Visiting Washington DC in April & would appreciate any help!!

[maggymouse]

My husband & I are traveling to Washington DC April 23rd-26th.

Our plans include spending time at the Mall & we have a Capitol tour scheduled on Saturday morning. We also plan on taking a tour of the monuments at night as well as a DC by foot tour and want to visit the Eastern Market. Other than that, we have been advised to visit Old Town Alexandria. Finally, our plans include having lunch at one of the Senate cafeterias for a bowl of “Senate bean soup” and hope to make it to Ben’s Chili Bowl.

I found a rate of $149 a night with the 3rd night ½ off at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria. I am assuming that this location is in good spot for tourists with plenty to do around the property as well as finding a spot for to grab a bite to eat for dinner. I know that we will need to commute a bit on the metro, but with this rate and a savings of almost $300 over staying at the Embassy Suites at the Convention Center…I thought the small inconvenience would outweigh the savings.

Our plan B is to stay by the White House, but the prices are quite high….I am currently entering a daily bid on Priceline for a rate under $100 a night at a 4 star property.

So…..any suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciated about our lodging choice as well as tourist venues.

Thanks

 

[dis-happy]

Your plan is perfect!! We were just in DC last weekend and stayed in Old Town Alexandria at the Residence Inn (about 2 blocks from the Metro station). The Embassy Suites is directly across the street from the Metro station....so easy to get downtown from there; really, I had a choice of staying anywhere (due to Marriott points) and I chose the Alexandria location. We used to live in the area and I really prefer not to deal with driving into the city, plus parking, etc. It's just a short ride on the Metro to get to the Smithsonian stops, or anywhere on the Mall. The ride time from Alexandria is about 15 minutes. Take the Yellow Line.

Another fun thing to do (and not too far) is to visit Annapolis. It's a fabulous walking city, plus the Naval Academy grounds are beautiful to walk through.

Have fun. Cherry blossom season is beautiful.

 

[dis-happy]

PS. Are you flying in? From National Airport you can take the Metro to the King St. stop and be at your hotel. No need for a car (unless you want one).

 

[maggymouse]

Yes...we are flying into Reagan National & thanks for the tip on how to get from the airport to the hotel. I haven't had an opportunity to figure that out yet!

 

[ceecee]

A lot of 8th graders will be touring DC during that week. Our school is the first week of May but DD's friend's school is that week. I wouldn't want to be in a hotel with hundreds of 8th graders so ask first. They have reserved 4 hotels (there are 250-300 kids going from our school) and they are within walking distance (4 mi) of the attractions.

 

[dis-happy]

You will love the location! Plus, Embassy Suites has that great breakfast included with the room. Food prices at the Smithsonian were worse than I remembered...even worse than Disney prices. You can get a free cup for water though.

There is a Whole Foods within easy walking distance of your hotel as well...one night we picked up dinner there. They have a great selection of ready to eat hot foods, plus everything else under the sun. Worth it to pick up a few snacks to get you through the day.

 

[solotraveler]

A lot of 8th graders will be touring DC during that week. Our school is the first week of May but DD's friend's school is that week. I wouldn't want to be in a hotel with hundreds of 8th graders so ask first. They have reserved 4 hotels (there are 250-300 kids going from our school) and they are within walking distance (4 mi) of the attractions.

I second this!! You know it's spring in DC when you end up behind 60 middle schoolers and their chaperones trying to figure out how to use the Metro turnstyles.

Sounds like you have a great plan, OP. Old Town is a great location to be for seeing the city and there will be lots to do right outside your hotel. Eastern Market would be a great Saturday afternoon activity since you are "in the neighborhood," so to speak by being at the Capital in the morning. It's a great place for lunch as well. (If you are a reader at all, Capital Hill Books is right across from Eastern Market... it's a used bookstore that has to be seen to be believed.)

Since you have a little time, I'd encourage you to break away from the Mall a bit and explore the neighborhoods... Dupont, Adams Morgan, Embassy Row, U Street... all worth a visit for sure and will give you a great feel for the "other side" of the city.

