Better boat ride?

Planning a trip to DC in the spring, and I%26#39;ve been intrigued by both the C%26amp;O Canal boat rides and the Potomac River Boat Co, specifically the trip to/from Mt. Vernon. My wife suggested we choose one of the two, to keep from being overly boat-centric on our trip, which seems like a good idea.

If we have to choose one, which one would be more fun overall? I know they are very different types of boats so there%26#39;s no direct comparison. But from poking around online, the canal boat sounds slow %26amp; relaxing with nice atmosphere, where the river boat looks a bit ferry-like %26amp; impersonal, but might have good views. Based on that I%26#39;m leaning toward the canal and not the river, but if the views of Mt. Vernon are spectacular I%26#39;d be up for a switch.

Any thoughts from anyone who%26#39;s done either or both? Oh, and we%26#39;d only do the river boat one way, so presumably our amount of time at Mt. Vernon shouldn%26#39;t be affected whichever one we choose. Thanks!

Bar close to Omni Shoreham

Could anyone suggest a bar which sells food close to Omni Shoreham. Looking to have a few snacks and a few beers - hopefully within 5-10 mins walk of the hotel. Any ideas?

Bar close to Omni Shoreham

The closest bar which serves food is Murphy%26#39;s of DC, about one block from the hotel.

washingtonpost.com/gog/鈥?097545.html

The next closest place is Zoo Bar and Cafe on Connecticut Ave, no more than 10 minutes walk.

http://www.zoobardc.com/

Bar close to Omni Shoreham

open city, right next to murphys, also has a full bar and good food.

http://www.opencitydc.com/

Where to stay?

My mother-in-law, sister-in-law and preteen niece are planning a trip to DC at the end of May, but I know there are some areas they need to stay away from. They are planning on visiting the usual sites such as the National Zoo and the Smithsonian. Any thoughts on the best areas to stay?

Thanks!

Where to stay?

Please look at the many threads on the subject.

Downtown, Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter are all in DC and are recommended. Crystal City and Rosslyn are across the river in VA and also are recommended.

Where to stay?

Okay...thanks I%26#39;ll do that.

What's my chance getting tix the morning of for Capitol Tour

Hello,

I couldn%26#39;t get advanced tickets, so now my only option is waiting in line the morning of to obtain tickets for Capitol Tour. The problem is I%26#39;m going to be in DC during the crowdest time of the year (4/10-4/13) Friday to Monday.

Is the tour of Capitol Bldg really worth the wait in line at 7am in the morning. If yes, which day would be my best chance?

Also if I can get tickest to visit the Congress in session does this include the Tour of the Capitol Bldg automatically since The House and Senate are inside the building??? I have to call my Representative to see if I can get tickets or get a guided tour tomorrow. It may even be too late at this point as I find out most of everything in DC needs ';ticket'; these days (white house, washington monument, capitol building, etc.)

Thank you very much for all your help.

What's my chance getting tix the morning of for Capitol Tour

I%26#39;m not sure about your chances of getting a tour the day of, but I do believe that Congress will be in recess during that time. I know because that is the same time that I%26#39;ll be there and I checked.

Have you tried for a reserved time for the National Archives? I had no problem getting that, but we%26#39;re still pending on our White House tour.

What's my chance getting tix the morning of for Capitol Tour

Thank you so much for sharing the info -- save me the time/wait to request for tickest from my State Rep.

By any chance your group for Whitehouse Tour still allow 2 more people? I know you%26#39;re still waiting, so I hope you get tickets to see it regardless. Thanks.

I didn%26#39;t request a tour based on going as a group. I%26#39;m not sure how that all works. It seems to me that the State Reps. office puts together the group.

I received an email stating that we were still in the pending stage due to many more than usual requests.

You may still want to try for a tour of the Capitol building, I just don%26#39;t think they%26#39;ll be any ';work'; going on due to Easter break.

change my eyebrow shape

US Capitol tour -- are same day tickets available?

