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

[Trentmom]

I am so lost trying to plan a mini trip to Washington DC in July or August.

My 7yr old son is so big into history now and is fascinated with anything having to do with presidents.

I found a nice hotel I like to stay at in ALexandria, VA.

I was looking at at Washington DC site and it shows this:

Martz Gold Line/ Gray Line of Washington DC - Open Top Sightseeing Bus Tour....an 8hr tour of historical sights

Has anyone done this? It makes it seem like you can get off and tour certain locations. If you are able to get off, how long do they give you at each site? I do not want to be super rushed.

Should I just take the bus tour or should I just drive around to places on my own?

my son wants to see Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, White House and my husband and I would like to see a few buildings at Smithsonian. Anything else we see, would be a bonus.

We would have 3 full days to sight see


Sorry for this being so long, but this is so much harder than planning a Disney trip

Looking at the places we want to see, is the bus better or going off on our own a better idea?


Anything advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated

 

[LaraK]

Hey! Welcome to the neighborhood! (in advance)

Don't drive DC unless you know the layout. I grew up in DC and find it easy to get around, but most people say it's impossible if you're unfamiliar with the area. Also, the monuments are so close, you'd end up parking next to one to get to another (parking by the monuments is not so great and is EXPENSIVE if you park in a garage). I've heard good things about the tour buses from people who visit. You can walk from one place to the next for most things. Arlington is across the river and would be a LOOONG walk. It is, however, a ton of walking and you will be very very tired.

I don't often do the touristy things, but let me know if I can help with anything specific.

 

[golfgal]

The tours are nice to do. Many of them are not on an "assigned" bus, just a pass to get on which ever one is near you at the time. Walking around all the monuments is a lot of walking-a few miles to cover all of them, Disney style walking, so depending on how well your 7 year old does with that would be a good way to determine if walking or tour would be better.

For the Smithsonian's, etc. the metro stop is pretty close so that is easy. The buildings are HUGE, each taking up more than a city block so they are not as close as they look on a map. Door to door for many of them is more like 6 blocks walking.

Where are you staying in Alexandria? There is a free trolley that runs down to the river from the metro station so that is fun, especially if you are 7.

I would also suggest heading out to Mount Vernon. If your son is into history, walking up the same stairs that George Washington used is pretty cool. You can take a combination of Metro and bus to get there pretty easily.

 

[Trentmom]

Hey! Welcome to the neighborhood! (in advance)

Don't drive DC unless you know the layout. I grew up in DC and find it easy to get around, but most people say it's impossible if you're unfamiliar with the area. Also, the monuments are so close, you'd end up parking next to one to get to another (parking by the monuments is not so great and is EXPENSIVE if you park in a garage). I've heard good things about the tour buses from people who visit. You can walk from one place to the next for most things. Arlington is across the river and would be a LOOONG walk. It is, however, a ton of walking and you will be very very tired.

I don't often do the touristy things, but let me know if I can help with anything specific.

Hey Lara. Long time no talk

How are ya?

Okay, well, hearing this, thinking maybe not driving is a good idea. I dont want us to be getting lost constantly and getting frustrated

Are there any good places to eat near the attractions? Like a must do

 

[golfgal]

No, don't drive. The metro is very easy to use and convenient. All of the Smithsonian's have food courts/cafe's. They do close before you would expect so check out the times before you go. There are a lot of fun places to eat in Alexandria too so don't miss those. We stayed in Alexandria and had dinner there most evenings.

If your son likes sports at all there is an ESPN restaurant by Ford's Theater. The locals will have better suggestions though .

 

[Trentmom]

The tours are nice to do. Many of them are not on an "assigned" bus, just a pass to get on which ever one is near you at the time. Walking around all the monuments is a lot of walking-a few miles to cover all of them, Disney style walking, so depending on how well your 7 year old does with that would be a good way to determine if walking or tour would be better.

For the Smithsonian's, etc. the metro stop is pretty close so that is easy. The buildings are HUGE, each taking up more than a city block so they are not as close as they look on a map. Door to door for many of them is more like 6 blocks walking.

Where are you staying in Alexandria? There is a free trolley that runs down to the river from the metro station so that is fun, especially if you are 7.

