washington D.C.. Please help HOTEL HELP PLEASE:)

[Parla]

Just so you know, I'm lurking.

Plan on taking the kids on an RV trip to the New England area in a few years with a stop in D.C.

 

[Trentmom]

Just so you know, I'm lurking.

Plan on taking the kids on an RV trip to the New England area in a few years with a stop in D.C.

Hey Parla

No problem

That sounds like fun

 

[LaraK]

End of June is hit or miss for heat. July/August are guaranteed hot as Hades. We start getting hot days here and there by Mayish. Last summer was the hottest on record, so maybe this summer will be better.

 

[snowy76]

What if I go end of June, will that be any better or really not make much of a difference?

Not so much. Spent the last wknd of June in DC last year and you just have to get used to your clothing plastering itself to you. If you ever go into Center City in Phila that time of year you start to get the idea. I usually shower in the morning but each night when got to my hotel room I hopped right in to cool down!

 

[Trentmom]

Well I am in New Jersey, so am used to the heat

But am sure being outside it all day is different

We will probably end up going in July

School lets out Mid June and don't want to have to rush to get ready for a trip. July would just be easier

Thanks for everyone's help

 

[Prose]

A tip or two on the Metro -- tickets are dispensed from vending machines inside each station...we always bought one-day passes each morning that let us ride wherever we needed for the day. The tickets are paper with a magnetic strip -- we had problems once or twice with them de-magnetizing, so be careful how you store them.

There are digital signs overhead that show when each train will arrive in that station, and they will help you know which tracks to wait by.

If you have an iPhone, there are great apps that will help you find Metro stations and even when your next train is and alert you to any delays.

I would encourage you to ask your senators and representatives for tickets to the White House tour, the Capitol Tour and the Bureau of Engraving. All are very cool. Keep in mind that you cannot carry ANY bags into the White House, and there is no place to store them there.

One of the highlights of our trip was a bike tour of the monuments. We went through Bike and Roll. You ride all over, it is mostly flat and easy. They have kids' bikes, as well, and supply helments and a snack. If your family is active, it's a very fun alternative to bus tours.

Have a great time!

 

[Trentmom]

A tip or two on the Metro -- tickets are dispensed from vending machines inside each station...we always bought one-day passes each morning that let us ride wherever we needed for the day. The tickets are paper with a magnetic strip -- we had problems once or twice with them de-magnetizing, so be careful how you store them.

There are digital signs overhead that show when each train will arrive in that station, and they will help you know which tracks to wait by.

If you have an iPhone, there are great apps that will help you find Metro stations and even when your next train is and alert you to any delays.

I would encourage you to ask your senators and representatives for tickets to the White House tour, the Capitol Tour and the Bureau of Engraving. All are very cool. Keep in mind that you cannot carry ANY bags into the White House, and there is no place to store them there.

One of the highlights of our trip was a bike tour of the monuments. We went through Bike and Roll. You ride all over, it is mostly flat and easy. They have kids' bikes, as well, and supply helments and a snack. If your family is active, it's a very fun alternative to bus tours.

Have a great time!

Thank you for all your tips

I really appreciate them

I am just learning how to use my iphone, but my husband has had one for awhile. So will make sure he gets that app when it is time

Thanks again

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Didn't have time to read through all the comments, so someone has probably mentioned this, but Tourmobile is a great way to see all the main sights. It starts at Arlington Cemetery (parking is available there and there is also a metro stop) and you can go all over the mall area, hopping on and off as much as you want. I often use it when visitors come to town.

 

[Trentmom]

Didn't have time to read through all the comments, so someone has probably mentioned this, but Tourmobile is a great way to see all the main sights. It starts at Arlington Cemetery (parking is available there and there is also a metro stop) and you can go all over the mall area, hopping on and off as much as you want. I often use it when visitors come to town.

Oh nice. I will look that up

Thank You

 

[Belle0101]

I'm supposed to be cleaning right now but I get easily distracted. And forgive me but I jumped from page 1 to page 5.

We were just to DC at the end of August 2010. We spent a week and it was great!!

My 2 cents -

I thought I would only like Mount Vernon. I LOVED it!! We were there from open to close and honestly, I wish we could have gone a second day.

At the time we went they were offering a "National Treasure" tour, so much fun! They took us around to lots of differnet spots, some of the spots on the grounds from where the movie was filmed, one that you can only see on the tour, and told some secrets from the filming. Our guide was really informative about the filming and the grounds.

I was nervous about the Metro on our first day but once I got used to how the machines worked and all it was easy. We made sure to get on after 9AM and then after 6PM. Way less crowded and I didn't feel like we were going to get run over by the folks on their way to work.

