Advice travel to DC
 

Hi,
My family and I are travelling to DC this June for the first time. We will have 4 days in DC and I would like some advice from other travellers as to central place to stay. My kids want to see the monuments, museums, and the National Zoo. Any advice on what is best to see during these 4 days would be appreciated.

Me, my wife and daughter were in DC last summer on a tour group. The first bit of sound advice I can offer is--- DON'T DRIVE into the city. It looks like it's a NIGHTMARE!!

We didn't have a lot of time at each of the places we went, but enjoyed them immensely.

Do not leave out any of the memorials to the Veterans (WWII, Korean, Vietnam, etc.). They are fabulous. Also, make sure you go to Arlington National Cemetery.

The Smithsonians will take up a large part of your time. They are huge, and there are 10 or 11 of them now. We only got to go to two, and we didn't see much of them at all. But they are FREE!!!!

Frankly, everything we did in such a limited amount of time was well worth the price we paid on the tour, which originated in Williamsburg.

This is all I can think of at this time.

Hope you have fun.

remember you don't have to stay right in D.C. to be close to everything. The key is to stay at a hotel that is close to the subway system. I've seen the Holiday Inn Rosslyn mentioned (I stayed here way back in the 1980s, nice place), which is about 3 or 4 blocks from the blue line Rosslyn stop and from there you can get into D.C. in about 15 minutes or less. I believe there are some Days Inn or Best Westerns around Ballston, VA orange line. I never did like Crystal City, VA too much concrete for me to even want to stay there. I'd suggest going to the Smithsonian when it first opens to avoid the crowds since you are going in June, lots of tourists. When you visit the American History building of the Smithsonian you may want to stop over at the Old Post Office and get some lunch - very convenient and not very far from this is Ford's Theatre which has interesting tours and a very small museum downstairs. Other places to visit are the navy museum and the archives across the street from that. All this is around the American History/Natural History Smithsonians. It is very hard to describe it to someone who has never lived there, like me, or have visited. You absolutely must visit Mt. Vernon VA (George Washington's mansion) just a few miles from D.C. There are tourmobile booths around the Washington Monument where you buy daily tickets and you can take the tourmobile all day long to get you to Arlington Cemetary, Mt. Vernon and the major sights most new tourists see. The National Zoo (Smithsonian) is free admission. It is quite a hike from the subway stop but fortunately there is a convenient store there with various ethic restaurants on your way - so you may want to lunch in that area. Also nothing is more pleasant than walking around in front of the Capitol very early on a weekend morning around 8am and enjoying the heck out the quiet before the tourist come, you may want to do that and the Smithsonian Space Museum is right there within very easy walking distance. One more major thing to see The Vietnam Memorial (The Wall), nothing speaks more volumes about how horrible war is than seeing a black wall with names that seem to go on and on. Kind of envy you, haven't been to D.C. in a while use to live there and always played tourist because I love history and 1st time I went there toured people around the Gatsby Tavern Museum in Old Towne (see this too). Could go on but I'll stop for now.

We are too. I've (Mom) been but not the rest of the family (2 boys-14 and 9 and Dad). The Tourmobiles are excellent and take you to all the main attractions. Also contact your Congressman's office and they will arrange tours for you that are better than you can do on your own. Ours got us in to The Capitol building, Library of Congress and the Bureau of engraving and hopefully the White House, with a person from their office to guide us. We are also going to Mt. Vernon and don't miss Old Alexandria. Arlington Cemetary is not to be missed and all the monuments are worth seeing. We are staying out of the city in Arlington, Pentagon City and using the metro. I got a great rate @ The Marriott Residence Inn (they have kitchens and alittle more space)In the city, your hotel may be in a safe neighborhood but to get around you may travel through some that are less disirable. Most of the hotels book up early so don't wait too long to find one-remember that Washington is a business town so weekdays are usually more expensive that weekends-just shop around. Have fun!

We just returned last night from visiting DC. I was in awe of the monuments, each one was unique and spectacular in its own way. If you want to go inside the Washington Monument, order your tickets online through the National Park Service. We were told people needed to line up by 7 AM and the tickets are all distributed by 9. We saw many disappointed people being turned away! We enjoyed going up inside and the views were wonderful.

The museums are fabulous!! I especially enjoyed the Natural History, Indian and Air and Space. We went to the Aquarium but it is not part of the Smithsonians and cost $$ and was not worth it!!! I was told there is a beautiful new one in Baltimore. We also took a Moonlight Tour with Old Trolley Tours and I highly recommend it, although it might be a bit pricey for a family.

There is a large food court inside the Ronald Reagan building and also one inside of Union Square. Although they were both very BUSY and NOISY, kids tend to love these places for lunch. (Well, at least my kids do).

