OT - Washington DC - YouLookFab Forum

OT - Washington DC

ButterflyLady

My family are trying to work out where we'd like to go on holiday. This is always a very tricky decision, trying to take into account everyone's preferences, without anyone compromising too much!

Washington seems to be popular amongst all parties (although I think my younger son is just thinking of the Six Flags park that is apparently not too far away!?).

So - can any YLF-ers recommend any hotels? Or give me any tips? We will be going in August, we have no choice about that, so I know it will be hot - is it so hot it's unbearable?

Thanks in advance.

14 years ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from ButterflyLady

Jjsloane

Veteran

Our weather here is slightly unpredictable (for example it's been in the 60's in February this year). August can be a killer - or not. DC is a fabulous place for all ages and the museums (Smithsonian ones) are free and there is a good variety of subjects. There are some fabulous museums that are quite pricey as well (Spy Museum, Newseum) but worth it if those subjects appeal to you and they sometimes end up on Groupon.
Living here I have no idea about hotels, but the Metro system is quite user friendly (and clean). There are usually a lot of street activities in August. Six Flags is about 20 minutes away (depending on traffic here) in MD.
I know there are a few more of us (citygirldc comes to mind) in the area who would love to meet up with you if that can be arranged!

14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

August is hot and humid, so be prepared to dress cool and comfortable! Frankly, even though I've lived here all my life, I do not love the heat and humidity here in the summer (I prefer the desert), but i know many people who don't mind it the way I do. And kids don't seem to care -- one of my best friends took his family to DC last summer (four young kids), and they had a great time. One of the upsides to visiting then is that you don't run into so many school groups (big crowds and buses) at the places you visit.

As for hotels, I have no real experience since I live so close to there, but I know people who like the Willard and the Hay-Adams.

You can literally spend days at the various buildings of the Smithsonian -- the Air and Space Museum, Natural History, Museum of the American Indian, etc., plus there are wonderful art museums as well, particularly the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, the Corcoran, Hirshhorn, etc.

I would highly recommend a walking tour of the monuments (my favorite time to do that is in the spring during cherry blossom time). The botanical garden on the Mall is one of my favorite places to go, and I also love the National Arboretum (further out away from downtown) -- there's a nice koi pond and bonsai garden, and miles of roads throughout that are great for a bike ride.

Six Flags is about a half hour drive from downtown DC. Or if you drive an hour south you can go to Kings Dominion, but that means dealing with Northern VA traffic.

If you decide you'd like to get out of DC for a day, historic Annapolis is a nice side trip (45 min drive), or you can swing up to Baltimore for the cool respite of the National Aquarium and the Visionary Art Museum (45 min drive). Fort McHenry is interesting to visit as well. Lots to do around here!

14 years ago

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Hi there. DC is a great place to visit and public transportation (Metro - subway system is easy to use especially on those hot August days). Per JSloane and Janet, most of the Smithsonian museums are free and would suggest the following museums:

-Museum of Natural History for the dinosaurs and gems
-National Portrait Gallery at 7th Street - love this museum because it's not just portraits -and close to foods and restaurants.
-The Space Museum - one of my favorites growing up
-Museum of American History
- The National Zoo

You MUST: Take the double decker bus tour of the city. It's good for 2 days and it's hop on, hop off. The ride gives you a sense of how big the city really is and the different neighborhoods you'll see. You can pick it on near all the memorials which I suggest seeing. Unfortunately, there's lots of construction going on near the reflecting pool by Lincoln Memorial but Lincoln and Jefferson are a great visit and have great views of the city. Georgetown is great for shopping and georgetown waterfront.

Now that the Washington Monument is closed, you may want to vist the Old Post Office Pavilion Tower for views of the city (plus food and restrooms are there). Union Station by the Capitol building has a huge food court and restrooms are available there.

Hotel suggestions (depends on your budget):
-Hotel Harrington - 3 star hotel in the heart of downtown, close to museums, shops, metro.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to pm me.

