This will be my first time in the Washington DC area. I've been reading thru all the helpful suggestion on this forum, but I can't decide between staying in Old Town Alexandria or in DC itself. I do want to see all the popular attractions, but Old Town seems like a very cool place to lodge and explore. I'm also not very keen on the ultimate toristy environment. I only have three and a half days on th elast weekend in April - would it be smart (or a hasle) to stay in VA and commute to the sights on the other side? If so i'm leaning towards the DuPont area (based on this forum) Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

if it were my first trip DC, I would stay in Dupont. It's much more convenient than Old Town (which I think isn't all that much to write home about anyway). Being in the city while sightseeing is a huge advantage.

Old Town is so charming- I'd stay there. You can take the metro from King Street to all the museums/attractions in DC. There are hotels right near the station as well as on the section of King St. nearer the shops and restaurants toward the Potomac.

Old Town is just fine, and a nice place to spend a bit of time, but it does have a more touristy feel than Dupont Circle - tourist oriented bars/restaurants/gift shop type businesses. Dupont Circle has much more the feel of an area lived and worked in by the natives (or transplants!), and is more convenient for hitting the sights.

I went to DC for the first time last year. I stayed in Dupont Circle and would definitely recommend it as an area to stay in, especially if you only have 3 and a half days.

It's handy for sightseing if you are near the Metro, has a good atmosphere in the day and at night and has plenty of good restaurants and bars.

I love Old Towne and if you kind of like the idea, go ahead and stay there, but note how far you are from the King St. Metro station -- if you are not right there, the shlep to and from will get to you.

However, I think if it were me and I only had 3 days, I'd stay near DuPont Circle -- really not terribly touristy and in fact surrounded by some wonderful neighborhodds -- and take the Metro the other way to enjoy Old Town for one of the three days.

I've stayed at both locations, as well as Arlington and even Laurel ... and I have to agree with Cassandra ... first time and limited schedule, then stay near Dupont Circle, and visit Alexandria if you wish. Chances are you'll want to spend most of your time near the National Mall area, so you'll spend much less time in the subway being at Dupont. Have a great trip!

Thank you all for the prompt and helpful responses. DC it is! Thanks again