We are staying at the Grand Hyatt in DC from the 2nd of January for 3 nights. Where should we eat? I have heard it is unsafe to walk around at night in DC? We would not want to eat in the hotel, preferring something cheaper and hopefully nicer. Do you have any recommendations? How do you book a tour of the White House? What should we do with such limited time in DC? We will arrive mid afternoon on the 2nd and leave early on the 5th. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 boys age 10 and 12yrs. Many thanks Kate

Re safety, it depends on the area. You will probably feel comfortable walking around areas like Dupont Circle, which have a lot of nightlife. However, you'll want to steer clear of the touristy areas, like the White House and the Washington Monument, because those areas are a bit more deserted and get sketchy after hours. (I rarely feel uncomfortable anywhere, so I've ignored my own advice -- and got scolded by a taxi driver for being in those areas at night!)

Re dinner, my personal favorite is Bangkok Bistro (for Thai) in the Georgetown area. Casual, inexpensive, and yummy.

You are near a ton of great restaurants in the Gallery Place area. The area you are in is not unsafe at night - there are so many restaurants (and the Verizon Center - hockey or basketball in January) that there will always be people around.

I would just walk a few blocks toward 7th St NW and pick something (there are some chains, like Clyde's or Chipotle or California Tortilla), but I'd go for non-chains, like Jaleo's or the old standby of Old Ebbitt (over by 14th St), or McCormick and Schmick if you like seafood. I also love Rosa Mexicana and Zola's or Zaytinya's, but they are a little more expensive and may not be great with the kids.

Up by Dupont, try Pizzeria Paradiso (yum!).

Oh, as to what to do...what are your interests? Definitely walk around and see the monuments (or take the hop-on/hop-off trolley, if it's really cold). The Smithsonian museums are all free (Natural History and Air and Space are probably best for kids). Visit the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The boys might like the Spy Museum (not free). You can watch money being printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

I am also partial to the zoo, but only if you have a really nice day in January.

I believe for a tour of the White House you need to write your congress rep for tickets. You can do this thru the internet. I am assuming you are living in the US. If not go to the White House web site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/

You're definitely in a safe area at night. Other restaurants you may wish to consider in your neighborhood, that your boys might like also, are Ella's Woodfired Pizza, District ChopHouse, Capitol Q, and Matchbox. If you're looking for something quick, you can check out the local favorite hamburger chain, 5 Guys.

I agree with all of the above suggestions for things to do - you might also want to check out the Newseum (not free) and the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum (free and near the Spy Museum) - my 9 year old sister loved the Presidential portraits. Also, the American History Museum will be re-opening in November and that's a great one to do with kids, as is the Natural History Museum.

For a fun lunch while checking out the museums on the mall, go to the cafeteria at the American Indian Museum. Enjoy!

You are in luck because the city is going to be pretty empty that time of year.

thanks for your feedback, we also love Japanese food, does anyone have any recommendations on sushi bars or Yakatori Bars? We come from New Zealand so not sure if we can ask a congressman to let us tour the White House, I will try though. We would love to go to a Basketball game, how would we arrange that? Regards Kate

Basketball info:
http://www.nba.com/wizards/schedule/index.html

Sushi:
http://www.thesushiaoi.com/
(quick walk from your hotel)

http://kazsushibistro.com/
(quick metro ride to Farragut West)

Here's some info on visiting the White House. You may not be able to walk through because -- the above poster is right -- you have to submit your request through a member of Congress. However it looks as though you'd be able to see the visitor's center.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/

Try contacting your Embassy--they may be able to help with the White House tour.

I can't imagine where you got information that is it unsafe to walk around in the evening anywhere in the entire city. I don't think there is any city in the world like that, for heaven's sake, this is the US capital! The area around the Grand Hyatt is perfectly safe. It is always so irritating when I read such ridiculous advice like that, you'd think this was Bagdad.

There are plenty of hotels around to choose, I don't know how the rates compare -- try Jury's near Dupont Circle or even the Marriott which is very central (might be cheap on that date, actually).

It could be really freezing, January is usually the coldest, although you might get lucky and have it be in the 30s.

They do have tours for some groups, so maybe your embassy would have a list they are putting together, it's worth a try. I did it when anyone could take the self-guided tour just by standing in line. It was interesting, I enjoy seeing historical houses. However, I guess it is true that a lot of prime minister/president residences in the world don't have tour groups trouping through them daily.

I agree with Christina re the crime -- I'd be more concerned about the possibilty of being freezing walking around at night in January than worried about crime. It's a big city and you need to use street smarts just as u would in any big city anywhere in the world. Enjoy your trip

Unless you, hubby or the kids are trying to buy drugs or sex, the odds of running into anything bad in DC is very remote.

The idea that the around the White House and Washington Monument get sketchy at night is flat out wrong.

When I first came to DC I used to work nights and park in the ellipse (between the White House and the WM) and the most violent/disgusting thing I saw in that area was a bunch of aging yuppies trying to dance to BB King playing "The Thrill is Gone" at a White House lawn party.

It's a boring, dead-at-night area but sketchy only to the terminally timid.

There's no need to go to Dupont or Georgetown for dining. You're an easy (and safe) walk to a much better dining area -- Penn Quarter.
Zaytinya, Jaleo, Rasika and other gems are all close. Brasserie Beck Acadiana, Ceiba, DC Coast, Tosca and TenPenh are also easy walks in different directions.

Plus the Chinatown area has plenty of good spots for the kids, including Capital Q BBQ and one of the better Five Guys Burgers, a local institution.

DC itself isn't a great place for Asian food. Most of the better places, especially Thai are in the suburbs.

For basketball, s the Verizon Center is just a few blocks down the street from the Hyatt. If you can't catch the Wizards, a top college program -- Georgetown -- also plays many games there.

thanks, I must say I was surprised DC was not safe considering it is the capital. Thanks for all your info. I will look into the Marriott, we can cancel the Hyatt. Thats also a great idea asking our embassy, I will do that. I know it will be cold, we are coming to ski in Vail so will have all our ski clothes with us. cheers Kat

If you're doing the standard tourist things, the area around the Hyatt (and other hotels in that area (including at least 3 Marriott properties) are more convenient than Dupont Circle.

I'd look at the Courtyard on 9th and F(?), which is convenient to both the Mall and basketball. Likewise, the Marriott Metro Center and the JW Marriott are both walking distance from the Mall and Verizon.

Dupont Circle is a nice area, but it doesn't stand out as much as it did even 5 years ago.