Staying Overnight in Washington D.C. (Where?)

[Joyce DC]

I live in Dupont Circle and know the hotel you mentioned. The location is great, and I'd be glad to give you the cook's tour if you'd like just send me an email. The Metro can take you anywhere you'd want to go and is clean and as safe as a subway system can be. I'd advocate taking the Metro as opposed to walking downtown both for safety and comfort. The spy museum is lots of fun.

Joyce

 

[alvernon90]

Lots of good advice here, let me add some:

1. Because of the (rather unfair) taxi zone system, Dupont Circle is a great taxi bargain. Familiarize yourself with the taxi zones, because stopping in the right place can save you a lot of money. I used to live in Dupont in a building that sat on the zone boundary, so I could save a few dollars depending on which side of the street I stood on to hail a cab.

2. For nighttime fun, consider catching a show at the Kennedy Center. Their web site has performance schedules.

3. If live shows are out of your price range, consider a movie at the Uptown theater. It's just a few stops up on the Red Line, and it is a spectacular restored movie palace with a giant screen and a balcony. Since there is only one screen, they usually are showing the hot action movie of the moment.

 

[cpl100]

That's very helpful advice, alvernon90. Where will I find the taxi zone information?

I'm sure my sons would enjoy a movie at that theater, particularly and action film!

 

[alvernon90]

DC taxi zone info:

http://dcpages.ari.net/Travel/Reviews/taxi.shtml

 

[cpl100]

Thanks for that. But good Lord that's confusing... and all those surcharges! I've never heard of a place where an occupied taxi will stop to pick up another person!

 

[macs4us]

We flew into Dulles, rented a car for the day from Budget. Went to Mt. Vernon, Target (for water) and checked into our hotel. We stayed on Hilton Hhonors points at the Capital Hilton, and we returned our car to the Budget location around the corner - no drop fee, no parking worries. Our hotel was close enough to walk the major sites (two blocks from White House), and the Old Town Trolley stopped in front of the hotel. We contacted our congresspersons and got tours (no White House tour was available as we are not Vets), and seats in the House/Senate galleries - the best part of our trip. When we were leaving, we went back to Budget, picked up a new car, and drove that back to Dulles (again, no drop fees). The car dropoffs and pickups took less than 15 minutes each.

Make sure to check http://www.quikbook.com/ as they often have good rates. Sometimes you can stay at really nice hotels (St. Regis, Loews Jefferson, Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons) as cheaply as moderate hotels if you check their websites for specials. I know we were considering going near the 4th of July, and the St. Regis was cheaper than Embassy Suites downtown - bizarre.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by macs4us
We flew into Dulles, rented a car for the day from Budget. Went to Mt. Vernon, Target (for water) and checked into our hotel. We stayed on Hilton Hhonors points at the Capital Hilton, and we returned our car to the Budget location around the corner - no drop fee, no parking worries. Our hotel was close enough to walk the major sites (two blocks from White House), and the Old Town Trolley stopped in front of the hotel. We contacted our congresspersons and got tours (no White House tour was available as we are not Vets), and seats in the House/Senate galleries - the best part of our trip. When we were leaving, we went back to Budget, picked up a new car, and drove that back to Dulles (again, no drop fees). The car dropoffs and pickups took less than 15 minutes each.

Make sure to check http://www.quikbook.com/ as they often have good rates. Sometimes you can stay at really nice hotels (St. Regis, Loews Jefferson, Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons) as cheaply as moderate hotels if you check their websites for specials. I know we were considering going near the 4th of July, and the St. Regis was cheaper than Embassy Suites downtown - bizarre.

Have a great trip!!!

Thanks for those tips. I am driving so no car drop off option for me! I, too, contacted my congresspersons a few days ago. How did they contact you and how far in advance? Thanks again.

 

[macs4us]

We actually emailed them, and they emailed back. We called the local office and confirmed times. They are very flexible - but that might be because we are in California, and it is easier to get gallery seats (not as many people visit from CA due to distance). It was funny, because our rep is a republican, and we are democrats (I have a little donkey keychain from the Smithsonian) - most of the interns weren't from CA either, so they had no idea what we were talking about a lot of the time. Our senator actually gave us the gallery tix, as our reps office was out. We just called Senator Feinstein's office, and walked in to pick them up ten minutes later.

Have fun - I wish we could go this year!!!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

We have a pop-up and have stayed out in College Park, Maryland at a very nice campground. They have cabins to rent as well. It was only one mile from the nearest Metro Station and you could either drive or take a city bus to get there. I believe it was only $1 to park for the day. We absolutely LOVED the Metro to get around to all the sites and then we were able to get away from all the craziness in DC proper by returning to our campround.

As long as you are near a Metro Station, you should be fine.

 

[mcnuss]

I am kinda confused by bom-noites posts, specifically:

I would also worry about the commute if you stay in Georgetown. I just do not think you would have an issue if you stayed anywhere in Va or the City. Many of the folks in Georgetown commute every AM in to the city - so you must fight them.

and

Not sure you can walk from Dupont to the city

Both Dupont and Georgetown are neighborhoods of DC, they are part of the "city". Someone who lives in Georgetown and who works downtown is highly unlikely to use a car to do so, they'll use the bus system or metro. If you stay anywhere in the District, when you go to leave early in the am, you'll be going against traffic (basically, although lots of people work in the burbs now).