Hi -- We had to modify our trip to DC and will be arriving at Dulles 10am Thursday instead of the previous day. I had reserved tix for the US Capitol tour for Thursday at 10:50am. I know we%26#39;re not going to make it! I tried modifying the reservation online but couldn%26#39;t. How likely is it that there would be openings for a tour if we just show up? Thanks!

US Capitol tour -- are same day tickets available?

Maybe. I tried to look online but this week does not show online bookability until the 21st. Maybe they don%26#39;t allow online res or changes the week of? Or else they are booked up for reservations.

';Same-Day Passes: A limited number of passes are available each day at the tour kiosks on the East and West Fronts of the Capitol or at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level of the Visitor Center.';

US Capitol tour -- are same day tickets available?

Had the same problem. Couldn%26#39;t get tickets until a couple of days later. There were a ton of school groups last Friday which is why we couldn%26#39;t get into see a portion of the venue. I also found that you couldn%26#39;t modify but had to cancel and rebook. With spring break and the local schools in session it could be that they are sold out for that day. You might try your representative%26#39;s office though.

Good luck.

Thank you Honu %26amp; Shoegal... I contacted my rep%26#39;s office and will hear one way or the other before Thursday. If we luck out, I will hope we can get a same-Day pass -- I didn%26#39;t know that was an option, so thanks for the info.

We just got back from the Capital tour,we left the bar code sheet we got from our Senate%26#39;s office so we just went up to the ticket office and explained the problem and she just asked how many and printed our badges so if you get there early you have a better chance.Ours was scheduled for 11:30 but when we left it was packed.

black heads

Next to Normal - The Musical

Hi, did anyone see the muscial Next to Normal when it was playing in Washington. It is opening on Broadway and I am thinking of going. Would love to hear what you thought. Thanks!

Next to Normal - The Musical

I thought it was very interesting and quite good. I even considered going back for a second time. It is certainly not a typical musical but it rather thought-provoking. The acting was wonderful.

hotel questions: dupont,alexandria, key bridge areas

We are putting together an early April trip and would appreciate thoughts about the comfort and convenience to D.C. museums and areas of special interest of three particular hotels: The Morrison House in Old Alexandria, the Key Bridge Marriot in, I believe, Rosslyn; and the Washington Hilton and Towers in the Dupont circle area. I know the reviews on T.A. are poor for the Hilton, but we stayed there three years ago and found it quite comfortable and convenient, hence wonder if it has really gone steeply downhill, or if our experience was a fluke. I, also, realize that the Morrison is likely not as convenient, but wonder if Old Alexandria itself, and the quality of the hotel, would be an offset. Thank you very much for any help.

hotel questions: dupont,alexandria, key bridge areas

The Washington Hilton has a new owner, though it is still a Hilton. It is also a major construction site. They are doing a big renovation and building a new condo building where the pool used to be.

Old Town Alexandria is quite a great place and has a lot of history, shopping and restaurants. But the Morrison House is a good walk from the Metro. There is a free shuttle along King Street, but that can be frustrating. The hotel, a Kimpton property, should be very nice.

The Key Bridge Marriott would be my choice of the three for a tourist in DC. A nice location, only a few blocks from a Metro stop or across the bridge into Georgetown.

hotel questions: dupont,alexandria, key bridge areas

I%26#39;ve stayed at the Hilton and thought it was just fine. It may be a little tired looking, but I had no issues at all. The proximity to Dupont is nice, though it can be a pain to trek back uphill (you may find it easier if you%26#39;re metroing to go to Woodley Park and walk downhill instead - it%26#39;s about the same distance).

Key Bridge Marriott can also look a little tired, but if you%26#39;re up for walking, it%26#39;s just across the bridge to Georgetown, or just a couple blocks to metro.

Morrison House is beautiful - if you want to spend a lot of time in Old Town, it%26#39;s great...but not very convenient for getting into the city. In my opinion, Old Town is nice for an afternoon of strolling, or maybe a night of drinks, but I wouldn%26#39;t choose it as my base.

Thanks Darrel and Monkey. I, also, have been seriously considering the Marriott near Key Bridge.