Washington D.C. for a Week; Or the Best $22 Value I've Ever Received Traveling
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:58 PM
#61
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OOPSIE, typo above...I meant grind their own spices...I typed "gring" by mistake.
We're feeding the whole family, including college-age daughters and hungry son age 24, so we will be looking for moderately priced places. But if your favorite is expensive, I still want to hear about it.
We're feeding the whole family, including college-age daughters and hungry son age 24, so we will be looking for moderately priced places. But if your favorite is expensive, I still want to hear about it.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 11:12 AM
#62
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Melissa5, I am really good at finding neighborhood restaurants. But one that really stands out in D.C. wasn't. It was the Chophouse right across from the Verizon Center. They had excellent burgers but I got a beef tenderloin salad that was absolutely perfect and also hot.
One of the most tasty meals I ever had, was one that featured a specialty of the house at a restaurant called Singapore Bistro- very near to my downtown hotel at 1134 19th St. NW. It's also extremely close to the Metro.
This is one I think your family would enjoy and it is not expensive.
That meal, the one in Alexandria at the tapas place, and the ChopHouse are the three I remember now. Singapore had some unique and spicy- but also Japanese and Malaysian, I believe. That would definitely fit the bill for what you want.
In that area there were 3 or 4 good Asian and I would recommend this one- and it also had sushi choices.
One of the most tasty meals I ever had, was one that featured a specialty of the house at a restaurant called Singapore Bistro- very near to my downtown hotel at 1134 19th St. NW. It's also extremely close to the Metro.
This is one I think your family would enjoy and it is not expensive.
That meal, the one in Alexandria at the tapas place, and the ChopHouse are the three I remember now. Singapore had some unique and spicy- but also Japanese and Malaysian, I believe. That would definitely fit the bill for what you want.
In that area there were 3 or 4 good Asian and I would recommend this one- and it also had sushi choices.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 11:25 AM
#63
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I just had take-out from there this afternoon. It looks like a really cute place to have a sit down meal.
http://www.singaporebistro.com/
http://www.singaporebistro.com/
Jul 4th, 2007, 12:19 PM
#64
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JJ5-you have shared great information for all travelers going to DC. I am going to DC for my first visit in August and was wondering about the $22 metro pass. When I check the metro website, the $32 pass seems to be the best choice. Do I not need that pass for a 7 day trip? Can I make it with the $22 pass?
Thanks for you help!
Thanks for you help!
Jul 4th, 2007, 12:38 PM
#65
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It basically depends where you are staying and where you are headed.
The $22 pass works fine for most people -- unless they travel into or out of the heart of the city during the rush hour windows. And even if you do, you just pay a little exit fare.
If you're just traveling to the main in-city sights, it's good any time for nearly all points.
But if you're staying out in the outer burbs -- and plan on traveling in and out during rush hour, the $32 might be a better value.
The $22 pass works fine for most people -- unless they travel into or out of the heart of the city during the rush hour windows. And even if you do, you just pay a little exit fare.
If you're just traveling to the main in-city sights, it's good any time for nearly all points.
But if you're staying out in the outer burbs -- and plan on traveling in and out during rush hour, the $32 might be a better value.
Jul 5th, 2007, 11:49 AM
#66
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That's the exact question I asked the wonderfully smiley, witty Metro man who helped us. He basically said that you would need to be leaving at early rush hour and be in the midst of rush hour coming home AND THEN still have to be going WAY out distances every single day to make up the $10 difference.
So in other words, if you leave after 9am and never get to the Metro before 9:30 am approximately- you are never, ever going to make up that differential.
In actuality, we went everywhere but Mt. Vernon that others list as most visited in D.C.- and never once had to pay that differential extra quarter or whatever upon getting off, not even once.
Luck that we never really hit rush hours? Well, I know we did at times, but they were all within D.C. proper. Not going far enough? Maybe, but we went beyond Alexandria.