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Capitol which is a block from the Air and Space and 3 blocks from the Indian Museum. Plus there is a pool on the roof! It's one block from the L'Enfant Metro which I highly recommend you use. Very clean and safe plus in my opinion, a must do in DC. The people in DC were friendly and very helpful! Good luck and have a great time.

Everyone has given you great advice but I want to urge you to stay in Alexandria. We visited last month and split our week and half in Alexandria and Williamsburg and had a wonderful time. The Sheraton Suites in Old Alexandria was terrific. There are tours to take you to Washington DC. Magnumholmes is right, don't drive if you don't have to. The beltway is madness everytime we get on it. Don't miss the monuments and memorials- Koren, WWII, Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam. You see photos of these places all the time, but nothing can prepare you for the rush of emotion you have when you walk through them. You have plenty of time to plan so get on the internet and explore. The national park system has great websites for the momuments that will tell you times, ticket, history and information, etc. It is very helpful to get a little background before you go so you won't be so overwhelmed when you get there. Do see George Washington's Mount Vernon. It is worth the time and money. The drive there is one you won't mind taking either. Alexandria offers so much, too. And so many great resturants. Founders is good one to relax and enjoy a meal. The National Zoo will be crowded in June, but then that goes for everything in DC in the summer (or any other time)so don't let the crowds bother you. The Smithsonian is so large, try to break it down to what you really would like to see, if you can. One could spend days roaming around in the buildings. One word of advice--wear tennis shoes or your best walking shoes. You will be walking a lot and standing a lot. Try to be comfortable. Take plenty of film, grab a great area map (there are tone of them there) and enjoy the time with your family!

magnumholmes, I had to laugh when I read your post about driving into DC being scary. I live in the Washington area and drive into the city every day, and I suppose it would be scary if you weren't used to it. The funny thing is that I have been mostly reading posts about Paris since I have to drive out of that city in June, and to me the thought is really scary.
To brussfamly, I can recommend the Loews L'Enfant plaza as a family friendly place to stay, close to the Mall and all the monuments and museums. The zoo is great but there is a lot of construction going on now, don't let it bother you since you can still see the pandas and baby cheetahs, which are the most popular attractions. Also I would suggest that you take the bus from the Air and Space Museum on the mall to the new museum near Dulles Airport. It has all kinds of planes, even a space shuttle. That would easily take half a day.

I drive in DC on a daily basis and it really isn’t that bad once you get familiar with it.
As long as you are somewhere Metro accessible, though, you really don’t need to drive.

The Marriott Wardman Park hotel is nice and has a great location a few blocks from the Zoo and next to the Metro. You can get wherever you want rather easily from there. The neighborhood has more to offer in the evenings than the hotels in Crystal City (which are nice hotels and are Metro accessible, but have less to offer in walking distance from the hotel at night).

I appreciate all your posts! I am sure we will have a great time. We definitely will not be driving in DC.
Thanks again!

I drive in DC every day!!! I have a reserved parking space. Do yourself a favor - use the Metro!!

Metro is a spectacular subway system that really gets you to where you want to go. Anytime we want to go to special events we head to a coanventient Metro stop and take the subway in.

Air and Space and American History are about the most popular Smithsonian museums but there's also 11 of them. So go to those you'd like to see and save the others for another time. Remember most every museum in DC is FREE! It's true - ask your Congressman's office - and ask for tickets to the Capitol, White House, Supreme Court and just about anywhere else in DC that you'd like to see. Our kids loved sitting in on Congress in session. If they can arrange it - they will!

The National Zoo is (in my humble opinion) a really great zoo and far ahead of most zoos around the country.

Hotels can be expensive but sometimes you can find good deals on the hotel's site or on Priceline.

Please don't miss Arlington National Cemetery J F Kennedy, and R F Kennedys graves, The Viet Nam war memorial, the new World War II memorial (finally) and really, just about any of the sights that you can cram in for about 4 days.

As to where to stay - I always advise somewhere convenient downtown - save the commute time for touring Washington and not getting stuck on a bus somewhere. Dupont Circle and down by 10th to 14th Sts and Metro Central are good locations.

Any questions - just ask!!

