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!

>>clean and safe is all that I ask for<<

Can you please be more specific about what you'd like to spend for a hotel room? I hear that you're not asking to stay at the Four Seasons, but prices run the gamut in DC and it's difficult to recommend without some idea of your budget.

Will you have a car or be relying on public transportation?

For activities, a baseball game seems like a good place to start for a sports fan. Check the National's website to see if they're in town when you are: http://www.natschat.com/schedule.php

Also, Smithsonian Air & Space and the Spy Museum.

I'll bet you get lots of responses, but you should also consider doing a search here if you haven't already. There have been lots of recent threads with good DC info.

Hi,

Under $100.00 a night with tax...

Public transportation no car.

Thanks!

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

# meant to be a 3!

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.

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

Help!

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.

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.

I would also recommend a DC United (soccer) game.

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.)

He might really enjoy the spy museum. My dd did - she was 11.5 at time of visit.

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.

Crystal City and Rosslyn, both in VA are often recommended for less expensive hotels.

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.

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.

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.