Our family is traveling to D.C. in a few weeks and we have the opportunity to visit there during the week or on the weekend. I think the week would be better and my husband thinks the weekend will be better. Give me some feed back please, neither of us have been there!

Hotel rates will be much cheaper on the weekend. But the attractions will be much more crowded too. Don't know how long you're staying but Marriott runs special rates when you book a Friday night stay you get to keep the same rate into the week.

I guess I am looking for the least crowds. Hotel cost is inmaterial.

I think there isn't going to be a huge difference between the week and weekend during the fall. While weekends have "weekenders," the week brings senior citizens, conventioneers, etc. etc.

In truth, Fall is the best time to come to DC because it really isn't going to be too crowded anywhere. With no school groups in town and fewer foreign tour groups it's the best time to come.

For tourist attractions like the Smithsonians, then probably the weekends are a little more crowded. But for the city in general, and including the Metro, there's no doubt that there are far fewer people on the weekends, since the working commuters are at home!

I'm not sure about DC,but in many cities (NYC for instance) there are some hotels that are cheaper on weekends and ohters that are cheaper on weekdays, it mostly depends on whether they mostly serve tourists or business people. You can get a good overview of excellent hotel rates via Capitol Reservations: washingtondchotels.com

Debbie:

You are right a whole week is needed. Especially the weekdays because I know that some places are only open during the week and not on weekends. Also, when a popular tourist place is open, it usually has longer lines.

If you are interested in any government-in-action type stuff you obviously need to go during week. You can probably get someone from your US Reps office to give you tour of Capitol, but only during week.

No idea how long you are staying, but we were there Wed-Mon and it was a perfect mix.