We are planning a trip to DC for June of this year. We have 2 boys ages 11 and 13. What suggestions do you have for hotels. We are willing to spend up to $500 per night...I hear the Four Seasons is great. We would like a hotel with a pool if possible. Also, what sites are a must. Thanks for the help!!

I think two boys 11 and 13 might find the Four Seasons a bit "posh" and stuffy. It is a great hotel, but mostly for adults. I would suggest the Key Bridge Mariott over in Arlington which has a really nice pool and will give them a bit more freedom to roam. Also, a must to see with kids that age is the Aerospace Museum and then work your way down the Mall, visiting whatever museums interest you. They might also like to see the Unknown Soldier Grave at Arlington Cemetery where the change a Marine honor guard each hour (I think it's each hour). The boat ride down to Mt. Vernon also might interest them. D.C. is a great place with kids. Buy a guidebook and let them help in the planning. Have fun.

Your boys are at the perfect age for a DC trip. A couple of summers ago, we went to DC and our boys were the same age as yours at that time. They had a great time and still talk about it. What worked for us was this:

We stayed at a very nice hotel called the Marriott Washington Metro Center at 775 12th St. NW. Nice indoor pool. Very economical. We bargained some great deal, something like $150 a night which included a great breakfast buffet which our boys scarfed down. They needed the fuel because our days were filled with the great Aerospace Museum (part of Smithsonian), National Archives (to see Dec. of Independence and Constitution), Natural History Museum, American History Museum, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, all were free I think. Near the hotel is Ford's Theatre; we went there as an afterthought but the boys were fascinated by the displays in the basement about Lincoln's assassination. Also, don't miss the tour of the FBI. Very fun for boys their age and adults.

Since you have plenty of time, write or call your Congressman or Senator and ask for a personal tour of the Capitol. Take advantage of this; get something from your tax dollars! An intern from your representative's office will take you places unguided visitors cannot go. Your boys will think Mom and Dad are bigshots to get such royal tratment, but you are entitled to it. But you need to book months in advance. Do it now and plan the rest of the sightseeing around the appointment.

Also one other great thing about this Marriott...a Metro subway stop is right outside the front door. I mean right outside the front door. Forget the car and ride the subway or tour buses everywhere you need to go, including Arlington which I agree with the first writer should not be missed. Seeing Arlington and Unknown Soldier ceremony will help your boys appreciate the sacrifices many have made for our country.

Sorry to ramble on so, but I'm jealous. You're off for a great vacation and the last thing you want to do is spend $500 a night for a hotel. Buy a guidebook (I believe this website owner would hope you would buy a certain one) and plan your visit.

same thing goes for a tour of the white house, about writting your senator. mentioned in previous post. mom did that when we were young and went, got to skip waiting an hr in the rain

If you are looking for a luxury hotel and you have kids along, either the Willard, the Fairfax, or the Pentagon City Marriott are your best bets. My parents stayed at the FOur Seasons with my sister, and although she is used to those types of hotels, there aren't a lot of kids around and it makes for a difficult stay. The Willard, which is a bit more "Washington" than the Four Seasons, is much more accomodating of children. Plus, it's down the street from the White House and the Mall, while the Four Seasons is in Foggy Bottom. The Fairfax is the old Ritz Carlton, and is equally accomodating to children. Friends of mine have stayed at the Ritz Pentagon city, which has very reasonable rates, and the place is amazing. The only detractors are that it is across the river. However, the metro is right below the hotel and if you're lucky, they might take you downtown in one of their fleet of Mercedes. Also, the Ritz is attached to a Mall, near many good restaurants, and close to the Pentagon and Arlington.

You will have lots of fun! Agree with previous posters re sites, most of national monuments / Smithsonian are free! A trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, just a short distance away, would be great. It is a beautiful site, lots of history, lots of grounds for kids to run around in. Also DO contact your senator's or representative's office now & ask for White House tour tickets and if anyone in office gives personal tours or Capitol. A few years ago a friend worked for a senator one year, and an aide in the office was a capitol history buff & gave a group of us a "behind the scenes" tour for about two hours, lots of fun! Also - give your kids some spending money & let them haggle with street vendors over souvenirs. a friend with 2 boys let her kids do this on a vacation & they thought they were really cool kids to be able to do that!