Melissa5

repete: Woodley Park is still tempting I have to admit. Being "set back from the buzz" a bit is great for me. Also, easy and leafy is my kind of stroll! I have to choose between peaceful and leafy or being right in the mix, it seems.

I like spending time with our young adult son and daughters, and naturally you've got to tweak a trip a bit to intrigue them to come along. They would probably like the Dupont Circle location better. I might prefer the Woodley Park location.

What I am hoping is that I can find a b&b or hotel in Dupont Circle which is peaceful enough for me...and busy and hopping enough for our offspring (ages 20 through 25).

I am totally sold on Dupont Circle...except when I reconsider Woodley Park!

I always spend massive amounts of research on the b&b or hotel...and we all end up loving where we stay, so it's worth the effort to me.

Alexandria sounds like my ideal kind of place, except for it's not the most convenient spot in terms of transportation...and that does make a difference.

Our touring pattern is that my restless husband pushes us to get an early start, and we are worn out by the afternoon. We then often like returning to our hotel for a break before dinner. Then we do a bit more after dinner if there is anything to do. Then we collapse in bed. I always lose 5 pounds on vacation...I'm not kidding! And I eat all the ice cream that I want. Vacation with my husband is a great diet for me.

The underground part of the Metro sounds unpleasant to me, since I am prone to claustrophobia. I will just get on and do it anyway. The rides are short I imagine so I can do it.

Repete, I can handle the hopping Dupont area as long as my room is quiet at night for sleeping. If I can't find a room without street noise I won't be able to sleep. I'm a light sleeper. I usually do well with a room in the back somewhere over the garden for example... My husband literally sleeps through earthquakes here in California! Since I do have some particular needs, all the hotel and room research does pay off. I have loved every room I've stayed in on our trips for the past few years.

Thanks for listening. It helps me process all this.

Melissa5

patg: You asked when we're going...in September, but it won't be labor day weekend. We also have to be back before the end of September when college starts. Thanks for all your ideas.

circa2, GBC, sms73, dfr1966, thanks for all your input! It is great to have the benefit of everyone's collective experience.

FauxSteMarie: I appreciate your offer of help. As a guide you must have seen a lot of DC by now. What's your personal favorite? And I gotta ask, do you find the Spy museum to be fascinating and worthwhile, or too commercial? And one final question. Mostly we like to tour on our own. But occasionally there are particular sites which are better with guides. For example, in Rome, we thought the art museums were much better on our own, and I felt sorry for the people in art mueums that I saw with guides... But in Ancient Rome, all the ruins, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, would have looked like piles of rubble without our guide, who greatly enriched the experience. If we only took one guided tour in the entire DC area, which particular type of tour would you think was most worthwhile?

Melissa5

JJ5: Oh what a generous woman you are, you have written me an entire short story! A woman after my own heart. When I get back from DC, I will write an entire novel here on the forum and that will be my trip report. (I'm serious.) Thank you so much for taking the time to help me.

The Metro lines sound so convenient, though I'm sure they won't be as easy for me as they are for you to figure out. San Diego doesn't have good public transportation. Never been to New York or Chicago. I am beginning to have one worry...will I feel claustrophobic in the underground Metro I wonder? I can handle things like elevator rides (they are short), but I don't like being enclosed in spaces that feel small with no windows for long periods of time. Maybe I should be especially centrally located so that my Metro rides are shorter...

I am tempted to go to Alexandria and just skip DC as it sounds like my kind of place! But that defeats the whole purpose of why we wanted to go to DC in the first place! I tend to love towns that have an old village feel, and quaint spots with cobblestones, little shops, all that sort of thing...Historical areas...All great stuff. Enjoy Alexandria someday with those grandkids.

You know what, I might spend hours trying to find just the right b&b or hotel near nightlife...but my son and 2 daughters sometimes don't want nightlife on family vacations, although they enjoy it with friends at home. In Ireland I figured my husband and I would go to bed early and my daughters would be out in the pubs. Nope...my daughters headed for their rooms early, to call their boyfriends and write in their journals, and they said without their friends the pubs weren't that enticing. It was my husband and I who stayed up til midnight listening to Irish trad music and sipping Guinness in the pubs...I didn't want to leave!!! Family vacations can be unpredictible.

