Washington DC

[Luvstotravel]

I find DC in the summer to be a a hellhole of unbearable conditions, a place to avoid at all costs. As do many. But you're ok with it, so then, warning people about it was clearly a waste of time. Sorry.

 

[firecracker725]

I find DC in the summer to be a a hellhole of unbearable conditions, a place to avoid at all costs. As do many. But you're ok with it, so then, warning people about it was clearly a waste of time. Sorry.

Hey man...Let it go! Let it goooooooo!

 

[PlutoPony]

Finding a seat to sit and rest is often not easy, especially if you're looking for something in the shade in the summer. The amount of walking and standing can be really taxing. For Metro, standing on the platform for 20 minutes waiting for a train isn't unusual especially on the weekends. Think Hop On Hop Off trollies are every 30 minutes. So it can be quite a bit of being on your feet, not just walking long distances. If you think this will be a challenge for your husband you might want to seriously consider renting a wheelchair or scooter.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

I find DC in the summer to be a a hellhole of unbearable conditions, a place to avoid at all costs. As do many. But you're ok with it, so then, warning people about it was clearly a waste of time. Sorry.

I agree - DC in the summer is brutal - we went 4th of July one year and my husband and I were miserable

 

[skylizard]

Born and raised in DC here. Yes, it's hot, but not unbearable. I find most places to be just as hot that time of the year. Heck, Disney in July is what I would call unbearable.
Anyways, I'd also recommend doing one of the tour buses. Maybe they have one that you can hop on and off? That way you get to see everything there is to see and not get exhausted doing it while staying in the a/c. Definitely check out livingsocial and groupon as they always have some deal on tours going on.

 

[okeydokey]

My family is heading to DC in March for the first time ever. There are tons on resources and maps online that I have been looking at, but I love the advise of people who have traveled there. Never thought of street food, so that is great info. Keep it coming please.

We are staying on points in Alexandria Old Town, at the Springhill Suites if anyone here knows of it. Free parking and a shuttle to the Eisenhower Station

 

[HeatherC]

Don't mean to add fuel to the fire, but OP didn't ask if it was hot. She simply asked for help with her trip. Can we help her or debate how hot the south is in the summer?

 

[lorimay]

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!

We did this tour last May it was the best. I agree seeing the city at night is amazing.
We got a deal online where we bought paid for 2 days and we were given 2 days free on the trolley tour.
We paid extra for this night time tour same company. trolleytours.com
There are 2 different lines a red one and a blue one. You can see so much without a lot of walking.

If you are looking for a delicious place to eat try Founding Farmers for breakfast.
Delicious food

Have a wonderful time.

 

[minkydog]

Born and raised in DC here. Yes, it's hot, but not unbearable. I find most places to be just as hot that time of the year. Heck, Disney in July is what I would call unbearable.
Anyways, I'd also recommend doing one of the tour buses. Maybe they have one that you can hop on and off? That way you get to see everything there is to see and not get exhausted doing it while staying in the a/c. Definitely check out livingsocial and groupon as they always have some deal on tours going on.

Yes, I live in Georgia *now* but I was raised mostly in Mississippi and Alabama. I don't just love the heat and humidity, but DC can't possibly be worse that living on the Gulf Coast. And Atlanta is a close second.

After re-discussing this with DH, it is clear that he really wants to go to DC. , come hell or high water. With his health and low stamina, I am inclined to give him what he asks for. He really is not demanding, at all, but this is important to him. We'll buy trip insurance, of course. We might not be able to see everything we want to, but we'll still be in DC. And they have hospitals everywhere.

I will plan at least some tours to minimize walking and I will look at wheelchair rental. DH wouldn't have to use it all the time, if he didn't want to, but he would have a seat available for those times when he absolutely needs to sit down and rest. I'm leery about using an ECV, for fear it might not fit on most transportation vehicles; a wheelchair could be easily folded for transport. We own a wheelchair, but I'm not sure if we could get it into a rental car with our luggage. Maybe if we get a Mid-size car instead of an Economy-size. It would probably be more reasonable to rent a wheelchair only for the time we will be in DC and not have to upgrade our ride. He won't need the wheelchair during the family reunion.

I've never done Groupon or Living Social, but I will check those out. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[PlutoPony]

Another option might be a rollolator with a seat.

The escalators from street level down to the metro stations can be long and steep. There are elevators at each station however, and those can be used with wheelchairs, etc or if he's not comfortable using the escalators (or if the escalators are out of service / not moving which happens). But the elevators are also out of service at time although I think they are more reliable than they used to be. The Metro website does show out of service elevators so you might want to keep an eye on that.

Edited to add - I'm not sure you can count on having a seat at all times on Metro. The newer train cars have far less seats and more open area, which allows more people to cram on. There are grab bars and poles from floor to ceiling to hold on to if needed. If he's unsteady on his feet and must sit I'd definitely avoid rush hour on Metro. And realize that other times it may be problematic to sit (hence a rollolator or wheelchair may be a huge help)

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We visited DC last fourth of july.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Downtown. It was about a 10 minute walk to the Smithsonian and National Mall.

If you want to visit the Holocaust museum or Washington monument you need to get tickets ahead of time.

We also took a night tour of the monuments. It was worth it to see them all lit up.

And yes it was HOT!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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?

I would not take it personally.

OP is SpECIFICALLY traveling during this time period because of a family reunion already scheduled that they will be attending.

And I have lived near DC and been downtown in July and August. It isn't the end of the world. It could be hotter than hades or a low humid day. Past couple of summers have actually been cool for the most part.