I would also suggest heading out to Mount Vernon. If your son is into history, walking up the same stairs that George Washington used is pretty cool. You can take a combination of Metro and bus to get there pretty easily.

oh okay..so you just get on whatever bus is near you a the time

He did pretty well at Disney. Only used stroller one day at Disney and that was at AK.

Is the metro like a subway? Where do you get the metro at? I thought I had read something about Union station.

Sorry if these are dumb questions.

We have not booked it yet, but am leaning towards
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. It looks like a very nice hotel

He would get a kick out of walking the same steps that George Washington did

Thanks for all your help

 

[LaraK]

The stuff down by the monuments and museums is super expensive, so be prepared. IMO, the cafe at the American History museum is the best of the lot.

Another suggestion is to go over to China Town (don't know if the jump on/jump off tourmobiles go over there or not...it's only a few blocks away, so a cheap cab ride) and get some authentic Chinese food. There are several excellent places in the train station. Union Station is also a little known stop and a nice place to visit.

If you go to the zoo, there are a ton of excellent ethnic places right down Connecticut Avenue. We tend to go into the city and leave by lunch, so I'm not very good for dinner recommendations.

Oh, and I'm doing well! Busier than usual (my son ended up getting much sicker last year and we've been dealing with that a lot...he's doing much better now) but doing well.

 

[HOGFAN]

The Natural History museum has a wonderful cafe!!
Air and Space has a decent McDonalds

 

[Trentmom]

No, don't drive. The metro is very easy to use and convenient. All of the Smithsonian's have food courts/cafe's. They do close before you would expect so check out the times before you go. There are a lot of fun places to eat in Alexandria too so don't miss those. We stayed in Alexandria and had dinner there most evenings.

If your son likes sports at all there is an ESPN restaurant by Ford's Theater. The locals will have better suggestions though .

Yeah, I am thinking not driving would be a good idea

Oh good..food courts are right up our alley. My son is a picky eater

That is another place.. Can you tour Ford Theater? That was another thing on his list.

Thanks for your tips

 

[Trentmom]

The stuff down by the monuments and museums is super expensive, so be prepared. IMO, the cafe at the American History museum is the best of the lot.

Another suggestion is to go over to China Town (don't know if the jump on/jump off tourmobiles go over there or not...it's only a few blocks away, so a cheap cab ride) and get some authentic Chinese food. There are several excellent places in the train station. Union Station is also a little known stop and a nice place to visit.

If you go to the zoo, there are a ton of excellent ethnic places right down Connecticut Avenue. We tend to go into the city and leave by lunch, so I'm not very good for dinner recommendations.

Oh, and I'm doing well! Busier than usual (my son ended up getting much sicker last year and we've been dealing with that a lot...he's doing much better now) but doing well.

Okay...thanks for warning so wont have sticker shock

Not big on ethnic food, but am sure my husband would love that. Have to tell him

aww..sorry to hear he was so sick. Glad he is doing better

The Natural History museum has a wonderful cafe!!
Air and Space has a decent McDonalds

Thanks for the tips.

MCD's right up my son's alley

 

[Trentmom]

Has anyone tried this place?

Madame Tussauds Washington DC - General Admission


It looks like a neat wax museum

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

oh okay..so you just get on whatever bus is near you a the time

He did pretty well at Disney. Only used stroller one day at Disney and that was at AK.

Is the metro like a subway? Where do you get the metro at? I thought I had read something about Union station.

Sorry if these are dumb questions.

We have not booked it yet, but am leaning towards
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. It looks like a very nice hotel

He would get a kick out of walking the same steps that George Washington did

Thanks for all your help

STOOOOOP!! You don't want to stay Hilton Alexandria Mark Center...Mark Center is not even close to the heart and center of Alexandria... if you are looking to stay in Alexandria (which is where ! live ) you want to stay in OLD TOWN Alexandria...this is close to restaurants, shops, metro and everything...Mark Center is close to NOTHING...yes, the hotel looks decent enough, but trust me....you need to look up hotels in Old Town Alexandria, VA....

