Washington DC for scout troop

[MichelleB]

My G.S. troop is wanting to go to Washington DC next June for the 100th year of G.S. celebration. We've come up with a long list of things to do but the budget breaker is the hotel. Any suggestions from those that may have gone with a similar group? There will be 10-12 of us going. We don't save all that much by staying further out and then we either drive in or take the metro. Not sure if the trade-off in time is worth it. How do prices on food relate to say Orlando prices (something we can all relate to!). If we stay in town, is there a central location that's best for us to walk to most sights? We want to see the white house, smithsonian, capitol, monuments, arlington cemetary, etc. Thanks for any input.

 

[crisi]

My G.S. troop is wanting to go to Washington DC next June for the 100th year of G.S. celebration. We've come up with a long list of things to do but the budget breaker is the hotel. Any suggestions from those that may have gone with a similar group? There will be 10-12 of us going. We don't save all that much by staying further out and then we either drive in or take the metro. Not sure if the trade-off in time is worth it. How do prices on food relate to say Orlando prices (something we can all relate to!). If we stay in town, is there a central location that's best for us to walk to most sights? We want to see the white house, smithsonian, capitol, monuments, arlington cemetary, etc. Thanks for any input.

Food was very expensive - particularly AT the Smithsonian.

If you stay out - you'll need to get in - that probably means finding a spot near the Metro and taking the Metro in. The Metro will probably add $10 per person per day to your trip over stay in closer.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Convention Center - its close to $300 a night but you could put six in a suite if you got one with two beds and a pull out. Plus they have an extensive breakfast buffet that would save you a meal for each of the girls. Its walking distance to almost everything. Most everything else we did was free, but tourmobile tickets to go see monuments and Arlington were $35 or something.

Don't forget to contact your rep to get tickets.

 

[Madison'smommy]

We ate at the Natural History museum (well, just sat down to eat when the earthquake hit) but..... food was expensive! $3 for a fountain soda. Nearly $10 for a kids meal, about $8 for a piece of pizza..... Awesome salad bar for around $10 a pound. There are not many "carts" around there to eat at, I don't think. I used to work in DC, but not right in that area. There are tons of choices in food, if you walk a little. You will find places that "locals" eat at.

 

[Judique]

Food was very expensive - particularly AT the Smithsonian.

If you stay out - you'll need to get in - that probably means finding a spot near the Metro and taking the Metro in. The Metro will probably add $10 per person per day to your trip over stay in closer.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Convention Center - its close to $300 a night but you could put six in a suite if you got one with two beds and a pull out. Plus they have an extensive breakfast buffet that would save you a meal for each of the girls. Its walking distance to almost everything. Most everything else we did was free, but tourmobile tickets to go see monuments and Arlington were $35 or something.

Don't forget to contact your rep to get tickets.

Just to expand on Crisi's hotel, I put my AAA number in for the weekend of June 22nd, 2012 and got a price of $170 plus taxes for the 2 double bed plus sleeper sofa room. Advance purchase. Weekend are pretty much always cheaper in DC.

The same room is available for $164 advance purchase without AAA.

 

[luv2sewtjr]

http://hotel-harrington.com/

I have friends that have stayed here. It's a basic hotel and an older one, but it is very centrally located.

Go to Washington Metro's website and look into the D.C. Circulator routes.

Food is very expensive there. I'm not sure if your group is big enough or not, but you can buy vouchers to be used in some of the food courts. Definitely check that out...

Be warned that White House tickets are v. hard to get...you need to write your Congressman now. Also consider Congressional tours of the Capital building and the Bureau of Engraving.

The Kennedy Center has free shows every night at 6 P.M. on the Millenium Stage. It's a beautiful venue in its own right but the free shows are wonderful.

 

[brooklynbrenden]

Michelle,

I think we are taking our girls too. We are from Wellston, OH. The embassy looks reasonably priced and includes breakfast. I think we may stay there. It is within walking distance to everything you mentioned but Arlington. Maybe we can work together and get some vouchers for meals. I'll pm u my email.

