Not sure why you want to go to Washington D.C. WITHOUT seeing the museums & government buildings. That's the main attraction to Washington. I'm not an American either but still that's what I went to see.<BR><BR>The Smithsonian museums are all free. They are NOT what you think of boring stuffy museums. (I hate museums too - but found these quite interesting).<BR><BR>All different ones - different "topics". Choose the ones you want to walk into.<BR><BR>If you haven't been to Washington - you have to at least walk "the mall" - the government area....<BR><BR>You'll find things you want to see or do as you go. All free.<BR><BR>Not tourist friendly though for parking or food. Take the subway to the area then leave again.<BR><BR>Arlington Cemetery / the war memorials / the museum with all of the history about the Jews & the war (forget which museum that is called) but quite thought-provoking. Some very young children may not want to go through & see the displays.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!<BR><BR>Sylvia

I assume the dates you're planning to visit (Apr3-6) are for Cherry Blossum Festival(CBF). I've been to DC during CBF each of the past 3 years and have had absolutely no problem finding rooms at reasonable rates just outside DC on that weekend. If close to a Metro station, it's really no inconvenience staying outside town, since I only use the hotel to sleep at.<BR><BR>Sometimes that weekend has been a little cool, so I do agree that 3-5 weeks later might be a nicer (but more expensive) time to visit.<BR><BR>Julie's comment (BWI cheaper, DCA more convenient) is on target. Transportation from BWI to DC can range from $5/person (Metrobus/subway connections or MARC commuter train) up. Try http://www.bwiairport.com/frames/1_washington.html<BR><BR>

The Park Hyatt is one of the nicest hotels in town. Pentagon City is very overrated. I would think you could make it through there in 3 hours or so and be sick of it -- so would not bother changing hotels to be close to it. Besides, most of the same stores in the mall are found in Georgetown.

Dennis, <BR><BR>Just went to DC the last weekend in June. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton downtown (on 22nd St) It was fabulous, we had an enormous suite with a rate that included breakfast. The location was great for shopping and eating, but not so much for taking a walking tour of the monuments.

thank you so much for all the replies - this is all really valuable stuff - thanks.<BR><BR>sylvia - i do want to see the famous monuments and museums in washington dc - what i meant really was that i would really like to see the white house, for example, but i'm not bothered about doing a detailed day-long tour of it because i am only in washington for three days and there are other things i want to do/see aswell. thanks for the smithsonian museum recommendation - i will take note...<BR><BR>r-travels - i'm not going to washington specially for the cbf but it would be nice to see, i think. the dates i mentioned are really the only ones i can make and its just a coincidence that its the same time as the cbf...and i don't mind cool weather by the way - spent last march in snowy chicago and loved every minute<BR><BR>mark - sound advice - don't think i'll bother moving to pentagon city for the last night <BR><BR>tiffany - glad you enjoyed your stay - unfortunately my budget doesn't stretch to the downtown ritz as much as i would like it to !<BR><BR>thanks again for all your advice...dx<BR><BR>ps how would you guys spend three days in washington dc sightseeing and shopping...thanks<BR><BR>

It's been a while since I was there, but one of the great things about DC is that it is a timeless city. Unfortunately, there is so much to see that 3 days isn't very long, but here are a few of my recommendations:<BR>- The Lincoln, Washington, and Vietnam War memorials. (All on the Mall.) <BR>- Ford's theater (where Lincoln was shot) and the boarding house across the street (where he died).<BR>- Tour the White House, IF tours are available.<BR>- The Holocaust museum.<BR>- Hit at least a few of the Smithsonian museums, they are among the best museums in the world. They're all together on the mall.<BR>- See a show at the Kennedy Center or one of the many other theaters in town.<BR><BR><BR>

FYI--As of this writing, the White House is still closed to public tours. I believe organized school groups are the only exception.

Two to three days is somewhat of a short day. However, you may want to spend a day going to the different monuments and museums and the second heading out to georgetown. I would recommend the Renaissance Mayflower. It is walking distance (4 to 6 blocks) to all the major museums, monuments, and the white house (although not open for tours).

Just another word of caution about crowds at that time of year in DC. If the Easter holiday falls before or after the week you plan on being in DC please be aware that thousands of school children descend on DC to tour museums and sightsee, sometimes reserving an entire day of sightseeing at some establishments and blocking the everyday visitor from the experience. Also, did you consider flying into Dulles (IAD) rather than BWI? International flights do utilize DCA.

Bill-I fly internationally several times a year, and I've never been able to get a direct flight from DCA, always go from Dulles. I have connected through New York from DCA, but that's not an international flights. What airlines do this at DCA, and to where? It's a much more convenient airport for me, so I'd love to know.<BR><BR>Dennis, glad we convinced you to stay away from the 'burbs! Even though I live in Virginia, DC's my first choice.

hey - thanks once again<BR><BR>i'm spending a couple of days in boston before my trip to washington dc. <BR><BR>my flights are lhr-bos then bos-bwi (dca is about &pound;100 more expensive) and then dca-jfk-lhr. where abouts is dulles and what transportation options are there??<BR><BR>to tell you the truth, i'm often happy enough just walking and looking at the monuments, buildings etc most of the time and just taking in the scenery, atmosphere and surroundings rather than tours round museums and the like - i know i'm probably missing out but its just being there thats best for me...although i am tempted to extend my stay by a few days after all these suggestions.<BR><BR>shame the white house is closed to tours...that would really interest me - i presume its since sept 11th - had the same problem in march at the chicago board of trade and mercantile exchange - the two places i really wanted to visit again were both closed to the public.<BR><BR>not too bothered about crowds as long as i can still get a good deal!<BR><BR>keep the suggestions coming please<BR><BR>thanks...dx

DCA is not an international airport; it is quite small and has fairly short runways -- and no room to expand because it is practically downtownm. Though there are now some longer flights, few flights of three hours or more fly to/from DCA. <BR>Dulles is about 25 miles west of downtown in Virginia; BWI is 30 miles northeast, close to Baltimore. Options for transport between downtown and thes two have been discussed here recently. Search using BWI or Dulles. <BR>Enjoy your stay.

The Park Hyatt is a very nice hotel with a good restaurant (which I think serves afternoon tea). The Radisson is OK. It's a short walk from both to the Dupont Circle or Foggy Bottom Metro. <BR><BR>I used to live in the neighborhood, and I often walked to Georgetown or Adams-Morgan (diverse restaurants, shops, and clubs) or down to the Mall, where the monuments and museums are. It's also nice to stroll along Massachusetts Avenue (aka Embassy Row) or Connecticut Avenue (shops, restaurants). <BR><BR>Shopping-wise, Pentagon City (Foggy Bottom metro) and Chevy Chase (Dupont Circle metro) have large, upscale malls. <BR><BR>If the cherry blossoms are blooming, I would walk around and enjoy them. <BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR><BR><BR>