Ruby Slippers, Star Spangled Banner and Lincoln's hat.
9) - Got carry-out from right across from hotel and ate in our room that night.
10) Walked to the zoo on Saturday. Giant Pandas were great and liked the lizard house and the prairie dogs. We brought our own picnic lunch - HIGHLY recommend this. Was easier to just sit and eat when we wanted. Could bring a small cooler or backpack or even rolling cooler.
11) Bought a Monuments By Moonlight tour package. We got it through our concierge desk and the bus picked up and dropped off right at our hotel which was nice because we didn't get back til 11:00pm so it would have been horrible to drag the kids through the Metro - they were exhausted. Reallly liked it - but likely would have done it during the day instead if I could have. THe monuments are beautiful at night -but it is very difficult to take good pictures and I think we missed a little bit here and there since it was dark (for example, Vietnam Wall is not lighted at all - so very difficult to 'get' the effect of it all).
12) Next day, checked out and had a yummy breakfast buffet at hotel (kids free) - took our car down to the Washington Monument for our ticket time to go to the top. That was very cool. And on Sundays at least early it was easy to find free street parking right there. If you're touring on a Sunday I recommend just hopping in your car.

As to budget....Not quite as budget as I was hoping...everything's free makes you think it'll be very cheap... but costs jump up:
Hotel: $375
Gas: $80 (driving from upstate, NY)
Food:
Hotel dinner/breakfast: $135
Takeout dinners in room: $50
Lunch/ice cream at museum: $50
Fast food on trip there: $20
pretzel/popcorn in zoo: $15
(breakfasts were out of our cooler in room...brought picnic lunch to zoo)
souveniers: $40
IMAX tickets: $35
Charge for preordering Washington Monument tickets: $8
Monuments by Moonlight Tour: $118

Worth the trip! I think the kids learned some stuff and enjoyed it. We're already planning to return (in a year or two) and have a list of stuff we want to see next time including: Hall of Presidents, FDR Memorial (street was closed so our bus tour had to skip it), White House Tour (hopefully next time).

 

[miknsusn]

Thanks so much for posting! We are planning our DC visit in June and it is a lot harder to find "insider information" than when planning a trip to WDW. I am closely following all the DC threads.

My own tip: The DC groupon today is discounted Tourmobile tours-the daytime DC/Arlington Cemetery or the nighttime monument tours for about 50% off.

 

[aja319se]

We're going in August and I didn't even think of Groupon for DC. Thanks!!

 

[faith]

Sounds like you had a great trip, Brymolmom.
Just a quick note for anyone going later this year. Our family, grandkids,etc was there a few weeks ago.
Our hotel had a super free breakfast, so everyone loaded up on good protein, fruit etc. That kept our energy going, and cost down.
We used the food trucks by all the museums for a quick lunch. Hot dogs, drinks, etc. Price was reasonable. I also had lots of the mini Cliff brand energy bars to use for a quick snack for the kids. No problem with the security anywhere. My purse was checked, but the snacks were okay.

 

[pintamino]

1) LOVED Marriott Wardman Park - AWESOME location - Metro right out the door. Walked 10 min to the zoo. Plaza across street with lots of eating options. Got a great deal with their Escape Zoo package - included free self-park and kids eat free. Paid $109 a night -would definitely stay there again for that price. Issue with self-park and our parking swipe card not working and no one seemed to know how to fix it - was a rather annoying issue, but would still stay here again.

Thanks for this - I'm moving to Woodley Park to study for the fall and my family is looking for a close-by hotel.

 

[tinkerbell423]

Sounds like you had a great trip, Brymolmom.
Just a quick note for anyone going later this year. Our family, grandkids,etc was there a few weeks ago.
Our hotel had a super free breakfast, so everyone loaded up on good protein, fruit etc. That kept our energy going, and cost down.
We used the food trucks by all the museums for a quick lunch. Hot dogs, drinks, etc. Price was reasonable. I also had lots of the mini Cliff brand energy bars to use for a quick snack for the kids. No problem with the security anywhere. My purse was checked, but the snacks were okay.

Faith what hotel did you stay in?

 

[2littleprincesses]

THanks for all the great info. Just curious of the ages of your kids? We are thinking of going next summer (2012) with a 11 and 8 year old. Thanks

Never mind--duh, didn't see the top of your post. How did your kids do? Did they get tired?

