Which flight to pick?

We will be leaving DC on a Wednesday morning. I%26#39;m trying to decide between the 8:25am flight and the 10:20am flight. They are both the same price for us. We will be staying at either the Hyatt Bethesda or the Omni Shoreham if it matters. Probably will take a taxi unless you guys recommend the metro at that hour with our luggage. Which flight would be best for us to take when you keep in mind DC rush hour? Also, if we do take a taxi how much extra time should we give to make sure we get to the airport in time?

Which flight to pick?

I would take the 10:20.

I don%26#39;t think you mention what airport but maybe I missed it. I am guessing DCA.

Which flight to pick?

Yeah sorry we%26#39;ll be flying out of DCA

I take 8:25 am flights from DCA to Florida all the time and I get the Red Line one stop up from Woodley Park. The Red Line isn%26#39;t crowded until about 7:30 am (my regular Red Line commute is at about 7:15), so it%26#39;s really easy. From Woodley, you should get to the Metro by 7:00. Add 15 minutes for Bethesda. If you%26#39;re checking bags you might want to leave 15 minutes earlier.

With a toddler and luggage, I would not try to ride Metro during rush hours. And you will have to change trains which only adds to the hassle. Take a taxi and save your nerves.

If you don%26#39;t mind getting up and out of the hotel by 6:30 AM or even a bit earlier, either would be a fine choice. Traffic on the bridges will be calmer for the early flight.

Question about Metro fares? Help!

Hi, we are two couples who will be there March 1-8. We%26#39;re staying in Rockville, MD, and although we do have a car we will plan to use the metro to visit the major DC tourist spots. We%26#39;ll have a net time of 5.5 days in the city, although we may drive to Wiiliamsburg one day.

Okay, I have read the metro website and am confused!

It seems the best bet is to purchase the SmartTripcard? But how much should we load onto it? Once loaded, is it good for travel at any time?

It seems the SmarTripcard is also good for buses, since it mentions TheBus?

Would it be cheaper to buy a day ticket each day? Would that cover all lines/areas? But then I read something about there are no more ';paper transfers';?

Sorry to be rather dense here . . . but I don%26#39;t get it!

...p.s. I did search this forum, but did not find anything on this topic within the last 15 pages or so.

Question about Metro fares? Help!

You used to get a ticket leaving the Metro that would give you a discounted bus fare. No more. Now you get the discount only if you use the SmartTrip card. The card costs $5 unloaded and you add money to it. It is good for travel at any time, on MEtro trains and on Metro buses and you automatically get the transfer discount if applicable coming from Metro (not going TO Metro).

How much to add depends on how far you are going. Most trips are under $3.00 but the ones from the ends of the lines during rush hour can be more. You can play around on this page to see fares http://www.wmata.com/fares/

You could buy a paper fare card when you get here and add fare to it as you go, but you would not get the transfer discount. If you don%26#39;t plan to take any buses, no matter. But there can be lines at the fare card machines.

For 4 days riding, I would get a SmartTrip or paper card with $20 on it for each person and add to it as you go, if need be. Frankly, I find the buses a pain and avoid them, preferring to walk.

To help us help, where will you be staying and where do you hope to go on Metro/bus?

Question about Metro fares? Help!

I don%26#39;t know if the SmartTrip card is the best option, but yes they are good for any time. You might need a SmartTrip card if you will be parking at a Metro lot. You will have to check the particular lot for that answer.

There are no more paper transfers for the rail to bus and bus to bus transfer. The transfer discount happens automatically when you use SmartTrip on both Metrorail and Metrobus. Are you actually planning to take the bus while you are here?

';Would it be cheaper to buy a day ticket each day?';

I guess you mean the one-day pass for $7.80? Can%26#39;t really answer that. Depends if you would be spending more than $7.80 on Metrorail per day.

There are a couple of other passes as well (some with time restrictions like the One Day Pass)

www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm

I always tell people to just buy a regular fare card and load a large amount of money on it.

So go to any machine, purchase a regular fare card, and put say $20.00 on it. It%26#39;s not good for the buses but I can only imagine that you really won%26#39;t be using the bus as much as you think you will just to save a little change.

%26gt;%26gt;To help us help, where will you be staying and where do you hope to go on Metro/bus?%26lt;%26lt;

We%26#39;ll be staying at the Legacy hotel in Rockville, which I%26#39;m guessing is located near the ';Rockville'; station on my Metro map?

We%26#39;d probably take the train to somewhere downtown (Metro center? Smithsonian?) each day. Our Smithsonian visits will most likely be split over three days.

We%26#39;ll be taking the HOHO trolley for two days of sightseeing and I figured that will take us to all the major sights.

Is there any reason to take regular buses anywhere?

The Legacy is across Rockville Pike from the Twinbrook Metro Station, I believe - a telephone call or email to the front desk can confirm.

As far as buses go, you probably won%26#39;t be needing one, as the Metro takes you to all the tourist sites (with the exception of the National Cathedral), so a farecard should cover all of your anticipated travel. And if you do need to take a bus somewhere, it%26#39;s only $1.35 per trip (the SmartTrip card only gives you a 50 cent discount on the bus fare).

Slight correction: The SMARTrip card gives you a 10 cent discount on bus fares ($1.25 versus $1.35) and a 50 cent discount when transferring from rail-to-bus or bus-to-rail. I think the convenience of not having to dig for change outweighs the cost of the card, even for people who are only going to be in town for a week, but given your plans I suspect you will not be riding the bus, and would be better off buying a paper ticket.

half-Brit,

I just wanted to jump in and suggest that you do a search on ';Legacy Rockville'; on this forum. You will find some very positive things said and it will reassure you of your great location in regards to the metro and shopping/dining. From what I have read, it sounds like the walk from the hotel to the metro is quite easy! My family is also staying at this hotel this coming summer--we have two rooms for five nights following our visit to Williamsburg.

One more thing--after poking around on the Metro website and using their trip planner program, I have decided that we will probably do just what MrsMaryland suggested and load each card with about $20 or so for our four full days in Washington. From the cost calculations given, I think that should just about cover us. You might want to have a look at www.wmata.com for yourself and see if you think that will work for you, as well. Just remember that you start in Twinbrook, then plug in a destination like Gallery Place. It will probably tell you something like $2.35 for each leg of your trip (not including little hops on the metro you may want to take during the day--just your long ride out from Twinbrook.

you can save yourself a little time by purchasing your farecards ahead of time thru the wmata website....I ordered a couple of $10 cards the other day and they were in my mailbox 2 days later!

If I may ask , without opening a new post , can two persons travelling together use one card or do we require two seperate cards ? Thanks .

black heads

3rd weekend in April

I am traveling with 3 other adults to Washington DC the third weekend of April. We will be staying over Saturday night and doing the site seeing on both Saturday and Sunday. My question is, are all the museums and such open regular hours on Sundays?

Thanks,

tip

3rd weekend in April

Hours are posted on various websites.

Smithsonian museums are open every day of the year except Christmas. National Gallery of Art the same I believe.

If you plan to go to any private museums, look at their websites to check the hours.

3rd weekend in April

Okay, thanks for your help!

Almost everything is open on Sunday. One exception is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

U.S. Capital Visitors Center is not open on Sunday%26#39;s.

Take a look at this website for all the Smithsonian museums and their hours. http://www.si.edu/visit/hours.htm

The federally funded museums (Smithsonian) are all free. Others like the Spy Museum and other privately owned ones charge admission.

You might also want to consider going to The National Archives which is also free. All original historical U.S. documents are housed here. http://www.archives.gov/

Have a great time.

Visiting DC with a museum hater

I%26#39;m planning to visit my 19-year-old daughter. She moved to Maryland a couple months ago. I%26#39;d like to take her for a day trip into DC (and maybe overnight). I%26#39;ve looked for concerts and theater, but nothing seems to jell. She%26#39;s also not a shopper. I%26#39;m considering a guided tour of the monuments but that would only last a few hours. We would be in DC maybe Monday night and all day Tuesday.

Do you have suggestions?

Visiting DC with a museum hater

Let her plan the itinerary.

Visiting DC with a museum hater

What about visiting museum%26#39;s does she dislike? Reading, crowds, not hands on, doesn%26#39;t like history, etc.

What areas of interest does she have??

Thanks Kvandy, What doesn%26#39;t she like about museums--going with me! I LOVE museums and I get lost in time. That%26#39;s why I was thinking a guided walking tour might be good - I%26#39;d have to keep moving.

She%26#39;s very athletic so covering a lot of ground on foot is no problem. She%26#39;s horse crazy and is working at a barn riding horses every day (her dream job). She%26#39;s not interested in history for history%26#39;s sake and loves romance movies and books.

It sounds like to me you like to linger, read everything, and absorb the entire musuem (like me) and she wants to speed through.

That about right?? Just trying to get a sense of your styles so I can (and the rest of the great posters here) can suggest some things.

Yep. She%26#39;s on the hyper side and would enjoy interactivity and movement much more than browsing. Good questions! Thanks for making me articulate it.

If you are going to do a tour of the monuments, consider a Segway tour. We did one last August with our 20-year-old and 17-year-old and they each had a blast (so did I!)

Also, you might check out the concerts/performances on the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center. They only last about an hour and are free. You can combine that with a walk around the KC and, if the evening is nice, you can go out on the terrace and watch the sunset over the Potomac.

