Washimgton DC

[WDW-BWV]

Looking for advice on touring Washington. We don't want to drive or stay I the beltway. What transportation options and places to stay on the NW to west side of DC like near Warrinton?

Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[vicki_c]

I read what you said, but I never heard of anyone touring DC from as far away as Warrenton, VA. That's about 50 miles from DC and could easily be a few hours of driving time each way, depending on day/time.

 

[rwdavis2]

Where is Warrinton? The transportation is not that great. Unless you drive the only other choice is Metro. Go google a map of the system.

I cannot really make any recommendations without knowing your interests and how long you plan on staying. There is lots to do. Si.edu is the web site for the Smithsonian where you can get info on all the museums.

 

[vicki_c]

I assumed that was WarrEnton in Fauquier Co, VA. Maybe there is another place the OP is referring to.

 

[WDW-BWV]

Sorry my knowledge of geography of the region is not that great. Having driven through Warrenton and visited relatives there that's my orientation to being outside of the city. Being on the metro and coming in from the Harrisburg side of Pennsylvania would be our route of travel. We really don't want to get into Baltimore or that region. So in the end how can you stay at a convenient hotel to the metro take the train to go when I'll call downtown to go to the Smithsonian and other museums. Sorry if I'm not asking the right questions but I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and help.

 

[rwdavis2]

I would highly recommend you et a map of the Metro system and find some locations you might want to stay. Then locate them on google maps and do. "Search Nearby" for hotels.

 

[vicki_c]

I've heard of many staying in/around Arlington, VA and taking the metro into town from there. Quite a few people here and on another message board I frequent found good deals at hotels there.

You want to be just outside of DC, ideally, and close to a Metro station. Then you don't have to worry about any driving or parking. The Metro is very easy to navigate, although not always perfect!

We live here and won't take the car downtown since the Metro is so convenient.

 

[mikehn]

you are right, you want to stay on the west side of the DC area, which for the most part means northern VA, but not all the way out in Warrenton

 

[WDW-BWV]

What other message board would be helpful ?

 

[PlutoPony]

What other message board would be helpful ?

Trip Advisor

 

[gdrj]

"Touring DC" can mean a lot of different things to people. Due to traffic I would recommend staying in "Old Town" Alexandria (lots of tourists), can take free shuttle (runs up and down King Street) but to Metro in Alexandria that will bring you into DC. Also lots of restaurants, bars, ghost tours, water taxi's to DC, Mt. Vernon, and National Harbor, you will want to be walking distance from King Street. Lots of hotel choices from Boutique to Major Chains. You could actually park your car and do public transportation for many things. You could also stay at National Harbor, more expensive, car for all transportation pretty much, IMO better to visit for a day than to use as home base for DC Touring.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We live in Clarendon (area of Arlington) and there are a number of hotels in the Ballston/Courthouse areas of Arlington that are convenient to the Washington metro system (wmata.com). For example, the Residence Inn in Courthouse (http://courthousevahotel.com/) is basically right above the Courthouse metro station. Courthouse metro is 5-6 metro stops (about 10 minutes) from the area around the White House and the Smithsonian musuems. Getting to the national zoo on metro is a bit of a hassle and you are probably better off taking a taxi.