DS15's favorite was Arlington. There is so much history there. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier moves me to tears everytime. Lots to see there with the different memorials too.

DS11's favorite were the donuts at the free breakfast at our hotel.

I'm slightly kidding. His favorite was the National Archives. He really liked seeing the founding documents, especially the Constitution.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Trentmom]

I'm supposed to be cleaning right now but I get easily distracted. And forgive me but I jumped from page 1 to page 5.

We were just to DC at the end of August 2010. We spent a week and it was great!!

My 2 cents -

I thought I would only like Mount Vernon. I LOVED it!! We were there from open to close and honestly, I wish we could have gone a second day.

At the time we went they were offering a "National Treasure" tour, so much fun! They took us around to lots of differnet spots, some of the spots on the grounds from where the movie was filmed, one that you can only see on the tour, and told some secrets from the filming. Our guide was really informative about the filming and the grounds.

I was nervous about the Metro on our first day but once I got used to how the machines worked and all it was easy. We made sure to get on after 9AM and then after 6PM. Way less crowded and I didn't feel like we were going to get run over by the folks on their way to work.

DS15's favorite was Arlington. There is so much history there. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier moves me to tears everytime. Lots to see there with the different memorials too.

DS11's favorite were the donuts at the free breakfast at our hotel.

I'm slightly kidding. His favorite was the National Archives. He really liked seeing the founding documents, especially the Constitution.

Have a great trip!!!

Glad you had a great trip

Mt. Vernon sounds great

That is funny about the donuts. I could see my son saying the same thing

Thank You for your tips

 

[golfgal]

Well I am in New Jersey, so am used to the heat

But am sure being outside it all day is different

We will probably end up going in July

School lets out Mid June and don't want to have to rush to get ready for a trip. July would just be easier

Thanks for everyone's help

We went to DC right before 4th of July a couple summers ago and the weather wasn't that bad. It was warm and humid but you really aren't outside all that much and most of the museums, etc. were pretty cool so it felt good being outside after touring them. Other then walking around the monuments you weren't outside all that much. The metro stations, for the most part, are underground and a comfortable temperature as well.

I agree, Mount Vernon is WELL worth the trip.

 

[DD's Prince]

Leaving in 2 weeks for a short 3 day introduction to DC for my DD9 and DS8. Amtrak from NC to Embassy Suites in Alexandria. Doing Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Capitol, and White House plus Smithsonian. Does anyone have any dinner/restaurant recommendations for DC or Alexandria?

 

[golfgal]

Leaving in 2 weeks for a short 3 day introduction to DC for my DD9 and DS8. Amtrak from NC to Embassy Suites in Alexandria. Doing Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Capitol, and White House plus Smithsonian. Does anyone have any dinner/restaurant recommendations for DC or Alexandria?

Which Smithsonian will you be visiting and how adventurous of eaters are your kids?

 

[Trentmom]

We went to DC right before 4th of July a couple summers ago and the weather wasn't that bad. It was warm and humid but you really aren't outside all that much and most of the museums, etc. were pretty cool so it felt good being outside after touring them. Other then walking around the monuments you weren't outside all that much. The metro stations, for the most part, are underground and a comfortable temperature as well.

I agree, Mount Vernon is WELL worth the trip.

Thank You. That is good to hear

 

[DD's Prince]

We will definitely go to Air and Space and Natural History. Not sure what else because we also want to do the monuments/memorials. We'll do lunch in DC but aren't sure what to do for dinner.

 

[Hmom]

I have also been lurking

We are planning a trip to DC & thinking of staying in the College Park, MD area. Any hotel suggestions or warnings for that area? Is it a safe area (we all have parts of our cities we would steer people away from)?

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I have also been lurking

We are planning a trip to DC & thinking of staying in the College Park, MD area. Any hotel suggestions or warnings for that area? Is it a safe area (we all have parts of our cities we would steer people away from)?

Can I ask why you're staying in College Park?

 

[Hmom]

Can I ask why you're staying in College Park?

Mainly hotel price & vicinity to a Metro stop. Hotwire has some decent hotel prices in that area. When it comes to paying for a hotel, I am cheap, but I want somewhere nice. We've used Hotwire several times with great results.

Last year, we stayed in Gaithersburg to be close to friends who live in that area. It was ok, but I want something different this time.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Just another quick comment -

If you can do it, I would suggest going when the weather will be as cool as possible for your available dates. In mid-summer the combination of the crowds and heat can be brutal. Drink plenty of water and leave room for lots of breaks if you must go when the weather is at its worst. (Basically make the same kind of plans for touring DC that you would for Disneyworld in the summer.)