Finally, since there are so many different museums close to each other on the Mall, you could do a little ';sampler'; of each which shouldn%26#39;t be too boring for her (but which, of course, may leave you wanting more). Perhaps select one section in each museum to see and then go onto another. You%26#39;ve got various types of art (East Gallery, West Gallery, Hirschorn, Sackler, Freer, Sculpture Garden), Air and Space, Botanical Gardens, Natural History, American History, American Indian. Lots of people say the cafe in the American Indian museum is the best, so you might schedule your museum-going around having lunch there.

If museums aren%26#39;t her thing I would just skip them. Walk around the monuments for a while, perhaps make a ';deal'; that you%26#39;re going to stop in at one museum you%26#39;d really like to see for 45-60 minutes and leave it up to her whether to tag along or sit outside and people watch for a bit.

Maybe having afternoon tea somewhere or getting spa treatment?

I%26#39;d try to get a tour of the Capitol. This isn%26#39;t history, this is living breathing government and the tour I got gave me a better understanding of ';current events'; which I always hated in school. Add in the Supreme Court and the White house and you have the three branches of government.

I also second the seque tours...looking at those for myself and hubby.

The National Arboretum is really nice. I visited in the fall for the first time since I was a kid, and we really enjoyed it.

The bonsais are impressive. There is TONS of outdoor space for nice walks. Also a great place to take pictures.

One suggestion would be renting bikes on the Mall. It%26#39;s active, you can pop in and out of museums and check out the monuments/sites. For other outdoor activities, check out- washington.org/visiting/鈥ours

You might also consider The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle. It%26#39;s a smaller museum but fabulous collection. Then, you would be in a neighborhood with great people-watching. washington.org/visiting/experience-dc/by-nei鈥?/a>

You may also score some points knowing about the Horse Center in Rock Creek Park. It%26#39;s a beautiful park in Northwest DC.

http://www.rockcreekhorsecenter.com/

If more of a hipster, you might look for some ideas here - washington.org/visiting/鈥utdoor-activities

Which airport?

To be closer to the center of things, which airport should we use -Dulles, Reagan or??

Which airport?

Reagan.

Which airport?

Thanks! It%26#39;s always amazing how quickly we can get answers on these posts. God bless the internet!

Keep in mind that sometimes you can save several hundred dollars by flying into BWI or IAD. And then use some of that money to pay for transportation into the city from the airport. But Reagan National (DCA) is by far the most convenient.

What%26#39;s b w i?

BWI not b w i

Baltimore Washington International

hey Doreen

I%26#39;m going in june,Cost wise in the northeast is better from Providence RI to bwi.Bus to metro and short walk to hotel in downtown DC. This website and all that use it are a ton of info. Bob

A) I wrote bwi (lower case) because reply doesn%26#39;t let you use all caps. Probably thinks I am trying to spam.

B) Thanks, Bob. Last year when I planned our three weeks to Europe, Rick Steves%26#39; Website was invaluable.

A lot of times that cost savings for flying into BWI or IAD is quickly eaten up by taking taxis, or lost opportunities in the hours in transit you have to spend.

DCA (Reagan) is so fast and simple to get to, that it%26#39;s a big winner unless the ticket cost delta is significant. That said, if you%26#39;re flying from Fresno, it%26#39;s probably impossible to fly nonstop into DCA.

Flying direct from Fresno means switching in LA or SF - it%26#39;s about half way in between and just a few hours drive either direction. We have friends in LA and SF, since SF was our home, and so that%26#39;s what we usually do.

Yea, I discovered on our trip to Europe last year that spending a little more for the convenience of landing and staying closer to the action is definitely worth it when you consider time lost in shuttling to city centers, sights, etc.

Sounds like Reagan is the winner (can%26#39;t believe I said that). Thanks y%26#39;all

';Sounds like Reagan is the winner (can%26#39;t believe I said that).';

Then do what the locals do, and call it ';National';!

horses

Hyatt Bethesda or Omni Shoreham??

Hi everyone! We%26#39;ll be up there next month so that my husband can undergo some medical tests at NIH up in Bethesda. We will be there for 4 nights and plan to do some sightseeing since we%26#39;ve never been up to DC. Right now I%26#39;m trying to decide between these two hotels. The Omni is a tad closer to the sights and its not terribly far from NIH whereas the Hyatt is closer to NIH but further away from the sites.

We will have a toddler with us if it matters. I do plan on taking him to the zoo myself on the day my husband is doing his tests.

Hyatt Bethesda or Omni Shoreham??

The Omni is quite a bit closer to downtown and the sights of DC than the Bethesda hotel. It is also only a few blocks from the National Zoo. Both are in fine areas.

Hyatt Bethesda or Omni Shoreham??

While being 10 minutes further on the Metro from sightseeing, I think you%26#39;ll find more choices in the way of child-friendly amenities (restaurants and shops) in the immediate walking-distance vicinity of the Hyatt, and the hotel is right on top of the Metro. This may be advantageous in your particular situation.

But it%26#39;s hard to make a bad decision given these two choices.

Prayers for a good outcome at NIH.

Stay at the Omni. Your husband will have an easy 15 minute ride on the metro to his station.

restaurant suggestion by Capitol

We have a Capitol tour that should end ~4PM; our next ';planned'; activity is the Monuments by Moonlight. Where would be a good place for a family of 4 to grab dinner? Nothing fancy but good.

Thanks!

restaurant suggestion by Capitol

The food court at Union Station would be an OK place where everyone could get what they want and I suppose that is where your tour leaves from. There are also some restaurants there if you want to sit down and be waited on. Or Capitol City Brewing is next door and is popular, though I am not fond of it.

restaurant suggestion by Capitol

Union Station, near the Capitol, has at least 1 ';nice'; restaurant and a food court with lots of options.

http://www.unionstationdc.com/dining.aspx

Its on Capitol Hill.

The National Museum of the American Indian, at the foot of Capitol Hill has wonderful food, though the website says they ';begin to close'; at 5:15.

www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=visitor

When we did the moonlight tour we ate at the Union Station Food Court. They have some very good choices (Greek, Asian, Indian, American) and it was easy to please everyone. It will also keep you from rushing to get to the tour on time, and you won%26#39;t have to rush through the Capitol tour worrying about making it to dinner on time.

Evening walks

In April, staying at Embassey Suites 22nd St. My question is, any word of caution about walking to DuPont Circle area, maybe even to Georgetown for dinner. 2 forty something women without our husbands. We are city savvy, but know that sometimes there are tips on streets, areas to avoid.

Thanks for any input!

Evening walks

Dupont, not DuPont.

None that I can think of.

Evening walks

Either Dupont Circle or Georgetown are within a few blocks. A nice walk in either direction, though Dupont Circle will be much more residential.

It%26#39;s a pretty well traveled route. You may notice walking on M st to Georgetown that there isn%26#39;t a ton of pedestrian traffic or much to look at between your hotel and the bridge. It will pick up after you cross.

We are at the ES right now and just got back from the Dupont station and it was a nice 15 min walk at 10pm.

Thank you!

black heads

4th of July

My two kids (22 and 21) and I will be coming to DC for 5 days including the fourth. We want to watch the fireworks from the mall and we know that there might be another person or two around. :) Is it walkable from the mall to our hotel (Hyatt Arlington) after the fireworks? I went to hop/stop and it said it was about 2 miles, but it looked like a very strange route. The physical part of the walk is not a concern, but since the hotel is across the river, I was just wondering if it is feasible. We would like to avoid the Metro after the fireworks.

4th of July

It would be a strange route, and maybe even more than 2 miles, but it is technically walkable. And the cars will all be stopped cold for a couple of hours, so you won%26#39;t have that danger to contend with. Alternatively, you might ask if your hotel is planning anything. I remember hearing that some places in that part of Arlington have had rooftop viewing parties in the past--not sure about the Hyatt but it doesn%26#39;t hurt to ask (a little closer to the event maybe; their events staff is probably focused on cherry blossoms now).

4th of July

If the Hyatt is the one on Wilson Blvd., it will be a long walk. The only bridges that have sidewalks are Key Bridge and Memorial Bridge. Traffic is not always stopped on the other bridges. I would suggest taking the metro down to the mall during the day and see the sites, then metro back to Arlington Cemetery Station before 7PM and watch the fireworks at 9PM from the VA side of the Potomac.

Monuments by Moonlight tour

We took the Monuments by Moonlight tour around DC and it was the highlight of our trip. The lighting around all of the monuments really focused our attention on all of the details. Even the kids thought is was a great way to see the city. Seeing the Washington monument reflected by moonlight in the tidal basin was magical. A really stunning, ';Gotta'; do.

Monuments by Moonlight tour

We just returned this weekend from D.C. and took the moonlight tour, and I will agree with you that it was a highlight of our tour.We also took in a tour of Arlington Cemetery and watched the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.It makes you feel very proud to be an american.

Monuments by Moonlight tour

Was this the Trolley car tour?

We took the tour last night and it was on the trolley.Great driver(Dave)very informative and also went out of his way to drop us off near our hotel (ES on 22nd)A must tour.

What are the ages of your kids? We%26#39;ve looked at possibly doing this tour. Our kids are 7-1/2 and 11. They are good walkers, not big complainers, and are very excited about going to DC. But the Washington Walks website seems to discourage the Monuments by Moonlight tour for kids under 12. We%26#39;re trying to figure out if we should go ahead %26amp; do it or do the DC by Foot tour (which is shorter) and then go back to see the monuments at night on our own.

