I am a single mom,taking 2 children(11&15) to DC June 15-21. I am flying in from Ca to Dca and want to stay at a safe place,close to airport and the sights,I was told Embassy Suites,Crystal City was good,I can get it for $169/nite any suggestions.I was told NOT to stay in Washington itself,not safe,is that true?Also what sights should I not miss? Do you recommend tours?I don't have any plans and NEED HELP!Thanks

No, it's not true -- some sections of DC are indeed iffy, but they're nowhere near where you'd be as a tourist.

I've stayed in five or six different hotels in DC in the past few years -- out of all of them, the ES in Crystal City was the least suittable. It's rather a hike to the nearest Metro stop, and not near anything to do; the area is mostly office buildings, and is deserted after dark. I would personally be much more comfortable at night in a less-deserted area.

The ES at Chevy Chase Pavillion is literally atop the Friendship Heights Metro stop and is part of a shopping mall -- much more convenient and user-friendly.

But what I've done lately is to bid on Priceline, and get a hotel in the Downtown or Convention Center area -- usually for about $60. At the Marriott Metro Center (on the same block as its namesake Metro stop), when I checked in at midnight with my two teens they went out of their way to find us a room with two beds that could also accommodate a rollaway so nobody had to share.

In preparing an itinerary, a good start would be for you to read past Fodors threads about DC. That should be a good week to visit -- too late for you to encounter those overwhelming school tour groups, but too early for most tourists and the hottest weather.

I would stay where you are at! DC is perfectly fine if you have another option but I would stay at the Embassy because it will save you loads oif money on food and it has alot of space and 2 TV's!
When I travel with the kids, I try to stay at Embassy Suites properties for this reason!

Ok, I agree with anon, though it may seem that I do not. We were posting at the same time. The Chevy Chase prop is quite a bit higher but the location IS better.
My comments were more general, selecting ES props because of the food and space!

thank you for your advice,how did you get from regan airport to hotel?Do you have any must do's for our stay?

The Metro runs from the airport into the city.

There are no "must-dos". My "must-dos" include the National Building Museum and the Folger Shakespeare Library; most people's "must do's" include the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Holocaust Museum, which my family has never had any interest in visiting.

You really must do your own research and make your own decisions, especially since you haven't told us anything about your or your kids' interests.