Washington DC

[minkydog]

We will be flying to VA in July for a big family reunion and since we will be so close, DH wants to go to DC for 3 days. I've only been there once, for exactly 1 day when I was about 19, so I remember very little. I have a couple of current travel books and of course, the internet, but I need some information about lodging that I can only get from someone who has been there and done that.

Of note--DH can walk, but he cannot go long distances. He can walk from the end of the local mall to the center without sitting down. When we go to Disney, he uses an ECV. He does not use it in Walmart or Publix. I expect the heat will be a big factor, too.

We will probably fly into Reagan, planning to be there Mon-Thurs. We will not have a car (don't want to deal with parking), so we'll probably be using the Metro, shuttles, or taxis. I'd like to find a decent hotel for less than $200/nt. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it does have to be in a safe part of town. We will probably concentrate mostly on the museums and monuments on the National Mall. I'd prefer to be fairly near the national mall, so that DH could go back for some rest during the day, if that's even possible, or maybe near the airport. It would be helpful if the hotel was pretty close to a Metro station, too.

Am I asking for too much? I'm checking out Travelocity and TripAdvisor, but you know, I really can't get a full picture of where things are and what the hotels are like.

 

[4formickey]

check groupon, we booked a room using them and was right across the river in arlington. close to the metro stops. We used one of the sight seeing buses and it allowed us to see most of the city.

 

[leebee]

Hi Minkydog! I'm glad to see you are thinking about this trip- it sounds like a wonderful opportunity to see your family.

When DD and I went to DC, we stayed at The George. It's at the Capitol building end of the mall, in the Union Station area. In fact, we took the train into and out of Union Station, and we walked to the hotel. It's a small boutique hotel. I don't remember what we paid for it, but I got it on Hotwire. I am not sure that your DH could actually walk to/from Union Station and the Mall area, but it's close enough that cabs shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. We walked the area safely after dark (not too late, but maybe up to 9 or 10 pm) and there were quite a few cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood, IIRC. Also, I have friends who stay in the DuPont Circle area as subway access to the Mall is pretty convenient. She said she's always able to find a deal on chain-brand hotels for around $100 a night, give or take.

Something I learned after DD and I wore ourselves ragged walking the Mall from museum to museum, monument to building, is that there is a shuttle bus that traverses the Mall loop, and I want to say it's free… or maybe only $1 per ride. Something to keep in mind.

I know I haven't given you a lot of concrete info here, but maybe it's a jumping-off point. I am sure you'll get a lot of help here; I posted a question about getting to and from Manhattan from JFK and within a few hours had plenty of first-hand info to pass on to my DD. I just love the DIS-folk! Good luck with planning your journey!

 

[leebee]

For some reason I can't get edit to work, so I'll add a post!

DD and I took the open-air night bus tour that left from Union Station at dusk. It took us all around the city, past all the "famous" buildings, monuments, museums, as well as out to the Iwo Jima monument. There were stops there, at the Jefferson Memorial, and at the Lincoln Monument with time to see both the Viet Nam Wall and Korean War memorial. I love taking the evening tours because I ADORE seeing the city after dark, with all the lights on. This was a reasonable deal (although I don't remember the actual cost) because we covered a lot of area and saw many, many things without having to walk much. I believe there were coupons to help with the price, or maybe a deal if we booked our tickets online. Given your DH's mobility issues, you might want to consider one of these sight-seeing tours. Many people pooh-pooh them, but if you don't know your way around a city, or have issues that make traveling a challenge, they are really worth it. Besides, you'll be a tourist… might as well act like one!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

We were there last Summer and we stayed at the Hilton Garden at the White House. It was right across the street from a meto stop and without paying for parking, you should be able to get it for about 200.00. It is a great location. The issue might be walking for your husband. There is a TON of walking. Its different from WDW walking as you have to often go great distance without stopping to enjoy things. Could he take his ECV? There are places where he would have to walk a great distance to see certain monuments. There is a tour called the Big Red Bus that you can take that does make frequent stops and gets you fairly close and sometimes very close to many places. Taxis are plentiful and easy to use as well, though they might get expensive. Meto is easy, clean and safe.
Be aware that the zoo is quite a walk from the nearest meto.
The metro prices have increased quite a bit in the last few years. ( we under budgeted for this)
Food in DC can be expensive. Food carts are plentiful, yummy and a decent price. Avoid food courts in museums. Food courts in Federal Buildings are much better and anyone can go in. We like the Reagan Building. Just be sure all adults have ID. The place we stayed has a frig and mico and we ate a lot of meals in the room. We also asked locals for a good place and have found some great out of the way places. We do this anywhere we travel.
Dont forget that while most things are free, many things do require a timed entry ticket. Be sure to order in time or plan to be at the location EARLY and stand in line.
Our favorite thing this trip was Fords Theater. Free but takes a ticket.

