We're planning a trip to D.C. for the dedication of the World War II Memorial on May 29th 2004. Help us with the airlines and which airport. Also, a hotel, trying to make it inexpensive, but close to the Mall or a metro stop. Just found Econo Lodge Takoma Park. Has anyone stayed there or know about this area ? How about Manassas ? I would appreciate any help. Thanks !

DCA (Reagan/National) is the most convenient airport - it's the closest and is served by a Metro Station.

BWI (Baltimore Washington International) is often the least expensive (AirTran, Southwest, AirWest) and may be the furthest, but if you travel light (eg: 1 bag each, carryon) is well served by public transportation to the DC area.

IAD (Dulles), in my opinion the worse of the bunch - served by some public transportation, but not as well as BWI, yet it's not close to downtown at all. I think you can find closer lodging than those locations yet at a reasonable price. I like Arlington for a compromise on price and convenience.

Whatever you do, where ever you stay, book it soon! I expect the best rates will be gone very soon!

National Airport (Reagan) is much closer to the city than the others (Baltimore and Dulles) and it's accessible by Metro, but the "best" airport for you also depends on what's happening at your end -- which airlines fly out of your airport to DC!

If you stay in Tacoma Park you will spend too much time and $ commuting, and Manassas is out of the question, it's 30 miles away!

For good hotel rates, try www.washingtondchotels.com

Washington National would be my first choice. It' right on the Metro Line. The next best airport is BWI (Baltimore/Washington International). You can either take the MARC train or Amtrak to Washington.

The last time I was in DC I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Franklin Park. Very nice hotel and convenient downtown location.

http://wasdcdowntn.crowneplaza.com/wasks/index.shtml

I live in the DC area, and agree with all the posters re choice of airport, and with the individual who emphasized to not stay in Manassass. It's way out there, not readily accessible by mass transit, and subject to perpetual rush hour conditions going to and from the city. Takoma Park is OK, since it's on the Metro red line, but is a bit of a haul, particularly if your hotel is not walking distance to a station. You might look into Crystal City (ugly but plenty of hotels and convenient to Metro), or Alexandria. Old Town Alexandria is nice, but can get pricey (though there are sometimes bargains to be had). You might check into the Eisenhower Ave. area, which has a few reasonably priced hotels that are either walking distance to metro, or run shuttles.

You have lots of time to plan for this trip, so don't get too stressed out. We always fly into BWI using Southwest air. If it's a weekday, you can catch a commuter train right into Union Station (downtown DC) from BWI's train station. The fare is about $5. If it's a weekend, you will need to take a limo-van, which is a lot more expensive. As for rooms, we booked a room in the Dupont Circle area thru Hotwire for $80 a night. This is possibly the most desirable area to be in, and the room was at the Embassy Suites. With the amount of time you have, you should be able to find a nice place to stay right in DC.

I think the OP is wise to be planning this far ahead; that weekend is likely to be one of the busiest that DC has seen in a long time! Plus, all those vets coming for the dedication will have the same criteria for choosing an airport and hotel, as well as the same dates.

I'm going to differ with Zoots about BWI & weekends.

On weekdays, I usually do take the MARC train. BTW, if there are two (or more) of you, buy a "both ways" ticket even if you're only taking MARC one way - the tix will cost less & can be split & shared. http://www.mtamaryland.com/index.cfm for MARC train (and light rail to Baltimore)

If a weekend, or during hours inconvenient for taking the MARC train, you can still catch the #B30 Metrobus to the Greenbelt Metro station - cost $2 exact, departures approx every 40 minutes, travel time to Greenbelt ~35 minutes. The Metro will take about 25 minutes to central DC and cost $2.70 or less. If earlier in the day (but after 9:30 am weekdays, anytime weekends) just buy the $5 all day pass for the Metro, as you're likely to use it more the same day. Metro: www.wmata.com

I would avoid Takoma Park and Manassas. If you want to stay in MD, look at hotel options in Bethesda or Friendship Heights (Chevy Chase). Both of these areas are safe and offer options for dining in the evening.

You can look on biddingfortravel.com to see what hotels are offered via Priceline. It would probably be too early to bid on that, especially since you wouldn't be able to get your money back if your plans changed.

123,
There are many choices for inexpensive hotels close to the Mall or in central DC near metro. Tell me what exactly your price range is (for your entire group)and how many in your party and I'll give you a list.

You might consider also Arlington -- Rosslyn area is just across the Potomac from the Mall, several hotels there, and good Metro service. You'd also be on the right side of the city for the events, close to the Iwo Jima memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, places that might be on your itinerary.

If you're a AAA member, check their guides for special member rates at DC area hotels.

Try Rosslyn (Arlington )for Hotels. You can stay at the Key Bridge Marriot, Or Best Western. There are several hotels right near the Key Bridge (which takes you over into Georgetown.
Also, they are right near the Rosslyn metro station (a very easy, direct way into the city). Rosslyn is also within walking distance to Arlington Cemetary and Iwo Jima Memorial... both good spots to see!

Just a comment to help you make your plans...realize that the WWII memorial is being built just beyond the Washington Memorial (on the Lincoln Memorial side). This area is not well served by the Metro. It is within walking distance of the Smithsonian Metro station, but that would be a good walk (maybe 1 mile or more??). I found the metro website to be very helpful when planning our recent trip to DC. Check it out a www.wmata.com.

I want to thank all of you for the information given here. It will help us immensely. bardo, we will have 2 adults, and inexpensive to us is $60. to $90. I have seen quite a few bargins listed, but none of them were close to theM mall or central DC near the metro. I would really like the list you mentioned for this area. Thanks !

Just a tip if you are working on airfares-- often you can search fares into all three airports online simultaneously by using the airport code "WAS".

123, The Hampton Inn in Crystal City (Arlington) is showing rooms for those dates at $89/night. I've stayed once at this hotel and it's not upscale but very serviceable and on par with other Hampton Inns. There is a shuttle bus from National Airport to the hotel. The Crystal City metro station is a 3-4 block walk. As noted by others, Crystal City lacks character but it's very convenient to downtown and the memorials, Iwo Jima and Arlington Cemetery.

I agree with the others who say to book early. This far ahead there should be no penalty for cancelling if you find a place that's more to your liking/budget.

123,
Here are some web specials for great hotels in fantastic location.
Got to www.capitolreservations.com - click on the tab that says HOTEL RATES, then look at these 3 hotels for availablity on your nights: 1) Radisson Barcelo (dupont circle) $79/night 2)Capitol Hill Suites (capitol hill) $74/night 3)Hilton Embassy Row (dupont) $99/night. You'll notice a number next to the metro stop name - for example the Radisson Barcelo will say "Dupont 2". That means the hotel is 2 blocks or less from the Dupont circle mtro stop. Please note that parking is always extra (usually $20/day). Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need it. If you see other hotels that interest you more, let me know and I'll tell you if the location is good or not. IMHO, the 3 I listed are your best bets.

I would fly into Regan National and stay someplace in Crystal City. You can take the Metro from the airport right into Crystal City, and then the Metro from CC into DC. CC is a good location. If you rent a car, you are only 10 minutes from downtown DC.

I live in takoma Park area and it's only 10 minutes from Union Station by metro. It's a nice community to live in, however -- do NOT stay in the EconoLodge. That isn't even really in an area I consider Takoma Park, it's in Langley Park on NH Ave. That hotel, which is really crummy, is nowhere near the metro and a very very bad area with drug dealing, prostitutes and lots of violent crime.