The Americana Hotel in Arlington is a block from the Crystal City Metro station, has free wi-fi, free parking, and free continental breakfast. www.americanahotel.com

Lee Ann

An Aug weekend? I would guess that you could find something really nice downtown for about $100/nt, then just bite the bullet for wi fi(or like I do, use your phone as a hotspot)

Try Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites or Residence Inn at the top of King Street in Alexandria. Right across the street from a metro station.

Did a quick Kayak search and you shouldn't have any trouble finding a hotel under $150. You probably aren't going to find free parking anywhere (parking is expensive in urban areas and therefore free parking is rare at hotels). You don't have to settle for a place like Americana, which isn't a quick walk to a Metro station. The mid-range hotels (Hampton Inn, Four Points Sheraton, Courtyard) tend to have free wifi.

As I said, the Americana is a block from the Crystal City Metro station. It took us about five minutes to walk there; if you don't want to walk, they have a free shuttle as well.

However, if you don't mind paying for parking, and you can get a hotel in your price range right in the District, go for it.

Lee Ann

Look at the Hilton Garden Inn in Arlington. It is across the street from not only a Metro stop (and it is a closer stop to downtown than Crystal City or King Street in Alexandria) as well as a ton of places to eat. Free wi-fi in the rooms BUT you had best make reservations for wherever you end up soon...hotels around here tend to fill up fast in the summer months.

With kids that age, I'd look for a pool even if you have to pay for Internet. A dip in the pool is just a nice way to end the day. We saw some decent major chain hotels off Rosslyn Metro stop... Did not stay in one ourselves so cannot vouch for them. Google Map Rosslyn Metro Stop and then search for hotels nearby.

The Americana is not a block from the Crystal City Metro, at least not in the sense most people think of blocks.

August weekends can be a bargain in DC since Congress and SC are not in session. Shop now and you can definitely find a hotel downtown for under $150 and even less for one farther down the food chain like the Hilton Garden Inn Courthouse.

One advantage to staying in the city is the ability to return to your hotel mid day to chill out with one or both kids. The main Smithsonian museums will be open until 7:30 pm and there is always a White House walk by or monument visits at twilight or in the evening.

Some hotels within a five minute walk to a metro:

Residence Inn (south of National Mall - has an indoor pool)

Marriott Metro Center (on top of a metro station; also a 10 minute wall to the Mall)

Doubletree in Foggy Bottom (has a pool, outdoor I think)

River Inn Foggy Bottom

Fairfield Inn and Suites Chinatown ( close to many kid friendly restaurants in Penn Quarter)

Parking downtown is costly. If you're a loyalty member you may already get free or reduced parking. If not, ask. The chain I stay in routinely says yes if it's not busy. Alternative: park at Reagan National for $12 a day.

Metro tip: If the National Mall is your primary destination, Federal Triangle and National Archives metro stations are a shorter walk to the National Gallery of Art buildings and the Smithsonian American and Natural History.

You are coming at a CHEAP time of year.

Marriott Metro Center has a room for 4 at $139/night for 8/3-8/5 (that's about 1/3 to 1/2 the normal rate). Hotel is walkable to all tourists sites, sits atop a Metro station with 3 lines and includes pool, etc. I found this via hotels.com


Re. American Hotel to Crystal City Metro:

Google maps walking directions has it at 0.4 miles or an 98 minute walk. Close, but not THAT close.

8 minute walk...

I also see (via hotels.com) Grand Hyatt Washington for your dates at $89/night!!! Connected to Metro Center stop without going outdoors, walk to countless eateries/cafes/theaters. Also an easy walk to many tourist sites.

You really DID pick s good weekend to visit!

Grand Hyatt is a great hotel in an ideal position to walk to most sites. The $1.85 pp each way saved on the Metro will more than make up for wi fi charges

nice find bardo

We just stayed at the Grand Hyatt a few weeks ago - it really was a great location - a short walk to the Penn Quarter area and so convenient with an entrance to the metro in its lobby.

It did not offer free wi-fi anywhere in the hotel (not even in the lobby) but the rate bardo quoted is really good if you can get it.

I stayed at the Marriott in Crystal City recently - it is attached to the Metro by an underground shopping center, so you don't even have to go outside if you don't want to when going from the hotel to the metro. I found it very convinient.