Plan well and have fun.

 

[minkydog]

For some reason I can't get edit to work, so I'll add a post!

DD and I took the open-air night bus tour that left from Union Station at dusk. It took us all around the city, past all the "famous" buildings, monuments, museums, as well as out to the Iwo Jima monument. There were stops there, at the Jefferson Memorial, and at the Lincoln Monument with time to see both the Viet Nam Wall and Korean War memorial. I love taking the evening tours because I ADORE seeing the city after dark, with all the lights on. This was a reasonable deal (although I don't remember the actual cost) because we covered a lot of area and saw many, many things without having to walk much. I believe there were coupons to help with the price, or maybe a deal if we booked our tickets online. Given your DH's mobility issues, you might want to consider one of these sight-seeing tours. Many people pooh-pooh them, but if you don't know your way around a city, or have issues that make traveling a challenge, they are really worth it. Besides, you'll be a tourist… might as well act like one!!

Exactly! We actually like the hop-on/hop-off tours for the same reason. We can ride around, see stuff, and get our bearings without having to walk so much.

I'm pretty sure we will limit ourselves to 2 museums/day. We love museums, but there's only so much of it we can take in a day.

 

[minkydog]

We were there last Summer and we stayed at the Hilton Garden at the White House. It was right across the street from a meto stop and without paying for parking, you should be able to get it for about 200.00. It is a great location. The issue might be walking for your husband. There is a TON of walking. Its different from WDW walking as you have to often go great distance without stopping to enjoy things. Could he take his ECV? There are places where he would have to walk a great distance to see certain monuments. There is a tour called the Big Red Bus that you can take that does make frequent stops and gets you fairly close and sometimes very close to many places. Taxis are plentiful and easy to use as well, though they might get expensive. Meto is easy, clean and safe.
Be aware that the zoo is quite a walk from the nearest meto.
The metro prices have increased quite a bit in the last few years. ( we under budgeted for this)
Food in DC can be expensive. Food carts are plentiful, yummy and a decent price. Avoid food courts in museums. Food courts in Federal Buildings are much better and anyone can go in. We like the Reagan Building. Just be sure all adults have ID. The place we stayed has a frig and mico and we ate a lot of meals in the room. We also asked locals for a good place and have found some great out of the way places. We do this anywhere we travel.
Dont forget that while most things are free, many things do require a timed entry ticket. Be sure to order in time or plan to be at the location EARLY and stand in line.
Our favorite thing this trip was Fords Theater. Free but takes a ticket.

Plan well and have fun.

Unfortunately, DH does not own an ECV. That's why I want to try to plan this well, and hopefully not wear my DH out. I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't want to spend their day on a tour bus, but for us it's the best way to see a lot and avoid stressing DH too much. I'll start working on our itinerary pretty soon, since we know our dates. (And we have about 130,000 frequent flyer miles. Woot!)

And we like to eat like the locals do when we travel. Street food is the best!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Unfortunately, DH does not own an ECV. That's why I want to try to plan this well, and hopefully not wear my DH out. I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't want to spend their day on a tour bus, but for us it's the best way to see a lot and avoid stressing DH too much. I'll start working on our itinerary pretty soon, since we know our dates. (And we have about 130,000 frequent flyer miles. Woot!)

And we like to eat like the locals do when we travel. Street food is the best!

Are you open to renting one?

I know there are medical equipment rental companies that deliver. I rented a wheelchair for getting around my house and to go downtown for cherry blossoms when I broke my ankle. Pretty sure they had ECVs as well.

I would consider it even for some of the days to allow for some flexibility. Those museums are HUGE.

I don't have hotel suggestions since we used to be local.

 

[Arkansan]

Can you rent an ECV there? ( to be delivered to your hotel?). Just a thought...

I don't have any National Mall hotels, but we have enjoyed staying in National Harbor. There are several hotels very close together. My DD has a big competition that is held at the Gaylord, but we stay about a block away at the Westin. There is also a Residence Inn. There is a water taxi across the Harbor and a big Ferris wheel. There are many shops and restaurants and, of course, some of the hotels have their own restaurants as well. I believe the Residence Inn includes breakfast and have kitchenettes or kitchens in the rooms. There is a map of the National Harbor area online so you could see what the area is like and what types of things are available.

