Cindy

Enjoyed reading all the tips. I'm planning a trip in June for my son's 14th birthday. His 1st trip - I haven't been in about 25 years! Does anyone know about they WYNDHAM CITY CENTER HOTEL on New Hampshire Ave.? Safe area? Is it near any Metro Stations? How far from White House, etc? Any further tips would be so appreciated?

Bill I

I don't think anybody has mentioned the National Archives yet. Where you can see the original Constitution, or Bill of Rights, or Declaration of Independence, depending upon which they are displaying that day. I took 2 - 12 yr old boys there & they were fasinated by it. They bought a copy of the constitution so that they could read through it. I really enjoy going to Arlington Cemetary but the higlight for me there is the Custis-Lee House.

Polly

As a resident of the DC area, I agree that with the recommendations of using the Metro as much as possible and with packing lunch/snack/drinks, BUT DO NOT consider combining the two. Consuming any type of food or drink on Metro is illegal and can lead to arrests as a teen-age girl in the area can attest. They DO enforce that rule.

Ann

Unfortunately, since the arrest of the 12-year-old girl for eating french fries, they are not enforcing the no-eating/drinking policy as strictly any more. Kids will be warned. That's it. No ticket. The arrest was utterly stupid, but the response of no ticketing is an even dumber response.

kal

Hello,
Anybody mention the cool Einstein sculpture along Constition Ave at 21st?

Good, shady place to eat a sack lunch and take in the statue and the surroundings.

Also, a great view from the tower at the Old Post Office. Rivals the GW monument with less of a wait.
Kal

Angel

Marie, why not consider taking the city tour bus? I don't remember exactly what the name is, but it stops at all the Smithsonians, the Capitol, the Monuments, The Whitehouse, ect. Two years ago, tickets were $16 for an adult, and you can buy them right at the stops. I have been to DC twice, the first time, I used the metro, and walked... Believe me, the tour bus was so much better! We used it on two seperate days. (You can get off and re-board any time with your ticket, buses run about every 20 minutes.) They even go to Mount Vernon, and they run inside Arlington so you don't have to walk all over... believe me, Arlington is HUGE.
It really is the easiest way to get to out of the way places (like the FDR Monument,) And the guides that "host" the busses tell you things you'd never hear on your own, and each one has something different to say about a particular place!
All in All, it was one of the best things we did there, and I will use them again next time we go back.
Have fun!!
Angel

Angel

Something else I forgot to say, I completely concur with the above suggestion that you see the monuments in the later hours. We saw the Lincoln and Korean monuments at dusk. Not only was Lincoln's monument beautiful bathed in a golden light, but the Korean monument was downright erie. In the low light, it appeared the men were not metal, but alive, and ready to march right off the field... Don't worry about safety, either. As long as you stay on the mall, and other "governmental properties," you have the protection of something like five different law branches. I'm from a small town in ND, and a very paranoid traveler, but I felt perfectly comfortable there.
Okay, NOW I'm done
Happy Travels!
Angel

Jeannie

We took the Old Towne Trolley tour in October and thought it was great.

cheryl

I am also traveling to DC by car and of course found the daily rates for parking to be too much. I then found the Washington Suites Alexandria Hotel in Alexandria VA. (www.washingtonsuiteshotel.com)
They have a Deluxe Suite with sep. bedroom with 2 queens plus a pull out queen couch, a full kitchen plus living area. Free breakfast, an outdoor pool and free shuttle service to the metro and Old Town Alexandria. I got a price of $155 for AAA membership. The only thing is I don't know anything about the area other than it says it's residential. But it fits our budget and requirements.