 

[jackie101]

we just went last week with children ages 10, 9, and 7yr olds twins. We stayed at Washington suites in Alexnadra. Breakfast was awful. Room were huge all suites with full kitchens. They shuttle you to the metro.
The kids had fun but did complain with all the walking.
The first night we drove into the city found parking no problem. Second day did the metro paid $9. (so $54. total for our family) for the one day passes. the 3rd day we drove in paid $18. to park in a garage found it so much easier and cheaper then they metro. With having our car it was easier to pack lunch and snacks without having to lug it around all day.
We did smithsonian American and natural histoy, walked to the White House, saw all the monuments, got a membership via group on to the spy museum.

 

[brymolmom]

THanks for all the great info. Just curious of the ages of your kids? We are thinking of going next summer (2012) with a 11 and 8 year old. Thanks

Never mind--duh, didn't see the top of your post. How did your kids do? Did they get tired?

You reread and saw that my ds is 8 (almost 9) and dd is 7. DS is generally a good walker/non complainer. DD is a HUGE complainer and not the best walker. I would rate how they both did at about a 7 out of 10. They did complain a bit - but we walked a TON. We were all wearing pedometers and our 'steps' ranged between 16,000 and 25,000 on our first full day there. Plus it was very cold and my son's socks were very wet from walking through a puddle - so he was very uncomfortable. The next day, zoo day, great weather but honestly everyone just felt the tiredness from the day before so after a couple/few hours of walking they were ready for a rest. I was very happy we had paid for the bus tour that night - little walking for a LOT of sights. So it worked out great.

 

[brymolmom]

Sounds like you had a great trip, Brymolmom.
Just a quick note for anyone going later this year. Our family, grandkids,etc was there a few weeks ago.
Our hotel had a super free breakfast, so everyone loaded up on good protein, fruit etc. That kept our energy going, and cost down.
We used the food trucks by all the museums for a quick lunch. Hot dogs, drinks, etc. Price was reasonable. I also had lots of the mini Cliff brand energy bars to use for a quick snack for the kids. No problem with the security anywhere. My purse was checked, but the snacks were okay.

I love staying at big free breakfast locations, but unfortunately, the lowest price I could find (when you added in parking) for any of our 'usuals' was $150 - $160 and the location wasn't as great (a couple of them had shuttles to the metro, but ours was right next to it, saving a step each way was HUGE benefit). We just brought a rolling cooler and muffins, bagels, yogurt and bananas/oranges in the room and had a big breakfast in the room. It saved a bunch of money.

As to the carts outside...we ended up at the museums in weather in the 40's and raining...so we did not even have that option nor would we want it - we wanted to get in from the cold to eat!

Also - we had to watch snacks/drinks that we brought, many security places allow unopened food, but the Capitol does not. NO FOOD or beverages - even unopened is allowed at all. So I only brought with us a small bag of animal crackers and one bottle of water to share that day as I knew we'd have to throw anything uneaten away. Same thing with the White House, so don't bring it with you in those cases!

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

We were there the same time as you we arrived a few days earlier. We also stayed at the Marriott Wardman Park. What an impressive hotel, not only was it beautiful on the inside the outside was incredible for photos. We had a similiar package as you 109 a night for room, self parking and free buffet breakfast for all five of us each morning! The buffet breakfast was incredible! I loved that this hotel allowed five to stay in a room, as most hotels in Washington do not! Our room was huge we stayed in the park tower, all brand new!
I agree that at first glance Washington looks like a cheap trip, but all the little things add up quick, especially food, which is very expensive everywhere in Washington DC.

Glad you enjoyed your stay! We would definitely stay at the Marriott Wardman Park again in the future! It was also nice to see green grass, flowers and trees with leaves! It was hard to come back into NY and see everything still so drab!

You also did really well on gas..we paid $140 round trip for gas, but I do have a gas eating mini van!

 

[brymolmom]

We were there the same time as you we arrived a few days earlier. We also stayed at the Marriott Wardman Park. What an impressive hotel, not only was it beautiful on the inside the outside was incredible for photos. We had a similiar package as you 109 a night for room, self parking and free buffet breakfast for all five of us each morning! The buffet breakfast was incredible! I loved that this hotel allowed five to stay in a room, as most hotels in Washington do not! Our room was huge we stayed in the park tower, all brand new!
I agree that at first glance Washington looks like a cheap trip, but all the little things add up quick, especially food, which is very expensive everywhere in Washington DC.

