jeff fertl

We are considering a trip to Washington D.C. over the 4th of July but are concerned about the crowds and where to stay. We are then planning to travel to the Williamsburg area. Any thoughts regarding crowds in either place as well as hotel recommendations would be appreciated. We have two kids 12 and 8.

ilisa

Sure, there are crowds upon crowds in DC, but 4th of July here is wonderful. It is definitely an experience not to be missed. I think the fireworks are some of the best around. We once had a visitor from the Netherlands staying with us, and we took her downtown for the 4th. She was enthralled with all the activity. There is so much to do. The National Symphony Orchestra always performs a free concert in front of the Capitol, though you need to stake out spots early. The Smithsonian's folk life festival will be going on and is always wonderful. Also, every year there is a street festival near the White House. Whatever you do, don't drive. Walk or take the metro. Do you have a budget for hotels? That would be helpful to know.

Karen

Ilisa ... Saw your post and to the original question and hoped you could give me some advice. My family and I are also going to celebrate the 4th of July in Washington DC. We have reservations at the Phoenix Park, 502 N Capitol NW, which looks to be a few block walk to the fireworks, concert, etc. But it looks as if we might have to cross wicked looking Hwy 395 and we are traveling with our 4 year old granddaughter. Can you please tell me if this will be a problem, and also if the Phoenix Park is a nice clean place to stay? Please post your response to this entry. Thanks for any help you can give us. Maybe someday I can help you on the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Christina

I live in DC area and was going to respond to this but decided I didn't have a lot to add, but I was going to add that although I don't usually think the hotels around the Mall are the best in the city, for the 4th of July I would recommend being within walking distance of the Mall as it is a complete zoo going home and can take hours, either by metro or car. I took the metro once and it was kind of scary, actually, as there was little crowd control and the crowds were pushing, shoving and forcing themselves down the escalators and onto the waiting platforms when there was no room. Because so many people take metro you have to wait a long time to get on the platform and onto a car, so those who plan to take metro should be prepared for that (I was on Union Station red line going north). So, if you can avoid that, it is good. Anyway, Phoenix Park is a good location to avoid that, and I am happy to tell you that you do not have to cross 395 around there; 395 is underground in a tunnel at that point so whatever your map is showing is not a consideration for pedestrians around that part of the city. I think it goes underground just shortly after crossing the river from Virginia and then doesn't come up until around D St NW or somewhere, but it's quite a few blocks north of Phoenix Park. I think the Phoenix Park is a perfectly reasonable hotel, although I have not been in it; it looks quite decent from the outside and a lot of visitors to the Hill stay there, it's not small as there are quite a few stories but it isn't one of these huge convention hotels with hundreds of rooms; it's older but has some style for that, at least from the outside, in comparison to bland architecture like the Holiday Inns around there. Anyway, since you will have your granddaughter with you, I think it's good you will be within walking distance as the crowded metro system could be scary with a young child that night, I would be a little worried. I know other people have their preferenes on the fireworks but I like to go on the lawn right in front of the Capitol Bldg which is right near where the NSO plays, that would be very close to your hotel, also. It's relatively family oriented around there and not too crowded, I've gotten a nice place to sit just by getting there around 6-7 pm; you are not as close to the fireworks, but there's no trouble seeing them from there, that's for sure. There are some other parts of the Mall that attract rowdier groups, and I would avoid them; I'm not sure exactly where the problem spots can be but I read about them in the paper next day; I think they are down around the Wash Monument because they may play rock music there or something, groups of young people (not kids) just tend to gather more down on the Mall area than near the Capitol Bldg. I just know when I've heard of problems during or immed. after the fireworks, it was never right in the west front of the Capitol Bldg.

diane

I have been to the National Symphony Orchestra concert in front of the Capitol several times, and I love it, but I'm always frustrated because you can't really see the fireworks well from there. Well, you can "see" them. They ARE up in the air, but in the distance. Last year we went to the area between the Vietnam Memorial and the Washington Monument, and the view was fabulous. I have also sat in various other places close to the Monument over the years (I live in the suburbs), and there's nothing like lying on a blanket and watching the rockets bursting above you with the Monument in the middle of it all.

There are thousands of people, and yes, it does take a long time to get on the subway. To be able to walk to a hotel would be great. Most of the people are just there to celebrate and have a good time. There are always LOTS of families, children and babies of all ages. They have lots of different kinds of music, at several different locations. If you don't like the sound of one, move a little further away. But don't be afraid to be among all the people. It's a TERRIFIC show!

Stephen

I live in D.C., and I've done the 4th of July thing 3 times. Here's my advice.

Do NOT drive anyway near the city that day. Phoenix Park Hotel is probably the best location for the 4th. It's a nice place. Take tons of sunscreen. The first year we went out about 11 a.m., without sunscreen. My wife had to take 3 days off from work because she got so badly burned (yes, we were young and stupid). Take lots of water. It will be hot, and water will be at a premium.

