D.C. July Trip - Hotel suggestions
 

Trying to figure out a 4 day trip to DC the second week in July for myself and my 16 year old son. We'll be driving from Charlotte, have never been to DC before, know we want to do a Smithsonian or two, and I want to do an evening tour of the monuments. I'm a teacher and therefore POOR, but we've been trying to do this trip for years and I want to make it happen while he'll still hang out with me. I'm looking for something under $150 (don't laugh) that offers free parking and that gives us easy access to public transportation. I'm clueless on neighborhoods/areas that we need to be in. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Under $150 is a tough order, but there are some other posts here (sort by "Washington DC") that ask similar advice.

I have a preference (as is obvious in some of those threads) for staying out of DC itself and staying right across the river in the Rosslyn/Courthouse Sq. corridor. Both Blue and Orange lines stop at Rosslyn, and the Orange line continues out to Courthouse and Clarendon stops.

If you look at the maps for Orbitz, Expedia, etc., and zoom in, you'll see a lot of motels in that area, and many are more reasonable than much of DC or MD suburbs. (By the way, we were lured to Silver Spring, MD by a good rate at one of our usual chains, and regretted it. Was not comfortable at night in the area of the Station.)

Not sure you'll find much free parking even out that way, and the motel websites tend to omit all mention even if they actually do charge, so be resourceful re: verifying. But it's not the $20-30/night you might find in other cities.

Good for you for seizing the opportunity to go with your son NOW. Those opportunities just vanish in a flash, so go for it and try not to hamstring yourself by choosing a place that's $149 instead of $152.

If you look at those other threads, you'll also see suggestions for sights. Think you might like the Newseum more than you'd expect, and be sure to check w/office of your congress person for advice re: Capitol tour, "subway" between office bldgs., etc.

Finally, the heat is as bad as in Charlotte AND it doesn't cool off as much at night. Just saying......

Just poked around some of the hotel-finder websites and saw a fair number quoting prices (before taxes) for a NONREFUNDABLE (if you're willing to gamble) reservation under $150, although taxes would take a $125 room up to about $145+. Of course, refundable might be higher, but be sure to check for AAA rates if you're a member.

Among places on Wilson Blvd or Clarendon, or with "Key Bridge" in their name, I like the Holiday Inn or the Hyatt.

.....annnnd one more note: another advantage of staying in Arlington (Rosslyn) is that when it's time to leave, you are already part of the way out of the DC densest traffic, although there's not much hope if you leave after 3 M-Th, after about 1 or 2 on Friday and something like 11 am on Sunday.

Summer southbound traffic is ghastly on I-95 and you may be happier taking I 66 out to Winchester and working your way to Charlotte via 81 and 77. In fact, you might want to go the same way northbound TO WashDC. Avoid I-95 if at all possible, even if it looks like it might be quicker. It never will be.

You are seriously a candidate for the Americana Hotel - rooms $100 or under in Crystal City which is a couple of metro stops outside of DC proper. Free parking, free breakfast, free wifi, hotel shuttle. Walkable to a metro station. It's got a bit of a cult status. You cannot beat the price for the location.

http://www.americanahotel.com/

There are three "budget" hotels in Arlington which I regularly recommend. All are located in nearby Arlington, Virginia; all offer free parking and all are within easy walking distance of a Metro station. Here they are in alphabetical order:

Americana Hotel
Best Western Iwo Jima
Holiday Inn Rosslyn @Key Bridge

I agree with that list of hotels/motels. Excellent location, great value for the money. DC is possibly the best city to visit on a strict budget, because the best things in life, there, really are free :-) And there are good budget dining options as well. Enjoy!

I like to stay in Crystal City, although I stay at one of the Marriotts, either on the weekend rate, or the senior rate if I'm there during the week, but you're booking late.

BTW, why are you driving? You do NOT want a car in Washington. I always take the train, and the Carolinian starts in Charlotte. (See http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/391/440/...ule-060914.pdf )

You all are wonderful! I already feel a little less nervous. The Americana is looking pretty perfect. We could afford to do more STUFF with that kind of rate.

I've never taken the train before and I just feel reluctant to give up the freedom of being able to leave/change plans if I want to. I hope to park my car at the hotel and leave it while we are there. I HATE booking this late, but we are working around football camp, church camp, etc.

Definitely not looking forward to the heat. Which is why I'm hoping for some night tours. But we just moved from Florida, so I'm sure we can push through it.

Where in Florida did you live? I live in Tampa, lived in DC for many years. My perception is that DC is muggier than coastal Florida, but at least you understand really hot weather!
The Smithsonian museums provide a great, and free, respite from the outdoors, thankfully.

<<BTW, why are you driving? You do NOT want a car in Washington. I always take the train, and the Carolinian starts in Charlotte.>>

No no no. You drive to Virginia and take the metro to DC. The Yellow Line is especially good because it goes over the Potomac and gives a nice view of the Jefferson Memorial.

