DC trip planning help needed

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 7:39 pm

We are planning a long weekend to the DC area in March.
We are planning to fly out on a Thursday evening, after work and stay until Sunday.

I have not been to DC in 15 years and the last time I was there I stayed with friends in MD.

So, I have ?'s:
Option 1 :Fly into BWI and have a friend pick us up, and have dinner and beer at Mad Fox then head into DC on Friday.
Where to stay on Thursday night in VA?
Where to stay in DC for Fri and Sat?

Option 2: Pick whichever airport is more convenient, stay in DC all weekend.
Which airport?
Where to stay in DC for 3 nights?

Either Option
Any restaurant recs?
Best way to get from BWI or Dulles into the city and back?
What things should we not miss?

Thanks!

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 7:55 pm

You should contact Gromit, she's the DC girl.

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:23 pm

Try Priceline for hotels. We got a great deal at a Hyatt near the Capital. We flew into National and took public transportation.

I believe there is a hotel across the street from Mad Fox (which is a great place); Christine or Rick can confirm.

Highly recommend a monuments at night tour in DC.

mkb · Post by **mkb** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:28 pm

I was there March 2009. Flew into National and took public transportation into city. Got a good deal on a hotel near DuPont Circle. Convenient to subway.

Ditto earlier post about night monumnent viewing.

Have fun!

Carolyn · Post by **Carolyn** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:42 am

I am sure there are other perspectives from DC/VA/MD locals, but this is a visitors view. My son is in grad school in DC so we have had a couple visits in the last 1+ year. We drive down so can't offer advise on which airport so others will chime in on that I am sure. Once we get where ever we are staying the car is not used much as it is more of a pain than a help, and expect to pay $40-50/day to park at a city hotel. Cars in DC are a hassle!

We have stayed in the DuPont Circle area and it has a nice neighborhood feel and lots of smaller bistro-ish restaurants, a short metro ride away from the downtown city sites. Another visit we stayed at the Westin (Foggy Bottom/GWU metro)...a several block walk but fine hotel. Most recently we stayed at the W Hotel across the street from the White House and LOVED the location. We walked everywhere we wanted to go and only used the metro once in a 5 day stay. The hotel has an air of terminal hip-ness (techno music coursing thru the lobby, very W decor) but we encountered nothing but friendly, accommodating staff, the room was comfy w/ a great heavenly bed , and a cool, unique glass shower. The roof-top bar has a sunset view looking westward across the White House. We didn't partake in the night time partying up there but did enjoy late afternoon cocktails which were very enjoyable.

As far as restaurants we are BIG fans of Jose Andres group of tapas restaurants, Zaytina, Jaleo, Cafe Atlantico , Oyamel, and can speak first hand as to being quite pleased w/ our experiences there. Our last trip we went Indian to Rasika and had the pleasure of Michelle Obama + friends dining nearby. All of these restaurants are in the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area that we walked to from our hotel. You could use metro but we liked the walk.

This past trip we did take our car out to make a side trip down to Mt Vernon and we found it to be quite an enjoyable history lesson. We stopped in Alexandria and I would have to say that looks like an area I would enjoy spending more time exploring...quaint, historic.

I am certain you are quite capable of handling yourself on the TA site but I have to say of all the travel message boards I frequent the DC folks there are the most snarky, and sometimes downright rude online people I have come across. Nothing like the patience and friendliness we have here on VIOL!!!

Enjoy DC...I have always enjoyed visiting and will continue to go back long after my son is out of school. I just don't think it is possible to run out of things to do there!

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:49 am

Thanks Carolyn. That is good info, I like getting tips from tourists as well as locals, it gives great perspective.

Carolyn · Post by **Carolyn** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:06 am

I meant to mention that we took a tour at The Capitol this last trip in Oct. and found it quite interesting. I did a tour a few years back w/ my sister's rep aide guiding us and now that the new visitors center is available it was an even more enlightening experience. We took a secondary tour into the old Senate Chambers where I was quite taken back by the restoration of original Brumidi corridors. There is a lot of 'hidden' unique artwork that our guide pointed out. If we would have had more time I would have liked to go to the Library of Congress reading room but we will do that another time.

I am fascinated by city architecture and like to photograph it...DC does not disappoint!

Do you know what part of March you may be there?...if it's late it could be close to Cherry Blossom season which by all accounts gets quite busy. I have not been there for that yet but will do so either this year or next while my son is still there.

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:15 am

I have used BWI several times to get to DC. You can catch a bus from BWI to DCA. It drops you off at the end of the Metro line and from there you can go anywhere in the area. BWI also has an AMTRAC station on the airport. You can catch a shuttle to the train station and take a short hop to Union Station. There is a Metro stop and taxi stand just outside the doors of the train station.

When I visit the district I try to come and go from DCA. It's the first choice of congressmen and senators to get to and from their districts. It is so close to everything. You can take an inexpensive taxi ride or the Metro to get to and from there.

You can probably still buy a three day pass to the metro and save a considerable amount of money over the individual ride cost.

