Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
2011-09-23 5:08 PM

User image

Expert
1158
10001002525
A Husker stuck in VA
Subject: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?

The 8th is my 10 year anniversary and I will be deploying for 8-9 months in November.  I have the cash and plan to take the wife to DC for the weekend, just looking for input on a fairly decent price hotel close enough to everything that a short cab ride or even the metro will get us around.  I will be driving up but unless things have changed for the better in 16 years I know that parking and traffic make you like a cab.

Like I said, not looking for the 200 a night room, as we will only be in it a few hours a night.  Would take recommendations on things to see.  already planning on a couple monuments and a day at the Smithsonian.  Oooo, and a nice place for a dinner.

I appreciate any suggestions.

 

Scott



2011-09-23 5:11 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.

Edited by tylerhatcher 2011-09-23 5:12 PM
2011-09-23 5:23 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Expert
839
50010010010025
Central Mass
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?

For something completely different, we were in the area in April and we camped at Burke Lake.  Not too close to anything really, except Fairfax and Annadale.  It's about a 7 mile drive to the Springfield blue line station, but traffic wasn't really too bad when we drove during off hours.

When we got off the plane (DCA) , we stayed in the Days Inn in south Alexandria (Fairfax county, not Alexandria city).  Cheap but not really great but we could check in at midnight right after our plane landed.  A number of hotels are right there too (along US 1 between Huntington Ave and Kings Highway, all inexpensive and not looking too great, but less than a mile (I walked it) to the Huntington station (yellow line) and a very easy drive to the insanity that is old town Alexandria.

2011-09-23 5:30 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Expert
1279
1000100100252525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/DCAAEDT-DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-Washington-DC-Crystal-City-Virginia/index.do 

Rooms overlooking the potomac with views of the monuments are very nice.  Close to metro.

2011-09-24 4:37 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Expert
893
500100100100252525
Livermore, Ca
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
The Willard. It might be pricey but it's in the Holiday inn hotel group so you can use free nights/reward points.
2011-09-24 5:10 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Pro
6838
5000100050010010010025
Tejas
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
The Lincoln bedroom. Should be free provided you drop a 100K tax deductible donation before you go.


2011-09-27 9:54 AM
in reply to: #3698399

Expert
1099
1000252525
Broadlands
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?

I've stayed in a few hotels in DC.  The one I like is the Hamilton Crowne Plaza )14th and K.

It's a very short walk from the white house and all the monuments/attractions.  close enough to walk to some nice restaurants.  

For somewhere to eat, if you like, busy social spots with very good food, check out Oya.

it's a French/Chinese fusion place, the food is simply excellent.  (very loud at the bar, but when you sit down to eat you can actually chat :-) )  It's actually a nice walk back from there to the Hamilton.

2011-09-27 11:25 AM
in reply to: #3701950

Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
It's hard to get less than $200/night if you're in DC, even for the crappy Days Inn (which I don't recommend).

My heart is now with the hotels in Crystal City.  You have a much nicer selection of hotels and with the train you don't even know the difference.  It's just another stop.  Also, super convenient for Reagan if you're flying in.  Just a thought, maybe not romantic enough. 

For DC, I stayed at the "Capital Hilton" which was very convenient for the sights (not sure of price).


My must do restaurant is Jaleo.  There's a location in the city (E and 7th, also a great area for restaurants and by my favorite Smithsonian - Portait Gallery) and conveniently now Crystal City!

Added:    Smithsonian is great, but my favorite museum is the Newseum.  Yea, you have to pay, but it's really really cool.


Edited by BikerGrrrl 2011-09-27 11:28 AM
2011-09-27 11:37 AM
in reply to: #3702148

Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
I would also recommend the Holocaust Museum.  It's not a Smithsonian, but it's free and well done.

The Smithsonian:  lots of good things to see, but plan your visit carefully.    You could maybe see 3 if you really blew through them and skipped a LOT.  If  there's something special you want to see, you can run in and look and then leave.   Also, I wanted to do the American History museum on my last visit and it was closed.   Of course, I learn this after walking there and around it.  Please learn from my mistake and make a game plan, check hours, special events, closures, etc.    You can't really just "do the museum".  I think there's an app for that.