 

[Trentmom]

STOOOOOP!! You don't want to stay Hilton Alexandria Mark Center...Mark Center is not even close to the heart and center of Alexandria... if you are looking to stay in Alexandria (which is where ! live ) you want to stay in OLD TOWN Alexandria...this is close to restaurants, shops, metro and everything...Mark Center is close to NOTHING...yes, the hotel looks decent enough, but trust me....you need to look up hotels in Old Town Alexandria, VA....

oh wow really

glad I posted this. I do not want to be in middle of nowhere

Near the metro would be better

can you suggest any hotels?

THanks

 

[golfgal]

oh okay..so you just get on whatever bus is near you a the time

He did pretty well at Disney. Only used stroller one day at Disney and that was at AK.

Is the metro like a subway? Where do you get the metro at? I thought I had read something about Union station.

Sorry if these are dumb questions.

We have not booked it yet, but am leaning towards
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. It looks like a very nice hotel

He would get a kick out of walking the same steps that George Washington did

Thanks for all your help

The metro is like a subway but it isn't all underground, but much of it is. Union Station is one spot to catch it but there are stops all over the city.

I would suggest staying at the Embassy Suites in Alexandria. You get a free breakfast, which is actually nice because food in DC is expensive. It is right across the street from the Kings Street Metro stop so easy. You can get 3 day metro passes to use the metro and get all over DC without a car at all. If you are driving up, consider parking costs at hotels-expensive $20-30/day. If you are flying, fly into Reagan, the metro has a stop there and you can take that right to your hotel.

Not all of the tours have the pass where you can get off and on. I would recommend doing the Monuments at Night tour. We were going to but didn't and I regret not doing that. Eight hours for the tour is going to be WAY too much even if he is a History buff. We walked from Arlington to the Lincoln Memorial and down to the Washington Memorial-WAY too much walking in one day but it can be done. Arlington looked a LOT closer to the Lincoln Memorial when we started walking

 

[LaraK]

I refuse to pay for museums when the Smithsonian is free.

In the Smithsonian, here are some things your son may like:

1. American History....I'm actually disappointed in the renovations. They took out 2/3 of the first ladies' gowns and now it's very cramped in there. However, the Star Spangled Banner exhibit is a "do not miss".

2. Natural History...spend a MINIMUM of a half a day here. Go to the dinosaurs and Hope Diamond first...these areas get super busy early (think headliners at Disney). The dinosaurs are really neat and there's a little known (shhhhh) back way up to the Hope Diamond if you take the back stairs up. The Hope Diamond is neat, but the other gems are what I like to look at. While on the second floor, do not miss the Bug Zoo....your son will love it! There are also a lot of really interesting displays back there which show you human evolution. The giant squid is on the first floor in the room next to the whale...you can't miss the whale.

3. Air and Space...not my fav (because my husband and son make me go there every time and I've been there about a bazillion times)...however, it is absolutely the #1 pick for most visitors. Go to one of the movies...they are COOL.

4. Like art? Don't forget to hit the Portrait Gallery. There's a DaVinci and a number of Rubens, Monets and other classics.

5. If you go to the zoo, remember that the grounds open much earlier than the buildings. I usually go a couple of hours before the zoo "opens"....we take breakfast and have a picnic breakfast on the grounds. Most of the animals are out in their yards at this time so we then hit the pandas and such before the official opening times. Don't forget to look up when you are walking between the ape house and the think tank...the orangataunges cross overhead on special wires. The zoo is big and has lots of hills....you WILL be tired if you go here. One tip for the zoo....kids' meals are plenty of food for an adult and come in a cool plastic lunch box you can keep. They're cheaper than the adult meals too.

 

[golfgal]

If he likes the National Treasure movies, you will want to visit the Library of Congress. You should go there anyway because the building is beautiful!!! If you haven't yet, read Dan Brown's latest book (the title escapes me right now). It is fictional, but set in DC and you will see a lot of the sights in the book.

 

[Trentmom]

I am seeing Hilton Alexandria Old Town

It looks smack on top of the metro

I hope this does not offend anyone, but is this a safe area?

I know in Philadelphia, I would never say near our subway, not a nice area

Again I apologize if this offends anyone. I Just want to keep my family safe

Thanks

 

[Trentmom]

The metro is like a subway but it isn't all underground, but much of it is. Union Station is one spot to catch it but there are stops all over the city.

