TAW

Hello,
We (senior couple) want to visit Washington D.C (first time for both of us).
What would be the best way to do this? He can walk but not fast or for long distances. We will be there 3 - 5 nights this Fall. I have seen that there are HOHO busses...we have done that in other places and it was fine. But I know there are many places that require walking...either once inside or to get to them.
All suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance.

tchoiniere

I would not recommend the HOHO as they dont work as well in DC as other cities due to the crowds. You may end up waiting longer for an open seat than it would take to walk to the next place even given the difficulty walking. That being said, if its the fall, the crowds may be lower so they may work.

I always use a combo of taxis and Metro (buses and subway). Inside museums, just take your time and there are benches to rest, etc. I would just plan more time than a typical tourist. DC Circulator (another bus option) is supposed to be starting a Mall Route that would be just bus service but just says Spring 2015 (no commentary) but stops near many of the Monuments - until now its a longish walk or a cab ride from a Metro station)

marvelousmouse

I have travelled with relatives who have mobility issues several times. Yes, plan on moving slower. I've done metro (too much walking for gran),tours (your enjoyment depends on your preferences) and we've travelled with a wheelchair more so she would always have somewhere to sit and rest than that she needs it. Generally, we've found that the best combination is to take taxis and plan some downtime, I.e. Lengthen the trip so we don't miss anything we really want to see. I'd go with 5 or more days if you can swing it- you can easily spend an entire day in just one of the museums alone. There's so much to see in DC.

There are companies that rent mobile aids such as scooters, and she wanted to try that in Boston, but I would only do that if he has done it at home; she was too intimidated by the scooter and we ended up taking taxis anyway.

Most museums and shopping malls (actually, every big one I've been to) has wheelchairs or something along that line you can can borrow for free. Call guest services at each place you know you want to visit and ask what the procedure is for borrowing a wheelchair if he needs one.

The only other tip I have is make it so he can conserve his energy when it's not important to spend it. For example: eat in or near the hotel instead of going out every meal. At the airport, ask for ADA help between gates or gates and the taxi stand or metro station. That's a big one for my parents- that way, he won't be exhausted simply by walking through the airport; someone will meet you with a wheelchair and just wheel him to your next stop in the airport. That way- you can handle the carryons, and won't have to worry about helping him, and you'll move a lot faster. Takes a lot of stress out of the trip.

Good luck! Have a fabulous time

TAW

Thank you. Forgot to ask about lodging. What area should we try for? Don't want to have to ride Metro or bus a long way each day to/from hotel. We are comfortable with chains such as Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Residence Inn, etc. Would prefer a place that provides free breakfast. Would like to stay under $250/nt if possible. Thanks again. Our dates are flexible right now and will probably be late Sept/early Oct, 2015.

marvelousmouse

Did you do a search for other threads discussing hotels? Here is one I had bookmarked. There are probably ones more recent.

marvelousmouse

And I forgot to post the link lol

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...c-171051-2.cfm

longhorn55

I agree with Tchoinere that HO/HO buses do not work well if you intend to get on and off for sightseeing, but they do work well if you have mobility issues and want a narrated tour of the city sights. Just stay on for all of the loops and you'll get a good overview of the city. I would recommend Old Town Trolleys simply because they offer live narration, not a pre-recorded spiel.

For hotel recommendations, I suggest you go to the Washington D.C. forum on Trip Advisor. If you can't find something by searching through the multitude of previous threads on the topic of hotels in D.C., I'd be very surprised. If you want to post your own thread asking for help locating a hotel, be sure to read the Top Question to the right of the page that's in ALL CAPS and lists the information you need to provide--exact dates, budget, number of beds, etc.

flpab

Cabs are really not badly priced in DC. We did the trolley one time thinking it would be a good way to get around. Big mistake. We would wait so long at stops and they aren't even marked in DC. I would check and see if some places you visit might have wheelchairs.

nytraveler

I would agree on using wheelchairs wherever possible - at airports, inside the museums (which can be huge) and taking taxis between them.

Can't comment on the buses since we have never done that - but distances in DC - esp the mall - are long - and frankly I think seeing just the outside of everything is boring. And trying to use a HoHo bus can mean long wait standing at stops for the next to arrive.

happytrailstoyou

I am very familiar with this problem. First, decide that you simply are not going to be able to see everything you would like to see if both of you could race from here to there.

Second, It requires a lot of patience to be a good walking companion for a person who must walk slowly and rest often. Walk not even a tiny bit faster than the slow walker, and pause for rest whenever the slow walker wants to rest.

Most of the people I walk with seem to think I can walk a tiny bit faster than I walk and that I should rest for less time that I feel I need to rest. We end up in a very subtle and gentle tug-of-war. It is well intentioned, but it is also very frustrating to a person with diminished capacity.

HTtY

KTtravel

Good suggestions here. I would echo trying to borrow wheelchairs at everyplace they are available.

I would try to prioritize your sightseeing and choose to first visit those sites that are at the top of the list in case you run out of energy or need to slow your pace. After all, you want the trip to be enjoyable!

I hope you have a great time.

BigRuss

Ditto the wheelchair - will be most useful on The Mall.

NewbE

And in museums. The distances between buildings and monuments along the Mall are great, and then once you get inside the museum of your choice, you'll discover it's huge! DC is impossible to see without walking a lot, so I'm just repeating what others have said: walk at your own pace, however slow it may be; rest whenever necessary; take cabs as often as possible to conserve your strength; choose your attractions carefully; use wheelchairs whenever they're available.

One idea is to hire a taxi to drive you around the monuments at night--or during the day, if you prefer.

I agree that the HOHO bus is a good idea only if you plan to ride it all the way around; the getting on and off bit can be sketchy, and would waste your energy.

Good luck! It's a wonderful city to visit, and I hope you are able to enjoy it even with some limitations.

Christina

That's a high rate period, but you should be able to get a decent central hotel for $250 or less. Don't just book some cheap deal you find that says DC and is a chain name, it could be far in the NE in an undesirable area or way out (like NY Ave or Bladensburg RD).

The big Hilton (1919 Connecticut) above Dupont Circle often has deals that would be in that budget and it is a big hotel so lots of restaurants right there, and services. But it is a bit of a hike to the metro station if you intend to use that (and I don't think I'd recommend that, especially Dupont Circle metro station). If you don't intend to you metro, it's not that far out at all. Others in that budget are probably the Best Western on NH Avenue near Washington Circle which would be okay and is closer to a metro, but there is that circle issue and navigating around that to get to the metro stop on the other side isn't something I'd suggest, either. The BW would include free breakfast, as you know.

The Fairfax on Embassy Row might be a good idea and they do often have deals in that price range. Pleasant neighborhood and not far from the Mall however you go.