Oh, and for really interested lunch options check out the National Museum of the American Indian.  It's very small so easy to run into.  They have counters with different regional options.   Much more interesting than McDonald's at the Space museum.

I love DC - have fun!
2011-09-27 11:41 AM
in reply to: #3702175

Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
Segway tour:  http://www.capitalsegway.com/

Super fun to ride and also see a lot of good sights in a short amount of time, with a tour guide.  I laughed the whole time at how silly it was, but really fun.
2011-09-27 12:14 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Expert
1099
1000252525
Broadlands
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?

as for things to do and see:

The DC Tour Bus (hop on hop off) is a good way to get around and see the sites, spend as much time at each monument/museum as you want then jump back on the next bus and get a tour while you are going to the next stop.  starts at Union station.

For a bit of fun, DC Duck tour, bus tour that is also a boat, drives to the river, boats down the river, drives back through DC.  it's expensive but it's fun, have done it with family a few times when they come to visit.

Museums, well, the Natural History Museum is excellent, definitely worth a visit. 

The American Indian Museum is not as good as it could be, I don't know why, but I just felt it was soulless and did not tell the story well. (others I have taken have seen it completely differently, they love this museum)

Air and Space - Downtown DC museum is OK, has some interesting exhibits and is worth a visit, but if you have the time a trip to the Udvar-Hazy center (Smithsonian air and space) by  Dulles Airport is the better of the two Air and Space.  SR-71, Enterprise Shuttle and Enola Gay....to name 3 exhibits worth a view!!

The Washington Monument is closed indefinitely while they try to figure out how to repair the damage from the recent earthquake, but it's still worth a visit.

One definite place to visit is the Arlington Cemetery, this is one powerful place, it's actually an inspiring experience when you take the time to stop and take a close look at some of the areas.  A source of pride for any American, and even though I am not American, it's a source of pride for an ex soldier. 

Agree with the Newseum, not free but worth a visit.

 

ETA:

If you can spend some time in Georgetown, the evenings in Georgetown are excellent, you can sit and have a nice drink by the river then wander up to Filomena Ristorante, this is an excellent little Italian place, the food is great, the service is great, nice atmosphere.....



Edited by dewybuck 2011-09-27 12:21 PM


2011-09-27 4:42 PM
in reply to: #3702148

Expert
839
50010010010025
Central Mass
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?

BikerGrrrl - 2011-09-27 9:25 AM

My heart is now with the hotels in Crystal City.  You have a much nicer selection of hotels and with the train you don't even know the difference.  It's just another stop.  Also, super convenient for Reagan if you're flying in.  Just a thought, maybe not romantic enough.

I forgot about that.  On our last night, we stayed in the Radisson in crystal city - had to be at DCA by 5am.  If you reserve the right days, far enough out like we did, it's only $100.  By far, the best $100 room I've ever been in - if you don't hit the reservation window right it is a $200+ room.



Edited by scorpio516 2011-09-27 4:42 PM
2011-09-29 9:16 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Expert
1158
10001002525
A Husker stuck in VA
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
Thanks for the suggestions, however, as with all decisions involving my wife.... WE have changed OUR minds.  Headed to Shenandoah Valley I guess.
2011-09-29 10:13 PM
in reply to: #3698399

Pro
6838
5000100050010010010025
Tejas
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
 Dang it. I mailed a 150K donation in your name to the White House last week. You should be hearing from them about that Lincoln bedroom in the next few days. Oh well, Happy Anniversary anyways.
2011-09-30 8:11 AM
in reply to: #3698399

Pro
6838
5000100050010010010025
Tejas
Subject: RE: Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC?
 Oops, the check bounced. If guys in blue suits show up, don't answer the door, Chief.
New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Anniversary.. Where to stay in DC? Rss Feed