We%26#39;ve never been to DC before, so any suggestions/advice is welcome. We%26#39;ll be going the last week of June, so I also thought seeing the monuments at night might help us avoid some of the heat.

Thanks!

Which tour did you take?

client side script

Safe areas to stay in Washington DC

I am bringing my 9 year old son to DC in December. I am looking for a fairly cheap hotel but still in a good area. People keep telling me to be careful where I stay because there are several areas that are not safe. However, no one has been able to tell me which areas are safe and which are not. Can anyone help me out? Are there certain areas that we should not stay?

Safe areas to stay in Washington DC

If you find a hotel that%26#39;s incredibly cheap in DC and has an ';NE'; address, then you should avoid it. As a rule of thumb, a hotel with an ';NW'; address is generally in a safe area. Some safe areas to stay in when in DC---Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, McPherson Square, Penn Quarter--to name a few. Also, if you find a hotel in Arlington, VA and it%26#39;s by a Metro station, you%26#39;ll be fine.

Avoid staying in Prince Georges County, MD--especially if the hotel is inside the beltway. I know that there are hotels near Metro stations in PG County but, IMO, no matter how much cheaper they are than the ones in DC, it%26#39;s not worth it to stay there.

Also note---if you find a hotel that is in a good area of DC but is incredibly cheap, it should raise a red flag.

Wherever you decide to stay, please read the reviews posted here on TA. They will help you come to an informed decision. Also, once you decide on a hotel if you have any concerns about the neighborhood it%26#39;s in, please post back.

One way to find a good rate for a hotel room is to try bidding for one by using one of the discount webpages. If this interests you, take a look at betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com

Safe areas to stay in Washington DC

Thankyou, that is very helpful info. I have 3 hotels in mind, Braxton (Rhode Island Ave NW), Howard Johnson Express Inn (New York Ave NE), or Days Inn Pentagon in Arlington (that one is really cheap, $65/night, I ike the price but at the same time it wories me. I think the Howard Johnson is in one of the areas you recomended not going. There were several hotels in Arlington but I think it will be easier if we are closer to everything.

You%26#39;re welcome! The Braxton does not get good reviews here on TA. And yes, I would definitely avoid the HoJo Express. The Days Inn Pentagon is a 2-diamond property. However, it is in a commercial area and is not near a Metro station. As far as I can see, the hotel doesn%26#39;t even offer a courtesy shuttle to a Metro station for its guests, either.

You could look into the Courtyard by Marriott Crystal City--rates start at $99/night. Or there is also the Hampton Inn %26amp; Suites Reagan National--rates start at $89/night. Both are 3-diamond properties and both offer a free shuttle for their guests. The Hampton Inn is right by a Metro station--the Courtyard would be an easy shuttle ride away, IMO.

Also, there is the Days Inn Crystal City--rates start at $89/night and it is right by a Metro station.

I agree with SueFee on the areas to stay in in DC and recommend that, if possible, you stay in the city itself so that you save the hassle of commuting. Another area not on her list is SW, near the Mall. The area is much less lively at night--it%26#39;s mainly office buildings and there are few restaurants--but it%26#39;s a very short walk to the Mall museums. The Holiday Inn Capitol, for example, is only two short blocks from the Air and Space Museum. However, SW is a large area, and parts of it aren%26#39;t good--avoid the area where the Best Western Capitol Skyline is located. Keep in mind, too, that weekend prices are generally much lower than weekday rates, so if you time your trip for a weekend, you should be able to get much better deals.

If your budget is really tight, you might also want to check the reviews on this board for the Americana Hotel in the Crystal City area of Virginia. It%26#39;s an old motel, but several reviewers here and on usenet travel groups give it good marks for convenience and cleanliness. The Hotel Harrington, which is in DC, is another reasonably priced hotel, but people either love or hate, depending on their standards.

The advice that you should ';Avoid staying in Prince Georges County, MD--especially if the hotel is inside the beltway'; is a bit over the top. While there are many areas of PG County best avoided by tourists--as there are in DC--the only thing a tourist is likely to die of in most parts of the county is boredom. For example, the Marriott%26#39;s Inn and Conference Center, which is on the University of Maryland College Park campus, is in a perfectly reasonable area, although, as I said, I think the convenience of staying downtown makes that the better option.

Seconded on the Prince George%26#39;s County comments, while overall there are some real nasty areas you can%26#39;t write off the whole county. Marriott in Greenbelt is good, there is also a Courtyard in Greenbelt, both of which are close to Greenbelt Metro, as well as a string of hotels and motels along Route 1 in College Park that would be good options for budget travel as well as close to Metro stations.

To be fair to the poster who knows nothing about DC or PG, it is a reasonable suggestion to avoid the whole of PG. She is unlikely to know the good from the bad, and the bad is much larger than the good.

College Park and Greenbelt aren%26#39;t all that swift these days either. I catch the bus sometimes from Greenbelt to the Dist. Ct. there, and while during the day I am not bothered, a tourist, especially at night might find herself uncomfortable.

And, never let yourself be talked into the hotel/s in New Carrolton.

I tried Prince Georges Plaza last year for the first time in 20 years and felt somewhat concerned.

Sure, College Park has all that University Charm, and a few good neighborhoods left, but look what it%26#39;s surrounded by. Riverdale, Hyattsville and even Langley Park is within walking%26#39;s distance. Sure there are areas of Hyattsville and Riverdale Park that are being Gentrified, but it still has a far bit to go.

Langley Park just down the road is Mara Salvratucha (MS13 Gang)Central.

I have family still living out there, and go to Ledo%26#39;s occassionally, and know the area well.

To someone who doesn%26#39;t know the country it is safer just to tell them to avoid the whole place, with no disrespect intended towards those who live there.

Cheers,

Dev

';To someone who doesn%26#39;t know the country it is safer just to tell them to avoid the whole place, with no disrespect intended towards those who live there.';

One could say the same thing about DC!

Look, Dev, I agree that staying in DC a better option than staying in a suburb for any number of reasons--convenience, better dining options, general city vibe--but for somebody on a budget that isn%26#39;t always an option. Providing information on good and bad parts of the surrounding areas is more useful, since most of the surrounding counties have problem areas. MS-13, for example, is as active in Fairfax and Montgomery Counties as in Prince George%26#39;s. I realize I%26#39;m about to re-start the Prince George%26#39;s flame war that raged on this board last year, but I think we need to provide more specific information and not just rule in--or out--whole counties.

I%26#39;m looking at the Wyndham near Thomas Circle and the Hilton Garden near McPherson metro.

They are both reasonably priced and was wondering if they are in safe areas. I believe they are both in the downtown area.

Hiya Westward~

Both of the hotels you mentioned are in good neighborhoods. There is a lot of construction going on on Thomas Circle. What address is the Wydham so can tell you if you will be in the middle of a construction zone.

Cheers,

Dev

Hiya Bink~

True, it is possible for people to wander into unsuitable areas of DC (Increasingly hard, but possible) but DC is a destination unto itself so getting off the beaten track is a possibility.

But why put someone in that position if they have no reason to be in that area except staing in a hotel there. Much easier to put them in a safer place in the first place.

I still have family (G-d help them!) living in Lewisdale, Hyattsville, Riverdale and Bowie.

I could not in good concience recommend PG County to ANYONE as a place to stay for their holiday. Too much a potential for trouble.

Just as I would never recommend anyone stay in Harlem or South Central LA! Even though there may be good areas, why take the chance.

Cheers,

Dev

Bars in Georgetown

Hi,

I%26#39;ll be staying in Georgetown suites when I arrive in Washington. Can anyone recommend any nice bars near to the suites?

I realise that there are probably lots of bars in Georgetown, but was wondering about ones near to the suites.

Thanks in advance.

Bars in Georgetown

I don%26#39;t have the address of that particular hotel memorized. You can go to mapquest and put bars in the things nearby section if you like.

Bars in Georgetown

There isn%26#39;t much point in listing them - you%26#39;re within 2 blocks of numerous bars. Clydes, Rhino, etc etc. Plenty on M as well as Wisconsin within stumbling distance.

Walk from Omni Shoreham to Dupont Circle?

Would this be an interesting walk or should I take the Metro? How long would walking it take?

Walk from Omni Shoreham to Dupont Circle?

Yes, take this walk down Connecticut avenue.

Walk from Omni Shoreham to Dupont Circle?

It isn%26#39;t a long walk along Connecticut Avenue, probably 20-30 minutes. The first part is the Chinese Embassy and some grand old apartment buildings. Then you get to the upper end of the Dupont Circle business district with hotels, restaurants and stores. Be sure to look over the railing as you cross the bridge to see the Park Service horses and Rock Creek.

Or you can walk across the other bridge on Calvert Street to Adams Morgan, which is also an interesting neighborhood.

Thanks guys. I%26#39;ll take the walk.

Staying there in September, thanks ruleofthumb think I will take the walk now as well, sounds far more interesting than the metro.

which metro pass to buy?

We are going to be in DC from Monday through Saturday and need to get from Reagan National to the Omni as well as around town to all the sights. Will we be riding the bus or just the Metro more than likely? It looks like we need a different pass for each one. Is the 7 day fast pass for $39 or the short trip pass for $26 a better deal? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

which metro pass to buy?

Do a quick search of this forum and you will find this discussed several times recently, with much good information.