But we will also be meeting up with a niece in DC, and it is possible the cousins might decide to go out on the town on the weekend.

Momof3boys

Sorry I didn't respond earlier, but been tied up w/ boys' activities; it sounds like you had your questions to me answered. I suggested the Capital Steps if you wanted a casual show w/o going to the Kennedy Center, but w/ some current political humor since you will be in the middle of it in DC. Another poster gave you their website so I'll let you ck that out if interested. I believe there are 2 groups of Capital Steps - 1 that tours around the country and another group based in DC working there so only have time to perform on the wkends - that is why the Fri/Sat.

You asked why I like the Woodley Park Guest House better than other places in DC. I usually travel by myself, and I like the coziness and comfort of B&Bs whenever I travel. I have long breakfasts w/ lots of conversation and sharing of ideas since this will probably be my main social interaction for the day and I'll be eating the rest of my meals by myself. At the Woodley Park GH, guests are frequently from around the world which I find intersting. Cost is another factor for me. I know I might find less expensive hotels - but not B&Bs. My 1st visit to Woodley Park I stayed in a single w/ a shared bath for about $89. To me, that's a bargain! Once as a return guest, they upgraded my rm for no additional cost since another rm was available. On my 3rd visit, the single wasn't available, but I still think their rates are very reasonable. The breakfast is continental, but the best I've ever seen - cut fruit w/ usually 12 different kinds including tropical, pomegrantes seeds (sp?), blackberries, etc., different pastries from a marvelous bakery (not just your store bought kind), yogurt, cereals, juices, etc. I eat more than I should at breakfast, and never want lunch so I save on this expense. Hot tea is available when I come back in the afternoon for a quiet cup to relax. I had never had Lebanese or Afghan food before, and I returned on trip #3 just to have the pumpkin dish again at the Afghan restaurant! (A hyperbole, but I had been thinking of that dish for a year.) Safety is also a major concern for me when I travel since I'm a single female. The metro is 1/2 block away, restaurnants that I enjoy are in the next block so I feel safe after dark. For me, an impersonal hotel doesn't offer anything. I've stayed at the Capital Sheraton (Hilton?) downtown w/ a son 1 time, but we were there 1 night to go to the Spy Museum; used Priceline and got it for $75, I believe. Much longer walk to metro/restaurants-except Starbucks across the st-no breakfast included, etc.

I think you will enjoy the DC metro. It is so open underground. I find that NYC visitors are amazed at how pretty and spacious the lger stops are. Enjoy your travels, and let us know where you end up staying/going.

HKP

I'd save Alexandria as a base of operations for your second visit -- and I sure hope there will be one, there's just too much for one visit. I love it myself (lived there 13 yrs), but if you've never been to DC, think you need the experience of being more in the middle of it (even while set back from the buzz). But on this trip, do take a jaunt out to Alex. to get a flavor of it -- it's a special place, as people have described.

Hint re: view of the city: I prefer going up the Old Post Office Tower in the Pavillion to going up the Wash. Monument -- MUCH shorter lines and you're seeing things from right downtown (not far from White House and Capitol) rather than down toward the river -- it's right near Fed. Triangle Metro stop, has shops and food court.

JJ5

Yes, the Chop House was near the Verizon Center. I called it the stadium with a small s because I forgot the name. I didn't even know you had a Stadium.

Yes, repete, Chicago's are worse. They are the worse taxes in the entire country, and not just for tourists.
Enjoy the bean, as you are paying for it.

That's why when I stay downtown for 2 days or so, I always use priceline because it is all a percentage of that cost added. And I never have a car. It's up to over $45 a day to park in many places now. Grant Park and the ball parks are not far behind either for periods of less than 24 hours - over $22 at minimum now. And you are still walking a mile afterwards. LOL!

FauxSteMarie

Melissa, I can't pick a favorite for you but my personal favorite is the American History Museum, which is now closed for renovation. History can also be found at the National Postal Museum, which is more concerned about how mail was transported than it is about stamps. It is adjacent to Union Station.

Site I rate is the most boring in DC is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Piles of money? So what. Others find it interesting though and I take the groups wherever they want to go without the need to offer my opinion. After all, it is THEIR vacation and they get to pick.

