Will be traveling to D.C. in July. Want to do all the touristy things - especially the "Smithsonian". Does anyone know of a close, safe & inexpensive place to stay. Does such a place exist. Thank You!

Such a place does not exist becuase the Smithsonian runs over 15 sites, so you can't be close to all of them. Go to their web site, get acquanted with their offerings, look at a map of DC.

Some people might be able to offer suggestions if you are more specific as to what your idea of "close" is, as well as "inexpensive." There are only a very limited number of hotels within 1-2 blocks of the Mall, which is where most of the Smithsonian buildings are. You may not even want to go to some of them, though, so it depends which ones you want to be near. I'll tell you right now, I think the cheapest hotels right near the Mall are simply two Holiday Inns, those are the closest and cheapest. I would not choose a hotel that way myself as the selection is so limited, you can find better deals elsewhere and take the metro to attractions, but some families do like staying in those HOliday Inns for convenience. If you just mean by close something within a couple miles, or within the central DC area, there are plenty more hotels (preferable IMO). Check out www.dcaccommodations.com, they seem to have reasonable deals.

We stayed at the Howard Johnson on (I think) Massachusetts Avenue, and walked to everywhere from there -- but, then again, we don't mind walking long distances. Their rate in December was $59 for two double beds (no breakfast); I think this was a post-September 11 "special", but it wouldn't hurt to ring them and say you had heard about that rate.

Try the Hotel Harrington. It's a little old but good size rooms and inexpensive. Across from Hard Rock & ESPN. Near the Metro and as close as your can get to the Smithsonian.