Taking 13 year old grandson to Washington, D.C.
 

Can you give us some direction as to accommodations and suitable sites.

Not without more information.

When will you go and for how long? What is your budget? Is your GS into science, history, politics, or just wants to see what's there? Can you walk a lot or will you rely on driving (not recommended) or cabs, public transport?

We are going in October and would like a hotel recommendation that is within walking distance to most sites and eating spots. We will not have a car.

I'm thinking most 13 yr old boys of my acquaintance would enjoy the zoo (maybe), Air and Space museum, Newseum, Spy museum and possibly engraving/printing (money and stamps!) museum. In general, seeing the monuments is most impressive after dark (but be prepared to figure out how to get around to them). In general, staying in Va. in Arlington, Crystal City, or Alex. is cheaper than in the district, but there are exceptions.

He likes history, politics and has already said he doesn't want too many gallery's. We are going from Friday to Monday on the Canadian thanksgiving, which I believe is Memorial Day. As I said, we won't have a car so walking is big.
Lovemykids

Wooops, simul-posting:

October is perfect month - nice weather, fewer tourists!

My preference has been to stay in Rosslyn (Va) near the Rosslyn or Courthouse Metro stops (Wilson Blvd etc. - many places to eat) and take the subway to the District for the sights/sites. There are some trolley circuits (hop on and hop off) that might make sense to you - think they leave from Union Station (Metro goes there).

In general, you'll be able to do what you want on foot, by Metro or occasionally by taxi. However, there's one site I really love that's about a 40 min. drive toward Dulles Airport -- it's the annex of the Air and Space Museum, and it has one of the actual space shuttles, the Concorde, several historical planes (complete) including the Enola Gay, as well as interesting related exhibits. Your son (I may be making sexist assumptions here, but my sister and I both enjoyed this immensely) might find it an impressive 1/2 day.

If we stay in Arlington, or Alexandria how do we get back and forth? Is there special transportation? And
What would you suggest?

Memorial Day in the USA is in May. Tell us your exact dates and the budget you want to spend each night and how many beds and maybe someone can make specific recommendations. As to getting around - foot, Metro (rail mostly, maybe bus) and occasionally by taxi are good.

Again, simulposting - and OK, no car, so .....

Canadian T'giving coincides with American Columbus Day weekend, so some of the office buildings may not be open, e.g. the Capitol and Senate/House Office bldgs., which is unfortunate. But don't take my word for it - check on the website. And it's worth walking around the area of the Capitol, Supreme Ct., Library of Congress, etc., even if no offices are open.

You can walk by the White House - don't know about weekend tours and unless it's a must for your GS kind of a time-consumer anyway.

Do think he'd enjoy the Newseum on Penna Ave.

FYI The Canadian Embassy is also on Penna Ave., in the thick of things near the Mall, and you might enjoy checking it out. Other impressive embassies are up Mass Ave, and there are a number of buses (N2, N4 and others) that provide a cheap tour.

Here is map of the subway system: http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

If you stay near one or another of those stops in Va on the blue/orange line (Rosslyn, Courthouse Sq) or blue/yellow line (Alex.) you'll have no trouble getting back and forth.

Look at Holiday Inn, Hampton, and similar chains in the Rosslyn/Arlington area. There are also several in Crystal City but I really don't think you'd enjoy the area -- sterile and uninteresting.

Otherwise look into http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/ - they leave from Union Station (on the Red Line).

Wondering if the Duck Tour might be fun for him/you, too - have never taken it though.

The only area a little challenging to get to is Georgetown and to its east, the Watergate/Kennedy Ctr. area.

About going up a tall tower for the view: Everyone wants to go up the Wash Monument. For my money and interest, the view from the bell tower at the Old Post Office pavilion shows you more, and doesn't usually have the same line.

Finally, if you and GS have lucky weather and a little stamina, there's a lot to be said from wandering the mall from the Lincoln Mem., looking at the VietNam Mem. as you go, and then past the Wash Monument up the Mall toward the Capitol, with all of the Smithsonian buildings on either side. Or vice versa from Capitol to Reflecting Pool/Lincoln. But it IS a hike. Take it in pieces, or cheat with a cab.

Have a GREAT trip!

All the usual buildings of interest to visitors should be open that weekend, but be prepared for large crowds because Columbus Day is the busiest tourist weekend in fall (nothing like Cherry Blossom time, though). Also it is a time for street festivals that may cause parts of some major streets to be blocked off for festivities; these are locally-oriented food and music events you might want to wander through. Check the Washington Post online for specifics close to your travel dates. October really is the best time to visit -- you should have a fine time.

HKP has given you all you can use and more. "Gallery" doesn't equate to "museum" in DC--and the Air and Space annex and the Spy Museum were HIGH on our grandson's list. Don't forget to eat great foreign food--Afghani, Ethiopian, etc.

If you have a choice, I'd stay in the District rather than in Arlington or Rosslyn. But the Metro goes to both, and they are both close to the District (a couple of stops).

But the Metro is the easiest way to get around. You buy a smartcard and then pay about $2 per ride for distances when you can't walk (the zoo, the Lincoln Memorial, etc.). There are also buses, and the Smartcard works on those too.

There are several large concentrations of hotels in DC, and all locations have their pluses and minuses. I just stayed in the Embassy Suites on the West Side (walkable in 4 or 5 blocks to 2 Metro stations, also walkable to the Lincoln Memorial and White House but a bit far from everything else). It also has a free breakfast, which saves some money, and there are some good restaurants nearby.

I really liked the hotel, but I've always stayed in the Penn Quarter area, in the Dupont Circle area, and in the Capitol Hill area and like all three; Penn Quarter and Dupont Circle in particular have a wide variety of restaurants. There are many hotels in all three areas. However, it's usually cheaper to stay in Virginia.

Have changed plans and are hoping to go may 16 for three days. Hotel recommendations?

Not to be a broken record, but what is your budget?

DC is very busy now and will probably stay so through May. You should check on line now for any places that you would like to visit that might require advanced tickets.

Did OP ever come back?

Yes, the OP cam back but won't give budget for hotels - without which one can't make recos.