I would suggest staying at the Embassy Suites in Alexandria. You get a free breakfast, which is actually nice because food in DC is expensive. It is right across the street from the Kings Street Metro stop so easy. You can get 3 day metro passes to use the metro and get all over DC without a car at all. If you are driving up, consider parking costs at hotels-expensive $20-30/day. If you are flying, fly into Reagan, the metro has a stop there and you can take that right to your hotel.

Not all of the tours have the pass where you can get off and on. I would recommend doing the Monuments at Night tour. We were going to but didn't and I regret not doing that. Eight hours for the tour is going to be WAY too much even if he is a History buff. We walked from Arlington to the Lincoln Memorial and down to the Washington Memorial-WAY too much walking in one day but it can be done. Arlington looked a LOT closer to the Lincoln Memorial when we started walking

Oh okay.

I am going to go check out that hotel now. Thanks.

Yeah, you are probably right. 8 hrs is too much.

I will look into the night tour. Do you need to buy tickets in advance for it or can I wait until I am there to do that?

I bet that was tiring...

You guys are great on here. I Love the dis

I refuse to pay for museums when the Smithsonian is free.

In the Smithsonian, here are some things your son may like:

1. American History....I'm actually disappointed in the renovations. They took out 2/3 of the first ladies' gowns and now it's very cramped in there. However, the Star Spangled Banner exhibit is a "do not miss".

2. Natural History...spend a MINIMUM of a half a day here. Go to the dinosaurs and Hope Diamond first...these areas get super busy early (think headliners at Disney). The dinosaurs are really neat and there's a little known (shhhhh) back way up to the Hope Diamond if you take the back stairs up. The Hope Diamond is neat, but the other gems are what I like to look at. While on the second floor, do not miss the Bug Zoo....your son will love it! There are also a lot of really interesting displays back there which show you human evolution. The giant squid is on the first floor in the room next to the whale...you can't miss the whale.

3. Air and Space...not my fav (because my husband and son make me go there every time and I've been there about a bazillion times)...however, it is absolutely the #1 pick for most visitors. Go to one of the movies...they are COOL.

4. Like art? Don't forget to hit the Portrait Gallery. There's a DaVinci and a number of Rubens, Monets and other classics.

5. If you go to the zoo, remember that the grounds open much earlier than the buildings. I usually go a couple of hours before the zoo "opens"....we take breakfast and have a picnic breakfast on the grounds. Most of the animals are out in their yards at this time so we then hit the pandas and such before the official opening times. Don't forget to look up when you are walking between the ape house and the think tank...the orangataunges cross overhead on special wires. The zoo is big and has lots of hills....you WILL be tired if you go here. One tip for the zoo....kids' meals are plenty of food for an adult and come in a cool plastic lunch box you can keep. They're cheaper than the adult meals too.

Thanks for all the info. I know Smithsonian is huge and you can not do it all. Now I will know which ones are must dos.

I will be printing out this thread shortly to discuss all of this with my husband

 

[golfgal]

I am seeing Hilton Alexandria Old Town

It looks smack on top of the metro

I hope this does not offend anyone, but is this a safe area?

I know in Philadelphia, I would never say near our subway, not a nice area

Again I apologize if this offends anyone. I Just want to keep my family safe

Thanks

Yes, very safe. You will see some places along the metro lines that you would not want to be in but Old Town is very safe, no issues at all. We spent a lot of time walking around Alexandria and it is almost deserted at times (not in Old Town but the square by the hotels by the metro).

The Hilton is across the street from Embassy Suites and next door to the Metro.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I am seeing Hilton Alexandria Old Town

It looks smack on top of the metro

I hope this does not offend anyone, but is this a safe area?

I know in Philadelphia, I would never say near our subway, not a nice area

Again I apologize if this offends anyone. I Just want to keep my family safe

Thanks

lol... Old Town is where is want to be...THere is also a Holiday Inn, Embassy Suites, Hotel Monoco, and the WEstin... Hotel Monoco is my preference----although further from the metro (a free trolley ride away)...its more situated in the historic district---you can walk to the Waterfront from here and enjoy all of the rich history of Alexandria from here ...but then again....you're not here to see Alexandria, really...so what the heck am I talking about... The areas of all of these hotels are very safe---THe cost of living is so high in most parts of Alexandria that there is little room for riff raff.