Sandarini

Wow, you people are great with your detailed info. Thanks Again. I made reservations for the Spirit of Potomac this AM for Sunday cruise with lunch, it's a 2 hours cruise on the Potomac. I'll let everyone know how it was when we return. It is a gift for our host (sister) & family for the R&B for the week. Thanks again for the info re: other buildings to see, I saw on the Web that the Washington Monument will be closed for awhile in Sept., so I guess that is out. I'll check the web for hotel's in Crystal city or Arlington & see what I can find. Of course, would like to spend as little as possible, for just a bed for a few hours, but I know the sister & hubby won't want to drop us off in an area looks questionable.. Sandy in Oregon

Spygirl

Sandorini-you'll love the Spirit of Potomac-that's an excellent choice on your part. As for Crystal City, I think you'd like the newer Holiday Inn there-the street adjacent to it has a good Greek restaurant with a nice deck out back-Athena Pallas -and others as well (S.22rd st.) Check out the Holiday Inn on tripadvisor.com. You can practically walk to National from the hotels in Crystal City, and I would advise that it is the cheaper, easier, and wiser option than spending the night in DC.

Sandarini

Hi All--

One more quick question. Checked out expedia.com for hotels. Found Hyatt Regency Crystal City. Doubletree Hotel Crystal City for $99. excluding tax. Both look real nice & Doubletree has a nice revolving restaurant with views of monuments, etc. I think it's called Chessapeake Grill, Any info on hotels or restaurant? Spygirl, thanks for the tip about the Holiday Inn & the Greek restaurant. I'll check out tripadvisor, I forgot about that one. The two hotels I mentioned above were some of the cheapest on Expedia. thanks Again. Sandy in Oregon

Sandarini

Just booked the the Holiday Inn National Airport in Crystal City. Thanks Spygirl. I went on tripadvisor and booked direct on the Hotel site. Found the hotel site to be alot cheaper then Expedia or others. Great tip, thank you. Also, the two hotels I mentioned above, did not have good reviews on tripadvisor. thanks Again, Sandy in Oregon

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Since you say the Washington Monument will be closed is one more reason to visit the already-suggested Old Post Office (sometimes called Old Post office Pavilion) right across the street from the Federal Triangle Metro Stop & the Reagan Building. The visit to the clocktower is free, there's a decent food court in the basement, and the building, also known as "the old tooth" itself, is of interest.

"gnr" - thank you for the return to standard color ... but why not continue to do your final initials in your signature color? It's just hard to read the "body" in all pink.

momotx

I don't think the monument itself will be closed, just the grounds surrounding it b/c of construction for security enhancements. The monument should still be open and accessible from 15th street. Here is the webpage from the national parks service for the Washington Monument: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/

Hope this helps!

gnrbernstein

Mike - Then what am I thinking of then? The now Crystal City Motel (on Old Jeff Davis Hwy) used to have a "patriotic" name. Oh well, ignore my impressions then.

~gnr~

Spygirl

You're welcome, Sandy. And the Chesapeake Grill IS a good restaurant, located in the Hyatt-which is basically across the street from the Holiday Inn, should you choose to go there.

Also, do not discount the very good Boston chain restaurant Legal Sea Foods, also just across the street from Holiday Inn, on the ground floor of the Hilton. When Spygirl whizzes through this area, she stops here-it's hard to beat their seafood.

birder

Yes, Legal Sea Foods is fabulous and quite reasonably priced. Plus now they have nice flights of wines for tastings!

I honestly do not know why people think the Americana is in a shady neighborhood. It's right next to a huge expensive hotel (forget which one). Next to that are three or four very expensive and new apartment buildings. It's all extremely safe, I used to live there and walk around there all the time. Now, the Americana looks a little old and a little run down, but it doesn't look like a bad neighborhood with bums hanging around or anything like that. In fact, a college group I know spends 2 weeks there every January for their washington studies visit - it's clean, cheap and safe.

That said, if the Holiday Inn was the same price, I would stay at the Holiday Inn.

birder

Oops, forgot to say, ~gnr~ I agree with your assessment of the Crystal City Motel. Now that place is not in the best of locations and does look shady. In fact, I always got the feeling that it rents by the hour ...!

Sandarini

Thanks All for the additional info. We booked the Holiday Inn in Crystal City for $89., which I thought was a good price. We'll be sure to check out The Old Post Office. I had read about Legal Seafoods, so glad to hear it is recommended & nice to know about the Chesapeake Grill, I think a view of the city would be nice. Anyone know of any other nice restaurants with a view of the city with reasonably good food? Thanks Again for the info. PS, I thought I read that the Washington Monument being closed on the National Parks site, until sometime in 2005. I may be mistaken, but I'll check. Sandy in Oregon