Even ten days isn't enough time! Stayed with friends in S. Arlington so have no recommendations regarding lodging, but the metro system is extremely efficient. We were a half block from a bus stop after which we transferred to the Subway and were zipped whereever we chose to go. System is very easy to use, and people are very helpful if you're confused. Traffic is extremely congested and I sure wouldn't recommend driving. Get a good guide book,(I recommend Fodors) use your city map, organize your day's plans and GO! Be prepared for lots of walking. We did the Tourmobile one day and definitely felt it was a good deal. Pay attention to when things are open, some buildings are closed on the weekends and others closed on Monday.

It's a beautiful city and we (two old women) felt safe wherever we went, but then we weren't out carousing late at night! But we are already planning to return to see some of the things we missed.

I'm glad you enjoyed our fair city. What was your favorite attraction?

Joe: It's impossible to pick a favorite. I lived and worked there in 1950-51 and have been back briefly a couple of times since, but this was the first time I had more than 2-3 days. The Korean Memorial is new and a real sobering, thought provoker. Nor had I seen the FDR Memorial before and it's a fantastic contrast to all the white marble. The major monuments/memorials are still wonderful to see. Washington shines among the capitals of the entire world and we, as citizens, should be extremely proud of it.

What is the tourmobile? Is it handicap accessible? I want to take my father in the spring but he has trouble walking/climbing stairs so I am trying to figure out how to get him around!

The Tourmobile is an open sided bus-type vehicle which you can board and depart all along its route, which includes going into Virginia for the Arlington Cemetery. It would require a few steps to board; I don't think it has a lift for anyone handicapped. It saves a lot of the walking between sites.

Just got back from DC with my mother who is 78. Great trip. I've posted some other information on another post, so I won't go into all of that again. But we ruled out the Metro (felt like my mom would be too unsteady for the escalators and needed her strength for the mall/monuments). We took cabs or drove. We did the Tourmobile. We were frustrated by the constant wait for the bus, but maybe that's just the nature of the on-again/off-again buses. It was also very, very, noisy and we couldn't hear the narration on the bus. It WAS VERY handy because we didn't need a cab or a car, it let you off close to your destination, and the price was pretty reasonable. If you go after 1 p.m., you can get 1-1/2 days on the Tourmobile for only $3.00 extra. If we had more time, we would have done this. Grayline has a similar-type trolley, as well as Old Time trolley. I would think Grayline would be a good choice. We stayed near Dupont Circle (recommended area by other Fodorites) and were very, very pleased with the area. Even late at night we never felt unsafe. Of course, it's still a city and caution is needed. Our first night, there were 3 cop cars in front of our hotel & they were frisking people. Didn't know what happened, but it made us a little more cautious during the trip. Hope this helps.

It's me again. My mom has trouble walking, but she did pretty good. I felt like she pushed herself to the limits though. If your father uses a cane (or has one), bring it JUST IN CASE he needs it. We did the White House tour at 7:30 a.m. We got tickets from our congressman and walked right in with no waiting. There were no benches or chairs there and the staning got a little long for my mom. Tour was only about 1/2 hour. The Jefferson monument had plenty of benches & an elevator. Mt. Vernon (Alexandria) had plenty of benches. FDR memorial had plenty of benches down around the Tidal basin. Vietnam/Korean memorials had benches outside near them (no overhead covering). Lincoln monument did not have benches (did have elevator). We did not go up in the Washington monument, but I understand it has an elevator. We went to the Air & Space Museum and there were lots of chairs to rest. When are you going? That would probably have an impact on how crowded it is, and if the benches are available. Hope you have a great trip!

I haven't picked a date yet, just sometime in the spring. He has a cane, but I was planning on renting a wheel chair because it takes him a long time to cover any real ground. I feel like a wheel chair will be the best way to cover the actual sightseeing, I just can't figure out how we will get the wheel chair from sight to sight. He can do normal size steps and escalators but probably couldn't get on or off a bus step. It makes it tough in a city where you can't rely on a car, but perhaps taxis are the best way to get around.

Kim when deciding on the dates your coming to D.C. try to remember we get a lot of school trips during there spring breaks. Also our weather is very odd during the Spring. In April we could be wearing shorts or gloves.Just trying to help.

Some of the tourist attractions have wheelchairs available at them. I have used one (for my father as well) at the FDR memorial and the Phillips Museum. Of course, there may not be one when you need it and I don't know how to find out if they're available at all the sights.