Have a great time!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

We are heading to DC tomorrow. HOw strict are they about gettig through security and the Smithsonian, capitol etc. Can I take a big purse with munchies and water bottles?

 

[Mouseless2Long]

If they still offer tours at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, you must make time to do that. It was absolutely fascinating watching all of that money being printed. I loved it!

 

[solotraveler]

We are heading to DC tomorrow. HOw strict are they about gettig through security and the Smithsonian, capitol etc. Can I take a big purse with munchies and water bottles?

Security at the Capital (and White House, Supreme Court, etc) is very very tight. No food, no drinks and no large bags. According to a friend who is a tour guide at the Capital Visitor Center they are very firm on these rules...
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/Visit/Visitor Safety and Policies/

The museums are going to be a little less stringent on security in terms of getting in, but you are still looking at metal detectors some place, bag searches, etc. My recommendation would be to try and carry as little as possible with you, just to make it easier.

(Oh, and bring an umbrella... it's supposed to pour all weekend...)

 

[TDC Nala]

The end of April is way past cherry blossom time so the crowds will not be as huge at they will be at the beginning of the month.

This weekend it is supposed to rain like the dickens so bring rain stuff.

Just remember on Metro escalators: stand to the right, walk to the left, don't stand to the left or us commuters will mow you down. Because at this point we never know when the next train is coming.

HOw strict are they about gettig through security and the Smithsonian, capitol etc. Can I take a big purse with munchies and water bottles?

Right now, very. You wont' be able to take that into the Capitol. Not sure about the museums. They check all bags, dont' know if they'd say you can't have food and water though. I would assume you're not planning to eat and drink on the exhibit floors.

There is a Metro stop called "Smithsonian." It is not on the Yellow line. It is on the Orange and Blue line. It is not the best stop for ALL Smithsonian museums. If you are after the Museum of American History or the Natural History Museum use Federal Triangle (Orange/Blue lines). If you are after the Air & Space Museum use L'Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Green and Yellow lines stop there). Not so sure about the Capitol as I haven't been there since they built the Visitors Center. For the National Archives or the National Gallery of Art, use the Archives/Navy Memorial station (Yellow/Green lines).

 

[dis-happy]

We are heading to DC tomorrow. HOw strict are they about gettig through security and the Smithsonian, capitol etc. Can I take a big purse with munchies and water bottles?

I had a small backpack with an 8 oz. bottle of water. Even though my bag was checked at 3 different museums no one said anything about the water. There is a sign though that says no food or drink.

Note: if you go the National Gallery of Art (which has a new name, west building and east building) they won't let you have a backpack on. You have to hang both straps over one shoulder so you don't hit the art by mistake. It gets a little uncomfortable after awhile, at least for this old back. Check out the recently opened underground tunnel between the two galleries (west and east)...kind of neat with the lights and all.

We took the yellow line and exited near the archives building. From there it was an easy walk to the Natural History Museum, American History, and the Gallery of Art. Easier to walk then to change trains and lines. It's still a lot less walking than an outing to WDW, at least for those 3 museums.

Note: Julia Child's kitchen is on display at the American History Museum. Worth a peek in even if you don't do the whole museum!

 

[ssawka]

I also agree that Old Town is a great place to be and a short ride to DC.

I was going to suggest going into Georgetown until I saw you will be staying in Old Town, there actually quite similar to each other.

Also, if the weather is nice make sure to walk around Arlington Cemetery.

Also if the weather is nice and you have the time, take a ride to Mt. Vernon. It's a short drive from Alexandria, along the Potomac (a really nice ride when the weather cooperates.)

Hopefully some of the Cherry Blossoms will still be around even though your coming a couple weeks after the festival.

Oh, one other place to check out is Chinatown.

 

[EMom]

If they still offer tours at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, you must make time to do that. It was absolutely fascinating watching all of that money being printed. I loved it!

