Kristi

geez, no need to get testy. I actually work in Capitol Hill (I assume you consider the Hart building as Capitol Hill) and live in the city, and I consider the Phoenix Park part of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. We just might have to agree to differ in our definitions . . .

I also never suggested (if you read my e-mail) that anyone allow 10 and 12 year olds to walk around any part of the city alone. I merely said that there are restaurants, bookstores and movie theaters in Dupont (as well as Friendship Heights and Old Town) that would be perfectly safe for Janet to walk WITH her grandchildren to. I only meant to contrast these areas with some parts of downtown (Rosslyn, etc.) where there is little, if anything, to walk to in the evening after sightseeing.

As a 10 year resident of DC, I am well aware that our crime problem is somewhat over-blown. However, there are areas that offer evening destinations (for a 10 and 12 year old ACCOMPANIED by their grandparents) and those that don't. I frankly don't see whay you think these kids would not enjoy some of the restaurants, theaters, shops, etc. of Dupont. There's obviously no place in DC that is kid-centered -- IF you only think theme parks and playgrounds are appropriate for kids.

V

Well, Kristi, as an actual long-time CH resident (much more than ten years, I cxan assure you, of course I view Hart as a CH feature (anything along Const. would be). But CH doesn't extend down to NJ Avenue and along that portion of Mass. It's not a definitional problem. I know we have a lot of pages and short-term aides on CH, and they of course live elsewhere in DC and thus are not that familiar with CH area of the city. No, the DuPont Circle area is not appropriate for kids, and no, DC doesn't have shopping malls as you no doubt did in your hometown. These people have found a perfectly acceptable hotel near CH, and even though you obviously don't live in the CH area, it would be appropriate for them. I do not care where they stay ... it's just that they have made an arrangement, and for some reason you are suggesting they move up someplace else, in the NW area. Are you sure you're being helpful to them?

Christina

I'm a resident of DC, maybe not so good on the visitor thing, but I think the Embassy Suites idea was a very good one. I don't think of Union Station as being kid-oriented in terms of shops and restaurants very much at all; it's more upscale shops for commuters, etc., it's not like a surburban shopping mall. Interestingly, I used to live and work on Capitol Hill also and I and everyone I know would consider Phoenix Park to be Capitol Hill, well, not "squarely" in Cap Hill, that's true, but with outsiders you have to call an area something not just "that area at the intersection of xxxxx", it is definitely more Capitol Hill than Downtown, that's for sure. I you were going to stay around there, I think the Holiday Inn Capitol Hill is supposed to be a good choice for families (check Fodors and Frommers). I will be honest I don't know what you're supposed to do with kids at night for "entertainment", what happened to kids not running around at night, eating dinner, watching a little TV and going to bed early? Young children aren't supposed to be out on the town. I personally don't think Dupont Circle is very good for kids--it is an adult-oriented area more than some other parts of town as a lot of the residents are not families (most of them it seems to me are not families, mainly singles of various demographics), and some of the restaurants recommended (like Pizza Paradiso, Bistrot du Coin, most of those suggested) are not for kids IMO, nor are the bookstores around there (they aren't like Borders with kids sections, that's for sure). I eat in those places at times and don't remember seeing kids there and don't think they should be. There are a few more casual or less adult places that would be better for kids around there (ie, Anna Maria's, that cheap Greek restaurant near metro, etc), but I just don't think of Dupont Circle for kids. I think the Woodley Park area would be far better; there are two large decent hotels that are nice, very close to metro, close to zoo, and the restaurants around there seem a tad more family-oriented, there is certainly a wide variety (Lebanese, Indian, Italian, French, that great middle eastern place on Calvert closed I think, I'm not sure, it is different name now) and there are families in that Woodley/Cleveland Park neighborhood and nice nearby parks and areas to walk in, it's not too far from the Natl Cathedral although I'm not sure that would be of that much interest to a kid; the Uptown Theater is nearby which is a great movie experience if you want that; you just don't see kids in Visions or Dupont Circle 5 theaters and they don't show kids' films. I also think VA suburbs would be good idea. One place kids and families do seem to love which I'll mention as no one else did (far superior to Union Stn for kids, I think) is the food court in the Old Post Office bldg. This is not fine cuisine, that's true, it's a variety of takeout but not fast food like McDonalds; I think there may be other things for kids to do there, I'm not sure, but you see a lot of families in there. I think the Marriott metro center might be a good idea for downtown. Anyway, I would vote for the burbs or Woodley Park or metro center as a place to stay.

Jim Lloyd

You might want to look at the Residence Inn Pentagon City. I am going to Washington DC this summer and was able to get a two bedroom/two bath room for $197.00/night. The Embassy Suites is also a great hotel to look into, I am in addition, to staying at the Residence Inn Pentagon City, planning on staying at while at the Embassy Suites Washington DC Downtown. I was able to get a rate of about $244.00/night for a suite there.

If anyone has any comments on the Residence Inn Pentagon City, that would be great. I have posted previously although seem to get few replies.

Thanks and I hope this is of some help!

Kristi

V -- again, I think we must agree to disagree. The varied advice given on this board -- and the input of long time residents of so many cities, like you -- are what makes it such a valuable resource. I'm sure Janet and Joan have appreciated the debate, even if we have different opinions.

Liz

I went to DC 2 summers ago with 13 and 9 year old oys. We stayed at the Marriott at the Metro Ctr. VERY convenient - riding the metro was an activity in itself. The J.W Marriott is nice too - walk to White House with food court. The Metro Ctr. had bkfst included, indoor pool and jacuzzi. R
Friends stayed at an Embassy Suites near Georgetown I think and loved it. The metro was a little longer walk. Kids
were bored with the White House, Capital Bldng, LOVED the monuments which we saw through a tour bus, Air & Space museum and American History museum, Zoo!,the sculpture gardens on the mall.The monuments are esp. nice in the evening, all lit up. The Hyatt next to the Metro Ctr. sometimes offers a 2nd room 1/2 off. There are some nice family restaurants in walking distance and nice stores by the Metro Ctr. Call your Congressman well in advance and they'll give you a personal tour of the Capital. Lucky kids!

Joan

Kristi,
You're right I have enjoyed the debate. I have booked both Phoenix Park and the Embassy Suites and this weekend we will sit down, read all the feedback and take a vote. (2 bathrooms may still be the deciding factor with a 16 year old girl and a 17 year old boy - otherwise we may never get out to see the sights!!) Thanks for all the info