Don't take Amtrak, which sucks outside the DC-Boston corridor. Drive or fly. Either is cheaper.

"Drive or fly. Either is cheaper."

Faster, yes, cheaper, not so much. I'm paying $80.10 roundtrip for my tickets between Cary and Washington for my next trip (booked well ahead).

See also: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...778_story.html

The train is a good choice if it's in the budget. It can be less than punctual but not unreasonably so. You can check a specific train's performance record at the Amtrak site. Take it to Alexandria (versus Union Station) to save a little money.) There is metro station there and the blue line will take you to stops that are easy walking distance to any of the hotels that are mentioned here. Driving is probably the least expensive way to go but don't drive I95 on a weekend. Just don't do it.

The two most popular places that are easier to visit with a car are Mount Vernon and the Udvar Hazy portion of the Air & Space Museum -- so factor that in if those are places are on your must see list. With or without a car there will be more than you can see in DC that is accessible by public transport or by foot in 3 or 4 days. A night time tour of the major monuments is a good option in the summer.

Look on line <b>now</b> for timed tickets to places like the National Archives, US Capitol, Holocaust Museum, Washington Monument, and Bureau of Printing and Engraving if any of those are on your list. Tickets are free (or $1 ish surcharge) but you don't want to waste time standing in line during your visit.

<i>Yellow Line is especially good because it goes over the Potomac and gives a nice view of the Jefferson Memorial.</i>

It's especially good if it coincides with where you're going. Check the map for which line from Virginia (blue or yellow) is closest to your destination.

<i>Faster, yes, cheaper, not so much.</i>

Echo that. You can get deals flying into the DC area but typically not last minute during June & July. If the flight isn't into Reagan National (but is BWI or Dulles), factor in the cost and time of getting to DC proper.

I had no idea I needed to get tickets this far in advance, THANK YOU.

It's $80 for the train, so it's completely reasonable. Being able to read instead of drive sounds appealing, so I'll definitely mull it over today.

I went to school at USF in Tampa actually, but we've also lived in Delray Beach and near Ocala. Summer sucks weather wise, but that's when we can travel so we are just going to have to suck it up and stay hydrated.

Ford's Theatre is another attraction where having an advance ticket is recommended. Here's a link to a Top Question from Trip Advisor that will help you with all the required/recommended tickets:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g2...e.Tickets.html

Also, if a guided tour of the monuments at night is not in your budget, it's easy to do on your own. That's how we do it with guests who come to visit us in D.C. There are U.S. Park Rangers at all of the sites if you have any questions and it's safe to do on your own--you and hundreds of others will be doing it.

There are quite a few hotels in your price range on Hotwire, if you're willing to go the "anonymous" route.

Ditto to the Americana. We stayed there in October 2011. It has free parking, a decent continental breakfast, free wifi, comfy beds, and is close to two Metro stations (though you can take their free shuttle to the Metro as well).

We also travel on a pretty low budget, so my trip report might be helpful to you: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...hington-dc.cfm

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle: I just read your DC report a few nights ago in preparing for our trip in September and booked the Americana! Thank you so much for a great, detailed report!

Oh how I have been waiting for this opportunity! Woodley Park Guest house!!! http://www.dcinns.com/woodley.html It might be slightly above your range - BUT:
They have twin beds, close to metro, you get breakfast and it looks so lovely. There are several nice restaurants nearby and the metro is literally right down the street.

Have never stayed at the Americana and have only stayed in Crystal City twice, versus pretty routinely (1-3 times/year) returning to Rosslyn/Arlington area -- so that's my bias, I suppose.

Depends, of course, on your priorities, but I liked being able to walk from the Rosslyn hotel (was the Holiday Inn) to Iwo Jima Memorial with a great view across the river, and then (on a nice day) walk across Key Bridge to Georgetown, which is one of the areas least accessible by Metro.

Also Crystal City isn't -- shall we say -- a very 'aesthetic' (?pretty?) place to stay, sort of like living in a high-rise/mall/food court. That, of course, might not bother you, esp. if the price differential is substantial.

But whichever way you decide to go, have a great time with your son!

I like Crystal City because, staying at one of the Marriotts, I can reach the metro (and restaurants if I choose) without going outside. I use the hotel just for sleeping.

So we booked the Americana. Price difference is substantial and we are trying to eek out another vacation later in July. Driving, no train, because the times don't work with the football practice that is governing our lives right now.

Since you all are SO awesome, does anyone have a suggestion on tours? I'm pretty sure he's going to revolt after too many monuments/memorials, so I thought if we booked a tour he'll be forced to hang for the duration. I saw some NINE HOUR day tours, some 2-3 hour night tours, duck tours, etc, etc. Does anyone have a suggestion/preference?