For many people, the passes are convenient, but maybe more expensive than just paying the fare as you go along. If you are staying at the Omni, the short trip pass should work for almost any of the usual tourist sites around town. Unfortunately, there is no pass for both the bus and the trains that really works for a tourist.

which metro pass to buy?

We like the 7 day passes whenever we are there. We find that we use the Metro quite a bit. It%26#39;s very convenient not to have to worry about extra fares when we are at the Mall all morning and want to go to Dupont Circle area for a good lunch, or maybe out to Alexandria for dinner. We often find ourselves riding the Metro several times a day back and forth across the city just to save time and do everything we have scheduled (e.g. morning tour of Ford Theater followed by a trip to Arlington, then a tour of Supreme Court, dinner in Dupont Circle, then back to hotel -- that would require 5 Metro rides in one day, or lots of walking). I think it would be easy to run up at least $20 or more of fares in a week, so we just get the 7 day pass for a little more and never worry about it.

We (two couples) just came back from a week there and each person bought the $39 7 day fast pass. It worked very well and was quite convenient. We found that we used the Metro more than we thought we would ;-)

Thank you all for the quick responses. Will we ride the bus at all, or does the Metro go most everywhere?

black heads

What time to leave DC by to avoid rush-hour traffic?

We will be leaving the city (Marriott Metro Center) on a Tuesday afternoon (March 24th). We want to get as much in as possible that day, but want to get out of town before the big traffic hits. What time should we leave by? Thank you!

What time to leave DC by to avoid rush-hour traffic?

No later than 3 PM.

What time to leave DC by to avoid rush-hour traffic?

I second that--3 at the absolute latest, 2 to be safer.

Assuming you%26#39;re driving back to Pittsburgh I concur with leaving your downtown location at 3pm, 2pm won%26#39;t save you much. I%26#39;m on I-270 every afternoon just about the time you%26#39;ll be getting there.

You may be in very brief back-ups at key exits all along I-270, but don%26#39;t panic as they will move shortly. Once you get to Frederick and I-70 the worst is over.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the advice and will make sure we are out of town by then. :)

We are leaving for Pittsburgh on a Monday from Arlington National Cemetary. We plan on staying until 5:00 and then grabbing a bite to eat. If we leave at 6:00ish will rush hour be over or should we try to leave later than 6:00?

Rush hour will not be over at 6 PM.

Is it better to take 66/267 out of Arlington or George Washington Memorial Parkway to get to 495 to 270? (I hope I am quoting all these right - looking at Google maps)

Neither are going to be great at rush hour. Barring undue delays (accidents) the GW Parkway is more direct and scenic. They do drive fast on there so be careful.

dems pushing

Tosca Dress Code

Hi!

Can anyone advise dress code for Tosaca/11th street and for going to see the theater-Jesus Christ Superstar. Jacket/open collar?

Thanks

Tosca Dress Code

You could wear whatever you want to the theater and I%26#39;ve never seen a dress code at Tosca but evening I don%26#39;t see a need for a jacket unless you wanted to.

Tosca Dress Code

Just look nice.

I only know of one place in DC with a real dress code. But if you%26#39;re doing dinner at a nice restaurant and a show, why not do it up right and dress the part? Jacket and a tie would help you stand out nicely from the kakhis and polo shirt crowd at the show and would fit in properly at Tosca.

Walk from Nat. Gallery of Art to Library of Congress

Am trying to plan our itinerary; how long would it take to walk from the East wing of the National Art Gallery to the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. I really can%26#39;t tell from the maps I%26#39;ve looked at.

P.S. We are two adults and a thirteen year old with no physical limitations.

Walk from Nat. Gallery of Art to Library of Congress

www.hopstop.com is a great source for walking directions. You might just be able to put in the names of the buildings, if not, use the addresses, and choose walking directions. That will tell you how far of a walk, and approximate time.

Walk from Nat. Gallery of Art to Library of Congress

Thanks for the suggestion. Will do.

No more than 30 minutes I would think. But uphill most of the way.

When you get to the Library of Congress, don%26#39;t go up the stairs to the main entrance. The way to get in is from the street level, under the steps.

Hi, Darrell. I thought the ground level entrances were only for researchers and wheelchairs, but that would save us some time i think if we don%26#39;t have to go around to the front door. I assume that the blocks are long based on the 30 minute estimate. Are the Washington blocks relatively uniform in length? (If you have traveled through Philly, you know that a block along the Parkway is very different from a block in South Philadelphia.) Also, on another topic, if I may, is it cool to take the Metro from Union Station to Dupont Circle back to our hotel around 10:30 on a Saturday night or would it be better to take a cab? (We will be coming off of the Monuments by Moonlight tour then.)

If I am remembering correctly, you go to the front of the building, but enter underneath the steps and the plaza at the main door. I am not sure where researchers enter, if it is separate. Things could have changed.

Riding Metro at any time of day or night is safe. Very little crime. There is some pickpocketing with unaware and distracted people, but that is going to be worse when the trains are crowded. And it isn%26#39;t a big problem in any case.

In that part of town, with the Capitol grounds, it is difficult to judge what constitutes a ';block';. 30 minutes is probably a bit over-estimated. It may well be shorter if you move right along. In the rest of the city, many blocks are relatively uniform. At least compared to many cities. Not like NYC where N-S blocks are short and E-W blocks are long.

National Gallery to LOC is maybe a 15 minute walk.

Union Station

Going from New York to RcckvilleI have a close connection to the Metro Red Line. Arriving fro New York can I make it to the Metro in less than 4 minutes?

Union Station

The walk from the train to the Metro will probably take longer than 4 minutes. And if you have to buy a farecard, absolutely impossible. Not to mention the distinct possibility of Amtrak not being exactly on-time.

Union Station

Unless you are the first paasenger to get off that train, chances are other passengers will slow you down on the escalators up from the platform. You will then run into other leisure paced foot traffic in Union Station. As the earlier poster pointed out, Amtrak does not always arrive on time. So 4 minutes is not realistic.

What do you mean by close connection to Metro Red Line? Doesn%26#39;t it run all day?

On most trains that you will get from NYC to DC, you will not have an escalator up from the platform. That applies to trains that are continuing south, and most of the trains end in DC.

You will have escalators in the Metro station. And if you are relying on a Metro train being on a schedule, forget it. Only the last train of the day is likely to leave on a strict schedule. But maybe that is the train you hope to get on.

If you mean you%26#39;re catching the very last Metro train of the day from Union Station to Rockville (train labeled Shady Grove), that Metro train leaves Union Station at 11:59 pm during the week and 2:59 am Friday and Saturday. If these are the specific Metro trains you%26#39;re thinking of, you%26#39;ve got a $40 taxi fare to look forward to from Union-Rockville when (not if) you miss the connection.

But from what I can see, there are no Amtrak trains scheduled to arrive in DC from the northeast on any day within just a few minutes of either of these times. So if you don%26#39;t make the Metro train that%26#39;s leaving four minutes after your actual arrival to Union, there will be others following, most likely running 5-10 minutes apart.

Also note that there is inexpensive bus service from different carriers direct from New York to the Rockville area which would eliminate the need for the transfer at Union Station. Depending on where in Rockville you need to be, the bus running direct to Bethesda may work just as well for you.

I am hereby reporting my plans as ';inappropriate';. Thanks for all your input. FYI I was hoping to leave EWR at 3:25 and get to Fitzgerald Theater, Rockville by 7:25 pm. Thankfully a kind soul will drive me there from Union Station.

Thanks for all your input! I will investigate the direct bus for the future.

Whether you%26#39;re using public transportation or having someone pick you up, the challenge with using Union Station to get to Rockville is its latitude--you need to first take the train 15 miles further south then you need to be, then you need to go 20 miles doubling back northwest to Rockville.

Here%26#39;s the better solution, assuming you have a friend who%26#39;s willing to drive 40 minutes to a train station to pick you up--sounds like you do:

Take the same 3:35 train and get off at BWI Airport Station at 6:15 (vs. Union at 6:46). Your friend will probably have a similar drive to BWI as he will to Union.

If your train is on time, you%26#39;ll be at Fitzgerald comfortably by 7:00 with a BWI pickup vs. scrambling like mad to make a 7:35 curtain with Union.

If you%26#39;re thinking about doing this on a weekday, I%26#39;d say it%26#39;s a slim chance you%26#39;ll make the opening curtain if you try to do this from Union.

Oh, and you%26#39;ll save a few dollars on the trainfare as well.

I may have the wrong specific train you%26#39;re thinking of, but you should get the general idea. Look at a map and it will all make sense. Enjoy the show!

Until the state completes the Intercounty Connector, there%26#39;s no fast and easy way to get to Rockville from BWI except taking local roads. Otherwise, to stay on the freeway, you%26#39;ll have to go all the way down to the Beltway (I-495) and then head back north on I-270.

I would probably cut across on SR-198 and then take Norbeck Road into downtown Rockville and the F Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.

April spring break - am I doomed?

I have an opportunity to become a meber of the bar of the US supreme court on Monday 04/06, which incldes a tour, so I wanted to take my family (which includes 2 middle schoolers) there early, say Friday 04/02, to do some sightseeing. However, I am learning that this is probably the worst time to go to DC, and that the lines are going to be ridiculous. Any thoughts on what would be best to see, least crowded to see, from Friday to Sunday? I was thinking a Mt. Vernon excusion might be in order. Any thoughts woud be appreciated.

April spring break - am I doomed?

