Just saw this. My DH and I lived in the Md. suburbs but went to DC often and actually spent our honeymoon there. Our hotel was a Hyatt near Union Station--since then, many hotels have sprung up in that area. If you google "Hotels near Union Station" you can see what's current. You could easily walk from that area to Library of Congress and NGA if you are in reasonable shape.

There are "piles" of restaurants in the general area. Library of Congress is, in my book, a "don't miss". I agree with kja's restaurant recco at Museum of Amerian Indian. It's pricey but very good. It is near Air and Space and the Botanic Gardens.

Thanks TDudette,

You are welcome, IMD. Also do check the Circulator busses--if they aren't free, they're inexpensive.

Thanks, again. If the weather is agreeable we will try and walk as much as possible.

In the wedding business here in DC, I've been around! Foggy Bottom has a new Courtyard Marriott not far from the Metro stop, but it is a walk to restaurants. Consider Penn Quarter (near Verizon Center/Chinatown) since there are tons of restaurants, museums and attractions + 2 key Metro stops to get you anywhere. Hotel Monaco on F St. is cool, retro, interesting luxury. That area is as close as we get to Manhattan (not too close, though :) Alexandria, agreed - takes a while to get into DC if you just want to do the city! Recommend staying in DC proper, wherever you decide. Note: Commuter trains out of Union Station may be very limited on weekends!!

Thanks Beacihes but we were married just after the Civil War. We do not have to emulate Manhattan, bust because DC has an interesting selection of restaurants we thought it would nice to be near to that and convenient to a Metro stop. We have been traveling independently for a long time and can easily adapt. He just do not want to come home and find out how much was available to us when we were away and missed it. I am sure this has happened to all of us.

Hi, IMDonehere.

If you want to visit DC, my advice would be to stay in DC. You can always zip out to Old Town on the metro. Obviously, since I live here and think it's the best neighborhood in town, I'm plugging Dupont Circle. My neighbors own and rent this place: http://www.vrbo.com/186865.

We stayed there for a few weeks last February when we got flooded out of our apartment. It's gorgeous, and Ann and Roy are wonderful hosts.

There are dozens and dozens of restaurant choices within minutes, and the Dupont Circle metro is about a 7-minute walk. Foggy Bottom is fine, but in Dupont Circle you'll have about 100 times more food choices - every imaginable cuisine at every price point. Great farmer's market on Sundays, too.

St Cirq~that place is lovely!!

Thanks for the tip.

I almost missed the latest entries on this topic.

It looks like a splendid place. My wife prefers apartments, while I prefer hotels, so we will let you know in which apartment we will be staying. That might change if another couple comes with us.

We have, however, narrowed down the areas to Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter.

Thanks again.