frenchtoile

Fly into DCA. We need to find a hotel near Arlington. Which we have not done yet.

Then we want to do a few days of touring around.

Do we need a car?

Or is it pretty simple to fly into DCA and take the train? Or a cab? What do you suggest?

MikeT

Assuming your hotel is near the Subway, you do not--and should not--get a car.

NewbE

Nope, no car. Metro will work better than a car as long as your hotel is near a stop or has a shuttle. Metro is easy and safe, but if you get lazy you can grab a cab once or twice. Driving and parking a rental would drive you batty.

frenchtoile

Any suggestions on a hotel? I wish there was an Embassey. or a hotel that is more of a suite. I need to put a baby away from us if possible.

Anonymous

There are several Embassy Suites in DC, including at least 2 that are extremely convenient to Metro stations. Arlington is a near suburb, on the Metro, but it would be useful to know why you need to stay there or how "near" you need to be.

MikeT

There is an Embassy Suites in Crystal City and one in Old Town Alexandria.

Cringo

You do not need a car in DC. This is a great place for walking. If needed, public transportation is easy and accessible.

Anonymous

The ES in Crystal City is several long blocks from the Metro; when I stayed there several years ago, they ran a shuttle to the Metro station. But the ES in Chevy Chase is literally on top of the Friendship Heights Metro station.

doug_stallings

Do you absolutely need to be in Arlington, or are you just staying there to save money? There are at least 2 Embassy Suites right in DC, and depending on the time of year, they may have similar rates.

Doh

There's another Embassy Suites near Dupont Circle, which I usually recommend for families (as I recall, it's 2-3 blocks from the metro, but still a very nice location).

kelliebellie

You should check www.vrbo.com.

You might be able to rent an apartment or condo for a couple of days. Usually it is cheaper than a hotel and you get a washer and dryer!

KathyK

I have stayed at the Embassy Suites near Dupont Circle and it's nicely located and ideal for a family.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Two stops south of DCA is the King Street (Alexandria) Metro station.

If I had a stronger arm, I could truthfully say the Embassy Suites is a stone's throw away - and some others can say it.