Yes, it will be crowded but no, you are not doomed.

1. Your kids are old enough to walk around so you can have a good time walking to all of the sights and monuments and avoid the crowds waiting for the hop on/hop off buses. I would also encourage you to take the Metro to Arlington Cemetery and you could walk the cemetery on your own with a map from the Visitor%26#39;s Center. The cemetery is hilly, but defintitely do-able with middle-schoolers.

2. Consider going places where you can get timed tickets in advance. I believe the tickets for the Washington Monument are already sold out for the time you are coming (but you can always try for same day tickets if you get to the ticket booth early enough.) However, timed tickets for the tour of the newly-renovated Ford%26#39;s Theatre are still available for that weekend. The tickets are free, but there is a processing fee charged. At these places, the number of people in the group will be limited, so you shouldn%26#39;t encounter a huge crowd.

3. See if you can arranged a tour of the Capitol through your Representative%26#39;s office. We were able to do this at somewhat the last minute last August. While the Capitol was crowded that day, our tour group was only 10 people and we were able to meet our guide right at the Representative%26#39;s office--thus no standing in line for a guide.

4. If you go to Mount Vernon, be there right when they open and do the tour of the mansion first. The tours of the mansion are on a first come/first serve basis and the line can get quite long. Once you have done the mansion tour, you can walk the grounds, take a smaller specialty tour (e.g. gardens, slave quarters, etc.) and visit the relatively new museum.

5. Finally, our family is leaving the D.C. area for our Spring Break, so you can take our place!

April spring break - am I doomed?

It will be great timing for Cherry Blossoms! They expect the peak bloom period to be April 3 to April 9.

You can learn all about it here:

http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

My advice is: Go early. Most visitors sleep in a bit. Go to what%26#39;s most important 1st to make sure that you see that. If you%26#39;re driving, the monuments are gorgeous at night. After dinner, or after 7pm, go to the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, cruise along one side of the Mall and then cross over and see the other side.

Yes, the Natural History Museum and the Zoo can get crowed after about 11 am, but earlier times can be magic.

Congratulations on joining the Supreme Court Bar. My Father was a member.

you are actually really lucky - it is a beautiful time of year - and walking is lovely as the air is fresh and clear - the blossoms are just spectacular - have a lovely time.

I too am doing my part to lower the population by four. We are off to London.

Agree-you should come, be prepared with the tips you get here and enjoy yourselves.

You can always get a taste for it and then come back. You will be better prepared for next time and then will be able to get more out of it since you will have your bearings.

I always enjoy the second go at places I travel to.

Metro from Inner Harbor Area to DC ?

Hi All... We are spending a few days at the Inner Harbor in May, and then have reservations at the Marriot Metro for Saturday and Sunday sightseeing. Is there a way to get to DC from the Inner Harbor on a Saturday morning and returning sometime Sunday via the Metro? I thought it would be easier on me if I could leave the car at our Inner Harbor hotel to eliminate the drive and parking hassles. Also, I wanted to take a monument tour. I am trying to decide between the double decker bus or the OnBoard tour. I%26#39;ll have a 13 year old with me, and we are looking forward to a nice relaxing day with no time constaints. Thanks for any help or alternate suggestions !! :)

Metro from Inner Harbor Area to DC ?

Are you talking about Baltimore? If so, no you cannot use DC%26#39;s Metro system to get from there.

You can use MARC train or Amtrak. Look at their websites.

Metro from Inner Harbor Area to DC ?

You cannot use MARC on Saturday or Sunday. It only runs on workdays. Quite honestly, driving is probably the easiest thing for you to do.

If it were ME, and considering you are doing this on an early Saturday and then return on Sunday-I would just DRIVE between A and B.

Unless you are totally panicked about driving into D.C., but it is fairly a straight shot down the BW parkway. We can give you directions once you decide what to do. D.C is not a difficult city to get around if you understand the concepts of the street layout and get your bearings with a map. But then again, this is just me who has been here all my life.

And I think you can park your car at Union Station if you don%26#39;t want to pay crazy hotel parking prices, but I am not 100% sure what the rules are.

Your son may enjoy driving down gritty NY avenue.

Ok, thanks for all the info. I have a GPS, so we can just drive. I thought the kids would get a kick out of a Metro ride, and Mom could ';relax';. Last time in DC we did the Smithsonians, so this time I%26#39;d like to tour the monuments. I%26#39;m looking forward to it. Thanks again.

You can still ride Metro to get around when you are here. It operates within DC and it suburbs. Not in or to Baltimore.

Be wary of GPS. The shortest, most direct way is not always the way you want to go. Take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD 295, not I-295) directly onto New York Avenue, then all the way to 11th Street NW (not NE). You will have to go around Mount Vernon Square with the old library, now the DC History Museum. Turn left onto 11th, go down to G Street, turn right, one block to 12th, turn right and there is the Marriott Metro Center on the right.

D is right.

Look at a map so you can visualize what you will be doing in the big scheme of things.

BW parkway dumps you directly on NY ave which is a bit of a mess as far as clunky pavement, lights and interesting scenery. Do take note of the Old Hecht%26#39;s company warehouse. (A neat old building that hopefully will have its Renaissance soon.)

I go to Annapolis several times a year, and make the drive on weekends, from Northern Virginia via cutting through the District and then NY Ave out to Maryland, it is a breeze (basically coming the opposite of you) so don%26#39;t have any worries.

Ok, thanks so much for all the great info. You guys are fantastic. I have printed out the directions, and will use those to arrive. I don%26#39;t plan to use the car at all once we are in town. I decided on the OnBoard tour, and the rest of the weekend is open for us ';putzing'; around town. Thanks again, have a great weekend...

black heads

backgrounds for myspace

Holiday Inn Express Camp Springs / Andrews AFB?

Hi,

I am looking at a Holiday Inn Express in Camp springs 5001 MERCEDES BOULEVARD CAMP SPRINGS, MD 20746. Has anyone stayed here? Would you recommended it. It has free parking $126 a night in July. It also has a hot breakfast bar fridge and microwave in room. It is within walking distance from metro and there are some nearby restaurants I think. How long would the metro ride be from Camp Springs to D.C? Is it faster to drive? Any advice will be appreciated!

TIA, Matsui255!

Holiday Inn Express Camp Springs / Andrews AFB?

It is about a 30-35 minute ride to the Smithsonian stop from Branch Avenue. Have you looked for reviews of this motel on TripAdvisor?

Holiday Inn Express Camp Springs / Andrews AFB?

I have read the reveiws some people love it. Some people did not!

Hotel next to Metro

I am attending a conference near the Smithsonian stop on the Blue/Orange line. Can anyone recommend a place to stay near a Metro stop? I know the Metro fairly well, so I don%26#39;t mind changing lines to find a decent place to stay. Oh, and I need it to be under $200 a night.

Thanks!

Hotel next to Metro

Hotel prices vary by day of the week and time of the year. So you need to look up prices for yourself.

The Hampton Inn and Suites at Crystal City is close to the Blue Line and people seem to love it. The hotel closest to the Smithsonian is the L%26#39;Enfant Plaza Hotel. But after the offices close, there is very little to do or place to eat close-by. But really there are dozens of hotels near a Metro stop. All will not be under $200 a night though.

Hotel next to Metro

Hi FamilyFour, I see you%26#39;re fairly new to TA, welcome.

Here is the review page for Washington DC hotels. To use it effectively, first put your dates into the search box. Then click ';Advanced Search';. Then, on the page that comes up, look on the left-hand side of the page to refine your search by price, hotel star, etc. (Not by proximity to Metro, unfortunately)

Then scroll down the page and read the reviews.

Once you have narrowed it down to a few choices, then try coming back here and asking if anybody is familiar with a hotel or area it%26#39;s located in.

We recently stayed at the Legacy in Rockville (red line), but that may be too far out for you? One block from the Metro station (free hotel shuttle), and about 30-35 minutes to the Smithsonian stop, with change at Metro Center. As I understand from reading this forum, the hotels farther out are less expensive. Makes sense!

Proper dress attire

My family and I will be visiting the last few days of March through the beginning of April. Most of the suggestions I have read say to dress in layers. Are jeans commonly worn or would casual dress be more appropriate?

Proper dress attire

For the usual tourist thing, just about anything is OK. Jeans are quite common. I don%26#39;t know of any tourist sites with a dress code other than requiring a shirt and some sort of footwear.

Proper dress attire

Most visitors wear jeans, but you%26#39;ll see people wearing all types/styles of dress. Make *sure* your shoes are comfortable!

There may be dress codes in some upscale restaurants.

We found the museums to be warm, so just peeled off our outer shirts to a T-shirt when inside.

Cherry Blossom Prediction 2009

The expert on the cherry blossoms predicts the peak blooming will be between April 3-9, 2009. That is very subject to change depending on weather conditions, but he does a good job most years.

Cherry Blossom Prediction 2009

Here is the Washington Post link:

鈥ashingtonpost.com/goingoutgurus/鈥?/a>

Cherry Blossom Prediction 2009

We will be going to see the blossoms this spring. I found a blog, written by a dc local, that was very helpful.

http://www.dclikealocal.com

The site has hints for walking, eating and even where to find some bathrooms.

Thanks for both of those links. Very informative, the 2nd link provided. I hope they bloom well on those dates. Good luck with it all!

Thanks!

Darrell6t... your posts are always so informative, helpful and kind. Much appreciated.