Glad you enjoyed your stay! We would definitely stay at the Marriott Wardman Park again in the future! It was also nice to see green grass, flowers and trees with leaves! It was hard to come back into NY and see everything still so drab!

WOW - when did you book it? I think the one that included breakfast was like $189 or so when I booked. And I had been searching and watchign for 2 months prior to the visit. $109 for all that including parking and breakfast??!! That is too good to be true based on all the searching I've done. Did you just find it on their site? Are you on an email list from them??

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

WOW - when did you book it? I think the one that included breakfast was like $189 or so when I booked. And I had been searching and watchign for 2 months prior to the visit. $109 for all that including parking and breakfast??!! That is too good to be true based on all the searching I've done. Did you just find it on their site? Are you on an email list from them??

We had the 99 a night one booked first a month, before we left that did not include parking, but did include free kids meals. Then three days before I decided to recheck their website and this the 109 a night with self park and breakfast came up. We quick changed our rate and paid the $10 a night difference. Glad we did parking and breakfast each day would have cost us a fortune. It was on their website. I do not get any of their emails, maybe I should get on it. There were several families that we ate breakfast with in the morning that had the same package. We also booked my parents at the same hotel when that package popped up, as they were booked at a different hotel. They were so glad they changed that hotel is in the perfect location! I did think Washington was crazy crowded though!

Just remembered that I think I booked under the government rate page as my husband works in the government.

 

[brymolmom]

We had the 99 a night one booked first a month, before we left that did not include parking, but did include free kids meals. Then three days before I decided to recheck their website and this the 109 a night with self park and breakfast came up. We quick changed our rate and paid the $10 a night difference. Glad we did parking and breakfast each day would have cost us a fortune. It was on their website. I do not get any of their emails, maybe I should get on it. There were several families that we ate breakfast with in the morning that had the same package. We also booked my parents at the same hotel when that package popped up, as they were booked at a different hotel. They were so glad they changed that hotel is in the perfect location! I did think Washington was crazy crowded though!

GREAT DEAL!! I'm jealous! Good to know that I should just keep checking daily as the date draws nearer. I like to know what a great deal is so I know what to watch for next time.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

GREAT DEAL!! I'm jealous! Good to know that I should just keep checking daily as the date draws nearer. I like to know what a great deal is so I know what to watch for next time.

Thanks.. I really would have been happy with the other rate because we have such a hard time finding hotels that allow five people to stay in a room. I seem to obsess over things once I book them to make sure rates don't change or there is a better deal. Hotels tend to run deals if they are not full and they need to fill there rooms.. That hotel was huge as you know and I am sure they just want to get people in there so they are not running an empty hotel, that is probably why that deal popped up at the last minute.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Thanks for sharing! We have an unexpected trip to DC coming up next month so I'm scurrying to plan.

I appreciate the info about not taking food to the Capitol also...I had read about the White House, but hadn't seen anyone mention that about the Capitol.

Glad to see you enjoyed the zoo! On another forum I was asking questions about what to see and sharing some of the things on our 'to see' list and some people suggested skipping the zoo. I think we'll leave it on the list!

 

[NotUrsula]

The trick with the first-come, first-served ticket lines is to send a scout. DH is an early bird type and an amateur photographer, and he was thrilled to get early mornings without kids in tow to get some good photos -- all he had to do to earn it was to stand in a couple of ticket lines.

Example: He left the hotel at 5:30, took some photos at dawn, then got in line for P&E tickets at 6:30. After that he took more photos and got himself some coffee and a muffin, and waited for us outside the Smithsonian metro stop. We got started on the rest of our touring at the civilized hour of 9 am.

 

[faith]

Tinkerbell423, We stayed at Embassy Suites Alexandria Va. (Old Town) location. Metro was right across the street, and the free trolley stop. We used the trolley for getting to dinner.
The breakfast is wonderful, and the evening reception was free. Drinks, popcorn, chips, salsa. One night mini tacos.
The promotion we took included free parking. Normally, $25@ night.
$209@ night, but well worth it. DC vacations are expensive, but wonderful memories for us with our children and grandkids.

 

[DisneyScraps]

We stayed there Sat through Tuesday. We got it for 109.00 it included the parking and breakfast. We loved the hotel it was perfect. We had a great stay but one big problem on the day we checked out. I am going to write a trip report.