My husband is not in the best of health, so we would like to stay near one or any of the art museums and take a bus tour...any suggestions for closest hotel with parking? Thanks.

I don't know which museums you are thinking of. but in terms of being near the mall, there is the willard (very nice and expensive), a sheraton (also nice and not as expensive) and the marriott (at about 12th and penn)(which is cheaper)

Thanks...actually I am not sure whether we should try the Corcoran, Hirschorn or National Gallery on a first trip, what do you advise...?he's particularly fond of the impressionists and post-impressionist...is that a fair question?

For Impressionists, definitely National Gallery, main building. The East Wing of National Gallery (I M Pei designed it) tends more toward modern art, and is worth a visit. Special exhibits occur frequently. The Corcoran on 17th Street NW charges a small fee for entry, and the special exhibits would be the most interesting to see (check their website or the Friday Washington Post Weekend Section for the latest on all of DC). Hirshorn is an interesting building at 7th SW and Independence Avenue, and its exhibits are more 20th Century oriented ... check their website for whatever they may be showing. You really need to use a taxi to get to all these museums ... the parking is not good. When you go to National Gallery, you will be taking a taxi to about 4th and Pa. Avenue. This is only five minutes or less from the Marriott, Washington and Willard. For the money, Marriott is your best bet. Since your husband may not be up to walking a lot, by all means use DC taxis to the hilt ... they are plentiful, decent and relatively cheap. We are on a zone system ... from your hotel to the museums, probably one zone. Quite inexpensive. To make your trip efficient, try restaurants along 7th Street NW when you take a break from the museums. Or there is a decent restaurant in the basement of the wing between East wing and Main Building. Ask anyone. Have a nice trip, and welcome to DC. Ciao

Cabs from the hotels that L mentioned to the museums on the Mall will cost $6.50 for the two of you ($5.00 plus $1.50 for the second person), in non-rush hour. Add an extra dollar during rush hour. If you want a lovely museum, you may also want to consider the Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle.

Yes, the Phillips certainly does deserve a look, that's for sure. Great area too ... have lunch at Dupont Circle if you have time. Not to push Zagats, but get some of their DC stuff on-line and it may help you organized museums and meals. A DC Access guide gives you neighhborhood breakdowns for everything ... very handy, and color-coded to help you eyeball it. Ciao

Thanks...I think we will try the National Gallery....and the Marriott...any bus or trolley tours that make sense, since I am picking your brains.

ET, I think you may want to talk with Marriott about trolley or bus tours ... living here, I just have no experience. I think if I were you I might look for a small van service that takes people around to see the sites in DC. They have this Duck boat thing ... but cannot evaluate it ... just don't know. Ask the hotel, and get a small, personalized one if possible. You want someone who knows the city, history, etc. Also, look at a Post Weekend section (in every Friday issue) before you arrive ... you'll see what is going on. You may decide you want to go to Kennedy center, for example. Keep posting here as questions come up ... a number of us respond to DC enquiries ... and many know more than I do. Ciao

a friend of mine suggested the River Inn..am I better off at the Marriott or the willard? Now comes the driving question: anyway to avoid the Beltway. I will be coming in from Frederick Maryland..and willing and able to use local roads...have survived the beltway several times, but I am beginning to think that I am pushing my luck...

ET, I'm not sure I understand your question ... Marriott and Willard are across the street from each other. In DC, perhaps since you'll be out of the room a lot, go for the better price. Location, no difference. Since you'll be coming from Frederick, presumably that will be on 70/270. When you get the 495 Beltway, you have two choices: go left toward Baltimore and take Connecticut Avenue into DC. Or go right toward Richmond, and just after you cross the Potomac River (American Legion Bridge), exit right onto the George Washington Parkway to DC. Some might disagree, but the easiest exit off GW Parkway is to cross the 14th Street Bridge (watch carefully for this exit ... it may be siged as 395 south, I believe ... can someone comfirm this?) and stay on 14th Street. This will take you across the Mall and to Pa. Ave. NW, a block from Marriott and Willard. As far as time: don't drive to DC before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. ... our heaviest traffic hours. Ciao