Hiya, Lisa. I agree. Darrell6t has been a tremendous help in planning our dc trip. Thanks, darrell.

Thank you all. I love DC.

where should a group of 40yo couples hang out at night

We are a group of 40 somethings that like to go out and have fun at night. We don%26#39;t want to be at a frat party but want to either see some good music or hear a DJ that plays rock and maybe some dance music.

Any ideas? which areas should we go to at night. will be a friday and saturday night

where should a group of 40yo couples hang out at night

Where are you staying??

where should a group of 40yo couples hang out at night

Willard

I guess not alot of nightlife recommendations on this forum.....

how is georgetown for our age group on a saturday night?

Personally, Georgetown wouldn%26#39;t be my first choice for your age group. I%26#39;d recommend the U Street area. There are lots of great places. Check out who%26#39;s playing at the Black Cat, DC9 or Velvet Lounge while you%26#39;re here.(You can see events at www.washingtonpost.com and look in the Going Out Guide section.) Cafe Saint Ex is also a good option for a DJ.

Penn Quarter neighboorhood would also rank higher than Georgetown (in my opinion). If the weather is nice you could walk from the Willard.

Also, you might want to check out the H Street/Atlas District. It%26#39;s still sketchy late at night, but there are some good venues there like Rock and Roll Hotel and the Red and the Black.

Hope you find some places you like!

Soiled Bed Sheets

DC trip advice needed

Hi All: I am planning a trip to DC and Gettysburg June 6-8. We are planning two days in DC and one day in Gettysburg. There will be me (late thirties) and my three older teenage children (16, 17, %26amp; 19). The younger two have never been to DC and all three have never been to Gettysburg. Should we plan to be in DC on Saturday %26amp; Sunday and do Gettysburg on Monday? Or, Gettysburg on Saturday and DC on Sunday %26amp; Monday? We will be using the metro in DC, does it run often on the weekends? Also, will the tourist areas be very crowded on the weekend? We will be staying in the Arlington, Crystal City area. All tips on itenary are appreciated!

DC trip advice needed

Also, is there a metro stop near arlington cemetary? We would like to see the Tomb of the Unknown and the changing of the guard. Does anyone know the hours. Is this something we could do in the evening? - thanks

DC trip advice needed

There is a Metro stop on the Blue Line for Arlington Cemetery. The cemetery closes at 7 PM during the summer. See here: arlingtoncemetery.org/Visitor_information/ho鈥?/a>

It%26#39;s a real toss-up. On the one hand, you won%26#39;t have many locals doing the ';tourist'; things on Monday because the schools will still be in session around here in early June. So, it%26#39;s possible that the museums and other tourist attractions will be slightly less crowded on a Monday. (But, it%26#39;s going to be busy, no matter what.) On the other hand, on Monday, you will have to contend with all the folks going to work on the Metro unless you don%26#39;t plan to ride until after rush hour. Metro trains should be running frequently from Crystal City no matter the day you visit. See the Metro website, www.wmata.com for more info.

As for Gettysburg, I think it would be less crowded on a Monday because lots of folks in this area go up there for a day trip on the weekends. But, I%26#39;ve been there on a weekend in the middle of summer and it%26#39;s still not that bad because it%26#39;s such a big park. If you do go to Gettysburg, I would highly recommend that you arrange for a tour with a Licenced Battlefield Guide. These guides have to pass rigorous tests in order to become licensed and they REALLY know their stuff about Gettysburg and the Civil War. You can read more about these guides at: www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

I%26#39;d double check to make sure that the places you are interested in in Gettysburg (especially restaurants) are open on Monday.

Thanks for the great info. Our plans are constantly changing based on information on this forum. So much good advise! I%26#39;m thinking of adding an extra day.

black heads

The Hamilton Crowne Plaza or Willard Intercontinental

Which hotel is best overall: location, rooms, etc. I can stay at either for same rate due to a discount I received. Please input your recommendation of the two.

The Hamilton Crowne Plaza or Willard Intercontinental

The Willard, hands down.

The Hamilton Crowne Plaza or Willard Intercontinental

even for location. we are couples looking to enjoy nighttime as well pub hopping and casual dining. what areas are best for this?

Dupont Circle or Penn Quarter/Chinatown.

Willard, without a doubt. The Crowne is nice, but the Willard is top notch, and you have some great choices to eat in close proximity.

How did you get a discount at the ilard Intercontinental?

Woops! Willard Intercontinental

Employee discount....sorry I couldn%26#39;t help you.

rooms look extremely basic and nothing fancy when viewing photos online....

I haven%26#39;t stayed in either hotel, but the Willard seems to get celebs when they are in town.

In fact, I never even heard of the Hamilton Crowne Plaza

My wife say that in fact I do know the hotel she says it is across from a favorite restaurant of ours. I guess I just never knew the name.

Ford's Theatre and museum questions

I have been to the theater and the museum (is it still called the Lincoln Museum) twice. I really enjoyed it when I visited the first time in the 90%26#39;s. When we visited two years ago, it was chaotic and there were no tours of the presidential booth where Lincoln was seated at the time of the shooting.

I know things have changed with the new reopening. Can you tell me how it all works now? Don%26#39;t visitors need time tickets through the National Parks Service? Do you have to have that even to go into the basement museum? Will we be able to go up and see the presidential booth if we have time-tickets?

Any other information to know? Thanks a lot!

Ford's Theatre and museum questions

The museum has not reopened. It is still being renovated. No date has been set, but it should be within the next 3 months. http://www.nps.gov/foth/

Ford's Theatre and museum questions

Darrell,

I am confused...So the big reopening I saw on TV with President Obama was just for the theater portion?

Well, three months from now is ok...we will not be there until June 19-24. So, where is this suit of President Lincoln%26#39;s being displayed? It%26#39;s the one he was shot in...I just read where someone was saying it is there and only on display for short periods of time because it%26#39;s so fragile.

The reopening you saw was only for the theater.

I have not paid attention to the business with the suit. You can probably find out with a quick Google search. http://www.google.com I believe it was on display at the newly opened Museum of American History.

Coat on display

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20鈥?/a>

For more info on the ticket system for tours of Ford%26#39;s Theatre and the Petersen House, go to www.fordstheatre.org If you want to pre-order tickets for the tour (which might be advisable during the busy summer season), there is a link on that site to Ticketmaster.

Are museums chilly in the summer months?

I thought maybe I read that some of the museums keep the A.C. too cold during the hot months. I hate to be cold and wondered if a jacket might be a good idea while in the museums?

Are museums chilly in the summer months?

For the most part, you keep moving in museums - it%26#39;s not as though you%26#39;re sitting for a long period of time - so it%26#39;s not too bad. That said, I always have a long-sleeve something to throw on, just in case. Learned that after living in Texas!

Are museums chilly in the summer months?

Also, remember there are going to be a LOT of bodies in those museums in the summer months, so that%26#39;s a lot of body heat. I%26#39;ve never been chilly in the museums in the summer.

Update on Restaurants near 9:30 Club

I%26#39;m planning to go with some friends to the 9:30 Club soon, and am hoping to get some recommendations here on restaurants in the area. It%26#39;s been a while since comments on this topic were posted here. Thanks!

Update on Restaurants near 9:30 Club

I%26#39;d be helpful to know what types of food you like and price range. There are tons of restaurants on U St., you just have to decide what you are looking for.

Update on Restaurants near 9:30 Club

As the previous poster said, there are now tons of places to eat in the U Street corridor. Whenever we want to do a good dinner before a show at the 9:30 Club, we like Coppi%26#39;s. Coppi%26#39;s is a tiny (I emphasize tiny) Italian place, but is superb. If you want to go, you better make a reservation though.

http://www.coppisorganic.com/

You%26#39;ve raised a very valid question, but unfortunately I%26#39;ll be a bit vague and ask you to recommend any place that is moderately priced, casual / relaxed, and offers tasty food. Think of maybe 2 - 4 places that you%26#39;d consider going if you were in that area with several friends. Not very formal or quiet, but not a take-out joint with a corner table either. Thanks again!

bump

Hmm, my favorite places in the area are:

The Islander - great Caribbean food and rum punch

Marvin - soul food and Belgian

Tabaq - Mediteranean

Next Door - comfort food, owned by the Ben%26#39;s Chili Bowl folks

All have websites with menus if you google them.

I like Vinoteca (www.vinotecadc.com) at 11th and U. Went recently with a group of 5 and had some nice wines and good food. A bit further away near 14th and U, I like Bar Pilar for both food and drinks. As you probably know, most places in the area are pretty small and crowded, so definitely reserve ahead if you can.

Thanks for the excellent, and thorough recommendations! You%26#39;ve provided a nice variety of options - I appreciate your response.

grown dutch rabbit

best travel from boston to d.c.

We are debating among different ways of traveling to and from Boston and D.C., and would particularly appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken the Amtrak regional. What was the experience like: comfort, timeliness? Is it worth it in terms of comfort to pay more and take the Acela? What about buses? We%26#39;re pretty knowledgable about air travel, but not so much about rail and bus(except for local commuting) within North America. Thank you for any help on this.

best travel from boston to d.c.

bostonpage,

It all depends on how much time you want to take. I will fly when I need to be there quickly - it%26#39;s a fast trip, and often you see some great scenery. However, I don%26#39;t like to fly, so I usually take the train - and I absolutely recommend paying the extra and taking the Acela. The regional stops at quite a few towns, and the cars are older, so there%26#39;s a lot of rattling and slowing and starting. The Acela makes much fewer stops, and the cars are a lot newer, so more comfortable and quiet. Each seat has it%26#39;s own power outlet (only one per every two seats on the regional, I think), and the cars are brighter and cleaner.

