I will only be in DC for a few days, so I plan to use a hop-on, hop-off bus at least one day. Does anyone have any preferences? I understand the Old Town Trolley has entertaining patter and goes a little farther afield than the Tourmobile (and stops closer to my hotel), but the Tourmobile goes to Arlington Nat'l Cemetery and FDRs memorial. Any thoughts?

We used both. We took the Old Town Trolley the first day to get a feel for the entire city (we got off at the National Cathedral and Union Station), then took the Tourmobile another day to see Arlington Nat'l and the Memorials. Had the weather not been so brutal (record-breaking heat), we would have walked the Mall and not used the Tourmobile.

I think the Tourmobile gives a much better tour, but OTT takes you into the "neighborhoods."

Arabella, I had exactly the same thought--maybe one, one day and the other the next. And since this is maybe a once in a lifetime trip, I might as well splurge on both. I thought the Mall might be walkable, but for museums and such, I hate to use up my leg power on walking to get there. I've been told everything is further away than it seems.

And Mike, I think you confirmed my general impressions--another reason to try both.

Thank you both for your input!

ttt