I would get the $22 one. I didn't believe the Metro man either, but he was right.
So in other words, if you leave after 9am and never get to the Metro before 9:30 am approximately- you are never, ever going to make up that differential.
In actuality, we went everywhere but Mt. Vernon that others list as most visited in D.C.- and never once had to pay that differential extra quarter or whatever upon getting off, not even once.
Luck that we never really hit rush hours? Well, I know we did at times, but they were all within D.C. proper. Not going far enough? Maybe, but we went beyond Alexandria.
I would get the $22 one. I didn't believe the Metro man either, but he was right.
Nov 7th, 2007, 04:57 PM
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JJ5, thanks for your helpful and entertaining trip report. Your report was one of my major inspirations for how to plan our trip to DC, which turned out really fun and fascinating! Thanks for sharing! Your report helped to give me a real sense of DC. Thanks to your descriptions of neighborhoods, I was able to select a guesthouse in an area which was most comfortable for us, greatly adding to our enjoyment of DC.
Nov 9th, 2007, 01:26 AM
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JJ5: That sounds exciting! DC is a great family trip and I hope you do get to enjoy it with the kids! Summer sounds hot though...But I guess if you are inside an air-conditioned Smithsonian it won't be so bad. I really found DC to be more thrilling than I had expected.
Nov 9th, 2007, 05:44 AM
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Summer is the only time I could get time with the kids, as their parents would never let them miss school, and they have so many activities re sports that as of 2008 the only week left open is July 13-18. It's after baseball playoffs and before football practice starts.
I have one Granddaughter who is 13 next March, who plays varsity and travel levels in 3 sports- so I take the time I get and don't complain.
But we are going to do it to D.C. in 2009. Next year we are doing the very first one with all 5 kids and it is to WI, a water park and canoe trip combo. We are 90% MI people so it is a great departure for us.LOL!
When the littlest one gets about 2 years older then we will start doing the bigger Nat. Parks out west. I'm still working on one family getting their passports.
But honestly, I do think the two best city vacations for kids from about 10-15 years old here in the USA is either D.C. or San Diego- and I've been to nearly all of them, especially all that have baseball teams.
I hope I got a few people to travel to D.C. that would not have. And I wish people would do travel reports in a much more attention to detail way- especially re people contact and interaction with the native population.
I have one Granddaughter who is 13 next March, who plays varsity and travel levels in 3 sports- so I take the time I get and don't complain.
But we are going to do it to D.C. in 2009. Next year we are doing the very first one with all 5 kids and it is to WI, a water park and canoe trip combo. We are 90% MI people so it is a great departure for us.LOL!
When the littlest one gets about 2 years older then we will start doing the bigger Nat. Parks out west. I'm still working on one family getting their passports.
But honestly, I do think the two best city vacations for kids from about 10-15 years old here in the USA is either D.C. or San Diego- and I've been to nearly all of them, especially all that have baseball teams.
I hope I got a few people to travel to D.C. that would not have. And I wish people would do travel reports in a much more attention to detail way- especially re people contact and interaction with the native population.
Nov 9th, 2007, 12:09 PM
#72
JJ5, your report is so great, it helped me in deciding NOT to stay at the Quincy, although the rooms do look really nice.
I just got a great rate at the Hotel Palomar using Travelocity, if other are reading this thread for upcoming trips around Thanksgiving.
I will be printing out your report and Melissa5's (what's with the 5's?) for some other travel tips.
Thanks for taking the time to write all of the details. Can't wait, it's been 20 years since my last real visit to DC as a tourist.
I just got a great rate at the Hotel Palomar using Travelocity, if other are reading this thread for upcoming trips around Thanksgiving.
I will be printing out your report and Melissa5's (what's with the 5's?) for some other travel tips.
Thanks for taking the time to write all of the details. Can't wait, it's been 20 years since my last real visit to DC as a tourist.
