Melissa5

Eureka! I found my post! It had disappeared...poof. Thanks to a fodorite (MikeT?) for giving me the link I am here.

I have been on these forums for a few years and this has never happened to me before.

I'm telling you, I looked way down to at least the top 100 posts and my recent posts simply weren't there. Then suddenly after I read JJ5's excellent trip report, the post that I posted yesterday suddenly appeared. I'm telling you the Washington DC forum has been haunted lately on my computer!

Thanks so much for all your replies. I'm printing this out and will be back with questions. Because this post disappeared (I'm telling you it really did, at least on my computer) I also posted a new similar question...if anybody wants to answer that one as well feel free!

On my computer, the only thing that has been available to me under the Washington DC forum has been JJ5's excellent trip report, and dozens and dozens of questions asking about specific hotels.

I am asking about neighborhoods or areas, not just individual hotels. I have NOT seen any questions about that, although it is possible there were similar posts which "disappeared" along with my 2 posts temporarily.

All of your answers are super helpful and thank you so much.

Melissa5

tovarich: I like the idea of taking the Old Town trolley to get an overview of the whole area. I don't remember reading about the Old Town trolley in Fodors. Where does it run? I finished reading the main parts of Fodors and just bought 2 more guidebooks. (Yep I collect guidebooks!) Thanks for the tip. Several people have mentioned that trolley so I'll look that up.

Ruff: I'm going to look further into Dupont Circle which you and others have recommended. When you say Dupont Circle...I see a circle in 360 degrees...any particular side of the circle which is more convenient for tourists? Thanks also for the great tip about how evenings and on weekends the time between trains can sometimes be 20 minutes.

Melissa5

EricH:Thanks so much for your advice; it's great to hear from a local.
Please do tell what are your favorite restaurants in the Cleveland Park area? Since we'll have the whole family along (all over 18), we'll be looking for moderately priced eateries. We especially enjoy places that are locally owned and family run... We love all sorts of ethnic foods. We like healthy food. And unhealthy ice cream.

Since you live in Cleveland Park you probably take the Metro past Woodley Park I imagine... So I trust your vote that it's convenient. I like the idea of being able to walk to Adams Morgan... Sounds like an interesting area to shop and eat, plus my son and daughters might enjoy the night scene. (2 out of 3 are over 21.)

Is Adams Morgan safe for them to go out at night? On family trips they aren't out all night...but they might want to explore a little bit.

Oh wow, I didn't know there was a shuttle bus from the Metro station to Adams Morgan...is that from the Dupont Circle Metro or from the Woodley Park Metro?

I admit I am totally overwhelmed by trying to choose which areas of the Capitol or downtown would be good for a tourist family to stay. It is way too confusing. I give up on that idea!

I am leaning strongly towards staying in one of these 2 areas:
Dupont Circle
Woodley Park

Dupont Circle is 360 degrees to me so I don't understand which side of it is the convenient, safe, and interesting side to stay on...

GreatSights: You are another person recommending the Dupont Circle area. Any particular side of the circle for convenience and sleeping in a nice spot? I also have a hard time telling where Dupont Circle ends and the other "areas" begin! Yes, we did fax our Congresswoman... actually I think we faxed our Senator about the tours... Thanks for your help.

Melissa5

JJ5: I read your whole trip report and it was entertaining, funny, and very informative! Thanks for popping it to the top for me!

JJ5: A few questions for you if you would be so kind:
Why would you stay in Dupont circle or Alexandria on a return visit?
Which side of Dupont Circle is the best side to stay on?
Alexandria sounds like my kind of place...but is it convenient to visit all the sites from there do you think? What about nightlife for my son and daughter who are over 21? Accessible from Alexandria, or would Dupont Circle be better for that?
Why wouldn't you stay in Woodley Park area? Too far from main sites? (One of the things I like about Woodley Park is being able to walk to the Adams Morgan area for the fun ethnic foods, which we love, and the funky shops.)

On family vacations my son and daughters sometimes are too tired for night-life...sometimes they just want to sleep. But you never know...they might also want to explore together. However our youngest is only 20.

Thanks for your help and for the tip on the $22 weekly metro pass...maybe it will cost more by the time we arrive in September but for sure we'll try to get that! Is the metro a subway, a bus, or a train? I'm still confused about that! Above ground? Underground? Yes I read the important parts of the Fodors guidebook but seem to have missed some crucial facts!

