"I can find hotels through travel websites, but I can never tell if they're within walking distance of the metro."

You might have to go to the hotels website and look around there. also, this map at WMATA might help if you know the cross street of the hotel.

http://www.wmata.com/maps/metrorail_street_map.cfm
Hop stop might help also.
www.hopstop.com

Check out this website shortly before your trip:
www.goldstarevents.com
DC has lots of great local theatre. The tickets are often half-price on that site.

"I can find hotels through travel websites, but I can never tell if they're within walking distance of the metro."

Do a search for any hotel on Google Maps, then zoom in for the nearest metro stop(s).

Also:
http://www.stationmasters.com/

Your Congressperon can also generally arrange for other tours as well -- the FBI, White House.

In addition, ask if she/he is hosting any events when you're in town.

I spent a summer in DC in college and went to several talks and breakfasts and other events (bill signings, etc.) courtsey of my Congresswoman.

Your Congressperson/Senator can also arrange for gallery seats to watch the action in Congress/the Senate.

Especially if you are of "a certain age", the Vietnam Memorial can take your breath away.

Be careful where you wonder off to at night. Unless you are packing an Uzi.

Three things if you are driving: 1. Don't drive. Take Metro.
2. It is illegal to turn right on red.
3. If you have a disabled placard from your home state, it is not valid in DC. You will get ticketed if you do not get a placard.
http://dmv.dc.gov/serv/plates/handicap.shtm

As I write this I am in my office in Northwest DC (also where I live) and I must say that the Washington National Cathedral and Hillwood, the home of Marhorie Merryweather Post are lovely and worth seeing.

As for cheap hotels near metro,(they do not really exist) I say forget the hotels and go for the B&B's there are a few in DuPont Circle and Kalorama and they aver very well done.

After dark forget walking unless in Georgetown and take a cab--ditto to all who tell people NOT to drive in DC. I am a local and I shudder if I have to leave Northwest to go down to the monuments by car. I nearly always take the bus to the metro.

As for parking--make no mistake if you even suspect it is an illegal spot do not attempt to park there. Use a parking garage--it is worth the expense and peace of mind. Our meter maids are very efficient and will ticket you in a heartbeat or worse yet, have you towed! You will have to pay a hefty fee to get your car back and it most likely will be shipped to an unsavory part of town.

Since so many of us originate from other parts of the country and the world, we are sympathetic to travelers so do not hesitate to ask for help. Most of us are very friendly--the only frustration you will find is if all you find is other tourists...happens a lot near the Zoo.

Jen

It is NOT illegal to turn right on red in DC.

Also, some posts give the impression that DC is an unsafe city -- it is just a big city. It is no more or less safe than any other big city. There are plenty of safe areas in which to walk after dark --not just in Georgetown.

You can walk from the Smithsonian Metro stop to most of the main Smithsonian museums. They are free admission, but (of course) security-checked, so travel as light as you can to save time.

For an interesting lunch, do the Native American food cafeteria on the ground floor of the Natl. Museum of the American Indian. At least all the kids will like the fry bread (or a buffalo burger) and you can experiment with regional native dishes -- better than the traditional fast food at many museums.

BEWARE of people around the White House and monuments who are soliciting to give you private car tours of the city!! This is a huge rip-off. You might get lucky and find someone who's legit., but most of the time, they're scammers. They will promise to drop you off at various points of interest and return to pick you up at a designated time, but don't be surprised if you never see them again. They will charge outrageous fees for this "service". I warned a friend's mom about this and begged her not to go for it, but it was in the 90's, hot and humid one day, and she thought it would be nice for all not to have to walk in the heat. Well, we ended up walking in the heat anyway, but with less dollars in HER pocket! Pay the extra to take a legitimate hop-on hop-off service. I recommend Tourmobile, which is also authorized by the National Park Service. It might be pricey, but it's dependable. Info. and tickets here: http://www.tourmobile.com/tickets.php. They have whole city routes, night time routes, and other special tours in and around DC. They also have special needs accessible vehicles. AAA members can get a discount. Ask about senior pricing too. Enjoy our great city!

I just moved away from DC after working there for about two years - I already miss the city so much.

I recommend three things (among many others) that I haven't seen mentioned on this thread yet:

1. Eastern Market - a local farmer's market, art show and flea market combined. Since the original Eastern Market building burned last year, they've opened a temporary food hall that's filled with everything from local produce, meats and sausages, fresh fish. Get a crab cake sandwich from the stand in the hall before checking out antiques and picking up prints and handmade purses and hats from the neighboring flea/art market. Get an afternoon pick-me-up at Murky Coffee (delicious, and very artfully presented coffee drinks) and pick up some Uncle Brutha's award-winning hot sauce, available for sale at the hot sauce emporium and also often outside in a stall at the market. Tunicliff's Tavern is great for brunch, too - try the crab eggs benedict.

2. The FDR Memorial - features "rooms" following FDR's four terms in office. It's beautiful, but in an less conventional way that the massive white stone of the other monuments. It's located near the tidal basin but can be a little tricky to find. Probably best to hope off on an Old Town trolley or look up directions there in a guidebook.

3. U Street - great little shops (vintage clothing and furniture, shoe and accessory boutiques, art galleries...)and wonderful eating all along U and down 14th Street as well. Try Cafe Saint-Ex for amazing sustainable meal or a glass of wine. Metro up one stop on the green line to Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant for a coffee at Mayorga or Sticky Fingers vegan bakery. Check out some flamenco dancing or a current show at the Gala Latin Theatre.

...As far as Smithsonians go, the Hirshhorn is my favorite, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea - very modern. I love the modern wing of the National Gallery as well.

I love DC.

Another tip on the scammers -- don't talk to the people outside the touristy metro stops (near the capitol, white house etc). they will try to sell you maps that you can get for free from the visitor centers.

some very good advice, especially about parking and taking public transportation! I have found that DC is an overwhelming city, with so much to see and do; I could easily spend an entire day wandering the 4 floors of the Museum of American History.......the Smithsonian Museums are incredible! Choose what is most important to you (my daughter wanted to see the Air and Space Museum, my son wanted to see the Museum of Natural History), and allow yourself plenty of time. The monuments on the Mall are beautiful at night as was mentioned in a previous post. Just paying tribute to these can be a wonderful downtime activity. Also, take GOOD walking shoes, and enjoy!

"Be careful where you wonder off to at night. Unless you are packing an Uzi."

This is utterly absurd. DC has crime, like most large cities, but it is focused in areas where tourists are almost never going to find themselves. The only way to "wander off" at night into an area with significant violent crime is if you wander--at a minimum-- 10 to 20 blocks from places like Adams Morgan or U Street or the Capitol.

b'marking

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is undergoing a complete renovation, and is expected to reopen later this year.

1. Food concessions in most all the Smithsonian Musuems.((Indian Museum food court is awesome))

2. Food court at Union Station. Downstairs.

3. National Archives - busy during tourist season....visited first week of Dec. ...had all the time I needed to read, ask questions.

4. Trip to Mount Vernon (President Washington's home).....Trip can be made from D.C. via Metro and bus. Bus drops and picks up at Mt. Vernon Estate.

Ditto standing to the right on the escalator.

And please, DON'T try "holding" the metro doors open for the next person. It doesn't work that way.