Pentagon/Arlington VA Best Western
 

First trip to the area (Washington DC).<BR>Has anyone stayed at the Pentagon Best Western? Dining suggestions. Have teenagers and seniors aboard. Any other tips for the area?

I stayed directly across the street from that hotel (Glebe Rd, right) at an Econolodge. BW appeared to have a restaurant, but don't know. Didn't seem to be a lot to do in the neighborhood - it's on a well-traveled road w/ no sidewalks. But Both the BW and the EL have free shuttles to the Metro, at the Pentagon City Fashion Mall.

One of my favorite DC area restaurants isn't too far from there (again, I'm assuming it's on Glebe Road, too). Can't remember which side of Glebe Road it's on, but you want to get back on Glebe Road in the direction of signs for 395. Don't get on 395. Stay on Glebe Road (it curves sharply around to the left). Take a right on Mount Vernon Avenue (you will see a small shopping center on the left). Go to 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. You'll probably have to park across the street.<BR><BR>The restaurant is RT's Seafood. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food's excellent. It gets pretty crowded.<BR><BR>Also, you're not all that far from Old Town Alexandria. To get there, stay on Glebe Road until you come to a "T" with a light (Audi dealer on your right). Make a left. This is Route 1. Stay on this (again, sharp curve to the left, over a bridge). This will take you right into Old Town, and you will hit King Street. If you park on the street, examine the street signs VERY closely. Some are zoned until 10 or 11 p.m., while others are zoned on Saturday or Sunday. There are some garages--try one on Union Street. It's only $5 for the day.<BR><BR><BR>Some good restaurants there: Cajun Bangkok (ecclectic menu, with regular Thai/Chinese dishes and Cajun dishes, and some combined. Great food, but rarely crowded), Bilbo Baggins (Queen Street, near the river), Union Street (Union St., near river), the Warehouse (King Street, near river, run by RT's people), Geranio (Italian, on King Street), Hard Times Cafe (King Street, further from the river, close to King Street metro. Chili and burgers. Very cheap, good food).<BR><BR>One place that's fun is the Fish Market (on King Street, just up from Union St.). The food's decent (not spectacular), but they have a piano bar upstairs. We used to go all of the time in college, and are rediscovering it recently. Big mix of crowd, from families with kids to college kids to 20&amp;30 somethings to senior citizens. There is a cover ($4, I think).

If you're coming east on Glebe (toward Potomac River) and want to go to Old Town Alex., turn RIGHT on US 1, and head south. Left would take you to DC. In under 10 minutes you'll come to King Street ... here, turn left toward the Potomac River. By the way, your motel is very close to Shirlington Village ... ask your front desk for directions. Carlyle Grill is a good place to eat in the Village, and there are seveal others. The restaurant RT can be found quite easily: again, south on Gelbe, and right on Mt. Vernon Avenue. RT will be on your right in about one minute. There is an excellent Thai place immediately across the street. You can continue on Mt. Vernon and you'll find other restaurants. Eventually this will bring you to King Street, where you turn left to go to Old Town. Get a good map, and you'll have no problems at all. Ciao

Whoops. Thanks L. I hope I didn't get anyone lost.