 

[Tree]

we recently returned from DC -we stayed at Holiday Inn near the capitol. It was one block away from the Mall near the Air and Space museum. We only used the metro to get to the hotel from Union station train and then to go out to Arlington. It was the perfect location.

http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/washington/wassm/hoteldetail

 

[DawnM]

Our troop and pack (and families) went last year and tent camped.

We had friends nearby so we actually stayed with them, but the camp site was about $12/night for a tent site.

Our trip turned out to be very reasonable.

Dawn

 

[delmar411]

This may be too unconventional for your group but have you considered contacting GS groups in the DC area and seeing you can't come up with a plan to bunk the girls/moms with them? Esp if they are already going to participate in the 100th year event? There has to be some badge for hosting another family!

 

[MichelleB]

We are somewhat flexible on dates (either arrive June 5 and depart June 10 or arrive June 8 and depart June 13). Looks like some hotels are cheaper to for the latter. I can get Embassy Suites for $256 per night, Hotel Harrington says there's nothing available - I wonder if they don't accept ressies this early?, and the Best Western in Georgetown for just over $200 but it only sleeps 4. Needing 2 rooms will be expensive but if I can fit 6 per room then it's cheaper than doing 3 rooms of 4. Any other ideas?

I'm off to check into meal vouchers right now!

 

[czycropper]

Our whole service unit is going on 2 buses but my troop is going a day earlier than the bus. It's on a Saturday, so we're going on Friday as soon as school lets out till Sunday night. I'm checking into the Marriott in Crystal City (across the river).

It should be a great time.

We're also doing Liberty State Park on the last weekend of June which is being sponsored by the NJ Girl Scout Councils.

 

[skmommy]

Check out vrbo or homeaway for Alexandria. I booked a 5br home in Alexandria for the first week in June 2012, and it looks great and was very affordable. The metro will add some $, but not nearly what staying in closer would have cost, not to mention the extra room to spread out.

 

[mrebuck]

I took my troop last April. We stayed at the Residence Inn http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wascp-residence-inn-washington-dc-capitol/.
Great pool and hot tub. Free breakfast buffet (waffles, pancakes, bacon, oatmeal and just about every other breakfast food you can imagine). It is located a couple blocks from the Mall - a really easy walk. Each room has a full kitchen so you don't have to pay to go out to eat. And, best of all - the one bedroom suites hold 6 people (2 double beds in the bedroom, and a pullout sofa in the living room). I checked for the weekend of 6/9 - a one bedroom suite is $279.

Cadette Troop 10938 will see you there!

 

[disneybirds]

Thanks for all the great ideas and suggestions. We are not taking a GS group, but we are thinking of going next April. I hadn't really thought of renting a place on VRBO.

 

[lizabu]

Maybe staying in the outskirts like Tyson's corner and bussing the kids into the city for the sights would be an option. I've seen hotels in Tysons corners for under $100/ night

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I was told that, for another big celebration, local churches opened their doors and let troops bring sleeping bags. You could also look into campsites that might have lodges. I know you can't even book those yet, but you could see what is available in the area.

I haven't even looked into all of that yet, but I hope to take our girls. It would be so nice to be able to stay local and not mess with transportation.

 

[Marshay]

Just wanted to say Troop #4507 of Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital will see you there!! We are about an hour away from DC and are just chartering a bus or two to get us into DC and back again. Driving can be a real mess, so if you can afford to stay in a centrally located place in DC, I'd say go for it! You can easily walk to (almost) all the monuments and museums, or just take Metro for 1-3 stops.

I used to ride Metro to work and only had positive experiences.

However, if you can't afford a DC hotel, then look for one in Arlington, Pentagon City, Clarendon, Ballston. Those places are right on the Metro line, in safe and busy/attractive areas, just a handful or two stops away from the Mall. Just ensure that your hotel is really close to Metro.

Good luck!