I lived in Dupont for 3 years. It's a wonderful neighborhood, extremely safe. Very residential. (I lived at 30th & Q, right across from the Phillips Collection museum). If you are right near metro, you are going to be fine. And while it is a long walk to downtown from there, it is do-able, and there's lots to see along the way. You do not need to worry about walking those 2 1/2 blocks at night, unless you plan to be out at 2 am. This is not going to be the urban street scene you are imagining. These are lovely streets lined with trees and brownstones and little shops. It is very pretty.

Don't stress about the cabs in DC. I still haven't figured out the system, but there's nothing you can do about it so it's not worth th effort of thinking about it.

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by TRAPPED-PARENT
We have a pop-up and have stayed out in College Park, Maryland at a very nice campground. They have cabins to rent as well. It was only one mile from the nearest Metro Station and you could either drive or take a city bus to get there. I believe it was only $1 to park for the day. We absolutely LOVED the Metro to get around to all the sites and then we were able to get away from all the craziness in DC proper by returning to our campround.

As long as you are near a Metro Station, you should be fine.

What a great idea. Unfortunately for me, though, I really feel that I have to get at least to DC or a little to the southern side of it in order to make enough headway the next day (towards WDW). Thanks, though.

 

[cpl100]

Quote: I lived in Dupont for 3 years. It's a wonderful neighborhood, extremely safe. Very residential. (I lived at 30th & Q, right across from the Phillips Collection museum). If you are right near metro, you are going to be fine. And while it is a long walk to downtown from there, it is do-able, and there's lots to see along the way. You do not need to worry about walking those 2 1/2 blocks at night, unless you plan to be out at 2 am. This is not going to be the urban street scene you are imagining. These are lovely streets lined with trees and brownstones and little shops. It is very pretty

The hotel (Carlyle) is at 1731 NH Ave NW near 16th and U Streets. Perhaps you recall that specific area? Thanks mcnuss.

 

[mcnuss]

16th & U has changed a lot since I lived there; everyone was buying up there as I was leaving. I understand now that the neighborhood is very "hot". They call it the "New U". But you'll be between 17th & 18th, I think, more oriented to the Circle. But here is my hotel philosophy: if you are worried at all, it is going to spoil your good time. In the same neighborhood, but a little closer to the Circle, are the Hilton Emabssy Row and the Westin Embassy Row. I have stayed at the latter and it is nice, but a lot more $$ than the one you've booked. My honest advice to you is to change hotels. Not because of the neighborhood, which is really FINE, but bc you don't know anyone who has stayed there, and I sense that is making you nervous. I am going to be in DC on the 19th-21st, if you'd like, I could go check the hotel and let you know my opinion. In the meantime, here is every hotel in DC I would recommend (and I am PICKY ICKY) .

* Embassy Suites Downtown or Alexandria (the free breakfast with 2 teenaged boys will save you $25-$30 per day!)
* Westin Embassy Row or Grand (Embassy Row is very close to Metro, Grand is further)
* Cap. Hilton
* Sheraton 4 Points Downtown
* Hyatt Regency Downtown
* Hilton Embassy Row
* Omni Shoreham (up near the zoo, literally next to Metro, GORGEOUS neighborhood - my favorite non-business location)
* Marriott Wardman (one block up from the Omni)

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by TLinden16
If you're only going to be there a couple of days, and money isn't too big of an issue, you may want to stay right in DC. The train system in DC is excellent, but if you are only there a short time, you may want to be right in the middle of everything.

I've been staying at the Hilton Garden in on 14th Street when I go to DC. It's a nice hotel. There is a fridge and microwave in the room. There is even a small indoor pool in the hotel. It's just a few blocks from the White House, and a short walk to the Mall. It's also right across the street from a train station.

There is also a J.W. Marriott on 14th Street that looks pretty nice. I've never stayed there, but we ate breakfast in the restaurant, and it was quite good.

If you are looking to stay in Arlington, I stayed at the Doubletree Hotel near the airport in Crystal City. It was about a 10 minute walk to the train station, and about a 20 minute ride on the train to the Mall. There is a great shopping mall at the train station with lots of great places to eat in the mall, and in the strip mall across the street. There are other hotels nearby the Doubletree, I just can't remember what ones.

Karen

Wow! I just checked the Hilton Garden has parking for $24.00 day. That's steep, but I guess expected. Were there any other alternatives for your car? That Double tree is considerably cheaper. How would you compare the two hotels?

 

[madge]

I am soooo glad to see this thread about DC While we have a WDW trip planned later this year, our family is going to be in the DC area in July. His business is in the Landover, MD area....while on the Metro, it doesn't appear to be in the best spot as far as sight seeing goes. If I am wrong, please let me know....

my question is this--we really only have 3 full days and one partial day to do any touring. One day (a Sunday, before DH class starts) we have devoted to the tourmobile/monuments. Would we be better of changing hotels after the class is over to be closer to the city? I checked out that Loews link and most reviews are favorable, but I read that area isn't a place to be after dark.

any advice would be great--we have 3 kids, 12, 8, and 1

edited to add: I also priced the Four Points DC and found very nice rates....how is that area for families?

I am finding this thread very helpful. As helpful as planning my Disney trips....

 

[cpl100]

I'm glad that this thread is good for someone besides me because it's taking up a lot of space--worthwhile and helpful for me, but I hope not annoying anyone else!