Georgetown or Alexandria
 

I gotten recommendations to stay in both areas, good evening walking, restaurants, pubs? Going at the end of July for 4 nights, I've heard staying close to a metro station is a must, any thought?

Close to a metro station is definitely preferable particularly when the weather is hot & humid which it will be in July. I would say anything within a 10 minute walk of a metro is good. Do keep in mind that some destinations will take less time to walk to than navigating metro stations and waiting for trains. Check your google map app for that determination.

I would look at Dupont Circle or Penn Quarter before staying in Georgetown or Alexandra. Both of those areas have night life and restaurants.

Georgetown doesn't have a metro station and the nearest, Foggy Bottom, is at least a 10 minute walk. Gtown does have a number of stops for the Circulator bus which is a truncated system that runs to the most touristed areas. (dccirculator.com)

I love Alexandria and it does have a metro and a free shuttle running along the main street but why stay there if the same exists in the city? Downtown you can return to your hotel to crash for a nap, drop off packages or get out of the heat or afternoon thunder storms. More flexibility than if your hotel is a 20 minute metro ride away.

We've been to DC many times, both for pleasure and on business and have stayed in many areas of the district, and visited many others. My current favorite to stay in is Dupont Circle (which has a good mix of commercial areas, restaurants, hotels, beautiful residential areas), although Penn Quarter is great (particularly for eating! Penn Quarter is more of a bustling hot spot). Alexandria and Georgetown are both very nice areas (I'm particularly fond of Old Town Alexandria), but neither is particularly convenient as obxgirl said.

I would widen your search to Penn Qtr or Dupont as suggested above. Georgetown is packed at night and not always with the type of crowds one enjoys walking with. While there are lots of restaurants not that many are that great. I find Alexandria ho hum. And yes, stay near a Metro which u will have in Dupont and Penn Qtr. Enjoy DC!

For a different perspective, we like staying in Alexandria so that we get away from the hustle and bustle of DC . . fairly short Metro trip and the "Old" Alexandria is a great place for Pubs, eats and just walking around

great feedback, my husband wants to stay at an Embassy Suites for the breaksfast and happy hour, there is one near Dupont Circle. I hadn't thought about the conveniance of a close by hotel room. Next to get accumated to the humidity!

Nice location to stay in. Walkable to much and near a Metro. I agree that being in DC beats staying in the 'burbs, Alexandria or other, by a mile. Just plan to take it slow while in DC in July & who knows u could even hit one of the less humid times here.

I don't know your budget and I don't know the rates of the various Embassy Suites, but just wanted to let you know there is an Embassy Suites just across the street from the King Street Metro in Alexandria. It may (or may not) be a better deal for you.

Longhorn55's suggestion is good, IMO. If you are willing to walk from there along King and into the Old Town part of Alexandria I think you may find a lot of places to eat, if nothing else.

As you can see, for some, there is this DC vs. "the suburbs" thing that periodically rears its ugly head. Don't be put off by it; there are interesting places in BOTH areas.

>> there is one near Dupont Circle.<<

That would be a great choice. It's midway ish between Dupont Circle and Washington Circle, close (10 min walk) to both Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle metro stations. Also close to the Circulator bus lines I mentioned up thread. Neighborhood is residential and embassy. Lots of restaurants nearby.

My point is not about DC vs the 'burbs' but more my feeling that when one visits a city, stay in that city if u can afford it, not a metro ride away.

Old Town Alexandria is a destination unto itself, IMO, and no cheaper to stay in than DC. I agree that if it's DC you're wanting to see, you should stay in DC.

We actually prefer to stay in Alexandria . . the metro ride takes no more time than walking from most hotels in DC proper and it is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of DC.

Jus' sayin'

It's a healthy 30 minute subway ride from The Mall to King Street Metro. I just think it's awfully inconvenient if your goal is to focus on DC and fit a lot of stuff in. If you want a more leisurely visit and realize that the 30-45 minute subway ride/wait will tie you down a bit, then Alexandria is fine.

That's why they sell both Fords and Chevy's . . I have walked more than 30 mins getting from one place to another in DC.

I don't like staying in the middle of things . . I much prefer to be able to relax and slow down in the evenings.

Although Old Town isn't exactly sleepy hollow. It's as congested and busy as Dupont Circle, with restaurants that are just as hard to get into.

Unless you are already set on the Embassy Suites, check out Woodley Park. Just one Metro stop past Dupont Circle but without so much congestion. I have stayed at the Woodley Park Guest House a number of times. They have a wonderful breakfast at a community table. Although they do not have a happy hour they do have a nice porch to enjoy a cocktail and watch the neighborhood traffic go by. You can see the Metro station from the front porch. There are many restaurants very close by.

I've just booked at Embassy Suites Alexandria Old Town. Haven't been there yet but it is in a great location right accross from the King St metro station. There is a Free parking coupon for this hotel here: http://www.visitalexandriava.com/hotels/hotel-packages/

We stay there a couple of times a year .. nice hotel and very convienient to metro and Old Town