We went in Sept. 2008 and they still had free tours then. I didn't expect it, but for the kids, this was a HUGE hit. They loved it and were thrilled when we saw some "bad" money made and pulled from the pile. Bring some money for the "currency" souvenirs in the gift shop. They came up with more ways to sell shredded money than you can believe. Again, the kids were impressed.

 

[Swimalie]

We went in Sept. 2008 and they still had free tours then. I didn't expect it, but for the kids, this was a HUGE hit. They loved it and were thrilled when we saw some "bad" money made and pulled from the pile. Bring some money for the "currency" souvenirs in the gift shop. They came up with more ways to sell shredded money than you can believe. Again, the kids were impressed.

My husband works for the Treasury Dept. He gives out that "bad" money that is shredded when he gives his training sessions. It's neat to see in the little bags.

I live here and am still trying to get to all the attractions. Capital Tour won't let in water. I always carry a bottle of water with me and they made me pour it out. They briefly checked my backpack. No big deal with that.

I 2nd Mount Vernon. You can also schedule a cruise down there that leaves from Old Town Alexandria. This is the one we took http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/ The price of the cruise includes the cost of entrance and it's a great way to see more of DC, including downtown DC from the water.

If you like airplanes and want to take a taxi, there is also the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum at Dulles. It's a 2nd Air and Space Museum that they built with rare planes. It's incredible. We go there often since it has planes that we, plane fanatics, don't see at other museum. They even have a space shuttle and a whole space wing. But it's not on a Metro line nor is it easy to get to unless you take a taxi.

Have fun April here is a great time.

 

[GC&S]

We just returned from a short trip to DC. The museums were not strict on food and water - people were bringing in lunches in their bags. I wish I would have done this as the cafeteria at the American History museum is very expensive ($31 for 3 of us and dd and I split a meal). We did have bottled water and they didn't say anything. The Space museum has a food court with Boston Market, McD's and pizza. The Washington monument won't let you bring bottled water in but they did let someone keep their can of pop. Sadly we did not get to the Bureau of Engraving as we ran out of time. It was the one thing we really wanted to do. We went to the Old Post Office and went up in the clock tower (free). It has a great view of the city. It also has a food court and shops.

Have fun!

 

[vsimeone]

I agree with everything mentioned here! My brother lives in Alexandria so we visit frequently! Old Town is wonderful. Every trip my DH HAS to eat at the Fish Market. I have told him that there are MILLIONS of restaurants in DC but this is his all time favorite and it is quite good!

I also second the Eastern Market. DB used to live in Capitol Hill just about a block from the market. We always went on Sunday mornings but anytime of day is wonderful. We haven't been there since they rebuilt from the fire but I hear it's just about back to "normal."

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned here is Arlington National Cemetary. It's high on my list. The ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns is so emotional but also, the views of the Pentegon are amazing from the Custis-Lee Mansion. We were there several months after 9/11 and you could see where the plane hit the Pentagon so clearly from there - it was heartwretching!

Have a FABULOUS time on your trip! Bring the best, most comfortable shoes you own. You'll do more walking in DC than you've ever done in your life!!!

 

[Avonlady1001]

Don't mean to hijack...but since this is about DC I have to ask:

What goes on at the Cherry Blossom Festival? Is it worth going to or should we stay away?? We're visiting my sister in MD & were planning on doing some of the Smithsonian one day. We're going the last weekend of the festival. Is it really a mob scene? I know the parade is that weekend...

I joke about going to the Cherry Blossom Festival every year & my sis says they have cherry blossoms outside their apartment, go look. LOL

OP, sounds like you're going to have a great time!!

 

[maggymouse]

Thanks for all of the help & suggestions….I appreciate it more than you realize!

So….here is another question! We thought that we might squeeze in a Nationals game on Saturday evening. What is transportation on the metro like to & from the game? It looks like we will need to transfer lines to get back to Alexandria & I am assuming that it is safe & quite crowed.

Thanks again!!

 

[Tiana]

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