Arlington Cemetery in depth can be best done with a personal guide because you miss so much even on the Tourmobile. Most people do not leave enough time for Arlington and end in a race through to the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb and the Kennedy graves. Believe me, there is a lot more to Arlington than that.

You could also check the website for Washington Walks (google and you will find) for a list of very good walking tours of different parts of DC for something different. I have taken many of them myself as sort of part of my endless training for what I do.

DCGuy73

Sounds like you are off on a good start as far as planning. You are going to have a fun trip - DC is a great city.

As a resident in DC for the last 10 years (practically makes me a native) I thought I'd chime in with some suggestions.

Where to Stay:

I think Dupont Circle is your best bet. Woodley Park is nice but honestly I don't find it that charming and while there are a lot of restaurants nearby I think they are mostly mediocre and geared towards tourists (with a few exceptions like Lebanese Taverna and maybe Open City.) Dupont Circle is central to everything (easy walk or bus ride to downtown, Georgetown, U Street and Adams Morgan) and right on the metro. There are lots of great restaurants in Dupont: Pizzeria Paradisio, Hanks Oyster Bar, Five Guys (DC's answer to In and out Burger), Bistro Du Coin and I could go on and on. The circle itself is a fantastic spot to sit and peoplewatch day and night. I think your son and daughters would enjoy the nightlife here much more than Old Town (which is nice..but much more staid and older).

Attractions:

DC is really 2 cities, the federal district of the Mall, Monuments and Smithsonian and the real Washington which is a diverse, international city with great dining and fantastic music and theatre. I'm not going to address the federal city as I am sure the guidebooks tell you all you need to know and also because I never go to the monuments or the Mall (most people who live here don't). Be sure to check out some other neighborhoods - the U street area and Adams Morgan have great eclectic shopping and coffee shops/bars. There are some great galleries in the Logan circle area of town. Finally - while DC has a ton of great ethnic food you absolutely have to try an Ethiopian restaurant. There are more Ethiopians in Washington than any city outside of Addis. My suggestion would be Etete in Little Ethiopia at 9th and U. Dukem is another good choice.

Nightlife:

Adams Morgan is probably the best bet for 21 and 20 year olds. It would be a 20 min walk or so from Dupont or a quick ride on the 42 bus towards Mt. Pleasant (which comes every 10 minutes - just get off at the corner of 18th and Columbia and there are about 50 bars to choose from). A good option for the 20 year old would be live music as most of these clubs are at least 18 plus. The 9:30 is a medium size venue but the Black Cat and Dc9 are small and my favorites. Check out the Washington City Paper (www.washingtoncitypaper.com) for a comprehensive list of who is playing where.

Other Things:

Crime - in my opinion crime in DC always gets way too much attention. Yes - you should be aware of your surroundings and take cabs after 11 or so but for the most part DC is perfectly safe and don't hesitate to walk around at night and explore. You will have a lot of company on the streets at all hours (especially in Dupont which is among the safest areas of the city.). Most of the crime you read about happens far from the central city and involves those people involved in the drug trade or other illegal activities.

Finally - take note of the license plates on cars here - the slogan is "Taxation without representation". Most people in other parts of the country don't realize that the 560,000 residents of DC are second class citizens. We pay taxes, fight in the military but have zero representation in congress. We are allowed to elect our own mayor and city council but congress controls the purse strings of the city and often interferes and micromanages city policies. WE are essentially a colony in the capital of the greatest democracy in history. Talk to people in DC about it and when you get home write your congressman and Senators and urge them to support the ending of our second class status and full representation in congress.

Sorry for the political message at the end but its really important that people be aware fo this.

have a great trip.

Ruff

DCGuy's suggestions and comments are right on the money. And I think letting more people know that DC residents don't get a vote in Congress is important.

--A real live native Washingtonian (born at GW Hospital)

repete

DCGuy's points are excellent, although I'd minorly quibble that Woodley Park is also close (a good post dinner stroll distance) to the great Cleveland Park dining scene, i.e., Dino and Palena and more.