Have a great trip!

 

[firecracker725]

Unfortunately, DH does not own an ECV. That's why I want to try to plan this well, and hopefully not wear my DH out. I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't want to spend their day on a tour bus, but for us it's the best way to see a lot and avoid stressing DH too much. I'll start working on our itinerary pretty soon, since we know our dates. (And we have about 130,000 frequent flyer miles. Woot!)

And we like to eat like the locals do when we travel. Street food is the best!

It might be worth your while to invest in a lightweight portable wheelchair for this trip. My FIL has Parkinsons and travels with one. It's been a lifesaver.

 

[HelenePA]

You're going to need a ECV or something for DH. There is no way I could see doing DC with out a TON of walking. We were there last year with my daughters class. I think the monument walk is about 2 miles alone add in the museums and stuff.. its a LOT of walking.

 

[HeatherC]

The last two times we went...one being this past August, we stayed in Arlington near Pentagon City.
Two hotels I would recommend are the Residence Inn Pentagon City and the Sheraton. we booked the Sheraton through Last Minute Travel Club for $60 a night.

Both hotels are near the Pentagon City metro shop which is at the huge mall there. tons of shopping and restaurants. Both hotels also offer a free shuttle bus to the metro...under five min.

The nice thing about this area is that it is only two stops or so from Reagan Airport...on the same metro line. So you walk out of the airport entrance hop on metro and are at your hotel in like ten min.

It is also a quick ride to LEnfant Plaza and the Smithsonian stop which puts you right in the middle of the Mall for sightseeing.

I would also recommend the Residence Inn at Capitol Hill...very close to the mall, but not many food options around.

The Arlington hotels were MUCH more affordable with lots of easy food, shopping and travel options.

Hope this helps!

 

[HeatherC]

Forgot to mention....I agree there is a ton of walking. But if you at one of these hotels, you can use shuttle bus, metro, and hop on hop off trolley to minimize a lot of it.

We also used cabs a few times and it was around $15 to take us to or from the mall. Quick and easy and we just budgeted a little more money to do so. A cab can also drop you off right at the entrance to a museum which the metro doesn't allow.

 

[Luvstotravel]

I expect the heat will be a big factor, too.

The heat will be a HUGE factor. I'd never go to DC in July.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Last time I was in DC (September), my fitness tracker logged about 12-13 miles of walking each day. We used the metro a lot but it's still a LOT of walking no matter where you stay. I would rent a scooter for him. Even just going from one museum to the next and walking through the 2 museums is easily a mile of walking when all is said an done. I think from door to door from the American History Museum to the Natural History Museum is 4 or 5 "blocks" in a normal neighborhood. Things look a LOT closer to each other then they really are. Plus, there is a slight incline on the Capital end of the mall so that makes it even more difficult.

 

[firecracker725]

The heat will be a HUGE factor. I'd never go to DC in July.

OP is from Georgia. I'm fairly certain she knows how to deal with a little heat.

 

[Luvstotravel]

OP is from Georgia. I'm fairly certain she knows how to deal with a little heat.

Great. But maybe someone else is reading this and thinking about a trip in July too. If the OP wants to go then, maybe another person reading this will realize they should go when it's cooler.

And I deal with a little heat by staying in air-conditioned buildings, not going on hikes.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Great. But maybe someone else is reading this and thinking about a trip in July too. If the OP wants to go then, maybe another person reading this will realize they should go when it's cooler.

And I deal with a little heat by staying in air-conditioned buildings, not going on hikes.

It's hot most places in the country in July and the museums are air conditioned.

 

[Luvstotravel]

Ok, my advice is clearly not wanted.

How's this: the OP will have a great time walking the 4 or 5 "blocks" that you refer to, in 90+ degree heat, with high humidity. That slight incline on the Capitol end of the mall? She'll be fine. Just FINE.

Better?

 

[Happy Snowman]

Ok, my advice is clearly not wanted.

How's this: the OP will have a great time walking the 4 or 5 "blocks" that you refer to, in 90+ degree heat, with high humidity. That slight incline on the Capitol end of the mall? She'll be fine. Just FINE.

Better?

You are missing the point, she knows it will be hot, but it's not a reason to stay home....and she is coming from a place that is probably even hotter/more humid than DC so while it's something to consider, it's really not a reason to stay home. Honestly, a lot of people say DC is "hot and humid" but I have never found it to be that bad....but it's all what you are used to. Also, the concern is for her DH, not her as much, thus the numerous suggestions to get a scooter.