I just bought the 2007 Frommers and Lonely Planet guidebooks too, couldn't resist, as they have some info that Fodors doesn't have. The more guidebooks, the merrier.

I'm leaning towards staying either in Dupont Circle or Woodley Park area. However I can't seem to figure out where Dupont Circle ends and the other areas begin, and I'm not sure which side of Dupont Circle is the best side to stay on...

Melissa5

Momof3boys: Woodley Park Guesthouse is one of the places I am considering and I see you've stayed there more than once. I sure appreciate your input! May I ask why you continue to choose Woodley Park Guesthouse as opposed to a hotel that is closer to the main Washington DC sites? (Your answer will help me as I'm torn.) The zoo isn't one of our main highlights, but as a biologist my husband will pop in there only if there is time. He said it's okay if we can't fit it in.

I am leaning towards staying either in Woodley Park or Dupont Circle.

You also mentioned we should go see the Capitol Steps on a Friday or Saturday. Did you mean literally the steps leading up to the Capitol? Or is the "Capitol Steps" a show at Kennedy Center? Why are the Capitol Steps special on Friday or Saturday?

Thanks so much for sharing with me!

Ruff

Jurys Dupont is on the north side of the circle; Palomar is on the Southwest side; and Tabard Inn is a block or two down on the southeast side. Several posters have mentioned the area between Dupont and GW, which is a good area, too, and there are a number of hotels--that would be heading southwest from the circle.

Capitol Steps is a performing group. Check out www.capsteps.com.

Ruff

...and another thing. I appreciate your desire to stay in a safe, fun and interesting part of town, but you are only going to be in your hotel to sleep.

vjpblovesitaly

"Is the metro a subway, a bus, or a train? I'm still confused about that! Above ground? Underground?"

Yes, yes, yes and yes. Metro is train and bus. Some parts of the train system are above ground and some are below ground. You will probably not go to the above ground stations. It is generally refered to as Metro or the train, rather than "the subway." Once somebody asked me if "there is a subway around here" and I asked if they were looking for a train station or the sandwich place.

Capitol Steps is a show. See here: http://www.capsteps.com/live/

The National Zoo is overrated in my opinion and a waste of time for adults. If you've been the San Diego Zoo you might be disappointed.

You seem really worked up and worried about this trip.

repete

Plenty of questions there and I'll try to pick a few off.

Woodley Park is a fine place to stay if you don't want to be in the heart of DT and still want convenience. Hotels are set back from the buzz a small bit -- and that makes a difference for many -- but the Metro is still nearby. Plus it's a nice, easy leafy stroll to some great dining in Cleveland Park. (There's also a quick Red Line run to the wonderful dining options in Penn Quarter/Chinatown area, i.e. Zaytinya, Jaleo ...)

Dupont Circle hotels are generally busier and you're right in the mix of dining/clubs/etc.

Alexandria is fine and interesting but the commute to sites.

The train is underground in most of the tourist areas but the stations are much larger and nicer and not nearly as claustrophobic as other subways, i.e. NYC.

JJ5

Melissa5, all the druthers you are pondering here don't make as big a difference overall as you might think now with your hotel musings. If you are on the Metro lines- you can cross transfer or get to almost everywhere so easily- that I would pick by style or cost quotient, as much as by location for D.C.

Metro is a train, quite like the subway in NYC or el in Chicago- with most legs underground (but cleaner and nicer), but some portions coming up to air at points away from the densest city proper, like on the way to Arlington/ Pentagon.

The Metro pass you buy is run through the machine going IN AND coming OUT- so if you go very early during rush hour you may owe about 10 or 20 more cents or something. It sounds complicated but in practice it is not. We used it about 8 times a day and never had to pay more than the $22 for the entire week. We also did not ever leave the hotel before 9am. Ken is NOT a morning person, he got up at 4:30am for 35 years and won't start before 9:30am now. LOL!

I would stay at Alexandria or near the Archives (not too far from Spy Museum, which we didn't really like all that much, by the way) just because of what's around there for snacks or odd time meals or just "different" from where we were, which was downtown, downtown.

