D.C. around Christmas and B&Bs
 

Hello- <BR>We are thinking of visiting D.C. in December right before Christmas..is D.C. worth visiting around Christmas? Any special Christmas events? and we would like to stay in a B&B which is walking distance to attractions-- any suggestions? <BR>Thanks! <BR>DZ

Dc would be great around xmas. I have stayed at a great b& b a couple of times within walking distance. Was called Baker/Doolittle house. wonderful - especially the top suite - bathroom was larger than most hotel rooms. last time i called about (didnt end up going) i think it was under new ownership but if you search baker doolittle will probably be able to come up with telephone #.

There are only 3 B&Bs I know of in Washington: Baker Doolittle mentioned by Amy, Swann House (www.swannhouse.com) which is very nice and central near Dupont Circle; and Kalorama Guest House which is more budget priced (they really have two locs, one in Cleveland Park is closer to metro and has more rooms with baths, one in Kalorama isn't that far, it would be ok). None of those are within walking distance of attractions, though, IMO (Baker Doolittle may be, it's on Capital Hill I think but that's a very long walk to the White House). I wouldn't worry about being within walking distance of attractions, you can easily take the metro. I think DC is worth visiting any time but I don't know what you are expecting to be special exactly at Christmas--they tend to have lots of Christmas concerts around town in the month before and they have the White House tree-lighting ceremony, which I'd guess you can't go to (I don't really know how you go, I just see it on TV) but it is neat to see that big tree all lit up on the lawn. Other than that, I can't think of anything that special, just the usual like in other cities, shopping, etc.; shopping at the museum shops is kind of fun.

Try the Dupont at the Circle, http://www.dupontatthecircle.com/index.shtml <BR> <BR>or Hotel Monticello in Georgetown (5 star, about 40 suites). <BR>Both are recommended by Karen Brown. <BR> <BR>Mount Vernon, where George Washington lived, is very nice during Christmas time.

Does anyone know if they are still doing the candlight tour of the White House this year?

Well, the White House tours (as well as all Congressional tours) are cancelled, so your guess is as good as mine with respect to Christmas; I, however, doubt that they'll be open by then :(