WA DC for limited walking seniors
 

We are planning a sr trip to WA DC and need hotel advice on where we can stay for limited walking. Our trip plans are in Oct and we will be flying into Reagan (DCA) airport. We are thinking about staying at the Marriott Key Bridges in Arlington, which looks close to the metro. Any suggestions?

What's your budget? and what do you want to see? I would choose to stay within walking distance of the national mall if possible.

I wouldn't stay near the National Mall -- I'd stay in an area near a metro with good restaurants! :-) Obviously, a personal choice that depends on the OP's priorities. I think we'd need to know more to suggest an area.

Sorry -- I could have been clearer....

The Mall and the museums surrounding it are wonderful, but even a very circumscribed plan for that part of the city can make for a lot of walking, and there are few metro stops right by the Mall, so if long walks aren't preferred, taxis might be the best way to get to / from the monuments and museums by the Mall.

IME, once one has gotten back to your hotel and relaxed a bit, it can be nice to walk just a block or two to a great restaurant.

And being near a metro means easy access to the airport, sites a bit removed from the Mall, etc.

Hope that helps!

How limited is limited? 1 block? 5? Stairs? Taking a taxi or Uber might be the way to go - with security barriers and just layout, many museums and monuments are a bit of a hike even from the curb if dropped off right in front. Add Metro walk to that can obviously make it longer.

Our budget is to stay near $2,500 (airfare & hotel) per couple. We have a White House request in and confirmation for a Capitol visit. Looking at booking a hotel at the Marriott Key Bridges in Arlington which looks like it is close to the metro. A couple blocks slow walking can be done but wondering if scooters can be rented and used in Washington?

How much is your hotel budget PER NIGHT and the dates you will be there?

I have stayed at the Marriott Key Bridge. While it is not far from the Metro, it is uphill from the hotel to it and there is a plaza to pass through that you have to go up / down stairs through so it is not as easy as it looks. I think one of the hotels near Penn Quarter would be a lot easier (budget difference aside).

I think renting a scooter in Washington DC would be a quick way to go from restricted mobility to no mobility.

I have also stayed at the Marriott Key Bridge. In your situation, I'd personally choose a hotel in Penn Quarter or DuPont Circle, in either case as close to the metro entrance as you can get.

I recommend you take an Old Town Trolley Tour of the monuments--you don't hsve to get off, if you don't want to, at each of the stops. It's a nice tour and saves a lot of walking.

Thank you all so much for your comments especially the scooter advice (totally funny). Looks like I better check out a few more hotels
Thanks Again!

"A couple of blocks slow walking" - makes me wonder what arrangements there are for those with physical disabilities at the White House. It is going to be at least that distance from where a taxi could drop you to the actual White House. You can't get within about a block of the White House with a vehicle. Then you have to walk into the new Visitors' Center and then to the White House itself. It may not sound like much of a distance, but it really is I estimate the equivalent of a couple of blocks.

Well a few blocks slow walking I think our friend can do. Any suggestions of moderate hotels in DuPont Circle or Penn Quarter! I'm looking at The DuPont Circle Hotel on New Hampshire Ave.

Well, I wouldn't consider The DuPont Circle Hotel "moderate", but I have stayed there a few times. Very nice hotel, modern, fantastic location, good restaurant (and near many more). The rooms are not very large, but they are nicely decorated.

We had a quick weekend in DC that included limited walking and it was fantastic!

Stayed at the W next to the White House. Walked to Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner. Returned back to the W for seating at their rooftop bar. I requested the White House view but we could also see the Washington Monument - as well as all of DC stretched out in front of us.
http://www.wwashingtondc.com/pov
http://povrooftop.com/

http://www.ebbitt.com/

We also went to see a great show a couple of blocks away -
http://www.capsteps.com/
If you like politics (either side) you'll love The Capitol Steps. Fast paced and funny musical sketches. Lots of fun.

We made reservations at the DuPont Circle Hotel and from the comment for the W hope to enjoy a cocktail and view at the rooftop bar. Thanks again for all suggestions on this forum. Now on to planning sightseeing - any ideas?

I don't know whether it's necessary in October, but when we went to the W rooftop bar a couple of summers ago, we had a reservation and would not have gotten in if we hadn't had one.

There's a very nice restaurant right around the corner from the hotel - Circa. Also, Rasika West(fabulous upscale Indian) is not too far -- easy Uber or taxi ride.

Again I don't know about October, but IF the DuPont Circle farmers market is still on when you're there, definitely visit - it's a fantastic farmers market.