Don't take any alcohol. It was banned a few years ago, although you can still buy it (I think) from vendors charging a fortune. Very very lame.

Make plans to walk back to your hotel after the fireworks. The metro will be completely packed and very scary for kids. We usually walk the 5 miles home to Arlington, and always have had lots of company.

Leone

If you arrive before the 4th, check out the Folklife Festival on the Mall .. not as good these days, but okay. As advised, use the Metro on the 4th if you need to, but not after 4 p.m. You can actually get rather close to the Wash. Monument and get the show overhead. After the show, you will be in large crowds, so ahead of time get clear on your route home to your hotel, and plan to walk it. The fireworks end about 9:45 p.m. It will be hot on the Mall, so do not stay out there all day, and then do the fireworks too ... especially with kids. Bringing a cooler with water, etc. on your luggage carrier would be a good idea ... do not depend on the vendors ... crowds will be too big. And hit the bathroom before you come out to the fireworks ... lines to the johns are long, and the sanitaion is not so great. Other than that, welcome to DC. L

kam

I have a job that takes me to D.C. often. If I had kids with me I would love 4th of July in Washington! My choice of a hotel would be the Key Bridge Marriott---it has a great pool, is walking distance from Georgetown via Key Bridge or a short cab ride, but is far enough from the downtown to give you a bit of a rest from the crowds. The Rosslyn Metro stop will put you into the midst of D.C. festivities and you won't need a car! Enjoy. Washington is very special especially for this holiday. And, expect it to be very hot and humid, as in sunvisors and bottled water.

kal

Aloha Jeff,
We've been back there for the 4th celebration 4-5 times and loved every minute of it. You're kids will, too.

We will be coming back again this 4th so "Fodorites Party" anyone?

Our bicycling "group" is planning a bike ride down the old C&O Canal from Harper's Ferry to DC on 7-2.

We have our DC rooms booked at the Metro Marriott. 12th and H(?)

They had a special for that week and I believe we got the rooms for around $100/night.

It's a great location and only a short walk from the Mall and across the street from the Cap City Brewing Co. (Sorry, forgot you had the kids). The brewery did have a pretty decent restaurant, tho.

In addition to the Folk Life Fest mentioned by ilisa , we also hit the DC World Jazz fest @ Freedom Plaza, 13th(?) and Penna. Ave.

Great music and all sorts of ethnic, regional, vegan, food booths from which to pick. I hope they still have it.

I can't stress enough...hydrate, hydrate,hydrate. You'll need to because you may have to get there early for the kids to get a good view.

If you can't get to the west steps of the Capitol (those are staked out pretty early in the day,)I'd suggest off to the side of the Mall, in the shade with the Washington Monument in the foreground.

It's pretty cool with all the fireworks going off behind it.

We went by the Capitol the night before and got to see some acts rehearsing. BEWARE: They also rehearsed the "cannons" during the 1812 Overture! We learned the hard way, thank you very much!

KAM: We stayed at the Key Bridge our first two trips back there, once over the 4th. Real nice hotel and our first room overlooked the Potomac and G'town Univ...Gorgeous at night and the second time we got a decent Mall view. Very nice.

We found out the hard way again that the Metro is worthless when you have around 400,000 people trying to use it!

It was a great walk back. Would have been better if there wasn't a small matter of a 10k earlier that morning!

Have fun Jeff.
Kal

Bonnie

Insider's secret - the Symphony practices on July 3 -- so you can watch then in front of the Capitol, especially fun with kids. On 4th wander the mall with LOTS of water, hats and sunscreen -- hit the museums (get tickets for Air & Space movies the day before if possible) and emerge at the Capitol end of the mall to watch the fireworks before the Symphony finishes around 9:15 p.m. Prepare to walk home or sit tight for an hour. You might eat somewhere along Penn. Ave. and walk down for fireworks - check for reservations.

Jeanne

We did this trip 2 summers ago and loved it. At the time our daughters were 14 and 11, and we took grandma and grandpa too. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency. Things were very crowded and very hot, but the fireworks are not to be missed. We arrived at the green across from the Whitehouse and could hear the music that was being played from the Whitehouse lawn party. We spent a good part of the day with some friends playing cards on a blanket, playing frisbee, hanging out. We were a little nervous in the crowd walking back to the hotel, but my kids still talk about the people waving from hotel windows and how fun the experience was. We went to Williamsburg for a couple of days afterward and stayed at the Woodlands (I think that's what it was called) in Williamsburg. I thought it was very quaint, but the kids went into culture shock after staying at the beautiful Hyatt in DC, then going to the "cabin" atmosphere of the Woodlands. However, the grounds, pool, and mini golf were great and they had a good time. There's a nice restaurant there too. Have fun!