What do you think it would cost.........

[jstbcuz]

for a family of 5 to go to Washington DC for a week? Seeing the monuments, Smithsonians, Fords Theatre, the Bureau of Engraving?

I know the monuments & Smithsonians are free, but the posts Im reading say that DC is expensive. So Im intrested to know what you think it would cost! We would be flying so we wont have a car to contend with, but that means we will have taxi/metro costs. Would like to stay at a hotel as close to the sites as possible as Im not sure my 7 year old will like all that walking. Would also like it to have a pool & breakfast. But Im not willing to break the bank for any of it.

Looking forward to your input.

 

[mrudman]

for a family of 5 to go to Washington DC for a week? Seeing the monuments, Smithsonians, Fords Theatre, the Bureau of Engraving?

I know the monuments & Smithsonians are free, but the posts Im reading say that DC is expensive. So Im intrested to know what you think it would cost! We would be flying so we wont have a car to contend with, but that means we will have taxi/metro costs. Would like to stay at a hotel as close to the sites as possible as Im not sure my 7 year old will like all that walking. Would also like it to have a pool & breakfast. But Im not willing to break the bank for any of it.

Looking forward to your input.

It all depends on what exactly you want to visit.

My family of 4 went this past summer for 3 1/2 days (took a roundabout way to a family wedding in raleigh). We visited a ton of the museums, monuments, memorials, etc. Did not visit anything that would've cost of to pay to get in to (aquarium, spy museum, etc). Other than food, the only thing we paid for was the occasional souvenir and the train fare to get from our hotel to downtown D.C. (we stayed in Silver Spring).

Was an awesome trip and I would definitely do it again!

For the 3 nights/4 days we were there, not counting the hotel, we probably spent $500 or so. That included all the food/drinks/snacks for dd's/etc., the trainfares (those can add up as we found out, lol), and a couple souvenirs each.

Wanted to add.. if you're interested in taking a tour of the Capitol Building or the White House, contact your state representative as soon as you know you're going. We were able to see the Capitol, which I found to be very neat, even though I'm not a history buff. Unfortunately we had contacted him too late to be able to visit the White House.

 

[shoney]

You can really spend any amount you want/can.

hotels vary greatly. Time of year and day of the weekend (weekend are cheaper)

We were able to get the Marriot Crystal gateway for 99.00 a night w/breakfast for a family a 4 last Memorial Day weekend. that same hotel can be almost 300.00 a night at different times.

I don't think there is one area to stay in where you can see it all. You will need to take the metro anyway.

Honestly, I don't remember what we spent in Metro fares...maybe $50?

We got flights from NY for only $125 a ticket. Hotel had free transfers because it was so close. If you are staying in DC you need to add taxi fare to that as well.

We ate at fairly inexpensive, casual places....but add in a few cocktails and it gets pricier.

You can look online to the menu prices at the places we ate.

The bus tour was 12.00 pp plus a tip ... they also do free walking tours...you just tip at the end.

crime museum we got for 1/2 from living social

Ford's theatre was very inexpensive...a few dollars pp




Here is a link to our mini trip report:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...hington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html#41244075

 

[gower525]

We also stayed at the Gateway Marriott in Crystal City. It is connected to an underground mall and the train station - so you don't even have to go outside to get on the train. I think it was about $129, but included a really nice breakfast. There are some fast-food options in the underground mall, and some other places (like Chick-fil-a) down the street (ground level). It also has an indoor pool for the kids at night. We really enjoyed it.

 

[jstbcuz]

We also stayed at the Gateway Marriott in Crystal City. It is connected to an underground mall and the train station - so you don't even have to go outside to get on the train. I think it was about $129, but included a really nice breakfast. There are some fast-food options in the underground mall, and some other places (like Chick-fil-a) down the street (ground level). It also has an indoor pool for the kids at night. We really enjoyed it.

WOW!! I just quickly looked up the Gateway Marriott and it came up 299. Put in another date over the summer and same thing.

 

[shoney]

WOW!! I just quickly looked up the Gateway Marriott and it came up 299. Put in another date over the summer and same thing.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasgw-crystal-gateway-marriott/

try going to their website and putting in date flexible. It looks like Thurs and Fri are cheapest at 119.00 per night in July/August

 

[ssawka]

I would say anywhere from $1500 to $2000.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Would love to know this as well! We have 3 kids ages 5, 10 and 13 and we have never been there! We live in NE PA so it's not too far for us.

 

[jstbcuz]

Would love to know this as well! We have 3 kids ages 5, 10 and 13 and we have never been there! We live in NE PA so it's not too far for us.

We live in KS so will need to fly. Looks like flights are running about 288 and up.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We live in KS so will need to fly. Looks like flights are running about 288 and up.

Yike! We'll be driving, but there are so many hotels to choose from and our budget is very tight. Also neither dh or I has ever been there before and it seems overwhelming! We'd probably only have 2 full days there to explore and as nice as the hop on/hop off tour buses seems they are pricey.

 

[ssawka]

It will be cheaper if you stay in the suburbs and take the Metro in.

 

[BeachLove]

For two people recently, the total cost for basics was $750 for two nights, three days. That included food, hotel, metro. Did not include the cost to get there or the car and gas and did not include activities. Just for the spy museum it cost us $40 to get in. Monument cruise was $50 for two. Mostly, the activities were free after those few.


This was for a hotel in the suburbs and the metro was 10 minutes away with driving.

 

[BeachLove]

Yike! We'll be driving, but there are so many hotels to choose from and our budget is very tight. Also neither dh or I has ever been there before and it seems overwhelming! We'd probably only have 2 full days there to explore and as nice as the hop on/hop off tour buses seems they are pricey.

Just make sure you choose a safe area to stay in with a really tight budget.

 

[shoney]

make sure you sign up for groupon, living social, and any other discount site.
Their were specials for tons of stuff when we were going to DC such as spy museum, crime museum, boat tours, newseum, etc.
It may not apply during peak times, but they were there over Memorial Day weekend last year.

 

[sayheyrenee]

hotels are usual cheaper on weekends since business is conducted during the week when congress is in session. Also Spring is expensive during cherry blossoms blooming and super busy with class trips. If you need to go during the week hit end of Aud-early Sept when congress is out of session and you'll be inside museums to cool off.

 

[anniemck]

My only trip to DC so far was in 1997, it was Memorial Day weekend for a Girl Scout event... it was awesome. It was my family and my friends family, we camped in Fairfax, VA and walked DC for 2 days, the last day we went up to the Zoo, and saw some other sites before driving home.
A friend of mine asked me over the weekend if I would be interested in going with her an her daughters this summer... heck ya... talking about taking Amtrak up rather than driving, so checking all the options.

 

[jstbcuz]

My only trip to DC so far was in 1997, it was Memorial Day weekend for a Girl Scout event... it was awesome. It was my family and my friends family, we camped in Fairfax, VA and walked DC for 2 days, the last day we went up to the Zoo, and saw some other sites before driving home.
A friend of mine asked me over the weekend if I would be interested in going with her an her daughters this summer... heck ya... talking about taking Amtrak up rather than driving, so checking all the options.

Its funny you mention this.........because the only time I was in DC was for the 75th Anniversary of Girl Scouts back in 87 I believe. I was a JR in High School. Im cant remember how long we were there, but several days..........did the zoo, monument tour at night, Fords Theatre, a couple of the Smithsonians.. I LOVED IT! Now wanting to take my family there......kids 19, 17, 7.