Calling all DC Experts!! Please Help!
 

We are going to be in D.C. April 2 through 6.

A) Is the Gettysburg tour worth it?
B) How far from D.C. is Gettysburg?
C) Is Staying Gaithersburg too far for enjoyment? We've been told it's only a 20 minute metro ride.
D) What are some D.C. local favorites that cannot be found in guidebooks - things to do, places to eat?

Thanks so much!

A) & B) - With only four days, I would not spend one entire day at Gettysburg unless you have a really strong need to do so. You can do a mapquest search for exact distances from your hotel in Gaithersburg. It can be done in a day, easily.
C) Gaithersburg? It's an outlying suburb of Washington. You can find something closer and more convenient.
D) With only 3-4 days, you will not be able to see all of the highlights in your guidebook. I would not add any lesser sights to the list.

andicat,

Gettysburg is about 85 miles from DC. With traffic, it could take 2 hours or more each way for travel from DC.

You didn't say where you would be coming from? Are you maybe driving to DC and plan to visit Gettysburg in one direction or the other?

We are flying in from Minnesota and do not plan to rent a car.

Don't stay in Gaithersburg without a car...not as simple as 20 minutes to get into DC. With only a few days, stay close in as you can. Gettysburg is great, but too far and too much for such a short trip.

Anyone know anything about the Virgina wineries?

The reason we are staying in Gaithersburg is because of the hotel rates ($109). We were willing to go out a little to save on hotel. It's tough to find hotels that have our entire stay available. So many of them are sold out on the Wednesday and Thursday night of our stay.

Which hotel is it? Is it really close to a Metro station, or are you going to rely on some sort of shuttle? If the latter, then you'll be wasting a LOT of time, your net time after all that commuting will be 3 days in DC while paying for 4, a false economy saving on the hotel.

I don't see how you can consider Gettysburg or wineries with no car and only 4 days.

It's two blocks from a Metro station and no changing trains to get to DC. It's a Comfort Inn.

What's your source for the 2-block distance? According to Mapquest, the address of the hotel and the address of the Metro station are .6 miles apart.

One review on Tripadvisor says, " We used the free shuttle to the metro with no problem although I would allow extra time as it only holds six and some folks were worried (when our group completely filled the van) that they wouldn't get where they were going in time. The metro station is walkable but it's not an nice walk--maybe a half mile down a busy congested road. It is only 4 or 5 dollars to park all day at the metro which might be the better alternative if you are on a tight schedule."

At least two other reviews also mention the shuttle to the Metro.

Ah...that changes the dynamics.

Agreed with the suggestion to stay in DC proper. If you don't mind the Hotel Harrington, it's in the center of it all, and could be in your price range. I have often found the free hotel shuttles to be pretty much hit-or-miss servicewise. Let's just say I wouldn't count on it. Also, how are you getting to your hotel? Hope not by taxi $$$. Your fare from Shady Grove to all parts DC is pretty much $2.35 using the Metro. Look things up on wmata.com.

If you're adamant about going to Gettysburg, it's possible. But I just googled a tour from DC, and it will cost you $80 per person, leaving at 8am from Union Station on Mon, Wed, Fri.

As for things to do in DC, plenty. Are you a museum person? If so, the Smithsonian museums are your best bang for the buck. They're free. There are other great museums around which are free (and not Smithsonian), and there are others that require an entrance fee: the Corcoran, the Phillips Collection, the International Spy Museum, the National Gallery...I can go on. There's even a National Aquarium (14th Street btwn Penn & Constitution Aves)!

Do you want to see monuments? If so, there's the WWII monument, which is situated between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. You can also walk along the basin and get to the Jefferson Memorial. Visit the National Archives or the Supreme Court.

What kind of food do you like? You can do a search here for suggestions.

Oh, one more thing. Technically, there is no need to change trains to get into DC. But it depends on where you want to go in DC.

Remember Metro Center and Gallery Place. These are your 2 main transfer points to other train lines.

Shady Grove is the last stop at the northwestern end of the Red Line, which also stops at popular stations like Smithsonian and Union Station. As mcnyc pointed out, all the Metro lines go into the center of the city.

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

OK - good advice about Gaithersburg. So, I've found tons of Holiday Inns and am deciding between:

Holiday Inn DC with nearest Metro station 4 1/2 blocks (Dupont Circle Station)

Holiday Inn Georgetown

Holiday Inn Rosslyn @ Key Bridge

Hoiday Inn Nat'l Airport/Crystal City - leaning towards this one! Free shuttle to/from Reagan Nat'l, free shuttle to Metro which is 7 blocks away. It's on Jefferson Davis Hwy - Arlington.

Opinions? Thanks so much! This is all so helpful!