I would not stay in Woodley Park or Foggy Bottom, not because there is anything wrong with them at all, just because they are way, way too much like college towns and home places I frequent and live "in" so much. I want difference on vacation and change.

I would almost 90% opt for Alexandria when I return with the grandkids, because there are numerous outside AND INSIDE choices for activity AND eating there. And the hotel lodging costs are far more pocket friendly for what you get. Plus you are right on the Metro line (although it would be a longer ride to nearly everywhere we went this first trip)AND you also have that wonderful waterfront and dock area to roam. I love nature and boardwalk areas myself and have had 50 plus years of too much dense city. LOL!

Plus the restaurants, ethnic and otherwise, on that 4 or 5 block strip going down to the water from the Metro station in Alexandria were SO outstanding that you would never be at a lose for odd time meals etc. We had tapas, but there were at least 5 other choices we would have loved to experience there.

I would think they would be supremely active at night too for the age of your daughters. Bars, clubs etc. Although Adam's Morgan area was supposed to be the bomb for that, we actually had more fun at the Chop House bar near the stadium.

I have been to a lot of American cities and found D.C. was not a good buy for what you get re hotel rooms for many, many weeks of the year. I was 1 week short of being in the "weakest" and "cheapest" hotel room week and it still was a royal rip-off for the room, especially with the 17% tax addes AFTER your room price. Don't forget about that lovely feature.
The free museums make up for the hotel costs, but still- you would actually like to get some comfort for that kind of money. I peeked into about 5 of the hotels mentioned above and never saw a one that I thought was anywhere near in style or logistics the room pricing that was being charged. Supply and demand. That is another reason I would go to Alexandria. It looked like the rooms were less densely "used" - not a lot of "need to update" like in the D.C. city proper. Of course there is the Marriott and very high end cost places. But I looked into the Palomar and noticed lots of people standing waiting for rooms to be ready and like a rushed atmosphere there too.

Dupont Circle is good because of time factor, but where I was downtown actually was better. I figured we spent about 1/2 the time factor on the Metro than we would have spent staying in Alexandria. We were between TWO lines- 2 short blocks one way and 3 short blocks the other way. When the closed the line one day for repair it did NOT affect us, because we had the other line to access. I knew all the lines and all the stops on each of those two within 2 days of being there. It was so FAST. I did not have to waste any time getting there, I just was there. So I did see more in 6 days, than other people I know have seen in 3 trips to D.C.

With kids, I would much rather be in Alexandria for another reason, I think the restaurants there would be far, far more kid friendly.

ellen_griswold

Haven't read the entire thread, but we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Arlington last august and found it to be easy to get around town with their metro.

We were attending a wedding in DC (Cosmo Club) but also toured and shopped by taking the metro. And even getting to the Cosmos Club, while in arranged transportation, seemed simple.

BTW, thanks again Bardo1 for your help last august. Your recco's were right on and very helpful.

mhcpita

Jury's Hotel in Dupont Circle is perfect for what you want. Request a newly remodeled room, courtyard side. They are very nice rooms and extremely quiet. I was there for 5 days in early May and highly recommend it. The metro is two easy blocks and so simple to navigate. Dining in the area is easy. We had fabulous asian, pizza, italian, and seafood all within walking distance and reasonable! KramerBooks is right across the street and serves food, very good food, 24 hours a day. Great for breakfasts or late night desserts. Arlington is less expensive, but you will spend considerably more time getting to a metro stop and travelling on the metro. I chose differently this time and am so glad we did. Dupont Circle is a nice neighborhood. Lots of people out and about, lots of action.

BlueSwimmer

Melissa-

I live in Alexandria and my husband works in Dupont Circle. Either is a great choice for charm, walking around looking at beautiful old townhomes, a large selection of good restaurants, some fun shopping but not too touristy, etc.

For your kids, I would say that with a 20 year old, Dupont Circle might be better because it is more lively. If they are into music, The Black Cat and The 9:30 Club, both in the U Street area, are excellent music venues with lots of shows open to those under 21. Both have websites for listings of who is playing. Overall, the Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, U Street areas are more hip and "down town". Note that I would not recommend staying in the U Street area, as it is a little more gritty, but it is a happening place for people in their 20s/early 30s.