I think the Holocaust Museum is a must-see (unless kids are young) - it's extremely well done and very moving. The kids will love the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum. The great thing is since they're all free you can hop in one and if it doesn't appeal to you, you can just go right back out. The National Gallery is also quite nice if your family is into art at all - well worth it - nice Impressionist section - and right on the mall along with the other museums. But yes, I agree with the others - don't miss the monuments - they really set D.C. apart. The Vietnam Memorial is my favorite, but I love them all - the new WWII one, the Lincoln, Jefferson, etc. If you had more than 4 days, I'd suggest a side trip to Baltimore (it's only about an hour during non-rush traffic), but with just 4 days, stick to D.C. Another area you might enjoy staying is near Dupont Circle - some great restaurants in the area and a handy Metro stop. The National Cathedral (near the zoo) is also worth a visit. It will be hot and humid in June (I live halfway between D.C. and Baltimore). Don't forget the sunscreen. And heed the advice about wearing good/comfortable walking shoes! You'll be on your feet a lot. There's a great underground cafeteria in the National Gallery - nice spot for a break. Have fun!
Karen

We got back from DC two weeks ago - great trip. If you're interested in my trip report, just click on my name. Have a great time.

We went to DC for the first time last July with two boys ages 7 and 10. It was four days like you have and a wonderful trip. We stayed at Radisson Barcelo in the Dupont Circle area. Was just about a block and half to the metro stop, so very convenient. Also a Burger King across the street which made breakfasts quick and the boys were happy. Click on my name above to get my itinerary. We saw much as our trip was very organized. I can give you more details if you like. The main thing you need to do is organize everything around the closeness to each other. That is how you fit everything in. And schedule some rest breaks. If you email me, I can give you more specific info. [email protected]

I live in the suburbs of DC and go there quite a bit - here's my 2 cents.

Glad you're not driving. I grew up here and still get lost way too often. The signs are notoriously bad (or non-existent.)

The zoo is great - you're best bet is to go as early as possible in the morning. Before the crowds, and the animals are more active before it gets hot. We can never come close to seeing everything in one trip.

My kids love the Natural History museum (part of the Smith.) for the dinosaurs and the IMAX theater. (I HIGHLY recommend the IMAX - check their SI website for shows.) Nice break too from all the walking.

Whenever we have out-of-towners we try and take them on a night time tour of the monuments. Lincoln is great at night.

Really depends on what everyone's interests/ages are, but there is so much to do here.

Oh yeah, I don't know why someone mentioned that the metro was not near the zoo - its pretty much right across the street if memory serves. This area is a very nice place to stay - lots of good restaurants and easy metro access. A little more residential than staying near the mall. Might be a good alternative for you.

Just to clarify, the zoo is somewhere in between ``quite a hike'' and ``right across the street'' from Metro. It's a couple of blocks from either Cleveland or Woodley stops.

It's slightly easier, elevation-wise, to use Cleveland Park when going to the zoo and Woodley when leaving. Both have plenty of dining options near the Metro.

Would love to hear of the itinerary of Hockymom and Mommybryant. My two boys and I are going to DC in a couple of weeks and would love to know where to stay (can we stay within walking distance of the mall?) and where you both went so that I could build on your success!

If you just click on any poster's name, you will get a list of all the threads they've participated in. As it happens, hockeymom's trip report is at the top of her list because there have been several other people here over the last couple of days who are also planning summer vacations in DC.

I'm actually writing for advice myself. My family and I will be in DC for the July 4th weekend... what a better way to celebrate our country's Independence than in the heart of it all... beats Miami. My question is the following: My daughter is 6, going on 7 soon, is it necessary to take an umbrella stroller, because I have heard there is a trmendous amount of walking. Thanks.

WE STAYED IN SILVER SPRING MD IN APRIL AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE AREA.
WE ARE GOING BACK IN LATE AUGUST TO MOVE OUR DAUGHTER TO CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY. ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE TO STAY? WE'LL WANT TO STAY OUTSIDE THE CITY BECAUSE VALET PARKING WOULDN'T BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR US THIS TIME.

Silver Spring is fine, easily the most logical base outside the city for putting someone at Catholic U. (What's got me stumped is why someone would send a kid to that school -- Ban Stanley Tucci? Stanley Tucci? But that's another matter.)

Silver Spring is a huge, diverse area, but the downtown has a decent Hilton and Holiday Inn. The dining options are varied and improving faster than any place in the DC area (Ray's the Steak reportedly is next) and it's easy to get to the Beltway from there.

I'd avoid the cheaper hotels, the Ramada, Econolodge or Motel 6, which are in a transitional neighborhood.

I am disappointed that TUPELO2002 didn't like Silver Spring; I can't imagine where you stayed but it couldn't have been in the Central Business District (AFI/shopping/etc). A new Courtyard Marriott is opening soon. Also I would agree that the Hilton or Holiday Inn (soon to be a Crown Plaza) which are just a couple of blocks from the Metro (subway) are good choices
http://www.silversprung.com/home.html

We are traveling to see Wicked in Dec. at the Kennedy Center. Since there are 5 of us, any recommendations about where to stay?