Have a great trip.

JIM

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:25 am

This is totally geeky, but I love to go to the Armed Forces Museum of Pathology, in D.C. If anyone in your group is into medicine or science, it's really a cool place! Not a good neighborhood, as I recall, though. Had to take a bus and walk. Wasn't on the metro.
http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:55 am

I'd stay in DC the whole weekend. If you fly into DCA or IAD (any date other than March 13-17 when I'll be in San Diego) I'll pick you up and make sure you make it to Mad Fox & to your hotel in DC!

I love the Penn Quarter area of DC because there are great restaurants, you are close to the Mall but not right on it, near Verizon center. Lots to do!

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:22 pm

flip-flop wrote:I'd stay in DC the whole weekend. If you fly into DCA or IAD (any date other than March 13-17 when I'll be in San Diego) I'll pick you up and make sure you make it to Mad Fox & to your hotel in DC!

I love the Penn Quarter area of DC because there are great restaurants, you are close to the Mall but not right on it, near Verizon center. Lots to do!

As soon as we pick a date, you will be the first to know!
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:43 pm

Great tapas & sangria (jaleo), great Indian (rasika), great steak (dc chophouse) are all in that area!

And I am 100% serious about the airport service offer! Nothingtolose treated me in Nola, so I need to pay it forward

That and I'll use any excuse to hit Mad Fax!!!!

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:14 am

We just did a long weekend in DC. We are partial to the Kimpton properties of which there are several in DC. They tend to be smaller boutique kind of properties with basic but welcoming service and extras like wine tastings. We stayed at the one near Dupont Circle.

Fave things this trip were the Newseum and Georgetown Cupcakes and Pizzeria Paradiso in Georgetown. The big caveat with all three is that they are not cheap and may not be perceived to be a good value to some. I know some in my own family who couldn’t imagine paying $21.95 admission to ANY museum, or $2.75 for a small cupcake, or $17.95 for a 12 inch pizza.

The Newseum has lotsa great stuff in it, including an exhibit of Pulitzer Prize Photographs, and how the news covered events like 9/11, Katrina, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. In those areas, in addition to headlines and newsreels, it has a section of the Berlin wall and the antenna from the WTC.

The excellent Katrina exhibit depicts how the print and TV news media reported on the suffering and the response...

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AM ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TTW0v ... G_8188.JPG" height="288" width="179"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xy ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TTW0g ... G_8189.JPG" height="302" width="400"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k0 ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TTW0g ... G_8187.JPG" height="288" width="205"></a>

The exhibit at the National Museum of American History called The Price of Freedom: Americans at War was very well done. Other popular exhibits there include The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, and, First Ladies at the Smithsonian (the inaugural ball gowns).

I didn’t do much photography – it was too damn cold, and indoors, I was trying to make a point that my current camera doesn’t do too well in low light, maybe trying to lay the groundwork to justify making room in the budget for a new DSLR…

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:07 pm

X-- Flip beat me to it... but I'll be happy to play tour guide as well. (Still a little bitter that JMQ didn't tell us he was copming to town

)

So, I have ?'s:
Option 1 :Fly into BWI and have a friend pick us up, and have dinner and beer at Mad Fox then head into DC on Friday.
Where to stay on Thursday night in VA?
Where to stay in DC for Fri and Sat?

My opinion? Don't mess with BWI unless you find an amazing deal. Chances are you'll find equal or better deals into DCA and IAD.

Option 2: Pick whichever airport is more convenient, stay in DC all weekend.
Which airport?
Where to stay in DC for 3 nights?

I would fly into DCA and use Metro -- don't mess with a car especially if you are spending your time downtown. Research what you want to see and just find someplace that's closest to that. It will save you a lot of time and hassle.

Either Option
Any restaurant recs?
Best way to get from BWI or Dulles into the city and back?
What things should we not miss?

Thanks!

All the main museums are great. The Newseum is fun as well (of course that's my industry so I'm partial).

Those will keep you plenty busy for three days withou ever leaving the mall.

Depending on when you come, if you come in summertime I highly recommend the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team. Performances are at the Iwo Jima Memorial and 8th and Eye streets depending on the day of the week. Very cool.

As far as restaurants go we honestly don't eat downtown that much, so I'd rely on others for that. Although most online resources can steer you in the right direction in terms of reviews.

As for Mad Fox, Flip and I need no excuse to go there and will happily escort you. In my current condition, I take a hit for the team as the designated driver.

Keep us posted.

JT · Post by JT » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:04 am

I agree with the DCA recommendation. Skip the car, and use Metro.If you would like an extraordinary culinary experience, try "Ris"downtown at 22nd & L streets.
http://www.risdc.com/
To give you an idea, Chef Ris was the chef,and host, for Julia Child's 90th birthday celebration.
http://www.risdc.com/index.php/about/ow ... s_lacoste/

She truly is considered by many to be one of the finest chefs in the country. though not cheap, it is not outrageously expensive, either.
Have fun!

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DC trip planning help needed

DC trip planning help needed