Searching by hotel chain isn't as productive as searching on some of the larger booking sites like Hotwire. You might also want to become more familiar with DC neighborhoods; many of us would rather stay in the Dupont or Georgetown areas rather than in Crystal City or near the airport. Which airport are you using (DC has 3)? National Airport has its own Metro stop.

I'm not shopping by chain. I took some recommendations from Fodor's, used Expedia and then also am left to shop by price. These were the last few with rooms left and in our price range (less than $200 per night). I also want close to Metro stations. We are flying into Reagan Nat'l.

The Gaithersburg Comfort Inn may well be only 2 blocks from Metro. I would not want to walk it. I assume they have a shuttle. But...that stop is the last stop on the Red Line and will take at least 45 min to get to Metro Center. Spend more money and stay closer. (I am very familiar with that G'burg area.)

It is more than 20 minutes - From Shady Grove station to the Smithsonian station it is over 40 minutes, plus you have to include time getting to the station and waiting for a train. As others have said, dont depend on a hotel shuttle. Also, there is really not much out there near the Comfort Inn it would just be a place to sleep.

Your problem is that your dates coincide with the Cherry Blossom Festival so hotels near DC tend to sell out early and raise prices too. None the less, there are some places in your price range for those dates closer in than Gaithersburg. I saw some on Orbitz that may be suitable. Remember, from Gaithersburg you are talking about $12/day in metro fares for 2 people and maybe even more depending on the hours that you travel. BTW without a car, Gettysburg is not practical.

ttt

With so little time, I would want to stay in as central a location as possible. With the Holiday Inns you have suggested, just based on location (can't speak to rooms, amenities, etc.) I would suggest not staying at the Crystal City one. While it is metro-convenient, the area is not charming at all - I drive down Jeff. Davis Hwy. every day to get to work. It's a bunch of big interchangeable hotels. There are a few decent restaurants but its pretty dead at night. The HI in Georgetown is in very north Georgetown and not at all near a metro. The HI Dupont...where exactly is it? I work in Dupont and am not sure where that would be- unless it is the one on Rhode Island Ave? If so, it's a great location with lots going on but more than 4 1/2 blocks to the Dupont metro. I work right at the Dupont metro and have friends who live right by that HI...and it's about a 10 minute walk. You could also walk to the McPherson Square metro which I think is about the same distance. The Rosslyn HI is very close to the Rosslyn metro and also walkable to Georgetown across the bridge, but I think the HI on Rhode Island has the edge, and that is the one I would pick unless the walk to metro puts you off.

Re Virginia wineries, there are many that are lovely, but you'd need a car. A very nice day would be driving to Harper's Ferry taking some of the smaller back roads, and then visiting some wineries on the way back. But with only four days in DC and no car I would focus on the city.

I'd stay in Dupont for the ability to do stuff in the neighborhood of your hotel. There are tons of great restaurants around there. My foodie friends swear by this website: www.chowhound.com.

While others may disagree, I'd rather stay in the Holiday Inn Crystal City if it's the one fits your budget better than the Dupont Circle one. But if it's by just a few bucks, definitely stay at Dupont Circle. You will have access to way more interesting shopping and food than at Crystal City. Plus, you will have the option of walking back to your hotel if the spirit should move you, whereas at Crystal City, you'd have to depend on the metro. Not a bad thing, but can be if you're trying to get home at midnight, when most stations close for the night.

Checking out Orbitz for your dates, I see that the State Plaza hotel is available much within your budget. And it's 3 blocks from the Foggy Bottom metro station - convenient if take the Blue line from National. I'm not familiar with that hotel, but it seems to have stellar reviews. Act fast, as it's a limited time offer.

Although it may not work because of limited hotel availability during that time, have you considered making a bid on Priceline? Check www.biddingfortravel.com to see recent winning bids.

We used it at Thanksgiving time and got a great rate at the Captial Hyatt. I would guess it's probably easier to win a bid on weekends in DC, as opposed to weekdays.

Oh, and they only guarantee a room for 2 people, so we bid on two rooms for our family of 4.

Thanks so much!!! One more - does everyone recommend the Mt. Vernon tour? It seems to offer a lot of history and is close enough to DC.

Thanks again! This is so helpful!

If you go to Mt. Vernon, I'd plan on spending a good part of the day there. One problem is that you have to stand in line to gain admission to the house and the last time I was there it was May and the line was over an hour long. (We skipped it). There are also several tours (free with your paid admission) which are worth doing. Also, since you will be going there by public transportation, you'll have to factor that time into your schedule as well.
You might want to look at doing a cruise/tour to Mt. Vernon. Spirit Cruises offer this option and it makes for a nice day trip. Check their website for more details.

