Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

3 Days in DC with a 12 year old boy

Search

3 Days in DC with a 12 year old boy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 12th, 2009, 10:28 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3 Days in DC with a 12 year old boy

Hi,

I am bringing my 12 year old son to DC in early August. We will only be there for 3 full days. Any accomodation suggestions would be greatly appreciated - clean and safe is all that I ask for. What I am most interested in though is suggestions as to what we should not miss seeing!

He loves sports!

Thanks so much!
canuck1usa is offline  
Old Jul 12th, 2009, 10:47 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,716
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
>>clean and safe is all that I ask for
obxgirl is online now  
Old Jul 12th, 2009, 10:55 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi,

Under $100.00 a night with tax...

Public transportation no car.

Thanks!
canuck1usa is offline  
Old Jul 12th, 2009, 11:20 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Any thoughts on the Savoy Suites Hotel?

2505 Wisconsin Avenue, Nw
Washington, DC, DC 20007

# night for $290.86....... I'm sure that price will disappear soon!!

Thanks
canuck1usa is offline  
Old Jul 12th, 2009, 11:21 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
# meant to be a 3!
canuck1usa is offline  
Old Jul 12th, 2009, 12:08 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,716
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Don't know the hotel personally but the address seems fine. From the website it looks like it used to be an apartment building. They can be good value. It isn't particularly close to the Woodley Park/Zoo metro (the one the website mentions as proximity to the hotel) so check their shuttle schedule. A long schlep back to your room in hot & humid August isn't a plus.

Priceline is a good option for you if your dates are fixed.

If the Savoy Suites is a cancelable booking, I'd take it and keep looking for something closer to a Metro station.
obxgirl is online now  
Old Jul 12th, 2009, 01:09 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check the Days Inn Connecticut Avenue. I just stayed there for around $90 a night.

Here is a link to my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-sox-games.cfm
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Jul 18th, 2009, 07:47 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help!
canuck1usa is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2009, 09:11 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've heard about the Savoy Suites for a long time, although they might have been apts at one time. IN any case, I don't think it is convenient to metro at all. The problem is your budget is really not very feasible for any large US city. The Hotel tax alone in DC is around 15 pct, I think, so that means you are trying to get a hotel room for about $87. The Days Inn on Ct Avenue is one of the cheapest places I know, and their rates are more like $115 before taxes.
Christina is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2009, 09:43 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If your son has a good sense of humor, a Nationals game would be a good time. Misjudged fly balls. Booted ground balls. Relief pitching that does not relieve. If you and your son visit the ballpark and watch the Nats you may be watching history in the making- the worst team in the annals of modern baseball.

If your son likes another sort of history and you have a car, the Antietam Battlefield in near-western Maryland might be for his liking.
GeorgeW is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2009, 11:14 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would also recommend a DC United (soccer) game.
beanweb24 is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2009, 06:15 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I haven't been myself, but from what I hear the ESPN Zone appeals to sports-crazy kids. (You might want to check it out online first--it could be a bit pricey.)
longhorn55 is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2009, 06:22 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
He might really enjoy the spy museum. My dd did - she was 11.5 at time of visit.
MomDDTravel is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2009, 09:24 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've always heard that it's cheaper to stay across the Potomac river. I believe there is easy public transportation back into the city. I don't know if it's Pentagon City or Alexandria??? Experts????

You can pick up tours near the Washington Memorial that will take you out to Mount Vernon, which is interesting and has a gorgeous view across the Potomac. My daughter loved wandering the grounds.

The Spy Museum is great. Boys seem to love the Air and Space museum (as does my 11 yo niece). My son and I just loved walking through the memorials and discussing the history. My personal favorite with my son when we went was the President Roosevelt memorial.

Antietam is great if he has an understanding of the Civil War. You might want to watch some History Channel stuff ahead of time.

Is there a youth hostel that you can stay in? Check out Hosteling International. I am sitting in one right now in Santa Cruz, CA with my 13 yo daughter and 11 yo niece. It's lovely, peaceful and social and very affordable. We're sharing a room with another mother and her daughter, and there is a communal bathroom. \

This is the third hostel I have stayed in, and you can't beat the price.
cferrb is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2009, 04:50 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Crystal City and Rosslyn, both in VA are often recommended for less expensive hotels.
vjpblovesitaly is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2009, 05:11 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You may want to look into staying across the bridge in VA and taking the metro into the city. Rossyln Marriott has deals and a great view of the potomac and DC. Right across from Georgetown. Easy walk to Rosslyn metro.
For things to do: Don't miss the Crime Museum. This is different from the spy museum. Located at 575 7th St NW. Take Gallery Place Metro stop. Hands on and great for boys! Started by America's Most Wanted, John Walsh. Also, the Newseum is great too. Wolfgang Puck cafeteria is awesome in the basement and great views of the city. Your son can be a newcaster and read off the teleprompter. The 911 exhibit is sad but worth seeing there too.
CaroleHolly is offline  
Old Jul 23rd, 2009, 04:01 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do look into a youth hostel. It might be very affordable and might inspire your son to look into youth hosteling as an adult. My daughter just commented on how much fun it looks like.
cferrb is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2009, 01:41 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do not know when you are traveling, I just got 3 rooms at the Marriott across from the Zoo for $95/nite on priceline. we are traveling at end of September. Looking at their website it seems to be a good deal.
rphsims1 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
carvy
United States
8
Jan 27th, 2010 06:18 AM
herringtonb
United States
12
Aug 21st, 2006 08:06 PM
Alain
United States
6
May 4th, 2005 12:40 PM
eurotravler
United States
21
Oct 16th, 2004 01:20 PM
jh6000
United States
71
Aug 29th, 2004 09:13 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -