How to vacation like a local in DC
 

Five os us will be going to Washington DC for 7 days in July (mom, dad, 10, 7 and 5 year olds). We're staying at the new Residence Inn Capital DC. It's located at 333 E st. SW which says it's a few blocks from the air and space museum. I have a few questions that maybe a local (or someone familiar with the city) can help with.

Is this a safe location? We'll be coming in early most nights, but want to see the Washington monument and some others in the evening on a few nights. If we go to Washington monument at night, should we take the subway back, or take a cab? or walk?

Do we need a car? We live in southern California and, unfortunately, are totally unfamiliar with the concept of public transportation - but as part of the adventure we'd like to try it. I think our hotel is close to the metro and I read that it is safe and efficient but relatively expensive. Also, I think we could tour Arlington and Mt. Vernon by taking the tourmobile.

Should we get a car for the last few days to go sightseeing outside the city? We'll be in DC for 7 nights - we wanted to have enough time to not have to rush too much.

Lastly... any tips on relatively inexpensive local places to eat around there? We'll have breakfast at the hotel, but would like to "live like locals" for some of the time.

This is longer than I'd meant it to be. Thanks ahead of time to anyone who was willing to read and respond.

I can answer a couple of your questions. I am not sure where the new Resdience Inn is exactly, and hope that someone local will answer you, because in general that is a mixed area, and not walkable. However, you could call the hotel and ask them about the nearest metro, and the safety of walking to and from it. The metro is definitely the way to get around rather than trying to drive and park. I would take a cab at night. You can get to Arlington on the tourmobile. Mt. Vernon is not hard to get to by metro and train, but I don't believe the tourmobile goes out there.
BTW, don't worry about being unfamiliar with public transportation, I have found that kids immediately figure out how to use the metro and guide the adults through it!
There's more than enough to keep you busy in Washington, so unless you have something specific you want to do outside, I wouldn't worry about that. As always, I recommend getting in touch with your local Congressman or Senator and asking them to send you a packet of information and arrange tours for you. Besides the Capitol and White House (which has limited accessibility nowadays) the Library of Congress tour is great.
Vera

The hotel is in a fine neighborhood, but there isn't much around it. It was built with partial ownership by Indian tribes and is near the Indian Museum. It is basically in an office portion of the city, which will be bustling during the day but vacant at night. I wouldn't consider it dangerous or unsafe, but just empty.

You also aren't going to find any restaurants nearby. Fortunately, you can go one or two more stops to Capitol South or Eastern Market where there will be many more restaurants. Among the places worth checking out are Banana Cafe (cuban, mexican) or Mr. Henrys.

If you buy the latest edition of Fodors Washington DC, it should have a good Metro map. The one I used a few years ago did. I studied it before my trip and had no problems getting where I wanted to go.

Lee Ann

I hope you and your family have a wonderful time here in DC. You should have no trouble using Metro to do most of what you will want to see. To clarify, however, you can get to Mt. Vernon using a combination of metro and bus (details are on the Mt. Vernon website), but there is no metro or train service that goes directly out there. There is a tourmobile package that goes to Mt. Vernon and the price of admission is included in the tourmobile price. It only goes once a day at noon, however.

I'm not a local, but I have spent some time in DC. It happens to be one of my favorite places to visit! Last fall I took a group of 12 high schoolers, which required quite a bit of research. I have our 4.5 day schedule in a spreadsheet. It is aggressive, yet efficient and flexible. If you'd like, I'd be happy to email it to you to work from. My email address is: [email protected].

I second the recomendation to tour the Library of Congress. It is one of my favorite's. The building is beautiful, and the exhibits are fascinating as well.

Another favorite is the Pentagon. These tours a a little more difficult to do since you have to be in a group. It is definately worth trying, though. It features a visit to the spot where the plane hit on 9/11. It is a moving memorial where you will have the opportunity to sign a guestbook which will be sent to the family of one of the victims.

I would suggest not getting a car if you can manage a trip to Mt. Vernon without one. I haven't been there, so I'm not sure of the feasability. You do not want to try driving in the city. The metro is very convenient, easy, and not expensive. I second the suggestion to buy the Fodor guide and use the map.

Be sure to contact your Senator or Representative soon. They can help setup tours of the Capitol, as well as other attractions. The earlier you contact them the more options you will have.

The memorials at night are beautiful, but should be visited during the day as well. The new WWII memorial is a great night visit. There are night tourmobile tours available. Personally, I prefer the metro to tourmobile's because of the cost and I am in good walking shape. If your kids will get tired from walking though, you may want to invest in the tourmobile. Either way, wear walking shoes!!!!

I don't know where the information came that the are is ``not walkable'' or unsafe.

It's an OK location, but full of govt. buildings and offices and dead at night. Not a lot of character or charm. Still it's not a bad base -- but walking there from anywhere that's open at night is unlikely because what's close isn't open late.

You're walkalbly close to the botantical garden. The SW seafood market and the SW waterfront dining (no really great kids places though)aren't that far away. Plus the cruises to Mount Vernon leave from 6th and Water St. That's a bit of a hike and with young kids, probably better in a cab.

To truly want to vacation like a local, don't see the Metro as an oddity but use it as the easiest, most efficient way to get around. A good route for you will likely be the Blue Line from your hotel (Federal Center) to the mid-Mall (Smithsonian stop) to downtown for food (Metro Center). That route should serve you well. Downtown food courts are in National Place, the Old Post Office and the Reagan Building. The ESPNZone is also a hit with some kids because of all the games and noise.

Air & Space is an easy walk from your hotel.

If the kids are truly whipped, cabs are cheap.

Thank you for the information. I feel a lot better about using the metro! And I will get that Fodors guide and will take the metro a few more stops to try some of those restraunts.

Unfortunately, we had other plans for this summer that feel through and ended up having to plan this trip with only 5 weeks notice. We were planning on going next year and getting tickets from our senators or congressman way in advance. But we were too late and at this point they have nothing left for July.

Thank you for all your great ideas.

Even if your Congressmen do not have tours available, be sure to stop by their office to pick up tickets to the Senate and House chambers. You need tickets to enter the chamber, even if you are not on a tour. The tickets are for the entire session, so you don't have to pick them up on the same day that you actually visit the Capitol.

Look into a boat tour to Mount Vernon, details are on their website. Your kids are at a good age for that. The area of your hotel is fine, just not crowded at night. Nothing to be afraid of. Enjoy the mall and the monuments during the evening.

I would be interested in a boat tour to Mount Vernon. Can you please give me the website address? I couldn't find any reference to a boat tour.

From Mount Vernon's website http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/plan/index.cfm/pid/29/

Boat
Include a trip on the Potomac in your journey to Mount Vernon! The Potomac Spirit offers cruises from Washington, D.C., and the Miss Christin sails from Alexandria.

The Potomac Spirit
Take a 6 1/2 hour roundtrip cruise aboard the Potomac Spirit from Washington, D.C., or choose a one-way trip either arriving at or departing from Mount Vernon. All cruises include admission to Mount Vernon with the exception of the one-way cruise that departs from the estate.

Cruises are offered Tuesday through Sunday from March 13 through September 5 and Friday through Sunday from September 10 through October 24. The Potomac Spirit docks at Pier 4 at 6th and Water Streets, SW in Washington, D.C. The departure time is 8:30 a.m. with arrival at Mount Vernon scheduled for 10:00 a.m. The Spirit departs Mount Vernon at 1:30 p.m. and returns to Pier 4 in Washington at 3:00 p.m.

Roundtrip fare includes admission to Mount Vernon.

Adults - $35
Senior Citizens - $33
Children ages 6 through 11 - $29 Children 5 and under - FREE

For more information contact the Spirit of Washington at 1-866-211-3811 or visit www.cruisetomountvernon.com