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I've only been once, but I have to add that the fact that the Metro has a stop that goes right into a 5 story mall is awesome!! (I have suffered in small towns with no dept. stores for way too long apparently lol)

14 years ago

Anonymous

DC is one of my favorite places to visit. I go at least one weekend a year.
As far as attractions, the lovely ladies covered it already.
As far as hotels, it all depends on budget. I have stayed at the Marriot @ Pennsylvania Ave twice, but I've used points. The hotel was really close to everything. The others were too far from the attractions to recommend. I know there is a couple Residence Inns that will offer breakfast.
You must eat at this tapas bar:
http://www.latascausa.com/site/
ETA to add hotel link. I thought I did:(
http://www.marriott.com/hotels.....ington-dc/

14 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

We were in DC last summer with my sister's family (2 kids ages 10 and 8). It was enjoyable but very very hot. We had to take it slow, make lots of stops and eat a lot of ice cream!:) The best part is that DC, especially the Mall, is very tourist friendly and there are tons of spots where you can take a break in the shade and soak your tired feet in the public fountains (I am thinking of the sculpture garden and the WW2 memorial).

I've stayed in these hotels before and I would recommend either:
http://grandwashington.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/
http://www.marriott.com/hotels.....rcle-Hotel

Also, both times, I've booked through priceline and paid significantly cheaper prices than advertised on the hotels' websites.

ETA: with all due respect to our DC residents, the Metro system is not extensive as the one in New York, so you have to be prepared to do a lot of walking if you're planning to do your sight seeing by Metro. There is not a single stop around the Lincoln memorial for example. So you have to learn the bus system (which we didn't) or take a cab (which was a bit expensive but ok if you're doing it once or twice). This is also another thing that slows you down when you're travelling with kids.

14 years ago

Anonymous

DC was a favorite destination with my sons when they were small. If they haven't had US history yet (about 5th grade?) you might stick to the Space museum. They enjoyed the monuments (especially Lincoln), Museum of Natural History, some exposure to art (try the American Indian art especially), the old Smithsonian castle that then had a sort of medical museum in the lower level that showed results of snake bites, etc. I'm not sure if it's still there but they loved the gruesomeness of the exhibits.
They weren't too keen on Mt. Vernon but I understand that it's been renovated to have great interactive appeal for children. They enjoyed a side trip to the mountains and Harper's Ferry...so pretty. The aquarium in Baltimore as well as the harbor area was great. The aquarium is several stories high. Also suggest a boat ride on the Potomac. I know you'll have a wonderful trip but be ready for heat and humidity.

14 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I visited DC at Christmas and I stayed with my friend, so I'm not sure I can add any good hard information. I just wanted to say that I LOVED DC. Loved it! What a fun trip! And there is so much to do there. And most of it is cheap or free. The metro is nice. Very clean. Bethesda is also a beautiful city with lots of fun little boutiques and restaurants. I'd love to visit again during the spring or summer. If you're not used to heat and humidity, just plan to take it slow, and drink plenty of water. Take lots of breaks and bring a layer for the AC indoors.

14 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

Thank you so much, everyone, lots to think about there! My boys are teenagers, I think they will enjoy the Space Museum, and they particularly enjoy anything high up that gives great views! Oh, and the bus tour of the city sounds great, too. Thank you, too, for the hotel recommendations (I know it's hard to recommend a hotel in a place where you live!) - the hotel we had been considering is the Omni Shoreham (only because it was the one we liked from the limited selection in a brochure we were looking at), but I will take a look at the other recommendations.

Malina, you made me laugh! But a 5 storey mall sounds fantastic - I will definitely be shopping (and the boys like Hollister and Abercrombe, which are way cheaper in the US than they are here).

We are in the UK - we have spent time in Orlando and New York in the summer, so we know what humidity is like lol - I just have to gird myself up for it!

14 years ago

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