Kennedy Center runs a free shuttle every 15 min (or less) between Foggy Bottom Metro station (Blue/Orange lines) so you could stay almost anyplace in the district or even in Arlington/Alexandra and be able to get to/from KC easily enough.

jmixon,
Two rooms, I assume? Three? All 5 adults? What is your budget range (in dollars)? When are you arriving? How long are you staying? Are you planning to do anything else while in DC?

We are two adults and three kids- found a room at the Doubletree by the Kennedy Center that will accomodate allof us for 109.00 a night- sounds like a deal to me!
We haven't started planning things too much yet since we'll be there just for two days. Kids have already seen the major sights on school trips so we are looking off the regular tour places to go...
any ideas?

jmixon,

Here are some self guided walks of different neighborhoods in DC. IMO, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle/Kalorama, and Capitol Hill would be your best bets - especially since you've recently visited the major tourists sites.

http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/homepage2549/index.htm

To help plan your time: after you have selected a walk, click on each point of interest for greater detail.

Courtyard hotel in Twinbrook is one block from Twinbrook metro station. Area is quiet by night and has a great shopping strip in front of it. DC has a lot of free
museums which takes several days to enjoy them all. It is really an inexpensive place for vacations if you use the metro system . While in DC, try to eat French, italian , Vietnamese ,chinese, Greek food etc.. This is international food haven area. It has the best of the best food in the world.

As a lot of posters have already said, use the Metro as much as possible. On my last trip to DC (1998), we stayed at the Holiday Inn Eisenhower in Alexandria VA. Parked my car in their lot, and it stayed there the entire week. Only used the Metro. We saw all of the monuments and took a few tours.

I hope that you are an early riser. The thing that irked me was that all the museums were closed at 5:00pm. I remember when we took a tour of the Holocaust museum we got in and only got halfway through the museum (it is structured like a timeline that you go through). Guards abruptly told us we had to leave. They did not let us finish. We were able to see the Fourth of July fireworks. The exact same show that you see on PBS "A Capitol Fourth". Even then, after the fireworks show, the Metro was very convenient and smooth even with the extra crowds trying to get out of DC.

I'm looking at DC as a possibility for a 4 day trip this fall with my husband and 2 yr. old toddler. Is this a good idea? Are there toddler-friendly activities in the area (including swings/parks, children's museums)? Kid-friendly restaurants (but not fast food--can't go inside a Mickey D's or Burger King!)? I understand that driving might be a problem--are the taxis accommodating with regards to car seats? Thanks!

Bapgryl,

While there are plenty of great things to do, DC isn't as strong for toddlers as it is for kids a bit older -- mainly because museums and monuments are the highlights.

The zoo is wonderful, however, and there are certain times, such as the kite day on the mall, that would be fun. A DC Duck (amphibious craft) tour might be be a hit -- but at 2, they change so fast who knows ...? There are also plenty of green spaces to let the kid run off energy, but actual playgrounds are tougher to come by.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is close and is a great toddler spot -- and perhaps you could combine it with a train ride up there (cheap and quick) . . . if the tyke is old enough to enjoy a train.

As for transport, kids usually do fine on Metro. Finding kid-friendly dining isn't hard. There's a very solid mix here and it is a tourist town.

If this is a rare chance to visit DC, it might be worth hanging off for a few years and hitting some more toddler-friendly spot for now. Not trying to discourage you ... you can still have fun, just not as much as you might in a few years.

I highly recommend the Spy Museum. It's not cheap - about $13 per person - and I was a little annoyed at that. But we spent over 2 hours there (and could have stayed much longer but we had somewhere to be) and when I left I felt it was worth the money.

DC is an excellent place to ride bikes, with the mall area there is so much to ride to (I believe it's 2 miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Monument.) that is off street riding. Bikes can be taken on the Metro...I believe you need to enter into the center door? A typical bike tour for us....Arlington Cemetery to see Tomb of the Unknowns, Robert E Lee's House and the Iwo Jima Statue....back to the bikes...across the bridge, stop at Lincoln Monument...hit the Vietnam and Korean War Memorial and the WWII memorial and Washington Monument...call or use internet for tickets to this...ride out to the White House, over to Old Post Office...make sure to go up the tower, then back to the Mall Area and up to the Capitol Building. Staff led tours by your Senator or Rep. Staff is the easiest and quickest...call ahead for this. If it's hot and humid duck into an air-conditioned museum. You'll spend a day and hit the major sights which gives you time for museums...Spy Museum is great, Ford Theater is excellent..and FREE plus beside a Hard Rock Cafe. Washington National Cathedral is an excellent tour especially if your group is the only ones on it. A day for the zoo, Dulles Airport Air and Space is a MUST see and will take at least 1/2 a day, Mount Vernon is excellent too.