Nov 11th, 2007, 10:50 PM
#73
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JJ5: I understand; traveling with the grandchildren is definitely special enough to be grateful they can fit you in with the crazy schedules young people have today! 
You sound like a terrific grandparent with a great attitude. Next time you plan a trip to San Diego maybe I can help as I live here.
mlgb: Have a terrific visit to DC. Don't you just love all the details JJ5 included in her report? It really does help! You ask what's with the 5's? 5's have more fun, right, JJ5?
You sound like a terrific grandparent with a great attitude. Next time you plan a trip to San Diego maybe I can help as I live here.mlgb: Have a terrific visit to DC. Don't you just love all the details JJ5 included in her report? It really does help! You ask what's with the 5's? 5's have more fun, right, JJ5?
Nov 12th, 2007, 06:04 AM
#74
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We sure do.
San Diego is one of my favorites, Melissa5, and I want to bring the kids there absolutely someday.
5 is the number of my grandchildren and I think it will remain that way for many years. If you see me show up here someday with a 6, my youngest will be a parent, and then the party will REALLY start.
Thanks for the appreciation. Every bit counts- and I got my nearly 90 year old Dad out and acting alive this weekend, so I'm in a very party mood- starting to get ready for the big Thanksgiving next week.
San Diego is one of my favorites, Melissa5, and I want to bring the kids there absolutely someday.
5 is the number of my grandchildren and I think it will remain that way for many years. If you see me show up here someday with a 6, my youngest will be a parent, and then the party will REALLY start.
Thanks for the appreciation. Every bit counts- and I got my nearly 90 year old Dad out and acting alive this weekend, so I'm in a very party mood- starting to get ready for the big Thanksgiving next week.
Nov 14th, 2007, 02:26 AM
#76
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JJ5: Glad to hear you got your 90-year-old Dad out and lively this weekend! You're quoted in the new Fodors Washington DC 2008 Gold Guide. Be sure to show your Dad. (You probably already knew that but I just noticed your name on the list!)
mlgb: We're looking forward to reading about your impressions of DC. It is each person's individual perspectives that makes the forums so interesting. Enjoy your trip!
mlgb: We're looking forward to reading about your impressions of DC. It is each person's individual perspectives that makes the forums so interesting. Enjoy your trip!
Nov 14th, 2007, 08:03 AM
#77
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Mellisa, I thought you might might be interested in our SD trip (from DC)
http://www.fodorstravel.com/forums/t...1&tid=35032760
http://www.fodorstravel.com/forums/t...1&tid=35032760
Nov 14th, 2007, 11:53 AM
#78
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bardo1: I enjoyed browsing through your trip report on San Diego, my hometown! But for some reason my computer won't allow me to post a reply on your trip report. It keeps complaining about cookies. But it is allowing me to post here. Isn't that weird? That has never happened to me on fodors. Can you pop your trip report up to the top so I can reply to it? I can only read it through your link but cannot reply.
JJ5: Sorry to use your trip report for this conversation!
JJ5: Sorry to use your trip report for this conversation!
Nov 14th, 2007, 01:13 PM
#79
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Oh, that is so funny, because the same thing happened to me, Melissa5. I wanted to tell bardo, that I printed out some of her San Diego to use on the trip when I go with the grandkids, which I will- and it wouldn't let me post either.
Well, now I know that it isn't just my linkage or something in the software glitch on my end.
Well, now I know that it isn't just my linkage or something in the software glitch on my end.
Nov 14th, 2007, 01:56 PM
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JJ5: Either bardo1's San Diego trip report is haunted...or maybe there is a cookie monster that wants more cookies ... or else it is some sort of glitch on fodors, hopefully temporary. My cookies are as enabled as they can get at my age, so it has to be fodors that is the problem!
... or else it is some sort of glitch on fodors, hopefully temporary. My cookies are as enabled as they can get at my age, so it has to be fodors that is the problem!