Old Town Alexandria is more of a walk around, go out to eat, browse shops, walk down by the water, hang out, type of place. There is a bar scene, but mostly well over 21 and even a bit older. We have a great farmers' market in front of the courthouse on Saturday mornings, and some interesting things to see if you are interested in colonial history.

I hope this helps!

BlueSwimmer

Oh- and there is a great Ethiopian place in the U Street area called Dukem. Check their website for the nights they have Ethiopian dancing and music. It is very interesting and the food is great.

FauxSteMarie

Every Wednesday night in May & June head for the NW corner of the Washington Monument for the Army Old Guard Tattoo. The show is only about an hour. Look past the fact that it is good PR for the military and enjoy the show, as the Old Guard does maneuvers. FREE!

The Kennedy Center has a FREE performance every night at 6:00pm at the Millenium Stage.

To see the Archives, forget the enormous line during the day and join it at 6:00pm. You won't wait more than 15 minutes and sometimes you walk right in.

These are all tour guide tricks. I have DC tour guide license and do the work part time for supplemental income and because it is fun. The whole trick to the job is to pack everything in without waiting in line!

Melissa5

Ruff: Thanks for the names of the hotels and their orientation around the Dupont Circle. That helps. Today I just decided for sure to stay near Dupont Circle. Fate crossed my path. I was sitting in a coffee shop wondering if I should stay in Dupont circle or Woodley Park. The head waiter saw my travel books and it turns out he lived in DC. He said Dupont Circle for sure! We had an interesting discussion.

Melissa5

Ruff: Thanks also for clarifying that Capitol Steps are a performing group. I know it might seem to some people that I spend too much time on details of where to stay. There are many reasons for that...it is my style. It reassures me that I won't be "homeless" when I leave home. Also I sometimes can't keep up with the pace of my restless and driven husband, so I sometimes choose to spend some time for myself close to the hotel writing in my journal. It helps if the hotel or b&b has restaurants and an interesting, safe, walkable neighborhood nearby, for those times I decide to take some time to myself.

vipblovesitaly: Thanks for clarifying what exactly is the Metro! Yes we've seen the San Diego Zoo, which also has Pandas from China, many times. You say I seem really worked up and worried about this trip. That's always my style! In fact there were several years when I didn't travel at all. I decided to just work through all my worries and do it anyway. The result is many fabulous trips around the world, and me always worrying but knowing that I can handle it and it will be really worth all the worry and all the planning. Travel is wonderful...it enriches you, and it changes you...it helps you understand yourself and the world better. I am afraid of flying, I get claustrophobic, I get lost easily and have no internal sense of direction, I am germophobic...and I don't care because travel is so worth it! I am the model for the nervous traveller. If I can do it, anybody can!!!

Thank you, fodorites, because you don't realize it, but many of you are the reason I can travel in spite of being nervous about it. What a great place this forum is.

repete

I agree with JJ5 -- don't stress too much over hotel choice, you had long earlier narrowed it down to very good options and eliminated the bad choices.

I pushed Woodley a bit because it seemed you wanted a peaceful area close to the action. Dupont will be hopping so be prepared. A somewhat similar area for dining, if Dupont doesn't work out, is the Penn Quarter Area, which is very convenient to the site and there's a great newer Marriott Courtyard in a historic building.

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../dupontci.html

A couple of tweaks:

JJ5 .. isn't the Choophouse you mentioned near Verizon Center area ant not the stadium? District Chophouse maybe?

As for taxes, there are never pleasant, but don't all cities add them after the room rate?

Here's another city, according to Forbes:

Airport Car Rental Tax 19.38%
Accommodation Tax 15.4%
Sales Tax 9%
Total Misery 43.78

It's Chicago.

FauxSteMarie

By the way, you can pick up the Old Town Trolley Tour Union Station. We also have a hop on/hop off bus tour of DC (new this year). I understand that the tour ticket for that is good for two days.

The tourmobile is your best bet if you just want to go around The National Mall.

Never get the Arlington Cemetery tourmobile ticket on the same day you use The Mall tourmobile! That is just way too much for a day. You could easily spend a day at Arlington by itself, but, if you do, bring your food with you. No food is sold at the Cemetery.

Ruff

Yeah. The District Chophouse is right by Verizon Center and not the stadium (RFK), which is, in fact, near nothing commercial.