I think Mt. Vernon is well worth it-it is one of my favorite spots. I have usually driven there, but did take the cruise once and really enjoyed. Last time I was there was early Nov and no waiting-of course that will be different in the spring.

OK - we are now considering the State Plaza Hotel, but are a little concerned why the price is so cheap ($149) compared to other Georgetown hotels.

Please vote:
Georgetown - State Plaza Hotel
Dupont area - Holiday Inn
Crystal City - Holiday Inn or others nearby

Thanks for your help! (Flying in to Reagan Nat'l - no rental car)

Check out the reviews on tripadvisor.com

Think my vote would be the Dupont Circle choice. State Plaza looks fine, but you'll find you have to hike a bit to get to things like food or Metro -- and you're near a rather busy intersection/rotary that's tricky to navigate on foot. Crystal City is convenient to the point of absurdity -- it's like living in a mall with an embedded Metro stop, but it's soulless and doesn't give you the sense of being in Washington DC.

The Dupont area has charm and lots of walking-around things that you'll enjoy for free -- lovely neighborhoods, embassies on nearby corners, restaurants and shops, as well as the metro. Do that.

Wouldn't say State Plaza is actually IN Georgetown, which may explain the price differential -- it's on the fringe.

For that matter the "Central" Holiday Inn isn't actually ON Dupont Circle, but it's still reasonably well located I believe. Do check the tripadvisor reviews.

I would choose between the State Plaza and the Holiday Inn near Dupont Circle. Both are pretty basic but OK. The State Plaza is not really in Georgetown, but more in Foggy Bottom near George Washington University. I would lean toward the HI simply because the Dupont Circle area is interesting in itself and has lots of good restaurants. The walk to Georgetown from Dupont Circle will be nice that time of year and you will see its residential area along the way.

Hope the cherry blossoms are out for your visit. I also agree that you may well enjoy the Spirit Cruise to Mt. Vernon if the weather cooperates.

State Plaza is cheap compared to Georgetown because it is in Foggy Bottom at 21st and E Streets, not Georgetown. I think it may be a converted apartment building -- my cousins stayed there for several days a few years ago and found it just fine. It is within easy walking distance of the Lincoln and Vietnam memorials and the Foggy Bottom metro.

Thank you! Anyone else?

The Marriott Wardman Park is in a very nice location w/ a metro stop right in front of the hotel. You can walk to many of the fine restaurants in Dupont Circle and you can also walk to the National Zoo. The prices are usually pretty cheap if you can go AAA or Corp. Check it out at Marriott.com

The OP's dates are at the height of the Cherry Blossom Festival; the AAA rate at the Marriott is over $300.

If the STate Plaza is actually at 21st and E (sorry, I didnt check), that would be great because you could actually WALK down to see the Cherry Blossoms, walk over to the river, walk to the Vietnam Memorial and the Washington Monument, and to Georgetown (well, I love to walk but I think you could do it). Some of those places are far from the Metro so hard to get to.
I agree too that the trip to Mount Vernon is worth it and the boat ride is fun.

Yes, it looks like it's on 21st and E Streets. A great location to go sightseeing at the Tidal Basin. Here's the website http://www.stateplaza.com/

As for Mt. Vernon, check out the recommendations given by its website http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/pla...x.cfm/pid/824/

<i>Please vote:
Georgetown - State Plaza Hotel
Dupont area - Holiday Inn
Crystal City - Holiday Inn or others nearby</i>

1st Choice: Georgetown - State Plaza Hotel

2nd Choice: Dupont area - Holiday Inn

3rd choice: Crystal City - Holiday Inn or others

<b>All three are good choices.</b> I would rank them pretty equally.

FWIW, The State Plaza Hotel is ot actually in Georgetown but it is walking distance. The Holiday Inn is not actually in the Dupont neighborhood but, again, it is within walking distance. They are both in good enough enough areas, I just have to laugh at the &quot;real estate speak&quot; where realtors or hotels s-t-r-e-t-c-h the boundaries of the most desirable areas to include their properties.

Calling 21st and E Georgetown is quite a stretch. If you consider Georgetown to begin where Pennsylvania ends at 28th and M, that's a good mile or more; 28th and K street under the Whitehurst Fwy is closer, of course, but I doubt that's what visitors expect when they think of Georgetown.

The Holiday Inn on 15th is only four longish blocks from Dupont (19th, Mass, P, Conn).

I'd pick State Plaza if the kitchenette was important to me (with extra points at ths time of year for walking to the cherry blossoms), the Holiday Inn if atmosphere for evening strolling and proximity to a good variety of restaurants more valuable.

I'll admit it, I'd pick State Plaza hotel because the travelers pictures on tripadvisor look great, and it's super cheap considering the time andicat will be there! All those other hotels andicat listed were above $200.