While the part of Woodley right on Connecticut isn't that special, the access to Rock Creek and the Zoo (a fantastic place for an early morning jog since the grounds open at 6...) makes it a nice break for folks who'd prefer just a small buffer of green yet close to Metro and dining. The two main hotels are set back just a bit, which is a bit different from most places that close in. If you want it a bit livelier, definitely Dupont.

Otherwise, I think DCGuy's post nails it (... although du Coin service can be lousy.)

I especially agree with the crime note. When I hear unrealistic fears about DC crime from visitors, I usually ask if they are going to buy sex or drugs. When they say no, they've reduced their odds dramatically. Sure you have to be smart and, yes, there is an occasional random act vs. a tourist, but the odds are very slight.

Melissa5

Momof3boys: You know, when you talk about the Woodley Park Guesthouse and neighborhood, I realize that is totally where I feel most comfortable sleeping. And my husband and I also love meeting people around the world at breakfast. Although Woodley Park "looks" far on the map, it isn't isolated...it is so close to the Metro to get into downtown...and it has a safe neighborhood to walk to restaurants. And being able to take that pleasant morning walk on the zoo grounds... I can totally see myself being happy there.

Here is what I think. I keep trying to "sleep" us in the Dupont Circle neighborhood for convenience. But I think that I would be happier visiting the Dupont circle and Adams Morgan areas for food, shopping, and people watching...and then returning to my quiet b&b in the suburbs...and getting on the Metro in the morning to go to the Washington DC sights on the Mall.

You have helped me a lot, Momof3 boys. I have also talked to my young niece who lives in Arlington and works in DC. She will be joining us but I am planning the trip as I am the one who knows our families preference. But she helped me to "see" the Dupont Circle area by comparing it to the Hillcrest area we have in San Diego...and she compared the Adams Morgan area to our Pacific Beach area in San Diego. This helped a lot. I think we will love Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle, but I won't necessarily want to sleep there.

I often do this. I choose a b&b or hotel on instinct. I chose the Woodley Park Guesthouse this way right away. Then I think, oh I'd better check out every other place in town, and I do! Then I end up knowing that the first place I picked is really the best for me! When I book my rooms and we arrive, we are always happy and never surprised...with all the research I do, I tend to feel like I have 2 trips. The first visit is my vicarious trip which I do on-line and with guidebooks. My second visit is the real trip where I actually set foot in reality in my destination! Oh, and the third trip is the one I take by memory, when I return home and write long trip reports on tripadvisor and Fodors. So I get 3 trips for the price of one.

Thanks so much for listening, sharing, and advising.

Yesterday I was sure Dupont Circle was the place to sleep. But now I am realizing it might be too noisy for me, as I am a very light sleeper and we live in the suburbs so I'm not used to city noises at night.

Today I am thinking we should sleep at Woodley Park Guesthouse, quiet and peaceful and so close to the Metro, and you must tell me WHICH AFGHAN RESTAURANT HAS THE GREAT PUMPKIN DISH PLEASE!!!

Generally I can't sleep in big hotels, no matter how nice...because the bigger hotel means more people...and more chances that someone is loud in the corridor, someone is coming back to their room drunk and loud, or someone is bringing noisy kids down the hall in the early morning...or the service people are noisy in the hallway.

My family tends to be happier in either b&bs, guesthouses, or small family-run hotels with a limited number of rooms.

Thanks everyone for your patient help and your endless listening! You guys are a great bunch!

Melissa5

HKP: I agree we won't sleep in Alexandria on this first trip but we will definitely go there on one of our days! (We have 5 nights in DC.) It's my kind of place. Thanks for the tip on the view of the area, with shorter lines, from the Old Post Office tower.

FauxSteMarie: You sound like me. I am really sad the American History Museum is closed because I was so excited to visit that one, then I read it was closed for renovation. Also, I agree, not interested in the bureau of engraving and printing...my reaction was the same as yours...why do I need to see piles of money unless it's all for me to spend? So what? My reaction exactly! Not my cup of tea. Just doesn't stir my imagination. I can see that Arlington Cemetery in depth would be better with a guide now that you mention it... Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

DCGuy73: Funny funny, as soon as I think I have decided to stay at Woodley Park Guesthouse after all, I read your comments that perhaps Dupont circle would be better after all! I would be content with Dupont Circle if I could narrow down the accomodations choice to a place at Dupont Circle area where I could get a quiet's night's rest (I live in a quiet suburb and am a light sleeper)... Many intriguing b&bs in the Dupont circle area sound like they have some noise. Some hotels sound good like Embassy Suites in the NW area, but as I mentioned to Momof3boys, it is hard for me to sleep in big hotels because more rooms means more people and chances are some of them will be noisy walking past your room... Small b&bs or guesthouses means less people to be noisy... Unless the b&b has a noisy bar which some of them in Dupont Circle do. And round and round in a circle I go with this decision. I have to go make dinner so thanks for all your advice and I have printed this all out to read tonight...