So while you advice may be valid for someone considering when to travel, for the OP--rescheduling her trip to another time is not an option.

Your insistence that your advice must be accepted is rather odd--almost like you didn't read the parameters of her travel.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I find DC in the summer to be a a hellhole of unbearable conditions, a place to avoid at all costs. As do many. But you're ok with it, so then, warning people about it was clearly a waste of time. Sorry.

And as a Floridian living there the last four summers--except for 2 weeks in different summers of 100 degree weather which deserves its own reserved place in Hell, I spent the last four summers giggling at the melodrama that constitutes the definition of hellhole of unbearable conditions.

Oh no--it hit 88, we are gonna to mellllllllt.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Touring DC means lots of walking and lots of standing. Definitely do the HOHO bus. But still some of these museums are huge and they alone will take a lot of walking.

and I've been here about 40 years. yes it's hot in July. Yes it's humid. If you expect that you'll be OK with it. No, it's not totally unbearable but you have to plan.

I'm not sure you can count on having a seat at all times on Metro.

You can't. Especially at rush hour. Will someone get up from the disabled designated seats? Maybe. If he has something like a cane or rollator someone might even get up without being asked.

 

[Christine]

And as a Floridian living there the last four summers--except for 2 weeks in different summers of 100 degree weather which deserves its own reserved place in Hell, I spent the last four summers giggling at the melodrama that constitutes the definition of hellhole of unbearable conditions.

Oh no--it hit 88, we are gonna to mellllllllt.

You probably noticed that there are a lot of "weather whiners" in DC. I agree, 88 degrees is NOTHING.

That's not to say that we haven't had summers where we've had long streaks of upper 90s to 100 degree days with unbearable humidity. I think many people aren't prepared for that. However, as someone who has had to spend her last few Disney trips there in the summer, the Florida heat/humidity has us beat. No question.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

We visited DC last fourth of july.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Downtown. It was about a 10 minute walk to the Smithsonian and National Mall.

If you want to visit the Holocaust museum or Washington monument you need to get tickets ahead of time.

We also took a night tour of the monuments. It was worth it to see them all lit up.

And yes it was HOT!

This is all good advice. It will also be very crowded.

Please get the earliest tickets to the Holocaust Museum. If not, you will be in an unbelievably long line, out the door, with no shade. The Holocaust Museum to be cannot be missed. It is a must see attraction. It will move your soul. But, it gets very tight inside, even on a day when it isn't crowded. Get tickets for the opening time.

Seeing the monuments at night is a fabulous suggestion. For the most part, they are open 24 hours a day. We have been there at midnight and in awe of the serenity.

I love DC. But, even at 88 degrees, it is hot. Very little shade, plenty of standing outside of buildings in the blaring sun with no AC. Plan accordingly.

 

[okeydokey]

This is all good advice. It will also be very crowded.

Please get the earliest tickets to the Holocaust Museum. If not, you will be in an unbelievably long line, out the door, with no shade. The Holocaust Museum to be cannot be missed. It is a must see attraction. It will move your soul. But, it gets very tight inside, even on a day when it isn't crowded. Get tickets for the opening time.

Seeing the monuments at night is a fabulous suggestion. For the most part, they are open 24 hours a day. We have been there at midnight and in awe of the serenity.

I love DC. But, even at 88 degrees, it is hot. Very little shade, plenty of standing outside of buildings in the blaring sun with no AC. Plan accordingly.

FYI - You can get timed tickets to the Holocaust in advance on the website. It costs $1 to reserve your time.

I already got my tickets for a particular day in March.,

 

[Chocolate Cake]

FYI - You can get timed tickets to the Holocaust in advance on the website. It costs $1 to reserve your time.

I already got my tickets for a particular day in March.,

Worth the $1 for sure! We didn't get our tickets beforehand and showed up a little before opening. Big mistake on our part. The line was already out the door. I won't make that mistake again, that's for sure. Ordering online is the only way to go!

 

[okeydokey]

Worth the $1 for sure! We didn't get our tickets beforehand and showed up a little before opening. Big mistake on our part. The line was already out the door. I won't make that mistake again, that's for sure. Ordering online is the only way to go!

I was surprised to find out you can even reserve and pay for a parking space at the National Zoo in advance (not pick your space but a spot in the lot). I have heard that the Zoo is a bit outside of town and that it is a hike from the nearest Metro stop so I am going to reserve parking in advance.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You probably noticed that there are a lot of "weather whiners" in DC. I agree, 88 degrees is NOTHING.

That's not to say that we haven't had summers where we've had long streaks of upper 90s to 100 degree days with unbearable humidity. I think many people aren't prepared for that. However, as someone who has had to spend her last few Disney trips there in the summer, the Florida heat/humidity has us beat. No question.

Agreed.

Seems a bunch are from the NE, which provides some explanation. But the complaining started when temps hit 80. 90, forget it. When it got to 95-100, I was like--okay, that does stink. Like me whining about cold weather that they find PERFECT. I think the nice thing about DC was that there were breaks from it. But last summer--I felt like I was waiting for my hot and humid day that never came. The summer before, we has a pool membership and hardly went because the pool was shaded most of the day keeping the water cold. It was not refreshing with low 80 temps. It was downright ice cubes.

On the flip side, the Floridians have complained about a cold front last week and I was like--that's it?


Back on touring topic:
Oh and OP--timed tickets are available for some NPS attractions as well. Pretty sure archives is one and the monument may be another. If these are part of your plans--worth checking.