I'm planning to take the Gray Line evening tour. I've done it before, but this time I'll have my British sister with me on her first US trip. It gets you to all the major monuments without a lot of walking, it should be a bit cooler, and the city is pretty all lit up.

I don't think a long day tour on a bus, especially one that lasts 9 hours, is going to appeal to a 16-year-old. Instead, I would opt to go to one of the "pay" museums. If he has an interest in crime and/or CSI and enjoys hands-on activities (like a shooting range simulator and a police car driving simulator), I'd choose the Crime and Punishment Museum. If he has an interest in current events, photography, or journalism, then I would choose the Newseum. I would allow about 3 - 4 hours to see the C&P Museum and around 4 - 6 hours to see the Newseum. (My 16-yer-old did not particularly enjoy the Spy Museum since it was so crowded and involved a LOT of reading. It also only takes 2 hours or less to see it. But that's also an option.)

Look for discounted tickets to these museums on Groupon, Living Social or Goldstar.

Also, since you have a car, you could do a visit to the Smithsonian's Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum (free, but parking is $15.) They've got cool flight simulators (for a fee). There's also the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico if he enjoys military things. It's VERY cool and free.

There's a hop-on-hop-off trolley that can serve either to get you around the monuments or as a way to see parts of the city from the bus.

Think there's a Duck tour, but have never taken it. Some cities' Duck Tours are better than others.

The Udvar Hazy is really worth the detour if he's at all interested in aviation or space.

Seeing the monuments at night is a sort-of must if you can manage -- they are so impressive then.

It's been many years, but the Hop-on Hop-Off bus/tour works really well to help you navigate the city and gives you a great overview of the layout. I think they have a 24 hour ticket (not positive though). Even though most everything you'll want to see is "on the mall," the mall is extremely long and distances can be deceiving.

The metro is easy to use/navigate - don't be intimidated by it.

Sooooo, now that reservations have been made, my son is now interested in making decisions. We have now moved the trip to two weeks later when he doesn't have football and we can extend the trip to visit some friends afterwards in Virginia Beach.

I'd like to throw in a night on the Chesapeake Bay maybe?? Never been to this part of the country before. We would be leaving Arlington and will end up on Virginia Beach, not scared of a drive, would love something quiet, cheap, and on the beach. Any suggestions??

I don't think that is possible as July and August are the peak months at Virginia Beach and it is pretty hectic, with lots of crowds and entertainment during the week on Atlantic ave and the boardwalk, with loud outdoor music you can hear for blocks, such as from live bands. At least avoid the area with all that and the party crowds, which is probably between 7th and 24th. Maybe look at the higher numbered streets.

Maybe an overnight in Chincoteague? It will extend your drive to Va Beach by a couple of hours but it's a pretty (and quieter) part of Virginia. And keep you off of I95. VB will be about two hours drive the next day and will include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel en route. Traveling on a summer weekend isn't ideal.

Your VB friends will be able to recommend the best places in VB for you to visit.

We are staying with my friends in VB, looking for an overnighter on the way, so Chincoteague might be the one. It'll be mid-week (Wednesday night) so I'm hoping the traffic and crowds won't be as bad.

It just so happens that the day we would be in Chincoteague is the day of the pony swim from one island to another. Not sure if this is good or bad.

The pony swim is very popular. Not only will it be crowded but will bump up the price of lodging.

Oops. Janet is right. Definitely an issue with crowds. It's a fun and a relatively unique thing to see. For that reason I think it would be worth it -- but hotels may already be booked. It's a small place.

Your VB friends may have some suggestions for quiet beach, sound or bay outings closer to them. You could go west from DC and do an overnight in Charlottesville and see Jefferson's Monticello. Or you could do an overnight in Williamsburg which is directly on the way to VB and pick from a number of things -- Colonial Wmbg, Jamestown, Busch Gardens. Three rivers. None of those are particularly quiet but again, they are unique to the area if you are looking for something to round out your trip.

Take a look at these free tours in DC:

http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/washi...assassination/

I did the Lincoln assassination tour with two teens last year and they loved it. We also hired a cab at an hourly rate and did our own monuments in the dark tour.

Marija - but were you there in July?

Lynni, I'm glad I could help.

Lorrieishere, we did an evening walking tour with DC by Foot http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/washington-dc-tours/ It's tip-based, so you pay what you think the tour is worth. Our guide was great, and we really enjoyed the tour.

Lee Ann

Tours may be your best bet. As mentioned above many places do have timed tours that you can register for online now at little or no cost. I am not one to read every plaque and sign so the tours really helped me to enjoy most places like the National Archives. There is just so much to see and the tour directs you to the highlights.

Now that your son is interested, perhaps have him select some of the sites that he wants to see. If they pick it usually they will be more likely to enjoy it.

Depending on the heat, maybe a walk through Dupont Circle or Penn Quarter can breakup the museum haze.