Momof3boys

IF you decide to stay at the Woodley Park GH-or wherever you decide, call and tell them you want quiet rms, light sleeper, etc and see what they have available. I think you have lots of choices, but I hope you get your 1st pick. The afghan restaurant is right off Connecticut, but I can't remember the name, and I pay cash so no CC record. I'll see if I can find out later for you.

Melissa5

Momof3boys: Thanks, if you do come across the name of the Afghan restaurant with the good pumpkin dish, just post it. Yes, wherever I stay, I will request quiet rooms...inquiring about that always helps.

DCGuy73: Interesting that you find the restaurants near Woodley park mediocre and too touristy. I like to get differing viewpoints. I guess you're right, DC is 2 cities: the fed district and the "real" DC with diverse dining, music, and theatre. I'm looking forward to trying Ethiopian food as while San Diego also has diverse ethnic restaurants, I haven't tried Ethiopian food...here we have Mexican food, Asian foods, Italian, etc...

Thanks for your tips on night life.

Taxation without representation is totally unfair. Maybe it's time for another Boston tea party or something... I learn while I'm planning trips, so I have been reading a bit about DC's unique problems. The new Lonely Planet book has some fascinating opinions in it. Lonely Planet says that DC's population which is 60% black is ruled by a bunch of white guys who don't even live in DC! Huh! That doesn't seem fair to me! Please tell me, in DC do people prefer the term black or African American... DC should certainly be represented in Congress... I hope someday these problems are fixed.

I don't think a trip to DC would be complete without receiving a number of political messages.

repete I actually appreciate you popping in here and gently reminding me of what is great about Woodley Park and Cleveland park areas. Talking to people with differing views of an area helps me to see it more clearly. Each person adds a brush stroke to what emerges as a more balanced portrait of my destination.

My impressions are that I would like to sleep in a more quiet, peaceful area like Woodley Park, and dine, shop, and people-watch in areas like Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan, and I am curious about Cleveland park area. There could be a street in the Dupont Circle area that is quiet enough for me, but I haven't figured out which one so far as even the quiet ones seem to have lively bars which usually means noise at night.

Naturally want to visit the entire "fed" area with all the main sites.

Ruff

Why do you assume that people in DC are so different from those in San Diego that they want to be called black vs. African-American or vice versa?

Devonmcj

Here are my suggestions:

1. Get a hotel room anywhere near the Metro and forget obsessing about it.

2. Spend your days seeing the sites - Washington is rife with them, more than you can possibly see during your vacation. You'll be so tired by the end of the day, sleep won't be a problem.

3. Remember that the Metro only runs until midnight Mon-Thurs. So don't go somewhere, have a few drinks, and then wander around at night.

4. Don't waste your time obsessing about restaurants either. Find something interesting whereever you happen to be at dinnertime. Be spontaneous. Send us a report afterward.

5. Remember that you are going to DC at what is probably the best time of year. Relax and enjoy it.

vjpblovesitaly

"Please tell me, in DC do people prefer the term black or African American..."

What in the world??

vjpblovesitaly

Oh, yeah. One IMPORTANT thing you need to know about Metro (if you don't already know it). If you are taking a Metro escalator up or down to the trains, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stand on the right, walk on the left. Please leave the left half of the escalator free for the walkers.

Thank you.

Ruff

...and please don't stop at the top or bottom of the escalator and look around. Please move off to the side out of the traffic flow.

wyatt92

I think you are way overanalyzing this.

Both Woodley Park and Dupont Circle are very nice neighborhoods. Different yes, but nice. They are also close together, either by metro or cab. Just pick a hotel and be done with it, you'll be happy with either place.