I wouldn%26#39;t typically consider the bus, unless you were really looking to save money, though I know some people have used buses to make that trip w/out any problems. I don%26#39;t think there%26#39;s a bus that goes all the way through (though I could be wrong), so you%26#39;d have to change in NYC. On Amtrak, you just stay on all the way through.

Hope that helps - let us know if you have any other questions.

best travel from boston to d.c.

I agree with previous poster. But for me (and probably some others ) it can be a matter of cost. you can clearly drive for much less than taking a train. but the acela is great. I%26#39;m also fine with regional as long as it doesn%26#39;t take more than an hour or so. its a fine experience even though acela cars are definately nicer. flying can take just as long if you get stuck and dealing with airport and all.

Hotels near the Cherry Blossom festival

Hi. My girlfriend and I are arriving in DC on April 3rd from NYC and leaving on the 5th. She%26#39;s performing on the main stage at the festival on April 4th and I would like to get a hotel as close as possible to the festivities. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Hotels near the Cherry Blossom festival

Here is the website: http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

The hotel closest to the action is the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which is quite expensive and not very convenient to much else. Next closest would probably be the L%26#39;Enfant Plaza Hotel.

black heads

Hotel suggestions

Hello

My 7 year old daughter and I are traveling to DC via Amtrak in April. I am trying to decide on a hotel. I have looked at Four Points by Sheraton, Capital Hill Suites, The Quincy, The Helix or there is the Dupont Hotel? Trying to find something close to a metro stop. Does anyone have a beter hotel or one over the other I have listed? I am leaning towards The Quincy.

Thanks

Hotel suggestions

The area of The Quincy is all offices, with some restaurants within a block or two. It is close to two Metro stops with three lines, Red, Blue and Orange. And you can walk to Dupont Circle in 10 minutes or so. Should be a good choice unless you like a more residential area.

Hotel suggestions

Thank you... Residential is no big deal... I just wanted a good location for metro, etc. Thank you!!

Best way to get from LOC to Union Station

What is the best way to get from Library of the Congress at 4:30 on a Saturday to Union Station? If we were to take the Metro from Capitol South, it appears that we%26#39;d have to transfer twice, if I%26#39;m not mistaken. Should we plan to walk which we enjoy or take a cab?(Several guide books suggest that the area as one moves away from the Capitol itself can get dicey after hours but they don%26#39;t specify how far from the Capitol nor what they mean by after hours. If we walk, what route is advisable?

Best way to get from LOC to Union Station

You can definitely walk. 4:30 on a Saturday is not a problem. It will be quieter than a weekday, but there will still be lots of people around and there are still plenty of Capitol police on the weekends. Someone else may be able to provide better directions, but from the map it looks like you can just walk straight down either First or Second Street, SE across E Capitol Street into NE and you%26#39;ll see Union Station on your left after about 4 (long) blocks.

Best way to get from LOC to Union Station

An easy walk. Much of it down hill. Lots of Capitol security around. The only better way would be to hail a taxi. The area that gets dicey is when you walk east, and even then quite a few blocks from the Capitol. You will be walking north and a bit west.

Thank you both for the information. Looking forward to our weekend in DC.

best viewing for fireworks

On April 11th, there will be fireworks for the Cherry Blossom Festival. We are considering a dinner cruise on the Odyssey (very expensive) or watching from the ground. What would locals recommend? Any other options to consider?

Let me know!

Thank you very much!

best viewing for fireworks

If you are expecting a grand show like on the Monument Grounds for Fourth of July, you will be disappointed. And if you are taking Odyssey mostly to see those fireworks, I would save money and eat elsewhere before or after watching the fireworks from the SW waterfront somewhere near the Odyssey dock. The last time I went, it was too cold to comfortably stand for too long. So that could make for a change of plans, depending on the weather.

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Metro stop for Basilica

Is walking from the Brookland Metro stop to the Basilica on a Sunday morning advisable?

Metro stop for Basilica

Yes. It is fine to walk there from the Brookland Metro stop.

Museum of Health & Medicine appropriate for 12-year old?

My 12 yr old daughter is interested in the Human Body and wants to be a Dr (this month!). We will be in DC over Easter and I am thinking about a visit to the Museum of Health %26amp; Medicine. Is it too explicit for a young teen? She is not particularly squeemish but it looks like it it has programs only for college students. Any one been there?

Museum of Health %26amp; Medicine appropriate for 12-year old?

I haven%26#39;t been in years and I don%26#39;t know much about 12-year-old%26#39;s, but their web site says it is OK for elementary school students. Look under the FAQ%26#39;s for great information on that and other stuff. http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/

Museum of Health %26amp; Medicine appropriate for 12-year old?

Thanks for the link. After kicking around the website it looks fine. I think she will be interested in it. They do tours for 5th grade and up so it can麓t be too disturbing. I will write a review on it when we are back. Thanks again

restaurant recommendations near Ford's theater

Any suggestions for dinner after touring Ford%26#39;s theater. Travelling with an 11 year old vegetarian. Prefer non-chains but as long as it has a decent wine list will try it.

thanks

restaurant recommendations near Ford's theater

Bistro D%26#39;Oc is right across the street, though I don%26#39;t know what vegetarian choices there are. Check the menu. http://www.bistrodoc.com/home.html

restaurant recommendations near Ford's theater

Also recommended:

Ella%26#39;s Woodfired Pizza - Casual, but decent (and moderately priced) wine list - ellaspizza.com/italian_restaurants_in_washin…

Pricier - Pricier, but has a pre-theater menu from 5 to 7; nice (pricier) wine list, with also a good selection of 1/2 bottles

THanks for your suggestions.

black heads

Spy and Newseum--days to visit (crowds)

Want to visit both of these and will be in DC from a Thursday 3/19 till Tuesday. I am guessing weekends are busier so a weekday visit makes more sense for less crowding. Like most sites, I am also thinking earlier in the day, there would be fewer crowds.

Any insights on when to visit would be appreciated.

Spy and Newseum--days to visit (crowds)

I haven%26#39;t been to the Newseum, so I can%26#39;t comment on that. However, I (a local) have been to the Spy Museum and can say that due to its popularity and the way it is laid out, it will be crowded at the time of your visit. You enter the museum in timed groups, so the biggest bottleneck is in the first few rooms, but it remains crowded throughout. I would definitely recommend booking the first tour of the day. You%26#39;ll still have that bottleneck in the beginning, but you could skim that area and head to a less crowded section of the museum if the group got too claustrophobic for you. (Note: You can go back to all but the first room, but it can be difficult ';swimming against the tide'; when the museum is full.)

I recommend buying your ticket in advance of your visit so you have a better choice of times and so that you can avoid the (often) long lines that form just to buy tickets.

Spy and Newseum--days to visit (crowds)

Get there early and be prepared for school groups during the week.

Luxury Hotel in DC

Hello.

Our family of 5 is headed to DC the second weekend in April. We have reservations at the Four Seasons which is usually our first choice as hotel chains go. I%26#39;ve read a lot of negative reviews regarding this particular hotel. Does anyone know if the renovations are finished? If not, what hotel would you recommend? We would like to stay with the choices within the Am Ex Platinum travel service. (Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Willard, Hays-Adams, St.Regis, Park Hyatt)

Thank you.

Luxury Hotel in DC

I%26#39;d say Hay Adams as the best combination of quality and location; Mandarin Oriental best if you%26#39;re not planning to leave the hotel or will have a car service. (it%26#39;s just not in an interesting place)

But reading some of the negative reviews of the 4S, it seems some of them are just bothered they got rid of the old (not very good) restaurant and other public areas. And some of them just sounded fake to me. You might find it to be just fine, especially if you call in advance and tell them of your concerns (and your loyalty to the chain). They%26#39;ll probably put a note in the computer to treat you extra nice.

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Earlier morning activities

Hi Everyone

My husband and I will be joining the crowds of tourists coming to town for the Cherry Blossom Festival. I have been working on our itinerary and have found many great things to do. I have noticed that MOST museums, attractions, tours begin operating at 10:00ish. Does anyone have any information on tours/attractions/activities that can begin as early as 7:00/8:00 or 9:00?

I know the National Zoo grounds can be walked (though we will miss some of the ';housed'; exhibits). I see that Washington Photo Safaris can be done at 6:15 am. Any information on other activities would be greatly appreciated. We are staying at the Washington Marriott near Dupont Circle.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Earlier morning activities

The Newseum opens at 9. White House tours are early--ours was at 7:30--but it has to be arranged through your Senator or representative and they do not take place on certain days. Capitol tours (which can be booked online) start around 8:50.

Earlier morning activities

Early morning is a great time to see the Cherry Blossoms and the Monuments. Less crowds and quite peaceful.

Arlington National Cemetery opens at 8 am.

The monuments are open 24/7.

Mount Vernon opens at 8:00 am in April.

National Archives

Is it unrealistic to plan on taking the yellow line metro from Alexandria after 4pm on a Saturday to see the National Archives? If so, what would you suggest? We%26#39;ll be visiting 3/28-4/3.

National Archives

The National Archives Rotunda, where the major documents are kept, closes at 7 PM this time of year. The last admission is at 6:30. The only problem would be if they are doing track work that weekend that disrupts the usual schedule. That is unpredictable. (If you look at the web site, don%26#39;t confuse the hours for researching records with the open hours of the exhibits. www.archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/#hours )

National Archives

Thank you!

Hotels under $200/night

I will be traveling to washington d.c. the 1st week in June with my sister, is it possible to get a nice hotel for under $200/night???

,,,,I don%26#39;t mind being outside the city if I am close to the subway and the ride is not too long to get to the major sights

I am assuming the subway is not expensive

Can anyone recommend any nice hotels in a nice area that meet this criteria,,,,

thank-you in advance

Hotels under $200/night

The first place I would would be Orbitz. If you see something you like, check the hotel%26#39;s website to see if it is the same price.

Hotels under $200/night

the thing is i don%26#39;t know the area and do not know what area to look in for hotels

There are tons of threads on the subject.

Start by looking at Downtown, Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter, across river in Rosslyn or Crystal City (VA).

That%26#39;s when this forum will be your guide. Don%26#39;t commit any money until you come back and ask about a few specific places that seem to fit your needs. It is almost impossible for a stranger to recommend a hotel just based on price and closeness to Metro. There are dozens.

What exact dates in the beginning of June will you be coming?

sunday june 7th through Tues June 9, leaving wed

I did a quick search on www.quikbook.com, marriott.com and hilton.com and found a few possibilities. (Be sure to check the reviews on TA to see if they might be a good fit for you.)

The Latham Hotel in Georgetown for $129/night. It%26#39;s about a 15 minute walk to metro, but the Circulator bus also picks up close by. And it%26#39;s a good location for evening dining options in Georgetown/West End. That%26#39;s definitely the best deal I saw.

Surprising, the Mayflower is coming up for $179/night, but that may be non-refundable. That would be a great option if you can get it. Check www.marriott.com (it%26#39;s a Renaissance hotel).

In Arlington, VA, near the Rosslyn metro (a good, safe location, just a few stops from the main tourist attractions) the Virginian Suites was available for $152 avg/night. Since you%26#39;re coming on a Sunday-Wed, the rate will likely change during your stay at most of the hotels so it%26#39;s best to calculate an average per night rate.

Also in Arlington, in Crystal City (also convenient to the city by metro and near National Airport), the Hampton in is coming up on the Hilton website for $139/night. This is a very good option and price for your dates.

If your dates are set, you could try booking on Hotwire. Book a 4* in Foggy Bottom and you should definitely end up near metro. If you do a 4* in other neighborhoods, you could be a little further from metro, but hey, if you can snag a deal you can spend some of your savings on taxis.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

I have stayed in dozens of hotels in the DC area and being near the metro is a big plus. The last time I stayed at the Holiday Inn Key Bridge and I loved that location. It%26#39;s an easy walk over the bridge to Georgetown which I think you and your sister would enjoy and also a couple of blocks from the metro to take you into the tourist area. I just checked and you can get a room at $179 (advanced purchase).

thank-you very much, this is most helpful!!

Thank-you very much!!

hotel washington -need info

I am trying to find the phone number for a hotel called Hotel Washington, I am finding it hard to find it on the internet,,,all I know is it has famous rooftop bar,,,,can anyone give me the addres or phone number or website,,,,also if anyone knows about it, nice?? that would also be helpful,,,thank-you in advance

hotel washington -need info

I believe it is still closed for renovation. It will be a W Hotel as far as I know. Don%26#39;t know when it will open. Yu might want to look at the website for W Hotels for more info

hotel washington -need info

The Hotel Washington is closed. It is now undergoing a major renovation and will reopen as a W Hotel. I have not heard when that is expected to happen.

Did it have a famous rooftop bar??? I just want to make sure we are talking about the same place,,,,thank-you

Yes, it had a famous rooftop bar and restaurant. It is assumed that the W Hotel company will keep that in some form or another.

black heads

Good restaurant at King ST.

Which restaurant would you recommend on King Street ?

We like seafood, Thai ....

Thanks

Germain

Good restaurant at King ST.

There are actually tons of great restaurants on King St. Vermillion, Mai Thai, Farrah Olivia, Majestic. Not all of these are just seafood, but they are really good.

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better choice of hotel: the latham or the dupont hotel

If was able to get a room at $109 per night at both the Latham and the Dupont Hotel. Anyone have any feedback on which is better as far as location and

a nice place to stay.

Thanks

better choice of hotel: the latham or the dupont hotel

For location it is no contest; the newly renovated Dupont wins without a doubt. Right on Dupont Circle and about a block from the Metro stop. One consideration is when you will be visiting, because the Dupont is undergoing a big renovation and you probably want to be sure it is finished before you arrive or you might have to deal with noise and disruption. FYI, it was previously the Jury%26#39;s Hotel.

better choice of hotel: the latham or the dupont hotel

Thanks for your reply, we will be there April 3-6, 2009. I guess I need to check if construction will still be going on at that time.

The way it looks right now, I would even be surprised if the Dupont is open that soon. But I guess construction workers can accomplish miracles sometimes. They were working last Sunday, but I didn%26#39;t see anyone there today.

best way to get from judiciary square to BWI

I have looked at the metro and Amtrak, not sure which is the best way to go. I need to be to bwi at 10 am on a Thurs.

best way to get from judiciary square to BWI

If you have to catch a flight, take a cab. Otherwise, you can take the Metro to Union Station and take a MARC or Amtrak train to the BWI station and the free airport shuttle from there.

stroller rentals

Will be travelling to Washington this week with 4 kids. Just wondering if there is a stroller rental place in the city - we%26#39;ll probably just need a couple of umbrella strollers for a day or 2.

stroller rentals

The following places rent strollers:

http://www.breezybaby.com/ProductList.asp

www.thetravelingbabyco.com/ProductList.aspx鈥?/a>

http://www.bikeoasis.com/

Live music?

so our days will be full of museums and monuments, but I dread the thought of sitting in a hotel room every nite....are there any live music venues/clubs near to Penn Quarter? we%26#39;ll be there the first weekend in May....rock, blues or reggae preferably...

thanks :-)

Live music?

I%26#39;m drawing a blank for anything ';in'; Penn Quarter, but there are more than a couple live venues in town that might interest you.

It%26#39;s maybe a bit early for specifics for May, but Pollstar.com is a good resource, and I would also google the websites for the Black Cat, 9:30 Club, and Rock and Roll Hotel. Blues Alley in Georgetown is a bit more upscale than the other three.

None of those three are near Penn Quarter, but a Meto (subway) or taxi will get you to any of them without too much effort.

Live music?

If you literally mean ';weekend'; this won%26#39;t apply, but it just came to me - Thursday nights a great group, ';Scythian';, is in residence at Fado Irish pub on 7th Street in Penn Quarter. A lot of fun...

I just checked their web site and it seems they are no longer there ';every'; Thursday like they used to be, but they are there on Thursday 30th of April and I highly recommend them.

lucky me! we%26#39;re getting into town the afternoon of the 30th...I might have to go check out some ';ceol na nGael'; ;-)

thanks for your help, Irish!

holy smokes, IrishFan!! it%26#39;s almost like you know me!! I%26#39;m sitting hear listening to some tracks from the newest Scythian CD...I may have to go to the show just to buy the CD!! :-)))) thanks, they rock....

I was looking at the RnR Hotel%26#39;s site today and there are a couple of bands I might want to check out while I%26#39;m visiting....

the club%26#39;s free shuttle sounds too good to be true, but I%26#39;m hoping someone here can tell me it IS true :-)))

It seems the shuttle is a reality. I don%26#39;t actually know of anyone who has taken it, but at least one person who commented on this reliable blog:

dcist.com/2009/01/new_shuttle_service_to_mak鈥?/a>

Thanks mopsy...that%26#39;s an interesting blog....

funny, tho....the Hotel%26#39;s website makes it sound like they run the service....??

Evening Tour On 1st Night?

Hi there,

I will be arriving into Dulles Airport around 430pm %26amp; would like to make the most of my 1st night. Was thinking of doing a Segway tour but the tour departs at 6pm, so i doubt id be able to make it through immigration to my hotel (Madison) then onto the meeting point.

So my second choice would be the Monument by Moonlight tour. This departs at 7pm. Does this tour have to be booked beforehand or can i just show up %26amp; pay at the time? Just incase i am delayed etc.

Is there something else i could do instead? Is visiting Georgetown better at night than during the day?

Thanks,

Caroline

Evening Tour On 1st Night?

If you are due to land at Dulles at 4:30 PM, you will be lucky to be in your hotel by 7. Immigration and customs will probably take an hour or more unless you are a US citizen. Then is is the better part of an hour into the city at that time of day on a workday.

If you are interested in restaurants, bars and shopping in Georgetown, then the evening can be nice. If you want to see the history and architecture of old Georgetown, then a single woman wandering about the quiet streets might not be the best idea.

Evening Tour On 1st Night?

I thought i was being a little optomistic about clearing immigration!

Oops, i forgot to mention my lovely boyfriend will be with me on holiday!

I think Georgetown may be the better option then. We can have dinner then go 2 a pub then stagger home!

Caroline

You will need a cab or bus to get to Georgetown. There are several bars and restaurants on P Street between 14th and 15th and around the corner on 14th and that is only a couple of blocks from your hotel. Not nearly as extensive as Georgetown however.

black heads

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